CHAPTER 18 – Several Interrogations and a Proposal #2
Elizabeth welcomed the news, particularly Miss de Bourgh’s departure. At last, Charlotte was relieved of the lady’s unsettling presence and could begin mourning her husband in peace.
With little else to do, Elizabeth dressed herself in her coat and bonnet, strapped on her walking boots, and set off with a spring in her step, her destination the pebbled path that bordered the coastline.
It was indeed a beautiful day. The skies were blue, the wind soft, and the seagulls hovered overhead, squawking loudly as if they welcomed her return.
Invigorated by the marine breeze, Elizabeth finally released the tension and fear she had endured over the past few days.
She took off her bonnet, lifted her face to the sun, and allowed the wind to caress her skin.
The path split in two, and Elizabeth was tempted to take the wider one—the one that led to the cliffs, to the rock where she used to sit and watch the sea during her first days at Rosings.
She quickly changed her mind. That road would put her face to face with the mansion, a sight she was not willing to see again.
Instead, she took the narrower path towards the shore, with the intention that the low tide would allow for a pleasant walk on the beach.
After navigating the rockier terrain, she finally reached the sand and, turning east, continued her walk towards the rising sun. Dozens of seagulls tracked the coast, pecking at the sand in search of whatever the storm had cast ashore.
She had walked a considerable distance when she became aware she was not alone. Appearing from the curve ahead, a tall figure approached. Her heart skipped a beat. He just happened to be the man she had been so eager to see.
He neared her, and after bowing, said, “Miss Bennet, I see you have returned to your old habits. It is a superb day for a walk.”
Her cheeks became warm. “Yes, sir. I longed to be out and free from the confinements of the house.”
“May I accompany you?”
“Yes, of course.” As she took her place by his side, Elizabeth chastised herself for her appearance. Her hair, which she had so carefully arranged that morning, was now tousled by the wind.
“I heard you were summoned by the constable,” she said after a moment. “I trust everything went smoothly?”
“Yes. He wanted to speak with a few servants and asked the colonel and me to assist.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth nodded. “I had hoped to warn you before your questioning, but I did not have the chance.”
“Do not let it trouble you.” He shrugged. “I expect our statements aligned; otherwise, he would have been more incisive.”
She was a little agitated, not only from the walk in the sand, but from not knowing what to say.
Elizabeth Bennet, speechless? Preposterous!
A glance, a word—some sign that she was not invisible to him would satisfy her longing, but he kept his gaze fixed ahead, hands clasped behind his back, and offered nothing.
Their acquaintance had been so weighed down with misunderstandings and untimely confessions that she could hardly resent his reticence.
For a man as dignified as Mr. Darcy, who had endured her brutal refusal with such composure, this new restraint confounded her.
Silence had been stretching on too long. “How is your hand? I see you are much recovered.”
“I am, thank you. I am quite surprised by how quickly it healed. I did not expect Mrs. Smith’s medicine to be so effective.”
“I am glad it was.”
Another pause. “You were with my cousin during her statement. I hope you were not disturbed by what you heard.”
“Oh, no. Though I must admit, I found her revelations quite shocking. I never imagined Mr. Collins capable of such violence.”
“Nor did I. But the evidence against him seems irrefutable, and the constable has already declared him my aunt’s murderer. Any doubt regarding his guilt was settled by my cousin’s testimony.”
“Then there is no danger that someone will accuse you of your aunt’s death?” Elizabeth asked.
“No, I suppose not.”
Her body relaxed somewhat, though she had not even known she was so tense. “I am relieved to hear that.”
He smiled at her. “So am I.”
They continued walking, Darcy reflective and stoic, his gaze lost on the horizon.
Suddenly, he stopped, and facing her, began, “Miss Bennet, I can no longer go without telling you how I feel. I know we have endured trying times together, and I am fully aware that you did not always hold the highest opinion of me. But I want you to know that I have reconsidered my past conduct, and I believe your criticisms were just and well-founded.”
Elizabeth’s heart raced at his candid confession. “Do not repeat what I said then! I was terribly unfair to you. I allowed myself to be influenced by ill-intentioned people and as a result, I misjudged you.”
He shook his head and took her hand in his, a small smile spreading across his lips. “Do not trifle with me, Elizabeth. My affections and wishes are unchanged. Just tell me there is still hope for me—for us—and I shall prove to you by every civility in my power that I am worthy of you.”
“You need not prove anything, sir. I could never give my heart to a man less worthy.”
An expression of heartfelt delight spread across his features. Overcome with emotion, Elizabeth laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Darcy encircled her waist, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around, both giddy with happiness.
His lips found hers, and a brief kiss and shared laughter soon gave way to a growing ardour. Their mouths melted together in a deep, passionate embrace.
Lost in their newfound happiness, they remained oblivious to the tolling of the village bells, a harbinger of grim news: Mr. Collins’s body had been found on the coast.