There Is Nothing Lost

By Ashley L

Posted on Thursday, 2 January 2003

Donna L's note: This short story was originally a play written by my daughter Ashley for her drama class. I loved it when I read it and she asked me to turn it into a short story for the board. I kept faithful to the story line, adding only what was necessary to present it in story form. It is posted with her final approval. Enjoy.

The sun was shining high in the sky this beautiful summer day. Elizabeth was sitting in her favourite spot under the large willow tree. She coughed and returned to her book. Elizabeth sat here almost every day in the summer time. This day would prove to be like no other.

A tall figure approached her and sat quietly next to her. She put her book down and stared at the gentleman with a smile. "For give me for interrupting your privacy I was so stunned by your beauty I just had to come over. Might I be so bold as to ask your name?"

Elizabeth was silent for a moment. He was a very handsome man. "My name is Elizabeth. My friends though, call me Lizzy. You are quite the gentleman to come all this way just to ask my name."

The man smiled and reached over to touch her face. Elizabeth was instantly moved by the feelings his caress created. "Any man, who is as stunned by your beauty as I, deserves to travel any great distance to witness something more beautiful than life itself."

There was silence as they looked into each other's eyes. The man took Lizzy's hand. "My name is William Darcy." He placed a kiss on her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I would be honoured if we had the chance to meet again."

Smiling, Lizzy moved the book from her lap and placed it beside her. Before she knew what she was saying she invited Darcy to join her for tea, at her place tomorrow at ten o'clock.

"I'd be delighted." Darcy replied.

"Then perhaps we could stroll though the garden. The flowers are beautiful this time of year." Lizzy added.

"Tea and a stroll. That sounds perfect." Darcy smiled.

"My house is just at the bottom of the hill, number 18." Lizzy smiled.

"I must go now, but the thought of your beauty will be with me until we meet again." Darcy leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Then rising, walks away.

Lizzy watches until Darcy is out of site. Smiling, then biting her lip she finally returns to her book.

Lizzy looked about the room. Everything was ready and it was nearly ten o'clock. Lizzy moved out from behind the kitchen counter when she heard that knock at the door. "Good morning. Please come in." She smiled, motioning for him to enter.

Darcy hands Lizzy a bouquet of flowers. "I wanted to show these flowers true beauty." He smiled.

Lizzy blushed. "Thank you William. They are beautiful."

"Nothing can compare to the beauty that stands before me." Lizzy pursed her lips then turned to find a vase for her flowers.

Setting the arrangement on the table where the tea had been set she asked. "How do you take your tea?" she asked as she began to pour the tea.

Darcy walked over to assist her. Taking the teapot away form Lizzy and placing it back on the tray he stared lovingly at her. She however, stared at her feet a little embarrassed. Darcy reached over and lifting her head so he can see her face she began to speak.

"William, there is something really important that I think you should know. I am..."

The opening of the front door interrupted Lizzy she jumped back in surprise. "George!" she began to cough and walked over to him. "George, I'd like you to meet William. William this is George." Lizzy played with her hands as she nervously watches the gentleman shake hands.

"So tell me William. How did you come to meet Lizzy?" George asked.

"Well..." Darcy began.

"I was in town and had some car trouble. William was kind enough to help me." Lizzy interrupted. Darcy looked at her confusingly.

"Well, that was nice of you William. Will you stay for lunch?" George asked.

"Thanks but no I can't. I'm afraid I have to be going now."

"Well, maybe next time. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." George extended his hand.

Darcy took it and said. "It was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for the tea Lizzy. Good day." And he quickly left.

George wraps his arms around Lizzy and places a kiss in her hair. "Charming fellow." He laughed. "If my eyes were not deceiving me, I would say that William has a thing for you Lizzy."

Lizzy laughs nervously. "Oh George, don't be silly." She leaves his embrace to return the tray to the kitchen.

"Are you all right Lizzy? You seem a bit out of sorts."

"You worry too much. I'm fine." She begins to cough and George walks up behind her. "The wedding is stressing me out. All those last minute details."

"Well, you need to take care. In just three more days we will be wed and all that stress will be forgotten. Why don't you go and have a rest?" Lizzy turned around and George placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm looking forward to our life together as man and wife."

"Yes." She replied with little feeling. "So am I."

That night Lizzy lay in bed. She had been preoccupied all day and the night was proving to be not much better. A strange noise at her window makes her get out of bed. Looking out of her window she can see Darcy on the lawn.

She opens the window. "William, what are you doing here it is nearly midnight?"

