Scotch and Sirens - Lizzy and Darcy - Scotch and Sirens

Darcy fell asleep with his drawing book in hand, and when he woke up early the next morning it was the first object he laid his eyes upon. He reached for it and slowly perused the effects of last night’s work. Elizabeth’s smiling eyes met his, but in the daylight their contours seemed sharper. He brushed them with the tips of his fingers, softening their expression. Then he slowly outlined her chin, feeling it, caressing. When he stroked her lips, the corners of her mouth seemed to become animated. She smiled at him. He sighed. It was a very good portrait. He had put all of his heart into it.

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Darcy called for a bath to be drawn. Mrs. McLaughlin, unused to such a request coming from her own master quite so early in the morning, let her companions know most emphatically of her displeasure with having to fetch, boil and help deliver water at such an hour. She wondered repeatedly about what bold hints would have to be dropped before some guests would go back to where they belonged and leave good and honest hard working people alone. Such was her thinking when Darcy presented himself in her kitchen to personally pick the most delicious dainties for today’s breakfast that she eagerly offered her aid, only too keen to get rid of the early rising intruder who disrupted her routine. Although nary a smile graced her lips as she did it, since she had to bite back the many acerbic comments she wished to convey to him instead of the dainties.

Darcy, seemingly oblivious to the disruption his eagerness had caused Brougham’s household, then saddled his horse and rode directly to the spot near the stream where he used to take his breakfasts with Elizabeth. He spread the blanket over the lawn and neatly served it out.

Somehow he knew she would come. Perhaps it was his wishful thinking – he followed his hopes so unguardedly – but he had not the slightest doubt that she would meet him here. He paid one last critical look to the breakfast service, and upon deciding that everything was to his satisfaction, he faced the path leading to the clearing, awaiting her arrival.

Lizzy walked along with a skip in her step and her face breaking out in uncontrollable, happy grins from moment to moment. She let her feet take her where they would, and it seemed they would take her to their place by the river.

He loved her still, she was sure of that now, and she would no longer make any attempts to see alternative reasons for anything he said. If he was unclear before, and even if it took a while for him to voice his feelings to her aloud again, so be it. He deserved the time, she knew. Since she had refused him twice already there was no doubt in her mind that he would naturally be anxious about asking again. She could not believe she had not thought all of that before or of so many other things. She had been blind, but the fog was lifted now, and she would patiently wait for whatever would come and just enjoy his company. All was well in her world today. Things were as simple as that. No complications were allowed to pry their way in, and she would endeavour to keep it that way each day from now on.

Darcy held his breath as he watched her coming through the trees. She held her bonnet in her hand and some stray wisps of hair blew across her face. Her colour was high, her eyes sparkling, and her lips formed the sweetest smile he could have ever imagined.

As she reached the clearing and saw him there, tall and handsome, just as he had appeared on those few so very precious mornings not so long ago, it was as if time had been rolled back and only needed her arrival to complete the scene. Yet something seemed different and the realisation stopped her in her track. The meticulous arrangement prepared with obvious attention, the erect posture of the man himself, his serious countenance, and the intense eyes that locked onto hers seemed almost intimidating.

Deliberately, in a sedate pace, he closed the distance between them. Inches from her, their hands almost touching, he stopped and looked down to her face. Overwhelmed by his proximity, she cast her eyes downward until she could bear his silence no longer, and in an attempt to break the transparent barrier, she raised her chin and her brow shot up a few notches as if challenging him. The corners of his mouth twitched in a hint of a smile as he slowly inclined his head and brushed her lips with his. The kiss, so light and brief, caused Elizabeth to touch her fingers to them as if to discern whether the fleeting sensation she felt came from the sensual caress or from the warmth of his breath. She looked at him, hoping to find her answer there.

