“I am not sure that is true, Mr. Darcy. Surely a simple girl such as myself could never outwit a proper gentleman,” Elizabeth observed sincerely.
“Perhaps, you are not such a simple girl, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy asked. Elizabeth’s cheeked flushed a slight red – and thankful that it was the evening hours, she knew Darcy could not see the simple blush he had caused her – much to her relief.
“Mr. Darcy, never before had I figured you for such a flatterer. What has changed?” she asked.
“As I mentioned just before, you have shown me the complete error and foolishness of my ways. I am indebted to you for such, Miss Bennet.” Elizabeth peered up at Mr. Darcy and smiled softly back at her.
“I apologize, Mr. Darcy. It seems I was sorely incorrect about you. Perhaps, the prejudice was indeed mine,” Elizabeth acknowledged.
“Miss Bennet, I feel that my pride has shown you a side of me that has been entirely unfavorable toward you. Perhaps, it was I who indeed needed to adjust my intolerable behavior. Your swift tongue may have delivered quite a lashing against that very pride, but the prejudice I displayed toward you deserved such fierce opposition.”
Elizabeth shifted slightly, taking a step back as she lifted her hand to rest just atop her shoulder. “Mr. Darcy, I must admit that I know not what may have occurred had you not been present the day of my stumble, but I never expected you to continue these walks with me. In truth, it surprises me that you are so often found here. May I ask why?”
“Miss Bennet, there exists a world of actions and a world of speech. Within the world of speech, statements are made with caution – decorum being of the most important things. However, within the world of actions, words often find themselves nearly obsolete. You see, I can say a great many things about why I have enjoyed these woods and all of them would be truthful, but there is a greater reason why these walks have become a sort of new routine for myself.” Elizabeth sighed, drawing her hand down from her shoulder and glancing up at the horse whose reigns were tightly gathered into the palm of Darcy’s hand.
“Why do you always have this horse with you?” Elizabeth asked. Darcy smiled softly, turning to gaze at the animal. His countenance taking on a proud and appeased expression.
“This horse is no ordinary creature, Miss Bennet. I have owned him since childhood. He was the first horse I learned to ride upon. I cherish him far beyond his traveling purposes.” Darcy muttered. Elizabeth smiled briefly, watching the way Mr. Darcy regarded the horse and she was certain that affection for the creature, just as Darcy had stated, was nothing less than pure admiration. One might have even called it love. Yes, indeed. Mr. Darcy loves this animal.
“Oh, then I can see there is a great bond between the two of you. I must admit, he is a beautiful and noble steed. Yet another wondrous asset for your estate, I am sure, ” Elizabeth remarked.
“Yes, indeed I have a great many others, but this beast is my very favorite. We have traveled many miles together and I am certain we shall only see many more, ” Darcy said pridefully. Elizabeth cast a passing glance at the water just ahead and hesitated as she considered her position.
“Mr. Darcy, could you accompany me for a bit longer walk?” Elizabeth asked. “I feel this stationary staring is becoming slightly bothersome.”
“Yes, of course, Miss Bennet. I would not dare to leave you here unless you requested it,” Darcy replied with a smile and a curt nod.
Still quite a bit confused by Lady Catherine’s entrance into her life, Elizabeth only knew that walking with Darcy through the woods brought her a peace that nothing else seemed to bring. Already the gentleman had explained his complicated situation and Elizabeth found that truth resonated with his words. Why then would Lady Catherine come to my home to spread a lie? she wondered, yet refused to vocalize her thoughts.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for your continual hospitality and kindness,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Miss Bennet, is it permissible for me to ask you yet another question?” Darcy asked. Elizabeth tilted her head and gave a nod.
“Yes?”
“If Mr. Bingley was never given the chance to ask you, why is it that he left Hertfordshire so swiftly?” Darcy asked.
“I cannot pretend to know the reasons behind another person’s actions, Mr. Darcy, but my sister believes that I crushed his heart by refusing even to hear his words,” Elizabeth stated.
“Jane?” Darcy asked.
