Page 3 of Desired By Mr Darcy
Darcy
Time was a strange and wondrous thing. Fitzwilliam Darcy, who had once stumbled away from the rectory in Hunsford with rejection ringing in his ears, could hardly have imagined this moment. Yet here he was, seated in the small parish church, beside his future bride Elizabeth Bennet, listening as their banns were read for the third and final time.
On his other side sat Bingley with Miss Bennet, radiant as always, next to him. The moment was surreal. Darcy had spent so many sleepless nights convinced this future was impossible, yet now it was mere weeks away. The date had been set for three weeks from now, after which time they would depart for Pemberley to spend Christmas as newlyweds.
There was one person missing from the service, a woman who had unfortunately been the most regular of companions. Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth had informed him as they arrived at church, was incapacitated with a headache and would unfortunately be unable to attend church that morning. He could not say that he wasn’t relieved; he had heard enough of his future mother-in-law’s voice these past weeks to last a lifetime.
A light touch on his hand pulled him from his thoughts. Elizabeth had reached out, her gloved fingers brushing his as she clasped his hand for the briefest of moments. She turned to him, her eyes sparkling, a small smile playing on her lips. Darcy’s breath caught. She gave his hand a soft squeeze before withdrawing, her hands returning to her lap with practiced grace. He looked down at the spot where her touch had lingered, marvelling at how such a small gesture could feel so momentous.
The service concluded, and the congregation began to file out into the crisp autumn sunlight. Darcy followed, stepping into the churchyard where the golden leaves of the season drifted lazily to the ground. Before he could gather his thoughts, a stream of well-wishers approached, faces unfamiliar yet warm with congratulations.
“Mr Darcy, Miss Bennet,” an older woman he did not know said, beaming at them, “how wonderful to see such happiness between you both. A perfect match, to be sure!”
“Indeed, indeed,” another chimed in, clutching his hand briefly before turning to Elizabeth with an enthusiastic curtsey.
Darcy stood stiffly, struggling to find the right words as the crowd around them grew. Social pleasantries had never been his strength, but Elizabeth’s composure beside him was unshakable. Her laughter, light and genuine, cut through his awkwardness as she replied with easy grace to every greeting and compliment. She spoke to each person as though they were her dearest friend, her easy manners effortlessly charming.
He glanced at her, wondering-not for the first time-how he had earned her regard, much less her affection. That she had agreed to be his wife still felt like a miracle. And as another wave of acquaintances surged forward to offer their blessings, Darcysteeled himself, hoping he could match the warmth Elizabeth so effortlessly displayed.
“I hope you will take care of our dear Lizzy!” one of the women said in a jovial tone though he was sure he saw a glimmer of steel behind her gaze. “Or we shall come to Derbyshire to steal her back!”
Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head.
“I do not think you have to worry about that! I will be most content, I assure you.”
She drifted away from the group, taking his arm in hers and steering him from the churchyard.
“I hope they have not frightened you. I hardly know them, really, but they are old friends of my mother’s.”
“I am not frightened.”
She smiled at him indulgently, and he realised she had been joking.
“Shall we walk, dearest? It really is a most pleasant day. What a shame Mama is unwell, and had to remain at home. I shall ask Kitty to chaperone us. I am certain that she will get bored and wander off soon enough.”
He blinked, unsure as to her intention. They had walked often these past few weeks, always followed by Mrs Bennet, who saw fit to stop any attempt at private conversation. Before he could ask what she meant, she had darted off to collect her younger sister, who dutifully joined them.
They walked in silence to the edge of the village, the pretty fields of Hertfordshire stretching out ahead.
“Why are we walking here?” Miss Kitty said. “It is too steep, my legs hurt already. Lizzy, this is going to take ages!”
“Stay here, then,” Elizabeth instructed her. “Stay tucked behind that tree, though, and do not go home.”
He opened his mouth to protest that this was hardly proper chaperoning, but Elizabeth had already begun to march determinedly ahead. He often remarked at the quickness of her pace, for she walked far more quickly than he did. She took such joy in nature, an admirable quality indeed. He was certain they would spend many happy days walking Pemberley’s grounds.
Hertfordshire was beautiful in the autumn, Darcy conceded. It had always been his favourite time of year; the sport was fine, the harvest was brought in, and the world seemed to glow in a halo of fire as the trees turned. Pemberley had always been his favourite place at any time of year, a retreat away from the world. Now, there was only one true place for him; by Elizabeth Bennet’s side.
“What a glorious day,” Elizabeth sighed happily. “Come, if we go a little further, we will find my favourite spot. You can see for miles.”
She raced ahead, the ribbons of her bonnet flying behind her and the sound of her joyous laughter echoing in the trees. He could not help but smile, staring at this lovely creature who had agreed to be his wife. He began to walk, the ground crisp beneath his feet. Elizabeth stopped, turning to see him.
“Come along, my love!” she called, beckoning him with a gloved hand. “I did not realise you walked so slowly, Mr Darcy. We shall have to improve your pace if you are ever to keep up with me.”
He did as she asked, increasing the length of his strides so dramatically that he was by her side in mere moments. She laughed in delight, reaching out to him. His hand met hers, and he cursed the gloves that they wore. How he longed to feel thewarmth of her palm against his, or to have those silken fingers caress his face…
He swallowed, unsure where such a thought had come from.
They walked in silence as wide-open fields gave way to woodland. Elizabeth paused, staring up at the tree canopy.
