A Sweet Gift

Mr. Darcy found himself giddy like he had not been since back whence he was a school boy.   The smile upon his face for the past fortnight had not wavered one bit.  The cause of this was the sweet gift that he was planning for Mrs. Darcy’s impending birthday.  He had not always been this way, and found his newfound love of romantic gestures to be a pleasant situation.  His sweetElizabethbrought these thoughts out of him, and he truly knew not from where they sprang forth.   He only knew that he dearly loved how much better of a man she motivated him to be.

“Mrs. Reynolds, has it arrived yet?” Darcy inquired of his housekeeper for the fourth time this morning.   He paced back and forth in the front drawing room, awaiting a delivery that was due to show sometime this morning.  

His affable housekeeper placated her Master with a simple, “No sir, but I have word from the footmen that they have spotted a courier about one kilometer from Pemberley on his way here.  So I wager that the arrival should occur any moment.”

Darcy continued to pace back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back.  He knew thatElizabethwas strolling in the gardens with Georgiana, per his design this morning.   He did not need Mrs. Darcy around when the post arrived as he likened that he may not be able to control himself.   So, he had enlisted the aid of his dear sister to ‘suggest’ a walk toElizabeththis morning.  Georgiana had sweetly smiled at her loving brother and easily acquiesced.      

Darcy pulled at the white cravat around his neck as a flush came upon his face at the thought of the present that would be arriving.  Elizabeth’s birthday was two days hence, and Darcy had been planning the commission of this present for the past two fortnights.  Granted, Darcy had a variety of presents for his bride, and although he knew that she would love them all because they were from him, he knew that she truly wanted for no material gestures.   He had procured a ruby and diamond necklace that was exquisite, as well as a few fine gowns created by Madame de Loire especially made forElizabeth.   There were a multitude of ‘things’ that he would bestow upon her on her special day, but the one simple gift that was arriving momentarily, Darcy knew that Elizabeth would love the most.

The courier stepped up the marble staircase of Pemberley as Darcy himself opened the door to greet the man.   The uniformed man was slightly taken aback at seeing the Master of the house open the door, but quickly checked himself as he proffered the package to Mr. Darcy.   Darcy quickly disappeared with the parcel into his study, leaving Mrs. Reynolds to complete the paperwork for the post.   The elderly lady smiled to herself as she knew all about the sweet gesture that Darcy was enamored with at the moment.

Ensconced in his study, Darcy opened the parchment surrounding the gift.   A local craftsman had artfully created a wooden, inlaid frame around a simple piece of paper.   A pane of glass covered the contents of the displayed prose as Darcy ran his fingers along the beveled edge of the wood.  Contained within the frame were a selection of poems thatElizabethheld near and dear to her heart.   She often had Darcy read them to her when they were luxuriating within their chambers together.  He knew them all by heart, as the words were ingrained in his mind.   The poems were by a variety of authors, including one by Coleridge and one from Lord Tennyson.  In total there were five odes to love displayed within the frame.  Darcy’s heart flipped and beat faster as he ran his fingers along the words.   He imaginedElizabethreading them for the first time after opening the gift.  He knew that she would likely tear up and deeply feel his loving gesture for what it truly was.   These words were among some of the strongest prose that described their deeply shared connection.  Often words could not describe what they truly shared, but some did come close to capturing the true feeling.  Darcy knew that what they shared was special.  It was not something borne of novels or stories.  It was real life and they luxuriated in the truly felt, once in a lifetime feeling they shared together. 

Darcy realized that he was still smiling as he quickly wrapped back up the gift.   He was infinitely sure that this gesture would beElizabeth’s favorite package that she opened on her birthday.   All the pounds in the world could purchase diamond necklaces, butElizabethwould know right away that this gift came from deep within Darcy’s heart.    He thought that she might be speechless upon opening it, and could imagine her dark chestnut eyes simply looking up at him.  Twinkling and full of love.   He could see her eyes in his mind as she looked at him, knowing that no words would be able to describe what she felt at that moment.  Her beautiful eyes would reach deep within his soul as they always did.  He would smile back at her, and then lean over and kiss her lips and touch her cheek.  

