Saluting Darcy, he grinned. “Well done, my friend. May the two of you be as happy as I hope one day to be.”
Within a minute, they were gone, leaving the drawing room in stunned silence.
His heart pounded.What had he done by announcing to the others his intention to marry Elizabeth before he could ask her permission?He feared looking at her.
When she spoke, he braced himself.
“In the wise words of Miss Bingley, I can only say, ‘Well, I never!’”
Oh, but Elizabeth Bennet was impudent. She delighted him in every way.
“Do you mind, Elizabeth?”
Running one hand up his arm to rest below his shoulder, her smile was radiant. “Do I mind going from accepting a courtship to agreeing to marriage in less than five minutes? Whyever, would you think I would be unsettled at the prospect? Do you not know me at all?”
His sister giggled, slapping her palm over her mouth. Even Mrs. Gardiner chuckled.
“You are correct, my dear lady. What on earth was I thinking?”
For the first time in as long as he could remember, despite his injuries and everything that happened to them since he first met Elizabeth, he was happy.
11
Elizabeth reached for Fitzwilliam’s hand under the dining table. Entwining their fingers, she leaned toward him.
“Your sister is lovely, and your cousin is an interesting man.”
His look of pleasure with her observation rendered him even more handsome than usual.
“Both of those comments are true. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner will always be welcome to join us here or in Town,” he replied.
“Thank you very much. As you are aware, they mean the world to me.”
The colonel abruptly cleared his throat, capturing everyone’s attention. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Georgiana, you might be under the impression that Darcy’s affections were recently engaged. However, I tell you that this is not the case.”
“Richard,” Darcy warned, although his cheerful expression countered his words.
“I was unaware of what happened in Hertfordshire until after his accident in Kent. During his fevered days and nights, he spoke of Miss Elizabeth often. In his dreams, he called for her. Through his darkest days, when we feared for his life, she wasthe beacon that kept him alive. Therefore, I honor you, Elizabeth Bennet, soon-to-be Mrs. Darcy. I am proud that soon you shall be my cousin by marriage and my partner in crime to torment and tease Darcy forever more.”
“Accepted, Colonel.”
Georgiana spoke next. “Welcome to the family, Miss Bennet.”
This time, Darcy addressed the group. “Thank you, Georgiana. And Richard, you should fear the secrets I could share. That is all I will say to you right now.” Elizabeth enjoyed seeing the two men together. Neither acted superior to the other. Instead, their relationship was built on familial love and respect. “However, you have the cart before the horse because I have yet to propose to Elizabeth. This means that she has not yet responded. Because the process needs to be done in private, I will not officially ask to marry her in my dining room. Instead, I will choose the time and the place. What I would accept are some recommendations, if you please?”
A moment of silence was broken when everyone began speaking at once.
Her uncle said, “I almost died from a heart attack trying to reach the top of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. Please do not make me try again. Possibly somewhere close would be in order?”
Aunt Gardiner agreed. “Neither should you descend into Poole’s Cavern. Feeling closed in between the stalactites, I could not breathe. Lizzy was enamored of the gardens at Matlock and Chatsworth. We saw a lovely area next to the house as we were arriving that is particularly beautiful.”
Darcy’s cousin volunteered his opinion. “If you ask me, the most romantic place you could propose is in Pemberley’s kitchen. You could have Cook set out a row of fruit tarts between you, then offer to share them for the rest of your life.” He pattedhis stomach. “I would marry a woman who appreciated a good pastry.”
After the laughter quieted, Miss Darcy said, “I would hope that the man I fell in love with would propose to me by the fountain in the center of the rose garden. Mama designed the planting, and Papa liked to take me there during the summer months. He would sit on the bench with me and tell me about their courtship and the early years of their marriage. I always think of love when I picture the garden in my mind, especially when I am not at Pemberley.”
“I did not know this, Poppet. I am very glad that you shared this with us. I will not only remember Mother and Father at the fountain, but I will also think of you.”
Miss Darcy blushed.
