Page 55 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“She is in the library; you can see her, but please keep the conversation short,” Mr. Bennet said, and Darcy was finally relieved to leave the teasing man and walked to the library as fast as he could.

He expected Elizabeth to be seated on the couch, quite absorbed in her favorite occupation, reading.

But to his surprise, as he opened the door, she stood by the window serenely gazing at the sunlight that adorned the April morning sky.

She was oblivious to his presence, and Darcy wished he possessed the talent to draw, as he longed to capture the beautiful likeness he beheld.

He was torn between breaking her trance and calling out to her; however, as he took a few steps forward, Elizabeth turned around in surprise.

“Fitzwilliam!” she exclaimed, shocked by his sudden appearance. Darcy smiled at her, relishing how she had addressed him, for it was the first time she had done so, though he had pleaded for it on many occasions.

“At last, you have bestowed upon me the honor of addressing me by my given name,” he said, stepping forward to take her hand.

“Your appearance took me by surprise, and I assure you I will be more careful next time, Mr. Darcy,” she said teasingly.

“I cannot believe you have been here a whole week, and yet I have scarcely had the opportunity to spend any time with you,” he said, his voice tinged with irritation.

“It is surprising you would feel so, for we have met almost every day in the past week except for Thursday.”

“Meeting you in a room filled with our families is quite different from standing this close to you, with only us present,” he said with feeling.

“I assume my father gave you permission to meet me now.”

“He did and wanted me to make it short-lived,” he said, caressing her cheek.

“Why did you wish to see me? We were to meet you for supper.”

“We are to wed in three weeks, and yet it feels like an eternity. You returning to Longbourn tomorrow only adds to my pain,” he said.

“Am I to believe that my future husband lacks the will to mount his horse and ride to Longbourn if he wishes to see me?” she asked with a smile. Darcy and the Matlocks were to arrive at Netherfield a day before the engagement party and remain until the wedding.

Knowing that he did not have much time to detain her, Darcy reached for his pocket and held out a small box.

“I have wanted to give this to you for a very long time,” he said and pressed it into her hands.

Elizabeth gazed into the box with excitement, and within it she found a delicate chain adorned with a beautiful pendant shaped like a rose, set with sparkling diamonds.

“It belonged to my mother and was one of her favorite pieces of jewelry. I wanted this to be my first gift to you. I have never missed my parents as I do now, and their absence pains me, as they missed witnessing my happiness in winning the heart of a woman as worthy as you,” he said.

Elizabeth bravely touched his cheek and thanked him.

“It is so thoughtful of you to give this to me. Though I never had the honor of knowing your mother, whenever I behold Georgiana, in the affection and care she shows me, I sense her presence. You have not only given me a beautiful future, Fitzwilliam, but you have helped me rediscover the woman I once was. I cannot express how your love has healed my scars; I no longer fear anything,” she said.

It took all his resolve to refrain from kissing her, for he knew better than to take advantage of the liberty her father had granted.

“Shall we join your family?” he asked, and Elizabeth nodded and accompanied him.

They met once again that night and the next morning, then Elizabeth’s family left for Hertfordshire along with Mr. Bingley.

As much as the thought of separation pained him, Darcy knew he had pressing matters to attend to.

He was certain that after his wedding, he would neglect business, for how long was yet uncertain.

Having seen Elizabeth safely on her way, he returned home with dejected spirits, and Georgiana immediately excused herself as she busied herself in preparing for her upcoming trip.

Darcy sat in his study, attempting to divert his thoughts by attending to the pile of mail upon his desk.

Before he knew it, he had spent nearly a quarter of an hour addressing matters long neglected in recent weeks.

Suddenly, his eyes fell upon an envelope addressed to him without a sender’s name.

Instantly, Darcy sensed that something was amiss, and Elizabeth’s face flashed vividly before his mind.

Despite his efforts, he could not quell the fear that crept into his chest. Hastily, he broke the seal and read the letter’s contents.

Within moments, Darcy understood with horror that Elizabeth’s fears were well-founded, for her past now lay before him on paper.

He read the letter repeatedly, seeking to affirm his doubts, and was deeply perplexed as to who could possess the cruelty and courage to threaten Elizabeth’s happiness and ruin their engagement.

“It will not do, I must find who is behind this,” he thought and rose swiftly, and at the exact moment Richard stormed into his study.

He placed a letter on Darcy’s desk, and it was addressed to Lady Matlock.

“We ought not to have spared him, Darcy!” Richard exclaimed, his rage mirroring the fury in Darcy’s eyes.