Beginning, Previous Section, Section III
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Chapter Thirty-Four
"Mrs. Bennet, will you stop talking nonsense!" bellowed Mr. Bennet, "No one here wants to disconnect Lizzy. Doctor and I were discussing the possibility of moving Lizzy to a clinic for long-term coma cases." Mr. Bennet's tone of voice was so powerful that Mrs. Bennet was silenced for long enough a period of time for Mr. Bennet to turn to the other gentleman in his company.
"Excuse me, sir, I don't believe we have met. Could you tell me..."
"Oh, Edward, it's Mr. Darcy, of course." Called Mrs. Bennet, "He is Lizzy's fiancé." Continued she, winking at Mr. Bennet. The doctor was beginning to wonder if other members of the Bennet family were in need of hospitalisation, but then he reflected he didn't have a psychological ward and therefore there was no place to put Mrs. Bennet in.
"Are you Mr. Darcy?" asked Mr. Bennet ignoring his soon-not-to-be-wife.
"Yes, sir. My name is William Darcy and I am..."
"...the man responsible for the accident." Finished Mr. Bennet coldly.
"Stop talking nonsense, dear." Called Mrs. Bennet and nearing Mr. Bennet, whispered in a theatrical voice: "or he will not marry her."
At that moment Mr. Bennet blew up: "Shut up, woman. I've had enough of this. Someone please take her away from me. I cannot stand her presence."
To his utter amazement William Darcy took Mrs. Bennet by her arm and gently said:
"Mrs. Bennet, I am sure, you would love to return comfortably to London. Let's see how Elizabeth is doing and we'll then drive..."
Mrs. Bennet was about to say that she was going nowhere when she heard Darcy finish his sentence: "...to my house at Earls Courts. I'm sure, you would like to see it."
Mrs. Bennet was more than eager. Going past the reception, Darcy motioned at Anna and the latter walked after them.
"Mrs. Bennet," began Darcy, "I am sure, you would like to have a few moments in private with your daughter." Mrs. Bennet was about to interrupt him but Darcy's voice was forceful: "I need to talk to the doctor. I should meet you in the limo. Anna will take you there and please feel free to enjoy it." With that he left Mrs. Bennet and returned to where the doctor and Mr. Bennet were standing.
"Mr. Darcy, I'm sorry for my outburst and thank you for taking care of Mrs. Bennet." Began Mr. Bennet.
"Oh, it's nothing. I trust you are feeling better now."
"Yes, yes, much better." Replied Mr. Bennet. There was an awkward silence.
"Mr. Bennet, I feel responsible for what happened. I mistreated Elizabeth. Worse, I misjudged her, I showed no trust in her, I...it is still very difficult for me..."
"Gentlemen, will you excuse me?" Said the doctor, "And Mr. Bennet, think about that clinic."
"Doctor," began Darcy.
"Yes?"
"I think I have a better solution."
"That is?"
"Do you think Elizabeth could stay at home if necessary adjustments were made?"
"Mr. Darcy, Miss Bennet must be under constant observations of doctors and nurses. It would cost hundreds of thousands to organise a private hospital at home."
"Money doesn't matter. I'll pay for everything."
"Theoretically..." began the doctor.
"Doctor, I must discuss it with Mr. Darcy." Cut in Mr. Bennet and took Darcy by his arm, leaving the doctor alone.
Chapter Thirty-Five
"Mr. Darcy, I am oppose to it!" exclaimed Mr. Bennet once he was alone with Darcy.
"Sir, I believe, it is for the best. I can arrange..."
"I am sure you can but she is my daughter and I won't allow..."
"I admit, sir, she is your daughter, but I love her."
"Forgive me, Mr. Darcy, but so far I haven't seen many signs of your affection."
"I know, sir, and I know that no matter what I say, I can't make up for my behaviour. I treated Elizabeth like I have always treated women. They were a good sport. As long as they came to me, I didn't mind who they were. No matter where I showed up, there were always women who were more than willing to oblige me. It was enough to sway to the music played by them to get an easy prey. My ex-wife, Anne, deluded me from any ideals. Women were just toys, I could play with and then throw them away, once a new, better toy appeared on the horizon. And worst of all, I treated Elizabeth in the same manner. I should have believed her. I should have had the trust in her. But then I was applying my measures to her. I did not believe her, because I knew I would be capable of doing a thing I suspected her off."
"Mr. Darcy, are you saying that despite the fact that you said in court that it was you on that picture, you did not believe that Elizabeth was innocent?"
"You can think very ill of me, right now, Mr. Bennet, but I did think it was Elizabeth in that picture and I did not believe her when she said it was not her. On the day of the accident, I was... I was harsh... and..."
