18th April 1816
During their long and slow-paced return to London, Elizabeth and William encountered many of those men and women who had kindly helped Richard on his painful journey. Many of them, like the ladies from the small parish in Portsmouth, brought Elizabeth flowers, wishing her happiness and health.
The gang of smugglers and mercenaries acting in the south of the country had also been dismantled, thanks to the brilliant work of Mr Dayton, Mr Duncan and the other runners from Bow Street.
A letter from the constable in Eastbourne informed them that Dr Hayford was recovering well and sent his regards and congratulations for their upcoming nuptials. Upon the honour of having one of the couple’s sons named after him in recognition for his invaluable help, he declined. Habakkuk was not a name the good doctor would impose on another innocent child, he had told the constable.
It was with cheerful hearts that they finally arrived at Lord Matlock’s house in London.
“Lizzy! My dear, dear girl!” Mr Bennet shouted, running to his daughter as she stepped out of the carriage, enveloping her in a strong embrace. “Thank you, sir, Colonel, for bringing my girl back,” he added turning to the gentlemen with tears in his eyes.
Finally, the two families were reunited. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, and more tears were shed. This time, however, tears of celebration and laughter.
After that initial reunion was over, they all sat to dine and listen to the details about the perilous journey.
Richard, taking upon himself the responsibility of narrator, was as cheerful and voluble as ever — or at least, what his wound would allow him to be.
To Jane’s great delight, Richard’s gaze, not rarely, was upon her. Theirs had been a more discreet and reserved reunion, as they did not have a formal understanding yet.
Around eleven o’clock that evening, Richard, Darcy and Elizabeth, exhausted by having relived all the tense moments of the last week, begged their relatives to allow them to retire. Their wishes were reluctantly conceded, as the family still wanted more details of what had happened. In the end, they all agreed to take up the conversation in the morning.
“And you, Darcy, are going to stay here with Georgiana until I am convinced you are well enough to return to your house,” Lady Madeleine said, assuming her role of mother goose again.
Darcy chuckled. It was good to be home.
~ ? ~
Around two o’clock in the morning, Jane was awoken by Elizabeth’s muttering. Unable to be separated just after a small time together, they had insisted upon sharing a bedchamber.
Jane got out of bed and went to check if her sister needed anything, but Elizabeth was still sleeping — a talking, sleeping girl. Nothing new there. It usually happened when Elizabeth was anxious, too sad, or too happy. In any case, it was not worth waking her up.
Giving up going back to sleep, Jane found herself heading towards the library. Perhaps a book would help pass the time.
As she entered the room, she was surprised to find the fireplace still burning and the place warm and cosy. She looked around but did not see anyone. Closer to the fire, the large armchair had been turned from its usual position. She looked beneath it and saw a pair of male bare feet on the carpet.
She blushed and turned to leave the room, but a familiar noise caught her attention. Her heart beat faster. Moved by a sweet curiosity, Jane quietly approached the front of the chair, careful not to wake its occupant.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, in all his glorious being, was peacefully sleeping on it.
She knew she should not, but she could not help but observe his handsome features. As Jane looked at his hand, she saw he was holding something, and smiled. It was the cross she had given him before he left.
“Oh, Colonel,” she whispered.
She turned to leave, but as she walked away the wooden floor creaked beneath her and Richard woke up.
“Anybody there?” came his sleepy question.
She froze on the spot, embarrassed for having been caught in the library with him at such a time. She heard him standing up and stopping behind her. But she could not turn; she was too mortified to look at him. How was she going to explain her presence there?
“Miss Bennet,” Richard called gently.
Slowly, Jane turned and raised her gaze to him, just to find a lovely smile on his face.
The sight took her breath away. “I… I…” But when those two vowels finally left her mouth, she could not stop anymore. “I… was having trouble sleeping because Elizabeth is having dreams. And when she dreams, she talks, and I cannot sleep. How could I possibly think about waking her up? My poor sister has been through so much. She is sleeping… but I… I could not.”
Richard had now a large, open grin on his face. “Do not worry, Miss Bennet. I know exactly what you mean. I should not say it, but Darcy suffers from the same problem. Well, it is a problem for us who stay awake anyway,” he said chuckling .
Richard’s expression became serious as he lowered his eyes and noticed that Jane was in her nightclothes. He was an honourable man, but a man, nonetheless. He could not trust himself to stay with her under such dangerous circumstances.
