“Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for your care of me, but I assure you I am quite capable of dealing with Miss Bingley.”
He smiled. “Of course you are. Forgive me.”
“After you speak with my uncle, must you return home?”
“No, I do not need to return,” he replied.
“Then I hope you will remain here as long as it is convenient for you.”
He grinned. “I will ask your uncle if I may do so."
Elizabeth grinned as well. Rising from the couch, she walked over to ring the bell.
Fitzwilliam followed, coming to stand in front of her. They were gazing at one another when the drawing room door opened and Fletcher appeared.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Fletcher, Mr. Darcy would like to speak with my uncle.”
“Of course. If you will follow me, sir.”
Fitzwilliam looked back at her once more before he left the room.
Elizabeth could not believe how unburdened, hopeful, and happy she felt! Within a few minutes, her aunt and sisters entered the room.
“You look very happy, Elizabeth," Aunt Madeleine observed. "I assume your conversation with Mr. Darcy went well?”
“It did, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “We resolved everything. He also asked to court me, and I said yes.”
They gasped at her words.
“Oh, Elizabeth! I knew it, I knew it!” Aunt Madeleine exclaimed.
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, you did, Aunt.”
“He has gone to your uncle?”
“He has.”
“Come, tell us how Mr. Darcy explained himself,” Aunt Madeleine said, taking Elizabeth’s hand and leading her to the couch.
The butler opened the study door for Darcy to walk through.
“Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Gardiner greeted him.
“Mr. Gardiner.”
They shook hands.
“Please come in, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I offer you a drink?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“No, thank you, sir.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “So, how was your conversation with my niece?”
