Page 26 of Until My Last Breath

“But, hear me. You have proved that you would die for me,” she added, taking his hand and giving it a light squeeze, “but dare I believe you would… live for me? To live with me enjoying happiness, mutual love and respect? Would you live to ask me… again… to be your wife?”

His frown deepened, but slowly his face lit up as his eyes moved from her wet eyes to her mouth, and to her cheeks, which he slowly tried to reach. She helped him, resting his cold hand on her face.

“What are you saying, Elizabeth? Are you—”

“I am sayingnoto your request. I am not going to look after your sister, because I wantyouto do that yourself.” She spoke with tenderness, kissing the palm of his hand. Then she whispered, “I am begging you to live for us — for me.”

For a long time, they remained there, looking at each other. Darcy’s eyes became moist. “If I live…” he started, emotion hidden in his ragged breathing as he caressed her face. “If I live, would you give me the great honour of being my wife, Elizabeth?”

“If you live, and I live, I promise I will listen to your marriage proposal — a more proper one this time. Would you… live for me?”

A wave of different feelings filled Darcy’s heart, and his breathing became even more difficult. With such strong emotions running through his body, how could he remember his pain? His expression softened. “I will Elizabeth. And may God give me strength to bravely face all that is ahead of us. To see the day when you will finally make me the happiest of men and be my wife.”

“And that is all I need to hear,” Elizabeth said, caressing his face and leaning down to place a kiss on his head, shutting her eyes, lingering there more than was necessary.

Before Elizabeth could move away, Darcy brought his hand to her nape and gently held her forehead against his. For the first time since they had met, their hearts were fully united. No more misunderstandings; no more resentment; no more pain — just love.

Pulling back, Darcy looked at her bruised face, and his heart melted again. He needed her as he needed air. “Elizabeth,” he whispered.

She gazed at him and saw the same expression she had seen when they had fallen in the mud. All of a sudden, feeling the same need, she leaned forward, closing her eyes.

That was the invitation he needed, as their lips touched each other; soft, warm — sublime. Their first kiss, and how wondrous it was.

Slowly, Darcy released her mouth. “I am sorry. Your lip must be sore,” he whispered, looking at the cut in her mouth again.

“The only thing I can feel is your love,” she whispered back.

All the uncertainties, fears and pain intruded again as their lips resumed their mutual passion, and they kissed as if there was no tomorrow.

With a ragged breathing, Darcy slowly broke their kiss again, keeping his hand on her nape. “My God, Elizabeth. You will be the death of me if you keep kissing me like that,” he said perusing every detail on her freckled face. “I love you. And I give you my word I will live… to make you my wife.”

“And I love you, Mr Darcy.”

Darcy froze, his brows coming together, as if doubting her. He would face ten more shots just to hear those words from her lips. “You do?”

The vulnerability in his eyes made Elizabeth shed the tears she had hold back until that moment. “I do, with all my heart. I will never forget that day my eyes rested on you for the first time. You were like a dream, like a full moon shining among the stars. I have loved you for a long time, but because of my pride, I had not admitted it until now.”

He understood her words. She had shouted them at him after his unfortunate proposal. “How could I ever believed I could live without you? It took me being shot to realise that part of what you are is because of your family. I have condemned your mother and younger sisters, but now I can see that despite their occasional unguarded behaviour, you love each other. And that is what counts. I promise you I will give them all the respect they deserve. They will always be welcome inourhomes.”

Elizabeth rested her head on the good side of his chest, shedding more tears. This time, however, they were tears of joy. What else could she desire from the man she loved?

A smile reached Darcy’s lips at the ironic thought that he could die of happiness at that very moment. Instead, he raised her face and kissed her once more, pouring in that act all the love he felt for her — and just to make sure he was not dreaming.

Unfortunately, too soon, their crude reality intruded again, and he gently released her, shutting his eyes. Darcy did not know if he was dizzy because of the most amazing feeling was now running through his veins, the feeling of her soft, sweet lips finally brushing against his, or becausethe damned pain in his shoulder and head were almost unbearable. An enormous wave of frustration engulfed him. Why should the happiest moment of his life be marred by this bloody pain?

“William…” he suddenly said. “Would you mind calling me William?”

Elizabeth’s expression sobered at the sight of his discomfort, but she nodded. “I love you… William,” she said gently, pressing her fingers on the wrinkles of his strained face. “From this moment on, you are bound by your word to stay alive and with me. I will not release you from it. Now, please, do not talk anymore. Save your strength. And please, try to rest, I beg you.”

He was exhausted, in agonising pain, but never happier.

In that moment, the future did not seem so bleak anymore.

~ ♥ ~

The door was opened and a distinguished man in his mid-sixties entered. He was shown into the room by Brown, who stood guard by the door.

“Mrs Smith, I am Dr Hayford and it is nice to meet you,” he said, entering the room with his eyes already on the patient on the bed. “Unfortunately, under such distressful circumstances. How is your husb—”

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