Chapter 14
Greeting the Morning Along the Western Borders of the Longbourn Estate
Elizabeth failed to hide how glad she was to see Mr. Darcy at her favorite rock. Warmth radiated from the very center of her being when he looked at her.
“My cousin arrived yesterday afternoon. He is my father’s heir. He is a parson whom Lady Catherine de Bourgh granted a living in—”
“Kent,” Darcy said. “How remarkable. Lady Catherine is my aunt. I have not had the…pleasure of making his acquaintance.”
“Then you will surely have not met a more foolish man, sir.”
“I can say with certainty the two parsons preceding him were sycophantic, if not complete fools.”
Elizabeth could only laugh at this. “She chose well, then, for Mr. Collins is both. He arrived bearing an olive branch to offer for one of us. He no longer has expectations in that quarter. My mother told him he would not be allowed to marry any of her daughters because he failed to meet her hopes on our behalf. She claims he is not intelligent enough for us. With his vocation, my middle sister would have been his best match. Mary and he clashed because of his interpretation of theology, more specifically, his inability to consider the deeper meanings of the passages. However, in learning Lady Catherine is your relation, I fear I must also tell you something which will not paint my family in the best of light.”
Elizabeth worried her bottom lip. When she met his eyes, he encouraged her to explain.
“His assertions of your aunt’s opinions being all that is great in the world, that none could be her equal in her beneficence and all-knowing wisdom, were numerous. I said outright I intended to suggest you write your aunt, Lady Matlock, of her being less so.”
He raised his brows.
“I assure you, sir, you have the less daunting task. I told him I would inform the Queen that she, too, is considered beneath Lady Catherine in these aspects of her character. As per the good parson.”
A booming laugh erupted from his chest.
“Minx, you are utter perfection. I look forward to writing to my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. He will laugh for days. As will my sister.”
“Being declared utter perfection and a minx whilst expressing gratification, I did not know such a compliment could be rendered to a lady.”
“Yesterday, I saw some rare books in the crates that I will purchase. They are quite coveted and valuable to more than those persons who appreciate books. We will have them in our library where he can find them again, should he wish.”
“That is generous of you, sir.”
“You do not challenge me about it being our library? Does this mean you would accept me if I were to propose here? Now?” Darcy asked, revealing his dimples.
“I had presumed you meant yours and Georgiana’s. And, if you recall, you apportioned Charlotte and me to school matrons and declared we would stay at Pemberley. With such an arrangement, I assumed you would allow us the freedom to enjoy our library.”
“That is true… But I have come to hope for far more for you and me. One that is our shared future.”
“Our future? One where Charlotte and I are—”
“No, I do not speak of the position. Miss Bingley warned her brother and me that we are not to let two ladies so suited to us to get away.”
Taking care to suppress the surge of hope, Elizabeth waited for him to go on.
“I had never considered how long it had been since I felt happiness until I met you. Now, I cannot imagine being happy without you.”
Shocked, Elizabeth hardly knew how to respond. “My family gains much in such a bargain, Mr. Darcy, but, if you choose me, you gain nothing. I—”
He touched a finger to her lips. “I must add you are beautiful, bewitching, and beguiling.”
Mr. Darcy seemed to be bathed in the rays of morning light, and Elizabeth said, “I am certain it is you who has cast a spell, Mr. Darcy.”
“Spells like this are cast when two people see what they desire in each other.”
Darcy lifted her hand to kiss it. “There would be life at Pemberley because of you.”
“Will you speak with my father?”
“Bingley and I both intend to visit Longbourn today. I cannot think of anything more important,” Darcy assured her.