"Please come down Lizzy, I must speak to you." He begged.

Lizzy backed away from the window; she knew she should tell him to leave yet she wanted to know what he wanted. She made her way downstairs and opened the front door. She wrapped her robe more tightly around her and walks silently to him.

"Oh Lizzy, how beautiful you look in the moonlight. Please, come sit here on the bench." Darcy took her hand and led her to the spot.

"William what is going on?" she asked

"Elizabeth, I have a confession to make. I had watched you for the longest time as you sought your solitude under your tree. I can remember the first time I saw you. I was certain that you were an angel from heaven. I thought you were amazing and that I had never seen a more beautiful creature on this earth. I knew I was in love. So finally I gathered the courage to approach you. Elizabeth, what I'm trying to say is..." Darcy finally noticed the tears in her eyes but continues. He got down on one knee he removed a small box from his pocket. Lizzy's mouth opened in shock. "Elizabeth, my love. I know this must seem strange to hear this but I love you...will you marry me?" He opened the box to reveal the most exquisite ring she had ever seen.

"Oh William, this is sweet, but I cannot." She closed her eyes, wishing the pain she felt in her heart to go away. Darcy remained silent and when she opened her eyes she could see in his the pain she was causing. "I tried to tell you today but." She began in a hushed voice. "George is my fiancé. We are to be wed in three days. I am so sorry...I should never have invited you..." Crying she rose and ran to the front door. She turned to look at him; it broke her heart to see him still down on one knee.

Three days later

Lizzy stood in front of the full-length mirror. She smoothed out her dress and let out a sigh. Finally sitting down at the dressing table, she pulled out the shoebox and put on her shoes.

"Oh Lizzy, you look absolutely stunning. George is a lucky man." Charlotte was so envious of her. "Come, we must finish getting you ready." She pauses to look around the room. "Where is your veil Lizzy?"

Lizzy rises and walks over to the dresser. "It's hanging next to the..." Lizzy notices a note on the dresser and reaches for it. "...door."

Lizzy is preoccupied with her letter and doesn't notice Charlotte placing the veil on her own head and humming the wedding march as she looks at herself in the mirror. Lizzy finally looks to Charlotte when a look of realization appears on her face.

"Hey Lizzy, what do you think?" Charlotte strikes a pose. "Always a bridesmaid and never a bride." Charlotte removes the veil when she realizes Lizzy isn't paying attention. Is everything okay Lizzy?" Charlotte puts the veil down on the chair. "If you're having cold feet, I'll take your place. I'd love to have George's children." Charlotte laughs but still nothing from Lizzy. "What are you reading?"

"What? Oh, it's just a note from...George."

"He is a real romantic that George. You are so lucky." Charlotte answers the knock at the door.

"We will soon be ready to start." Announces the priest. "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yes, just putting on the veil." Charlotte smiled. Lizzy walked over to the chair and picked up her veil. Placing it on her head and with a final check in the mirror she sighs as she walks to the door. "Here goes nothing." She said, closing the door behind her.

George was standing at the alter with his best man. On the other side was the maid of honour. As the music begins to play Lizzy begins her walk down the aisle.

"I don't think I have ever felt as nervous as I do right now." George said aloud.

"You will soon be husband and wife. You will feel better then." The priest smiled.

As Lizzy reached the alter the music stops and the priest begins. "We are gathered here today to join..."

"Wait!" Lizzy yells. Turning she looks over the friends and family that have gathered. "George, I do love you but...I don't think that you were the man I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. I know that this is the absolute worst time to be saying this but...I am in love with William. I am so very sorry. You will always hold a special place in my heart, but the man I want to be with is William." Lizzy removes her engagement ring and places it in George's hand. "Goodbye George." Gathering her dress, Lizzy starts a mad dash down the aisle and out of the chapel. She had to find William.

Everyone gathers around George as he looks at the ring in his hand. "I...I don't understand. I though that she loved me."

Charlotte placed her hand on George's arm. "Who is William?"

It took Lizzy some time before she was able to locate Darcy. It was late in the evening and the sun was starting to set. She stood at his front door, calling out his name. "William, it's Lizzy. Please, won't you come out?" after several attempts she sighed. Turning around she began to walk away.

"Lizzy, what are you doing here." She heard him asked and turning back saw him standing in the door.

Lizzy ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Oh William, I was crazy to have refused your proposal. Once I read the note you left me on the dresser, I realized how much I loved you and how I cannot live without you. You say things to me that no man has ever said, and I feel so different around you. I left George at the altar. William I..."

