Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
Despite the late hour of the previous evening, Darcy was awake with the sun.
He felt at once elated and uneasy.
Rather than summon his valet, he dressed quickly himself and went down to the breakfast room.
It was empty. Only coffee, tea, and a few scones had been set out; the full breakfast would not be laid for some time yet. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat, taking up yesterday’s newspaper.
After ten minutes, he realized he could not recall a single word of what he had read.
He set it aside.
Elizabeth entered just then, smiling, dressed in her red riding habit and wearing the small black hat he had come to admire.
Darcy rose immediately. “Are you hungry? There is tea, and some scones.”
She shook her head lightly. “I am not.”
He nodded. “Shall we go?”
Her smile deepened. “Yes, I should like that very much.”
He offered her his hand rather than his arm. She accepted it without hesitation, and together they made their way to the stables.
Atlas and Bramble stood already saddled. Bramble nudged Elizabeth as she approached, and she laughed softly, producing a carrot. “I did not forget you.”
She stroked his nose before Darcy assisted her into the saddle. He mounted soon after, and they set out toward Hyde Park. The sun had only just risen, casting a soft, rosy light across the quiet streets.
Few were abroad at so early an hour, and the stillness seemed to belong entirely to them.
Once within the park, they urged their horses into a gentle canter, riding side by side.
After some time, they reached the familiar bench near the Serpentine.
“Would you care to stop a moment?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth nodded.
He dismounted and assisted her down, then secured the reins before leading her to the bench.
He took her hand. Then, instead of sitting beside her, he lowered himself to one knee.
“Dearest Elizabeth…” He paused only briefly, as though steadying himself.
“You are the most extraordinary woman I have ever known. You are kind, intelligent, and fearless, and I will not deny that you are very beautiful.”
His gaze held hers. “To be with you makes everything brighter, more engaging, more alive. I cannot imagine my life without you in it.”
His voice softened. “I know how much Longbourn signifies to you, and I would never wish to take that from you. On the contrary, I admire it.”
He drew a breath. “I love you. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
For a moment, she did not speak.
He saw the tears in her eyes, and all his confidence faltered. “Elizabeth?” he asked quietly. “Have I distressed you?”
She shook her head, and in the next instant, she threw her arms around him.
“Yes.”
He blinked in confusion. “Yes… you will marry me? Or yes, you are distressed?”
She laughed softly through her tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Relief broke across his expression as he rose and sat beside her, still holding her hand. “You have just frightened me more than I thought possible,” he said, though he was smiling now. “But I am very happy.”
He leaned toward her, pausing just enough to give her the choice. She inclined her head slightly.
He kissed her, softly at first, once, then again, until she answered him in kind. Then, gently, he deepened the kiss.
When he drew back, he kept her close, holding her for a quiet moment. “I love you, Elizabeth.”
She smiled, her voice low and certain. “I love you too, Fitzwilliam.”
He smiled at that. “I believe I prefer William.”
Her expression softened even further. “I love you, William.”
***
Upon returning to the house, Elizabeth went directly to her room to change.
She had just seated herself at her vanity when a soft knock sounded at the sitting room door. “Come in.”
Georgiana peered in. “Is it too early?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Not at all. I have only just returned from riding in Hyde Park.”
Georgiana’s expression brightened. “With William?”
Elizabeth paused, the brush still in her hand, and turned slightly to look at her. “Yes… with William.”
Georgiana stepped further into the room and gently took the brush from her hand. “Allow me.”
She began to draw the brush through Elizabeth’s hair with careful strokes. “I have always wished for a sister.”
Elizabeth met her gaze in the mirror, her smile softening. “It seems your wish may soon be granted.”
Georgiana stopped at once and looked at her. “Truly?”
Elizabeth nodded, a quiet warmth in her expression. “Well… it is not quite official until we are married.”
Georgiana set the brush aside and embraced her. “I am so very happy for you.”
Elizabeth returned the embrace. “And I am very glad of it. But he has yet to speak to my father, so you must not say anything.”
Georgiana drew back and nodded with solemn determination. “I shall not say a word.”
***
Elizabeth and Georgiana entered the breakfast room.
Darcy was already there, this time actually reading the morning newspaper.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Good morning.”
