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“It appears my cautions about Bingley’s intentions were for naught,” William mused. “I had written that I believed your sister might be amenable to resuming the courtship, and then I told him about Shaw. I expected it to spur him into action, but I did not expect him to move quite so precipitously.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I do not believe there has ever been a man so eager to propose in all the history of England! He takes Jane’s hand at every opportunity, apparently fearing she might disappear if he releases her. And Mama…who would have guessed she could run so fast? But with such exciting news to tell her friends in Meryton, anything is possible.”
She looked him in the eye, wanting him to see the sincerity in her gaze. “Thank you for sending for Mr. Bingley.”
“It was my pleasure. I only wish he could have come sooner.” In the following silence, William took her hand and gently caressed the back with his thumb. “It was wonderful to see everyone in such high spirits.”
“Mr. Collins will not be pleased to lose Jane’s work at Longbourn. She labors far harder than Kitty or Mary.”
William’s expression darkened. “He must grow accustomed to it. You and your sisters will not be under his thumb forever. Someday he must hire proper servants.” Elizabeth wished she could be certain of this prediction; at times she felt she would be trapped forever.
Elizabeth cast a glance back at the manor, knowing she lingered too long. But Jane still spoke to Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth was loath to lose William’s company. Then she noticed he was scowling.
“Is something distressing you?” she asked.
There was a long pause. William stared up at the sky. “Ah, Elizabeth, I have always believed I am a patient man, but in this matter I seem to be incapable of waiting.” He took her other hand, so they were now facing each other. “We discussed revisiting the question of marriage when circumstances improved for your family….”
Excitement jolted through Elizabeth, equal parts nerves and giddiness. “Yes, circumstances have improved with Jane’s engagement, but Collins is still—”
He interrupted. “If we are able to remove Collins as I hope…would you accept my offer to love and cherish you all the days of your life?”
Elizabeth knew the answer; her only concern was making a promise she could not keep.
“Longbourn must always come first,” she said slowly and saw William’s face fall. Then she took a deep breath. “However, if we might resolve Longbourn’s problems, then I would be honored to accept your offer, Mr. Darcy. More than honored—overjoyed. Ecstatic even”
“Thank you, Elizabeth, you have given me the greatest gift possible!” Grasping her around her waist, William lifted her completely off the ground as he crushed his lips to hers.
She could not say how long the kiss lasted, for it seemed to be a moment suspended in time. Eternal and perfect. A world of joy and peace that only they inhabited.
After a minute, William set her down, but their lips did not part. He could not seem to get enough of her kisses; every time Elizabeth thought she might pull away, the intoxication of his lips drew her back.
Until the thud of footsteps sounded on the road.
They jumped apart hastily, pivoting toward the source of the noise.
Collins.
Elizabeth’s cousin stood only a few feet away. There could be no doubt about what he had witnessed.
His eyes were huge in his face while his hands fluttered about with great agitation. “I knew it! I am proven right. Your youngest sister is not the only degenerate one. But you must stop immediately before you bring more shame upon the family.”
William interrupted, interposing his body between Collins and Elizabeth, as if the man presented a physical threat to her. “Collins, you misunderstand the situation. Miss Elizabeth has just done me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife.”
That was not quite what Elizabeth had agreed to, but it was the right thing to tell Collins.
Her cousin gasped as if William had confessed to murdering children. “That is impossible. You cannot marry her. You are engaged to Lady Anne!”
“I am no more engaged to Anne than you are,” William scoffed.
Collins gestured as if warding away the evil eye. “I-I—Do not say such things!” He glanced nervously about as if expecting an irate Lady Catherine to emerge from behind a tree.
William placed a warm, reassuring hand on Elizabeth’s back. “We are betrothed, so there is nothing inappropriate in our conduct.”
That is perhaps too bold a claim, Elizabeth mused. Engaged couples were granted more leeway, which might extend to a decorous kiss on the lips in a populated, well-lit room—but it certainly did not include passionate kisses by a dark country road.
Her cousin drew himself up to his full, not-terribly-imposing height. “You are most definitely not engaged! I have not given permission for Elizabeth to be wed.”
Elizabeth bristled. How often would this man stand in the way of her happiness? “While your approval would be nice, Cousin, it is not necessary. I am of age.”