Raising his eyes, he found her gaze — her flushed, beautiful and enticing gaze — on him. He knew that what he had been nurturing for Miss Bennet was more than physical attraction. It was love. And, like mist in the sunlight, all the previous doubts he had that night — doubts that had prevented him from sleeping, of his suitability, her feelings and acceptance, a future together — simply vanished.
He smiled again, and as if it had an independent will, he found his hand gently caressing her cheek. Jane closed her eyes at his touch. Reluctantly, he lowered his hand before his hungry lips could follow it. “Would you give me a moment of your time tomorrow morning? There is something I would like to ask you.”
Jane’s green eyes widened, her surprised face slowly melting adoringly. “I will look forward to it, Colonel. Good night.”
~ ? ~
Early the following morning, Richard reached for two objects in his chest of drawers. He put both of them in his coat pocket and went downstairs. He was delighted to notice the breakfast room was empty, hoping that Miss Bennet would join him there at any moment.
Serving himself a cup of coffee, he closed his eyes, savouring the fragrant beverage with such pleasure that he did not notice when Jane finally entered the room.
Seeing the dreaming expression on the Colonel’s face, so content with such a simple thing as a cup of hot coffee, made her smile.
He opened his eyes and saw her. The smile on his face made her heart beat faster. And she felt lightheaded remembering his request.
He invited her to sit beside him, serving her a plate .
As they ate, they exchanged smiling glances which conveyed more than mere words.
Darcy entered the room and felt like intruding something. He was about to excuse himself and leave when Elizabeth also arrived.
“Morning Jane,” Elizabeth said slowly after greeting the Colonel and had her hand kissed by Darcy.
The two sisters glanced at each other with mischief in their eyes, pursing their lips. The memory of their mutual confession in the intimacy of their bedroom last night was still too fresh for them to ignore. Elizabeth had awoken when Jane returned to their bedroom after her impromptu meeting with the colonel in the library, and they had spent the next couple of hours opening their hearts.
Seeing that Miss Bennet had already finished eating, and not being able to endure any more delays, Richard invited her for a walk in the gardens, which she gladly accepted. They excused themselves and left the room.
Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged glances and smiles.
“I think we can expect some good news very soon,” Darcy said buttering his toast.
Elizabeth grinned, sipping her tea. “I believe we can. At last Jane has found a man worthy of her love. And I am very happy for them.”
As they left the house, Richard offered Miss Bennet his arm. They walked in silence around the small but manicured garden. Upon reaching a bench, he invited her to sit.
Jane noticed him wincing. “Is it still hurting?”
He looked down and smiled at her concern. “No more than is to be expected. But there are other things that can make a man wince…” He raised his troubled gaze and found her attentive eyes on him.
Richard looked down at his hands, rubbing them nervously. “Miss Bennet, I think it is time for me to return this to you.” He reached for his pocket and fetched one of the small black velvet pouches, placing it in Jane’s hand.
As he closed her hand around the small object, he kept his hand on hers. “Thank you. It gave me hope when I needed it most.” He tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. He loosened his grip on Jane’s hand, but she did not let go.
“Then I am happy it served its purpose,” she said, blushing.
Richard looked down at their entwined hands and gave a sad smile. “I… I love you, Jane. You must know that already. And although my heart is the only thing I can offer for now, I will freely give it to you, if only you will have it. I do not have much to offer. As an officer, my life is not easy—”
His speech was interrupted by a finger on his lips. She had given this subject a great amount of thought. So, when the words left her mouth, she knew she meant every one of them. “What else could a lady desire more than to be loved by a brave and honourable man? A man who keeps his word, is honest, who looks first for the interests of those who are vulnerable and who depend on him? You are a good man, Colonel. I doubt any lady would find anything wanting in you.”
He cupped her cheek, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on hers. “Am I a fool to believe you return my feelings? Oh, God. How could I not desire with all my heart that a woman like you could care for me? In my selfishness, I dreamt about you saying yes to my request and living by my side for the rest of our lives.” He paused and sighed, frowning, slowly lowering his hand and averting his eyes from hers. “But I do not have the independence to decide my own fate. How could I ever hope to ask you to marry me, even when I love you more than my own life, knowing I have so little to offer?”
Jane’s heart warmed at Richard’s pained words as he opened his heart to her, exposing to her his deepest concerns. In that moment, she could not avoid thinking about the feelings she had had for Mr Bingley. Nothing could compare to what she was feeling now.
She took Richard’s hand again and, when he raised his sad eyes to her, she caressed his bluish cheek and smiled. “I would say just ask and see what I have to answer.”
