Page 13 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

A Proposal

“You have made quite an impression on my cousin, sir.” Elizabeth smiled up at Darcy as they walked through the small park near her uncle’s home the following day. “All we hear is ‘Mr. Darcy said.’ I had not realized you were so loquacious.”

He could tell she was trying not to laugh. “Had you not? Well, perhaps that was because I was overcome by your fine eyes and unable to find the words in the past.”

A becoming blush covered her countenance. “I still find it hard to believe that you admired me.”

“Admire, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy pressed his fingers to her hand which rested against his arm before releasing them and continuing along the path.

“My feelings remain unchanged.” He cleared his throat.

“I am eagerly anticipating attending the theatre with you and your family. My cousin is speaking to his parents today and suspects they will join us as well.”

“The earl and his wife?” Elizabeth’s large eyes stared up at him. “They would meet my aunt and uncle, and me and my sister?”

“My family may surprise you, Miss Elizabeth. My uncle is an earl, but he takes his place in the House of Lords quite seriously. He sees the ways of society shifting. Men like Mr. Gardiner will be great leaders in the future, and my uncle will not allow foolish pride to keep him from having a connection to them.”

“And you, Mr. Darcy? How do you feel?”

Darcy paused his steps and met her gaze directly.

“I have been exceedingly foolish in the past. My words and thoughts in no way matched my actions. The idea that I would dismiss your aunt and uncle without meeting them is repugnant to me as I find their company more enjoyable than many of the young men with whom I attended school. Indeed, Bingley is one of my closest friends, and he is but one generation removed from trade.” He shook his head.

“I must thank you for opening my eyes to my foolishness and allowing me to meet your family and make reparations for my behaviour.”

Elizabeth’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but her lips lifted in an impish smile. “I am certain you would not have been quite so prejudiced towards them if you had not met my mother and Aunt Phillips first. Surely, you believed my Uncle Gardiner and his wife would be of the same cloth.”

Cheeks warming, Darcy admitted, “I was surprised when I first met him, until he told me his mother was his father’s second wife.”

Elizabeth nodded with a light laugh and turned for them to begin walking.

“Grandmamma Gardiner does not suffer fools gladly. Perhaps you might meet her one day. She has been living in Bath the past few years. The apothecary advised her to take the waters for a lingering cold, but she enjoyed the locale and friends she had made so much that she remained after she was well. Mamma asks to visit her from time to time, but Papa will not allow it.” She gave him a conspiratorial look.

“He knows Grandmamma will not welcome her and will hold him responsible. She can be quite a force, and he does not want her to be displeased with him.”

“And do any of her granddaughters resemble her?”

With narrowed, suspicious eyes and a slight lift to her lips, she asked, “In looks or personality?” Before he could respond, she continued.

“Although they do not share the same blood, Mary has a similar look, though Grandmamma is more fashionable. Mary could be quite beautiful if she would not wear her hair in such a severe manner, but she will not listen to me and Jane. As far as personality, I take after her as I practically lived with her for several years when I was quite young.”

“You were not always at Longbourn?” Darcy asked.

She shook her head. “Kitty and Lydia were born fairly close together. Mamma had barely recovered from Kitty’s birth when she was once again expecting, and she became quite ill.

Jane was quiet and calm, but Mary and I .

. . we required more attention. We were frequently taken to Grandmamma’s cottage just outside Meryton and would stay with her for several days. ”

“And after your youngest sister was born?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “Lydia was not a boy, and the apothecary and midwife agreed that Mamma would not have any more children. She cried for days and her complaints regarding her nerves became near constant. Unfortunately, I questioned everything, which upset her even further, so––”

“You were sent to your grandmother’s home.” Darcy was unable to keep the disapproval from his voice.

“Do not misunderstand. I love my mother and I know she loves me.” She met his gaze and her eyes sparkled with amusement.

“When you insulted me at the Meryton assembly, she declared you to be ‘a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing.’ People may believe my mother is mercenary because she speaks so frequently of rich gentlemen marrying her daughters, but that is due to her fear of the entail. You were by far the richest gentleman she had ever met, but she would not push any of us in your direction as you dared to insult one of her daughters. I fear she detests you, sir.” Elizabeth’s countenance turned an alarming red.

