“But Eliza overheard you telling Lady Eleanor, after meeting my relations, your sense of obligation demanded you to walk away and forget you ever met me.”
“Good God, that conversation was meant to be private!”
She looked horrified, her hands flying to her cheeks as she pulled back. “So may I assume what you said was true?”
“No! Yes! Elizabeth, you misunderstand.” His breath was shallow, even though he attempted to compose his thoughts and remain calm. “Elizabeth,” he said again, taking both of her hands and holding them firmly in his own. “I did say those words, but what Eliza Deming overheard was only part of what I said, for in the next breath I told my aunt that my heart was already engaged. I told her that once I determined how I would deal with certain improprieties put forth by your mother and youngest sister, I would ask you for a courtship.”
“You did?” her voice trembled.
“Yes, Elizabeth, I swear to you.” He pulled her hands closer and pressed them to this heart. “I have had an entire week to think on what happened to us. While I am not happy with the situation we find ourselves in, the fact remains that I do love you and I do want to marry you. So much so that I am willing to put aside the injustice created by your mother and Eliza and forgive them.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Yes, my love, I would, and considering how unconscionable my aunt was with her despicable offer, your relations pale in comparison to mine.”
“Oh, William.”
Then dropping on one knee while continuing to hold her hands, he gazed fervently into her eyes. “My darling Elizabeth, I love you most ardently and I can think of no greater gift than being able to claim you as my lawfully wedded wife. Elizabeth Rose Bennet, will you marry me?”
With her heart full, Elizabeth nodded her acceptance, saying, “Dear William, I love you so very much. I am yours and yes, I will marry you.”
Elated William stood pulling Elizabeth to her feet and crushing her to his chest. After claiming her mouth for their first kiss, he tenderly said, “Sweetest Elizabeth, you have made me the happiest of men. I promise you I shall spend the rest of my life loving and caring for you as I have none other.”
“And I promise you I shall gladly return your love with every breath of my being.”
Again William kissed her. This time it was a more fervent joining of their lips, with many endearments whispered as they embraced. When they pulled apart he smiled, saying, “I have something for you, my love−three things actually. Shall we?” He motioned for them to sit again.
“Three things?” she said in wonder.
“Yes. Firstly, I would like to give you my mother’s ring.” He took a small velvet pouch from an inner pocket, revealing a many-faceted emerald stone surrounded by several smaller pearls and diamonds. The centre stone was not overly large, making the setting well-suited to Elizabeth’s small hand. “This ring belonged to my Grandmother Elizabeth and was given by my father to my mother when they became engaged. Since my parents had a love match, I never felt quite right about presenting it to Anne.” He tenderly smiled. “My love, it has been waiting for you all of these years.”
Elizabeth watched in awe as he placed it on her finger and kissed her hand. Admiring it in the light, she exclaimed, “It is simply beautiful, William, and fits perfectly.”
“I was hoping it would. Mother was taller than you and her hand a bit larger. My jeweller was able to size it smaller before I left Town.”
“I shall proudly wear this ring in honour of both your mother and your grandmother and for all the love that we share.” Again they kissed.
“Now for your next gift,” he said, this time taking a small box from another of his pockets. Opening it for her, he continued, “These pearls also belonged to my mother. She wore them on her wedding day, and I was hoping you might do the same.”
“Another treasure,” she murmured as she lovingly fingered each pearl. “They are perfect, just like the ring and I shall proudly wear them on Tuesday.”
Overcome, William pressed her once again to his chest saying, “Thank you; Mama would be happy.” After kissing her on the forehead he happily added, “And now for your third present.” Reaching into another pocket, he slowly pulled out a long creamy-white ribbon embroidered with delicate pink roses.
“What is this?” Elizabeth asked, letting out a little giggle. “My, with so many presents, I think I shall be positively spoiled by the end of the day.”
“That is my intention.” He kissed her hand once more. “This ribbon is Anna’s favourite, since it was given to her by her Aunt Georgie, who also likes pink. Before I left Kent, Anna asked me to give this present to her new mama. She said you would like it because your middle name is Rose, just like the pink flowers on her ribbon.”
“Oh, my,” Elizabeth held the delicate lace ribbon to her breast, trying not to cry. The small pink roses were evenly spaced on the woven lace and were surrounded by tiny seed pearls and leaves of pale green ribbon. “This is such a precious gift, and I shall always treasure it. I cannot wait to meet Anna and tell her how much I love her ribbon and how much I love her. Since it is her favourite, perhaps it would be best if we shared it.” She gently entwined the ribbon about her fingertips, examining it in detail, before carefully folding it and placing it in her pocket. “Ishall ask Jane to weave it in my hair on our wedding day. Would you like that?”
“Very much.”
With eyes that lit up and sparkled, she sat tall saying, “My sisters and I have a present for Anna, too.”
“You do?”
“Yes, and I would like to show it to you when we return to the house. Her present is a very special doll.”
William smiled broadly saying, “Anna loves dolls. She sings to them and tells them little stories and even reads to them from her picture books. Many of her stories, mind you, are about small animals and, of course, princesses.”