"Say no more, Mr. Darcy."
"I must, I showed her the door, I..."
"I can see that you care for Elizabeth." interrupted him Mr. Bennet.
Darcy could not believe Mr. Bennet said it. He silently stared at the elderly gentleman.
"But, Mr. Darcy, I cannot agree. I cannot let you do that. I cannot let you do that, not even for Lizzy." Mr. Bennet spoke fervently. The younger man tried to speak up but his senior silenced him.
"No more, Mr. Darcy. You are a good man, but I can't let you do it."
Chapter Thirty-Six
He is a tough, young man. And I thought that I could dare to refuse him! laughed Mr. Bennet, sitting in his library. It was a rarity that he laughed. Today, Lizzy was taken to the private hospital William Darcy set up in his house at Holland Park. After two months of persuasion, Mr. Bennet agreed to have Lizzy in Darcy's care. He flatly refused the idea at the beginning, but once he was shown the long-term coma cases clinics and then presented with the bills for Lizzy's treatment, he had to admit that he could not manage like that for long. Darcy was always at Elizabeth's side and every time he met with Mr. Bennet, he suggested Lizzy's transfer to the hospital already set up at Holland Park. Finally, Mr. Bennet agreed, and today Elizabeth was taken to her new place of stay.
Unfortunately, her condition hadn't improved much. The majority of her injuries had healed, and her respiration problems belonged to the past, but nonetheless she was still in a coma, and the doctors claimed her chances for waking up lessened with every day.
Mr. Bennet looked at the pictures in front of him. They were of Little Lizzy. She was sitting in a bath, splashing water all over the place and laughing. He could hear her laugh. He could almost picture her running to him and embracing him tightly, whispering good advice on how to handle her mother's nerves. He smiled to himself. She used to say: Daddy, Mummy is in poor condition today, but if you take us all to dinner, she'll be much better. I heard her tell Aunt Phillips over the phone that you are not taking her out often enough. Lizzy was his darling child. Jane was a dear as well. She was now in her seventh month, but the pregnancy was difficult, and she was practically confined to her bed. Lydia was an intelligent girl, but bad things appealed to her and attracted her always, so she found herself in all sorts of troubles. But Lizzy was his favourite child, the apple of his eye, his spiritual heir. It had always been so, and now she was lifelessly sleeping, perhaps never to wake up. He wondered whether she felt she was being moved and how the things were at Holland Place.
William Darcy was sitting in his library. He has just left Elizabeth's room on the third floor, which was transformed into a small hospital. The clock struck midnight. He still couldn't believe that Elizabeth was here with him. That she was upstairs. It took him a lot of convincing to receive Mr. Bennet's permission to settle Elizabeth at Holland Place, but he finally succeeded. He wanted to tell somebody how happy it made him but there was no one to be told. He dialed Richard's number and caught him at the airport. Charlotte had called him and told him she wanted to meet him in Scotland. He was overflowing in mirth. He then called Bingley but it was busy. He got up and walked over to the CD player. Anne Marie gave him an Elvis Presley single with Always on My Mind just yesterday. He remembered the melody but the lyrics escaped him somehow. He pressed the play button and listened:
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
"I have not treated you well at all, Elizabeth. I should have done better." Thought he.
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
"I may have made love to you, but not once did I tell you I loved you with all my heart. Not once did I tell you."
There are things
I should have said or done
I just never took the time
"In fact, I just never took the trouble and the time... the time has ran out." Ironically remarked Darcy to himself.
You were always on my mind
He sang with Elvis, wiping out a tear that rolled down his cheek.
Maybe I didn't hold you
all those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you I
I'm so happy that you're mine
"What was I waiting for? I wanted to marry you, yet I never told you how happy you made me."
If I made feel second best
Girl, I'm so sorry I was blind
"I am sorry, Elizabeth, you cannot know how sorry I am for being so blind, for not believing you!"
You are always on my mind moaned Darcy.
Tell me, tell me
that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
to keep you satisfied, satisfied.
"Please wake up and let me show you how much I care. How much I love you!"
Little things I should have said or done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
Maybe I didn't hold you
all those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you...
"I know I never told you, dearest." He whispered as the song died out. He switched off the light and went out.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Darcy was looking at the picture of Elizabeth and himself, standing on the desk in his study. He came here to pick some papers he had to take with him to RSA. He wasn't happy to leave Elizabeth, especially that there were little chances of having communication with England. Elizabeth had been at Holland Place for almost five weeks but no change in her condition occurred. He picked up the pile of papers and blowing a kiss to Elizabeth on the picture left the room.
