Assumed Engagement (33 page)

Elizabeth
wondered if she was making something bigger out of this day than it really was, yet if she were to think about it clearly, what happened between her and Darcy last night
was
significant. Suddenly everything between them had changed!

Elizabeth
told her parents on the way home from church that Darcy was coming over to call on her. She had not told them earlier, as she did not want her mother behaving erratically around him any more than need be. But telling her now would give her time to calm down before his arrival. Her father took it in stride, but deep inside he was greatly hoping Darcy would seek him out later to have a talk with him. He was not blind to the change that had taken place between his favourite daughter and this man. He could tell she was quite taken by him. His only fear was that she might in some way get hurt.

When Darcy finally arrived, the ladies were seated in the drawing room. Mr.
Bennet
had been outside when he arrived, and greeted him, escorting him in. He then retreated to his study. Darcy came in and politely sat down with the ladies.
Elizabeth
watched her mother nervously shifting in her chair. She knew that some kind of embarrassing prattle was imminent. Darcy nervously looked about, trying to ascertain just how long he needed stay here to be proper, but wanting desperately to go out and walk with
Elizabeth
.

Finally, feeling she could contain herself no longer, her mother said, "Mr. Darcy, you do not know how much we have come to consider you and your sister a part of our family. We want you to know that anytime you come to visit your friend Bingley, you are welcome here as well."

"Thank you, ma'am," was his cordial reply. "May I extend the same invitation to you to visit
Pemberley
?"

"That is so kind and considerate of you, Sir. Ever since my daughters came home from their visit there and spoke so highly of it, I have so greatly desired to see it! I understand it is grand; simply grand!"

"Any time, ma'am."

Suddenly it appeared a light went off in her mother's head. "You know, it is such a beautiful day; such a pity to waste it indoors. You two ought to go out for a walk." As she said this, she literally pulled
Elizabeth
up from the chair she was in, and practically shooed them toward the door. Her brash behaviour heightened
Elizabeth
's anxiety. It was most apparent that she was conniving to get them alone, for the sole purpose, she was sure, to give him the opportunity to ask for her hand in marriage.
Elizabeth
was not even sure that was on his mind, and only hoped he would overlook any unseemliness on her mother's part.

But Darcy was all too willing to take her up on this, and although inwardly chided her mother for her behaviour, was grateful for it. The last thing he had wanted to do was to spend the day with
Elizabeth
as her mother and sisters looked over his shoulder.

When they stepped outdoors,
Elizabeth
sensed that Darcy relaxed considerably. She pursed her lips in amusement as she considered what an effort it must be for him to behave tolerably around her mother. They walked slowly down the lane and across to the walking path that led to
Oakham
Mount, keeping a proper degree of distance between them while they were still in view of the house.

When they reached the base of the mount, where the path began its gentle slope upwards, Darcy offered his arm to
Elizabeth
. This time when she took it, she wrapped her hand around his arm snugly, and brought her other hand over atop hers. Darcy, not to be outdone by
Elizabeth
, then brought his free hand over, covering both of hers with his. They walked in silence for awhile, occasionally noting some pleasing or unusual flower or tree, but mostly basking in the warmth of each other's presence.

Along the way, Darcy spoke of Georgiana. "Did you see how Georgiana spoke to the visiting reverend's daughter after services?"

"Yes, I did."

"She would have never done that two months ago. She would have been too shy. She really enjoyed talking to her. Apparently she is a writer. She encouraged Georgiana to keep writing in her journal, as that is what Miss Austen has always done."

Elizabeth
smiled. "I think your sister is growing up."

"I think my sister has grown up a lot as a result of your help."

Elizabeth
tried to protest, but Darcy reached over and gently covered her mouth with his fingers. "You gave her encouragement and practical advice. She took it, especially the advice to write in a journal. She writes in it all the time."

"She told you about that?"
Elizabeth
asked flustered.

"Yes, she did."

When they reached the summit, they walked over to the place they had rested a few days before.
Elizabeth
sat down on a large boulder, and Darcy squeezed next to her. He took both of her hands in his, and proceeded to nervously stroke her hands with his thumb.
Elizabeth
thought to herself that she liked this nervous habit of his, as long as he had her hand in his.

"
Elizabeth
, you know that for some time now, my feelings for you have been of the highest regard. In my previous attempt to secure your hand…"

Elizabeth
interjected, "Oh, please, do not mention that! I do not want to be reminded of the terrible things I said!"

