Chapter 16 #3
“You were not the first. Even my own father held Wickham in high esteem. I do not fault you in that regard. I am afraid that even in his recently acquired state of matrimony, young unsuspecting women will find him equally appealing.”
“I do not envy the prospect my sister faces.”
“To be George Wickham’s wife is indeed an unfortunate fate. But as you and I both know, your sister does not share our opinion.”
“No—she proclaims she is the happiest and the luckiest woman in all of England. And my sisters and I must forever call that scoundrel our brother.”
Darcy’s muscles tensed. “Were there any other way to resolve this situation, surely I would have elected it.”
“My sister and my mother are delighted by the outcome. Having a daughter married at sixteen is apparently something which occasions a prodigious amount of pride.”
Darcy crumpled his brow and gazed at Elizabeth intently. “Please, let us speak no more of George Wickham. I would much rather we talk about more satisfying topics. You were about to confess a closely guarded account of when you first admired me.”
“Do I have your promise to think no more of it than what it truly was?”
“This sounds more and more intriguing.”
“Do I have your promise, sir?”
“Of course, you have my promise. Now, end my suspense at once.”
“I have to say it was when I first visited your magnificent home. After studying your likeness for what seemed an hour, I supposed you were the handsomest man alive, but it was not until I walked about your magnificent grounds of Pemberley that I was convinced you must truly be something.”
Darcy said nothing, giving Elizabeth pause. Does he suppose I am mercenary—that I indeed had manipulated circumstances to my favour in setting about a confluence of events leading to this moment?
Elizabeth forged ahead in spite of his silence. “Convinced as I was of your goodness, I truly looked forward to the possibility of meeting you.”
Still, he remained silent, thus increasing Elizabeth’s own suspense. “Mr. Darcy, it is your turn to say something.”
“I was just considering that you already had an idea of who I was and even what I looked like before we ever met, and still you were able to resist my charms for as long as you did.”
“I have been accused of professing opinions which were not always my own, merely for purposes of diversion.” Elizabeth bit her lower lip as her bout of amusement gave way to sobriety.
“You will recall that you and I did not have the greatest start, not after you learned of my acquaintance with Mr. Wickham. Every indication I had of your goodness fled in response to our contentious debate, and every account I ever heard against your character was subsequently magnified. It was not until I spoke with the colonel on my last day in Kent that I began to comprehend how little I knew myself.”
“I pray you will forgive me for not confiding the information on Wickham’s character to you. My sister thinks so highly of you, and she supposed you would think less of her should you learn of the truth of her past with the gentleman.”
“I understand fully. Georgiana is truly blessed to have such a loyal brother.”
“I cannot help thinking I was derelict in my duties towards her by allowing her to travel to Ramsgate with someone as disreputable as her former companion proved to be. I vowed I would never allow any harm to come to her again.”
“It now makes perfect sense to me why you regarded me with such circumspect after I touted my acquaintance with Mr. Wickham when you and I first met.”
Darcy simply looked at her.
“Mr. Darcy?”
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Why are you apologising to me, when I am in your debt?”
“No—I was thinking of your declaration regarding my loyalty to my sister. It brought to mind just how loyal you are to your own sisters—to your family.
“You amaze me by your courage, your strength, your love of family.
It is I who should be apologising to you for the ill-considered words I spoke to you in Hunsford.
I apologise for assuming you would welcome my proposal, and for compounding the offense by affirming that marriage to me meant that you subsequently would sever your ties with those who you hold dearest in the world.
I came to you with every expectation of a favourable reply.
“You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased. No one has ever spoken to me the way you did, and I respect you even more because of it. It is one of the things I admire most about you.
“Had I truly appreciated the depth of your character, I would never have committed such an outrageous offense against you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“After what you did for Lydia and hence my family, thereby making it possible for Mr. Bingley and Jane to find their way back to each other, you need not ask me such a question, sir.”
“I hope you know that I would do anything for you, Miss Elizabeth. Should you ever be in need of anything at all, I shall forever be only a heartbeat away, willing and able to do your bidding.”
How she now realised what a material change her feelings towards him had undergone. Did she dare hope? Would a man, who had been refused once, risk a second refusal from the same woman?
“Mr. Darcy, I need—” Elizabeth stopped short of voicing her most heartfelt desire aloud. I need you to ask me again to be your wife. Please ask me again.
He moved directly in front of her, as if wanting her to have eyes only for him. “What is it?” Darcy took Elizabeth by the hand. Unable to stop himself, he turned her hand over and kissed her palm affectionately. “I am in your power.”
Elizabeth gasped. Her fingers trembling within his grip, tears welled in her eyes. His tender pronouncements touched every chord in her heart. Still, her words did not come.
“Miss Elizabeth, as I have said, I believe I have admired you since I first beheld you at the Thurston’s ball.
I am bewitched, body and soul.” He cupped her hand inside both of his.
“Is there a chance in this world you can be happy with me? Love me? For I have to tell you that I love you. I love you.”
Releasing her hand, he traced his finger along her chin.
“I cannot bear the thought of not having you.” He placed his hands on her arms and drew her a bit closer to bestow a light kiss upon her temple.
“I never wish to be parted from you from this day forward. Please do me the honour of accepting my hand in marriage. Say you will be mine.”