His eyes intently followed her every gesture, and when they were finally met by hers he lost himself in the depth of her regard. Still holding their inseparable gaze, he slowly reached for her hand, ardently wishing to replace it with his. Taking it from her lips, he lightly fondled her palm, covetously fingering each of the fortunate tips until her fingers entwined with his in a companionable link.

Cherishing his yearning emotions, he put his other hand, desirous of an equal experience, to a slow, light caress of her mouth, tenderly tracing the tips of his fingers along the contours of her lips until they parted for him. He then moved his hand to the small of her back, and his lips, impatient to quench their thirst, found hers. His mouth played upon hers in the gentlest of endearments, until her lips learnt to return the favour in kind. Her fingers, linked with his, demanded an even stronger tie, and her free hand traversed to the lapel of his coat.

He moved his head back to take in her response. Her eyes met his and her name was all he could utter before moving his lips to hers again and immersing in a long, uniting kiss. Their fingers untwined, giving in to the urgent need of their hands. His wandered to her neck, his fingers sinking into her soft curls. In response she put her arms around his shoulders and leaned closer, giving in to his embrace.

When their mouths eventually parted he gently caressed his lips against hers and brought his hand to her face, slowly moving one of the wisps from her forehead. Then, with just the tips of his fingers he tenderly traced along her face, touching and feeling every hollow, every curve he had so longed to kiss. Finally, between his still quickened breaths he murmured, “Elizabeth, can we marry tomorrow?”

“Yes,” she whispered breathlessly before slowly coming to her senses. Her voice was husky now, full of the emotions she was experiencing. “I mean no. What do you mean tomorrow?”

He put his forehead to hers, breathing in her scent while collecting his thoughts.

“We are in Scotland, you know.” His eyes sparkled with the newly found joy that had begun to gradually ease the previous tension of his body. “It was just too tempting not to make the request.”

He now searched her eyes and smiled sheepishly. “But you will marry me?”

“You are proposing then? Not just stealing kisses?”

He returned her teasing smile. “A stolen kiss from you, Madam, would be my utter defeat. I do not wish for anything from you that is not freely given.”

“And what else might you wish for, Sir?”

“You have so much to offer that I barely dare to admit I want it all.”

“You know no limits.”

“Nor does my love for you.”

“Is that what you offer in return, Mr. Darcy?”

“I have nothing left to offer to you, Elizabeth. Nothing that is not in your possession already.”

“You must think me an usurper then.”

“On the contrary. You are the only rightful owner of everything I have. If you will be kind, you will agree to have me along with it.

He cupped her face in his hands. “Elizabeth, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

“Yes,” she said smiling.

He gathered her in his embrace and held her tightly to his chest. Tenderly kissing her hair, he whispered, “Thank you, Elizabeth.”

He strove to calm his emotions and in a more steady voice added, “I wish for nothing but to cherish, admire and love you for all of my life, to take care of you for the rest of our days, to protect you, to spoil you to the best of my ability, to hold you in my embrace every night and awaken you from your dreams with a caress every morning.

“Throughout all these months my love for you has never wavered. If there was ever one thing I was so firmly sure of it is this selfless and tender feeling I have for you. And yet, even though my love is selfless, I am not. I could not but wish for more, I need you at my side, Elizabeth. I need your smile to warm my days. I need to see the recognition of my worthiness in your eyes. I need you to confide in, and I need to know that you will confide your every thought, every fear, in me. My life without you is lacking in so many ways.”

She raised her head and his eyes searched hers. Smiling, he took in the expression of her glowing delight and tenderly kissed her again.

“Do you think me pathetic enough, Madam, to starve your love away?”

She cupped his cheek in her hand.

“My feelings for you are stout and healthy, Sir. Everything you say will only nourish it.”

“Is it truly possible to have so much happiness, Elizabeth?”

“We will make sure it is, Mr. Darcy.”

There was a tender softness in his eyes as he returned her caress.

“I believe, though, that we should feed you now before my own need for your touch will force you to starve away.”

He led her to the blanket, and indicated with his hand all the dainties prepared for her.