On his way to the airport, he fantasised how wonderful it would be if Elizabeth would greet him at the door when he came back. But it sounded so impossible. He bid farewell to her wax-like figure, body, lying in the room on the third floor. He kissed her good-bye and left just as the two rehabilitation nurses came in. The doctor suggested that Elizabeth's muscles should be exercised, so two rehabilitants were hired, and only yesterday the doctor diagnosed Elizabeth's muscle condition as very good. Darcy knew he was leaving Elizabeth in good hands.
Gazing out of the plane window, he smiled to himself: Elizabeth will be fine. She has to.
It was one in the afternoon when Anne Marie returned from school three days later. Her father was somewhere in the bushes of RSA. She went to the library in search of Vanity Fair when she heard the phone ring:
"Anne Marie Darcy speaking. Good day." She answered it.
"Hi! It's Edward Bennet."
"Hi, Mr. Bennet. How are you today?" the girl adored Mr. Bennet who, over the last month, became her hero and whose quick-wit answers she learnt and used at school with great success.
"Fine, thank you. Anne Marie, I won't be able to come today and probably also tomorrow because Jane Bingley went into labour and it looks fairly serious. And then, I'm going to Scotland for a week to hold some lectures in Edinburgh, so I won't come until late next week."
"Of course. I am sure Jane will be fine."
"Let's hope for the best. Good bye, Anne-Marie."
"See you, Mr. Bennet and give my best to the Bingleys and the rest of the family."
"I will. Bye."
Anne Marie hung up and with Vanity Fair in her hand went to Elizabeth's room. It has become her custom to go to Elizabeth and read there. She seated herself in an armchair, her father brought to the room and began reading, but soon the book was replaced by thoughts and rested on the girl's lap. Looking at the sleeping Elizabeth, Anne Marie evoked the events of the last few months. Her father behaved strangely, asking sudden, incoherent and unconnected questions. He told Mrs. Reynolds to do the same, and the two definitely tried to drag some information from her. She would have never known what it would be, had her father not sent her to a gynaecologist, and after conferring with him for a while, finally left her in peace. She guessed that he wanted to check if she slept with Harry. She couldn't understand what made him suspect she did, especially if she did not. She could not have known that Darcy received her photo with George Wickham. She could not have known about it because she had never met George Wickham and the whole picture, Darcy believed to be true, was a fake.
The girl wondered how her father had changed over the past six months. She decided, he was very much in love with Elizabeth Bennet, and it did him good. Anne Marie liked Elizabeth. She was fair and just and Anne Marie liked her like she did no one else and especially not her natural mother who left her. Anne Marie harboured nothing but sad memories about her mother. She could never forgive her that she left and didn't care. The girl was sure that Elizabeth, being her mother, would never leave her, if it was of her free will. Yes, Elizabeth would be a great mother, she thought smiling to herself.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The darkness in the room caused Anne Marie to fall asleep. Suddenly she woke up. She could have sworn, it was because of a noise. The room was even darker than two hours earlier when she fell asleep. After a while her eyes adjusted to the light and she could see well enough to find and turn on the light. Her eyes rested on Elizabeth. There was something different about her but Anne Marie couldn't tell what. She cautiously looked around the patient. Elizabeth's eyes were closed, her chest rose and fell down as usually, her hands...yes, her hands... For the last five weeks they were lying along her body but today... today she had one hand on her stomach. Anne Marie came closer and touched Elizabeth's hand. She was sure, the patient responded to the touch.
"Elizabeth?" she whispered.
"Elizabeth? Can you hear me?
"Tell me you do." Continued Anne Marie.
She could see the movement of Lizzy's eyes.
"Elizabeth, please wake up."
A deep breath escaped Elizabeth's chest.
"You are waking up!" called the girl enthusiastically.
Suddenly, Elizabeth's eyes flung open and she caught Anne Marie by the hand.
"You scared me!" cried the girl. "Oh, dear, how good to have you back."
Elizabeth was trying to say something but her lips did not want to listen to the brain's orders.
"Hhhho....?" she began.
"I don't understand. Take it easy. Oh Dad will be so happy when he returns!" called the girl, kissing Elizabeth in the head.
"Wwhwhhh...hryrr..yy?"
"I don't understand. I'll call the doctor." She picked up the phone standing next to Elizabeth's bed and dialed the doctor's number.
"Whhho arhre you?" managed Elizabeth.
"I'm Anne Marie. Anne Marie Darcy. Don't you remember?" called the girl sadly.
"Anne Marrie Darrccy." Repeated Elizabeth.
"Oh, hello doctor. This is Anne Marie Darcy speaking. I think the patient has just woken up."
She listened to the doctor for a while:
"Yes, she can speak, a bit rusty with it, but comprehensible."
I'm on my way. replied the doctor
"Oh, doctor, one more thing, she doesn't remember me."
