Note: Ever since I read a story where Darcy tangles himself in the weeds of his pond and nearly drowns – I am not sure but it might be called “Heaven can wait” – I had this vision of Lizzy in the pond with a knife between her teeth …

A Close Call

Posted on Sunday, 29 February, 2004

Mrs. and Mr. Gardiner were arguing about when a certain redecoration of Pemberley´s façade might have taken place. Knowing her relatives as she did, she knew that the argument was likely to last for some time more and as Elizabeth was only mildly interested in architectural details – she thought the house just perfect – she directed her steps away from the manor towards a shrubbery.

Coming closer, quacking made her suspect that she would find a pond behind the trees, a thought that made her steps quicken. A few quiet minutes at the bank of a pond would be just the right thing to ease her mind. Lizzy´s opinion of Mr. Darcy had begun to change after reading his letter, that much was sure, but not until now did she realize to what extent her sentiments could alter. At first she had heard Mrs. Reynold’s tales with astonishment but soon after that feeling had become pride, mingled with even more confusion and shame.

Lizzy was ashamed because of after how little consideration she had deemed his person fit to regard; she was confused because she could not explain to herself why she reveled in every sentence of praise the housekeeper uttered. To some small extent she marveled at the thought that such a man had once loved her but most of her feelings stemmed from genuine good will for him.

A few moments at the bank were just what she needed. What folly! What good did it do her to discover now, of all times, that she could have come to regard Mr. Darcy much dearer than any other man of her acquaintance? They would never meet again, would they?

By then she had reached a narrow path following some reeds. Elizabeth hoped that it would eventually take her to a place where she could view the water. Just then she heard footsteps coming in her direction, from a child judging by the sound. A small, barefooted boy appeared, in great distress obviously.

“Help, he’s drowning!”

He carried on towards the stables without noticing her. Lizzy begun running herself toward where the boy must have come. She feared for a friend of his being in danger. After some thirty yards the reeds gave way to a bank where she found a makeshift rod and a knife but no sign of another child. Letting her eyes wonder across the pond Elizabeth noticed some clothing at the other side and bubbles quite in the middle of the water. The murky quality of the water made her suspect that whoever was out there might be caught by underwater plants.

Shedding her shoes, bonnet and bolero Lizzy took the boy´s knife and hoped that she still was the accomplished swimmer of her childhood. With swift strokes she quickly neared the middle of the pond although she could not help but notice that her dress hindered her somewhat. Drawing a deep breath she dove down where the bubbles had been arising and soon saw something white about two yards below the water’s surface. It was too big for a child.

Grabbing the white Lizzy realized that indeed whoever had gone swimming was trapped in the weeds growing treacherously from the pond’s ground. She swam up to get another breath of air and then dived down again, deeper now to where she suspected the persons feet. More groping than seeing anything she found the weeds and managed to cut them. Merely seconds before Lizzy had used all the air she had the man’s body – for it was a man – began to float up. Gasping Elizabeth broke to the surface, grabbing the man under his armpits. She gave herself a few moments to gather strength again and then began the laborious task of dragging him towards the bank, her dress all the more a hindrance.

Dread began to settle in her stomach, for all her efforts the man was completely lifeless and deadly pale. Not a small amount of Lizzy’s anguish stemmed from the fact that by now she’d recognized him. She could not know what Mr. Darcy would do in the pond at this time of day when he was supposed to be a day’s travel away but it was him she held in her arms. Nearly at the end of her strength Elizabeth finally felt ground under her feet. The bank was rather steep and Mr. Darcy tall but she was determined to get him out of the water. As she did not succeed in her current position she put her arms around his waist and really managed to get him halfway out of the pond. At her last, determined jerk at his lifeless form Mr. Darcy began to throw up large quantities of water and cough violently.