“What is your wish, Madam?”

Taking in all that he had so carefully prepared, the affection in her gaze at him was unmistakable.

“I do not think I have ever had a breakfast invitation I cared for more, Sir.”

She sat herself down before the fine feast, and he kneeled beside her, observing her happily engaged in discovering all he had laid out for them. It struck him how naturally they returned to the shared friendliness of their previous encounters. How open and easy they were in one another’s company. Even during their rides it had been so. It seemed to him now, with more clarity than ever before, that today’s understanding only formalised what they had silently, but mutually, created weeks ago.

“Elizabeth, may I ask a question? I know of course why you rejected the first proposal, but until the second one I had hoped I had managed to alter myself in your eyes. Had I not?”

Sensing the import of his enquiry, she reached out and touched him.

“Let me put your mind at ease about this. I would tell you that your second proposal was made in the name of friendship. At the time, I did not think you cared for me as any more than that. I could not trap you into a marriage you would undertake only as a gesture of honour to save my reputation and to ease the guilt you felt thinking you were solely responsible for the circumstances. But what you do not know is the anguish I felt at having to refuse you. It took all of the strength I had in me at the time.”

Darcy fell silent, pondering her response to the most urgent question that kept him from following his own intuition and making the decisive move earlier.

“It must be my fault then. I was afraid you would accept the proposal against your will, but even more that you would see through me and my real feelings would scare you so much that you would take your friendship away from me. I did word it very obscurely.”

“That you did, Mr. Darcy, but I cannot blame you for it.”

He smiled. “May I take it that you had already cared for me, even then?”

“You may take it exactly so, Sir, for it was true indeed.”

She turned her gaze to his eyes.

“It seems that we both could have brought our situation to a faster resolution had we just been braver and said a little more than we did. You see, I also was afraid of scaring you away. In fact I could have perhaps shortened the length of our misunderstanding each other when you first arrived had I but told you then that I loved you already. It might have saved much time – but then you did not ask and would have thought me very forward.” Her eyes glittered as she gazed into his.

“Yet even then I had trouble admitting it. I think I was trying to let myself down easily in case you decided to leave Scotland soon after seeing me. You must admit that at our first meeting here you were very standoffish. You hardly spoke to me.”

Darcy would attempt to explain himself at once if something she said earlier had not captured his attention. He put his hand on hers, brushed her fingers lightly, and then looked into her eyes tentatively. “Could you repeat it?”

She smiled timidly and almost whispered, “I love you.”

He brought his fingers to her cheek, observing her countenance closely, as if he were seeing her for the first time. His thumb stroked her lips lightly.

“Elizabeth, you cannot tell me you love me over breakfast and not expect me to taste those two raspberry lips.”

She brought her hand to his face as well and slowly inclined her head. “I should then make sure that nothing is amiss,” she whispered against his lips and gently brushed them with hers.

Darcy, heartened by her open invitation, moved his hand to her neck, immersing his fingers in her soft hair, and tasted her lips unhurriedly. Captivated by their pliancy he soon lost himself in their softness again, relishing them, his senses stirred by the playfulness of her response. He wanted more and more, and he knew she would not protest. Yet, protest was not quite the word, as shy as the thought was, for he now knew her need for him would match his own for her. Maybe he had always known…

Later, he held her gaze and became more serious, ready now to satisfy her curiosity about his initial behaviour towards her upon their first meeting in Scotland.

“If I had felt less I could have said more. It was all so entirely unexpected. I came to Scotland to rethink all the pros and cons. I knew I would very likely meet you again, since I expected Bingley to propose to your sister, but I also hardly hoped to ever gain more than your liking or be more to you than a friend. Even that position seemed almost impossible then. In fact I still can hardly believe your feelings towards me have altered so much.”

