Page 15 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“I have often imagined you here,” he said as they traversed the halls, stepping into one room and then another.

“Breaking your fast beside me in the morning room or reading letters while I worked at my desk in the study.” He paused before a set of double doors.

“But mostly, I thought of you curled before the fire here.” He opened the doors and Elizabeth stepped into the library.

“Oh!” she breathed as she looked about. “I see why Miss Bingley praised your library so.”

He stepped up behind her, hesitantly resting his hands upon her shoulders, and whispered in her ear. “Miss Bingley has never been in this room, that I am aware of. She was speaking of the library at Pemberley.”

“And it is grander than this?” she asked in a breathless voice.

“It is.” Gently, he turned her to face him. “Would you like to live here, Elizabeth? Can you see yourself here? With me?”

She swallowed, unable to tear her eyes away from his, and found herself suddenly mute.

This man, who she had berated furiously a little more than a week prior, was asking her to marry him.

How was it that her feelings for him had changed and so quickly?

True, she had read his letter repeatedly during her time at Hunsford.

And he had travelled to Meryton at her request in order to protect her family and neighbours from Mr. Wickham.

He had even seen to the man leaving England entirely.

But right now, she just stared at the beauty of him, something she had never denied, and allowed herself to consider the enticing conversations they had shared, in Hertfordshire, Kent, and London.

With this man, she would never be embarrassed as she would with Mr. Collins or feel inferior as her mother did with her father.

This man loved her, and she felt she could love him as well.

Still unable to find her voice, she slowly nodded.

Darcy pulled her closer to him. “Truly?”

“Truly,” she whispered.

His arms wrapped about her in a loose embrace. “Then you will marry me, Elizabeth?”

She licked her lips and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “I fear I must, sir.”

His brow quirked upwards. “So formal?”

She laughed. “Fitzwilliam.”

“Better.” He leant forwards. “Why must you marry me, Elizabeth?”

“If I truly wish to be happy, I see no other way.” She ran her hands up his arms until they rested on his shoulders, then raised up on her toes and placed a chaste kiss upon his lips.

Though startled by her words and actions, Darcy was not so lost that he would miss such an opportunity. He closed his arms about her and deepened the kiss before she could escape him. When they were breathless and holding one another, he broke the kiss and asked, “What changed your mind?”

Elizabeth rested her head upon his shoulder and sighed.

“It began with your letter and our walk at Rosings, but then you visited my family here in London and returned to Meryton. I was surprised that you would go to such lengths to change my opinion of you.” She snuggled closer to him, pressing her nose against his neck.

“How could I resist such a handsome man who was willing to set aside his pride and protect me and my family?” She drew back and pressed a kiss upon his cheek before withdrawing from his arms and giving him a cheeky smile.

“But then you showed me this . . .” her hand motioned to the room about them, “and I realized no other man would ever indulge my love of reading the way you would.”

A laugh tore from his throat as he tugged her back against him. “Minx!” He claimed her lips once more and kissed her until she clung to him. “You were saying?” he whispered in her ear.

“Saying?” she asked. “I quite forget what I was saying.” She lifted her lips towards his and he indulged her with another kiss.

“Ahem.”

The couple reluctantly separated and turned towards the doorway to find Colonel Fitzwilliam with his back to them.

“Yes, Philip?” Darcy said.

His cousin turned and smiled. “Darcy and Miss Bennet. What a surprise.”

“Did my sister send you to find us?” Elizabeth asked.

He laughed before responding, “She mentioned my cousin was giving you a tour when I asked after him.”

“Yes, and we have only completed the first floor,” Darcy said as he slipped Elizabeth’s arm about his once again.

“If you continue in that manner, the tour will not finish before dinner, and I fear for Miss Bennet’s reputation.”

“Elizabeth will be my wife, and it will be my duty to protect her reputation.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brows rose, and a smile broke across his countenance.

“Congratulations!” He stepped forwards and claimed Elizabeth’s hand, bowing over it and pressing a kiss to the back of it.

“Welcome to the family. May I call you Elizabeth? Though how my dolt of a cousin was able to secure you so quickly, I may never know.”

Darcy reclaimed Elizabeth’s hand from his cousin and led her from the room while the colonel trailed after them. “Please do not encourage him,” he begged her. “He believes himself to be quite a wit.”

Elizabeth laughed and wrapped her second hand over the first, leaning her head against his arm. “Is he frequently at your home?”

“Am I to be spoken of as though I am not here?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

“When he is not at the barracks,” Darcy replied without acknowledging his cousin. “Though if it displeases you, I would gladly turn him away.”

“Darce!”

“No, he is amusing. I believe we can allow him to continue his stays here once we are wed.”

Darcy smiled so brightly; it was as though the sun were filling the room. “As you wish, my love.”

They made their way back to the drawing room, but before Darcy or Elizabeth could speak, the colonel announced to the room, “I found them in the library. They are engaged.” He turned back to them. “That was an engagement celebration I walked in upon, was it not?”

Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “On second thought, we may have to limit his visits for at least a brief period.”

“You understand my pain now. I love him dearly, but . . .”

The colonel’s barking laughter interrupted their jesting, and they lifted their gaze to find the others grinning in their direction.

“Jane!” Miss Darcy cried, “How did you know it would be the library? I just knew he would ask her in his study.”

“If Mr. Darcy truly knows my sister, he would know it was books that would break down her last wall.” She grinned at her sister.

“Congratulations, Lizzy! I am so happy for you.” She embraced Elizabeth before turning to Darcy.

“Welcome to the family, Mr. Darcy. Will you be accompanying Charles to Longbourn tomorrow? "