“What is your meaning?”
“You need not spend time in the company of that man. Not handsome enough to dance with, indeed! You may not have Jane’s beauty nor Lydia’s liveliness, but I shall not have it be said that I instructed you to walk out with a disagreeable man who dislikes you.”
“Mamma, please! Mr Darcy will hear you. And he does not dislike me.”
“We owe him no particular civility other than he is friend to Mr Bingley, who we all believe will do nicely for Jane. Mr Darcy has done nothing to recommend himself.”
“For heaven’s sake, speak lower. There is no advantage for you in offending Mr Darcy. His reason for calling is to further his acquaintance withme.”
“I find it difficult to believe that youwould suit his fancy. I thought he might have come for Jane, but he does not appear to fancy her either.”
Darcy heard a loud exhalation and swift footsteps that grew louder. By the way she looked at him as she entered the hall, Darcy knew Elizabeth was aware of his overhearing. Miss Bennet returned with her parasol, and Miss Lydia bounded out the door still gleeful about travelling to Brighton.
Elizabeth did not speak but eyed him with serious scrutiny. Her fingers played with her watch chain, and she appeared restless. Did she fear the loss of his esteem due to her mother’s behaviour? He had already decided he would not be deterred because of her connexions. Elizabeth’s happiness was worth every effort he could put forth.
I shall have to love her mother for Elizabeth’s sake and have her happiness be as dear to me as that of my own mother, rest her soul;I shall have to love all of them.
Elizabeth was mortifiedby the appalling display Mr Darcy had just witnessed. If he had been wavering before, he must certainly consider giving her up now. While in London, she had thought his affections and wishes were still unshaken, but she could not now be secure.
They walked toward Lucas Lodge, where Lydia and Jane left them. Mr Darcy had not spoken since he quit the drawing room, and she dreaded what was to come. She feared to speak to him lest her emotions should overmaster her, for her regret at the idea of the loss of Mr Darcy was formidable now that she had begun to appreciate him.
“Your mother is misinformed.” His steady voice interrupted her silent heartache.
“How do you mean?”
“She implied you lack your sisters’ attractiveness and vivacity and I would therefore not take your notice. I know not what I may do to inform her that you are of frequentnotice to me, but I have for many months now considered you to be the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”
Elizabeth stopped and looked up at him in astonishment.
“Do you not have sufficient confidence in my affections to believe me?” he asked.
She could hardly say, since she questioned the strength of her own precious feelings for him, that of course she could doubt his. “We are so different. You have splendid property and noble connexions, and I cannot offer you the like. My mother’s behaviour to you bordered on uncivil, and all your doubts concerning my family’s lack of propriety and inferiority—”
He seized her hand and pressed it fervently into his chest. “I have no doubts about my intentions toward you. I may have considered your family’s situation and behaviour, but there was no reason for me to speak of them when I was petitioning for your hand, and I am ashamed. I beg you to forgive me.”
Elizabeth nodded, but Mr Darcy was not done.
“I would have you know my every thought and feeling had I the right to confide them to you. For the present, you need to know that when I am assured your regard for me matches what I continue to feel for you, Iwillask you again to be my wife.”
When Mr Darcy last made an avowal of all he felt for her, he had no doubt of a favourable response. The way he now looked at her made Elizabeth believe he was truly apprehensive she would ever accept his hand, and she strove to give him an understanding of her intensifying attachment to him.
“I have never been more sensible of your good character. I have a genuine interest in your happiness, and I want it to depend a great deal on me. I ought to tell you, though, that I feel marriage is much more than just an anxious concern for the well-being of one’s companion.”
“After all that has passed between us, I am grateful that you at least now have an interest in my happiness.” Elizabeth’s heart raced while Mr Darcy still held a gentle grasp on her hand. Whatever feelings she had for him, they were more than simply wishing him health and happiness. She could see him as a devoted husband, a doting father, and a responsible landlord concerned for the happiness of everyone in his care. “What else do you feel an equal marriage of respect ought to entail?”
She knew she was blushing when she said, “I believe that marriage must entail love and depth of attachment.”
“You are a romantic.” It was not a question, and he was not wrong. “Do you—is it possible you could—do I have any reason to hope—”
“Yes.”
Mr Darcy gave a joyful smile; Elizabeth could never remember seeing him so vibrant. His dark eyes never left hers as he removed her glove and raised her bare hand to his lips. He kissed her delicate wrist and then turned her hand to bestow the lightest of kisses on each of her fingertips.
They heard approaching voices and broke apart to see a group of militia officers drawing near. Mr Darcy took her hand under his arm and led her toward Longbourn. Elizabeth wished he would resume his previous activities but knew not how to ask. Mr Darcy seemed content to cover her hand with his and would neither relinquish it nor return her glove.
To hide her nervousness, she admitted that, when they rambled in the park in Kent before the disastrous proposal, she had met him unexpectedly. “I am very desirous of your company now, but at the time I thought it your wilful ill nature, or a voluntary penance, that you chose to remain in my company.”
Mr Darcy laughed and disbelieved that she thought it mischance that he would meet her on her walks. “You took great care to inform me it was your favourite haunt!” he replied, still laughing.