“And may I enquire which was winning out at that time, the pros or the cons? After finding out about Lydia, I would think the thing was heavily decided against me, and after adding my silly blunder in speaking to Miss Lucy Steele I am quite surprised you did not run off screaming altogether! Perhaps the sirens in the river scene helped keep you from fleeing and tipped the scales a little more in my favour, for you seem to enjoy sirens so much. Although I am not sure even that silly catastrophe would have been enough to humour you.

Darcy smiled teasingly. “Elizabeth, gentlemen do not run off screaming.”

“Do they not? After speaking all of that aloud, even I now must admit I am not sure why you sit here beside me today. Tell me why you did not leave Scotland very shortly after I arrived, berating yourself for being so silly as to think someone like me was worthy of your love. You baffle me by your persistent behaviour.”

He put his free hand on hers. “I was that foolish and arrogant only before I decided to propose for the first time. And even then I never censured you, but the circumstances. Later, I knew only too well that nothing could change my feelings towards you. What I said then was unforgivable, but even then nothing could really decide me against you. No, I did not come here to rid my heart of you. Please, you cannot think me that inconsistent. I rather wanted time to decide how I was going to live without you in my life, since I knew I could never love another.”

She was touched beyond measure. She turned her hand in his and gave a squeeze. “I know how you felt. I truly do. I could not love another either.”

They stared at one another for a long time, nothing at all awkward in their gaze; only genuine feeling emanating from each of them for the other, and their mutual willingness to use all the time needed to revel in it. She finally spoke.

“May I ask what made you decide that Easter Sunday to propose to me?”

“How do you know it was then?”

“You started to court me on the next day.”

“Then you recognised my endeavours?” He smiled unabashedly.

“It was not until later that I saw it. You are so unlike other men. You would not have shown me any attention had your plans towards me not been decided.”

“It seems it was my mistake.”

“No, the mistake then was mine. Please, do not think I fail to properly appreciate the consistency of your endeavours and actions.”

“My actions and endeavours were consistent, but my understanding of myself was not.

“Then, it took just one day to give in to my feelings for you, to admit defeat and the obvious choice of you as my wife, but how wrong I was in my understanding of it!”

He looked at her tenderly and apologetically at once.

“You are the embodiment of everything I value. I have known my whole life what really mattered, what was good and just, and I could recognise it in you at once. I fell in love with you because you symbolised all that I wanted in my wife, all that I have always believed would complete me as a man, yet I was not ready to admit it. Instead I followed the image of myself created not on principles but on the wishes and convictions of others.

“Afraid to make a move that in the eyes of the world might seem inappropriate – and I am ashamed to admit it came to seem like that to me as well – I struggled between what was good and right, and what might be expected of me. Only your words to me at the time allowed me to see that I was not risking humiliation but gaining the necessary humbleness that I was really lacking and looking for all my life.”

“Please, do not recall my words back then. I am heartily ashamed to remember them myself.”

“You should not be. Perhaps your opinions were founded on ill premises, but they were accurate all the same. Only by seeing myself through your eyes could I recognise how much I had deceived myself.

“What I said to you then was unpardonable. I cannot think about it without abhorrence. In a few sentences I managed both to hurt you and dismiss the value of my own true convictions. Your words were, perhaps, hard to take at first, but how necessary to make me see that I could not stand for my own beliefs and indulge myself according to the convenience of the world at the same time.”

“Mr. Darcy, we both said things then that were lacking in politeness and were hurtful to one another. I certainly cannot allow you to take all of the blame, nor acquit your words of truth said in reference to me…”

“Elizabeth…”

“Please, let me finish.”

Darcy nodded silently.

“I am certain we have both improved in civility and in our own understanding of ourselves since that day, but there was truth to your words, and if anything I said proved to be true for you then perhaps we should take comfort from the knowledge that we would not be here today if we had been more courteous. I sincerely hope that our respective lessons are well learnt, but you did not say anything then that was not reciprocated or even provoked by me, and I have myself to blame for my behaviour towards you.”