“Indeed, but I can only imagine the predicament for herself. She has accepted Mr. Bingley’s proposal. I suspect she and mother will be incredibly busy in the coming weeks planning her wedding.”
“Ah, I had not yet spoken with Bingley since my aunt’s arrival, but I must say I am quite pleased to hear that he and Jane are now engaged. Your mother must be quite proud.”
“Of course, she is. She has been hoping that Jane would continue to impress Mr. Bingley and he has regularly come to court her since the ball. It only made sense that he would seek her hand. The two are positively radiant while around one another. It is not hard to see the strong affection that has formed between them both.” Mr. Darcy moved a bit quicker, striding forward to catch up with Elizabeth. He now walked side by side with the young lady, his horse slowly trotting just behind them both.
“Mr. Bingley is most certainly smitten by Miss Bennet and I am positive that their marriage will be full of prosperity and affection, as well. You are not wrong to state such, indeed the two surpass any other couple with the strength of their affection,” Darcy observed.
Elizabeth chuckled softly, a bit surprised by Mr. Darcy’s response. “If I may be frank, it is the lack of affection shown to me that compelled me not to consider Archibald Bingley for a suitor. I do not understand how anyone could marry simply for station and society’s pressure. I feel marriage should be a strong commitment full of devotion and affection for both parties. My sister is most fortunate that she has found someone who feels the same for her and is willing to provide not only a home to her but also that affection.”
“Ah, so the infamous Miss Elizabeth Bennet does not wish to become an old maid, after all?” Darcy asked. Elizabeth immediately shot him a warning glance, shaking her head slightly.
“Perhaps, yes, I do wish to find someone to marry, as would any other young lady. However, I do not wish for my marriage to simply become a union of convenience. How utterly boring must it be to commit one’s life to someone who scarcely shows their face.”
“Ah, so you have fears of being forgotten once duty has been accomplished?” Darcy asked.
“No, I am not easily frightened, Mr. Darcy. It is not fear that prompts me, but rather factual occurrences. There are a great many ladies I am sure could admit to such. Though, I dare say, very few have the courage to be so honest,” Elizabeth admitted.
Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened slightly as he considered Miss Bennet’s words. This is why she has captivated me so. She is most unlike any other young woman I have ever known. He thought inwardly.
“You, Miss Bennet, are an incredibly brilliant young lady. I feel that your perspective on life is most certainly more honest than that of any other young woman I have ever known.”
“Yes, but every other young woman you know has been privileged by a life that my family has not been so fortunate to receive. True, that I am well-versed as my father has a great many books in his library, but there are aspects of refinement that even I lack. Perhaps, this is the true difference between myself and most other young ladies?” Elizabeth asked.
Mr. Darcy smiled, his boots crunching on another pile of dried leaves as he continued to stride alongside Miss Bennet. Yes, indeed, Miss Bennet, but I would wager that is precisely why you are so unique and different.
Chapter Eight
The moon seemed to hover like a silvery circle just above the pond as Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam continued to stroll near its edge. Their conversation had fluttered from one deeply important topic to another with an idly comfortable tone. As if Darcy and Miss Ben
net had achieved a level of familiarity with one another that served a greater purpose in providing them with the opportunity to get to know one another better.
“Is Mr. Bingley’s family as kind as he is?” Elizabeth asked curiously. Having only met the elder Bingley and his cousin, Archibald, Elizabeth hoped her sister’s engagement and becoming a member of the Bingley household would place her within an equally generous family – one that was not too different from the rest of her family at Longbourn’s.
“Yes, Mr. Bingley has a lovely family who will adore Jane just as much as I am certain you adores her – if not more” Darcy assured her. He paused slightly as he watched Miss Bennet walk ahead. “Miss Bennet,” he began with a reluctance that he had partially expected – though loathed to experience.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked, stopping mid-step as she glanced back at him.
“Am I permitted to open a delicate subject to you, Miss Bennet?” he asked. Elizabeth’s eyebrow furrowed slightly, her head tilting as she regarded Mr. Darcy with a nod.
