Bliss ~ A Short Story

Posted Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Handing Elizabeth into the wedding carriage Darcy can scarcely believe his good fortune to have his most fervent wish come true.

Elizabeth is finally my wife.

Now as husband he enters the coach to finally sit beside his beloved taking hold of her hand, seeing her face glow from happiness of which he is the reason.

Not so very long ago this was not the case.

His thoughts drift back to the day of his first visit to Longbourn upon his and Bingley’s return to Netherfield. During the whole of the visit Elizabeth never spoke two sentences together, barely raising her eyes from her embroidery. This left Darcy disconcerted in the extreme.

At Pemberley he thought she had warmed to him but witnessing her behavior now Darcy knew not what her feelings were toward him. The only sign she betrayed to give him hope was the blush upon her cheeks as he stared at her so intently, willing her to lift her eyes to his. But she would not oblige him. This had left him so unsure whether or even how to proceed.

By the time Bingley’s carriage had entered the Netherfield drive Darcy was ready to have it return them to Longbourn that he would have Elizabeth speak to him, that he know once and for all time if she could forgive him, if she could…love him.

No, that is not the right course of action either.

He exited the carriage with nary a word to Bingley, hurrying up the stairs to his rooms where he dropped upon the bed, now completely alone with his thoughts.

I have been a master of a great estate for five years now, responsible for so many employees, and tenants. My father taught me the ability of negotiating to advantage. I have acquired a business savvy to compare to his own success, and yet…I can’t speak three words of sense when around her.

Reclining on his bed, he stared at the canopy above, noting all the workmanship involved, wondering of its construction, all in an attempt to take his mind off his present unease.

The carpenter must construct it piece by piece to his design, fashioning all the wooden sides before assembly. How many years does it take an apprentice to become a master craftsman, to have him be so skilled at his work that he can carve the dovetail fittings to make them all easily fall in place?

Darcy rubbed at his eyes and rose from the bed, moving to the wet sink where he splashed water upon his face. Slowly drying it on the towel, his thoughts were awhirl.

Will I never be more than an apprentice with Elizabeth, always unsure of what to say or what to do to have her heart warm to me? Will I never be the craftsman to know with certainty how to make her so happy that she will love me forever?

His doubts were interrupted by a soft knocking. Upon opening the door Darcy found Bingley looking especially in need of advice, but unsure how to begin.

“I say…am I disturbing you, Darcy? If so…I can wait or come back later…”

“No,” insisted Darcy pulling the door wider and motioning Bingley inside, wishing to divert his own thoughts. “Please, come in. I was merely…wondering how the carpenter constructed the bed canopy.”

Bingley stopped in mid stride, his expression one of curious confusion at such an admission from Darcy who had never taken any interest in carpentry before.

“Ah...(ahem)…well…yes, of course, Darcy…a most…fascinating topic, I am sure…”

Darcy’s brows rose as he silently waited for Bingley to begin. After staring at his friend for what seemed an intolelerably long while, Bingley cleared his throat again and began to pace.

“Bingley, what is it? Have you and Miss Bennet had some misunderstanding?”

“No! No, nothing of the sort, Darcy.” Bingley frowned at the very suggestion of it. “No, it is…rather the opposite actually.” He blushed crimson and refused to hold Darcy’s stare.

When Bingley finally did speak Darcy was relieved that nothing dire had happened, only the ravings of a man violently in love.

“Darcy, I feel so bereft of Miss Bennet’s company, and I have only been separated from her but the merest of hours. I want to go back this very moment to be with her. Of course, her father will think me mad and probably refuse my entry.”

To this Darcy made no reply which only spurred Bingley to continue.

“I must tell you this feeling is as nothing I have ever experienced in all the other times I told you I was in love. It is so unreasonable even you will think me an escapee from Bedlam.”

Darcy shook his head towards his friend giving the impression that Bingley had thus far been unsuccessful in conveying what he now knew was true love, and so made another attempt.

“You, Darcy, who have never lowered your guard to allow anyone into your heart, I wonder how to convince you that my heart swells at the merest thought of her, the mention of her name.”

Taking a deep breath, Darcy averted his eyes to the hearth that Bingley not view their sadness and guess that Darcy too had fallen prey to Cupid’s arrow.