Hiding away the gift, Darcy attempted to compose himself and went in search of his wife.   His heart was full of her at the moment and he could not get her out of his thoughts.   He longed to touch her and lay his hand upon her arm.  He strove to maintain himself as he moved down the grand staircase.   He had no idea how he could control himself over the following two days.  But he chuckled at his discomfort.   The sweet gesture that he had devised would likely cause him to smile more and make his eyes twinkle every moment that he looked upon his wife for the following two nights.  He sorely hoped that she did not notice.

His heart was full.  His life was better with her in it.   Giddy, as a schoolboy, Darcy went in search of his wife…

 

 

A Guest Post – “Dinner at Pemberley” – By Cinta Garcia de la Rosa

All of us authors love prolific readers don’t we?   And those readers out there that are encouraging, sweet, and wonderful make all of our work that much easier to tackle everyday.   My friend Cinta is JUST one of those people.   She loves reading, and is so encouraging to all of her author friends.   I believe she once told me that her ‘to-read’ pile had like 120 books in it or something.     She is a wonderful woman, and has her own blog that I check often.  Her musings are lively and diverse, and make me smile.   There are not many blogs that I follow consistently, but hers is one of them.   I asked her if she would do a guest post, and it seems that she has teamed up with her friend D.G. Torrens, in continuing the theme of Dawn’s story.   Very sweet and fun.   To find Cinta on Twitter go to @Austenite78 …  tell her I said hello.     ~~~ JDA.

DINNER AT PEMBERLEY HALL (PART 2)

by Cinta García de la Rosa

      Lady Cinta was wondering about the guests at the dinner party. As a newcomer to Derbyshire, she was always anxious when meeting new people. She had been honoured with an invitation to attend a Dinner Party by Mr Darcy himself. As her carriage entered the beautiful grounds of Pemberley, her excitement reached a very high point.

      A very elegant footman rushed to help Lady Cinta alight from her carriage, and she tried to step out of the carriage graciously, without tripping over the train of her brand new evening gown. Lady Cinta’s rosy cheeks claimed that she was very nervous, and she was also feeling a bit shy. As a foreigner in this country and a new inhabitant of this delightful part of Derbyshire, she knew that many people would turn their heads to observe her when she entered the room. Anyway, Lady Cinta was decided to have fun and enjoy the evening, and she wasn’t going to let anybody to put clouds in her sunny thoughts.

      Another footman led Lady Cinta to the very doors of the big room where the guests were enjoying themselves. On her way to that room, Lady Cinta couldn’t help gasping at the magnificence of Pemberley and the elegance of the furniture. When the footman opened the door for her, she was welcomed by the sight of happy ladies and gentlemen, all of them dressed in their best garments. Lady Cinta was glad of having had the happy idea of buying a new evening gown. “My warmest welcome to you, my dear Lady Cinta. It is delightful to have the honour of your presence here.” Lady Cinta’s musings were interrupted by the booming, manly voice of the owner of Pemberley, Mr Darcy himself, who had hurried to greet Lady Cinta as soon as she entered the room.

      “My dear Mr Darcy, I feel most humbled to have been invited to join such a distinguished party, with such lively company,” answered Lady Cinta.

      “Alas, I wouldn’t have missed the delight of your company tonight. I like to see my gardens decorated by lovely flowers,” said Mr Darcy with a smile, while bowing in a very elegant fashion. Lady Cinta thought that Mr Darcy was such a charmer. After all, as the host of the party, it was his duty to make the guests feel comfortable. Lady Cinta was very thankful because, after this short interchange of compliments, she felt less shy and more at ease. More guests were arriving, so Mr Darcy left Lady Cinta’s company to go and greet them, and she decided to wander through the room, watching the rest of the guests.

