She looked at him oddly. “Are you all right, William?”
He stopped his horse and reached over to bring her horse nearby. “I do not know how to explain this gently, so I will be frank. This conversation is difficult for me because of my desire for you. When we discuss things like this, it only makes me desire you more, producing a physical reaction that makes riding a horse particularly difficult. So, it is best if we do not discuss these types of things until after we are wed and not on the back of a horse.”
She looked at him again, cocking her head to one side as she scrutinized him. As she did, she noticed the bulge in his breeches. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, doing this two or three more times before she finally simply nodded.
He sighed. “Two months is a long time, my dear.”
“And getting longer,” was her reply that made his ears turn red once again.
They arrived back at the stables soon after, and William held back with his cousin after the two ladies began to walk back to the house.
“I could pummel you right now, Richard. Elizabeth asked me about what you implied at breakfast, which may have led to one of the most uncomfortable rides in my life,” Darcy growled quietly.
Richard laughed uproariously. “She’s not a meek one, that is for sure.”
“She will be my wife soon—be respectful. You have single-handedly made it that much more difficult to wait two very long months before the wedding will take place. I cannot ask her to advance the date without having a difficult conversation with her father since we have already suggested October. Fortunately, we did not mention a specific date, so we can at least discuss early October without too much being said about it. I hope.” Darcy groaned again and then punched his cousin on the shoulder.
“You have chosen to live like a monk, and now you are paying for it,” Richard said haughtily.
“Not a joking matter, Richard.” Darcy groaned. “And I had good reason for the choices I have made.” Richard, recalling those reasons, stopped laughing to frown before nodding and beginning to walk back toward the house.
They all met back in one of the parlours after changing out of their riding clothes. Tea was immediately ordered and quickly brought to a sitting room where they enjoyed a light repast. Richard entertained the group with his stories once again, and Darcy and Elizabeth sat together on a settee, holding hands while listening to Richard’s tales. Occasionally, Darcy interrupted with a detail that almost always drew a glare from his cousin, but it was obvious that these two were as close as brothers.
After some time, Darcy asked Elizabeth if she would like a book from the library. He took her arm to escort her, and when they entered, instead of directing her to the bookshelves, he led her to an armchair by the large windows at the back of the room.
“Elizabeth,” he began, then chuckled. “It occurs to me that neither time I proposed to you was I intending to do so. AtHunsford, I, well, honestly, I am not entirely certain what made me speak at that time or in the manner I did, but I knew I could not leave without speaking to you of my feelings for you. While I did a terrible job of expressing my love for you then and, in fact, insulted you dreadfully, what I felt for you was honest. That feeling has only grown over time, and I can say that I love you more for rejecting me than I would have considered possible.
“The second time, I had come across you so unexpectedly, and I never dreamed you would have agreed to marry me then. I did a much better job of expressing my feelings for you, I think, but I still was not fully prepared and blurted out what was on my mind. Since then, I have remembered that I meant to give you this—I dreamt of it on your finger long before I encountered you again in Kent. I think it was at Netherfield when I first imagined you with this.” With these words, he removed a velvet bag from his inside pocket and withdrew a large diamond and sapphire ring.
He knelt in front of her. “Elizabeth Rose Bennet, I love you more than life. Will you do me the honour of accepting my hand in marriage? Will you be my most treasured wife?”
A tear ran down her cheek. “Yes, William, I love you so much. Thank you for this third, most perfect, proposal.” She smiled at him gently. “I hope you know there is no one else I want to spend my life with.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and kissed her hand before lightly kissing her lips. He stood, pulling her with him, and pulled her into his embrace. They stood that way for several minutes until a cough drew them back.
Richard noticed the ring on her finger. “Ahh, now I know what you were up to. Georgiana asked for you, and I told her I would look for you. Did you find a book?”
“In fact, I did,” Elizabeth said, choosing a book off the nearby shelf. “Shakespeare’s sonnets—or would you prefer a play?”
The three entered the parlour laughing. William took the book from Elizabeth’s hand as they entered. “We have a bit of time before dinner. Would you care to hear me read for a bit, Georgiana? Elizabeth?”
Both ladies agreed, and William read until it was time to dress for dinner.
Chapter Six
Richard left the following morning before breakfast. Since most guests had departed, the ladies decided to forgo the picnic to spend the morning shopping in Lambton. Georgiana had spoken to William about Elizabeth’s desire to order a few dresses, and he had encouraged her to speak with the dressmaker about obtaining for Elizabeth some of the things she would need for a Derbyshire winter. Before the women left for Lambton, he had a similar conversation with Mrs. Gardiner, who had just smiled at him before nodding her agreement.
Gardiner joined Darcy in riding out on the estate. Although he had made his fortune in trade, Darcy found the man to be knowledgeable in estate matters, having advised his brother Bennet on occasion. He was also good at dealing with people and provided valuable insight into managing them. Darcy had already been impressed by the man, and his help that morning raised him even more in his estimation. Gardiner likewise was impressed by Darcy, and the two made strides in further cementing a solid friendship.
The ladies arrived back from Lambton just before the gentlemen returned from their ride. After refreshing themselves, the entire group gathered for lunch and discussed what they had all accomplished that morning. The dressmaker had been pleased to perform the task of updating the riding jacket to fit Elizabeth’s form and with the order for several additional dresses and other items appropriate for a Derbyshire winter. She had scrutinised the young woman, confident that this was an indication there would soon be a new Mistress of Pemberley.
When the conversation turned to what the gentlemen had been doing, Darcy was impressed by Elizabeth’s knowledge and understanding of estate matters as well. They had not discussed these things before, but it was apparent that Elizabeth would be even more of a partner than he had anticipated.
Darcy excused himself after lunch to complete some necessary business in his study. He had several letters he needed to send and to meet with his steward about the upcoming harvest, especially since he would be spending a significant amount of time in London that fall.
While the Gardiners once again called on some of Mrs. Gardiner’s friends from Lambton, Elizabeth and Georgiana went for a walk in the gardens, with Georgiana pointing out many of her favourite spots and telling her of the history of the estate. Apparently, each mistress of Pemberley had added something, and Elizabeth wondered what her contribution to this grand estate would be. The thought occurred to her that it was something she needed to discuss with William, but she realised that nothing needed to be decided right now.
Darcy found the two of them sometime later in the gardens after he had met with his steward. He moved to escort both ladies,but after a few steps, Georgiana excused herself to return to the house.
