There was no mistaking the question.
Elizabeth met her aunt's gaze. The colour rose in her cheeks, but she answered steadily. “Mr. Darcy has asked me to be his wife, and I have consented.”
Mr. Gardiner's brows lifted. Mrs. Gardiner looked entirely satisfied.
“I thought as much.”
Mr. Gardiner turned from one to the other and lifted his cup as though the gesture had occurred to him naturally. “Then I offer my congratulations to you both.”
“I hope you will not think me precipitous,” said Darcy.
“Precipitous?” returned Mr. Gardiner. “After six weeks of walking the same stretch of sand? I should have thought you remarkably patient.”
Elizabeth laughed, and Mrs. Gardiner, who was adding cream to her tea, regarded Darcy with evident amusement. “And yet patience has deserted you.”
Darcy did not attempt denial. “I knew it was our last morning here. It seemed impossible to leave that shore without speaking.”
“It is our place,” said Elizabeth.
“Yes.”
“Then we are obliged to Brinmouth,” said Mr. Gardiner, helping himself to another piece of toast. “It appears to have hurried what Hertfordshire might have delayed.”
Breakfast resumed in an easier tone. Cups were refilled and bread passed from hand to hand. After a few moments Mrs. Gardiner set down her cup and glanced toward the window, where the servants were already moving about the yard.
“I begin to think Brinmouth is determined to prevent our departure. Every friend insists upon sending something with us. At this rate we shall require a caravan.”
“The rear compartment will bear it,” said Mr. Gardiner.
“Will it?” she returned. “With shells, baskets, books, and Elizabeth's indefensible collection of sea pebbles?”
Elizabeth protested at once. “They are not indefensible.”
Darcy looked at her. “They shall be defended.”
Mrs. Gardiner set down the spoon with which she had been stirring her tea. “Well, we are fortunate that Mr. Darcy's carriage is to travel with us. I suspect we should otherwise be forced to leave half our treasures behind.”
“I would carry every pebble myself,” said Darcy, “if it spared her the smallest inconvenience.”
Elizabeth's colour deepened, but she did not look away.
“In that case,” said Mr. Gardiner, reaching for the marmalade, “I shall ensure the pebbles are properly catalogued.”
The laughter that followed left the room easier than before. Plates were moved aside, cups emptied, and the last of the toast divided between them. At length the servants returned to clear the table, and when they had withdrawn again Mr. Gardiner set down his cup.
“Darcy,” he said, “if you will spare me a few minutes.”
“With pleasure.”
The little study bore the marks of recent accounts. Ledgers lay open upon the desk, and a pen rested where it had been set aside. Mr. Gardiner closed the door behind them and turned at once.
“You have my blessing. I need not pretend otherwise. I have long thought you worthy of her.”
The gratitude in Darcy's expression was unfeigned. “I value that beyond measure.”
“But,” continued Mr. Gardiner, drawing out a chair and taking his own place behind the desk, “I cannot give you my consent.”
Darcy remained standing. “No. You cannot.”
