Chapter 33
As was her wont Elizabeth woke just as the sky started to lighten. She smiled at the thought that she would not have to make do with a ladylike stroll through Hyde Park but could walk to her favourite destination by herself.
While she rushed through her morning routine, she remembered her musings from the previous night and came to the conclusion that proposing to Mr Darcy was truly a ridiculous idea. Fortunately, those thoughts did not slow down her preparations and she shortly exited the house via the kitchen.
Elizabeth breathed deeply of the crisp air scented by woodsmoke from the chimneys where fires were being lit to keep the cold at bay. The trees and fields were dusted in frost, causing the leaves on the ground to crunch underfoot. This was the time and place Elizabeth loved above all others.
Enjoying the vigorous exercise, she strode along at a brisk pace to reach her destination before the sun crested the horizon.
~T~
When Elizabeth reached the top of Oakham Mount, she was surprised to see her favourite perch already occupied.
At the sound of her footsteps, Darcy rose and bowed on recognising her. ‘Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. I was not expecting to see you.’
‘Good morning, Mr Darcy. This is my favourite spot from which to watch the sunrise,’ she answered with a nervous smile. ‘I too had not expected to see anyone.’
‘I have no wish to intrude upon your enjoyment of your favourite place. I shall leave, if you prefer,’ Darcy offered, concerned that Elizabeth might be uncomfortable to be alone with him in such a remote location.
‘I did not say that the intrusion was unwelcome. I am willing to share that seat,’ she gestured to the fallen log where Darcy had been sitting, ‘to watch the sunrise, if you would care to stay.’
Darcy held out his hand to Elizabeth. ‘In that case, I would be delighted to stay.’
When she took his hand, he unnecessarily assisted her to her seat before sitting next to her.
Elizabeth had timed her arrival perfectly. The sun was just starting to creep above the horizon, bathing the landscape in golden light turning the grey of predawn to colour and in places causing steam to rise as the sun melted the frost.
As much as Elizabeth enjoyed this view, today she was distracted by the heat which was emanating from her companion even though his shoulder was several inches from her own and both were covered by several layers of clothing due to the cold.
Once the sun was fully up, Elizabeth, who was still looking into the distance said quietly, ‘I always love this view.’
When Darcy said, ‘So do I… very much,’ she turned to him and realised that he was not focused on the distance but was looking at her, causing her face to heat despite the cold.
Elizabeth was mesmerised by the intense look in Darcy’s eyes as he sat gazing at her. He seemed to be enjoying her reaction as the barest hint of his dimples made an appearance.
That combination was too much, and Elizabeth threw caution to the wind. With the slightest hitch in her voice she said, ‘In that case, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. I would like nothing better than to marry you. Would you do me the honour and be my husband?’
When Elizabeth started to speak, Darcy’s breath caught in startlement and delight. She was doing it. Elizabeth was actually proposing to him. The more she spoke the greater his delight became, suffusing not only his countenance but his entire being.
‘I cannot think of anything I like better than to accept your proposal, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth,’ Darcy answered and waited to see if she would kiss him.
But Elizabeth sat still with an expression made up of relief, delight and…
mischief. ‘Thank you, Mr Darcy. Your acceptance makes me exceedingly happy,’ she responded but still did not move.
They sat like that for some moments until Elizabeth teased, ‘Is there not another response you would like to make. After all, you cannot expect me to do everything.’
Darcy did not need another invitation; he carefully reached out to her and drew her to him for their first of many kisses.
~T~
After their first excitement had worn off, they sat with their arms about each other and Elizabeth resting her head on his shoulder.
‘You do realise that since I am not of age, my offer is not binding until my father gives his approval, Mr Darcy.’
‘I will speak to your father when we come to call this morning. In the meantime, would you call me Fitzwilliam or just William if you prefer.’
‘Do you prefer just William over Fitzwilliam?’
‘I do. I think Fitzwilliam is quite a mouthful.’
Elizabeth raised her head to look him in the eye. ‘Very well, just William,’ she said with a straight face.
‘Minx. You know perfectly well that was not what I meant.’ Darcy punctuated his complaint with a brief kiss to her now smiling lips.
‘Very well, William,’ she answered with a laugh and briefly looked towards the sun. ‘But it is time for me to head for home, otherwise my family will start to worry.’
‘May I escort you?’
