“My dear Charlotte! She will experience real love and felicity in her married life after all; how wonderful!” She said folding the letter and giving it back to Mr Darcy, “She so deserves it.”
“I am sure she does.” Darcy looked at her and she fixed her eyes on him with a most tender expression.
“I am so glad for my friend, for she never dreamed of finding love when she accepted that simpleton of a husband, but she found it anyway. God works in mysterious ways... Kent was a blessing far more than I first realised.”
His heart beat wildly as he understood what she was saying, “Yes it was.” He cleared his throat. “But I also believe that the deep love that you have dreamed of all your life is at your own door-step... Elizabeth. All you need is to reach out and claim it.”
She looked at him confusedly at first. And then she held her breath as if waiting for an earth-shattering event.
Darcy got up from the log and dropped to one knee in front of her, “Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth I waited long enough, this will not do. Allow me to say how ardently I admire and love you.”
For a moment she only stared at him in astonishment while for a heart-stopping instant Darcy thought he had miscalculated. “Tell me please that I do have a chance to win your heart. Tell me that you do not hate me the way you did when we were first in Kent. Tell me please that you are not resolved against me, that I am no longer the most odious man that you have ever known?”
She recognised the exact words she had spoken to Colonel Fitzwilliam in Kent about Mr Darcy. She smiled, drying the last vestiges of her tears. Offering him her hands she pulled him up to his feet. Rather than say anything she simply nestled herself into his chest and sighed contentedly, as he held her tight, resting his chin on her head.
He was filled with wonder at how neatly she fitted into his arms.
She could hear his dear heart beating steadily through the wool of his waistcoat; it was beating for her. She now knew without a doubt that his heart belonged to her. And she felt awave of love and a heavy weight of responsibility to protect that dear heart with all she had.
“So is this a yes?” He asked her breathlessly.
She looked up into his eyes smiling at him, “yes my dear Mr Darcy, it is definitely a yes.”
“Are you certain?” He asked teasing her.
“I am resolved Mr Darcy, and this is final. Nobody will persuade me against you my darling.”
He let go of her waist and very gently cupped her face with both hands on her cheeks. The kiss was first gentle and very tender. As he teased her lips with his tongue she opened it to him and the kiss intensified in warmth and depth.
After a few minutes of glorious bliss they separated, trying to catch their breath.
“My dearest love,” he said, “I am the happiest of men. I have waited for you since last November.”
“Last November? Surely not.
“Yes, last November, though I fought it at first.”
“Did you? I cannot blame you; I am not a good match for you. My family is a disgrace and I bring you no fortune.”
“Miss Bennet,” he said sternly, “I never want to hear such nonsense again.”
“It is not nonsense, Mr Darcy; I know that your family expected you to marry Miss de Bourgh, who is your equal in fortune and connections... I am so below you.”
“My aunt expected us to marry. But nobody else did, least of all Anne and I.”
“What about your sister and the Matlocks?
“Georgiana and Richard love you already, while my uncle advised me back in April, while we were still in Kent, not to lose you. As for fortune I neither care nor need it. Why would I need more money? I am rich enough for both of us. And as forconnections, the Gardiners are wonderful people and I will be glad to call them my uncle and aunt.”
“What about the Bennets, the Phillips... and the Dennys?” She said, biting her lower lip.
“I am a gentleman and you are a gentleman’s daughter. As far as I am concerned we are equal.” He looked deeply into her eyes, “why are you trying to persuade me against you?”
Her face lit up in a beautiful smile, the first one since she had read the letters from Jane at Pemberley. “I am just presenting you with all the facts... but if you are resolved...”
“I certainly am, Miss Bennet.” He said solemnly.
“In that case Mr Darcy, you better ask my father...” A shadow crossed over her face, “While he is still with us.”
