Neither of them saw Mrs. Jenkinson nodding her agreement emphatically.
“Anne told me the same on more than one occasion,” Elizabeth shared wistfully.
“Well, there you have it,” Darcy responded. “Anne was never wrong,” he jested.
“If she was here with us, she would be the first one to disagree with you.” Elizabeth looked up as they were getting closer to Oakham Mount. “Did you know Anne came up to the summit with us some years ago?” Darcy shook his head. Elizabeth related the story to him.
“You were truly Anne’s best friend,” he concluded. “Before you deny it, it was you who planned it all so she could join you, was it not?”
“Yes, I did,” Elizabeth blushed, “but there were many who assisted and without them, it would not have been possible.” She turned and looked pointedly at the three who were walking behind them.
“I am sure that is true, but it does not change the fact it was your idea,” Darcy insisted. Elizabeth inclined her head not arguing the point.
They spoke of inconsequential things until they reached the base of the hill and the path that led to the summit. Johns walked up to make sure there was no one waiting for Miss Lizzy at the top. The place was deserted so Johns whistled to let those waiting at the base know it was safe to walk up.
“I will remain her with John,” Mrs. Jenkinson stated. “With Brian at the top, propriety will be observed.”
With that decided, Elizabeth and Darcy began the walk up the path while Jenki and Biggs remained at the base where they would wait for them.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The summit was just as it had been described to Darcy by Giana and Richard. The major difference was the oak trees were all bare. By now their fallen leaves had been, for the most part, carried away by the wind.
While Johns stood—even though Miss Lizzy had in the past told the guards they may sit, both he and Biggs told her they could see more and react much faster while standing—Elizabeth led Darcy to a flat rock on the eastern side of the hill facing the horizon where the weaker November sun was threatening to show its head to them. Both were looking forward to it rising even if the sun’s rays were weaker, they would still be somewhat warming.
As the sun rose, Elizabeth removed a cloth from her overcoat pocket. She opened it to reveal two muffins and two rolls. She offered one of each to William and took the others for herself. Resting the cloth in her lap, she broke both into ladylike sized bites.
At the same time, Darcy finished the still warmish roll in two bites; the muffin took three. He wanted to declare himself more than anything he had ever wanted to do, but he knew he needed to exercise a little patience as the woman who held his heart finished the pieces of her snack.
Once she had finished, Elizabeth lifted the cloth holding all four corners together so the crumbs would not escape. Then she stood and shook the cloth out over the edge of the hill.
“Cousin Elizabeth…Elizabeth, would you mind sitting again?” Darcy requested.
Elizabeth felt her heart rate increase. She hoped he had a particular reason to ask her to be seated. “I am at yourdisposal,” she said once she had resumed her seat.
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire, respect, and love you. I am not normally impulsive about anything, but I knew almost from our first dance that you were the only woman for me. You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are not in accord with mine, tell me so at once. Regardless of my affections and wishes, one word from you will silence me on this subject forever if that is what you desire,” Darcy managed, it seemed almost all without taking a breath.
“Not in accord with yours? In fact, I think I would gofurther.Rather I believe my regard matches yours closely, so no William, not speaking on this subject is the very last thing in the world I desire you to do. It has come on much quicker than I thought it could, but I too love you. I love you deeply,” Elizabeth declared.
“In that case, a request for a courtship would be superfluous,” William stated, and Elizabeth nodded.
“Before I make my proposals, I want you to know I intend to request all of your property and wealth remain yours,” Darcy insisted.
“I do not need that, but there is one thing, and that is Rosings Park. Anne asked me in jest to name a daughter after her. If you agree I would like our first daughter to be named Anne after her and your mother. Her dowry will be Rosings Park,” Elizabeth stated.
“Agreed.” Darcy stood and led Elizabeth to one of the benches below the trees. Once she was seated, he dropped down onto one knee and took each of her hands into each of his. He cared not for the state of his trousers kneeling on the dead grass. “Elizabeth Bennet, you complete me and there is no other I would ever want as my wife other than you; will you marry me?”
“It is good then you are the only man I would marry. Yes, William, yes to infinity and beyond, I will marry you,” Elizabeth replied.
Both members of the newly engaged couple were ecstatic. There was only one impediment to their expressing their love through kisses—a rather large one in the person of Brian Johns.
As Darcy stood, they wordlessly communicated they would find a time to experience their first kisses. For now, he removed her gloves enough to bestow a lingering kiss on the pulse of each wrist. Feeling his lips on her skin warmed her body as frissons of pleasure found their way to the farthest reaches of her extremities.
“I think we need to return to Longbourn so I may speak to your father,” Darcy managed. All Elizabeth could do was nod. She did not trust herself to speak yet. She had a fiancé!
As they walked down the path with Johns following, Darcy felt like he was floating on air. His eyes were lifted to the heavens sure his parents were smiling down on them at that moment.
Standing next to John Biggs, Mrs. Jenkinson did not miss the glow of pleasure emanating from both Miss Lizzy and Mr. Darcy. She suspected an engagement, so she knew Miss Anne would be very pleased.