Ask her what her name is? commended the doctor over the phone.
"The doctor asks what your name is." Said she to Elizabeth.
"My name is... my name is... I don't know..." replied Elizabeth.
I'll be there as soon as I can. Anne Marie hung up the receiver.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
"Good afternoon." Said the doctor walking into Elizabeth's room.
"Good afternoon." Replied Elizabeth.
"My name is John Bellows and I'm your doctor."
"Please to meet you, but unfortunately I cannot tell you who I am because I simply don't know."
"Your name is Elizabeth Bennet."
"Elizabeth Bennet." Said Elizabeth thoughtfully but it made no difference, it told her nothing.
"Well, Elizabeth, I hope you don't mind that I call you that way?"
"Not at all."
"Then Elizabeth, I have to perform some easy tests on you. Can you tell me your first memory?"
"It's Anne Marie's face... no...wait... a man..."
"Continue" encouraged the doctor.
"A man... I don't know... I am small... dad. Honestly I don't know."
"Fine. Can you tell me what you do in life?"
"I'm... I... don't know."
"Can you tell me what a 'trust' is?"
"It's a mechanism whereby one person manages property for the benefit of another."
"Good. Can you sit up, Elizabeth?" She still remembers her profession, thought he.
Slowly, Elizabeth lifted herself from the pillow.
"I'm... a ... a bit dizzy."
"That's all right. Lie down. You are fine."
"But why can't I remember anything?"
"You had an accident and you were in a coma for the last five months. This is why, you are suffering from amnesia."
"Amnesia?" asked Elizabeth terrified.
"Yes. It will pass."
"When?"
"I don't know. Maybe today, maybe in a week maybe in a few months..."
"Is it possible that I will never remember?"
"Very unlikely, but when it comes to the brain, medicine knows so little about it."
"I see." Said Elizabeth and stared into the ceiling.
"Sleep a bit and I'll talk with Anne Marie."
"Doctor?" called Elizabeth after him.
"Yes."
"Where am I?"
"At William Darcy's house, of course."
"I see." William Darcy, who is he? The girl's name is Anne Marie Darcy. It must be his daughter. Who am I for them? Why am I at this house? William Darcy - very nice name. I wonder where he is.
"Anne Marie, have you contacted your father?" asked the doctor in the corridor.
"I'm afraid it's rather impossible. He is in the bush. I don't have any contact with him, but he should call during the next two days."
"All right, tell him that Elizabeth woke up and tell him she has amnesia. Or better, tell him to call me."
"Amnesia? Do you mean she remembers nothing?"
"Yes and you are not to tell her facts. Rather try to make her remember them."
"Okay, doctor."
"I'll come by tomorrow afternoon but if there was an emergency call me."
"I will."
"Where is Mrs. Reynolds? I need to talk to her."
"Downstairs. I'll show you."
Chapter Forty
Who was William Darcy? that question haunted Elizabeth all the time. She tried to put facts together. Her name was Elizabeth Bennet, and she was staying at the house of William Darcy. He had a daughter, named Anne Marie, who was keeping her company. From what Anne Marie said, William Darcy was somewhere in Africa and was out of contact reach. She tried to learn who William Darcy was from her, but the girl claimed the doctor forbade to tell her 'facts', as Anne Marie chose to call them. Therefore all she knew was her name and her current place of residence. Sometimes she felt as if she were remembering something, scraps of conversations and situations. For instance she saw a girl in the sea. It was Anne Marie. The wave came and the girl jumped. Elizabeth kept watching her. The wave hit the shore but the girl was nowhere to be seen. Elizabeth dived to see what happened to her. She saw the girl under the water. She swam quickly in her direction and pulled her out of the water:
"Are you all right?"
"Yes." Replied the girl choking.
"What on Earth have you been trying to do?"
"Who cares?"
"I do. You could have drowned!"
"Who cares?"
And then the vision was gone.
"Anne Marie," she asked the girl, "have we ever been at the seaside together?"
"Yes. Have you remembered?"
"I guess. Where you taken in by a wave?"
"Yes."
"And I pulled you out?"
"Yes."
"Where was it?"
"In France, we took vacations there last year. You , Dad and I."
You, Dad and I, rang in Elizabeth's for the next hours. I could think, I'm attached to William Darcy. Maybe I'm his girlfriend. That would explain why I bear another surname, but then Daddy's girlfriends are usually hated by Daddy's daughters. Maybe, I'm his sister then who got married? But then where is my husband? Maybe he dumped me. Then why doesn't Anne Marie call me 'Aunt'? Yes, she calls me Elizabeth...
