Page 58 of Suddenly Married

Mr. Darcy paced impatiently; he had not seen Elizabeth for almost a month and doubted whether he could restrain the urge to embrace her.

Yet he knew he must speak. He had to ask her forgiveness and implore her to grant him a chance to prove how much he loved her and how he had changed.

When Elizabeth entered the room at last, he was struck dumb.

She was even lovelier than he remembered.

Something in her eyes, in the pallor of her countenance, inspired in him an irrational longing both to cherish and to protect her.

But, perceiving that she looked at him expectantly, he began to speak.

"Elizabeth, my beloved Elizabeth, you cannot know how happy I am to see you again." He approached and dared only to kiss her hand.

When Elizabeth saw her husband's gaze, she wished both to laugh and to weep.

He looked so handsome, though thinner, with dark circles beneath his eyes, proof that he had not rested well in recent days.

She longed to seek refuge in his arms and hear words of love from his lips.

"Fitzwilliam, thank you for coming. I think we have delayed this much-needed conversation far too long. "

Elizabeth sat, and he immediately took his place beside her. He clasped one of his wife's hands and covered it with kisses. "Did you miss me, Elizabeth? Believe me, there was not a day I did not think of you, my sweet love."

Elizabeth did not quite know how to answer. She had missed him not only by day but also by night, for she had dreamt of him constantly. Yet she knew they must speak plainly and not allow passion to overtake them.

"Fitzwilliam, I think we should talk…"

"No, my love, do not say you wish to annul our marriage.

I know I have behaved like a fool and do not deserve you.

I ask only that you allow me to prove I have changed.

I have been selfish all my life, but thanks to you, I have seen how wrong I was.

Please, grant me one more chance. I have considered this deeply.

Allow me to tell you what I propose before you say anything.

" While he waited for her answer, he held her hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Elizabeth smiled. Something in her husband was indeed altered, and she could not resist kissing him gently on the cheek.

"Fitzwilliam, I love you too and do not wish to annul our marriage.

But I do not want us to make hasty decisions.

If we give our relationship a second chance, we must learn to communicate better. "

"Of course. Now, my love, I wish to do things properly from the beginning.

Last time, I asked you to marry me without even troubling to hear your reply.

Considering my actions, I see I did not even court you as I should have.

I failed to behave like a gentleman and ought to have declared my interest openly from that day at Mr. Lucas's house, when you wore that yellow dress which became you so well.

You sang so beautifully, though Mrs. Collins almost forced you to it.

Let me court you now. If you prefer, you may continue here with the Clarks.

I shall be your suitor for as long as you deem necessary.

We shall visit the museums you love, walk together through the city's beautiful parks, and spend as much time as you wish in the bookshops I know, choosing new treasures for our libraries.

At night, I shall leave you at your sister's door, giving you all the time you need to decide without pressure when you trust me again and wish to live with me.

What do you think of my plan, my dear?" He gazed at her intently.

"It is an excellent plan, Fitzwilliam. We shall at last spend time together as we never did before." Then, with a playful laugh, she added, "And since we are already married, we have no need of a chaperone."

When the tea arrived, Elizabeth poured a cup for her husband, and they conversed for nearly two hours. Mr. Darcy related every conversation he had had with her family and how each had shown him his own arrogance and error.

"I am sorry, my dear. I did not know you were seeking me," Elizabeth confessed, somewhat abashed.

"It was better this way, Elizabeth. I needed time to reflect and to realize how precious you are, how fortunate I am to be your husband."

Mr. Darcy did not wish to leave, but the time came when he must. He kissed his wife on the cheek, and she responded kindly. Before he departed, she said, "My dear husband, why do you not join us for dinner today?"

"I should be delighted. I hope I shall not be inopportune." Mr. Darcy was uncertain whether Mr. Clark wished to see him so soon after their tense morning meeting, but he longed to be with his wife as much as possible.

"Do not worry; Jane and Lawrence are the best of hosts.

And my brother-in-law is a wonderful man.

He is not only clever but also delightful company.

I know you will like him better once you become acquainted.

" Elizabeth stroked his hand as she spoke, eager to persuade him to return that evening.

She felt she could not bear to wait until the morrow.

Mr. Darcy did not like to hear Elizabeth speak with such warmth of another man. Yet he knew those selfish sentiments had led him to many errors, and he resolved to dismiss them at once. "Very well, my love. Then I shall see you this evening."

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were happy and hopeful for the future of their union. They had succeeded in clearing away the misunderstandings and were prepared to begin anew.

◆◆◆

When Mr. Darcy arrived home, he could not help but feel very sad.

He would now be with his Elizabeth if he had been a better husband.

Yet he knew that what he was doing was the proper course.

Though it was a great sacrifice for him to give up her company, he resolved to do so in order to prove to her and to her family how deeply he loved her.

He had left the house very early, so he went to his study to review the day's correspondence, when Georgiana left the drawing room and ran to meet him.

"Georgiana, what are you doing here? How did you come to London? Alone?" asked Mr. Darcy, torn between worry and anger.

"We shall speak of that later, brother. First, you must hear what I have done these past days. And then, you must hear of my brilliant plan to ensure that the entire Bennet family forgives you and accepts you as the good and honourable man you are." Georgiana laughed as she embraced her brother.