| “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Fitzwilliam Darcy gazed upon the woman across from him, admiring her beauty and in awe of how she had so captivated him. Elizabeth’s thoughts at this moment were on how drastically her feelings toward this man had changed, but also on how this wedding almost did not come to pass because of such far-reaching misunderstandings. One had hoped with all anticipation that it would come about, the other was determined it would not. They regarded each other with uncertainty as their gaze turned to the couple between them. Charles Bingley leaned over and gave his new bride, Jane, a long, passionate kiss. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley turned to walk out of the church and Elizabeth stepped over to take the arm of Darcy. He knew Elizabeth’s thoughts of him had improved, but just how much? Charles and Jane remained at the church while Elizabeth and Darcy left quickly for Netherfield to greet the guests as they arrived. In the few moments they would have in the carriage alone, Darcy was determined to ascertain her feelings for him as he reassured her of his steadfast love. Darcy’s heart was pounding fiercely as Elizabeth had kept her arm locked in his, and the effect it was having affected his ability to think. They settled in and Elizabeth spoke, “It was a lovely wedding. Jane never looked prettier.” “And I have never seen Bingley happier.” His words were as much a statement of fact as they were an admission that he had been wrong in trying to separate them. He suddenly reached for Elizabeth’s hand and firmly held it within his. “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.” Elizabeth, feeling a rush of feelings and admiration for the man sitting next to her, struggled with composure as she sought how to respond. “My feelings for you…my estimation…are altered indeed.” He looked upon her with eyes that were soaking up every nuance of her face; he sought to hear every inflection of her voice that would give him assurance of what he hoped to hear. “I was very wrong, in what I said to you, what I perceived your character to be. Please forgive me.” “No, it is I who need forgiveness. What I said was abominable. The things I said in making an offer of marriage...it pains me to think of it.” He looked at Elizabeth who returned his gaze and found himself struggling with the desire to lean over and kiss her. His gaze dropped to her lips, which were slightly parted in awe at his words. Taking in a deep breath, he continued. "My behavior that day was without excuse." He brought his arm up and put it behind her, gingerly taking one of her loose curls between his fingers and twisting it. Elizabeth responded by arching her head against his fingers, feeling warmth permeate throughout her body as his hand occasionally brushed against her neck. Her response to him unnerved him and stirred him to lean toward her to claim a kiss. Elizabeth put up a hand to stop him. The trembling of her voice betrayed the resolve she was about to make. "Mr. Darcy, today is Charles' and Jane's wedding day. It is their special day and...I do not want anything to take attention away from it." Darcy pulled back slowly. "I shall respect that. But would you allow me, then…...would I ask too much to call on you tomorrow at Longbourn?" With heart and head spinning, Elizabeth answered, "I should like that very much." As their eyes locked together, Darcy knew it would be difficult to wait. Every fiber of his body was screaming out to him to pull her into an embrace and kiss her. He was relieved of that struggle when he saw they had arrived at Netherfield and several servants were coming out to help them out. But the elation he felt knowing that she had accepted his invitation to call tomorrow was enough to give him great joy that would last through the evening. The dinner and dance that followed at Netherfield was pretty much of a blur to Elizabeth. She could think of nothing but Fitzwilliam Darcy, and knew not how she would handle all the feelings she was experiencing until the following day. As the evening drew on and most of the guests departed, Charles and Jane bid farewell to those remaining. They went upstairs to their respective dressing rooms to prepare for their first night as husband and wife, and everyone downstairs made preparations to leave. The Bennets gathered up all they had brought with them when one of the servants came up to Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet, Mrs. Bingley requests your presence up in her dressing room. She would like you to bring up a cup of your special tea. Do you know what she means?" Elizabeth laughed. "Oh yes, could you help me find some things in your kitchen?" She followed her to the kitchen and prepared the tea, and then carried it up to Jane’s room. She felt awkward coming up here, as if trespassing. She determined to stay long enough just to give her the tea. When she reached the room she lightly tapped on the door. "It is me, Jane." "Come in, Lizzie." Elizabeth walked in, and set the tea down in front of her. Jane had slipped on her silk nightdress and robe, and had let down her hair. Elizabeth could not contain her admiration for the beauty