“Last time I visited Rosings, Gilroy was in perfect health. I do not know what happened, why he fell ill, why the doctor was not fetched, why I was not informed at all. He died, and Lady Catherine moved the widow and the children, as you saw, still without informing me. We had a huge quarrel about the matter.”
“So, Lady Catherine knew about Mr. Gilroy?”
“Yes, she had known for at least twenty years. You can imagine her resentment.”
“I can. Dear Lord,” she repeated. “So, what will you do now?”
“I shall make arrangements to move the family to Pemberley.”
“Oh…I understand, but will that not feed the gossip?”
“Perhaps, but it will not affect them any longer. The family will be safe. They will be offered proper jobs to suit their skills. They will be under my protection.”
“The gossip might affect your reputation, though.”
“It might. But the only one truly hurt by such reports would be my future wife.”
At that, Elizabeth blushed, and her fingers became cold and trembling. She feared to enquire further, but he stepped forwards, his eyes looking deep into hers, and said, “If I succeed in winning the affection of the woman I have long considered the perfect match as my wife, if she accepts my hand in marriage and agrees to stand by my side, I have nothing to fear. That woman — wise, witty, clever — would not be affected by such silly, irrational gossip.”
Elizabeth forgot to breathe, waiting for him to continue, but he did not.
“Please return home now, Miss Bennet. I hope I shall have the chance to talk to you very soon after I settle this distressing matter.”
She nodded, and for the first time, he took her hand in his and placed a brief kiss on her palm, then left.
***
At the Parsonage, Elizabeth could feel the tension and agitation. Charlotte and Maria went to Hunsford; Elizabeth was invited too, but when she refused, nobody insisted. Mr. Collins hurried off to Rosings, so Elizabeth remained in the house alone to comfort her own turmoil. She admitted that she expected Mr. Darcy to finally speak his mind. She hoped that the unthinkable would happen and he would propose. She had prayed for that before, and then something horrible had happened to overshadow what could have been a beautiful moment.
She was torn between disappointment that he had not finished his confession and gratitude that he had postponed it. But what other moment could he find to complete their discussion? Surely, they would need to wait till they were both in London. She quivered, imagining what Lady Catherine would do when she found out that the Gilroys would all move to Pemberley. She would certainly be furious in a dangerous way.
But then, what would the lady say when she heard about Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy — if such an astonishing event did take place? Her mother and father would be shocked too, but Elizabeth was not worried about them. Lady Catherine, however, had the determination, the means, and the hateful nature to control people and hurt those who had upset her.Apparently, Mr. Darcy was not impressed by his aunt, regardless of what schemes she used.
A while later — perhaps an hour or two — the doorbell rang, and the servant announced Mr. Darcy. With her heart beating wildly and her cheeks burning, she greeted him. He looked agitated, and his clothes were in some disorder.
“Miss Bennet, I shall only stay an instant. I know Mr. Collins is at Rosings and Mrs. Collins at Hunsford, and I hoped to find you alone for a minute.”
“I am glad you came,” she said, stepping towards him.
“I apologise for this unusual turn of events, which is certainly not how I imagined this moment and not what you deserve.”
“I am just glad you came,” she continued, and he ceased talking, looking at her. “We only have a moment. Please just say what you wish to. Anything else can wait till London.”
He nodded and suddenly looked shy as he cleared his throat and said, “Miss Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire you. It took me some time to admit the depth of my love and to accept that my life cannot be happy or complete without it. I do not expect your feelings to be the same — only a short time ago you considered me to be your enemy. Nor do expect a hasty answer.”
He paused and breathed, and she took another step forwards. Her knees were weak, her feet unsteady, and chills ran all over her body.
“I am only begging you to reflect upon my words with consideration for your sentiments, not mine. To ask yourself whether your feelings are of such a nature as to allow you to accept my marriage proposal one day. But most importantly, to ask your heart whether you could be happy with me. As I told you once, there is nothing sadder for both spouses than a marriage in which one cannot return the other’s affection.”
When he had finished, she was only inches away from him.
“Mr. Darcy, you have offered me time to reflect and ask my heart, but I have already done that, every day since I saw you with the children and the puppies and with leaves in your hair.”
He looked puzzled, and she added, her fingers touching his hair timidly, “I wanted to pick the leaves from your hair that day, but I could never have imagined I might be allowed to do just that only a fortnight later. I was stunned to hear that you admired me at times when I believed you despised me.”
She was emotional, and he took her hands, holding them in his.
“We were both wrong in many ways,” he said.
