It was impossible to put into words the sense of joyful elation that was spreading over him, and he would be foolish to try.
There were many other ways of expressing his feelings, and he could not wait to explore every single one of them.
***
SOMETIME LATER—HE HADno idea when—the sound of voices intruded on his happiness. Elizabeth gave a little squeak, then shoved at Darcy’s chest. He stepped backwards, struggling to recover his demeanor and face the world.
“Elizabeth? Where are you?”
“Darcy?”
The crunch of the gravel warned them that Jane and Mr. Bingley were coming in their direction.
Elizabeth drew back and, with a shaky laugh, embarked on a valiant attempt to make herself presentable. With a chuckle, Darcy pushed away her hands and took over the task himself. There was no possible way to disguise completely what had happened, but he tried his best.
By the time Jane and Bingley reached them, Darcy had managed to repair the worst of the damage.
“Oh, there you are, Lizzy,” said Jane. “We have been looking for you everywhere. There has been such an uproar. Mama has fallen into a fit—”
She stopped suddenly, noticing Elizabeth’s crumpled appearance.
“Oh.” Her gaze darted from Elizabeth to Darcy, her brow wrinkling.
Mr. Bingley was not quite as circumspect. He took in the situation with a quick glance and grinned widely.
“Darcy, you dog! Do not tell me you have gone ahead and done it?”
“Done what, Lizzy?”
“Mr. Darcy and I are engaged to be married.”
She was looking so deliciously happy that Darcy wanted to take her in his arms all over again.
“Oh, Lizzy! Oh! I am so happy for you. Now my happiness is complete!”
As the young women laughed and embraced, Bingley slapped Darcy on the back.
“I am delighted you finally saw sense, Darcy. I was afraid your lofty notions might prove too stubborn to overcome. Allow me to be the first to offer my congratulations.”
“LIZZY!!”
They turned to see Mrs. Bennet hurtling towards them. “Lizzy, you must come at once!”
Darcy reached out for Elizabeth’s hand, and, squeezing it reassuringly, he began to walk in Mrs. Bennet’s direction.
“We had better go and tell your Mama. I do not know how she will take it, but at least she might leave off trying to marry Lydia to Mr. Collins, now that she has caught a much bigger fish.”
“I would not describe you as a fish, Mr. Darcy. I think a whale might be more appropriate.”
“A whale? I am not quite sure if that is an insult or a compliment.”
“Well, it would make it far more difficult for Mama to reel you in.”