of her sister. “You look like an angel, Jane.” Jane blushed as she took the tea and sipped it. "Thank you so much for bringing this to me. I know how much it helps calm you down. I felt as though I needed something, I am so nervous." Elizabeth smiled. "There is no need to be nervous, Jane. You have a husband in there who loves you very much. And he is most likely very anxious to see you." She stood up and leaned over and kissed her on top of her head. "I shall be going now. Good night, Mrs. Charles Bingley." "Good night, Lizzie. Thank you." Elizabeth slowly and quietly opened the door, backing out of the room. She feared making any noise that Charles might hear. As she closed the door, she heard a familiar voice behind her say, "Go to it then, man!" Elizabeth's eyes widened it horror, as she realized it was Darcy. She turned to see if she could sneak back in the room, but he had turned as well and their eyes met. "Miss Bennet!" "Mr. Darcy!" Awkwardly he asked, "You were in with your sister?" Elizabeth felt the inopportunity of the moment, and fumbled for something to say. "I…...uh...…just brought... Jane some tea." "Bingley asked me to bring him...something stronger." He paused nervously. "How is Jane doing?" He shook his head in dismay at his sudden ineptness at conversation. Elizabeth lied, "Fine." The two walked down the rest of the hall, this time awkwardness prompting the silence and distance that separated them. As they passed a window, Darcy happened to look out and saw a huge full moon rising on the horizon. Its appearance was so stunning and unexpected that he said, "Look!" and, taking Elizabeth's arm brought her to the window. At the window, Darcy stood behind her. Elizabeth was awestruck by the beauty of it. "It is beautiful!" she exclaimed. Darcy looked down at the moonlight playing off her curls, and echoed, "Yes, beautiful." Elizabeth's heart pounded as she realized how close he was behind her. He brought his hands up to her shoulders and lightly rested them there, causing her to feel somewhat wobbly, yet at the same time they steadied her. She heard the ticking of the large grandfather clock just down the hall, and felt her heart beating just as loudly. They stood watching in silence, as the moon slowly lifted in the sky. The quiet that permeated the hall was suddenly broken by the sound of the clock striking the hour. Darcy unconsciously counted as the clock chimed. One..two...…three... It continued on. Ten…...eleven...…twelve. Darcy stiffened, taking in a sharp breath. He slowly lowered his head and a warmth of breathing near her ear was followed by a very softly spoken voice, "Elizabeth, it is tomorrow." Elizabeth closed her eyes as she felt her world begin to spin. In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, "Tomorrow?" although she fully understood his meaning. He lifted his right hand from her shoulder and picked up one of her curls again, causing her to arch her head toward it as she had done earlier, shivers of delight running through her and culminating at that point on her neck where his hand had lightly brushed up against. This time, though, as her long, sleek neck was arched away from him, he lightly trailed his fingers up her neckline to her chin and back down to her shoulder. The unexpected touch of his fingers on her neck suddenly drew her slight gasp from her and she leaned back into him. He moved around her and stood between her and the window. The moon, now a full bright orb in the sky, cast beams of light upon her face. Her eyes, though dark from the room, were reflecting the image of the moon deep within them. He tried to control the quivering in his voice and huskily whispered, "It is no longer Jane and Charles' wedding day." Elizabeth looked toward him, but could not see him well as his face was turned from the light. He brought up his hand again, fingering her curls as his hand lightly brushed up against her neck. As she slowly leaned in to him, he came down and gently placed his lips upon hers. His arms went around her, and although this acted as some support for her, Elizabeth instinctively raised her arms up around his shoulders to steady herself even more as she felt herself lose all equilibrium and fell against him. As his kiss deepened, the firm but soft pressure of his lips against hers caused stirrings within that had been never before released. When he slowly began to lift his head and their lips began to separate, Elizabeth followed him up, raising herself up on her toes, not wanting the kiss to end. Finally, at the moment Elizabeth could raise herself up no longer, their lips began to separate, ever so slowly, as if trying to hang on as long as they could. They silently stared at each other, neither wanting to break the magic of the moment. Finally, Darcy spoke in a barely audible whisper, “My dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth,” and kissed her again. Copyright held by author Click here to read the next segment, The True Measure of Love |
| Tomorrow This is a short story I adapted from "Assumed Engagement" to enter into Firthness.com's challenge to write the story of Darcy's and Elizabeth's first kiss. |
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