Page 22 of Painted with Love

Bingley and Miss Bennet were already ahead of them when Elizabeth began a conversation about the lovely weather and the beauty of nature in the spring.

“Miss Bennet, I have to confess I deliberately arranged this walk,” Darcy said, nervous about her response. She stopped and looked at him, puzzled. “I asked Bingley to suggest a longer walk and Georgiana to hold your sisters back.”

“So, it was a plot?” Elizabeth asked, blushing and smiling.

“Yes. I needed a few moments of privacy with you, and it was impossible to find it in the house.”

“Oh.”

“I hope it was not presumptuous on my part and you do not mind.”

“Not at all. In fact, I confess I hoped it was a plot, but I feared to assume too much.”

Her smile was sweet and warm, and her eyes seemed bright with delight.

“Miss Bennet, whatever you assumed, it was certainly not too much. You certainly know my feelings and desires, though I might have expressed them most inarticulately last time. You are too generous to trifle with me, so I beg you to tell me whether your feelings have changed since we last spoke in Kent. One word from you will silence me forever on this subject if that is what you wish.”

Her face coloured, her eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.

“I do not wish you to be silent, Mr Darcy. My feelings and desires have changed so much that I would like nothing more than to hear you speak about yours. I hoped you would do so, but I feared it was all too late.”

Still incredulous, he held her hands and brought them to his heart.

“I would dearly love to tell you again how ardently I admire and love you, Miss Bennet. But, if I could be so bold, I would rather ask than just speak. Ask a question that was once improperly addressed and needs to be reworded.”

“I expect you to be bold, Mr Darcy, and I shall be the same by saying that your question will certainly receive a different answer. Furthermore, I must tell you that you are the only man in the world from whom I wish to hear that question.”

“Your wish is my command, Miss Bennet,” he said, moving even closer. “Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife and sharing love and happiness with me?”

“I certainly would, Mr Darcy,” she answered, releasing her right hand and caressing his face until he captured it again and placed a tender kiss in her palm, then moved closer, his lips claiming hers to seal their commitment to each other.