“William…I…what if I lose you? What if…?”
“My love, I––”
“I do not blame you. I know you had no other choice. Georgiana is your sister. You must protect her and her honor. But,” she said, “what if I do not have an opportunity to…be Mrs. Darcy?”
“You will––”
“You could die.” Her sobs could no longer be repressed, allowing all her fears to come to the forefront.
He walked her to the chaise and sat down next to her, her head resting against his chest.
She cried in his arms until her tears were spent. “What are we to do, William?”
A final sob, like a child crying herself to sleep, broke forth.
“Elizabeth,” he said, gently kissing her brow until she looked up at him. “I have fought too hard to lose you now.”
“What if Wickham kills you?”
“Do you believe him a better marksman?”
Shrugging her shoulders, she answered. “I do not trust him. He is dishonorable and will do whatever he must to be victorious. Imustbe there.”
Darcy frowned and held up his hand. “No. I will not put you at risk.”
“I will worry until you return.”
“I will worry if you are there. Promise me… I would be in more danger with your presence. My sole motivation would be to protect you.”
“William…please.”
His fingers slowly traced her cheek before resting on her lips. “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet, andwill notlose you! I havechosenthis life and will finally receive all the happiness I am due! I will return home to you.”
His strange words puzzled her before he tenderly kissed her lips.
“Youwillbe Mrs. Darcy if it is the last thing I do.”
Elizabeth had returned to her chambers, and Darcy reclined on Collins’s chaise, having decided to rest there instead of returning to his room, only two doors down from hers.I am an honorable man, but where Elizabeth is concerned, I often lose all sense of reason.
He took a steadying drink of his brandy, then folded his hands behind his head.In merely a few hours I will have all of my heart’s desires. My sister will be safe, Pemberley will be mine, and I will be free to marry Elizabeth. She has chosen me, and I her.He swirled his drink, watching the amber liquid glint in the candlelight. “But I must calm her fears.”
He stood and walked to the desk, picking up a piece of linen paper. Placing a quill in ink, he leaned over and began:
Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
Be not alarmed, my love, that this letter contains anysentiments that last night were so worrisome to you…
The sun had not yet risen, but its fingers streaked across the horizon, illuminating his surroundings. A mist was settled upon the ground and encircled the ruins of the original house, stretching across the fields and into the woods. Darcy buttoned his greatcoat, while Bingley rubbed his arms for warmth.
“I am grateful to you, Charles. You did not have to be my second.”
“I did not,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I believe you would have done the same for me. I cannot explain why, but I know you would.”
“I would, my friend.”
The men paced, attempting to keep warm, while a doctor from the village checked his watch.
“Mr. Wickham should have been here by now,” the older man said. “I can’t imagine what is keeping him.”
