She frowned. “First, sir, I am not your darling. I do not even know that I like you, much less that I wish for a closer connection. Mr. Darcy, to speak plainly, I do not understand why you are here. You have never courted me. You have never shown by word or manner that you preferred me as anything nearer than a good friend. I had supposed you meant to engage me as your sister’s companion.”
He stiffened, astonished. “Georgiana’s companion? I have never considered you in such a light, ma’am.”
“But after, I believed you were preparing me to become your mistress.”
He closed his eyes, and his breath sharpened. “I have already addressed that misunderstanding, Elizabeth. I do not wish to hear such an accusation from you again. That practice isabhorrent to me. My father and my grandfather before him were patrons of the church, as am I. My forefathers have sought to be upright and decent men, as I strive to be.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together. She had provoked him. She said nothing further and waited.
After a moment, he drew a breath and continued. “I concede that I have not courted you. It did not occur to me to do so.” He checked himself and fell silent, his expression one of chagrin.
“You need not explain yourself, sir. I am fully aware that I was not of sufficient consequence for you, and that is precisely why I am confounded now, Mr. Darcy. Why me? You never showed any particular regard. I could see that you took pleasure in our conversations and appeared at ease in my company, but such mild attentions might as readily be bestowed upon your favorite spaniel.” She raised an eyebrow then added, “Assuming you like dogs, sir.”
Mr. Darcy sighed audibly.
“Elizabeth, the fact remains that I love you, and I believe you still love me, in spite of my failings. I mean to court you now for as long as it takes. Pray tell me which of my faults most offend you, and I shall endeavor to amend them.”
He smiled with wry amusement. “You may be as frank as you please with me, Elizabeth. I know you will not trouble yourself to spare my feelings, ma’am, and I am perfectly contented it should be so.”
Then, almost at once, the amusement faded from his countenance; his expression grew thoughtful and grave as he rose and began to pace. “I realize that I have made no properattempt to engage your affections, but I shall leave you in no doubt of mine henceforth.”
He stopped before her. “I have not taken the trouble to express myself. I will begin now. I think you are the most handsome woman of my acquaintance. Your voice is lovely, and I have never felt such emotion as when I hear you sing those mournful ballads. I could spend a lifetime listening to you, Elizabeth. Your kindness to my sister, and to all whom you love, has made me long to be the recipient of such affection myself. You have bewitched me, body and soul. I cannot face a future without you.”
He knelt and took her hands once more. “What say you, Elizabeth? Will you allow me back into your good graces?”
She sat very still, studying him. “Sir, that is a very pretty speech, yet I fear that in the end, you will break my heart. It is a dreadful thing to love so deeply, to have one’s happiness bound up in another.”
He drew nearer, his forehead resting lightly against hers. “My dearest Elizabeth, do not turn from me. Let me prove that I have changed. I am not the man I was.”
“Sir…”
He bent and brushed his lips against hers. She did not withdraw.
“Elizabeth,mon amour. You are the other half of my heart.”
He kissed her again, and she leaned into him, her arms rising about his neck. He stood, drawing her with him, one hand at her waist, the other at her back, and claimed her more fully.
She pressed close, then murmured against his neck, “Fitzwilliam, you have made me suffer so.”
“I know, my darling. I shall never do so again.”
She drew back, her expression resolute. “If you do, Mr. Darcy, you shall answer to me. I will not be treated as something to be cast aside, or… or be humiliated in public ever again.”
“No, my darling. I would not dare.”
She regarded him with a faint frown. “You appear sufficiently contrite, which inclines me to believe you. But I warn you, sir, I am no meek or insipid wife. If you desire such a creature, you must look elsewhere.”
He smiled. “I could not love you as I do if you were a meek, insipid woman, my darling.”
“Very well, sir. You may court me. If we do not come to blows before the end of it, perhaps we may contrive a future together.”
He laughed and drew her close. “Elizabeth, you have made me very happy. I shall pretend I am courting you, though we both know you have already agreed to have me. Let us have the banns read while we conduct this courtship, so that we may marry the moment it concludes. Or perhaps you will grant me leave to obtain a common license, that we might be wed next week.”
He kissed her again, and she held him fast. “Fitzwilliam, I have missed you.”
“Then what shall it be, Elizabeth? Will you marry me next week?”
She pulled back, laughing. “Sir, you quite overset my reason. I have only just declared myself uncertain that I like you. How can I marry you next week?”
