Page 40 of Losing Lizzy
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Elizabeth watched the island for the signal Mr. Darcy promised, but, so far, there was no notice. She and Jasper sat in Mr. Darcy’s coach, both wearing coats, hats, gloves, and covering themselves with blankets. Mr. Farrin and Mr. Jacobsen tended the teams of both coaches, and she had demanded that Mr. Sheffield seek comfort at the nearby inn. Although her friend protested, she had insisted. The gentleman had yet to recover fully from his recent contagion.
“How long do you think it will be before Mr. Darcy sends the signal?” she asked aloud.
Mr. Farrin had maneuvered Mr. Darcy’s coach as close to Shepherd’s Creek as was possible in the marshlands, without it becoming stuck in the watery soil. As she had refused to be far from the coast, the coachman had insisted the carriage would provide her some protection from the wind and storm.
“The rain has stopped,” Jasper reminded her, “but the wind has increased. Mr. Darcy may not be able to keep the lantern lit until this weather passes over us. Even if he does set the light, we might not be able to see it. A single light so far away is questionable, ma’am,” he cautioned.
“I know you speak the truth, and you wish to decrease my worry; yet, I shall not rest until I know they are both safe.”
“Mr. Darcy will not fail you, ma’am. Those of us at Darcy House and at Pemberley know him a man of his word.”
* * *
Darcy woke from one of the most contented dreams he had experienced in many years. A warm bundle along his front filled his lungs with the sweet scent of cheese and a little girl. Unfortunately, his legs were numb from being twisted beneath him. He thought to straighten them, but realized he was still hidden behind the dinghy, and there was no extra room to purchase. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was sitting on damp ground and holding his precious daughter. “Life is perfect, little one. You make it that way.” He nuzzled her head.
Fully awake now, he listened for the wind, but it had finally calmed. “We should return you to your mother, my darling girl.” He shifted Lizzy away from his chest and placed her down on the ground, carefully working a part of the blanket loose to protect her head.
Free to move more fully, he slowly unfolded his large frame, turning upon his knees to crawl through the narrow opening he had created, to stand once more upon Deadman’s Island. Gingerly, he stretched his arms over his head. and felt the tenderness in his back and arms from his rowing efforts a few hours prior; however, he remained pleased. The pain was well worth it. Elizabeth would be thrilled.
“Elizabeth!” he chastised himself. So consumed with holding his child, he had forgotten to set the lantern. She would be frantic. “It would be foolish to light it now,” he instructed himself. “Just deliver your child, and all will be well.” He prayed she would not be too angry with him.
Therefore, he caught the side of the dingy and turned it to half walk and half tug it toward the water. During the joy of having Elizabeth Anne safe, he had not considered the edge of the water would be farther removed than when he arrived on the island last evening, as the tide had gone out. However, at length, the boat was in place. He returned then for the food and the lantern, which he lit and placed in the bow to light their way and to signal those on shore of their arrival, specifically, to signal Elizabeth. Finally, he carried the sleepy child to a special place in the bottom of the dinghy.
“You leave, Papa?” she murmured.
“Not without you, my girl,” he said as he placed her down. “We are going to find your mother,” he assured softly, removing the curls from her face. “Rest now.”
Within minutes, he shoved off, using the oars to turn the small boat toward the mainland, allowing the lantern to light his way back to Elizabeth and what he hoped would be a new life.
* * *
Darcy could not refrain from smiling as he watched Elizabeth cutting up Lizzy’s food into bite-sized pieces. Last evening, he had not even thought of breaking the cheese and bread into smaller pieces so his child would not choke on them. He had a great deal to learn about being a parent and was prepared to be a ready student.
Elizabeth had been pacing the beach when he carried their daughter to her. She had frozen in place when she noted his approach. “Lizzy Anne is home,” he said softly, jarring her into action.
“Oh, William, you found her.” She rolled back the blanket to look upon their child. He knew it was killing her not to grab her daughter from his grasp and kiss the child all over. “Was she frightened? Was it terrible on the island?”
“I would not wish to spend the night there if I had not been holding this special gift from God. Nor the day.”
She had traced a line along their child’s cheek. “I pray this incident will not cause her to have nightmares.”
“I attempted to add memories. I propped the dinghy against a rock formation to make us a special hiding place. Then I told her of my mother and father making a similar place with blankets for me as a child. Told her Pemberley was like a castle. I promised her all the dolls she wanted and pretty dresses for her to wear.”
She raised her eyebrow then. “What if I choose not to marry you?” she challenged. “Will you take Lizzy from me?”
“I would never torment you in that manner,” he said in all honesty. “However, I cannot promise I shan’t make a nuisance of myself and offer you my hand in marriage, at least, once per day. Likely more often. Nor can I promise not to employ our daughter to wear down your resolve.”
She rose up onto her toes to kiss Elizabeth Anne’s head. “You would use my child against me?”
He leaned to the side to brush a kiss across her forehead. “No, but I would use our child to win your heart.”
“You already own my heart, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she said softly. Her eyes locking with his. “However, I fear Lady Catherine will not cease her manipulations until she has her way. I refuse to place Elizabeth Anne in danger again. If that means we live apart, then so be it.”
“All I ask is you do not provide me your answer until you view for yourself what I have planned for her ladyship.”
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