Page 98 of Attempted Compromises
Georgiana glanced up, her cheeks coloring slightly as she gave Elizabeth a tentative smile. Mrs. Annesley patted Georgiana’s shoulder, her calm presence grounding the moment.
Jane returned then, her expression serene but firm. “I think we’ve all had enough for one day,” she said gently. “Perhaps it would be best if wealltook dinner in our rooms tonight, and not just Elizabeth and Darcy. A bit of peace and quiet will do us good.”
Elizabeth met Jane’s knowing gaze and gave a subtle nod. “I think that’s an excellent suggestion.”
Her pulse quickened. as a delicate heat rose to her cheeks. Tonight would be the night she shared her heart, her resolve solidifying in the tender weight of his gaze. Whatever fears lingered within her, she knew she could no longer hold back.
As the others began to disperse, Elizabeth turned to Darcy and touched his arm lightly, drawing his attention. “Fitzwilliam,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, “will you join me in my room before you take your dinner tray? There is something I’d like to speak to you about.”
His brow furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Of course, Elizabeth,” he replied, his tone gentle. “I’ll come to you.”
She nodded, her heart thundering in her chest as she watched him leave the room. Left alone, she allowed herself a deep, steadying breath, her hands tightening briefly at her sides. Whatever the outcome, she would tell him the truth.
Tonight, everything would change.
Chapter 28
Elizabeth stood before the mirror in her room, smoothing the delicate folds of her wedding gown. The green of the fabric caused her eyes to shimmer even more brightly in the light of the crackling fire, its understated elegance a reflection of her own quiet resolve. The lace edging at the bodice and sleeves felt like an embrace of strength rather than mere adornment. Her hair, unbound and cascading over her shoulders, added a softness to her appearance that made her feel both vulnerable and bold.
Her reflection stared back at her, her cheeks tinged with nervous color, her heart a tempest of hope and fear. She had spent the past days rehearsing what she might say, but now the words seemed to scatter like leaves on the wind.
Tonight was the night she would lay her heart bare, come what may.
A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. She turned as Darcy stepped in, his brow furrowed slightly. “Elizabeth,” hebegan, his voice low, “I apologize. I hadn’t realized you were not yet ready—”
A faint smile touched her lips. “I am ready,” she said softly.
Darcy’s gaze shifted, and his eyes softened as they rested on her. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, his gaze lingering on her gown before returning to her face. “You look…” He paused, as though searching for the right words. “You look beautiful.”
Her heart fluttered at the compliment. Swallowing, she said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Jane if we might have trays brought up so we could dine here tonight.”
His eyes flickered with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. “Here?” he asked, stepping further into the room. “In your chambers?”
She nodded and gestured toward the sitting room that adjoined their two bedrooms. “I thought we might enjoy a quieter evening… together.”
For a moment, he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight incline of his head, he said, “As you wish.”
They moved to the adjoining sitting room, a cozy space she had come to think of as their own little retreat within the vastness of Netherfield. The fire burned low and steady in the hearth, its warmth filling the room. A thick rug covered the floor, and the comfortable settee by the window beckoned with its familiar cushions. Outside, the world was cloaked in darkness, the faintoutline of snow-covered trees barely visible through the frosted glass.
Elizabeth chose the settee, arranging her skirts carefully as she sat. Darcy settled into the armchair nearest her, his posture relaxed but his eyes watchful. The room felt charged, as though the air itself held its breath, waiting for something to break the silence. The quiet between them was not uncomfortable, but Elizabeth’s pulse quickened as she tried to summon the courage to say what she had rehearsed so many times in her mind.
A knock at the door broke the silence, heralding the arrival of their meal. Two servants entered with trays, carefully arranging the meal on the low table. The aroma of roasted chicken and warm rolls filled the room, but Elizabeth hardly noticed. She focused instead on keeping her composure as the servants completed their task and exited the room with quiet efficiency.
She sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, waiting until the servants had left them alone. The room seemed to hum with tension, the quiet crackle of the fire the only sound. Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her chest as Darcy turned toward her, his expression open and curious.
The soft click of the door closing seemed to echo, amplifying the sudden stillness. Darcy turned to her, his gaze steady but questioning. “Elizabeth,” he began, “you said there was something you wished to speak to me about?”
She had prepared for this moment—rehearsed it in her mind, gone over every possible scenario—but now, under the weight of his steady gaze, her resolve wavered. Her pulse thundered in herears, and before she could stop herself, the words spilled forth before he had even finished his last word.
“I love you.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Darcy froze, his eyes widening and his lips parting slightly as though he struggled to find a response. Elizabeth’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She looked away, the floodgates of her thoughts spilling over in a nervous rush.
“I know I shouldn’t have said that,” she stammered. “I don’t expect you to feel the same. I know I was… forced on you, and you probably see me as nothing more than a duty. I understand that, truly, and I promise I won’t bring it up again. I just… I needed to tell you.”
Her voice broke, her eyes stinging with unshed tears as she faltered, unable to continue. The silence stretched unbearably, and she felt the urge to flee, to hide from the vulnerability she had exposed. Looking down at her fingers, which were twisting furiously in her lap, she blinked to keep the moisture at bay. She felt foolish, exposed in a way she never had before.
Then, to her surprise, she felt his hand cover hers, halting her spiral. His grip was firm but gentle, his warmth seeping into her cold fingers. Elizabeth’s breath hitched as she met his gaze, her heart thundering in her chest. His eyes were soft, filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite name, and his touch anchored her in a way that words never could.
