Page 34 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

“Please return home now, Miss Bennet. I hope I shall have the chance to talk to you very soon after I settle this distressing matter.”

She nodded, and for the first time, he took her hand in his and placed a brief kiss on her palm, then left.

***

At the Parsonage, Elizabeth could feel the tension and agitation.

Charlotte and Maria went to Hunsford; Elizabeth was invited too, but when she refused, nobody insisted.

Mr. Collins hurried off to Rosings, so Elizabeth remained in the house alone to comfort her own turmoil.

She admitted that she expected Mr. Darcy to finally speak his mind.

She hoped that the unthinkable would happen and he would propose.

She had prayed for that before, and then something horrible had happened to overshadow what could have been a beautiful moment.

She was torn between disappointment that he had not finished his confession and gratitude that he had postponed it.

But what other moment could he find to complete their discussion?

Surely, they would need to wait till they were both in London.

She quivered, imagining what Lady Catherine would do when she found out that the Gilroys would all move to Pemberley.

She would certainly be furious in a dangerous way.

But then, what would the lady say when she heard about Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy — if such an astonishing event did take place?

Her mother and father would be shocked too, but Elizabeth was not worried about them.

Lady Catherine, however, had the determination, the means, and the hateful nature to control people and hurt those who had upset her.

Apparently, Mr. Darcy was not impressed by his aunt, regardless of what schemes she used.

A while later — perhaps an hour or two — the doorbell rang, and the servant announced Mr. Darcy. With her heart beating wildly and her cheeks burning, she greeted him. He looked agitated, and his clothes were in some disorder.

“Miss Bennet, I shall only stay an instant. I know Mr. Collins is at Rosings and Mrs. Collins at Hunsford, and I hoped to find you alone for a minute.”

“I am glad you came,” she said, stepping towards him.

“I apologise for this unusual turn of events, which is certainly not how I imagined this moment and not what you deserve.”

“I am just glad you came,” she continued, and he ceased talking, looking at her. “We only have a moment. Please just say what you wish to. Anything else can wait till London.”

He nodded and suddenly looked shy as he cleared his throat and said, “Miss Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I love and admire you. It took me some time to admit the depth of my love and to accept that my life cannot be happy or complete without it. I do not expect your feelings to be the same — only a short time ago you considered me to be your enemy. Nor do expect a hasty answer.”

He paused and breathed, and she took another step forwards. Her knees were weak, her feet unsteady, and chills ran all over her body.

“I am only begging you to reflect upon my words with consideration for your sentiments, not mine. To ask yourself whether your feelings are of such a nature as to allow you to accept my marriage proposal one day. But most importantly, to ask your heart whether you could be happy with me. As I told you once, there is nothing sadder for both spouses than a marriage in which one cannot return the other’s affection. ”

When he had finished, she was only inches away from him.

“Mr. Darcy, you have offered me time to reflect and ask my heart, but I have already done that, every day since I saw you with the children and the puppies and with leaves in your hair.”

He looked puzzled, and she added, her fingers touching his hair timidly, “I wanted to pick the leaves from your hair that day, but I could never have imagined I might be allowed to do just that only a fortnight later. I was stunned to hear that you admired me at times when I believed you despised me.”

She was emotional, and he took her hands, holding them in his.

“We were both wrong in many ways,” he said.

“Yes. What matters is that we seem to be right now, would you not agree?”

“Completely,” he said, placing gentle kisses on both her hands. She felt dizzy and wondered whether she could stand long enough to complete her response.

“So, you must allow me to tell you this very moment that I do not need any more time to consider my answer. I have never felt how I feel when I am with you, and I have never wished for anyone’s presence as much as I long for yours.

” She lowered her eyes and added, “My hands and yours are already entwined.”

“So they are… Then…are you saying yes to everything I asked?” he enquired, incredulous.

“I already said yes, did I not? As for your fear that I cannot return your affection, allow me to dissipate your concern.”

With that, she lifted up onto her toes, entwined her hands in his hair, and shyly pressed her lips to his — the first kiss of her life.

An instant later, his arms closed around her, and she leant against him while his lips captured hers for the second kiss of her life — still timid, still gentle, but incredible.

He stepped back, looking at her adoringly, and said, “I must leave now. I shall call on you in London.”

“Very well.”

“I would suggest we do not announce our engagement before we have your father’s blessing.”

“Of course.”

“Besides, I would not leave you here knowing Lady Catherine had heard about our engagement.”

“I understand, but surely you know I am not afraid of her.”

“Not in a verbal confrontation,” he replied. “I shall tell you more soon so you may understand my concerns.”

“We shall have enough time to talk in two days’ time. Is the family ready to leave?”

“Yes. Mrs. Gilroy is distraught, as you can imagine. I do not think she knows of her husband’s true situation, and she cannot understand what she has done wrong and why Lady Catherine despises her and her children.

At first, she refused my offer — as you surely guessed.

I needed all my powers of persuasion to convince her that it is for the benefit of her children. ”

“She will soon understand how fortunate and blessed she will be to have your protection.”

“You will have the chance to meet her again at Pemberley soon,” he said, still holding her hands.

“You will decide what assignment you have for her employment and how you wish to help the children. You will be the mistress. Of Pemberley and of my heart,” he ended, with a smile that melted her own heart.

Then, before she had time to reply, he left in haste.

An hour later, the Collinses returned, and the scandal burst out that evening and increased the next day.

Carrying Darcy’s words in her heart and mind and the touch of his lips on hers, having felt the comfort of his arms, Elizabeth found the strength to bear the madness for two more nights and a day.

She was the only one who knew everything but chose to remain silent, without interfering in any discussion between the Collinses.

To Elizabeth’s astonishment, Lady Catherine herself came the next morning, looking transfigured, to take Mr. Collins with her to a meeting with her solicitor.

In the heat of her anger, she declared she would sever the connection with her nephews and would forbid their further involvement in her affairs.

She declared she had been betrayed, cheated, robbed, and Mr. Collins approved of her every word.

Both Elizabeth and Charlotte kept silent, though for different reasons.

On a bright Sunday morning, the distress ended for Elizabeth.

In Mr. Gardiner’s carriage, together with Maria Lucas, she began her journey to London.

She left all the chaos behind her and smiled at the future unfolding ahead of her.

Soon enough, she would see Darcy again, the man responsible for her happiness as well as Jane’s; the man whom, until recently, she had not truly known.