Fine eyes wild temper, p.7
Fine Eyes, Wild Temper, page 7
"So am I, sir." She clutched her hands together to stop them trembling. "I hope you had a pleasant journey?"
"As pleasant as can be expected in the winter. But I am happy to be here."
"So am I," she repeated.
"I am glad to hear that, Miss Bennet. Because I must tell you that the main reason for returning so soon was you."
They stopped, overwhelmed by the secret they both knew but had, up until now, not been said aloud.
"I was hoping to hear that," she whispered.
"I feared your dislike for me was too strong, and you would dismiss such words."
"My dislike for you vanished the moment I came to know you better, Mr. Darcy. The moment I understood how wrong I had been in judging you. I wonder what would have happened if we did not meet in the woods and did not find Spot together. Would we have still thought ill of each other?"
"I never thought ill of you, Miss Bennet. I was charmed and bewitched almost from the beginning of our acquaintance. I have struggled with my feelings for you all that time, but they were there, inside me, and only grew stronger."
"You kept them so deep, Mr. Darcy, that I could not recognise them. I needed your words to comprehend them."
He removed his riding gloves and then tucked them into his pocket. He took her hands in his, and she touched the wound that remained from Spot's bite, then put her cheek on his wound. Emotions shattered him.
"Miss Bennet. Elizabeth…Please allow me tell you how ardently I admire and love you, and to beg you to make me the happiest of men. You hold my happiness in your hands, Elizabeth. Will you share it me?"
"I will happily share anything with you, Mr. Darcy…" her voice was trembling, but her eyes spoke clearly.
His hands gently cupped her uplifted face. His tender gaze melted her frozen tears while his thumbs brushed over the corners of her lips. She closed her eyes as his lips touched her cheeks and eyelashes, then lower towards her chin. She leaned towards him, and his lips touched hers. Both stopped breathing, stunned by the sensation. Tenderly, his lips pressed upon her, gentle and warm, and they finally shared their first kiss, oblivious to everything around.
They were suddenly interrupted by Georgiana's voice, then by Spot attempting to force himself between them, barking and demanding to know what was happening.
While Georgiana apologised, the two laughed, allowing the dog to have his share of their joy. He had escaped from the leash, yet he did not run from them, but towards them.
***
Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day at the beginning of February, on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. With what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley and talked of Mrs. Darcy, may be guessed.
From the day of Elizabeth's engagement, Mrs. Bennet treated Spot with more attention and deference than almost any person, as she was certain everything was due to him! Otherwise, she could not understand how it happened that Mr. Darcy fell in love with her disobedient second daughter and married her!
Mr. Bennet did understand easily, as he and Darcy became quite close, sharing the same affection and admiration for Elizabeth. He was invited to visit the newly wedded couple either in London or at Pemberley anytime he wished to, and he fully intended to take advantage of the opportunity. The expectation of an extensive, rich library was the final aspect that made his liking of Darcy complete.
While Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield after the wedding, Darcy and Elizabeth left for London after the wedding breakfast. And the only one allowed in the same carriage with them was Spot.
A general invitation had been issued for the entire Bennet family, the Bingleys and the Gardiners, to spend the summer at Pemberley, an event which everyone looked forward to. Until then, however, there was a long honeymoon that the Darcys planned to spend in utter privacy, with no one around them. Except for Spot.
Miss Bingley was deeply mortified by Darcy's marriage. At the wedding, she barely conveyed her congratulations, struggling to be civil, while she also blamed the dog for Darcy's astonishing decision to marry a country nobody.
Between Elizabeth and Georgiana, the attachment was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each other, as much as if they were true sisters.
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant about the marriage of her nephew, and she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in a letter sent to Elizabeth and her family. The presence of Mr. Collins and his new wife was not enough to calm her anger, and she secretly blamed Mr. Collins for not marrying Elizabeth Bennet, to protect her nephew from such a tragedy.
As for Spot, he had been properly trained during their engagement, in long walks across the Hertfordshire countryside. He was still disobedient, he often escaped and ran but always returned to them, until they learned to trust him and to count on the dog's loyalty.
As the carriage took them towards London and towards their happy future, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy were closely embraced, with Spot sleeping on their laps. All three of them knew that at Longbourn, London or Pemberley, Spot would always be an essential part of their lives, as he had been the means of uniting them.
THE END
J T Hunt, Fine Eyes, Wild Temper