“Yes, any subject you would like to open with me would be welcomed, Mr. Darcy, ” Elizabeth answered. Fitzwilliam sighed, drawing in a deep breath of air as he considered his words. The dilemma of his aunt’s and cousin’s visit could be easily remedied if he were only already engaged. And, yet the only young lady who seemed a likely prospect was the very young woman standing before him. The same young woman who had bound into his mind and never once fled it since their first meeting. Watching Darcy closely, Elizabeth tilted her head as he let loose a bit of the leather reign that held his horse and lowered to one knee. Looking directly back up at her, Darcy reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small box.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, since the first day that I set eyes upon you, never has my heart fluttered more within my chest. Never has my mind been so flooded with concern, and worry for any other as it has since the day you fell. If affection is what you must have in any marriage, then I vow to you that you have all of mine, Elizabeth. Miss Bennet,” Darcy opened the box carefully and lifted it toward Elizabeth’s sight. “Will you please do me the esteemed honor of accepting my proposal and becoming my wife and the future Mrs. Darcy?”
“Here? You have chosen to ask me such a question here and now?” Elizabeth asked, shock filling her countenance as she looked upon him.
“Am I wrong to ask?”
Elizabeth shook her head feeling a bit foolish for her response. Now, he will assume you loathe him and are completely against marrying anyone at all!
“No, no, you are not wrong to ask. I...” Elizabeth feeling flustered and uncertain found that words had fled her lips and did not know what to say.
“Then you would marry me?” Darcy asked again, still knelt below her.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy please stand up. You will soil your trousers with mud.” “Miss Bennet, I promise you the soiling of my trousers is the least of my concerns. I fear I may have made a grave mistake,” Darcy mumbled.
Elizabeth immediately realized the dangerous boundary upon which she walked, and shook her head profusely. “No, Mr. Darcy,” she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. “Please, you must come to call upon me at Longbourn and ask my father properly before I can provide my answer.”
Darcy’s eyes widened – shocked by her insistence on propriety. For the first time since he had met her, it seemed Elizabeth did care for her reputation and that of those who resided at Longbourn also.
“Are you suggesting I ask Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s approval prior to asking you?” “Mr. Darcy, please come call upon my parents and ask them properly. Then I will be most willing to grant you an answer that I do believe will bring us both a great abundance of joy,” Elizabeth encouraged.
“Very well,” Mr. Darcy rose from his knee and replaced the box. “It is getting much later, Miss Bennet. I could escort you home.”
“Mr. Darcy, as lovely as that may be to consider, I feel a bit foul suddenly. I would much prefer to return home alone, but I pray that you will come to call upon us very soon,” Elizabeth stated.
“Miss Bennet, you need only sleep this night for tomorrow morning I fully intend on paying you a call at Longbourn,” Darcy proclaimed. I will not allow a single day to disrupt me from committing myself to her – and her alone. Already I nearly lost her to my dearest friend’s cousin. I would be a fool to allow such a possibility to arise yet again.
***
Elizabeth strode into the house at Longbourn with eased and quiet steps. The last thing she needed was to arouse the suspicions of either of her parents. Closely the door gently, she moved to walk through the hall toward the staircase.
“Lizzy!” a low and excited whisper broke the silence and Elizabeth whirled around to face the smiling and knowing countenance of her sister, Jane.
“Good evening, Jane,” Elizabeth began turning back toward the stairs to climb them.
“Where were you, Lizzy?” Jane asked. “I have been impatiently awaiting your arrival for hours now!” she stated following closely at her sister’s heels.
“I needed to go for yet another walk. Were you fortunate enough to meet Lady Catherine and her daughter, Miss Anne de Borough?” Elizabeth asked.
“No, but mother and father did notify me of their calling. Was it not lovely to be in the presence of noblewoman?” Jane asked.
“Frankly, neither of those ladies seemed very lovely or noble. Perhaps, my experience was not equated with that of so many others,” Elizabeth remarked, arriving upon the landing with her sister just behind her.
“Oh, Lizzy, must you always be so frank? It borders on complete and utterly rash rudeness,” Jane remarked flippantly.
