His gaze never left hers. "When I am with you, I am happier than I deserve to be. When I am away from you, I find myself measuring time by wondering how soon I may see you again."
Elizabeth's eyes were suspiciously bright now.
"I love your wit. I love your courage. I love your kindness, though you conceal it beneath sarcasm often enough. I love the way you challenge me, the way you make me laugh and the way you have made me wish to become a better man simply by deserving your good opinion."
His voice softened. "And if I live to be a hundred, I do not believe I shall ever cease being grateful that you stepped into a parlour in Lyme Regis and changed my life."
The tears which had threatened finally escaped.
Darcy looked rather alarmed by them. "Have I done this badly?"
Elizabeth laughed through them. "Very badly."
"Ah."
"I shall have to marry you out of pity."
His relief was so immediate that she almost laughed again.
"Then I shall count myself fortunate."
A smile lingered between them.
Then, after a brief hesitation, he said quietly, "There is one further favour I should like to ask."
"You have become remarkably demanding."
"I know."
"What is it?"
"Would you call me Fitzwilliam?"
For one moment Elizabeth could only look at him. The request was so simple and yet so intimate that it touched her more deeply than she could say.
"Fitzwilliam," she said softly.
The effect upon him was immediate. She had never seen such naked happiness on any human face.
"My dear Fitzwilliam," she continued, taking a step towards him, "if you have quite finished proposing to me, I should like to accept."
His laugh was half joy, half disbelief.
"Then allow me to ask properly."
He took both her hands in his.
"Elizabeth, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
There was only one answer she had ever truly intended to give. "Yes, my dearest, dearest love. I should be delighted to become Mrs Darcy."
For a moment they simply looked at one another.
Then Darcy raised a hand and gently brushed away the tears from her cheek. The touch was so tender that it made her heart ache.
"I love you," he said.
"I know."
