Jane smiled at the tall gentleman. “It is my pleasure, sir. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst have joined us from London this morning. They will be down presently, and then we shall go in to dinner.”
After the meal, the gentlemen lingered at the table over their port.
Bingley asked, “Hurst, will you remain with Jane until I return with Louisa? This shocking business may keep me away for a month, and it pains me to leave her behind and unprotected.”
Hurst answered kindly. “I will remain until you return.”
When the men entered the drawing room, Caroline rose at once and laid claim to Mr. Darcy’s arm, tugging him toward her. “Come, my friend. Sit with me and tell me what you have been doing since we were last together.”
Darcy glanced across the room to where Elizabeth sat. Her eyes were upon him and Caroline. He sighed, and gently disengaging his arm, crossed to his friend. “Charles, I must write a letter. I shall return in a quarter hour.”
With that, he quitted the drawing room, leaving Caroline behind, and stepped into a small saloon, wondering how he might contrive a private moment to speak with Elizabeth.
When Mr. Darcy left the room, Elizabeth decided to follow him. She went to her sister and made an excuse. “Jane, I’m going up to my room to change my slippers. These are pinching my toes. I will return in a few minutes.” She walked into the hallway and looked in both directions, but Mr. Darcy was no longer there. She walked to the adjacent room and looked in. He was standing by the window, looking out.
“Mr. Darcy, do I intrude?”
He turned, and his expression altered at once. “Elizabeth, you could never intrude. I am grateful for your company.”
She came further in, her hands clasped before her. “I’m sorry that you are leaving tomorrow.”
“Though I can only remain a day, I came here.” He hesitated, then added, “I was desperate to see you before I travel to Kent.”
Elizabeth’s heart beat uncomfortably fast, and yearning flickered in her eyes. “Desperate, sir?”
He gave a short, rueful laugh. “Yes, though I had hoped for more than a glimpse across a crowded drawing room, and without Miss Bingley clinging to my arm. I wished to know if you are well, and if you think of me, as I so constantly think of you.”
“I think of you always,” she said hesitantly.
Darcy studied her face in the dim firelight. “I told myself I would not speak again so soon, yet seeing you here has shattered my resolve.”
Elizabeth felt the weight of his gaze and lowered her eyes. “Mr. Darcy…”
He took one step closer. “Do not be alarmed. I shall not press you. You asked for time, and I mean to honor it. But I could not leave without telling you this much: I miss you. Every day that I am parted from you feels ill-spent. I long for the hour when I may return and speak again.”
Elizabeth’s composure faltered. Her heart beat so hard she thought it might break free of her breast. At last, she raised her eyes to his and said, “I have missed you as well. I have been very unhappy. If you still wish to marry me, I will accept your hand.”
Darcy held his breath. He reached for her hand and pulled her close. Then he stood looking down into her eyes. “Elizabeth, did you just accept my offer? You will marry me?”
She laughed. “I did. I will marry you.”
He gathered her into his arms, holding her close against his chest, and she lifted her arms about his neck. He lowered his head and claimed her lips, then his mouth trailed to her throat, lower still, brushing the fullness of her breast, before he stopped and pulled away.
“Forgive me.” He looked at her and saw that she was crying. Alarmed, he asked. “Darling, have I overstepped?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “No. These are my happiness tears. I am so happy I can scarcely contain myself. I feel like dancing around this room.”
He laughed and caught her by the waist and twirled her around until he was giddy. When he set her down, he said, “I will remain another day to speak to your father, and we will announce our engagement. I must write to my solicitor this evening regarding the settlements, and I shall send an announcement of our betrothal to the papers. Elizabeth, you have made me the happiest of men.”
He kissed her again, and this is how Jane found them when she came in search of her sister. She stopped at the doorway, stunned into silence.
Elizabeth turned when she heard Jane’s footstep. “Jane! Oh Jane, I am so happy. You are the first to know, Mr. Darcy and I are betrothed.”
Jane’s astonishment gave way to joy. She hurried forward and embraced her sister. “Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy for you. We musttell Charles at once. He has always wished to call Mr. Darcy brother.”
Darcy smiled and offered his hand to Elizabeth. “Then we shall go together.”
They entered the drawing room where Bingley sat in grave conversation with his sisters. Darcy moved closer to his friend. “Charles, you must congratulate me. I am betrothed to Miss Elizabeth. Soon you and I shall be brothers.”