“As you do?” he asked softly.

“ Did , Mr. Darcy. Not do.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “And I believe detest is a strong word. You injured my pride, sir. A wound which can take time to heal.”

Darcy slowed their pace one more time until they nearly stopped.

“When we were in Kent, I asked if you would allow me to court you. Since then, we have addressed the issue of Wickham; he will not hurt you or your family. I hope I have shown my commitment to improve and become a gentleman you could respect, and that your pride might have healed sufficiently to reconsider.” He took her hand in his, drawing it closer to his heart.

“Miss Elizabeth, will you allow me to court you properly and, one day, consider being my wife?”

She stared into his eyes, a light smile playing about her lips, but she said nothing.

From the corner of his eye, Darcy saw Philip and Master Thomas approaching on horseback.

He squeezed her hand and smiled at her. “I fear I require an answer, my dear. Our cousins are nearly upon us, and we will not have another moment like this once they arrive.”

As if waking from a dream, Elizabeth blinked and glanced about.

“Oh, forgive me, Mr. Darcy. Did I not respond?” She looked away, closing her eyes for a moment as her smile grew, but quickly held her head up and met his gaze directly.

“I would be honoured, if you still wish to court me, and believe I would be quite happy as your wife, once I know you better.”

Everything within him wished to sweep her up in his arms and spin her about, but there were far too many people near and his cousin was already watching them suspiciously.

Instead, he attempted to calmly say, “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I will do my best to be an open book before you.” Dipping closer to her ear, he whispered, “I have already won over your cousin. Perhaps I will enlist his aid in securing your heart. I have been told he is your favourite.”

Elizabeth threw her head back and laughed just as the others joined them.

“My, has my staid cousin suddenly become a jester?” Philip asked as he drew his horse alongside them. “I do not believe I have ever seen you so joyful, Miss Elizabeth, though I tried my best to amuse you during our time in Kent.”

“Our Lizzy laughs a lot,” Thomas declared. “She loves to laugh.” He reached towards Darcy who lifted him down from the horse. “She likes it when people make her laugh,” he added encouragingly.

“I will remember that,” Darcy said as he winked.

“Are you ready to return home?” Elizabeth asked. “I believe it is time for tea and Cook made your favourite biscuits yesterday.”

Thomas’s eyes grew large, and he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes.” He slid out of Darcy’s arms and stepped between the couple, taking a hand on each side.

Darcy looked longingly at Elizabeth but accepted the separation––for now.

***********

Bingley, Miss Bennet, Miss Gardiner, Georgiana, and Miss Lucas joined the others, and they made their way back to Gracechurch Street in time for tea.

Darcy noted Bingley and Miss Bennet were more distracted than normal, and they both wore expressions of excessive joy.

He glanced at Elizabeth, who was also watching the couple, and they shared a nod of understanding.

Therefore, it was not surprising when Bingley asked to speak to Mr. Gardiner just before the party was expected to leave.

As the two men left the room, Darcy lowered his head and said in a soft voice, “Should I speak to your uncle as well?”

Elizabeth tipped her head to the side, clearly considering the ramifications.

“I think you should wait to speak to my father, sir. We are only to remain in London until Friday, and I would not want to steal attention from Jane.” She lifted her gaze to his, her eyes growing slightly larger.

“You are intending to accompany Mr. Bingley when he returns to Netherfield Park, are you not?”

“I am, though I must return to Pemberley at some point in time.” He smiled. “Bingley was invited to Pemberley this summer. Perhaps you could accompany his party.”

“I am to tour the Lake District with my aunt and uncle this summer.”

“Then you must stay at Pemberley on your way there and on the return. I am in great anticipation of your thoughts on my home. It may have more walks than even you could explore in a brief visit.”

Her smile grew. “Then I must return often or stay longer.”

“Stay.” Darcy could not look away from her. She was everything he had ever desired.

A shy look came over her, and her gaze fell to her lap, though her lips were still curled upward in a soft smile, and she nibbled on the corner of her lip. Before any more could be said, Bingley and Mr. Gardiner returned to announce the couple as engaged pending Mr. Bennet’s approval.