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E lizabeth had chosen the rather smaller drawing room in the new wing. She wouldn’t admit it to her father, but she was less intimidated by this part of her new home, and she didn’t wish to seem to be pushing her antecedents too much to Mr. Darcy when he arrived.

She had half-expected him yesterday, and his absence had reduced her confidence.

She walked for a long time in the private part of the grounds with Mrs. Curtice, her newly appointed companion.

She was a quiet and pleasant lady, and good company.

Elizabeth was quite sure that she would be able to accept the woman and have confidence in her.

But she wasn’t Jane, and Elizabeth missed her sister acutely.

But she felt a little better after pouring out her feelings to her sister in a long letter last night, although she still hadn’t slept well. What if Mr. Darcy didn’t call upon her? What if he felt his sister might be damaged by the rumours swirling around?

She knew Father intended to make her safe and marry very soon. If it could not be Mr. Darcy, she knew she could never love another, and the memory of those dark, concerned eyes would torment her forever.

So, her heart had lightened when a footman had arrived to inform her that Mr. Darcy was with Father in his library.

She made her way with Mrs. Curtice to the small drawing room, and they sat quietly over their needlework.

Her companion knew how much this meant to Elizabeth and made occasional gentle conversation to occupy Elizabeth’s thoughts.

They sat there for a long time, and Elizabeth was about to get up and move to the piano to make herself concentrate on something, when the door opened.

The footman stood in the doorway and Father entered, followed by Mr. Darcy, who bowed at her as she rose to her feet, hoping her legs would support her.

Father looked around and nodded his satisfaction at the sight of Mrs. Curtice before withdrawing and leaving the room.

Elizabeth was relieved. “Good morning, Mr. Darcy. Please join me.”

He bowed his head again. “I am pleased to be here, Lady Elizabeth.”

“I don’t think you have met my new companion, Mrs. Curtice.” She indicated the woman, who curtsied again.

Mr. Darcy inclined his head. “Mrs. Curtice.”

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.” Then she turned back to Elizabeth.

“I will sit by the other fireplace, Lady Elizabeth.”

Finally, Elizabeth was sitting opposite Mr. Darcy, although they had to wait to speak until the tea trays had been deposited on the side tables and the tea poured.

She glanced up at him, rather embarrassed at what she knew he’d been talking about to Father, but she was surprised to see his eyes were amused.

“What is it?”

“Why, I was merely enjoying seeing you here, with service fit for a duke’s daughter, and seeming to be quite at home.”

She had to laugh. “It is very different from the first time you called at Longbourn, I suppose.”

He relaxed. “Indeed. Have you heard how the family is? Is Mrs. Bennet feeling better?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes. I think now all the excitement has died down, and only Mary remains at home, she has become quite calm, although of course, she talks constantly about a son being born.” She shivered. “I cannot imagine how she will react should the child be another girl.”

Mr. Darcy grimaced. “She will need a lot of support and reassurance.”

Elizabeth nodded, and there was a moment’s silence.

“Lady Elizabeth?” His voice was very gentle.

She looked up, trying not to let the tears fall. “Thank you for calling, Mr. Darcy. Yesterday I wondered if you had decided not to come, after what has been written in the papers about me.”

“And then I was a long time with your father before I came through to you.” He sounded understanding, and she blinked.

He reached out and took her hand. “I think you know how I feel about you, dearest Elizabeth. But I know you would wish us to get to know each other better rather more gradually. I am sorry it seems you would not be safe with that course of action.”

She nodded and looked down. “I am happy that Father has agreed you would be the best person.” She glanced up. “Despite you being a Darcy!”

“I am fortunate he is able to see beyond the name,” he agreed.

His hand tightened around hers. “But, Elizabeth, I must know. Are your inclinations in accord with this, or am I just the best of an indifferent choice? I would not like to be in the position, a few years in the future, of you finding someone you would prefer to be with and be trapped where you do not want to be.” The passion in his eyes blazed through her, and her insides seemed to dissolve. She huffed a little laugh.

“When Jane and I were very young, we always used to talk about the gentlemen we would marry,” she whispered.

“They would be wildly handsome, of course, very rich and madly in love with us.” The warmth of his hand around hers was distracting her.

“I rather assumed that such a man could be easily loved.” She turned her hand over and grasped his, keeping her gaze firmly away from his face.

“Do you … do you really love me and not just who I am?”

He moved to the edge of his chair, and drew her hand closer to him.

His voice was just a murmur, as low as hers.

“Elizabeth, Pemberley is a vast estate, and I have rewarding work enough, and more wealth than I could ever need. Taking on all your inheritance and wealth is far more than I would wish to do — unless it was the only way to secure your hand in marriage.” There was a smile in his voice now.

“It has convinced me of my feelings, for I would do it for no other.”

She looked up, knowing her smile was tremulous. “And you called on Papa before the Netherfield ball, too. Jane told me.”

His sigh was heartfelt. “It was the one of the worst moments of my life. I thought my pride and attempts to distance myself had made me too late. I believed I had lost you forever.” He smiled wryly.

“And then I saw you at your ball and knew you were far above me — and the daughter of the man who could never forgive any Darcy for what had happened in the past.”

Impulsively she moved to the edge of her seat, too, lifting her hand, feeling his lips descend to it, the heat of his touch burning.

“Your determination to find me, to follow me, to keep me safe — saving me from Mr. Wickham and a terrible future — you are an easy man to love, Mr. Darcy,” she whispered, and the dawning hope in his eyes was all she wanted to see.

He swallowed. “Lady Elizabeth,” he returned to formality, and she frowned.

“Lady Elizabeth, as you know, your father has given his consent for me to ask for your hand in marriage.” He smiled slightly.

“And I was a day late arriving here, because I first called at Longbourn and asked the consent of your papa to make you an offer of marriage before I travelled north …”

Her hands were both in front of her mouth. “You asked Papa?”

He nodded. “Of course. He was your papa for many years.”

She blinked hard, but a tear or two escaped and trickled down her cheek. She smiled through it. “Be not alarmed, sir. I am happy.”

He reached out and his finger wiped away the tear, tracing along her cheek. Her heart raced away at the heat of his touch.

“Elizabeth. Dearest, dearest Elizabeth. Will you do me the great honour of agreeing to become my wife? I love you more than life itself and will do my utmost to give you all you desire, even if our courtship has to be part of our wedding tour.”

Elizabeth laughed shakily. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I think I have loved you for longer than I know. Even at Longbourn, when I thought I disliked you, it was only a way to hide it from myself.”

“My family call me William.” His gaze caressed her.

“William.”

His smile lit the room. “I like hearing my name on your lips.” He lifted her hand to his mouth again, his kiss lingering.

They sat there unmoving, Elizabeth wishing that moment could last forever.

She didn’t know how long it had been when a quiet cough from Mrs. Curtice in the far corner of the room roused them to reality.

Mr. Darcy — William — smiled gently. “I think I ought to go back to your father, Elizabeth. He will be waiting anxiously, I have no doubt, and we will be back very soon.”

She tightened her hand round his. “I wish I didn’t have to let you go, even for this.”

“Soon.” His murmur was a promise for the future, and her gaze followed his tall, lean figure as he crossed to the door.