“Elizabeth, there is no excuse for either my manners or my words.”

“Nor mine. I had no right to offend your feelings or attack your character.”

“You did not know me then.”

“Because I did not take the trouble to.” She took his hand in hers and calmed her voice a bit. “Mr. Darcy, your words then, your letter, our meeting at Pemberley and my knowing you better since we met in Scotland has all combined to teach me much about you and myself. You are an impossibly good man, and knowing you better I cannot help but see how your past behaviour towards me will continue to torment you, but I will not allow you to take the sole blame. I agreed to marry you and share your life with you.”

“You cannot think that by marrying me you will have to share all of my burdens. I will do everything in my power to shield you from them.”

“I know that, and I know I can entrust myself to you with all confidence, but I disagree with your attitude. Nor would I want you to shield me from yourself, for that is what it would be were you to keep such things from me. I will not stay away from your grief or other things that might affect you, and above all I will not allow you to blame yourself alone when my share in the guilt is equal.”

“You ask for the impossible now.” Darcy smiled.

Elizabeth raised a brow in a challenging gesture. “And here I thought you could refuse me nothing.”

“Perhaps we will need to considerably narrow the definition of nothing.” He stroked her cheek gently.

“Very well, Sir, you can have a greater share, if only a bit, but you must promise me to never think that I will love you less if you are sincere with me. I do expect you to be improved in civility, but I believe in truthfulness you shall remain as you always were.”

“You have my word, Madam,” Darcy whispered, inclining his head and seeking her lips. “You are astounding, insufferable and absolutely adorable, and I must have my share in all of it.”

“And completely yours to partake of,” she breathed returning his kisses.

“Hmm, that is the best part of it.” His hand wandered to her waist, as he pulled her closer.

“Was that our first argument? If so you should congratulate me on handling it so well.” She put her arms around his shoulders.

“Or scorn you for starting it in the first place.”

“Why did you not end it sooner then?”

“I longed to see the sparkle in your eyes.”

“You are insufferable, Sir.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Let me fix you something to eat. You must be hungry now, for you have only had kisses to sustain you. You need something more substantial for your stomach I should think.”

She began to prepare him a plate.

“I shall eat if it is your wish, but I have just discovered food will always lose out to the taste of your lips. I will very likely starve before we will be married at last, since you insist on such a long engagement.”

Watching him settle himself into her favourite position for him, one of lying on his side and propping his head on one arm, she placed his plate in front of him.

“Well, I suppose we could go even now to the closest church, and then return to Rosefarm with the news before running off on a private trip all our own. I think my father may throw a tantrum though.” She laughed at the picture that placed in her head. But then the realisation of it all struck her.

“Perhaps you had better not eat and have as many kisses as you will need to sustain yourself now. After we announce our engagement we shall be hard pressed to have any more, as I suspect my aunt will not trust you with me and will insist upon chaperoning us.”

“Now you have really frightened me, Elizabeth. I do not think I can easily bear being separated from you after I have so longed for you these many months.”

He reached over to her hand and his fingers lightly played with the tips of hers.

“Let us think. Our engagement will not be officially announced before your father gives us his consent. Telling anyone before giving him the right to have his say would be disrespectful. I will go to Longbourn tomorrow if that is your wish, but if you would not mind I would rather enjoy your company a bit longer before I have to leave you for so many days.”

“I would be very sorry if you left tomorrow.”

“I hoped it would be so.” He smiled. “Then, your father will probably wish your return, and you will be occupied with all of the preparations for the wedding. That is of course if your father deems me worthy of you and gives his consent at all.”

“Of course he will,” she immediately replied.

He looked away for a while to collect his thoughts. “Elizabeth, would you mind, or do I ask too much, if we waited a few days before I meet your father, even though it will mean keeping the news to ourselves for the time being?”

