Chapter 16 #3
Darcy’s long legs moved swiftly as they carried him down the street. Passing a corner flower girl gave him an idea. Entering the nearest gate, he looked around. Elizabeth was not visible in the small crowd, so he strode in the direction of the path she favoured.
There! He ignored everything but her, rushing to reach her side. He combed the hair out of his face, sending up a fervent prayer to faithfully speak the words of his heart.
Drawing a deep breath, he called, “Miss Bennet!”
Elizabeth startled when she heard Darcy’s voice and halted. She slowly turned to find him holding out a posy of flowers. Keeping her eyes lowered, one hand reached out to take it from him.
His first words were barely a whisper. “You have no idea how I wish there had been some way to be introduced that day. It would have started our acquaintance on the right foot.”
Elizabeth’s brow arched as she raised her eyes to meet his. “Would not your large foot still have found a home in your mouth on the evening of the musicale?”
His grin was so wide, his dimples showed. “It is entirely possible. I am not a perfect man, that is very evident. However, meeting you has set me on a path to betterment, and it is one I wish always to be on.”
He took a deep breath and looked at her earnestly. “I-I still have much room for improvement and cannot promise Cross-patch Darcy will not rear his head from time to time.” One side of his mouth lifted and she chuckled.
“But, my most beautiful Elizabeth, you are the one person I most desire on this path with me. Do I have any reason to hope you feel the same way?”
Elizabeth remained silent. She was so overcome it rendered her speechless.
His expression shuttered and he stammered, “Forgive me. If your feelings are not the equal of mine, I shall never–”
“No! That is, I dared not dream you might feel for me as I do for you. I thought–my situation, it is so far beneath yours–”
“Stop, I beg you.” he cut her off. “You are in every way superior to me. Your beauty captivated me, though it was not merely your looks which attracted me. It was also your kind and giving soul. Your witty intelligence challenges me, and I adore your impish, impertinent manner. It is I who is not worthy of you. But I will prove myself and endeavour every day of our lives to be a man worthy of pleasing you and hopefully making you the happiest woman in England, nay the world. I love you, Elizabeth, most ardently.”
Elizabeth blushed. The intense look he wore made sense now she had this new clarity.
Although his handsome face implored, his smile wavered. Still unsure of her reply, he could not feel confident until she gave him leave to claim his reward.
Her expression became more radiant, seeing the future she had dared not hope for directly in front of her.
Their smiles grew together, in twin reflections of joy, and she finally responded. “Yes, Fitzwilliam. Although, you have not exactly asked a question. Have you?”
Darcy smiled watching that impertinent eyebrow arch. He would never tire of her sweet teasing ways. He longed to kiss her, to replace her impertinence with breathless contentment.
Instead, he breathed in a steadying breath and clasped both of her hands in his, pulling her close.
“My dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, will you have this imperfect man, to be your husband? Will you take this occasionally haughty man, who loves you to distraction, and wants nothing more than to offer you the world and make you the happiest of women?”
“I will! Most assuredly.” Her eyes dazzled in the sunlight, and a glorious smile alighted on her beautiful face.
He was about to clasp her to him, but grew mindful of the public setting, as he saw a small crowd of people standing about.
The heads of the onlookers bobbed, as they tittered to each other over the spectacle they just witnessed.
Several of the ladies had their hands on their chests while engaging the use of their fans.
He then noticed the maid, Lucy, standing nearby, blushing, but sporting a huge smile. By this time tomorrow his entire proposal will be spoken of by servants everywhere. It mattered not. Facing Elizabeth again he lifted her hands and kissed their knuckles.
The sound of her breath catching alerted him to her own anticipation and he felt her shiver.
He growled, “If we were not in this park right now…”
He noticed when her eyes dropped to stare at his mouth and her tongue flicked to moisten her lips.
“Our thoughts align, my love.”
Closing his eyes and inhaling deeply to calm his ardor, he opened them again when she giggled. He gave her knuckles one last kiss before stepping back, “Let us go inform the Gardiners.”
They walked back slowly. Taking the meandering path, they spoke of their love, hopes, and dreams for the future.
As they entered the Gardiner’s home, excited voices emanated from the drawing room.
Elizabeth smiled at Darcy and took his hand to lead him toward the commotion.
He nearly barrelled into her, when she stopped abruptly.
Her loud gasp drew his scrutiny to ensure she was well. A huge smile adorned her countenance.
“Jane!”