Fitzwilliam Darcy tossed and turned through most of the night; one would expect him to finally rest; after all, his wedding day had arrived; in a few fleeting hours, Elizabeth Bennet would be his forever. Lying diagonally and wrapped haphazardly in the bedclothes, Darcy replayed all the details of the day he began planning over a year ago. How often he doubted this day would ever come; Elizabeth won his heart, but he was a different man then. He knew not himself, nor did he really know Elizabeth; it began as merely physical attraction, but she was more to him now. Elizabeth was his other half; there could be no life without her for Darcy.
Knowing sleep would not be his, Darcy unwrapped himself from the counterpane; slinging his long limbs over the edge of the bed, he reached unconsciously for the bell cord. Although it was still dark, his man appeared within moments of being summoned. A light tap on the chamber door signaled his presence. “Come,” Darcy called.
“Mr. Darcy, do you desire something, Sir?” the valet asked.
“Yes, Henry, please tell the stables to saddle Cerberus at first light.”
“Do you desire riding clothes, Sir?”
“No, Henry, I do not want the full ridingfrock. I simply wish breeches, boots, and a shirt; Cerberus will rid me of my premarital anxiety.We both need the exercise, I fear.”
The valet smiled at his master’s disheveled appearance and exited the room. Darcy ran his fingers through his hair and tried to compose his thoughts and calm his heart. He wished to be at Pemberley instead of at Netherfield; being Bingley’s guest required Darcy to curb his anxiety on this momentous day; if he was at Pemberley, Darcy would be pacing the halls of the east wing by now.
Henry returned shortly and helped Darcy don the breeches, shirt, boots, and greatcoat, and then Darcy followed Henry down the narrow back stairway leading from the servants’ quarters. He used the same steps only a few days before in order to surprise Georgiana and Elizabeth; Darcy paused briefly as the images of that day sparkled brilliantly in the candlelight. Free of the confines ofNetherfield, Darcy strode quickly through the morning mist to the stables. Cerberus awaited him at the mounting block; as he approached, he took the time to pat his favorite mount before swinging up into the saddle.With a “cluck” of his tongue and a light tug on the reins, Darcy turned the cream-colored stallion toward the rolling hills and woods of Netherfield Park. He rode firm but not with speed; he wanted to melt into the haunches of the horse and absorb its strength, and without realizing it, Cerberus carried his master to the rise from which Darcy first saw Elizabeth Bennet.
A deep laugh escaped his throat and was carried upon the morning by the withdrawing mist. As Darcy looked intently upon the place he first saw Elizabeth, Cerberus turned in circles wanting to chase the sound of his voice. He pulled the reins to the right, “Come on, Boy, I know where we can go.” A three miles’ journey, which Darcy traversed daily since Elizabeth accepted his proposal, led to Longbourn, so why not do so today? Of course, he would not go to see her on their wedding day; Mrs. Bennet’s “nerves” would never survive such an intrusion, but he would go close enough to observe the house in which Elizabeth prepared for their life together. It would satisfy Darcy to know Elizabeth would be that close; even without saying so, she would know he waited for her.
Instead of following the road, Darcy snaked Cerberus along the hedged fields with a smattering of sheep grazing tentatively on the remaining shoots of grass. He brought the horse up when they crested the hill leading to Longbourn and dismounted, letting the reins drag the ground. He walked slowly to an overhanging boulder, leaning against its dampness and letting the coolness of the rock calm his heart. Longbourn in the morning sun took on a pictorial solemnity; peacefulness falsely exuded from its walls. Darcy could just imagine Mrs. Bennet scolding servants and daughters left and right—Jane Bennet’s knowing smiles and the roll of Elizabeth’s eyes. He chuckled thinking about a sweet revenge on Mrs. Bennet; Darcy would take Elizabeth away from all this chaos.
Staring hard at the house in the distance, he could see Elizabethat the window of his imagination. Finally, he turned to pick up Cerberus’s reins and began to mount, but a movement in the morning haze caught his attention. There coming through the rising mist was his Elizabeth clothed in her night shift and a pelisse. For a brief second, he thought it a trick of the mind, but the clutching of his heart by his chest told Darcy she was real.
The lovers’ eyes locked on each other, peering into each other’s souls, and they moved forward as if in a trance. Without saying a word, they embraced as the sun danced behind them. “Elizabeth,” Darcy whispered her name into her hair.
“Fitzwilliam,” she laid her hand upon his chest and welcomed his nearness.Their hearts beat wildly as they envisioned the happiness awaiting them.
“Dearest, Elizabeth,” he lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you likewise, Sir,” was her tempting reply.
“I could find no sleep for images of you. I sought my release by riding here to assure myself this was not a dream, and I find a living, breathing Elizabeth,” he stammered.
“Fitzwilliam, you have no fear of finding yourself alone ever again,” she stroked the stubble of his beard. “For you, Sir, stole my heart and only you may be rid of it. It is at your whim.”
Darcy brushed his lips across hers in an inviting tease. “We should not be found together like this,” he said unwillingly.
“’Tis, true. My father might be required to defend my honor on my wedding day,” she said, bestowing a full kiss upon his faintly trembling lips. His arms enveloped her as she moved closer for a long, tender moment.
As they separated, Elizabeth’s fingers gently traced his lips; he caught her hands and kissed her fingertips. “I will await you at the church,” he smirked as she turned to go.
“Do not forget to bring my heart,” she taunted him over her shoulder.
“Elizabeth,” he called.
Turning slowly and giving him an enticing gaze, she pursed her lips,“Yes?”
“You did not answer my question. Why came you here this morning?”
“Did you not will it, Sir?” She laughed and walked briskly back to the house.
Still feeling her breath upon his cheek, Darcy watched her leaving until he could see her no more, and then he recovered Cerberus’s reins, mounted, and rode toward Netherfield.
“Edward, it is so good to see you here; I feared your relationship with Lady Catherine would keep you from coming.” Darcy extended his hand in welcome.
“I had to make sure you did not change your mind, Cousin,” Edward laughed.
“You always play to the full house, right, Edward?”
“Anne sends you her regards, Fitz. She will send out our announcements tomorrow if you make it through the day.” Edward could not give up the playful nature of the conversation.
