Page 93 of Twice Chosen

She smiled through tears. "Yes."

Darcy exhaled as though he had been uncertain.

Elizabeth laughed softly. "You knew."

"No."

"You did."

"Not this time."

That mattered.

She kissed him.

The hawthorn survived.

For now.

On the walk back toward the house, Elizabeth slipped her arm through his. "We must tell Papa."

Darcy's expression altered.

She smiled. "Afraid?"

"Respectful."

"Afraid."

"I have negotiated leases with men who threatened litigation for sport."

"And yet my father frightens you."

"Your father finds humiliation entertaining."

"True."

Darcy gave her a look. "You are enjoying this."

"Immensely."

He stopped walking.

Elizabeth looked back.

Darcy's expression softened. "So am I."

She returned to him.

They stood for one more moment beneath the old-young tree, neither willing to hurry toward the world beyond it.

Then Elizabeth squeezed his hand three times.

I am here.

They went home.

Elizabeth's engagement also changed the younger sisters in ways she had not expected. Kitty began receiving more attention simply because gentlemen called at Longbourn more often. Lydia found this thrilling. Kitty found it exhausting.