Page 13 of Mr. Darcy's Storm of Temptation

"I have been determined to marry Miss Elizabeth since April, sir, when I first proposed to her. The haste is only in her acceptance, not in my feelings."

"April? Only a few months past?"

"These have been the longest months of my life," Mr. Darcy admitted. "I believed I had lost her forever through my own prideful behavior."

Mr. Gardiner leaned forward. "Tell me, Mr. Darcy, what will you do when your family objects? Your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, will surely oppose this match. Your peers in London will wonder at your choosing a country gentleman's daughter with such a small dowry."

"Let them wonder," Mr. Darcy said firmly. "My aunt's opinion ceased to matter when I reached my majority. As for my peers, those worth keeping will value Elizabeth's intelligence, wit, and goodness. Those who do not are welcome to remove themselves from my acquaintance."

"You would risk social censure?"

"I would risk far more than that for Elizabeth's happiness."

"And what of Pemberley? Your future children's prospects?"

"Will be enhanced by having such a mother," Mr. Darcy said without hesitation. "Elizabeth will bring warmth and life to Pemberley that it has lacked since my mother died. She will raiseour children to be thoughtful, kind, and intelligent, rather than merely proud and wealthy."

Mr. Gardiner was quiet for a moment. "You have given this considerable thought."

"I have thought of little else since April, sir. Every objection you might raise, I have already considered and dismissed as insignificant compared to the joy of having Elizabeth as my wife."

"And if Mr. Bennet refuses his consent?"

Mr. Darcy's jaw tightened. "Then I will respect his decision and Elizabeth's duty to obey it. But I will not give up hope. I will continue to prove myself worthy until she reaches her majority next year, if necessary."

"A year is still a long time for a young man's fancy to last."

"This is not fancy, sir. It is a fixed purpose of my life."

"I see." Mr. Gardiner stood and extended his hand. "You have given me much to consider, Mr. Darcy. I find your constancy and determination quite reassuring."

"Then you do not oppose the match?" Mr. Darcy asked, rising to shake his hand.

"I do not oppose it," Mr. Gardiner confirmed. "Though ultimately, Mr. Bennet's consent is what matters. I will say this - you are not quite what I expected from Elizabeth's previous descriptions."

"I hope I have exceeded those low expectations," Mr. Darcy said with a slight smile.

"Indeed, you have. I wish you good fortune with Mr. Bennet. He has a peculiar sense of humor and little patience for what he perceives as pomposity."

"Then I shall endeavor to be humble," Mr. Darcy said.

"From what Elizabeth tells us, you have already learned that lesson."

They emerged from the study, and Elizabeth flew to Mr. Darcy's side.

"Is everything well?"

"Your uncle has been most gracious," Mr. Darcy said, catching her hand. "Though it is your father's consent that is the second most important to me."

"Second?" she asked, puzzled.

"I have already, I hope, secured the consent of the most important party," he said, looking deep into her eyes.

Elizabeth felt heat flood her cheeks as his thumb traced over her gloved knuckles in a way that should have been perfectly proper but somehow felt scandalously intimate.

"You have," she whispered. "Most thoroughly."

His eyes darkened at her words, and she saw his jaw clench with that telltale sign of restraint she was beginning to recognize. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her palm through the thin kid leather that lingered a moment too long to be entirely proper.