“That is not funny,” she said, voice trembling. “What have I done to become the subject of your mockery?”
“I am afraid I do not take your meaning.” His brow furrowed in apparent confusion.
“Do you think that because I am poor and plain that I have no feelings? I assure you, sir, I do. I feel deeply, and I resent this attempt to wound me.”
She tried to move away, but he grabbed her arm, stopping her progress. “Charlotte, wait, please. Let me explain!”
“You, sir, are the worst sort of cad. Upon almost our first meeting, you abused me abominably, making certain I knew that you had no interest in matrimony. ‘A confirmed bachelor,’ I believe you said. And now, after we became friends, or so I thought, you once again seek to hurt me. What am I to think?”
He sighed and released her arm. “Please. Come and sit, and I shall explain it all.”
Furious, she followed him down the terrace steps to a bench a little further away from the ballroom.
“You know most of my history, about how I became a baronet,” he began. “Before then, I came to town in search of a wife. My father had made me his apprentice, and I found I wished to begin my own family.
“Despite my connections, I was not wealthy. My mother’s dowry of ten thousand pounds was mine, but that was not enough to earn the approbation of most of the ladies of the ton. I heard more than a few disparaging remarks about me and myprospects, and the lady I thought loved me laughed in my face when I proposed. And then my father died.”
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I returned to town after I had finished mourning, only to be set upon by the very ladies who had so condemned me. Their meanness of spirit deterred me, and I became more selective in my company. After some years, interest in me faded somewhat, but there were always those who thought I could be persuaded to accept a wife.”
He turned to her and took her hand. “I knew my father and my grandfather both had married for love. I decided I wished for the same. But years passed and I never found anyone to fill the hole in my heart. Instead, I found mercenary misses and machinating mamas at every turn.”
Chuckling, he stroked her hand with his thumb. “I decided I needed some way to sift through the masses and I used the same words I volleyed at you over and over again, though I admit, not on the first meeting. They were only necessary once a lady’s true colors showed. I deterred the most determined ladies, and then I met you. Something about you discomposed me from the beginning, and I launched my defense immediately. But, instead of stuttering and backing down, you replied to my words with your own verbal assault. It fascinated me, and I wished to know you better.”
“But… we have not courted! How can we simply…” Charlotte trailed off, still confused and hurting.
“What do you think I have been doing, my dear girl?” he asked, humor sparking in his eyes.”
She blinked. “You have been courting me all this time?” she asked lamely. “But I thought… you said…” She trailed off, uncertain what else to say. The already crumbling walls around her heart were collapsing and she briefly wondered if she were dreaming.
“Marry me, Charlotte. Become Lady de Bourgh. Make me the happiest of men!”
Tears began to fall and Charlotte nodded. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her.
“Careful or you will muss my hair,” she cautioned.
“Who cares? If they cry compromise, we shall only marry faster.”
Charlotte laughed and pulled away. “How do I look?”
“Ravishing as always.” He stroked her cheek and then tugged on a curl that hung down by the side of her neck. His gaze fell to her lips, and he leaned closer. Slowly, he pressed his lips to hers, gently caressing them.
She gasped at the fire his kiss stoked within her and he put his arm around her again, deepening the kiss. After a few moments, he pulled away. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known,” he said huskily. “I will not stand for you to think that I mock. I love you, Charlotte Lucas.”
“Perhaps love is blind,” she joked weakly, well aware that her self-deprecation would irritate him.
“No, my dear. Love opens the eyes so that one can see clearly. I alone have been blessed enough to see your worth. I have you now and will never let you go.”
He turned and pulled something from his pocket. “It is noten vogue,” he said, “but I wish for you to wear this to symbolize our betrothal.” He held out a little case and opened it. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a ring that matched the necklace she wore.
“Amelia knew!” Charlotte cried. “Why that crafty, interfering,dearlady!”
He laughed aloud. “Yes, my grandmother suspected my attraction in Kent. Bless her soul; she did not invite me to London immediately, but left me to ruminate and come to my own conclusions.”
“She is far more devious than I imagined.” Charlotte held out her hand and he slipped the ring on her finger. It glistened in the light from the garden lamps. “Shall we return to the ball?” she asked.
“We had better. Grandmother will wonder where we got to.” He stood and helped her to her feet.
“Am I presentable?” Charlotte asked.