      Walking through the room in slow motion, curtseying sometimes when recognising some acquaintance of hers, she saw Lady Dawn at the other side of the huge room. Lady Dawn was one of her dearest friends in the region since her arrival, so she rushed over to join her friend and have a chat about the rest of the guests. Lady Cinta was curious about hearing her impressions after their attendance to the Ball planned by Mr Darcy and Lady Ethel.

      When Lady Cinta was getting closer to Lady Dawn, she could see she wasn’t alone. Lady Cinta stopped when she recognised the other lady. It was some Lady Emily, a local gossiper, and they were talking in whispers, being very secretive while pacing back and forth holding arms. Lady Cinta decided it would be better to play the invisible woman and try to discover from a certain distance what they were up to. However, she was interrupted on her way by some ladies who wanted to know some news from Spain, Lady Cinta’s mother country. After a while, Lady Cinta resumed her pacing along the room to try and find Lady Dawn. She would try to talk to her about Lord Balfore, hopefully without the presence of Lady Emily.

      Peeping through a group of people, who were talking lively about some amusing event, if you could trust their laughs, Lady Cinta could see Lady Dawn and Lady Emily next to one of the bay windows, and she started walking that way. When she was almost there, she could see Mr Darcy and Lord Balfore approaching Lady Dawn. Lady Cinta stopped and saw Lady Emily retreating silently to one side. She understood that Mr Darcy was introducing Lord Balfore to Lady Dawn, and she could see her friend blushing, and looking quite pleased after listening to his words. With a bow and a curtsey, Mr Darcy and Lord Balfore left Lady Dawn, who was looking like the happiest person on earth, and she got closer to her. “Well, well, Lady Dawn, it seems that you finally found your knight in the shining armour,” said Lady Cinta while throwing an icy glance to Lady Emily, who stood away from them.

      “Oh, dear Lady Cinta, I am so happy. Yes, it is him, the very gentleman who helped me when I fell from my horse some days ago. He is quite the gentleman, and he remembered me! Oh my, I am overly excited,” said Lady Dawn, fanning herself energically. “Come, come, my dear, you should calm down. People are looking at you. But don’t worry, I am sure this gentleman is as interested in you as you are in him.”

“How can you be so sure, Lady Cinta?” asked Lady Dawn.

“Well, one of the good things of being an invisible woman in a crowd is that you have a lot of chances of observing others. Since he entered the room and was introduced to you, he has eyes only for yourself.  He talks to other ladies, but his eyes are constantly searching the room and finally resting on you,” said Lady Cinta with a knowing smile. At that moment Lady Emily made a movement to join them, so Lady Cinta wished Lady Dawn good luck for the evening and, with a wink, left to go on wandering around the room. While walking all over the room, talking to other ladies, and stopping when some gentlemen enquired about her new lodgings in Derbyshire, she could see that Lady Dawn was being paid a lot of attention by Lord Balfore, and she felt happy for her friend. She knew that she had been hoping to meet him one day, and now it had happened.

      Later that evening, while leaving Pemberley, Lady Cinta could talk for a while to Lady Dawn while they were waiting for their carriages to arrive. “I assume you had a delightful evening, my dear Lady Dawn. I can see by the expression in your face that you are feeling very happy.” “Oh yes, Lady Cinta, Lord Balfore is perfect in every way. He expressed his admiration and his wish to see me again. He will be visiting me shortly,” said Lady Dawn with a happy smile. “Oh, that is wonderful news, Lady Dawn! I am very happy for you.”

      Once in the comfort of her carriage, Lady Cinta couldn’t help thinking that she also wanted a happy story with a happy ending. With a contented smile, Lady Cinta rested her head back in her seat and closed her eyes to recollect the wonderful events she had enjoyed at Pemberley.

