“Elizabeth, I can see one of these definitions fitting my situation, but then what islove?”
“Real love,Georgiana, changes your life; your own needs no longer exist. If rejected, youneverforget the person; as Fitzwilliam did, you might try to run away—you try to find solace some place else, but it cannot be.You might even choose another with whom to spend your life, but there is no love for it died and was replaced with regard or affection. I could not think of loving anyone but your brother; can you say the same thing about Mr.Wickham?”
“I cannot, Elizabeth. I feel nothing for the man. I only feel my own shame at being taken in by him.”
“Then may we move on? You are not the person you were then.The Darcys must learn to not be so hard on themselves.Your brother is learning that lesson; can you not also?”
“Elizabeth, you make things so logical and so simple. I am happy to be able to share my life with you. Maybe if you were here before, I would not have made such a fool of myself.”
“Georgiana, we all make fools of ourselves.Your brother and I are perfect examples, but what you have now is someone to whom to talk when you have questions. I may not always have the answers, but we will find our way together, and I will always be there to support you.”
Darcy could not believe how easily the two of them talked together; at last, Georgiana had a female to whom to turn for advice. He started to step into the room, but held for just a moment when Elizabeth stammered one last question.
“Do you believe Lady Catherine will ever forgive your brother for not choosing Anne? Family is so important to me; I hate being the cause of a family rift.”
“My aunt is stubborn, but she forgets Fitzwilliam is the head of the Darcy family now. Those Lady Catherine is able to influence will be easily forgotten.”
“But will Edward’s marriage to Anne create other problems for your brother?”
“If Fitzwilliam married Anne, our aunt could stay at Rosings because Fitzwilliam is rich enough not to need Anne’s fortune. When Edward marries Anne, Rosings becomes theirs, and my aunt will become Dowager de Bourgh and be relegated to a small country manor. She has more problems than your marrying my brother.”
“I cannot help but feel I destroyed your family, Georgiana.”
“That is nonsense, Elizabeth. My brother loves you.”
Darcy could hear no more; he stepped into the room. “My sister is correct, Madame, you have bewitched me body and soul.” He stopped only a few steps within the doorway. Both ladies jumped to their feet as if caught misbehaving; Darcy and Elizabeth locked eyes. She blushed deeply.
“You, Sir,” she began haltingly,“should not be eavesdropping.”
His eyes flashed with humor.“How else may I know when the two women I cherish most are conspiring against me?”
Elizabeth raised her chin as if to challenge him, but her bottom lip quivered telling him her words about women always conspiring against men had nothing to do with what she was really thinking.
“You do not intend on rejecting me again do you, Elizabeth? I am afraid my heart could not take it another time,” he taunted her.
Tears filled her eyes as she said,“My loving you can hurt you; I do not want you to ever regret loving me.”
The changes in her brother enchanted Georgiana. He openly professed his love for Elizabeth, not caring what others thought or saw. “Elizabeth, I will not give you up again. If necessary, I will carry you off and make you my wife over all your objections.You would not make me do something so uncharacteristic, would you?”
She knew he teased, but she rushed into his arms, burying her tears into his chest. Soothing her head, he said, “Shush, Elizabeth, we will have no more tears over Lady Catherine’s disapproval. Do you not think I suffered enough at your hand?” As he said this, he brought her palm to his lips and kissed it gently. “Georgiana,” he diverted his eyes to his sister briefly, “why do you not go to your room and retrieve the gift you brought for Elizabeth?” Georgiana curtsied and left quickly.
Elizabeth raised her chin, drinking in Darcy’s face with her eyes. “These hands, Sir,” she said at last,“will never give you pain again.” As she said this, she stroked his chin line and moved in closer.
He dropped his arms down to her waistline, pulling Elizabeth even nearer. Darcy’s gaze encompassed her features and settled upon her lips.The familiar lavender wafted over him. “Madame, in a few moments, I may forget I am a gentleman and you are a gentleman’s daughter.”
Elizabeth’s giggle was nearly a purr, silently revealing her undying love.“Ungentlemanly like behavior,” she teased,“will have to wait a few more days, but I would not object to a kiss to seal our promise to each other.”
His breath was ragged with anticipation; Darcy kissed her long and hard.“You see, my Dear, our love will go down in history,” he whispered.
“Will it now?” she whispered back, her lips only inches from his.
“Great loves are always remembered. We will be Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth.”
“Ooh, that is way too long. It does not roll easily off the tongue—Darcy and Elizabeth has more lilt to it.” She nibbled on his lower lip.
“So, it is agreed; our love will be of what makes great legend.” He turned his head burying it in her hair. “We will be as Romeo and Juliet or Othello and Desdemona.”
She turned her head back toward his face. “I hope we do not have to die for our love. May we not be more like Petruchio and Katherine or Benedick and Beatrice?”