Darcy placed his fingers over her lips. "Shhh..." Reaching into his pocket he removed the ring and placed it on her finger. "Elizabeth, will you be my wife?"

"Oh yes."

"Elizabeth, today we unite as one. One body and one soul. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Some don't believe in love at first sight but that is only because they have you to experience it. I however, have experienced it first hand and every time I look into your eyes, I feel that love all over again. I love you and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you." Darcy places the ring on Lizzy's finger.

"William, you entered my life at an awkward time. However, I am glad you came into my life when you did. I could have taken a path that I could come to regret. No words can describe my feels at being here with you now. You are a wonderful man and together we shall walk the road together, for better and for worst. I love you." Lizzy places the ring on Darcy's finger.

"By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Darcy lifts her veil and giving her a gentle kiss. They turn to the guests and linking arms walk down the aisle.

Dancing together under the tree where they first met Lizzy smiles to her husband. "Do you love me?"

"We have me married for two years and you choose to ask me this now? Of course I love you. I have always loved you and always will."

"I know it was silly of me. Please, forget I asked." She smiled up at him.

Darcy picks Lizzy up and spins her around. Setting her feet back on the ground, Darcy notices that she looks very ill, fainting into his arms. "Elizabeth!" he lifts her and carries her home.

Darcy sits at Lizzy's bedside; gently running his fingers though her hair. He quickly scrambles to his feet as the doctor enters. "How is she? What is wrong with her?"

"I...I just don't know at this point. Her symptoms are not like anything we have ever seen before."

Darcy took a deep breath. "Is she...going to live?"

The doctor removes his glasses and rubs his eyes. "I think you had better sit down." They both sit. "Your wife is extremely ill. It is quite difficult to tell what will happen at this stage. As I mentioned before, she has symptoms that I am unfamiliar with, coughing, high fever...and I am uncertain of what to diagnose her with, but whatever illness she has...there is cause for great concern."

Darcy closed his eyes and placed his head in his hands. "How long...does she have?"

"It is difficult to say. If things do not improve, perhaps a month, if her illness can be diagnosed maybe longer." Darcy nodded, his head still in his hands. "I am very sorry."

"I know you will do all that you can."

Darcy walked back to Lizzy's bed. Her eyes began to flutter. She turned her head to look at Darcy.

"Elizabeth, how are you feeling?"

"Not so well." She tries to sit up. "I need more rest."

"The doctor was here and said..."

"I know."

"He doesn't think there is much time."

"I know."

"I don't want to lose you." The tears that formed in his eyes now ran down his cheeks. "I don't think that I would ever be able to live without you. I would die of a broken heart."

"William, I know I do not have much time left. I just ant you to know that I love you and will always be with you. In life and in death. Every moment of life spent with you has been perfect and nothing can take that away, not even death." She sighed and closed her eyes. "I need to rest. Wake me in the morning my love."

Darcy kissed her forehead and stayed by her side for the rest of the night.

"Good morning beautiful. I have some tea for you this morning. How are you feeling?" he asked trying to be as cheerful as possible but her received no response. Setting the tray on the night table he walks over to Lizzy. "Elizabeth, are you awake?"

Darcy reaches down to take Lizzy's hand. It is cold, touching her wrist his worst fears have come true, there is no pulse. Placing her hand across her chest he backs away, overwhelmed with grief. Bumping into a chair he falls into it, still staring at Lizzy. He remains this way for a long time before getting up and leaving the room.

It is almost dark as Darcy finishes burying Lizzy under her willow tree. Leaning against the trunk he slides to the ground and places his head in his hands, finally able to cry.

"Hello Elizabeth." Darcy said as he reached her grave. "It has been a year today that I last saw your beautiful face. It still is beautiful. I have come to visit you everyday, although I know you can't see me, I hope you can hear me."

Darcy knelt down on the grass he looked pale and tired. Placing a single rose upon her grave he said. "I brought you a rose, you're favourite. I still love you Elizabeth. I will always love you. Things have not been the same since you left me. I feel as though I am missing the whole of my heart. I long to see you again. To see your eyes for they are as green as the summer grass, your lips as red as a fresh cut rose, to hear the sweet beauty of your voice. I can't live any longer without you. I am going to stay here, next to you forever."

George and Charlotte approach the willow tree. George places a single red rose on Lizzy's grave. He embraces Charlotte to comfort her. "At least she is no longer alone." He whispers. Charlotte nods and places her rose on the grave of William Darcy.

THE END

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