“He is not. You must not concern yourself. Wickham was asked to repay some old debts, which he was unable to do andso faced a spell in prison. Instead, he wisely chose to leave the regiment and begin a new life abroad.”
“Oh…” she gasped in puzzlement, until she finally understood his meaning.
“Yes,” Mr. Darcy repeated. “He left the country a week ago. I pray that he will not do more wrongs abroad than he did in England, or his life will be at stake. Regardless, he is not my concern any longer.”
“I am so relieved to hear that… That man has caused enough damage.”
“Yes. I heard he left some debts in Meryton too. I shall take care of them… Now let us please not speak of George Wickham any longer but of more pleasant subjects.”
“I agree… How is Dr Rease? Will he travel to Brighton to look after Miss de Bourgh?”
“Probably not. Do you remember me saying that Anne owns a second house in London where nobody currently lives?”
“Yes.”
“Well, she has given it to Dr Rease and provided all the necessary funds to turn it into a hospital for poor people. Dr Rease will run the place, so he is busy renovating it.”
“How astonishing! And how kind of Miss de Bourgh!”
“Once my cousin escaped Lady Catherine’s grasp, she was ready to reveal her true character. She is kind, indeed.”
“Lady Catherine must be furious!” Elizabeth said.
“She is…she was, until I sent her a note warning her that Anne might sell Rosings and any other property whenever she pleases. Since then, Lady Catherine has remained in Kent, and no further reports have arrived from her.”
“Oh dear… So many things have happened since we last spoke… Life-changing things…” Elizabeth whispered.
“True,” Mr. Darcy replied, his voice suddenly altered. “Miss Bennet, speaking of changes, I was thinking…I am sorry if thisseems abrupt, and I assure you I expect no answer at this moment… I just wish to know…I need to know… You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are the same as they were last April, I shall not ever…”
His countenance was so troubled that Elizabeth could not control herself. She took a step forward and pressed her fingers over his lips, silencing him. His dark eyes widened, and he gazed at her, his eyes asking what his lips could not.
“My feelings have changed, as have all the other important things… They have changed so utterly and completely that they are just the opposite of what they were last April.”
She removed her hand, but he entwined her fingers with his and brought them back to his lips, placing a tender kiss on her palm. His gentle touch spread chills throughout her entire body, and her knees weakened.
“I do not expect a certain question from you this very moment, Mr. Darcy,” she managed to say quietly. “But if you care to ask, I am ready to answer you.”
“Are you? Could it be true? Am I understanding you correctly?” he asked, still incredulous. Before she had time to reply, he pulled something from his pocket with his free hand, while the other one was still holding hers.
“I had so many things to tell you, and I feared I might not find the right words, so I wrote you a letter last night… Perhaps it is not needed any longer. Perhaps I shall be able to express myself as my feelings require and as you deserve. But here it is, nevertheless.”
Elizabeth began to laugh through tears that burned her eyes. She freed her hand and opened her reticule, pulling out her own letter.
“I have one for you too… I wrote it last night for the same reason. If you would care to read it…”
“I would, most ardently,” he said. “But a little later. Now, I must ask, since you have allowed me to. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
“I have prayed for this moment but never believed it would come, not after everything that—”
He leant closer, interrupting her, his lips almost touching hers as he asked again.
“Would you, Miss Bennet?”
“Most ardently, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, repeating his words; then their lips finally touched in a clear and eloquent understanding. They were still holding the letters, though there was not much need for them any longer.
***
Before the joyful union of Mr. Bingley and Jane, the neighbourhood of Longbourn was destined for yet further astonishment.