"No, it was I who said the most abhorrent things. I cannot believe I said some of those things in my offer of marriage. But I was very presumptuous and arrogant. I was not worthy of your hand in the least. Your refusal to my offer was the best thing that ever happened to me. It caused me to really look at myself. That was not always easy because I did not like what I saw. I knew you were right and I had to change, although I did not really know how."

He had been looking down at their hands, and now looked up at her. "
Elizabeth
, I still love you more than life itself. I would give anything to have your love in return." He paused, taking a deep breath. "Do I dare… would it be asking too much… can I even suppose…
Elizabeth
, I
do
ask you again, knowing full well that I am not worthy of such an exceptional woman. Would you consent to be my wife?" When he got the last of his words out, he held in the last of his breath, awaiting her answer.

She looked at him very sombrely. "The last time you offered your hand in marriage, I said I could not oblige you an acceptance. I still cannot."

Darcy started, the colour draining from his face. He started to draw his hand from hers.

Elizabeth
responded by reaching out to retrieve it. "I could never marry a man out of obligation, no matter who he was. I shall only marry for love. Therefore, I will only accept your offer of marriage because I love you. I do love you with all my heart!"

Darcy looked at her, afraid he may have not understood her. "So, your answer is… yes?"

She nodded. "To know that you are still willing to ask for my hand when I have put you through so much, is very humbling indeed. I would be very happy… no, I would be eternally happy, to be your wife. Yes, I
do
most wholeheartedly accept."

Suddenly he felt the tension that had been building up inside of him recede. His mouth curved upwards into a smile that came from the depths of him.
     He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. "This was my grandmother's ring. It was left to me to give to my intended." He opened
Elizabeth
's hand, and gently slid the ring onto her ring finger. "It seems to have been made just for you."

She smiled as she looked at her ring. "It is
so
beautiful!" She looked up from the ring into Darcy's face. She took her hand and slowly traced her fingers across his face, inducing him to bring his hand up to capture hers against his cheek. From there he brought it around to his lips and left impressions of kisses in it.

"You have made me the happiest of men. I love you,
Lizbeth
." He leaned toward her, anxious to seal their engagement with a proper kiss.

Elizabeth
drew back, amused. "No one has ever called me that before!"

"Do you object to my calling you that?" he asked, feigning impatience.

"No, I like it. I have been called
Elizabeth
,
Lizzy
, Eliza, but never
Lizbeth
." She looked up into his eyes. "And what would you have me call you? Fitzwilliam?"

Darcy squeezed her hands, but drew back a little. "Anything but Fitzwilliam. I usually only get called Fitzwilliam when I am in trouble. Now, I know that I may often find myself in trouble with you, so you may just end up calling me that all the time anyway."

Elizabeth
teased him and answered, "I shall have to think about this, Sir. The name I call my husband must reflect a certain love and respect, but also an affectionate friendliness." After a moment’s pause, she said, "I think I shall call you Will."

"And that is a name that I am not often called. But I shall like you calling me that." He drew close to her again. "Now, where were we?"

He brought his hand up to her face again, stroking her cheek and her lips with his fingers. She closed her eyes as he leaned over and kissed her, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

Darcy pulled himself away, and running his fingers along her neck and into her hair said, "Do you think we could get married in, say, three weeks?"

Elizabeth
was suddenly shocked out of her reverie. "Three weeks?"

"Charles and Jane have left and will be gone for two weeks. I would like to get married the week after they return."

Elizabeth
suddenly realized that Jane left and she could not tell her of their engagement. "Oh, Jane! How I wish I could tell her. How I wish Jane knew!"

"She does."

Elizabeth
looked at him, startled. "I told Charles this morning before they left that I was going to ask for your hand today. I wanted to ask him to stand up for me so he would not tarry in their return. Now, I do not want you to think I was being presumptuous again of your consent. I did tell him this would only happen if you accepted. I told him he could tell Jane, and she would most likely know in her heart whether or not you would agree to be my wife."

Suddenly
Elizabeth
started to laugh, laugh so hard that she could not speak. Darcy asked her, "What is so funny? Was it something I said?"

"No, nothing you said. It was something my sister said."

"What did she say?"

"Oh, I do not think I can tell you!"
Elizabeth
said between uncontrollable laughs.

"I may just have to hold you here until you tell me,
Lizbeth
." He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I really should not." Finally
Elizabeth
calmed down enough to speak. Darcy looked at her curiously, and she knew he would not relent until she told him.

"Jane came up to me this morning just before they left and she whispered in my ear, ‘It is so wonderful! I cannot wait until we can talk when we return!' I was a little shocked that she would say something like that. She was obviously talking about the fact that you were going to propose. Apparently she was not talking about what
I
thought she was talking about!"

"And just what
did
you
think
she was referring to?"