With this first sign of life from him Elizabeth realized how exhausted she was and collapsed next to him on the muddy bank. Taking deep breaths she sent heavenwards a silent prayer of thanks and then turned to Mr. Darcy again. She laid her ear on his chest and was rewarded with hearing a steady heartbeat and even, if somewhat raspy breaths. Tears of gratitude threatened to overcome her.

Composing herself she addressed him

“Mr. Darcy?”

No response.

“Mr. Darcy?”

Still nothing, so Elizabeth decided on his first name.

“Fitzwilliam, please! Can you hear me?”

Darcy did not open his eyes, yet a small smile graced his lips as he sighed

“Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth blushed, her name so much of a caress sounded when he spoke it. He turned towards her with some difficulty, still not opening his eyes, and his voice was laboured.

“So I’m in heaven and you are an angel.”

Mr. Darcy seemed to be affected by his experience, if he believe himself to be dead.

“I did not expect to end up in heaven, after all – “

He hid his face in her chest and his next words were very softly spoken.

“Oh, how I have dreaded to come home to Pemberley without you! Selfishly I had dreamed for so long of how I’d bring you here with me. To be here with you must be heaven indeed.”

Elizabeth, deeply moved by his confession unconsciously tightened the hold of her arms around him. After some more moments he raised his head to look at her. A dazzling smile overspread his still pale features.

“What a sight you are, dearest! If this would be real what a tale for our grandchildren it would be – would you mind a portrait of you in the gallery with seaweed in your hair and mud on your nose?”

Lizzy could not but smile herself, reveling in this new side of Darcy – so tender and playful. But then she drew her senses together, at least she tried, because she was affected by his closeness, by the turn of events and by what he’d said. Putting her hand against his chest she tried to put some distance between them, already embarrassed by what he should think of her when coming to his senses.

“Mr. Darcy.”

He did not move.

“Mr. Darcy!”

“I know it is preposterous to utter a wish in heaven but won’t you call me Fitzwilliam?”

“Mr. Darcy, you are not in heaven. This is Pemberley which I have been touring with my aunt and uncle Gardiner. My aunt hails from Lambton and has still some relatives and friends in here.”

This last, solid piece of information seemed to do the trick. Shock registered on Mr. Darcy´s face as he tried to pull himself up on the elbows. Elizabeth got out from under him and halted his attempts.

“I think it better you stay until help arrives, you must have been unconscious for quite some time.”

He was looking at her, still not quite comprehending. Lizzy noticed the state of her dress and crossed her arms in front of it. Despite her warnings Darcy had managed to sit up and was right this moment attempting to stand. Lest he should tumble back into the pond Elizabeth moved closer to be able to steady him. She took his hand like that of a stubborn child

“If you are determined to stand up at least move away from the water.”

“What happened?”

“I wandered around the park when I noticed a small boy running from the pond shouting for help. I went to investigate as I expected a child having fallen into the water and then noticed some bubbles on the surface.”

“I remember going for a swim after a long and hot ride. Then I must have got caught somewhere. – I saw a white tunnel, my mother was waving at me from the end.”

Darcy´s voice trailed off and Elizabeth shuddered. It had been a close call indeed, thank heaven she’d been here and able to help. He drew himself up straighter.

“Miss Bennet, allow me to offer you an apology for my behaviour, and my heartfelt thanks for saving my life. I know I acted unforgivably but I hope in time you can forget.”

“Mr. Darcy, there’s no need for an apology, you were clearly - I am only happy that you are safe.”

Realizing how odd her being here must appear in his eyes she added

“We would not have dreamed of invading your privacy, had we known you to be there.”

“I am glad you came, for more than one reason.”

Elizabeth could not answer this, she too was more than glad, she realizeded that she could not have lived in the world with the knowledge of him dead.

Mr. Darcy was about to speak again when finally help arrived. The little boy was heading a group consisting of two stable hands with long poles, the Gardiners – who had followed everyone else when noticing that their niece was not near - and some servants from the house, a very distraught Mrs. Reynolds amongst them.