Elizabeth nodded towards his horse. ‘The quickest path is not suitable for horses, but I shall look forward to seeing you later this morning.’
Darcy reluctantly agreed and after a few more kisses let her go.
~T~
Elizabeth virtually skipped down the steep path until she reached the lane leading to Longbourn.
Her happiness and relief knew no bounds. Even though she had toyed with the idea that Mr Darcy, no William, was serious about him wanting her to propose when she was ready, she had dismissed that idea. But when he said he loved her and had given her that look, she had been unable to resist.
He must have remembered a comment which she had once made to him My courage rises at every attempt to intimidate me. His look had challenged her, and she had responded in the only way she could.
William’s reaction had been all that she could have hoped it would be.
When she dashed into the house her emotions could not be contained, she hugged the first member of her family whom she encountered. ‘Papa, I am to be married,’ she cried.
Mr Bennet returned the embrace and responded, albeit a little sadly, ‘I wondered how soon I would lose you too.’
When her face fell a little, he said in contrition, ‘I am sorry Lizzy. I did not mean to take away from your happiness. Please forgive this selfish old man who loves your company. I truly am happy for you.’
He gave his daughter another little squeeze before he asked with a brighter smile, ‘When shall I expect Mr Darcy to call on me?’
‘This morning when he and the rest of his party come to call.’
‘Ah, yes. Mary’s young man will also want to speak to me. Perhaps I should install a revolving door to my library so that my daughters’ suitors do not collide with each other.’
~T~
Mrs Bennet was on her best behaviour albeit a little subdued when the party from Netherfield arrived. After all, she had never before entertained a duchess before in her home.
After the introductions which included the whole Bennet family, Lady Isabella soon put her hostess at ease.
The visiting gentlemen sought out their ladies, while Georgiana was delighted to meet two young ladies her own age.
Mrs Gardiner joined the matrons in support of Mrs Bennet if she should have need of it.
Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet sat together and watched the interactions of the three couples, while everyone partook of the refreshments Mrs Bennet had arranged.
Gradually Bennet became reconciled to entrusting his daughters to the care of these apparently estimable young men.
Once Fitzwilliam had finished his coffee, he approached his host. ‘Mr Bennet, could I have a word in private?’
‘I suppose we had better,’ Bennet sighed before he rose and led Richard to his library.
Ten minutes later, Fitzwilliam returned with a smile on his face. He approached Darcy and told him, ‘It is your turn.’ After a moment’s hesitation, he added quietly, ‘Careful, he likes to tease.’
~T~
When Darcy sat down at Bennet’s invitation, the gentleman commented with a smirk, ‘I guess you being here means that you find my Lizzy tempting after all.’
‘Yes, Mr Bennet. I have fallen in love with Miss Elizabeth and would like your permission to marry her.’
‘So, you wanting to marry my daughter is all well and good, but did Lizzy accept your proposal?’ Bennet asked in an attempt to tease.
‘No, sir, she did not,’ Darcy said firmly with a straight face.
Bennet’s brows rose as far as they could go, and he looked shocked. ‘She did not?’ he exclaimed. ‘I was under the impression that you two were agreed.’
‘We are agreed, sir, but our marriage requires your permission.’
‘How can you be agreed if she did not accept your proposal.’
‘Because, since I did not propose to Miss Elizabeth, she could not accept a proposal.’
Bennet spluttered, ‘How can…’ before he stopped himself as he suspected Darcy was making sport of him. ‘I suggest you tell me how it came about that you and Lizzy are agreed to marry when you did not propose.’
‘It is really very simple, Miss Elizabeth proposed to me, and I was happy to accept.’
‘You whelp,’ spluttered Bennet, but after a moment he started laughing. ‘I was supposed to be the one teasing you, not the other way around. It seems that you and Lizzy are perfectly suited for each other.’
Darcy smiled mildly as he said, ‘I believe that is the case. But to get back to my question. Do we have your permission to marry?’
Bennet leaned back in his chair. ‘Very well. You have my permission and I wish you luck. You will need it,’ he said with a grin. ‘And you may as well call me Bennet instead of sir.’
‘Thank you, Bennet.’ Darcy reached into his pocket and extracted a document. ‘I may have been a little premature, when I had this drafted, but I like to be prepared,’ he said as he handed the papers to Bennet.