She fell asleep. But it wasn't a resting sleep. It was full of dreams. It was an elevator. She could feel his scent. The scent of his cologne and soap. It was beyond her. She was on the point of deciding whether to burst into tears or just say: Take me. and then she could almost feel his hand wandering from her cheek, through her chin to her lip. He stopped for a second and looked into her eyes. She was melting into nothingness. He kissed her deeply and moved from her lips onto her ears and neck. Lips of a dark hair man wandered all over her face, neck, ears and chest, the volley of his kisses continued. She felt his hand find a way under her dress. With every kiss, she was leaning upon him. A strap of her dress fell down and... she woke up. Who was he? Was it William Darcy?
There was a knock on the door and Doctor Bellows came in:
"How are we feeling this afternoon?"
"Better. I've eaten some of the soup and I can sit on the bed without problems and I hope to stand up tomorrow, but it is unnerving not to remember anything."
"I am sure it is. I'm glad that you are physically well. I think that if you feel well tomorrow, you can try to get up. Mr. Darcy has a lift here so it would be better if you used it at the beginning."
"I will."
"And don't try to do it by yourself. Have Mrs. Reynolds or Anne Marie to accompany you."
"Aye, Doctor." Laughed Elizabeth.
"So you have remembered nothing?"
"Well, I sometimes feel as if I remembered something. I remembered I pulled Anne Marie out of the water when we were in France."
"Anything more?" asked the doctor.
Elizabeth blushed: How was she to tell the doctor, that she had wet dreams about a man whom she didn't know? "Well," she began, "there was a man."
"Can you describe him?"
"He had dark hair and he smelled..."
"How did he smell?"
"Seductively." Replied Elizabeth with a uncertain expression on her face.
"Anything more?"
"No, I don't think. Doctor, can you tell me how old I am?"
"You are thirty four."
"Who is W...?" at that moment Anne Marie ran inside.
"Hello Doctor, Elizabeth."
"Hello." Replied both of them.
"You were saying, Elizabeth?" asked the doctor.
"Oh, nothing. Doesn't matter." How was she to ask who was William Darcy for her with Anne Marie in the room. The girl could be crushed by such a question, especially when Elizabeth noticed that Anne Marie and she must have been very close in the past.
"Well, then Elizabeth, I believe I have nothing more to do here. Next week, we'll perform another tomographic scan but I don't think there will be anything wrong. Be a good patient and don't overdo it. With the getting up, I mean."
"Thank you doctor." Smiled Elizabeth.
Chapter Forty-One
The door of the lift opened. Elizabeth looked out to see if anyone was in the hall. It was empty. Anne Marie told her that the whole house belonged to them. She wanted to see it. She was bored by sitting in her room. Yesterday evening, she asked Anne Marie to bring her a mirror. She wanted to see how she looked. Not bad, not bad, at all, thought she then.
With her hand touching the wall, she slowly walked down the hall. Suddenly, she heard steps. She opened the first door and went inside. It was a study of some sort. It was tidy and there was a characteristic scent... She knew the scent. It was more than familiar... it was the scent of a man... a man who was in the elevator. She looked around her. Her gaze rested on the desk on the left-hand side. She approached it and sat behind it. She felt dizzy. Maybe she should have listened to the doctor and go accompanied by Anne Marie or Mrs. Reynolds?
After a moment, her weakness was gone and she opened her eyes and looked at the desk. In the left-hand corner there was a picture. Elizabeth leaned closer. It was her and a man. He had dark hair and he kept her encircled in his arms. Looking at it, Elizabeth shivered. On the picture there was a note: "For Will with love, Elizabeth."
"For Will with love, Elizabeth." Murmured Elizabeth, touching the picture. "Will Darcy. Will Darcy, who are you?" She looked at the man intensely. Who are you for me that I love you? I'm definitely not your sister. I must be your girlfriend. But then aren't we a bit too old for boyfriend/girlfriend stuff? I must be your mistress, but if I'm your mistress, why am I on such terms with your daughter, and where is your wife?... Oh, God, maybe I'm your wife. That would make sense. It is possible that I kept my maiden name when I got married. Of course, that would make sense. Anne Marie is fifteen. That's what she said. Theoretically I could have had her at the age of 19. I must have started early. I could be married to William Darcy and have a daughter of fifteen. It must be the truth. The doctor forbade telling me any facts. Maybe he wanted me to remember that I'm William Darcy's wife. I must ask Anne Marie. No, I can't, if she is my daughter, she would be crushed to learn that I thought her to be a total stranger. How would you feel if your mother didn't remember you? Yes, your mother, Lizzy? Where is she? I remember Dad, I think it was Dad but mother?...no. Maybe she is dead?
At that moment a telephone on the desk rang.