Mr. Gardiner noticed the state his niece was in and wrapped his coat around her. Mr. Darcy prevented any enquiries by saying

“Everything’s all right, thanks to Miss Bennet and young Davy. That was quick thinking, lad.”

The boy brightened and seemed to grow several inches. Mrs. Reynolds gave him a fond pat and took over.

“Thank God. You gave us quite a fright, sir. I think a hot bath and some dry clothes are in order for both of you.”

The party moved into the direction of the manor, the Gardiners gently enquiring with Lizzy and Darcy, although himself rather weak-kneed, keeping an outlook at her showing any signs of strain or fatigue. For himself he knew that if he let his mind wander from looking out for her wellbeing he would faint from embarrassment. What contentedness, what happiness had he felt at her bosom! Darcy blushed anew, overcome with mortification. What must she have thought of him!

Even if he - in his weakest hours - had entertained some daydreams about how they met again, how Elizabeth realized that he’d changed for the better, subsequently fell in love with him and answered his second proposal in the affirmative, now Darcy felt quite certain that he never again would be able to look into her eyes, much less propose.

Elizabeth had a hard time convincing her relatives of her wellbeing – they needed some convincing because she was that flustered – but tried her best. She had noticed the dejected set of his shoulders and longed for a chance to reassure him. Perverse how well she now seemed to understand the set of his mind. What outwardly seemed like proud arrogance, Lizzy now read as mortification beyond anything. For a man like him, it must be the worst nightmare to pour his heart out again to a woman who had rejected him once and then find out that he had done so under false assumptions.

Most men would be able to excuse themselves with the near death experience but to Lizzy it had become clear that Darcy held himself to nigh impossible standards. To see how Pemberley was run was enough proof of that, no man his age could have come so far without working very hard indeed. To face her must be impossible, besides that he absolutely had to keep up appearances in front of his staff. Her heart went out to him and her mind was reeling with probable approaches, none of them being sound. Elizabeth knew that if she didn’t give him a sign of her changed regard soon he would try to hide behind his usual mask, or simply avoid her completely.

They were in the house now, at a hint of Mrs. Reynolds, the Gardiners were led to a parlour for refreshments while waiting for their niece. Mrs. Gardiner asked her whether she would be all right on her own which Lizzy answered in the affirmative. The housekeeper herself led Darcy and Elizabeth up the main staircase. At the top Darcy finally turned to her for the first time since their encounter at the bank of the pond.

“Thank you again, Miss Bennet, I only hope your selfless deed doesn’t have lasting repercussions on your health.”

“I should not think so, Mr. Darcy.”

With a nod he started towards his rooms. Now, now she had to say something, Mrs. Reynolds already made a move to direct her towards a guest chamber. Lizzy stood rooted to the spot.

“Ah, Mr. Darcy?”

He turned around again, looking at her in such anguish it gave Elizabeth the nerve to be bold.

“Yes, Miss Bennet?”

“Maybe you were right. And maybe I got a glimpse of heaven, too.”

She could no longer look at him, and therefore missed the heartfelt delight that spread over his features, after a few moments of dawning comprehension. Mrs. Reynolds however did not and either because tears of joy threatened to overcome her – it seemed a most fervent wish of her, that the master would find someone to share his life with, someone to ease his loneliness, would come true at last – or because she was just a very considerate servant, she withdrew quickly, mumbling something about looking after Miss Bennet’s bath water.

Mr. Darcy was at Elizabeth’s side in mere moments, taking her hands in his.

“Elizabeth, dare I hope?”

She found herself unable to raise her head, too overwhelmed by the magnitude of her emotions, so she only nodded and pressed his hands. Darcy drew her closer and let his head rest on hers and so they stood for some time. At last they broke their embrace. Darcy kissed both her hands.

“Until later, my love.”

Elizabeth still found no words but at least could look him in the eyes and bestow the most dazzling smile on him, one he had longed for so long to be directed at him.

And Mr. Gardiner just might have wondered why his coat had been wet on the outside as well as on the inside …

The End