Mr Bennet glanced over the marriage articles and his eyebrows moved upwards again when he saw the figure Darcy planned to settle on Elizabeth. ‘You are generous.’
‘Elizabeth deserves everything I can give her, and the amount is the same as my father settled on my mother.’
Bennet glanced up briefly. ‘I see. I also see that you stipulated that Elizabeth’s dowry is to remain in my daughter’s control. This mentions a sum of two thousand pounds. Who told you that figure?’
Darcy squirmed a little in his chair as he said, ‘Miss Bingley.’
The statement caused Bennet to laugh. ‘That uppity little Cit has no idea.’ He rang the bell. When a servant entered, he asked that Elizabeth and Gardiner should join them.
While they waited, Bennet offered Darcy some port, which the gentleman declined. ‘It is a little early for me.’ Bennet shrugged and poured a small tot.
As soon as a somewhat concerned looking Elizabeth and her uncle entered, Bennet extended the papers to them. ‘I have given permission for you to marry Darcy and he presented me with this. I thought you might want to make some corrections.’
The two took seats and studied the document. When they came to the figure of Elizabeth’s dowry, they glanced at each other with identical smiles.
‘I am afraid that Miss Bingley listened to gossip,’ Elizabeth said while looking at Darcy. ‘Do you know an estate named Willowbrook. I believe it is near Kympton.’
‘Yes of course. It is a beautiful estate. At least it is these days. I was told that there was a time when it was badly run down until it was taken over by the new owners. But that was before I was born. Why do you ask? What has Willowbrook to do with this discussion?’
Elizabeth glanced at Mr Gardiner, who nodded and at her father who smiled blandly and steepled his fingers before turning back to Darcy to answer his question. ‘I chose Willowbrook as my dowry.’
Darcy stared at her wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open just a little. At a challenging smile from his beloved, he closed his mouth with a snap and swallowed hard. ‘I should have accepted that port,’ he murmured when Bennet pushed the untouched glass towards him.
‘I thought that you might need this.’
Darcy took a sip and gathered his scattered wits. ‘How did you come to own that estate?’
‘Remember we told you about my great uncle Henry Carleton?’
Darcy’s brow furrowed. ‘The distant cousin of Robert and Amelia Carleton. Yes, I vaguely recall you mentioning the relationship.’
‘He was an avid collector... He enjoyed collecting estates. Since he and Aunt Mary lost their only son in an accident, my sisters and I are to inherit one estate each… either upon the occasion of our marriage or when we turn five and twenty.’
‘It is an amazing coincidence that you should inherit an estate almost next door to Pemberley.’
‘There is no coincidence involved. There were five estates available for us and we were allowed to choose. For obvious reasons I thought Willowbrook the most appropriate.’
‘I suppose it will be easy enough to administer for any daughters we might have,’ Darcy murmured thoughtfully.
‘Daughters not son?’ queried Elizabeth.
‘Since it is your estate, I thought you would prefer it for a daughter. But as it is your estate it is of course your choice.’
Elizabeth gave him that big happy smile which turned his insides to water and made her completely irresistible while Bennet muttered, ‘Who would have believed it. All my daughters picked honourable men who care more about them than money.’
Another thought occurred to Darcy. ‘Does Richard know that Miss Mary has an estate?’
‘Not yet.’
‘I would love to see his face when he finds out.’
‘Since he did not get to see your jaw dropping to the floor, you will not have the opportunity to enjoy his reaction. That privilege belongs to us,’ replied Bennet, indicating himself and Gardiner.
~T~
As it happened that privilege only applied to Mary, who was having a quiet discussion about their future with her beloved while Elizabeth and Darcy were cloistered in Bennet’s library.
‘You like horses, do you not,’ she asked Richard.
He grinned. ‘I would have made a bad cavalry officer if I did not. Why do you ask?’
‘I wondered if, after we are married, you would like to live on an estate near Newmarket and breed horses?’
‘I would love to do so, but I do not believe that my savings will stretch that far, and I would prefer to leave your dowry as your settlement, just in case, and perhaps just use the interest.’
Mary smiled impishly, a smile reminiscent of her older sister, when she said, ‘My dowry is an estate in Cambridgeshire close to Newmarket in Suffolk.’
There was a great family resemblance between Richard and Darcy when they heard that news.
~T~