A Guest Post – “Dinner at Pemberley Hall” – By D.G. Torrens

I have the distinct pleasure of being acquanited with Dawn Torrens.  @torrenstp.   I have read her wonderful first book, called “Amelia’s Story” and feel honored to call her my friend.  Her novel is about her life and was written for her young daughter.  It is a heart wrenching journey that pulls the reader through a life of tragedy and amazing circumstances.   After reading it, I now take more pleasure in seeing Dawn smile all the time (which is often).    Please read her book.  It is amazing.  Dawn and I also chat about the world of Darcy and Jane Austen.   She is a kind friend who loves my posts, so I extended an offer to her to guest post here.    Thank you Dawn!!     Enjoy….

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I was cordially invited to guest post here today by the wonderful @TWDarcy… I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr John D. Ayers as it is a great honour for me!  I was asked to write something Austen-esque and romantic! So in true Jane Austen style I have composed a short story especially for this post. I do hope you enjoy  reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

Dinner at Pemberley Hall by D.G Torrens

Lady Dawn stood waiting anxiously  for the grand white and gold doors to open, wearing a beautiful white dress with her hair simply knotted at the nape of her neck.  Will my knight in shining armor make an appearance today? Oh I do hope so, “Lady Emily please advise me on the guests for dinner”

“My dearest Lady Dawn you must calm yourself, if the handsome horseman you speak of has received his invite for dinner at Pemberley hall this evening, then you will know soon enough.”Informed Lady Emily discreetly.

“Would you care to take a turn around the room with me Lady Dawn? Perhaps we could glance through the window whilst we walk.” Smiled lady Emily devilishly!

“Why that would be lovely, we just might catch a glimpse of the gentleman arriving! Gushed Lady Dawn shyly. Lady Dawn could feel her heart pounding through her chest as she caught site of the mysterious horseman that had helped her back on her horse just yesterday, he was every bit as handsome as she had remembered!

“Oh my oh my, Lady Emily he has arrived, do you think he will find me pleasing to the eye, for if he does not I would simply just die right here right now.” professed Lady Dawn.

“Come come now, I feel sure as the sky is blue that the very handsome horseman will find you more than pleasing Lady Dawn, oh look, the doors are opening, I do believe Mr Darcy is about to enter and announce your mystery horseman Lady Dawn, how very exciting.” Giggled Lady Emily, taking Lady Dawns arm.

Lady Dawn was completely mesmerised, the tall dark handsome man was announced as Lord Belfore of Winchester. “Why Lady Emily I had no idea he was of such good standing, surely I will not be considered a worthy suitor for such a fine man.”

Mr Darcy made his way over to Lady Dawn, “I would like to introduce Lord Belfore of Winchester.” Lady Dawn curtseyed , “Please to make your acquaintance once again Lord Belfore,” Looking admiringly into his deep blue eyes.

“And may I say you look positively beautiful this evening Lady Dawn.” Lord Belfore held Lady Dawns hand and kissed it ever so gently, before making his way around the room to be acquainted with the rest of the dinner guests.

Lady Dawn watched as her Knight in shining armour gracefully moved around the room from one guest to another.  It had not escaped her attention that he had spent far longer with her than any of the other ladies dining at Pemberely Hall this evening and this pleased her very much.

As the night moved on their eyes would lock, and it was as if no one else was in the room.  Lady Dawn was completely smitten and so it seemed was Lord Belfore. “My Lady Dawn would you do me the very great honour of agreeing to to dance with me?” Lord Belfore held out his hand, “Why I would be delighted Sir.” Replied Lady Dawn. As they glided around the room, all eyes were on the seemingly perfect pairing. Lady Dawn had never felt so happy in her whole entire life she was simply in heaven. Her Knight in shining armor was just perfect!

A Deeper Connection

The afternoon had played out so differently than Elizabeth could have ever dreamed. Her heart was bursting at the moment. Her thoughts were jumbled, alive, and full of feeling. She really was at a loss for words, which was such a foreign concept for her. Her love of reading had always provided her the necessary words with which to adequately put her feelings into a tangible concept. However, at the moment, it seemed there were just no words strong enough, to describe the deep connection that was flowing through every part of her body.

Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had just completed a wonderful afternoon of touring around the grounds of Pemberley. Led by none other than Mr. Darcy himself, much to Elizabeth’s surprise. The tall, stately figure had been courteous, humble, and full of engaging conversation all day long. He had shown the Gardiner’s and herself so many special parts of the grounds of his estate. Elizabeth’s mind had struggled to take in and absorb all the beauty which stretched out before her.

After their fortuitous meeting in the field when Darcy had appeared out of nowhere, dripping wet with his shirt clinging to his firm chest, the rest of the afternoon had become a blur for Elizabeth. She had no way to reconcile her current thoughts to her previous opinion of the man.

It was almost as if she had, today, met the true Darcy for the very first time.

Her mind whirled and struggled to contain the feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. At current, she was ensconced in the carriage with her Aunt and Uncle and must maintain some outward appearance of propriety. She turned her head as the carriage rolled away from Pemberley, and laid her eyes upon the figure of her thoughts. He stood there, straight-backed, with a dashing top hat upon his head as he waved to the receding carriage. Her brown eyes rolled from the ground underneath his feet, up along his stretched breeches, around the tails of his fine coat, and finally to his eyes. He kept standing there, growing smaller and smaller in the distance as the carriage travelled away from him. She could feel his eyes locked upon her own. The connection shared was unlike any other that she had experienced in her entire life. She held his gaze and smiled warmly back to him in return.

As their carriage began to round a bend amid the tree-lined pathway, he finally faded from her view. She could still feel him however. The connection was not lost. Elizabeth could hear birds in the forest trilling softly. Everything around her looked brighter for some reason. She could feel her heart beating within her chest. Small goose bumps lined her arms within her gloves. She looked over at her Aunt who was smiling back at her. Elizabeth cast her eyes towards her lap to try and contain the rush of emotions flooding through her. She knew that her Aunt could see through her, but found she did not care.

Moments later, Elizabeth engaged in conversation with her Aunt and Uncle about their afternoon. Her Uncle was ecstatic at the prospect of fishing in the Pemberely pond. Her Aunt luxuriated on about the dinner invitation that Mr. Darcy had extended to them. That thought prompted Elizabeth to recall his professed desire for her to meet his sister. A shiver ran through her as she recalled his deep voice within her thoughts. His voice appeared to have a new affect upon her, and the tones of his voice reached deeply within her as they never had before. His caring today had endeared him to her in a way that she would have not thought possible.

With a smile upon her face that would not disappear for some time, Elizabeth looked out the front of the carriage and tried to come to grips with the emotions flowing through her mind. She put a gloved hand to her face and realized that her cheeks actually hurt a bit from all the smiling today. The scenery that passed by was so beautiful and calmed her thoughts as additional distance began to put her further from Pemberley with every turn of the carriage wheels.

The one thought that would not dissipate was of how soon again she would see him. She found herself wondering if their connection would deepen even further, every time hence forth that she neared him. She now had little doubt that it would. The smile upon her visage brightened even further at that thought.

A thank you to readers

This is not my normal Darcy musings kind of post…  It is more of a thank you to a few people…And a sweet teaser to those that have not enjoyed some pages of my new Darcy book yet. 

I have given a few chapters of my completed, but pending Darcy book to a number of helpful people.  For them to read and provide critiques.     Thank you to everyone who spent the time to enjoy the pages and for your kind words…  below….  my sincerest thanks.

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“I blushed, and blushed some more.  Do they ever get out of bed?  I loved every part of the sweet story.”