After her most recent experiences regarding how Mr. Darcy was viewed at Rosefarm, she thought she could predict what reaction their tidings would bring. She was not ready to face it yet, not before she had time to get used to the thought of his loving her uninterrupted, and the idea of him leaving her just now seemed truly unsettling. The two of them had let so many things keep them from taking the next step towards each other for so long, and now that the way was finally open, now that her sight was clear, she would not let anyone or anything pull a cloud over it again.

“Mr. Darcy, I had made a resolution to myself this morning. I had decided that I would be content to patiently wait for whatever would come and that I just wished to enjoy your company while I had the chance. My mind has not altered. I am not troubled that we should contrive to spend some time together unencumbered by any cares. In fact, am content to have it exactly so.”

Darcy smiled. “I must admit I would even like it better this way. I have already told Brougham in a moment of weakness about my feelings for you, and I really wish I had thought twice about it. I know that he wishes me well, but his nosiness was truly insufferable. When I now think about all of the knowing looks which will be paid to us, all of the badly hidden smiles intruding upon our love, I cannot help but wish to keep you private, just to myself for a couple days more to let me get used to my own happiness and enjoy your presence undisturbed.”

“My aunt may view it unfavourably if she learns about our meetings.”

“I know, but since you have promised yourself to me I can easily deal with that. If we are not allowed to meet I will go to Longbourn at once and return with your father’s consent. Once he agrees for me to have you, nothing will detain me from your side.

“Otherwise, it will not postpone a thing. I will write to my solicitor, today even, and wait here for the papers to be prepared rather than at Netherfield where I would be deprived of your company. But please, do not hesitate to tell me if you disagree. If you prefer we do not meet until your father gives his consent, I will abide by your wish. Whatever you decide, you have already made me the happiest man in the world.”

She thought for only a moment.

“I too would wish to spend more time to ourselves before you leave, and before we would have to endure such things and it becomes impossible. I agree to both of your most excellent proposals today. Besides, I certainly do not have to worry about my reputation with so many churches at the ready and you being such an honourable man.” She laughed. “As long as you promise not to steal kisses that will surely be seen by someone only as a way to get me to the altar sooner than what is right and proper!”

“Elizabeth, you really should not tempt a man so fervently in love with you with such a promising punishment.”

She looked down at him and saw the teasing sparkle in his eyes.

“I am honourable, I grant you,” he continued, “but I have long ago reconciled myself to the thought that you do not deem my behaviour as gentlemanly, Madam.”

“Indeed, that was true at one time, but I had since altered my opinion. I now, however, find myself somewhat confused. I had never imagined that a gentleman’s kiss would be like that, so unless you tell me otherwise, I shall have to revise it once again. I would be quite willing to live with my altered thoughts of you. I could bear with the hardship quite well I should think.” She blushed and smiled shyly at him.

“Hmm, a gentleman kisses exactly like that. However, I would be very keen to be privy to your images of a gentleman’s kisses.” He caressed her cheek. “Will you tell me?”

She laughed at his question. “There is nothing really to tell. It is hard to imagine a thing that one has never experienced. It is possible that you, being a man, have kissed before, so you would know what to expect. I have been kissed only by members of my family and that is nothing close to what I have since experienced with you. At least they certainly do not make me feel the same way.”

Her blush deepened under his amused gaze, but his reaction also emboldened her to continue with her thoughts on the matter.

“But it cannot be true that every gentleman kisses exactly the same, can it? I would not believe that if you told me so. It must be rather like a skill one would acquire, would it not? I cannot, for example, ever imagine that Charlotte would get kisses from Mr. Collins that are as nice as the ones you give me.”

Darcy groaned. “The title of gentleman is far too often misused. Elizabeth, a true gentleman kisses his lady to her satisfaction. Let us have it as our guide. Until you are pleased, Madam, I kiss as a gentleman.”

She laughed heartily at this. “I will go by what you say, but I still will not believe that every man kisses the same, gentleman or not.” She mused, “Maybe it is not how someone kisses, but whom one engages in the activity with? That would make much more sense after all. Even kisses from the finest, handsomest gentleman would not be agreeable if one did not welcome them. However, since I welcome yours, they are simply the best kisses in the world.”

