Perhaps it was this very upright and formal character, which could also be termed strength of character, as well as his physical strength that made Elizabeth typically feel so much at peace in his company.
Perhaps…perhaps she was doing exactly what Mr. Darcy had accused her of doing last night. She was just making up ideas as her feelings shifted about.
Elizabeth stopped walking, standing still beneath a weeping willow. Such a tree would have provided a delightful hiding place in the summer, but with no leaves on it, the long, thin branches did little to shut out the world.
Still, she felt safe and sheltered enough to let her feelings free. She shut down the thoughts that almost never ceased, and she just felt whatever feelings wished to show themselves.
The very first feeling to surface was attraction to Mr. Darcy. It was undeniable. She longed to be held in his strong arms, to receive her first kiss from him. His dark gaze tended to pull her in and make her forget everything around her.
This, of course, led to her next feeling, which was embarrassment. As she imagined what it would be like to be held in his arms, to be surrounded by his strength, Elizabeth felt the heat of a blush rise in her cheeks.
She chased such images away, but they were replaced by something even stronger: a feeling of comfort, of home.
Elizabeth was shocked to her core as she realized that Mr. Darcy felt like home, as much as, or possibly more than, Longbourn.
She had barely come to this realization when her attention was caught by the approach of that same gentleman.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he called as he hurried toward her.
Given what her thoughts had been, Elizabeth could not think how best to greet him, so she merely copied his form of address. “Mr. Darcy,” she said as he entered her little sanctuary beneath the weeping willow.
He said nothing at first. He just stood there looking at her face. Elizabeth could not help but look back, especially considering what her thoughts and feelings had been mere moments ago.
“You look remarkably well today,” he said eventually. “The chill in the air seems to have put a bloom in your cheeks. Or perhaps that is simply the exercise.” As he spoke, his hand moved the slightest bit, as though he wished he could reach out and touch the pink cheek he was admiring.
Elizabeth could think of no words that could form a response to such a bold statement.
“I shall miss you a great deal, Miss Elizabeth,” he said when it was clear she would not speak. “These last few days, I have relished the opportunity to be in your company in such a relaxed setting.”
This was something she could respond to. “And I shall miss your company as well,” she said.
The corners of his lips tilted up in the barest hint of a smile. Apparently, her words had removed some of his hesitation, for he stepped toward her a bit. The hand that had been hesitant moments before was no longer reluctant. He lifted it and touched her cheek with one finger.
Somehow, that single brief touch changed everything.
He smiled. It was a true smile with the corners of his lips upturned and his eyes lighting up with happiness. His expression, combined with his gentle touch, lit a matching joy in Elizabeth. She could not help but return his smile.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “Given the confusion of the thoughts you have shared with me recently, I am aware this may not be the best timing, but I can no longer be silent about my feelings and intentions. Truly, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Elizabeth felt her eyes widen at such a bold declaration. He loved her.
In that moment, her previous confusion was nowhere to be found. She knew she returned his feelings. She had only been uncertain of the state of her own heart because she had been confused about the state of his. She had not wished to admit to feelings that might hurt her a great deal when he inevitably left.
He continued. “Your natural joy has brought me joy unlike any I have ever known. Your mere presence has brought me peace that I did not think was possible. I wish to ask you to marry me so that we may build the life you described last night: a truly blissful period of time followed by a happy and fulfilling lifelong partnership.”
Elizabeth was overwhelmed with emotion, too overwhelmed to speak. As her silence stretched out, his face began to show signs of uncertainty. “I am aware that you may yet have doubts,” he said. “If that is the case, I am willing to wait. It was only…I mean…well, I simply could not hold my own feelings in any longer. I beg you to forgive my selfishness.”
“No, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth blurted out. His face fell immediately, and Elizabeth hastened to add. “I don’t mean, ‘No, I will not marry you.’ Rather I meant to halt your doubts. You didnot speak too soon, despite my apparent confusion the last few times we have spoken on the subject. I love you, Mr. Darcy, with all my heart. I believe I have loved you from the moment you sat down on the stairs next to me at Lucas Lodge. I was only denying it, because I did not know whether it would result in absolute joy or utter heartbreak.”
With an expression of true delight lighting up his features, he took another step toward her. There was now barely an inch between them.
“Then, you will marry me?” he asked.
Elizabeth had no idea what her own expression conveyed, but she deeply hoped it showed at least some measure of the happiness that welled up from her soul as she said, “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I accept your proposal.”
She was about to add more, but before she could say anything else, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. With an expression in his eyes she had never seen and did not know how to name, he leaned down and kissed her.
It was not a short kiss, though it was gentle. However, Elizabeth could tell that the man who held her was holding back a great deal of passion. She was grateful that he did so, for she would not know what to do with it should it be released. Just this simple, gentle kiss was overwhelming her with new sensations.
