Chapter 28 #2
As though sensing her weakening strength, his own grew for both of them, and his arms gently closed around her. She sighed, safe and protected in his embrace, secured against his steady frame, while he whispered, his lips almost touching the tender skin just below her ear.
“I needed to hear your answer, even though I felt it, my darling Elizabeth. Only now can I completely erase the recollection of my past proposal with the felicity of the present one. Only now, our understanding that started a month ago is complete.”
“Was it only a month ago? It feels so much longer,” she whispered back, lifting her head and looking up into his eyes.
“It feels much longer, indeed. A long wait of torment and yearning,” he added, his head slowly leaning down towards hers. “Which ends now,” he concluded, only an instant before his lips brushed hers, softly, in the most tender, gentle, patient, and perfect kiss.
She almost swooned from the sensation that she had often dreamed of but proved to be so much powerful than her imagination, and she boldly put her arms around his waist. Surprised, he tightened the embrace, bringing her even closer to him while he deepened the kiss, his lips growing more impatient, more daring, the kiss more fulfilling.
And suddenly, she had the answer to the question of why he fell in love with her — of all women: because she fitted perfectly in his arms, because his lips shaped hers to suit him perfectly, because their hearts beat in perfect harmony, because her soul had opened widely and allowed him within, to own him and for him to own her entire being.
Because he completed her, just as he had said she completely him.
It was finally a complete and perfect understanding.
***
A while passed until he reluctantly broke the kiss, still keeping her close in his arms. He put some subtle distance between them, caressed her hair, placing a few kisses on top of her head, on top of her bonnet, making her laugh.
“Elizabeth, I would like to speak to your father today if you do not oppose it.”
“The exact opposite! I would like that you do!” she acquiesced eagerly.
“I do not wish to rush you — any more than I have already done — but please consider a wedding date. I shall purchase a licence so we can wed whenever you please.”
She loosened their embrace and leant back, withdrawing just enough for their eyes to meet.
“Do you have a date in mind?” she asked.
“Tomorrow,” he replied so quickly and so earnestly that she started to laugh until he gently silenced her with another kiss.
When they separated again, she struggled to breathe while she replied, blushing, “I would be happy with any date. Including tomorrow.”
A large smile suffused his face, and he reached behind him and took her hands, kissing them one more time before putting her gloves back on.
“Very well, my love. May I come with you to Longbourn now? I shall ask for a short private conversation with your father — I hope he will not mind.”
“Of course you may. My father will welcome you anyway, regardless of my approval.” She smiled again, feeling giddy and playful. “And I shall speak to my mother. I hope you will not be unduly frightened if you happen to hear some unladylike shouting around the house.”
“Do you think that your mother will disapprove? I know her opinion of me has been low for a long while and, if our last exchanges are to be trusted, probably still is. And I know your youngest sisters still loathe being in my company, but I hope this will be remedied in time.”
Almost of its own volition, Elizabeth’s hand inched up and caressed his face reassuringly.
“My sisters were cautious of you because you always seemed so cold and severe and exacting. But this has changed lately, especially since they met Georgiana. As for my mother — it is not her disapproval you must worry about. Quite the opposite.”
“My dearest Elizabeth, I am ready to bear anything for as long as we remain in Hertfordshire. Especially if our engagement is a short one,” he declared with a false solemnity that made her laugh again, and she slipped her arm under his, ready to return.
They walked together towards Longbourn, side by side, both a little bit nervous, although for different reasons.
Neither expected any opposition, but the sudden and complete change in their lives was overwhelming. Sharing it with their families and with the rest of the world was necessary but unsettling, and their tension increased with each step closer to the house.
The family was gathered for breakfast, and Darcy’s appearance startled everyone.
“Lizzy! Where have you been, child?” Mrs Bennet exclaimed reproachfully before noticing the unexpected guest. “We are all starving waiting for you! Your morning walks are becoming tiresome for everyone.”
A moment later, the lady stopped and changed her tone to insincerely sweet while trying to peer behind him. “Oh, forgive me, Mr Darcy. What a lovely surprise! Please come in. Is Mr Bingley with you too? Will you join us for breakfast?”
