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Still, he remained silent, thus increasing Elizabeth’s own suspense. “Mr. Darcy, it is your turn to say something.”
“I was just considering that you already had an idea of who I was and even what I looked like before we ever met, and still you were able to resist my charms for as long as you did.”
“I have been accused of professing opinions which were not always my own, merely for purposes of diversion.” Elizabeth bit her lower lip as her bout of amusement gave way to sobriety. “You will recall that you and I did not have the greatest start, not after you learned of my acquaintance with Mr. Wickham. Every indication I had of your goodness fled in response to our contentious debate, and every account I ever heard against your character was subsequently magnified. It was not until I spoke with the colonel on my last day in Kent that I began to comprehend how little I knew myself.”
“I pray you will forgive me for not confiding the information on Wickham’s character to you. My sister thinks so highly of you, and she supposed you would think less of her should you learn of the truth of her past with the gentleman.”
“I understand fully. Georgiana is truly blessed to have such a loyal brother.”
“I cannot help thinking I was derelict in my duties towards her by allowing her to travel to Ramsgate with someone as disreputable as her former companion proved to be. I vowed I would never allow any harm to come to her again.”
“It now makes perfect sense to me why you regarded me with such circumspect after I touted my acquaintance with Mr. Wickham when you and I first met.”
Darcy simply looked at her.
“Mr. Darcy?”
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Why are you apologising to me, when I am in your debt?”
“No—I was thinking of your declaration regarding my loyalty to my sister. It brought to mind just how loyal you are to your own sisters—to your family.
“You amaze me by your courage, your strength, your love of family. It is I who should be apologising to you for the ill-considered words I spoke to you in Hunsford. I apologise for assuming you would welcome my proposal, and for compounding the offense by affirming that marriage to me meant that you subsequently would sever your ties with those who you hold dearest in the world. I came to you with every expectation of a favourable reply.
“You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased. No one has ever spoken to me the way you did, and I respect you even more because of it. It is one of the things I admire most about you.
“Had I truly appreciated the depth of your character, I would never have committed such an outrageous offense against you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“After what you did for Lydia and hence my family, thereby making it possible for Mr. Bingley and Jane to find their way back to each other, you need not ask me such a question, sir.”
“I hope you know that I would do anything for you, Miss Elizabeth. Should you ever be in need of anything at all, I shall forever be only a heartbeat away, willing and able to do your bidding.”
How she now realised what a material change her feelings towards him had undergone. Did she dare hope? Would a man, who had been refused once, risk a second refusal from the same woman?
“Mr. Darcy, I need—” Elizabeth stopped short of voicing her most heartfelt desire aloud. I need you to ask me again to be your wife. Please ask me again.
He moved directly in front of her, as if wanting her to have eyes only for him. “What is it?” Darcy took Elizabeth by the hand. Unable to stop himself, he turned her hand over and kissed her palm affectionately. “I am in your power.”
Elizabeth gasped. Her fingers trembling within his grip, tears welled in her eyes. His tender pronouncements touched every chord in her heart. Still, her words did not come.
“Miss Elizabeth, as I have said, I believe I have admired you since I first beheld you at the Thurston’s ball. I am bewitched, body and soul.” He cupped her hand inside both of his. “Is there a chance in this world you can be happy with me? Love me? For I have to tell you that I love you. I love you.”
Releasing her hand, he traced his finger along her chin. “I cannot bear the thought of not having you.” He placed his hands on her arms and drew her a bit closer to bestow a light kiss upon her temple. “I never wish to be parted from you from this day forward. Please do me the honour of accepting my hand in marriage. Say you will be mine.”
CHAPTER 17
TAKE NO LEAVE
Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, Mary and Kitty were sitting together in the drawing room when the sound of an approaching carriage suddenly drew their attention to the window. How surprised they were, for it was much too early in the morning for visitors. Besides, the equipage did not answer to that of any of their neighbours. The horses were post, and neither the carriage, nor the livery of the servant who preceded it, were familiar to them. All conjectures of the identity of their impending guest were satisfied when the door flew open, and their visitor entered.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh!
Alas, Mrs. Bennet’s astonishment was nothing in comparison to Elizabeth’s anguish. She knew circumstances of shared acquaintances must certainly put her in Lady Catherine’s way again, but she had not expected it to be so soon and at Longbourn of all places.
Her ladyship had entered the room with an air more ungracious than usual, made no other reply to Elizabeth’s salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word. Elizabeth had mentioned the uninvited guest’s name to her mother on her ladyship’s entrance, though no request of introduction had been made.
Flattered by having a guest of such high importance, Mrs. Bennet received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, Lady Catherine spoke rather stiffly to Elizabeth. “I hope you are well, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your mother.”