Chapter Forty-Two
The sound of the telephone was like a shotgun in the silence the study. I should pick it up, shouldn't I? thought Elizabeth. After all, it is my home, isn't it? She reached out and picked up the receiver.
"Hello, Darcy residence."
"May I speak with my daughter please?"
"Oh, Will, is that you?" exclaimed Elizabeth. After all, he was her husband, no matter that she didn't remember him. And a husband deserved a warm welcome from a loving wife.
"Yes, William Darcy speaking." Said a voice a little taken aback.
"Darling, it's me! Elizabeth! I woke up." There was a silence on the other end.
"Will, are you there?"
"Yes. Elizabeth? Are you all right?" asked he cautiously.
"Yes. Why shouldn't I be? Darling, when will you be coming back?"
"Elizabeth, is that really you? Are you sure you are well?" kept he asking incredulously.
"Of course, it's me. Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all. It's wonderful. Truly wonderful." Said he but there was no enthusiasm in his voice. It's either that Elizabeth woke up and went mad or that someone is playing with me here. But still, it is her voice.
"Darling," he began hoarsely, "I should be back as soon as possible." It wasn't very sincere, this, 'darling'. "Is Anne Marie there?"
"Our daughter is at school." What? Our daughter! Oh, God, she lost her senses! What is wrong with her?!... She must be suffering from amnesia. Oh God, of course, amnesia!
"Elizabeth, I'll be back as soon as possible." He said anxiously.
"Bye, darling. I miss you!" called Elizabeth and replaced the receiver.
Oh, God, maybe, he is not my husband. No, it's probably that he couldn't believe that it's me. And if I'm wrong? He behaved a little strange for a happy husband. But that was probably a shock of hearing my voice in the receiver. However no matter what she told herself, she couldn't be convinced that there was nothing more than shock in his voice. She went to the living room, which she noticed earlier on, sat the sofa and pressed a remote control 'on' button.
Meanwhile William Darcy was hastily packing his things. He ordered a plane to be ready in an hour. The shock of hearing Elizabeth's voice in the receiver was big enough, but the fact that she was friendly and that she thought she was married to him and that Anne Marie was their daughter was a greater shock. He couldn't comprehend how it was possible. The only logical explanation was amnesia. But still why would Elizabeth think that they were married? That didn't make sense. He closed his bag and ran towards the car that was to take him to the airport.
Chapter Forty-Three
It was almost eight. Elizabeth was still sitting in the living room. Anne Marie found her here some time ago. She and Mrs. Reynolds were worried what happened to her but she assured them, she was perfectly fine. She remained on the sofa, watching TV. It occurred to her that she was wearing no ring. But then, maybe it was lost in the accident. She would ask Will once he was back.
BBC 1 was showing news but Elizabeth had it on mute. Suddenly her attention was picked up a picture shown on it. It was a man of some thirty years old. He had dark hair and a familiar expression on his face. She turned the voice on. The speaker was saying:
George Wickham was probably killed by his fellow prisoners. Other news. Bill Clinton will be...
Elizabeth was no longer listening. George Wickham sounded in her head. It sounded more than familiar. That face, she knew him. He must have meant something in her life. Who was he? And why were her thoughts of him unpleasant?
It is rumoured that she will face trial for employee harassment and conflict of interest. We learnt from our sources that the man on the picture is a certain George Wickham... flashed through her head
THE TRIAL BEGINS
The trial of Justice Bennet for harassing her employee and conflict of interests begins today in the London court. She refuses to speak to the press. We know that Mr. Darcy was not at her side when she came to court this morning. He is presumably still on the tour of his properties, which began in September with a trip to RSA. It is possible that he still doesn't know what happened at home. However, he shall know soon because he was scheduled to return to England yesterday. - she remembered a paper article.
She was a lawyer, that much she knew. Justice Bennet was it her? It is possible that he still doesn't know what happened at home. However, he shall know soon because he was scheduled to return to England yesterday. Oh my God, I slept with George Wickham when William, my husband, was in Africa, and it went public. William wanted to divorce me for sure! That's why he was so strange on the phone. He probably thought me devious! Oh, how could I be so stupid to betray my husband! But then the accident happen and William didn't have the heart to leave me, so... Oh God, how could I do it to him? He is such a good man! Why was I so blind? She got up as to run away, and there he was, standing at the door with a radiant smile on his face.
Chapter Forty-Four
"Elizabeth..." he began but did not finish.
"Oh, William, I'm so sorry." Oh God, she remembered... wait...but what did she remember? What is she sorry about?
"Elizabeth..."
"No, don't stop me. I must say it. I feel terrible. How could I do it to you?"
"Do what?" asked he incredulously.