“Since we have decided that I kiss you in the best way possible, can we now forget about all of the other gentlemen?”

“There are no other gentlemen, Sir. You have secured me quite successfully.”

“And I congratulate myself on that.”

She laughed. “You are very smug.”

“Certainly, and with good reason.” He grinned. “I do not easily bear the thought of anyone else kissing you, Elizabeth. Monsieur Vian’s life is hardly safe even now, and Mr. Collins brings out all that is the worst in me at the mere thought he had ever fancied taking that position.”

She smiled most tenderly at him and took his hand in her own.

“Forgive me, please. I was not even thinking of either gentleman in that way concerning myself. I would just as soon forget both incidents ever occurred.”

She saw the look of concern enter his eyes.

“No, Elizabeth, it is not about me, but about you. I cannot bear the thought of anyone hurting you. If you had married Mr. Collins you would be hurt very much. I know it, perhaps even better than you yourself.” His look was serious. “Monsieur Vian must have scared you a great deal, and I do not like the thought of him in your company either. Pray, how has he behaved so far?”

“I have not seen him yet. He returned very late last night and I left early this morning without seeing anyone. I am sure it will be well. He knows that you watch the situation, and surely he would not attempt such a thing again knowing that? You had said he would not in any case.”

She looked down at her lap now.

“Elizabeth, look at me. I am sure Monsieur Vian will never again put you in such a situation as yesterday. However, if he does anything not to your liking you have to tell me at once. Will you promise me that? Even if it is something that seems unimportant, if you do not like it, I wish to know about it all the same.”

“I promise I will, but I did not mean I was afraid, it is just that it will be awkward. I will endure it though. I know I shall.”

Unsure now if she should say what she was thinking, she forged ahead anyway.

“I know this may sound silly, so please hear it all before you pass judgment on me, but I almost wish to thank him. If it had not happened, and you had not found me as you did, I think it is quite possible you would have bid farewell to me this morning and we would not be here as we are now. I would not have understood what you were thinking, would have likely jumped to the wrong conclusions in fact, and therefore said nothing to stop you. As unhappy, uncomfortable, and as frightful as it was for me, he has done me a service without realising it or meaning to do it.”

“I… Elizabeth, I am not so thankful to him for our happiness. I was almost convinced about your feelings when I was returning to Scotland, and I would probably have proposed soon enough. However, his pursuing you did mislead me, and I can only be ashamed of myself for thinking about leaving. There is another reason for which I found myself more gracious towards him than I normally would be under such circumstances, but certainly nothing excuses his behaviour towards you.”

“Mr. Darcy, you have referred to another reason twice now, yet you do not elaborate on what it is. I trust you know of what you speak, but I think it would help to make me feel more secure around him if I could be privy to it as well. I promise not to breathe a word of it. I never intend to speak of any of this to anyone else in any case.”

“Elizabeth, I do not doubt your secrecy, but it may be an uncomfortable subject for you, not to mention I am sure Monsieur Vian would not wish me to discuss it with you at all.”

He briefly pondered his next move. His care for her easily won out over his loyalty to a man he owed nothing.

“You see, though his actions were very improper, his motives and intentions were not. His interest in you was far more serious than just vain courtship. I cannot help but feel a bit of sympathy towards a man who wished to marry you. He was aware that you did not reciprocate his affection, but he had hoped you had abandoned your feelings towards me and would eventually grant him more of your notice. He made a mistake in estimating both you and your wishes. He thought you would welcome his pursuit. And, since my situation is much happier than his, it would be beneath me not to allow him at least a little dignity. But, of course, my understanding goes only as far as his propriety. If he passes any of its limits, he will have to leave at once.”

“I see,” she said.

