“My dear Lizzy,” he said with obvious joy, holding her at arm’s length to examine her sun-touched complexionand the confidence that radiated from her bearing. “You look absolutely radiant. This expedition has agreed with you.”
“It has, Uncle,” Elizabeth replied, her voice thick with emotion. “Though I suspect we have many tales to tell that will strain your credibility.”
Uncle Gardiner greeted the others with equal warmth, anticipation evident in every cheerful greeting. When Captain Morrison presented him with the cargo manifests, he made no effort to conceal his pleasure as he scanned the impressive variety of goods they had acquired — the businessman in him thoroughly satisfied.
“Excellent work, Morrison,” he declared with satisfaction. “This cargo should yield profits that exceed even my most optimistic projections. Everyone aboard has earned substantial bonuses, which I will calculate after taxes and port fees have been assessed.”
He turned to address their small group with the generosity Elizabeth had always associated with her favorite uncle. “I would also be delighted to arrange the sale of any personal items you acquired during your travels, if you wish to convert your treasures into more practical English currency. Each of you will receive the same as the others once my cargo has sold.”
Darcy stepped forward with the quiet dignity Elizabeth had come to love. “Mr. Gardiner, I am grateful for your offer, but I must respectfully decline any share of profits. I was a passenger, not an investor in this venture.”
“If…,” Uncle Gardiner began, but Darcy continued with gentle firmness. Waiting until his cousin was distracted, he added, “However, if those funds could be added to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s total, I would be most pleased. His service to Crown and country throughout this journey deserves recognition and reward.”
It was characteristic of Darcy, Elizabeth thought—the extra funds would give the other couple a better start to their marriage, and he had arranged it without a word of fuss.
“How did your expedition proceed?” Uncle Gardiner asked with the curiosity of someone who had invested both money and family members in an uncertain venture. “I confess myself eager to hear whether Professor Drye’s promises proved accurate.”
Her father was filled with evident enthusiasm, making him appear decades younger. “My dear Gardiner, the good professor did not lead us astray. In addition to finding what he sought, I have had the time of my life and would gladly undertake the entire adventure again if circumstances required it. We have seen indescribable wonders, made discoveries that will reshape classical scholarship, and experienced cultures that have broadened our understanding of the world itself. But for now,” he continued with a smile that combined satisfaction with anticipation, “it is time to clean myself properly, check on the welfare of my three youngest daughters, and return to Longbourn to see if it remains standing after months of my absence.”
The mention of departure sent a pang of unexpected sadness through Elizabeth. After months of constant companionship with Darcy, the prospect of separation was almost physically painful. When she glanced at him, she found her own reluctance mirrored back at her without disguise.
Whilst the bustlingactivity of cargo was unloaded, Darcy’s mind was consumed by an anxiety that had nothing to do with maritime commerce. Since the day theMeridianlimped into Gibraltar, nearly one hundred days prior, he had been in Elizabeth’s constant company aboard theMary Catherine. They had shared every conceivable circumstance that life at sea could present, both the most favorable and the most trying moments a man could experience in such confined quarters.
She had seen him at his absolute worst. Covered with whiskers after weeks without proper shaving facilities, and his usually immaculate clothing had been reduced to salt-stained, wrinkled garments that bore the marks of their extraordinary journey. In the Mediterranean winds, his groomed hair had undoubtedly stood on end like that of a madman, and the opportunity for fresh clothing and regular bathing had been rare.
Even worse was his failure to protect her from Wickham. Despite Elizabeth claiming that she refused to think of that dark time, Darcy would never forget.
Yet despite witnessing him in such undignified states, despite seeing him reduced to the most basic human needs, she had somehow come to love him and agreed to become his wife.
Now they were back in England, where the familiar patterns of social life would reassert themselves. They would temporarily be separated by the demands of family obligations, estate business, and the countless distractions that constituted “normal existence.“ He would need toresume his role as master of Pemberley, while she would be drawn back into the web of familial relationships and expectations that had shaped her previous life.
Until they wed.
Darcy pulled the collar of his coat higher. Even during the final days of July, a light mist penetrated the fabric.Welcome to England!
He drew close to Elizabeth. Leaning towards her, he whispered, “My darling wife-to-be, I fear that not being in your company will adversely affect my physical heart. Since that particular portion of my anatomy is filled with love for you, will you promise that we will have a very short engagement? I fear that only with your approval shall I feel relief.”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, my love, for I shall miss you beyond belief.”
Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed each gloved finger before brushing his lips over her bare wrist. “I love you, dear woman.”
“I love you as well.”
By late that evening,he was settled at Darcy House. After taking one look at him, his valet hurried to provide a bath, a haircut, and a shave. Georgiana and the Matlocks were eager to hear of their adventures. Richard returned from filing his report at Colonel Sir David Buckworth’s office with a new assignment for the Orient, along with his wife-to-be. And Elizabeth…
Elizabeth was a short carriage ride away on Gracechurch Street. He simply could not wait until theymarried. Never would he need to be separated from her again. He wanted to bring her home.
Very early the next morning,his cousin entered the breakfast room with a happy grin. “I spoke with Prudence, and we have decided to accept the assignment,” he reported gleefully. “We also obtained a common license today. Our wedding will be in London on Wednesday, and we sail for the Orient two days later.”
Stunned, Darcy could only look at him. “Less than a week?”
Richard shrugged. “Why wait? The family I want in attendance is in Town. The HMSSalvationhas quarters available big enough for a married couple, and I am ready to begin my life with Prudence.”
Darcy understood the feeling. “I am happy for you, though the prospect of you being away from England for such a long time lessens my pleasure. I almost wish Elizabeth and I could go with you.”
His cousin nodded. “Prudence and I intend to purchase several journals that we will take with us and document our travels like my soon-to-be cousin Elizabeth did in the Mediterranean. Without a doubt, we will have many stories to tell.”
“As will we, I suspect.” Darcy stood, offering his hand. “We are for Cambridge today to deliver the scrolls to Professor Drye.”