"I should have never slept with him. It was a mistake! You must divorce me now. Oh, Will, how stupid I was?" cried she. What? thought William, Is she telling me that she slept with somebody? Who?
"He was murdered." Sobbed she.
"Who was murdered?"
"That man in jail!"
"Elizabeth, darling, my dearest, sweetest, loveliest Elizabeth, I don't know what you are talking about and to tell you the truth I don't care."
She stared at him with surprise, unable to utter a syllable.
"Elizabeth, I lost too much time, and you are far too precious to me. I cannot lose you one more time. I love you. I always did. It's just that I never told you." Elizabeth was too taken aback to be even able to think how was it possible that her husband, had not once told her he loved her. She simply looked at him intently. He was very near her. She smelled him. It was the same scent as the one she remembered and it drove her mad. The sensation she was experiencing now, brought her an image of satisfaction. Oh yes, William Darcy knew well what he was about in bed and he was good in what he did. That much she knew.
She had him in full view; a whole length of an all-perfect, manly beauty in full view. His shirt, half-unbuttoned. His hair tousled. The parting of the double ruby pout of his lips seemed to exhale the whole world and ah! What self-denial did it not cost her to refrain from the so-tempting kiss. That self-denial could not have been born. He had forgiven her! thought she and before any other thought could enter her mind, her lips, which she threw in his way, so as that he could not escape kissing them, fixed, fired, and emboldened him. William caught her in his arms and lifted her from the ground, with his lips glued to hers. She has forgiven me, was all he could think before forgetting himself in her lips. Her eyes were filled with tears, tears of delight, to find herself in the arms of a man who loved and cherished her. She played with the curls of his hair, kissing him passionately, learning the shape of his jaw, his ear lobes, and tasting his skin, burnt by the sun. His neck, she embraced forcefully, showed the strength of his manhood but at the same time, the softness of his tanned skin and the delicacy of his complexion proved him tender, what all together enchanted her. Past and future were equally out of question. Only the present mattered. She leaned upon him in order not to faint, realising she loved William too truly not to feel severely that she did not deserve him. She could not have known, he thought the same. Encouraged by her initial want, expressed in the volley of kisses, he put her down and his hands wandered over her whole body, touching, squeezing and pressing. Her senses were in tumult. She grabbed his hand and guided it down her body. She desired him so much.
"Oh William, I can't stand it anymore." She moaned to his ear and he took her into his arms and carried to the bedroom upstairs.
Chapter Forty-Five
A feather-like touch on her back brought her back to reality. She inhaled deeply and looked around herself. She was in a strange room, she had never seen before or at least she didn't remember to have seen it. Where was she? Oh, of course, in William's bedroom, in their marital bedroom...
"How are you, darling?" asked Will's soft voice.
"Very well, thank you, dear." She replied leaning to him and kissing him slightly. He returned her caress and employed his lips with kissing her eyes: "You are the best thing that ever happened to me." He whispered to her ear.
"Will, we need to talk..." she began but he was employing his time much better.
Having learnt the shape of her ear by heart he murmured: "I wanted to ask you something?"
"What is it?" moaned Elizabeth with her eyes closed.
"What was the thing you were talking about yesterday? About a man killed in jail, about sleeping with somebody?"
Elizabeth was terrified. Was it possible that he did not forgive her? What was the meaning of this? Didn't he know that she had an affair with some George Wickham? "I...I..." she began, "oh, William, you may divorce me. It's your right!" she cried desperately.
"What? Why would I want to divorce you, if we are not even married." He said incredulously.
"We...we are not... married?" asked Elizabeth after a while of silence.
"No, but..."
"We are not married? How could you deceive me so? I was certain we were married! What about that picture?"
"What picture?"
"In the study."
"That's us in France."
"Us in France? Oh God, what am I doing in your bed?" she asked.
"Enjoying yourself." He said playfully but seeing the distress on her face, he became serious and backing her onto the pillow, said:
"At least one thing we can amend right now. Elizabeth Bennet, will you marry me?" He stretched his hand and took a small box off his night table.
She looked at him intensely, not fully realising what he just said.
"You mean... you mean..."
"I want to marry you."
"But I don't know you. I don't know who you are, I don't know who I am!" she cried.
"Does it really matter?"
"To me it does."
"Well, Miss Bennet," he began coldly, "after all we did..." He paused to look at her and what he saw in the expression of her eyes was horrific. It was... memory.
Chapter Forty-Six
"Miss Bennet," he began coldly, "how can I believe you. After all, we did it too." Those words, that voice, she went back in time.
"William, I know I should have told you. But now that you know and believe me... Thank you dearest..." she stopped and looked at him.
"You don't believe me."
He was silent.
