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They spent a good while talking, gazing at the view, and gazing into each other’s eyes until Elizabeth finally said, “We ought to get back. My aunt and uncle will wonder what became of us.” She walked into his arms, pulled his face down to hers, and whispered into his ear, “Just one more kiss?” He loved her for her boldness, and it was a request he was happy to comply with, and then they turned and walked back to Lambton side by side.

“Mr. Darcy. Lizzy?” Mrs. Gardiner’s voice sounded puzzled and a little shocked as they entered the parlor, as if she knew that until moments ago, they had been in each other’s arms. Mr. Gardiner stood beside and a little behind her, smiling.

“We were beginning to wonder if you had gotten lost.” There was a small, but awkward pause .

Elizabeth looked at Darcy, caught his slight nod, and stepped forward. “Aunt. Uncle. Mr. Darcy has made me an offer of marriage, and this offer I have accepted.”

Darcy returned to her side and folded her arm over his.

“I will go into Hertfordshire without delay to wait upon Mr. Bennet and secure his permission for the marriage. Of course, we will make no public announcement until after that time. But you mean a great deal to Miss Bennet, therefore you should be among the first to know.”

Astonished as they both were, the Gardiners wasted no time in congratulating the couple, embracing their niece and shaking hands with Darcy. “But how has this happened?” asked Mrs. Gardiner when the four of them were finally seated around the table. “How long have you known?”

Elizabeth smiled over at Darcy. “I believe it has been coming on since the three weeks Mr. Darcy spent in Kent when I was there last spring. Though I was embarrassed to meet him at Pemberley the other day, it has turned out to be a fortunate event. It gave us the opportunity to better understand and express our true feelings.”

The four were soon occupied with happy plans for the remaining time to be spent in Derbyshire and for the journey back to Longbourn. The maid, Hannah, appeared at the door. “The post just come, Ma’am. Here are two letters for Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth took the letters and laid them face down on the table.

“Read your letters, Lizzy!” said her aunt. “You are certainly among friends here. Go and sit by the fireplace, and I will ring for some refreshments.”

With a smile for Darcy, Elizabeth left the table and was soon breaking the seal on the first letter. The others, wishing to afford her a semblance of privacy, ignored her politely and busied themselves about the refreshments.

“Lydia! Poor stupid girl!” cried Elizabeth.

Darcy was by her side in an instant, clasping her hand and looking anxiously into her face.

“Dear God, what is the matter, Elizabeth?” He turned to Mr. Gardiner.

“Please pour her a glass of wine. Truly she looks very ill!” He held the glass of wine for her until she had taken several sips.

“What can we do for your present relief? Do you wish to go up to your room? Shall your uncle and I assist you?”

Elizabeth shook her head and began. “There is dreadful news from Longbourn.” She held up her hand.

“No, no, they are all well. My sister Lydia has left all her friends; has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of . . . of Mr. Wickham.” Darcy clasped her hand more tightly.

“They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest.”

“I am grieved indeed. Grieved, shocked. But is it absolutely certain?”

“They left Brighton together on Sunday and were traced almost to London; they are certainly not gone to Scotland.”

Mr. Gardiner broke in. “And what has been attempted to recover her?”

“My father is gone to London with Colonel Forster, and Jane writes to beg your immediate assistance, Uncle. We must leave without delay.”

“You will certainly not make any progress if you leave this afternoon,” said Darcy. “It is almost five. By the time you have packed and readied the carriage, it will be near dark.”

“Mr. Darcy is right,” added Mr. Gardiner. “It will be much better if we leave at first light tomorrow.”

“Now, will you not go upstairs and rest for an hour, dearest Elizabeth? I will be here when you come down. I would welcome some private speech with your uncle concerning how I may be of service in this matter.” Darcy stood and gently drew Elizabeth to her feet.

“Aunt? Uncle? Would you give us a moment, please?” Elizabeth’s eyes were full.

“Of course, my dear,” replied her aunt. “I will go upstairs and begin to arrange for the packing, and your uncle will want to go out and speak to the coachman, I am sure.”

As soon as they had gone, Elizabeth stood. “Mr. Darcy,” she began.

“Could you not call me by my name? ”

She smiled sadly but kept her eyes lowered. “Very well, Fitzwilliam. It seems my sister is lost to us—irretrievably lost, and at the hands of the man you despise most in the world. Our whole family must partake of her ruin and disgrace.”

“Elizabeth . . .”

“No, you must allow me to finish. Please. I cannot ask you to be part of that ruin. You are honorable in all your dealings. Your servants and tenants call you the best landlord and the best master that ever lived. You have a young sister who depends upon you. I cannot in good conscience drag you into this sad, sordid business!”

Darcy’s heart sank to his shoes with a feeling compounded of sorrow and dread.

“No, Elizabeth,” he finally said. “It will not do. You cannot ask me to ignore or forget what passed between us today.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her, and all of his love and longing were in that kiss.

He was heartened by her response, which seemed to show an equal fervor.

“Hear this and remember it. My affections and wishes are unchanged. They will remain unchanged until I draw my last breath.”

Elizabeth wiped away the tears that had been falling since she had announced the news. Then she looked up at him. “I don’t deserve you.”

He placed his finger against her lips. “Let’s hear no more of that.

I am yours, utterly and completely. Besides .

. .” He turned away from her and drew a long, shuddering breath before he could continue.

“If I had been less guilty of pride, less concerned with my own privacy and more concerned for the common good, I would never have left him at large to prey upon an unsuspecting world. Your sister is an innocent girl. That she has been abducted by this monster is my fault. Your lessons in humility were well received, but they came too late to prevent this. The fault is mine. Not yours, not your family’s, not even your sister’s.

You would be quite right if you never wanted to see me again. ”

Elizabeth placed her hands on his shoulders and tried to compel him to turn around to face her, but he would not.

So instead, she walked around until she was facing him.

Darcy kept his eyes downcast. She stood on tiptoe and took his face into her hands despite his resistance, and she began to kiss him, tiny kisses as gentle and as pleading as his own had been.

Before long he shuddered, relaxed, and his arms went around her as they both surrendered to the kiss.

Eventually, she twined her fingers in the tresses of his hair so that he was compelled to look at her.

She smiled shakily at first, but the smile soon took on her usual impish look.

“It would seem we belong to each other, Fitzwilliam, even if each of us cannot possibly deserve the other. I cannot get on without you. Perhaps we should simply make the best of it.”

He smiled back. “I believe you are right, Elizabeth. It would enable us to get on with the task of finding your sister. Our sister. Now, go to your aunt and then rest. I will see that you are called in an hour. I want to talk with your uncle. There are ways I can be of use in this. I know Wickham, and I know of his friends and his haunts. If he has taken your sister to London, they can be found.” They walked out of the parlor arm in arm, and he watched her as she went upstairs.

Then he turned and went out of the inn in search of Mr. Gardiner.