Darcy folded himself beside her and looked at her with open admiration. “I returned from Kent just last night.”
Elizabeth smiled and tipped her head in the direction of his horse wandering towards its master. “And you were out for a ride this morning, I presume.” Her smiling face then turned to one of concern. “But, sir, Mr. Bingley said your aunt was gravely ill. How is she?”
Elizabeth was taken aback by the sudden fierceness on Darcy’s face as he scowled. “I daresay she is herself again.”
She could not understand the sudden dark cloud passing across his countenance, so she tentatively placed a comforting hand on his arm. “That is good news, is it not?”
As Darcy looked down at her hand, his face softened and his lips turned upwards slightly. He placed a hand over hers and said, “Miss Bennet, I cannot believe my luck in finding you here this morning. Let us not sour the dream by speaking of my aunt. I will explain later, but for now I wish only to dwell on happy topics.”
Elizabeth puzzled over his words but nodded as she gave him a gentle smile.
Speaking of his aunt and the still surreal reality of Elizabeth sitting beside him reminded him of his long-awaited purpose in his wish to see her. He had planned to think through his words carefully and then request a private audience with her later that morning if his reception was what he had hoped it would be. Now he was struck with the blessed truth that he was already with Elizabeth — in their patch of woods, no less — and her hand was resting on his arm.
He looked at her beautiful face and smiled as he noticed her bruises were nearly gone, leaving only a few light yellow discolorations. He reached a hand to her face and gently touched each spot.
Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat at the sudden intimacy of his action. She held herself very still to savor the feel of his hand on her face. Her eyes nearly closed with pleasure at his touch, and she had to will them to stay open.
“Your bruises are nearly gone,” he stated quietly before realizing what he was doing. He pulled his hand away and looked down in embarrassment.
Elizabeth smiled at his reaction and turned a playful voice to him. “I have a confession to make, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy smiled as he recognized the tone of her voice and saw that her face was set in a serious and contrite manner. He laughed softly at her attempt to keep the smile that played at her lips from destroying her repentant façade.
His lips twitched as he forced his own expression to match her serious look. “Is that right, Miss Bennet? And what is this confession?”
Elizabeth peeked guiltily through her lashes, and he bit his lip in amusement. “I am afraid to say it, sir.”
Darcy laughed spiritedly before resuming a serious demeanor. “Now, I will not be baited like this, Miss Bennet. You said you have a confession to make; now out with it, girl!”
Elizabeth’s mouth betrayed her with a sudden smile and quick laugh before she could cover it with her glove and try to wipe away the smile. “Very well, sir. I confess that I came to this very spot because I missed you and it reminds me of you.”
Mr. Darcy smiled down at her and leaned in so that their shoulders brushed as he said conspiratorially, “I confess that was my purpose, as well, in coming here this morning.”
Elizabeth gave him a playfully surprised look. “Indeed!”
He leaned a bit closer and took her hands in his. “However, if I had known I would be fortunate enough to encounter you here, I would have had another purpose in mind.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “Is that so?” Her breath suddenly caught at the intense look he gave her. She watched as his dark eyes turned liquid and his smile softened.
Darcy looked at her while he sorted through the emotions running through him to find the right words to say. He broke their gaze as it was doing nothing but churning those emotions further. He began speaking while his head was lowered, looking at her small hands in his, but soon the words sparked a need to see her face.
“Elizabeth . . . dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. Words are insufficient to express the love that dwells in my heart for you. I cannot mark the moment or the hour or the look that first laid the foundation. I was in the middle before I knew I had begun. I love you, Elizabeth! I think I might have waited my whole life to love you. Will you . . . will you consent to allow me to continue to love you every day for the rest of our lives? Will you be my wife, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth sat transfixed as her heart began a steady increase in its rate until she was sure it would burst. His words washed through her and claimed her. Her eyes filled with moisture, and she had only command enough of herself to softly whisper, “Yes.”
Darcy smiled brightly, revealing his beautiful dimples. He pulled her hands up to his lips and kissed each one. His actions served to break her from her dream-like state, and she realized with a sudden skip to her heart that he had just proposed! She exclaimed with more strength and a laugh, “Yes! Yes, Mr. Darcy!”
He laughed at her sudden enthusiasm and smiled at her again.
Elizabeth then felt tugging at her fingers and she looked down to see that Mr. Darcy was removing her left glove. “What are you doing, sir?” she asked playfully.
Darcy shrugged as he said, “You just gave me your hand, Elizabeth, and I am inspecting my acquisition. Do you object?” He gave her a look of challenge.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but then could not when she felt the exhilarating touch of his skin against hers. When did he take off his gloves? she wondered briefly before again being swallowed up by the sensation. Never before had she felt an unrelated man’s bare hand touch hers. Tingles ran up the length of her arm and back down again to the spot where he was tenderly turning her hand in his.
She swallowed in an attempt to compose herself before saying, “I hope you approve of your recent acquisition, sir.”
Darcy smiled. “It is quite lovely. However, I cannot approve just yet. There is something missing.”
His words surprised her and she looked down at her un-gloved hand in puzzlement. At that moment, he reached into his greatcoat and pulled out an object. Before she could say anything, he slipped the most beautiful ring on her fourth finger.
