Elizabeth nodded, resolving to put the pair of miscreants out of her mind for good. The future was bright indeed, especially with Mr Darcy in it. She could not imagine how dull Meryton would be when he and Miss Darcy returned to Derbyshire.
They said little through the second dance, yet Elizabeth did not feel their conversation to be lacking. The glances they exchanged seemed to say everything. When the second dance ended, Elizabeth expected him to take her to where her mother and father were standing, along with Kitty and Mary. Lydia was off dancing with a soldier in a bright red uniform, having the time of her life. And Jane, where was Jane?
Elizabeth spotted her with Mr Bingley, talking with a few of their friends from the neighbourhood. Instead of taking her over to her parents, Mr Darcy led her over to where his sister had been visiting with a few of her new friends from Meryton. Miss Darcy greeted her warmly and kissed her cheek. “Miss Bennet, how ravishing you look this evening!” she praised. She leaned closer, taking on a conspiratorial air. “It is no wonder my brother cannot take his eyes off you.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat with excitement and not a little embarrassment. “He has been most attentive this evening,” she replied, and quickly changed the subject, praising Georgiana for the success of the ball. It would be better not to think too much of Mr Darcy, not to expect or even hope too much. Now that their second dance set was complete, he would leave her to go about his hosting duties, and perhaps give his attentions to another young lady. The thought made her heart constrict. She had so enjoyed his company that she could not imagine him dancing with anyone else. Jealousy reared its head, but she quickly tried to push it down. Surely it could never work between them. Too much had happened. But then, why was he being so attentive to her, if he was not interested in kindling more than a friendship with her?
Mr Darcy, who had been exchanging pleasantries with some of the other guests, soon leaned toward her and placed a hand under her elbow. “Shall we get some punch from the refreshment tables?” he suggested.
“Yes, that would be lovely.” After quenching their thirst, they were on their way back to Miss Darcy’s small circle of friends when suddenly, Mr Darcy stopped and grabbed her hand. The next song was about to start.
He looked deeply into her eyes. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the honour of one more dance?”
Time seemed to stop. Did he know what he was saying? Surely he did. She glanced around at those surrounding them. “A third dance?” She could barely get the words out for how fast her heart raced. A third dance would be — irrevocable. A man as careful as Mr Darcy would never ask for a third dance unless he meant to propose.
Mr Darcy never looked away from her face. “Yes, Miss Bennet. A third dance.”
There was only one answer in her heart. “I should like that, Mr Darcy. I would like that very much.” Without another word, she placed her hand in his, and amidst whispers from all the old women standing about, allowed him to lead her to the dance floor again.
Elizabeth kept her gaze locked onto his as a lively waltz started. The gentle touch of his hand on her waist seemed startlingly intimate, though it was only the same waltzing posture assumed by all the couples around them. The music seemed to carry them, each movement as flawless as though they had rehearsed it.
How strange,Elizabeth thought.We are dancing with as much feeling as though it were the last time. But this will not be an ending. It is only the beginning.
She grew breathless in his arms, but she had no wish to stop. At last, the song ended. Mr Darcy smiled at her gently. He looked toward the open balcony doors.
“Come with me,” he said softly, speaking almost into Elizabeth’s ear. She went weak at the knees at his closeness, hiswarm breath moving the tendrils of her hair. “Will you take the air with me on the balcony?”
“Are you overwarm?” Elizabeth asked him quietly.
“Not more than I should think normal at a ball such as this,” Mr Darcy replied. “I should like to have some place where we might speak with a little more privacy.” He cleared his throat, then looked at her again, his gaze heavy with meaning. “There is something I should very much like to ask you.”
Chapter 30
Excitement coursed through her at Mr Darcy’s request. Elizabeth stood stock still for a moment, and it felt as if the world slowed around her. She blinked, unable to speak for a moment. Then, she came back to her senses and with excitement building in her chest, agreed with a nod of her head.
Mr Darcy whisked her away. Once they were on the balcony, he led her to the carved limestone railing, looking out on the darkened landscape of the garden and fields beyond. Elizabeth’s skin was instantly chilled, but she was not uncomfortably cold. The excitement of the question she anticipated made it impossible to feel chilled. As they walked along the railing, the noise and heat of the ball came out to meet them, the light of a thousand candles shining out through the long windows.
The moon was full, casting a silver light down on them to match the golden light of the candles. Mr Darcy offered her his arm; she linked her arm with his. It felt so right to be here beside him, so close and yet not close enough. What it would be like for him to take her into his arms, to brush his lips against hers?
They stopped when they came to the end of the balcony where they could still be seen, but would not be overheard. Mr Darcy turned to her, releasing her hand.
After a slight hesitation, he broke the silence. “Miss Bennet, I hope you can be under no confusion as to why I have asked you to dance three times this evening?”
Elizabeth shook her head, giving a small smile. “I hope not, Mr Darcy, but I hardly dare to say it aloud. I would not wish to presume too much. Perhaps I am only confused in imagining that you wish to ask for my hand in marriage.”
Mr Darcy smiled at her a little crookedly. “No, Miss Bennet, you are not confused in the least. You have bewitched me, body and soul. I am indeed asking for your hand. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met. You have treated me and my sister with a kindness and generosity that is rarely seen, especially toward people who have reviled and insulted them. But you have borne it all with such grace and understanding. It has led me to hope, as I have never hoped before, that you might accept me.”
Mr Darcy took a deep breath. “There is not a doubt in my heart. If you would consider me, but would prefer to begin a formal courtship to give us more time to get to know one another, then so be it. But hear this, I already know my mind. For as long as I live, there will never be another woman for me. I am yours forever, Elizabeth. I love you. And I never wish to be parted from you from this day forward.”
Her joy made it almost impossible to speak, and yet he must not be left in any doubt of her answer. Elizabeth drew on all her self-command to answer steadily. “I already know my mind as well,” she said. Elizabeth took a step closer. Under the brightlight of the moon, could he see the tears welling up in her eyes? If so, she hoped he would know they were tears of joy.
“I love you, too,” she whispered. “I think I have for quite some time. And my loving shall never cease.”
Mr Darcy was reaching out to take her hand when someone called out his name at the other end of the balcony. Out of instinct, Elizabeth took a step back from him.
“Here, what is the meaning of this?” Mr Bennet asked as he joined them. “I’ve just been told you stood up with Mr Darcy three times, Lizzy. The whole of the company is in an uproar.”
They had, perhaps, been less than entirely discrete. Glancing through the windows into the ballroom, Elizabeth saw that the dancing had all but stopped. There seemed to be a great deal of whispering and many heads craned in their direction.
