“I have hoped for a long time that you would, Mr. Darcy. I never imagined I would use such words as ardent love, but now they sound so natural, so perfectly suited that I could easily repeat them.”
“Please do,” he whispered.
“Would you allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you, my beloved Fitzwilliam? Your name is another word that I love to say…”
Then she finally gathered the courage to free one of her hands from his tender grip and gently caress his face. He turned his head so he could place a kiss in her palm.
The kiss — though barely felt through her glove — stirred a warmth that spread through her. She shivered, although she felt hot, and lost herself in his arms when moments later his lips claimed hers, in the first kiss of her life, from the only man in the world she desired it from.
Although there was so much to talk about, so many questions to be asked and answered, neither spoke much after that. They were too intoxicated by their mutual happiness to be interested in anything else.
Mr. Darcy accompanied her for a while, then waited until she reached Longbourn's garden and departed, with the promise of returning with Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth entered the house, almost bouncing on her feet, earning her another puzzled glance from Hill. On impulse, she embraced the kind woman and hurried to her chamber, then changed her mind and went to seek out her father.
“Papa, do you remember when you asked me if I had any news?”
“Yes…what are you doing here so early, child?”
“I came to bring news, of course, Papa. About Mr. Darcy’s call later today — he will not come to speak to me, but to you.”
She paused, barely holding in her laughter in front her father’s puzzlement, which turned into astonishment as the revelation struck him.
“And regarding the invitation to Pemberley, you will need to ask permission from the future Mrs. Darcy too. So be careful when you are tempted to make sport of me, Papa, or you might not be allowed to see the library.”
Elizabeth finally laughed, while Mr. Bennet put down his book and glasses, standing up.
“Lizzy, my child, what are you saying?”
“I am saying that Mr. Darcy proposed to me, Papa! We met earlier, during my walk. He proposed to me — can you believe it?”
“I cannot, Lizzy. Truly not. And I cannot believe how happy you are. In fact, I am worried.”
“Worried? Why, Papa?”
“I am worried that you are too thrilled and that perhaps you are not accepting Mr. Darcy for the right reasons. Lizzy, let us speak calmly, child. I know you wish to be married like Jane, I know you enjoy being comfortable and safe, but Mr. Darcy is a man who expects the very best. His affection for you has been proved beyond doubt. If you do not feel as much affection as he does, you should take some time to think carefully. I do not want to see either you or him unhappy in a hasty and unwise marriage.”
Mr. Bennet spoke in all earnest, as Elizabeth had rarely heard him do. She embraced him and kissed his cheek.
“I have thought carefully, Papa, for a long time. You have no reason to worry. I have not said much about my love for him because we had no understanding, and I could not be certain of his intentions.”
“Is that so? Are you sure it was not because you were charmed by his impressive estate?”
“I was charmed, but I began to admire Mr. Darcy as soon as I learnt the truth about him and Mr. Wickham. It was long before we met at Pemberley. And when I saw his true nature, I fell in love so deeply that I almost lost my mind. If you do not believe me, know that I purposely went to look for Mr. Darcy in the middle of the night, in his library, more than once. And I hoped he would kiss me, which he did not, of course.”
At that, Mr. Bennet widened his eyes, opened his mouth, then finally said, “Get out of here, you shameless child! I shall pretend I did not hear that! Send Mr. Darcy to me as soon as he arrives.And please, for heaven’s sake, do not tell your mother — until at least the end of the day.”
Elizabeth embraced and kissed her father once again, then she ran out of the room and did not stop until she found Jane. She could tell her sister everything. Then she wrote a letter to Mrs. Gardiner — all before Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy finally called.
***
The month of madness continued at Longbourn throughout September, until the happy day of a double wedding.
From the moment she found out about Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet suffered an utter transformation in front of the gentleman. Her words gained more sense, her manners more decorum, causing Mr. Bennet to reflect that Mr. Darcy had exerted more influence over the ladies in his family in one month than he had in a lifetime.
Mr. Darcy seemed to enjoy the Bennets’ company very much, to the extent that even Kitty and Mary dared to speak when he was present. However, his preference was for Elizabeth’s company, usually in long walks in the gardens.
That was the proper time to clear any misunderstandings left and to answer all remaining questions.