"You don't believe that it wasn't true? That it was a fake, the photo? You must believe me!"
"Miss Bennet," he began coldly, "how can I believe you. After all we did it too."
They met at court, she sentenced him, then at Jane's wedding, then in France.... yes, France, they made love there... for the first time, then he tried to propose, Caroline interrupted... he went to RSA, the photo was published, he gave me alibi and... he showed me the door...
"I don't remember... I... what happened... why was I asleep... how long...?" she muttered.
"Elizabeth, Elizabeth!" she heard.
"What?"
"What are you saying?"
"I remember it all. It came back, but you... you...?" she couldn't take her eyes off him.
"Elizabeth let me explain. A lot has changed while you were sleeping."
"How could you do it to me?" called she.
"What?
"You threw me out of the house, all those months ago. Without taking the trouble of believing me, without... without audiatur et altera pars and now, yesterday, knowing I had amnesia, you let me believe I was married to you and you dragged me into your bed." By the time she was saying it, she was shouting.
"It would seem to me that you were more than willing to find yourself in my bed!"
"How dare you, you... scoundrel!" she sprang out of bed and began picking up her cloths. Without thinking for a split second, William jumped out of bed and caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She looked at him with distaste in her eyes and started hitting his chest with clenched fists. Tears rolling down her cheeks. He let her hit him until her force weakened and then overpowered her, catching her hands and making her stop. She was sobbing but her face was hidden in his chest.
"Shhh, darling."
"Don't call me, darling." She sobbed
"Shhh, dear." Said he smiling to himself.
She began laughing, while sobbing at the same time. When she finally managed to stop crying, he picked her head up and said:
"Now, listen, my dearest, beloved Elizabeth. I have done you a great wrong. I have misjudged you. I applied my own measures to you and it was a crime. Today I know that you told me the truth, that afternoon and when I ..." his voice broke, "when I have learnt about your accident, I blamed myself. I was responsible... it had been a nightmare to know that I was responsible for cutting off your life... it was then that I realised how much you have meant to me and how much I care for you... I felt as if my life... you know when I saw you lying so lifeless in the clinic, I told God, or whoever is up there, that I am ready to give my life if only you could be brought back to life..." he was so taken by his confession that he did not notice how her face had changed.
"Will," she interrupted him, "I can only thank God that he has not listened to you and did not take your life, giving me mine, back, because what would I do without you?" her cool and sweet voice was a remedy for all the pain he had suffered.
"So you have forgiven me, Elizabeth?"
"Forgive," she paused, " yes, I did, I have forgiven you, but I have to learn to forget about it, do you understand?"
"I do, sweetheart, I do."
Epilogue
New Year's Eve
"Oh, Charles, I'm so happy. It was a happy year for all of us." Called Jane as her husband walked in her room. She was sitting with their seven months old daughter, Elizabeth Charlotte in the arms.
"I know, darling, and thanks to you we have this lovely little girl here." He kissed his daughter's cheek and then his wife. "We must be going."
"I'll be right down." Smiled his wife. They were going to William's house to celebrate the night. Darcy wanted to have his closest friends with him that evening. Richard and Charlotte were coming as well. They returned from Scotland together - happier than ever before. Jane's heart warmed seeing the two so happy. She was truly distraught in France when the couple parted. Also the Fitzwilliam children were to come, to keep Anne Marie company. Jane knew from Elizabeth that they were planning to sneak out and go to Trafalgar Square to celebrate. They didn't know that the parents had similar plans.
Everyone was counting the remaining seconds.
Ten
Bingley nuzzled to Jane.
Nine
Charlotte squeezed Richard's hand and he blew her a kiss with his eyes. They enjoyed the secret knowledge that a new Fitzwilliam child was on its way.
Eight
Anne Marie whispered something to Sammie Fitzwilliam's ear and they both giggled. Anne Marie shot a sparkling look at Harry, who blushed furiously.
Seven
Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and kissed it, stopping slightly over the tips of her fingers.
Six
She placed her hand on his face and squeezed his cheek gently.
Five
He caught her lower lip and kissed her, first slowly then allowing himself more passion. She leaned upon him and felt a small box in his pocket.
Four
"Elizabeth..." he began throatily.
Three
"How could I ever hurt you?" he managed to finish.
Two
"William, it is the past, it is forgotten." Replied she.
One
"But... What did you say?" asked he totally taken aback.
The crowd cheered.
William took Elizabeth into his arms and... instead of the wishing her everything the best called: "You mean...?"
"Yes. It is forgotten."
"Darling, will you marry me now?" he almost had tears in his eyes.
"I will, William, I will."
And at that moment the rest of their party joined them, wishing each other a Very Happy New Year.
THE END