Darcy bowed with perfect politeness and a slight uneasiness that some of the Bennets noticed.
“I apologise for disturbing you. No, Bingley is not with me. I went for a ride alone and I met Miss Elizabeth, but I must return to Netherfield immediately.”
“Oh…very well, sir,” Mrs Bennet replied. Mr Darcy without Mr Bingley was not much to her liking, and therefore he lost her interest.
“However, before I leave,” Darcy unexpectedly continued, “if I am not asking too much, I would kindly ask Mr Bennet to allow me a few minutes. There is something that I must speak to you about privately, sir.”
His uneasiness increased under the curious scrutiny of so many eyes, and he glanced from Elizabeth — who was equally embarrassed — to the master of the house.
Mr Bennet watched the man — once the arrogant and proud gentleman — waiting in the middle of the room. His awkwardness, which was so very unlike him, was enough for Mr Bennet to guess the reason and to reply with a twist of his lips.
“Of course, Mr Darcy. There are few things that give me more pleasure than a conversation with you — be it long or short. Come, let us go to the library. Mrs Bennet, please proceed with breakfast without me. I shall join you shortly.”
They exited, followed by curious glances, and entered the library. There, the two gentlemen only looked at each other in silence for a long moment.
“Is it too early for a brandy?” Mr Bennet enquired.
“A little too early, yes.”
“Well then, Mr Darcy…should I ask or will you tell me?”
Darcy overcame his embarrassment and composed himself enough to reply, “It is for me to tell and then to ask, Mr Bennet. Earlier today, I asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me, and she did me the honour of accepting. I am here to ask now for your approval and your blessing.”
“Mr Darcy, while some in this house will be surprised, I cannot pretend I am. I have expected such news almost from the day you returned and Lizzy started to act silly and childishly all of a sudden, throwing you sheepish glances.”
“Oh…”
“Yes. What shocked me was how quickly Lizzy’s opinion of you improved. I am glad that, once again, my daughter and I are in agreement.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Mr Darcy, I will speak plainly. I am sure my daughter has more qualities than most young women of her age. I always feared that she would never find a man she could respect and admire, who was educated, honourable, and strong enough to keep her mind challenged and generous enough to let her spirit be free. From what I have observed, you might be that man, and I am grateful for that.”
He paused as he was nearly overcome with emotions, and Darcy was ready to speak, but Mr Bennet stopped him with a gesture and continued.
“I do not doubt your feelings for my daughter — why else would you want to marry her, twice? But you should consider carefully that our family is, from all points of view, markedly beneath you! Our situation in life, meagre connections and fortune, or lack thereof, are below what a man in your position could or should choose. It will undoubtedly draw the comments and disapproval of many people around you, acquaintances and friends, probably starting with your own family. Are you certain of this decision? Are you sure these issues will not trouble you in the future? That your present affection will not turn into resentment against us and especially against Lizzy? Have you taken all this into consideration?”
Once Mr Bennet’s concerns were revealed, Darcy’s distress actually dissipated.
“Mr Bennet, I have never been more certain of anything in my life. I shall only add one thing, which Miss Elizabeth already knows: I started to admire her almost from the beginning of our acquaintance. Everything you mentioned now, I struggled with three months ago, when I too believed that, as worthy of admiration as your daughter was, I should choose a wife with a situation in life similar to mine.”
“I see… I was right then. You did not propose to Lizzy because of the gossip that affected her reputation,” Mr Bennet smiled.
“Yes, I did. At that time, I was far from planning to propose to her. Once I decided, I understood that she was the image of everything I have always wanted in a woman, that she was perfectly suited to me. Except that she hated me and refused me,” he concluded, with a trace of amusement at the recollection of his past turmoil.
“That is not entirely true, sir. I really doubt that she hated you at that moment.”
“You are right — she told me the same. She did not hate me any more, but her feelings would not for a moment induce her to agree to marry me.”
“She was being honest with you — which, to be truthful, most women in her position would not have been. At least you cannot assume she married you for your fortune and consequence,” Mr Bennet jested.
“You are perfectly right, Mr Bennet. I trust in your daughter completely, and I trust the honesty of her feelings as much as I trust my own.”