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No one missed the emphasis on ‘invited’.

“Lady Maria, Miss Bennet, allow me to present Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Catherine, this is Lady Maria Leonard and Miss Bennet.”

He turned back to the two ladies.

“In case you were unaware, Lady Catherine is my sister.”

Lady Catherine de Bourgh should have known of Lady Maria Leonard, and of her connections. But she was too vexed at all the delays. That the guests were being treated with consequence vexed her even more, although it should have been another prod to her memory. But she had been distant from society in Kent for too many years. And all she had for visitors was an echo chamber with a timid daughter and an obsequious parson.

“Finally, what a waste of time.”

Both David and Susan Fitzwilliam winced. Their senior guest was related to two Dukes while the younger was on good terms with one of them. How many times could they yell at this harridan to moderate her tone.

“I have evidence that Darcy and this young lady are courting. This is not to be borne, he is engaged to Anne.”

Whatever diatribe the assembled company were expecting, it was not this. The silence was broken by Elizabeth’s laugh.

“Do not laugh at me, young lady!”

“Why ever not. I am not courting Mr. Darcy. Sorry, the correct order is that Mr. Darcy is not courting me. So forgive me if I find this all rather funny. What did Shakespeare say? Much Ado About Nothing.”

“At least four sets of lips twitched upwards.

“Not so fast.”

Lady Catherine pulled several sheets of paper out of her bag.

“I have it here. In the handwriting of my own niece.”

Georgiana gasped and paled beyond alabaster. Darcy was at her side immediately.

“Let me see, where is the appropriate passage. Yes, here it is. ‘It is wonderful to see William so happy. He is courting Elizabeth and they are so good together.”

Lady Catherine trailed off before reading the next sentence in a quieter tone, as if reading the full letter for the first time.

“Everyone is amazed that neither of them can see it. They have been courting for weeks yet both are oblivious to this fact. The whole family is waiting for the moment when they realise and can congratulate them.”

This time the silence was sepulchral. Lady Maria watched the smile slip off Elizabeth’s face. She turned to look at Darcy and saw the same stunned look. This was not how she would have wished they discovered their feelings for each other, but it was immediate and effective.

“Have we been courting Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth’s voice was quiet, full of wonder.

“If you had asked me 10 minutes ago Miss Bennet I would have said no.”

He looked round the room.

“However, when I stop and think over the last two months, I believe we have been courting. I just never realised the fact, or gave it that name.”

Even Lady Catherine was silent, the room held its collective breath. Then the smile started on Elizabeth’s face and it just got wider and wider. As Darcy saw her happiness, the sparkle in her eyes, he too burst into a huge smile. He was also still kneeling beside his sister who appeared ready to burst with excitement like an over-shaken bottle of champagne. Darcy looked down at his position but remained there while straightening his back.

“Normally courting couples are given some moments of privacy for the gentleman to ask this question, and I still need to see and acquire the consent of your uncle. But Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the honour of marrying me?”

Elizabeth knew her body was seated in Lady Susan’s drawing room. But her mind and spirit seemed untethered from her body. So many things were flashing through her mind. All her protestations against men, her disappointment with them, the sense of waiting for the inevitable dismissal of her just because she was a woman, none of these feelings applied. Mr. Darcy had been a constant companion throughout the season, they had spoken at length about any and all topics, she sought him out at events. Elizabeth prided herself on her intelligence yet she had managed to miss being courted for six weeks. But at least she was not alone in this obtuseness. What had Georgiana said in her letter? The whole family was waiting for the two of them to realise and congratulate them. Darcy had pontificated about his pride while in Hertfordshire, she had not but was not without pride herself. They both had been humbled by their obliviousness to their situation.

Her thoughts were in and out of her mind in but a moment. She smiled at the man kneeling in front of her, and his whole family. Despite the suddenness of his gesture she had no doubts in her mind.

“Yes Mr. Darcy. I will marry you.”