She slowly pulled her hand out of his for a closer look at the ring. She whispered to herself, “It is so beautiful.” Looking up at his serene face, she said, “Are you sure, Mr. Darcy? This is too much!”
Darcy reclaimed her hand and shook his head, laughingly. “Elizabeth, you have just consented to be my wife. Do you not think you can address me less formally now?”
Elizabeth bit her lip before giving him a playful smile. “And how would you have me address you?”
Darcy pulled her closer to him. “My name is Fitzwilliam, but many of my family call me William. You may address me anyway you wish, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth thought about it a moment. She looked up at him and said, “Very well, William.”
Darcy had not imagined that hearing his name fall from her lips would have such an effect on him. Unconsciously, he placed one hand on the small of her back as he brushed the other through the hair at her ear, coming to rest upon her cheek. He looked down at her and could not help himself. He whispered, “Forgive me, Elizabeth,” before lowering his head and pressing his lips gently against hers for the first time.
His lips were warm and she nearly melted in his arms at the touch. All too quickly, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. His eyes were closed and his breathing was shaky.
Elizabeth was just as affected by the kiss but managed to say, playfully, “I will forgive you, sir — only if you do that again.”
Darcy smiled before again gently brushing her lips with his. After another too short moment, he pulled away and leaned back to take in a deep breath.
“Sir?”
Elizabeth laughed breathily and said, “It is now you who must forgive me. I am afraid this will take some time to get used to, William.”
Darcy laughed and swooped in
to kiss her cheek quickly before sitting up, thrilled to be able to do so.
Elizabeth looked at him with an arched eyebrow as she said impertinently, “Am I to expect this reaction every time I say your name, my love.”
Darcy’s smile widened significantly at her endearing appellation. “I am afraid you may have to depend on it, madam.”
His bright smile transfixed her for a moment, and she hesitantly raised her hand to his face. She paused briefly just before her hand made contact, and she looked at him as if to say, “May I?”
Darcy nodded, and Elizabeth touched her hand to his face. She brushed the tips of her fingers lightly over his eyebrows and down the side of his temples to trace the dimples she loved and then finally to cup his jaw. She said in wonder, “I have wished to feel your face since we were last here in this grove.”
Darcy reached his hand up to cover hers and leaned into it. “If you had, then I am sure I would have scared you away, for I do not think I could have helped myself from doing this.” He turned his face to kiss the inside of her palm and then her wrist.
A soft murmur came from her throat at his caress, and she pulled her hand away from his face in embarrassment. Darcy recognized his own slipping self-control and said, “Elizabeth, may I walk you home? I should like to speak to your father as soon as possible.”
“I think that would be wise.”
Darcy gently guided her fingers back into the warmth of her glove before putting on his own and standing to assist her. He retrieved the reins of his horse and came back to offer her his arm. She smiled brightly as she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm.
“I cannot believe my good fortune, Elizabeth, to have received your acceptance.”
Elizabeth smiled playfully at him. “Can you not, sir? I should have guessed you would know I would accept. For how can I do anything else when I love you as I do?”
Darcy stopped as they both realized it was the first time she had voiced her love to him. He looked at her so tenderly that she could only smile sweetly in response.
“Elizabeth . . . ” he whispered.
She squeezed his arm and indicated to the road ahead. “Shall we?”
He nodded slightly, drew in a long breath and took her hand to place a kiss on her fingers before resuming their walk. After a few minutes of quiet reflection, he turned to her with unexpected nervousness.
“Elizabeth, there is something I wish to speak to you about.”
She looked at him with concern at the edginess in his voice.
He looked ahead, trying to fix his words, and finally said, “I wonder whether you would be willing to marry me soon. When I was traveling through London, I procured a special license. I thought, perhaps, we could marry in a double wedding with Jane and Bingley. I feel like I have waited so long already, and I did not want to wait any longer.” He paused to see she was surprised and hastened to add, “But, Elizabeth, if you wish to wait longer, I will understand. I do not want to rush you.”
Elizabeth turned towards him, and the smile on her face did much to take away his worry that she was upset at his presumption. “Do not trouble yourself, dear. I was only surprised by your request. When I left this morning, I had no thought of coming back engaged, and now, to think I will be married in a fortnight . . . It is all a little astonishing, that is all.”
“If it is too hasty for you, my love, I can wait. If I try very, very hard, I am sure I can even smile while doing so,” he teased.
Elizabeth laughed. “You mistake me, William. I believe I should also like to marry soon.”
“Hmmm,” he groaned, “perhaps it is a prudent choice, for if you are to call me ‘William’ now, I do not think any further delay would be wise.” He winked at her.
She blushed beautifully, and they walked quietly for a moment. By the time they reached Longbourn, though, they were laughing as they discussed various aspects of their future together. Their playful banter continued until they reached the entryway to the house.
* * *
Mr. Bennet heard Elizabeth’s laugh through the window of his study, and he stood up from his chair to see its source. He smiled serenely, with only a small amount of sadness, when his gaze rested upon his daughter being escorted on the arm of Mr. Darcy. Their level of familiarity was obvious, and he suspected that he shortly would be granting the man an interview. He watched as they walked up to the house and strolled over to his study door to receive them.
