15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
T he next morning was a subdued affair as everyone gathered for breakfast at the Gardiner house. Jane was pensive, occasionally glancing towards the front of the house as if expecting a visitor. Lydia’s head was still exceedingly stuffy from the medicine, tears, shock, and heartbreak. For Elizabeth could see that, unlike herself, Lydia’s heart was not unscathed by her acquaintance with George Wickham.
A surge of self-righteous anger at the dead man rose in her heart. She tamped it down with a long sip of strong coffee. If there were judgments being dispensed in the afterlife, Wickham was surely receiving an unpleasant punishment. Elizabeth tried to rouse a crumb of compassion for the memory of the man, but was not entirely successful.
Darcy was the first to arrive when visiting hours were allowed. He immediately begged a private audience with Elizabeth, which he was permitted by Mr Gardiner who had taken the morning off from his business to write dispatches to Longbourn and Brighton and look after the well-being of his family and nieces after such a hectic previous evening.
Elizabeth led Darcy to a small, out-of-the-way library in the house. They sat together with little ceremony as Darcy took both her hands in his.
“My dearest Elizabeth, we have spoken in roundabout ways of what I wish to say, yet I find that upon reflection, I have yet to formally renew my offer and you have yet to formally accept. I think it is only right that we have things done properly, especially after the events of last evening.”
Darcy lengthened his spine and stood. Elizabeth attempted to take his hands in hers and pull him back down beside her. But the master of Pemberley stood resolute, wishing to do things in the correct form as he clasped his hands behind his back. Elizabeth smiled and shook her head.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I have long considered you the handsomest woman of all of my acquaintance. You have impressed me with your loyal heart, keen intellect, and gracious manners. I find myself to be ardently, passionately in love with you. I wish nothing more than for you to consent to be my wife.”
Elizabeth stood and came close to him. His tight jaw showed him to be in some degree of uncertainty of her answer. Standing just an inch away, she gazed up into his face and placed a hand on his chest.
“Even though my relations can be occasionally irksome with their ideas of mythological ancestry?”
“Yes,” he replied, taking a step back as she pressed him.
“And, I have opinions that some of your circle may think I express too readily?”
“Yes.” Darcy took another step back towards the sofa they had just been seated upon as Elizabeth stepped forward.
“And even though I like to laugh myself and my love out of foul moods that might plague us?”
“Oh, yes.”
“And even though my petticoats are sometimes muddied by walking too far and too long in damp weather?”
The back of Darcy’s legs pressed against the sofa and he sat abruptly. His arms reached out and pulled a laughing Elizabeth into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her forehead to his.
“I quite like the muddy petticoats. Quite a bit, actually,” Darcy said with a low, rumbling voice.
“Then, since I consent to be your wife, most willingly and with a heart full of love for you, I look forward to a lifetime of walks with you. Together. Through stormy days and fair.”
Elizabeth ran a hand through his well-behaved locks and pressed her lips to his. His grip around her tightened as she leaned fully against him. They would have willingly remained that way for much longer, but a hesitant knock was heard at the library door. Elizabeth stood and stepped a few feet away as the door swung open.
Mr Gardiner observed from the threshold as Darcy rose up. “I do not mean to intrude; however, I do have some rather important meetings in less than an hour. Mr Darcy, I believe we discussed having a conversation?”
Darcy nodded and took Elizabeth’s hand and brought it to his mouth for a brief kiss. She smiled broadly as he straightened, looking down upon her. “Afterwards, perhaps we could take a stroll on this fine day?”
“I would like that very much,” Elizabeth said as she laughed lightly. “Perhaps we may even discover a new bridge to stand upon?”