After some time, they reached the familiar bench near the Serpentine.
“Would you care to stop a moment?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth nodded.
He dismounted and assisted her down, then secured the reins before leading her to the bench.
He took her hand. Then, instead of sitting beside her, he lowered himself to one knee.
“Dearest Elizabeth…” He paused only briefly, as though steadying himself.
“You are the most extraordinary woman I have ever known. You are kind, intelligent, and fearless, and I will not deny that you are very beautiful.”
His gaze held hers. “To be with you makes everything brighter, more engaging, more alive. I cannot imagine my life without you in it.”
His voice softened. “I know how much Longbourn signifies to you, and I would never wish to take that from you. On the contrary, I admire it.”
He drew a breath. “I love you. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
For a moment, she did not speak.
He saw the tears in her eyes, and all his confidence faltered. “Elizabeth?” he asked quietly. “Have I distressed you?”
She shook her head, and in the next instant, she threw her arms around him.
“Yes.”
He blinked in confusion. “Yes… you will marry me? Or yes, you are distressed?”
She laughed softly through her tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Relief broke across his expression as he rose and sat beside her, still holding her hand. “You have just frightened me more than I thought possible,” he said, though he was smiling now. “But I am very happy.”
He leaned toward her, pausing just enough to give her the choice. She inclined her head slightly.
He kissed her, softly at first, once, then again, until she answered him in kind. Then, gently, he deepened the kiss.
When he drew back, he kept her close, holding her for a quiet moment. “I love you, Elizabeth.”
She smiled, her voice low and certain. “I love you too, Fitzwilliam.”
He smiled at that. “I believe I prefer William.”
Her expression softened even further. “I love you, William.”
***
Upon returning to the house, Elizabeth went directly to her room to change.
She had just seated herself at her vanity when a soft knock sounded at the sitting room door. “Come in.”
Georgiana peered in. “Is it too early?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Not at all. I have only just returned from riding in Hyde Park.”
Georgiana’s expression brightened. “With William?”
Elizabeth paused, the brush still in her hand, and turned slightly to look at her. “Yes… with William.”