“I have now read your attached chapters, I read them thoroughly and with great enjoyment being a Darcy fan myself, I love the cross over you have made from Pride and pred! It all fits together perfectly, I think this Genre of writing has truly found you.  So beautifully written. I could have been reading a novel by Jane Austen herself! I loved it I will be buying it, this is my true honest review so far! There is not a fault with your story, it reads how it should, for this period of time and the setting! Well done, I truly believe you have surpassed yourself.  This book I believe has the makings of a best seller, that is where I believe it should be… on the top of a best sellers list! Very beautifully written pure brilliance!  I Look forward to buying the complete book with pride!! If it will be in paper back I shall buy the paper back too.”

“I finished reading your first three chapters. Fabulous job so far – you’re writing is very artistic – it paints a perfect visual as you read it.”

“It is a beautifully written story, with a very good beginning, setting the scene and presenting Darcy and Lizzy in their natural elements. The author shows quite a talent to write in the most Austenesque manner, and at the same time the writing flows so fluidly. The words flow naturally, making you become engaged in the reading until the end. Using flashbacks and letting us know what is in the characters minds, the author makes sure that the reader is interested in continuing reading, to know more, to get the whole story. I love the twist in the story, showing Georgiana as a wannabe writer. In general, it is a lovely excerpt from what I am sure it will be a lovely book.  I highly recommend it to everybody. Well done!! It is refreshing to get an Austen sequel from the male point of view.   I am really looking forward to read the rest of the book. Thanks for sharing these pages with me!!”

My SINCEREST thanks to all that spent a little time reading a couple of the first chapters of my new book.    The editing continues…    Hopefully completed soon….

 

A Sweet Talk

Beneath a warm sun, Darcy and Elizabeth ambled together along the wooded paths throughout the many acres of Pemberley’s rolling lands.  Darcy held the hand of his wife as they meandered aimlessly along with no purpose besides to simply be with one another and enjoy the outdoors.   Darcy absolutely lovedElizabeth’s passion for activities out in the playground that nature provided.  Her zest and inner need to seek out active pursuits was one he adored about her as it mirrored his own countenance.

They wandered together with no destination in mind.   Darcy snuck a few glances over towardsElizabeth’s beautiful face with frequency as he listened to her chatty voice.   He loved her voice, and felt that he could feel her emotions flow forth within her every word.   Chatting with her was more wonderful of a pastime for him than he ever could have imagined.   They had been married now for a few months and he never tired of hearing her sweet tones. 

“Mr. Darcy are you listening to me my love?”Elizabethqueried her husband once she noticed the far away look upon his visage.  “I was asking you whether or not you desired for me to invite theHurststo the upcoming ball, but you appeared too lost in your thoughts to provide an answer my dear sir.” Elizabethgently thrust out her bottom lip, slightly pouting in a playful manner.   She could never be coarse with her husband, as he normally attended to her more passionately than any man ever had.  And she often knew his thoughts just as deeply as he knew hers.  She could tell that his mind was elsewhere at the moment and she actually had an idea of where his thoughts had journeyed.

Darcy smiled back at his wife, as a slight blush rose to his cheeks.   “My dearest, loveliestElizabeth, please accept my sincerest apologies for not listening to you over the past few minutes.   Indeed my thoughts were elsewhere and I am truly sorry my beloved.”

“And pray tell sir, where exactly had your thoughts journeyed off to?”Elizabethteased as she saw Darcy squirm slightly amid her inquires.

“My musings were upon the most wonderful woman.  This extraordinary woman loves the outdoors, and possesses a voice which I love listening to for hours.  She views life much in the way that I do, but she actually has many deeper insights to teach me of as well.   She connects with every single fiber of my being, emotionally and deeply.  I can hear her voice in my head when I am far from home, and she captures my heart.”  Darcy shuffled his feet forwards as he looked deep intoElizabeth’s eyes.    The smile upon her face grew larger and larger as he continuing speaking of the woman within his daydreams.    Her eyes twinkled as his words surged to her very soul.

“She sounds like a very special lady.  Perhaps I should meet her someday,”Elizabethlightly fluttered as her heart beat faster.

