“Yes. What matters is that we seem to be right now, would you not agree?”
“Completely,” he said, placing gentle kisses on both her hands. She felt dizzy and wondered whether she could stand long enough to complete her response.
“So, you must allow me to tell you this very moment that I do not need any more time to consider my answer. I have never felt how I feel when I am with you, and I have never wished for anyone’s presence as much as I long for yours.” She lowered her eyes and added, “My hands and yours are already entwined.”
“So they are… Then…are you saying yes to everything I asked?” he enquired, incredulous.
“I already said yes, did I not? As for your fear that I cannot return your affection, allow me to dissipate your concern.”
With that, she lifted up onto her toes, entwined her hands in his hair, and shyly pressed her lips to his — the first kiss of her life.
An instant later, his arms closed around her, and she leant against him while his lips captured hers for the second kiss of her life — still timid, still gentle, but incredible.
He stepped back, looking at her adoringly, and said, “I must leave now. I shall call on you in London.”
“Very well.”
“I would suggest we do not announce our engagement before we have your father’s blessing.”
“Of course.”
“Besides, I would not leave you here knowing Lady Catherine had heard about our engagement.”
“I understand, but surely you know I am not afraid of her.”
“Not in a verbal confrontation,” he replied. “I shall tell you more soon so you may understand my concerns.”
“We shall have enough time to talk in two days’ time. Is the family ready to leave?”
“Yes. Mrs. Gilroy is distraught, as you can imagine. I do not think she knows of her husband’s true situation, and she cannot understand what she has done wrong and why Lady Catherine despises her and her children. At first, she refused my offer — as you surely guessed. I needed all my powers of persuasion to convince her that it is for the benefit of her children.”
“She will soon understand how fortunate and blessed she will be to have your protection.”
“You will have the chance to meet her again at Pemberley soon,” he said, still holding her hands. “You will decide what assignment you have for her employment and how you wish to help the children. You will be the mistress. Of Pemberley and of my heart,” he ended, with a smile that melted her own heart.
Then, before she had time to reply, he left in haste.
An hour later, the Collinses returned, and the scandal burst out that evening and increased the next day.
Carrying Darcy’s words in her heart and mind and the touch of his lips on hers, having felt the comfort of his arms, Elizabeth found the strength to bear the madness for two more nights and a day.
She was the only one who knew everything but chose to remain silent, without interfering in any discussion between the Collinses.
To Elizabeth’s astonishment, Lady Catherine herself came the next morning, looking transfigured, to take Mr. Collins with her to a meeting with her solicitor. In the heat of her anger, she declared she would sever the connection with her nephews and would forbid their further involvement in her affairs. She declared she had been betrayed, cheated, robbed, and Mr. Collins approved of her every word. Both Elizabeth and Charlotte kept silent, though for different reasons.
On a bright Sunday morning, the distress ended for Elizabeth. In Mr. Gardiner’s carriage, together with Maria Lucas, she began her journey to London. She left all the chaos behind her and smiled at the future unfolding ahead of her. Soon enough, she would see Darcy again, the man responsible for her happiness as well as Jane’s; the man whom, until recently, she had not truly known.
