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“She will marry him or I will never speak to her again. I cannot maintain her when her father is gone, and it is her duty to marry and marry well.”

“I cannot see her father forcing her if she refuses.”

“I have my ways of getting what I wish. Trust me, Lizzy will marry Mr. Collins. She is not likely to receive any other offers and she will be easily worked on to do her duty.”

Darcy heard nothing else. His eyes popped open as his entire body clenched. No , he thought. It cannot be true. My beautiful, lively Elizabeth with that ridiculous toad of a man?

The longer he thought about her being married to anyone but him, the larger the ache in his chest grew.

He began to panic. I must stop this travesty.

She is mine and I love her. I will not give her up!

His head began to turn this way and that as he searched her out.

Finally locating her across the room and next to the open area in the middle where the dancers were lining up for another set, he strode toward her.

He saw her look at him and smile as he approached.

Darcy grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and pulled her into his arms. He looked deep into her eyes and saw the emotions flashing through them: surprise, at first, followed quickly by warmth and a welcome.

He glanced down at her lips to see they were parted slightly, and back up.

His heart pounded when he saw her own dark eyes drift down his face and stop just above his chin.

He swallowed and slowly, ever so slowly, he lowered his face toward her, rejoicing inside when she lifted hers to meet his kiss.

He brushed her mouth with his and then did it again before settling over her lips.

He clutched her to him, binding her tightly to his chest with his arms. He was insensible to anything but the scent of lavender in her hair and the sensation of her body pressed tightly to his.

She moaned and he answered. Only a need for air brought the moment to a close.

He pressed his forehead against hers as they gasped in unison.

“Elizabeth,” he whispered. He became aware of her arms around his waist and smiled. He kissed her forehead before resting his cheek in her hair.

As his breathing returned to normal, he heard screams from the other side of the room. Suddenly, a voice, harsh and angry, came from beside him.

“Unhand my daughter, sir!”

Darcy jumped, as did Elizabeth. They separated, reluctantly on his part, and he watched her blush. He realized as he noticed the stares and the silence that he had caused a scene.

Mr. Bennet glowered at them. “A word, if you please.” He turned to Sir William, who had appeared at his side. “May we use your study?”

“Of course! You know the way?”

“I do.” Mr. Bennet turned to the couple. “Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy.” He pointed toward the doorway that led to the hall.

A minute later and the three of them were standing in the middle of the small room their host claimed as his.

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat. “Normally, I would laugh at folly such as what you and Lizzy have done and send you on your way with a strongly worded reprimand and that would be that. However, after that kiss, I am afraid that I must insist that you marry her.”

Darcy smiled. “I would be honored to.” He turned to Elizabeth as her father harrumphed.

“Elizabeth?” Mr. Bennet’s tone indicated his disappointment in her behavior.

Though Darcy thought he should probably feel guilty about leading Elizabeth into such improper conduct, he found he could not. He watched as she kept her eyes focused on his even as she replied to her father.

“I would be happy to marry Mr. Darcy.” She smiled.

Mr. Bennet did not reply for a moment. When he did, all he said was, “Well, then.” He cleared his throat. “Are you quite certain?”

“I am, Papa. I have longed for Mr. Darcy’s attention for weeks. I love him.”

The older gentleman’s lips turned down at the corners.

He sighed. “Very well. It was necessary anyway but if you were made unhappy, I would have found a way to prevent it.” He turned to Darcy.

“I do not at all approve of your method of gaining a wife, young man. I am angry that you chose to compromise my daughter in front of all the neighbors instead of courting her properly.” His shoulders slumped.

“However, the deed is done and there is no help for it.” He straightened and looked Darcy in the eye.

“If you harm my Lizzy in any way, you will answer to me. Do I make myself clear?”

Darcy nodded. “Yes, sir. I promise you, I will cherish her for the rest of her days. She will never want for anything. I love her and cannot live without her.”

Bennet’s lips pressed together for a moment. “I am glad to hear it,” he finally said. “Come; let us go announce the engagement.”

Darcy and Elizabeth followed her father back into the drawing room, where Mr. Bennet announced the betrothal to the neighbors.

“It seems as though my Lizzy and Mr. Darcy are to be married. Congratulations to the happy couple.”

At first, the silence remained, but then suddenly became a cacophony of noise.

Elizabeth’s sisters and friends surrounded her, congratulating her on her engagement and exclaiming over the romantic and dramatic nature of the betrothal.

Darcy could hear other voices whispering about the event in a much more disapproving tone of voice.

He shrugged to himself. He had his heart’s desire, and had saved his love from a life tied to a ridiculous man who kowtowed to his demanding aunt. That was all that mattered.