Be not alarmed, my love, that this letter contains any sentiments that last night were so worrisome to you…
Elizabeth stopped reading, squinting at the strange words on the page.Be not alarmed, my love? What is this? That is most assuredly not how the letter began!Her mind raced at the unknown text, as she spoke to the empty room. “He talked of his words being disgusting to me. I particularly remember the word ‘disgusting.’ What joke could this be?” Her heart began to race, and she read on.
In the mist of the morning, I will face my lifelong foe, the man who has brought nothing but pain and heartbreak to my world. However,I have been blessed with the second chance of your love, and I will not throw it away. I know you are concerned with the outcome of tomorrow’s duel, but know this: God would not bring us together solely to have me perish…
A strange feeling began to crawl up Elizabeth’s neck.
I have loved you from the first moment of our acquaintance, although we may have different recollections as to the particular event. Your kindness to me during my illness, as well as to your sister, does you credit. Mrs. Collins truly values your support in her marriage. Without your presence at the parsonage, your sister may not have found any joy. That is what you have done for me, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. You have brought me joy in every moment of my life that I have known you.
Know that our marriage will not be something in which we have to rely upon others to find our happiness. We will find it from our mutual respect and consideration. Having reclaimedmy heritage and the Darcy name, our children will grow rich in our love and the knowledge of their ancestors.
Yes, my love. Children. A house full of them. I anticipate the day when I wake with you in my arms to the sound of squeals and giggles from our numerous children––sons with my sense of honor and duty, and daughters with your wit, charm, and expressive eyes. I anticipate with longing the moment when you will become mine.
I am all anticipation for an end to this disaster with Wickham so we can begin our life together. You have enchanted me, Elizabeth Bennet, and I am yours to command, heart and soul.
I choose you!
William Darcy (nee’ Fitzroy)
Her breath caught, and the only other sound was the fluttering of the pages asthey fell to the floor.
It was a dream. It had to have been. All of it: Bingley’s lot, Georgiana’s marriage to Wickham…Elizabeth’s love.I am the only one who remembers, the only one who was so affected.“William Fitzroy did not exist.”
But who is to say what is a dream and what is real anymore?Heleaned back and was swallowed by the feather pillows as he stared up at the intricate patterns of gold cherubs gracing the ceiling in his room. He hated those cherubs. He hated this room. It was the room Lady Catherine always prepared for his arrivalbecause it was closest to Anne’s.
As much as he was disgusted by the routine machinations of his aunt, the schemes by his cousins left him jubilant. Elizabeth,hisElizabeth, was here at Rosings.She had moved into the Garden Room, a room which his aunt had redecorated forhisownmother seventeen years before, a room which was only four doors down from his.
The irony of her placement in the house was not lost on him, and he was grateful for the work of his cousins and sister, although he was confident his aunt would find their actions reprehensible. She was still set on him proposing to Anne and combining the two estates.But, if there was one thing his dreams had taught him:I will do all in my power toconstitute my own happiness without reference to others so wholly unconnected to me.
Darcy had never believed himself to be a man to do other’s bidding.I am a man in possession of myself, my property, and my holdings. I am not required to consider anyone’s wishes.He hit his fist on the counterpane to emphasize his point as he sat up and ran his hand through his hair. His removal from the parsonage had been against his wishes, although he knew he could not remain there forever. He had told himself he had acquiesced due to the strain Lady Catherine was most assuredly placing upon Georgiana. Yet was that in truth? Did he genuinely allow himself precedence? How long had he avoided the issue of his alleged betrothal to Anne to keep the peace with his aunt? How long had he avoided any communication with Anne, hoping to not give her false hopes?
You arrogant fool. Who is to say Anne ever desired your attention?
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and rang for Briggs.
If your ability to judge the desires of women is based on the response from Elizabeth, you have misled yourself and wasted years in cravenness toward a cousin whom you valued as a friend. Yet, ignoring that, you allowedher to flounder under the insatiable scrutiny of a mother who only wished to have her own desires without considering those of the principal parties involved.In the last several days, he had lived a lifetime, and in that lifetime, he had learned what he truly valued.And I will fight for what I value and want, no matter the cost.
The door opened, revealing Briggs with newly polished boots. “Yes, sir?”
“I would like to join the others downstairs.”
“Would you like your green or blue coat?”
“The blue,” Darcy said, standing, his limbs shaking with only mild protest.My strength is increasing. I should be hale and hardy in the next day or two.Walking across the room, he looked out the same window as the week before. But so much had changed.I promise you, Elizabeth. I will do all in my power to change your opinion of me and win your heart.
Anne de Bourgh glanced around the room, resting on her cousin Richard.
How real my dreams have been. A life without him would be unimaginable.
But that is what her life would entail if Lady Catherine had her say. There was an awkwardness about the party. Darcy was confused, barely maintaining his control under the surface. But Miss Bennet?How strange. She is like a bird, ready to fly at any moment, avoiding Darcy at all costs. She and Georgiana have played duets for the last three quarters of an hour. And Darcy, like the rest of us, is puzzled as to her avoidance.
Anne’s eyes caught Colonel Fitzwilliam who shrugged. She quickly responded in kind, then turned.
“Are you well, Darcy? You have had quite a strained week.”
“I am well, only…confounded,” he said, observing his sister and Miss Bennet.
“I imagine you are. This is not the outcome I believed would occur when the invitation was extended.”