Richard smiled; his eyes now filled with hope. In that moment, he did the only thing he could do. He knelt down in front of her, in the middle of Lord Matlock’s gardens, reaching for his coat pocket to find the other object. The small box revealed an engagement ring. He looked back at her. “Jane, would you give me the great honour of being my wife? I love you, more than I thought it was possible to love anyone. I offer you my heart and everything else you might want. Please, say you accept me.”
A small queue of tears followed down her face, but the smile never left her lips as she nodded. “Yes… Richard. I would be honoured to be your wife.”
Richard’s lips stretched in a grin. He stood up and pulled her into his arms, whirling her around like children in a time of innocence, laughing and enjoying the bliss of their newfound love. Her happy expression and melodic giggles were beyond anything Richard could ever feel, and he promised himself he would do anything to keep them for ever.
When they stopped, and still panting from his physical exertion, Richard gently brought his thumb to her cheek again and said, “Would you mind if I kiss my future wife?”
She lowered her face, smiling, but looked at him through her long lashes. “No, I would not. In fact, I would encourage you to do exactly that.”
Those eyes and words were his undoing. Richard leaned down to the woman who soon, very soon God willing, would be his wife, and reverently claimed her lips. A brief, but loving and meaningful kiss; a mark of the beginning of a happy life together.
He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, his breathing deep and ragged. What he found was not much different. Her passionate eyes and blushed cheeks were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
As expected from a couple who was just starting to share their love, a second kiss followed, and then a third.
From a window above, on the second floor, another couple hugged each other at the sight of such a beautiful scene in their garden.
“They will be happy together, will they not, Alfred?” Lady Madeleine asked her husband, while drying her tears .
“I am sure they will, my love,” Lord Matlock replied, placing a gentle kiss on the head of his wife and companion of the last thirty-five years. “I am sure both of our boys will.”
~ ? ~
That evening, a great celebration took place in the Matlock home. The Fitzwilliams, together with the Darcys, the Bennets, Captain Owen, Mr Duncan, Dr Alden and his wife, and Mr Lynch all gathered for the engagement dinner of Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, and Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Bennet.
Surprisingly, what had been a cause for concern for Darcy when he first met Mrs Bennet and her younger daughters — a meeting between his family and Elizabeth’s — was unfounded. The ladies’ behaviour was beyond reproach. The reason for that? Only God knew. Sometimes, suffering affects people in strange ways. In this case, however, the transformation was, without a doubt, very welcome.
As soon as dinner was served, Darcy stood up and asked for everyone’s attention. “I would like to take this opportunity to propose a toast and express my gratitude to a man who, throughout the years, has proved to be much more than a relative.”
Darcy paused and looked Richard in the eyes. For the first time for many of those present, the proud and arrogant Mr Darcy proved to be definitively gone. In his place was a man marked by suffering and pain, but also by love and hope.
“Richard, you have been more than a cousin to me. You have been at my side when I most needed help since we were young boys. You risked your life to save Elizabeth and me. You did not measure sacrifice or discomfort and have shown you are a faithful and trustworthy man. But, for me, your strength is not based on force, as many could attribute to a colonel in our Majesty’s Army. No. Your strength is here…” he said touching his own chest, “in your kind heart. And, for that, I will be forever gr ateful. I always considered you like a brother...” Darcy paused and gave Jane a smile. “But, now, this privilege will be mine by right, and I could not be prouder. I will thank our Lord every single day of my life for having favoured me with your strength and friendship. Thank you.”
Darcy and Richard exchanged proud glances and nods.
“Please raise your glasses with me,” Darcy continued, “and toast the honour of Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, the best friend and brother anyone could ever have.”
“To Richard!” The loud voices echoed in the dining room, as all of those present stood up, raising their glasses and drinking to the honour of that great man.
But Darcy was not done. For someone who considered himself not very good with words, he did not waste the opportunity to use them. “I would also like to ask you to join me in a thankful prayer. You have all heard about the many things — miracles, as I prefer to call them — that have happened to us, without which we would not be here today celebrating.”
As the room fell into silence, Darcy raised his voice in a simple but quite sincere prayer. “Dear Lord, we want to thank you for your kindness and mercy for our lives. Thank you for all those who crossed our path and, in some way, helped us. Thank you for the blessings that enabled us to succeed in our mission. And thank you for allowing Richard, Elizabeth and I to live and taste what happiness can truly be, together with our friends and family. Amen.”
That night, friends and families ate and drank, cheered and laughed. Georgiana played the pianoforte, and they danced and celebrated not only the engagements, but also the promise of a bright and happy future.