She sat very quietly for a moment feeling most uncomfortable. There was so much she had not known or understood. It was a complete shock to find out Mr. Vian had felt that way, and yet it seemed to her he had never let on in a manner that was clear. Or had she herself just been blinded by her own concentration on another gentleman to see what had been right before her eyes? In any case he had indeed made a mistake in estimating her wishes, and a monumental one at that! She could not feel sorry for him entirely, yet she could now feel less fear. If he truly cared for her in that way then he would not wish her harm, especially if he felt he was mistaken in his actions toward her. This knowledge would make things awkward in a different way, but if Monsieur Vian did not know that she knew, then it would only be her problem to conceal it. That, she thought, she could do.

Finally looking at Mr. Darcy, she said, “I thank you for telling me. It does help ease the fear a bit.”

“Come here, Elizabeth.” He pulled her to him and laid her head on his chest. His hand wandered down her hair. “I will not let anything bad happen to you. I will do my best to keep you company until our marriage, and after that you will be granted all the protection which is due to Mrs. Darcy. If it will be needed at all, as I cannot yet imagine ever releasing you from my embrace after we become husband and wife. Please, my dearest, do not grieve yourself. My betrothed really should occupy her mind more agreeably. How about making a list of presents I should offer you without delay?”

She smiled at his attempt to lighten her mood. “I want nothing but for you to hold me and never let me go. I admit that it might be hard to get around from here to there, and I have no idea how I would depart with the ladies after a dinner party, but we shall just have to work it out,” she giggled.

“I imagine we shall simply have to turn down every dinner invitation.” Darcy smiled and kissed her hair.

“I have just thought of a present I would cherish once we are married! You shall take me for another ride on your horse. I so enjoyed it the last time!”

“I shall take you for as many rides as you wish. And I certainly will want to personally acquaint you with every place at Pemberley. But, Elizabeth, giving you presents is my privilege and pleasure and I truly hope you do not wish to deprive me of that. Pray, what was the latest thing you longed for but could not have?”

“You.” She reached up and held his face gently in her hands. “You were the last thing I wanted that I thought I could not have.” She kissed him tenderly, then lingering very close, her nose touching his, she whispered, “Now, I simply want this morning to go on forever. Can you make that happen?”

He could not make that happen, but he could savour it with her. He held her close, smiling, whispering his dreams and hopes and enquiring about hers in their mutual resolution to create the union they both wished for. Their hands often wandered towards one another in their need to offer gentle caresses, to convey the feelings that were too timid yet to be spoken aloud. They each relished the presence of the other, immersed in the private world of their love.

I like whispering words to you that mean nothing –
Except for their cuddling themselves to your smile,
Assured they’ll be explained to your lips in their entirety –
And they aren’t ashamed of their disarray and hurry.

The chaotic messages in those words are impatient –
And I wait, curious of their lasting outside me,
Till you bind them together and put them into a phrase,
With the sound of your voice adding substance and sense…

As soon as your lip whispers them into spring –
They appear before me as bright as heather’s blossom –
And suddenly I can see them, as they perish in joy
In the singing waves of your, loving me, voice.

* Poem by Boleslaw Lesmian

Dear Readers,

Here ends the story called “Scotch and Sirens.” However, it is not the last of the adventures for our Lizzy and Darcy, as those are not over yet even though the particular story that led to their engagement is. There is still much more ahead for them that will be described in a sequel to “Scotch and Sirens” called “Bath and Betrothals.” The new story has a plot of its own, so we decided to put it under another title.

We’d like to offer a huge thanks Louise for her help with the UK English in our story. She came to us after we began posting, so at the present moment we have not applied all of her suggestions (and one certainly can’t blame her if one notices something we’ve not fixed yet – we are very good at procrastination), but we intend to apply them soon! Louise has also helped us to see plot holes that have developed in our eagerness to flesh out the story from its original, and for that feat alone she has been a godsend!

We do appreciate your feedback.
Comment on the story here!

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