Darcy’s voice was soft and without judgment. “You have no need to convince me, Bingley. I have seen the subtle difference in your demeanor when in company with Miss Bennet and your depressive mood when not. In comparison to that of all your other dalliances, I know you are truly in love with Miss Bennet.”

“You do?”

Darcy was busy eyeing the wayward ember his boot was gingerly nudging back behind the grate.

“Yes.”

“Then you know why I must see her again…this very day!”

Darcy sighed wishing the same for himself, but tried to make Bingley see reason. “You have not been invited to dinner tonight, and have already been at Longbourn for hours today. I feel you are correct in your assumption that Mr. Bennet may indeed think you unhinged, may even reconsider his consent of your proposal if you act too irrationally even for a man in love.” He heard Bingley gasp, adding, “no, I think you must wait until tomorrow to see your Miss Bennet.”

“That is so long a time, Darcy.”

“Yes it is,” Darcy sighed, “but you will survive it, Bingley.” Clasping his friend on the back much the same way Richard consoled him, Darcy added, “I shall see to it by trying to divert you. Let us saddle the horses for a long ride to tire you out that you may sleep well and dream of her.”

Bingley rolled his eyes nodding but not with enthusiasm, saying that he would have the servant ready the horses. He turned to leave the room only to stop in the doorway and turn back to Darcy.

“Thank you, Darcy. You have always been my good friend. I shall depend upon your continued support tomorrow morning that I may gain a private moment with Miss Bennet when we return to Longbourn.”

“You shall have it,” Darcy promised. As the door closed on his friend, Darcy turned to the window with renewed pondering on what he could say to Elizabeth.

The next morning the horses were saddled after the two men at Netherfield had breakfasted, only awaiting a proper hour on which to call again at Longbourn. Setting out at around midmorning, they ambled into the drive within a quarter past, and were welcomed by the housekeeper. Hill announced them into the parlor where but three of the sisters were in attendance with their mother.

Bingley chimed in his usual cheerful way striding deeper into the room, “Good day to you, Mum, and to you Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Kitty.”

Mrs. Bennet voiced her welcome with, “And to you, Mr. Bingley. It is so nice that you come again to visit, and,” making her point, added, “…whomever else you choose to bring.”

Darcy bowed silently as his gazed over to the still taciturn Elizabeth. Making his way to the window, he viewed the prospect and its illusion of space rather than the suddenly small sitting room.

How she tortures me.

Mrs. Bennet made the point of chatting about the news of the neighborhood, then to that of her youngest daughter’s marriage and subsequent removal to Newcastle. Hearing this news Darcy could not but wince as he was reminded of his involvement of the affair.

Bingley tried his best to keep his focus on Mrs. Bennet while she chatted and served tea lest he lose all perspective gazing too often at his angel. He had formed a plan the previous night when sleep evaded him, and he was not about to be thwarted. After but a half hour into the visit he made his suggestion.

“I say, it is such a lovely day. What say you all to a walk into Meryton?”

Darcy glanced quickly from the window to his friend, disbelieving how Bingley had suggested such an idea, but noticed that even Miss Jane Bennet smiled at the idea, blushing while glancing toward her sister in hopeful agreement. Elizabeth pursed her lips but gave a slight nod making Darcy aware that she was not especially sanguine to the suggestion but resigned to act as chaperone as would he.

“You may go as well, Kitty,” Mrs. Bennet added smugly, trying to forward another daughter toward the proud Mr. Darcy.

“The more the merrier, I always say,” Bingley piped, but with an apprehensive glance at his friend. Darcy knew what Bingley was about, and bowed his agreement to the plan.

Once outside Darcy found the autumn air refreshing as compared to that of the insufferable warmth of Longbourn’s parlor. He slowed his usual stride that both sisters be able to keep pace, while giving Bingley the space he and Miss Bennet required for a private moment ahead of the remaining three.

Darcy realized that the walk did nothing to improve Elizabeth’s mood, noting her continued agitation and her prolonged silence. Her younger sister, tired of the lack of conversation, made a request at the crossroads.

