Page 170 of Near Pemberley

She laughed. “Do not misunderstand me. You were insufferable.”

“Ah. There you are.”

“You were proud, conceited, and entirely convinced that I should accept you.”

“I was.”

“But you were also honest.”

He looked at her in surprise.

“Painfully so, at times.”

“You have never pretended to be anything other than yourself. I merely failed to understand the man beneath the manners.”

“And now?”

She held his gaze. “Now I know him.”

Darcy did not answer.

There seemed nothing worthy of the moment.

Instead, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it with a tenderness that required no words at all.

She sighed. “It has been rather an extraordinary day.”

“It has.”

For a little while, neither attempted to say more. There seemed no urgency now. The future, which only hours before had appeared so uncertain, had quietly unfolded before them, and for the first time, they were permitted to just look at it together.

“How can I go to your father like this?” He gestured vaguely towards his face. “It will be agony to wait. Now that you have said yes, I do not wish to lose another day. Would you object to our marrying by special licence?”

Elizabeth looked at him in astonishment.

“I could have one obtained within a few days,” he continued. “I think a small, private ceremony would serve us best under the present circumstances. Your parents, your aunt and uncle – those whom you wish to be present – could come to London. I shall send my carriage for them.”

He smiled ruefully.

“Before any of that, however, I must see your father. I should like him to think me a sensible man before he discovers that I intend to carry his daughter away with the least possible delay.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I do not know that Papa will think you sensible after hearing that.”

“Perhaps not,” Darcy admitted.

“And afterwards?”

“Afterwards, we could travel to Ramsgate. You would have the opportunity to write to your family with particulars of the house, and together we could ensure that everything is prepared before they arrive. Once they are comfortably settled…” His voice softened. “… I should like to take my wife home to Pemberley.”

Elizabeth smiled. “You have planned everything.”

Darcy shook his head. “No. Only the parts that concern your happiness. You will learn – once I decide something, I am a man of action.”

***

Elizabeth rose reluctantly. “I really must go.”

Darcy rose as well, though considerably more slowly than she did. “Must you?”