She went to the sideboard, filled her plate, and poured herself a cup of chocolate. Georgiana did the same and took a seat across from Darcy.
Elizabeth sat beside him.
Georgiana sipped her chocolate, her expression bright with barely concealed happiness.
Darcy watched her for a moment, then turned to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth met his glance and gave a small, confirming nod.
Darcy’s mouth curved into a quiet smile before he returned his attention to the newspaper.
Mr. Bennet entered the room. “Good morning. I see at least some of you survived the ball.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Good morning, Father.”
Mr. Bennet smiled at her, then helped himself from the sideboard and took a seat. Darcy handed him the first half of the newspaper.
“Ah, good man,” Mr. Bennet said, settling in comfortably.
For a time, the room was quiet, occupied only by the sounds of breakfast.
At last, Mr. Bennet set aside his plate and rose, taking up the newspaper again.
Darcy rose as well. “Sir, might I request a few moments of your time in private?”
Mr. Bennet regarded him more closely, then glanced briefly at Elizabeth. He gave a small nod.
“Yes. Let us make use of your study.”
Once inside the study, Darcy did not take his place behind the desk, but instead seated himself in one of the chairs before it, gesturing for Mr. Bennet to do the same.
There was a brief pause.
“Mr. Bennet,” Darcy began, “this morning, while riding in Hyde Park, I asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me, and she accepted.”
He steadied himself. “We would be most grateful for your permission and your blessing.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him for several long moments. “I believe it is customary to request permission before addressing the lady, not after the matter has been settled.”
Darcy inclined his head. “My apologies, sir.”
Mr. Bennet remained silent a moment longer, then exhaled softly. “I cannot say I am surprised,” he said at last. “Though I had hoped to keep her a little longer.”
There was a hint of warmth beneath the words. “You have my permission and my blessing. She is very special.”
Darcy’s voice was quiet but steady. “I am well aware of that, sir.”
He continued, after a brief pause: “She has no wish to relinquish the management of Longbourn, and I would not ask it of her. She takes great satisfaction in it, and she excels.”
Mr. Bennet studied him with new attention. “I appreciate that you do not remark upon her having taken on duties which ought properly to have been mine,” he said dryly.
“For a time, I made excuses, the lack of a son among them. At first, I indulged her interest.”
His expression softened. “But she does not abandon anything she sets her mind to. She persists.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “She would not be content with trimming bonnets and practicing needlework.”
Darcy allowed himself a small smile. “No, sir. She would not.”
Mr. Bennet rose. “On that, we are entirely agreed.”
Darcy stood as well, and they shook hands.
Mr. Bennet’s expression warmed. “Welcome to the family, my son.”
***
Elizabeth was on her way to the drawing room when Darcy stopped her.
“Elizabeth, might you come to my study for a moment?”
She hesitated. “I promised Anne I would be present when Mr. Denham calls.”
Darcy smiled reassuringly. “I understand. This will not take long.”
Elizabeth nodded and followed him.
In his study, Darcy went to his desk and opened a drawer. “I wished to give this to you after your father had granted his blessing.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “That is good news. I did not believe he would refuse, but I feared he might think I was abandoning him, and Longbourn.”
Darcy shook his head gently. “He did not think that. He is very proud of you, and rightly so.”
He turned and handed her a small box. “If it does not suit you, I shall find another.”
Elizabeth opened it and drew in a soft breath. “Oh… it is beautiful.” For a moment, she could look at nothing else.
Within lay a ring set with a rich jade stone, flanked by two smaller diamonds that caught the light.
Darcy took the box from her, removed the ring, and gently slipped it onto her finger.
She looked up at him, smiling. “It fits. How did you manage that?”
Darcy gave a quiet laugh. “I consulted Jane.”
Elizabeth held up her hand, admiring it. “It is perfect. Thank you.”
Darcy took her hand again. “I like seeing it there.”
He lifted it and pressed a light kiss to her fingers. After a moment, he smiled.
“We should go rescue Anne.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Yes, we should.”
They left the study together, their hands still joined.
When they entered the drawing room, Anne was seated with Lady Catherine.
They had scarcely taken their places when the butler appeared. “Mr. Philip Denham.”
Anne brightened at once. “Good afternoon, Mr. Denham. I do not believe you have met my mother. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Denham, a friend of Mr. Darcy’s.”