“Indeed, you have no idea how special she truly is to me,” Darcy mused back to his wife as they smiled happily at one another and stopped in the woods for a deep, slow kiss.  

 

A Dream

“Good evening Jane,” Mr. Darcy’s voice carried through the thick, dark amber air within the chamber.

“Hello Mr. Darcy,” Jane replied.  Her lips seemingly did not move, as if her thoughts unfolded naturally by design.  She pondered if the words had merely formulated within her own mind. 

“I hope you are well Miss Austen,” the tall figure standing before her huskily intoned.  “You look peaceful this evening, which pleases me as you had appeared so troubled when last I visited you.”   The firm look upon his creased visage portrayed his concern for her well-being.   His dark brown eyes pierced through the darkness within the chamber, gazing into her very soul within her deepest regions.

Jane ruffled under his firm gaze, slightly pleased at his caring tone, although partially disturbed that she had caused him distress.  “I am quite well Mr. Darcy, I appreciate your sentiments on my behalf.”

“I am pleased my lady, now pray tell why did you conjure me to your bedside this evening,” the handsome figure smiled slyly as if he already knew the answer to his inquiry.

 Jane squirreled deeper within her covers, pulling the warm layers more tightly around her lithe body.  She looked into his eyes, and lost herself within.  Forcing herself to speak she whispered, “I wish to inquire as to how you and Miss Bennet are getting along.  I truly am concerned for your relationship sir as you mean much to me, as you know.  Indeed, do her fine eyes still hold sway over you?”

Darcy shook his head, the darkness surrounding his muscled frame shimmering with layers of ripples in the early hours of the morning.   “Jane, you and I have had this conversation many times before my love.  You well know that Miss Bennet is now Mrs. Darcy, and has been for some time now.   We are extremely happy together and I have found a love that I never knew existed.”

Jane’s face scrunched up in mild distaste at his reply, as if she was physically assaulted by his words.  She knew the truth in them as she continued her inner struggle.  Her tortured reply issued from her thoughts into the evening night, “With all the faults of her familial connections, and her poor opinion of you sir, I must admit that I am displeased to hear your words.   When I last focused upon the two of you, her opinion was mightily vexed through the advice of Mr. Wickham.”

“Jane,” the tall figure bent downwards, sitting upon the bed in which she lay.  He gently put a firm hand upon her arm which was lying above the covers, patting her tingling skin.   “You know that you are very special to me, yes?   Everything that I am, I owe to you my lady.   However, I daresay that you know how the story should end.  Elizabeth and I are meant for one another, you know this better than anyone I suppose.   Please, finish the story and let us be happy together.   No one will ever take away the place in my heart that I hold you within.”

Jane smiled at his kind words, and simply nodded her head.   She lightly lay her own hand upon his, reveling in the warmth that he exuded.  His inner fire had always burned brightly to be sure.  She chuckled heartily at the warmth beneath her cool fingers.  “Yes I know my love, and you are as sweet as I could have ever imagined, assuring me of my place within your heart.  I daresay that I have no experience with matrimonially things personally, which may be why I have been thwarted from completing your journey.    Or perchance, I had hoped to attempt to keep you all for myself,” she boldly added, gazing up into his loving eyes with a mild degree of hope.

Darcy smiled upon her with a face full of love and thankfulness.  “I shall always be with you Jane.  You know that.   I will likely continue to visit you for many years to come while you lay here and dream.   The nighttime hours are reserved for us throughout the rest of your eternity.   Thank you for knowing what now to do.   I bid you a loving goodnight my lady.”  He rose from her bed and gently brushed his lips across the top of her hand as he faded into the murky blackness in a corner of her room.

Jane Austen slept onwards throughout the rest of the night.  A smile was upon her face as she slept.  Dreaming of him had put her more at ease.  In the morning she would arise and finish the rest of the story as she now knew what she had to do.