Just as they reached the door to his study, he startled them by pulling it open. “Mr. Darcy, sir, Elizabeth, won’t you both join me for a moment?”
He smiled with amusement as he watched them look at each other with surprise and then a bit of nervousness before nodding to him as they entered the room.
Darcy led Elizabeth to a chair adjoining his near her father’s desk. Mr. Bennet took his seat at the desk and laced his hands across the expanse of his chest as he leaned back and smiled mischievously.
“Thank you, sir, for inviting me — us — into your study. I was actually coming to request a moment of your time when you opened the door. There is a matter I would like to discuss with you.” Darcy spoke with a smile and a quick look at Elizabeth, who blushed and took a sudden interest in her hands on her lap.
Mr. Bennet pressed his lips together and chuckled. “I should imagine so. Tell me, did my Lizzy make you beg?”
Elizabeth’s father laughed aloud as he watched both heads of the young people in front of him snap up in surprised alarm. His daughter gave him an endearing frown before laughing herself. At her reaction, Darcy’s apprehension faded, and he, too, began to laugh.
“Then I suspect you know why I am here. Thankfully, Mr. Bennet, she did not make me beg, though I assure you, I would have if she felt it was necessary,” he said playfully.
“Papa, you are incorrigible.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Well then, as we all know why you are here, Mr. Darcy, why do you not begin by telling me why I should grant you my blessing to marry Lizzy?”
Mr. Darcy’s smile faded into one of passionate feeling as he resolutely declared, “There is no other man in the world, sir, including yourself — if you will forgive me — who will dedicate more of their life or can promise you more definitively to love and honor your daughter better than I. That is why, sir.”
Mr. Bennet leaned back into his chair, impressed and, with a smile, turned to his daughter who was blushing at the declaration made by her betrothed. “And you, Lizzy, why should I allow this man to take you away from me to the wilds of Derbyshire?”
Elizabeth, at first startled to be addressed, and still a little surprised to have been invited into attendance for such an interview, looked at her father and said, “Because I love him, too, Papa.” Smiling playfully, she continued, “And because Pemberley, I am told, has a very impressive library in which, I can assure you, you will be welcome at any time.”
Darcy chuckled and was pleased to hear her speak of Pemberley as her own. He reached for her hand and confirmed, “You will be as welcome as any, sir.”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “Well then, how can I refuse my blessing or the chance to visit your library, sir?”
They all laughed softly, and while Elizabeth and Darcy were caught momentarily in their own little world of happiness at having their wedding condoned by Mr. Bennet, he pulled out a paper from his desk and, for the second time in as many months, filled out the form and signed it. With satisfaction, he began to address his daughter and her new intended.
“Mr. Darcy, Lizzy, there is one thing you ought to know.” Mr. Bennet handed the paper to his son-in-law-to-be and began explaining its import. He told them about his wish for his daughters to marry for love and the extent to which he saved and thereby provided them the opportunity to do so by pretending diminished wealth. He expressed his gratification to Darcy and Elizabeth for choosing this course for their future life and thanked Darcy for loving his daughter well enough to overlook her lack of fortune. He finished with his requirement of thei
r secrecy and watched as astonishment and disbelief played across their faces.
Elizabeth stood and circled the desk to embrace her father. “Thank you, Papa!” she said, through tears.
Darcy folded the paper and placed it in his pocket. “Mr. Bennet, I, too, wish to thank you; however, you have already given me so much in granting the hand of your daughter. I understand the reasoning behind your motives and secrecy, and I commend you for your bravery. You have quietly endured censure amongst your neighbors for your apparent poor management of your estate. You have my respect, and if I may be so bold to say” — he paused and looked back at his betrothed as she held her arm around her father — “I am honored to become your son. It has been many years since I had a father, and I feel fortunate to have garnered one so wise.”
Mr. Bennet hid the warm feeling that swelled in him at Mr. Darcy’s statement and calmly responded, “I appreciate what you have said and wish only to add that you are a most welcome son to me.”
Both men then cleared their throats to dispel the sudden tenderness they felt, and Elizabeth chuckled to herself as she watched the two men she loved most in life pretend indifference to the bond they felt.
“Well, you can at least shake hands; nobody will question your masculinity with such a gesture,” she teased them.
They laughed with chagrin at her jest, and each reached to shake the other’s hand.
Chapter 20
Elizabeth sat at her dressing table and watched as their ladies’ maid, Ruth, put the final flower at the base of her neck. She looked in the mirror and tried to convince herself that today she would, indeed, marry William. The previous two weeks had seemed as much a dream as the day he proposed. After having received her father’s consent, they announced their intended wedding date. Elizabeth could tell that her father was a little unhappy with the early date but only because she knew he wished to keep her home longer.
Elizabeth had then gone to her mother’s room and told her the news in private while Mr. Darcy stayed with her father in the study. She was worried about her mother’s reaction to the news but, instead, found something totally unexpected.
Falling for Mr. Darcy Page 30