Page 51 of Compromise & Consequence
“Most assuredly.” He pushed off the desk and came to stand before her, forcing her to tilt her chin and raise her eyes to his. “First, I must apologize for my egregious behavior. I have no excuse for what I have said, or for what I have done. All I can do is move forward and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
She blinked slowly, letting the words seep into the marrow of her bones. He asked for forgiveness… could she? She lowered her gaze and stared at her feet, giving a small start when he tucked a finger under her chin and raised her face again.
“Second, you are more than handsome and more than tolerable. I was a fool not to have begged an introduction to solicit a dance.”
Now, her cheeks heated and she knew she was blushing.
“And third, even before my cousin Richard spoke with Wickham,” – so that was the task the colonel alluded to when she first met him – “I was trying desperately to figure out a way to crawl back into your good graces and make this marriage work.” His eyes bore into hers. “I do not expect you to fall at my feet, but I would like to know if we could establish at the very least, a comfortable friendship.”
She took her time to formulate an answer. Never, in her wildest dreams, had she imagined this man would humble himself and apologize.
“I have never desired your good opinion, Mr. Darcy. You were simply the friend of a man my sister fell in love with.” She felt her husband jerk at the confession of Jane’s affection. “However, we are on this journey together and it is better to go forward with our steps aligned rather than expending our energies in one heated exchange after another.”
He took both her hands and raised them to his lips, kissing the back of them with a hint of reverence.
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy. May I ask for the privilege of calling you by your given name?”
Surprised once again by his gallantry, she blinked in an attempt to marshal her thoughts.
“You may.”
“And, when you are comfortable, I ask that you call me William.”
“I…” she began. “I am not yet ready for that, Mr. Darcy. Please understand−”
“Elizabeth, you rightly hold me in disdain. Not only did you sport a physical bruise, but also hidden ones. I can wait.”
“Thank you.” She gently withdrew her hands and stepped away.
Darcy also stepped back and moved around his desk. He rifled through a sheaf of papers on his desk and pulled out a blue folder. Without saying a word, he handed it to her.
“This is…?
“The amended marriage settlement. Please read through and if there is anything you do not like or wish to add, I have no qualms about having a new one written up. I should have brought this to you before I saw your father – or rather – uncle.”
“My uncle is the only man I have ever known as a father figure. I have but faded memories of my real father.” She flipped open the folder and began to peruse the document, her eyebrows lifting at each new article on payments and annuities. “You have been more than generous, Mr. Darcy.”
“As Mrs. Darcy, you are entitled to everything written there and it was disgraceful what I forced your uncle to sign.” He moved around the desk once more and stood in front of her. “Elizabeth, I regret so many things and if I could do it over…” he paused and smiled. “Will you wait here for one moment? I shall be right back.”
He left the room and closed the door. She stood, folder in hand, wondering what he was up to. Not even five minutes had passed before the door opened again and Burke stood in the door frame. He said in the most formal voice she’d ever heard,“A gentleman to see you, ma’am.”
Wide-eyed, she watched Mr. Darcy re-enter the room. Burke and her husband approached.
“Would you be so kind as to introduce us, Mr. Burke?” her husband asked.
“It would be my pleasure. Mrs. Darcy, I present Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.” Burke then faced his employer. “Mr. Darcy, may I introduce you to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, formerly Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire.”
“Mrs. Darcy, it is a pleasure to be introduced. I have heard wonderful things about you from so many people.” Darcy looked toward his butler. “Thank you, Burke. That will be all.”
With a hint of a smile on the butler’s usually austere face, he gave them a polite bow and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“You did not have to do that,” she admonished, even though secretly she was very pleased by this surprise tactic of resetting their relationship.
“Yes, I did. I would very much like to start afresh. Of course, we will always remember what has transpired between us, but given time, the rough edges will smooth and a friendship can emerge. I greatly enjoyed our debates while you were at Netherfield.”
“Debates! I thought of them as arguments.”
“Truly? They were the highlight of my whole stay in Hertfordshire.”