Lady Catherine inclined her head, though her expression remained far from welcoming.
Darcy rose. “Denham, it is good to see you again.”
Mr. Denham bowed politely to Darcy and Elizabeth before taking the seat Anne indicated beside her.
Lady Catherine seemed poised to speak, but her attention was suddenly caught.
Her gaze fixed upon Elizabeth’s hand. “That ring,” she said sharply, pointing with her cane. “Where did you get it?”
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged a brief glance.
Darcy answered calmly: “I have asked Miss Elizabeth to marry me, and she has accepted. Mr. Bennet has given his permission and his blessing.”
He and Elizabeth turned toward one another, both smiling.
Lady Catherine struck her cane against the floor.
Elizabeth looked at her with composed expectation. “I hope that was a prelude to your offering your congratulations.”
Anne smiled. “Congratulations to you both.”
Mr. Denham added with a grin, “Yes, Darcy, my congratulations. I had begun to think you meant never to marry.”
Lady Catherine sank back slightly in her chair. “Congratulations,” she said at last.
Elizabeth reached out and lightly touched her hand. “I am very glad of it.”
Lady Catherine gave a small, resigned nod, but said nothing further.
Mr. Denham turned to Anne. “Miss de Bourgh, I wondered whether you might care to take a carriage ride in Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon?”
Anne hesitated, then smiled. “We are to visit the museum tomorrow. Perhaps you might join us, and we could ride another day?”
Mr. Denham’s expression warmed. “That sounds an excellent plan. I should like that very much.”
***
Darcy and Elizabeth were in the drawing room with Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet was both laughing and crying. “Two daughters to be married! I am so very happy.”
Elizabeth embraced her. “We must go, Mama, if we are to call on the Gardiners and return before dinner.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, go at once and tell your aunt and uncle.”
They made their way to the foyer, where the servants assisted them with their outerwear. Soon after, they were seated in the carriage and on their way.
Elizabeth became aware of a gentle jolt and, with some surprise, realized she had fallen asleep, her head resting against Darcy.
She sat up at once, a blush rising to her cheeks. “I beg your pardon. I fear want of sleep has caught up with me.”
Darcy smiled down at her. “I must confess I fared little better. I slept but poorly myself. The good news is that we have nearly arrived.”
Elizabeth adjusted her hat. “I hope my appearance has not suffered from my unintended nap.”
Darcy’s smile deepened. “No, my dear. You look as beautiful as ever.”
The carriage soon came to a stop. Darcy stepped down first, then turned to assist Elizabeth. Offering his arm, he escorted her to the door.
They were soon shown into the Gardiners’ drawing room.
Mrs. Gardiner rose, smiling in surprise. “We were not expecting you today.”
Elizabeth and Darcy took their seats opposite her. Elizabeth returned her smile. “We have come with news. We are engaged.”
Mrs. Gardiner rose at once and embraced her. “My dear Elizabeth! How very happy I am for you.”
As she offered her congratulations, the children came hurrying in, drawn by the excitement.
Mrs. Gardiner turned to them with a smile. “Your cousin Elizabeth is to be married to Mr. Darcy.”
Thomas looked up at Darcy with serious interest. “You are taking her to that Pember place?”
Darcy knelt beside him. “Yes, Pemberley.”
Thomas considered this carefully. “And we shall still see her?”
Darcy nodded. “Very often, I hope. I shall look forward to your visits.”
He glanced up at Mrs. Gardiner. “Elizabeth and I hope your family will come to stay with us this summer.”
Mrs. Gardiner smiled warmly. “I shall speak with Mr. Gardiner, but I believe such a visit may very well be arranged.”
Thomas immediately brightened. “And will you let me ride your horse with you?”
Darcy smiled. “I think that can certainly be arranged.”
As he spoke, the door opened and Mr. Gardiner entered.
“I see I have missed something of consequence,” he said, looking from one to another.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “You have indeed. Elizabeth is engaged to Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Gardiner’s brows rose slightly, and he turned his attention to Darcy. “Then I must offer my congratulations.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Gardiner regarded him for a moment, his expression thoughtful, as though measuring what he saw.
At length, he nodded. “I am very glad to hear it, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you, Uncle.”