“Lizzy, might I not call upon Mariah Lucas for a while? She is to be taken away by Sir Lucas when he goes to town tomorrow, and I mightn’t have another chance to talk to her before she departs.”

Darcy saw Elizabeth’s hesitation as to how to respond to the perfectly natural request of Kitty’s without it appearing rude to him. This left Darcy to wonder at Elizabeth’s continued anxiety at being left alone with him.

Kitty further encouraged a positive reply with the promise, “I shall only be gone for an hour, and be home by the noon hour. Please, Lizzy.”

“Very well,” Elizabeth finally agreed. “But be sure you are back by then else Mama will worry.”

“Thank you, Lizzy,” Kitty replied, so happy to be out of the company of so morose a man as Mr. Darcy that she forgot to even curtsey her farewells to the gentleman before briskly walking down the lane toward Lucas Lodge.

Both Elizabeth and Darcy turned once more in silence down the lane with Darcy still pondering what he should say.

Suddenly Elizabeth burst out with, “Mr. Darcy, I cannot go on without telling you of my gratitude for all you have done for my family. I know what mortification you must have felt, but I cannot tell you how much it means to us for your aid to Lydia...”

As Darcy listened to her speech he found out how long she had known of his involvement, who had betrayed him and how he wondered had it colored her feelings toward him.

He began his reply to her. “Much as I respect your family, I did it only for you.”
Suddenly he could wait no longer to know of her heart. “My feelings for you are unchanged, but one word from you will silence them forever.”

Never had Darcy felt so vulnerable to another human being, so dependant upon the love of that one person. He heard his mind’s supplications that her heart open to him.

Then he heard her voice. “My feelings from then are so…different, in fact…they are quite… the opposite.” Finally she looked into his eyes smiling at him. He let out his breath that he had been holding and gave thanks to a merciful God.

Thank you, Almighty Father. I will treasure this gift all my days.

He smiled back at her as they continued along the path, an ease descending upon both at their finally admitting their love one for the other, walking just a bit closing than before as conversation came easily now.

Darcy’s revelry is jostled by the carriage and of Elizabeth grabbing hold of his arm. He stares into her lovely face.

How radiant she is. I can wait no longer.

Darcy leans over, his face near hers. He captures her lips in a most ardent kiss that even the rocking of the carriage could not dislodge, and only pulls away from her when he hears her slight protest from lack of air. His cheek still next to hers as both try to draw breath he whispers, “I love you so, dearest Elizabeth.”

She smiles still breathless, barely able to return speech, using it only to tease him.

“That is a very good thing to know, Mr. Darcy.”

His brows knit for an instance at that not being the exact response he would have expected. Then he, too, smiles realizing he would never know what to expect of her, which would make his life infinitely more exciting for his lack of knowledge.

To never know what will come from her thoughts, to never know what will come out of her so kissable mouth. What joys I have in store.

Finally he finds his voice to return her tease. “And why is that, Mrs. Darcy?”

How her eyes sparkle in the sunlight as she gazes into his, still breathless she speaks close to his ear.

“I…find that…you have greatly improved upon my…having got to know you better.”

She gasps as his hand caresses her neck, feeling its warmth even through his glove.

“Indeed?”

He tries to remain calm thinking at least he knew full well her implication of his future improvement in that acknowledgement.

How provocative, but I wonder, has she any idea how she affects me?

Noticing the carriage nearing the entrance to Longbourn Darcy smiles wishing Elizabeth to know with certainty his mind on the matter. “Is it quite necessary that we attend this breakfast? I can think of nowhere I would rather be less, and somewhere else entirely that I would rather be more.”

“With all the preparations made by my mother I am afraid we must, Mr. Darcy. She would be very put out if...Oh!” She stares intently, suddenly aware of how her innocent flirtation had caused such a response in now her husband, and blushes so becomingly that he laughs aloud at his sweet wife, kissing her hand.

She begins to apologize. “Oh, William, I am so sorry...” But his finger presses against her lips and he shakes his head.

“No, you need not say so, just…keep that thought.”

He smiles broadly to show his dimples. She returns a smile, still embarrassed but nodding, allowing him to hug her before the carriage halts. Inhaling her wonderful lavender scent, one joyful thought forms.

Life with her is going to be…wonderful!

The End