“I love you, Elizabeth,” he said. “I love you more than I knew a man could love—with memory, and longing, and hope. I love you for the woman you are now, and the mother you were, and the mother you may yet be again. I love you for James. And for the life we haven’t yet lived.”
Tears burned behind her eyes.
“I do not ask for haste,” he continued. “I know what you have feared. I know why you have waited. But if waiting until Michaelmas gives James the best chance—if it givesusthe best chance—I will wait. Gladly. Only tell me that I may waitas your intended husband, and not as your friend.”
He turned back to her fully now, and though his voice was steady, there was a vulnerability in his gaze that undid her.
“Will you marry me, Elizabeth?”
She did not hesitate.
“Yes,” she whispered. Then again, stronger, “Yes.”
Chapter 58
The rest of the day passed in a kind of quiet glow. The Colonel was the first to find them and offered his congratulations with a dry, satisfied air—“At last,” was all he said, though his smile lingered longer than usual. Mrs. Gardiner embraced Elizabeth withwarmth and not a little relief, while her husband shook Darcy’s hand solemnly and added, “I suspect she will keep you in good order, sir.”
Even Mrs. Reynolds, once reserved in her opinions, seemed quietly pleased. She had grown to admire Elizabeth in the past week, not merely for her calm presence in the household, but for the change she had seen in her master. Joy softened his silences now. And she, who had known him as a boy, recognized it for what it was.
Later, as they sat near the fire, Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke more softly.
“She would not leave his side at first. For days, Georgiana refused to sleep unless she could be near the room—even when he did not wake. But the strain was too much. When her health began to falter, and with Lady Catherine making everything tenfold worse, my parents insisted she return with them to our house.”
He paused, watching the fire flicker low. “She rallied again once he was out of danger, but when the journey north was arranged, we departed too quickly to bring her with us. My parents should be at Matlock by now with her. She has been eager for news—and more than a little resentful at being left behind.”
They had hoped to leave together the following day, stopping in Matlock to inform the family and collect Georgiana before returning to Longbourn. But Dr. Wentworth, firm in his authority, insisted Mr. Darcy remain at Pemberley for at least another week.
Darcy opened his mouth to argue—only to be silenced by Elizabeth’s hand on his arm.
“For once,” she said gently, “I agree with the doctor.”
His jaw flexed. “I do not want to be parted from you again. Not even for a day.”
“Nor do I,” she said softly. “But I saw you in that carriage, Fitzwilliam. Pale, in pain, barely upright—and still insisting on traveling north. If something had gone wrong, if you had collapsed again while trying to reach me…”
She trailed off. Her voice had grown tight.
“I would not have survived it,” she finished.
Darcy looked away, his hand still resting on hers. “I could not bear the thought of you waiting. Of you not knowing.”
“I know that now,” she said. “But I cannot ask you to endanger yourself again. We have waited this long. Let us not begin our life with another risk.”
His gaze returned to hers, full of feeling. After a moment, he bowed his head in reluctant surrender.
“Then I will not argue,” he said quietly. “But I shall count the days.”
It was Colonel Fitzwilliam who stepped forward then, his tone intentionally light. “I’ll ride to Matlock,” he said. “Break the news, endure my mother’s reaction, fetch Georgiana—and return with all proper expressions of family joy. That way, when Darcy is permitted to travel, we can all go together.”
Elizabeth managed a smile. “You are very good.”
“I am under orders now,” he replied with mock solemnity. “I would not dare disappoint you.”
Her smile lingered a moment longer before fading into something quieter. She turned toward the hearth, her fingers brushing the worn brocade of the chair.
“She loved me once,” Elizabeth said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I do not know what she will think of me now. I only know he was hurt—and I was not with him.”
Darcy was quiet a moment. Then he said,