“Jane, I am positive you did not wait all evening just to converse about Lady Catherine’s calling upon Longbourn,” Elizabeth remarked.
“Indeed, you are correct. However, it seems that you must have been properly frustrated if you fled their visit in favor of one of your evening strolls,” Jane acknowledged.
“Well then, what was so pressing that you avoided sleep in favor of waiting up for me?”
“Mr. Bingley has proposed and properly asked Mother and Father for my hand! Is that not exciting news?” Jane asked excitedly.
“Jane, I am already aware of this news. I am beyond happy for you both. I know that Mr. Bingley will make you happy beyond measure and I only hope that your marriage is full of affection, prosperity and an abundance of joy. You, of all persons, are most deserving of this, Jane,” Elizabeth stated warmly, turning to take her sister’s hands within her own. She smiled wildly back at her as she peered into her eyes.
“Lizzy, oh, thank you,” Jane squeezed tenderly at her sister’s hands and leaned forward to delicately place a gentle kiss to her cheek. “I only wish you, too, were betrothed. Then we might be able to have a double wedding at the parsonage,” Jane stated. Elizabeth chuckled lightly as her thoughts drifted to what had happened during her walk. If only Jane knew that I could very well be engaged right at this very moment.
“Perhaps, but then I would be stealing away all the wonderful grace that should be afforded to only you and Mr. Bingley now,” Elizabeth said.
“Nonsense, Lizzy! I would love to have such a beloved memory to share with my most beloved of sisters.” Elizabeth walked into her room and immediately move to sit atop her mattress.
“Oh, Jane,” she mumbled, shaking her head lightly.
“Is something the matter, Lizzy?” Jane asked, suddenly detecting the hint of unusual silence that had overtaken her typically frank sister.
“No, nothing is the matter. Oh, no, I honestly cannot say for certain,” Elizabeth muttered.
“Did something happen on your walk?” Jane asked.
“Yes, of course, but I am not sure what to think of it,” Elizabeth answered. “I am wholly confused.”
“Well, perhaps I can be of assistance? However, you must first explain to me what has occurred.” Elizabeth pursed her lips for a moment, her eyes shifting from her sister’s t
oward the window as she sighed.
“I think I am becoming smitten with Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth announced. Jane’s eyes widened as she realized what her sister was confessing.
“Oh, my – but what of his existing engagement?” Jane asked.
“Evidently you have heard far more than I first assumed,” Elizabeth replied, scooting back upon the mattress. “According to Mr. Darcy he and Miss de Borough are by no means engaged. Apparently, it has been the desire of his aunt, Lady Catherine, for their two estates to unite. However, it seems that Mr. Darcy has never found Miss de Borough agreeable enough for his interests.” Elizabeth finished.
“Oh, my! How did you find out such a thing?” her sister asked.
“I asked Mr. Darcy himself.”
“Indeed? How did you do that?”
“I am most positive that you know of my love of walking through the woods,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Indeed. I have always thought you did so as a means to settle your nerves. Am I wrong to have presumed so?” Jane inquired.
“No, you are by no means wrong. It is true that my walks have always settled my anxiety. There is something particularly relaxing about nature. But as of late, I have enjoyed the company of someone while enjoying them,” Elizabeth began with an air of reluctance. The very last thing she wished to do was further upset her sister after the indelicate way she had refused the very idea of Archibald’s proposal.
“I think I am beginning to understand, Lizzy,” Jane muttered. “Did this begin with Mr. Darcy rescuing from the water?” she finished.
“I think that situation was rather a happenstance, but I must admit that shortly thereafter I found Mr. Darcy of his own accord. I would hate for you to consider I would invite him to accompany unchaperoned,” Elizabeth demured.
“Oh, I readily believe that Mr. Darcy spoke the truth when he said he came upon you in your unfortunate state. However, I am by no means surprised that he chose to look for you there again. It is easily predictable that you would find yourself strolling in such a place. Mr. Darcy is a very intelligent gentleman. I am positive he did not find himself there a second time by mere coincidence.”
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