Page 51 of Gold and Good Sense

“My thanks,” said Thomas shortly. “I only returned from my wedding journey two days ago.”

“I imagine after such an absence that there is much news to catch up on,” said Mr. Darcy.

“Perhaps,” said Thomas. “I was only recently made aware of the news that you have been seen walking out with my daughter nearly every day. Is that the sort of news you had in mind?”

Mr. Darcy’s countenance immediately sobered. “I hope you do not object,” he said. “We were always in the public view and were never truly alone.”

Thomas shook his head. “I am not concerned about my daughter’s honor, at least not yet. However, as various witnesses exchange information of what they saw, it is becoming quite clear to everyone that you have been paying particular attention to Elizabeth. Just this evening, my wife has received multiple inquiries concerning when you might be proposing.”

Mr. Darcy clearly understood what Thomas was hinting at, since he replied, “I was planning to do it very soon. I was only waiting for an indication that she might accept me this time. I received that indication at the very end of our most recent walk.”

“In that case,” said Thomas, “there is no time like the present. Proposing this evening will allow us to inform everyone about the good news immediately, instead of allowing rumors to continue to grow.”

Mr. Darcy looked around him and said, “It seems like a rather unlikely place for a proposal, don’t you think? Wouldn’t it be better if I called at Longbourn tomorrow?”

“The balcony out the back door is much quieter than inside. If that isn’t secluded enough, you can descend into the gardens below,” said Thomas.

“Very well,” said Mr. Darcy. “It seems you are in a hurry. I will do as you ask.”

“I am in a hurry, because I do not wish to have another of my daughters’ reputation tarnished. I had enough of that this past spring. If Elizabeth refuses you this time, I will need to act quickly to prevent such damage.”

“I understand completely, sir,” said Mr. Darcy. “I will approach her as soon as this dance is over.”

~~~~~

Elizabeth’s dance with Mr. Darcy was everything she had dreamed of. They chatted a bit, yes, and that was as pleasant as always, but the most potent pleasure was that feeling that all her attention was directed toward him and all his attention was directed toward her. In short, it felt as if they were the only two people in the assembly hall.

When it was done, he walked her over to the side of the room. Before he left her side, however, he said, “I do hope to have the pleasure of another dance with you this evening.”

Elizabeth was not entirely surprised, though he had never asked her for a second dance before. His attention was becoming unmistakable, unlike his attention in London in the spring. Still, the request could not fail to elicit a delighted smile. “I would like that very much. Shall we say the last dance of the evening?”

“That will do nicely,” he said with no smile on his lips but that warmth in his eyes that was just for her. Then he walked away.

Her next dance was claimed by one of the local gentlemen. Elizabeth tried to the best of her ability to be polite and attentive to him, but she could not prevent her thoughts from wandering toward Mr. Darcy occasionally, even though she could not even see him and did not expect to see him until the very end of the evening.

She was nearly floored in surprise, therefore, when he approached her as soon as her dance was over.

“Miss Elizabeth, I have an urgent and important subject to discuss with you. Would you accompany me out to the balcony or perhaps the garden behind the assembly hall?” he asked.

Elizabeth had been told many, many times by both her parents and other adults not to go into the gardens at night. Not by herself and certainly not with a gentleman. The gardens behind the assembly hall had many high hedges, making it quite easy to hide from the view of others.

She searched his eyes. Truly there was something important there that he needed to communicate with her that could not be said in the crowded assembly hall.

“Very well,” she replied. “The balcony then.”

They stepped out onto the balcony that looked down on the gardens. There was very little moonlight this evening so the gardens were entirely in shadow. At her side, she heard Mr. Darcy sigh in relief.

“Were you so overwhelmed by the crowds, Mr. Darcy?” she asked, thinking that was what prompted the sigh.

“Not this early in the evening,” he said. “No, I am simply relieved that no one else is out here. I need to have a private word with you. Come.”

He took her hand and guided her over to the far edge of the balcony. Then he turned to face her.

“Mr. Bennet approached me after our dance and told me that rumors of our meetings have been traveling around the neighborhood, prompting much speculation as to when an announcement of engagement would be made,” he said. “He told me, in no uncertain terms, that I must propose this evening. So, dear Miss Elizabeth, I would like to ask you to marry me.”

Pain rolled through Elizabeth. After all this time, all the tender magical moments they had shared over the past two weeks, this was how he proposed? Where were the professions of admiration and attraction? Where was the confession of truly deep love that she knew was there?

In some ways, this was worse than his first proposal, for this time she had been hoping for it, looking forward to it, fully expecting it. And this was the reward for her patience? A forced proposal that contained no affection whatsoever?