"My dear," Mrs. Gardiner addressed Elizabeth as they were longing around in the inn after breaking their fast, "shall we not walk to the church and back before we depart for Pemberley?"
"Yes, I believe that would be quite wonderful my dear Aunt." After donning their bonnets, gloves and coats the pair set out of the inn arm in arm, Mr. Gardiner following close behind smiling to himself. It had been a very good idea for Lizzy to join them, she needed the break from her ridiculous sisters.
Almost as soon as they set foot out of the inn they were approached by none other than Mr. Darcy. "Mr. Darcy! What a surprise to see you so soon. We were just walking to the church before we set off to Pemberley," Elizabeth exclaimed. While indeed she was surprised she was not sorry to see him sooner than intended. This thought alarmed her, why was she so happy to see him. It had not been that long since she has hastily refused his attentions in Kent, but she had definitely misjudged him. Thinking about all that he had done, even if it always hadn't as made sense to her as it does now, shows her that indeed he is a very great man, who obviously has a very high regard for his sister.
She had never seen that much devotion to anyone as his to his sister had in the little time that she had been in Derbyshire. There is no wonder that he would look at Wickham the way he had in Hertfordshire. Or the way that he looked at that first assembly, if one of her sisters had just tried to elope with a scoundrel such as Wickham she could not have been dragged to an assembly. She would have been most certainly above stairs mourning her sister.
"Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Gardiner," Mr. Darcy greeted them with a bow, snapping Elizabeth out of her thoughts, "Might I join you on your walk? It is a lovely day outside." He offered his arm to Elizabeth who readily accepted, letting go of her aunt's.
Letting the Gardiner's walk slightly ahead Mr. Darcy addressed the lady on his arm, "Miss Bennet, how are you enjoying your stay in Derbyshire?"
"Quite well Mr. Darcy. The countryside, the manners, the weather, its has all been delightful. Miss Darcy is absolutely lovely company, I should love to know her better. I shall be sorry to leave."
'I wish you never leave' Mr. Darcy nearly said aloud. "I am very glad to hear you say so. Georgiana adore you, she has improved very much and I must credit it to you, for I have never seen anything like it. She is very much looking forward to this evening."
"As am I. Pemberley is stunning, the grounds are absolutely gorgeous."
"I am so pleased that you like it. I wish that you feel very much at home at Pemberley." Here Mr. Darcy paused, leading Elizabeth off of the path. He had been too forward but seeing no opposition cross her face, he continued. "You are too generous to trifle with me, if you feelings are what they were last April please tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever."
Here Elizabeth was bewildered. Yes, he had been paying her peculiar attention but she never would have guessed that he still had any regard for her after her slights to his character after his last proposal. "Sir," She started after a moment, "I must admit to being quite ashamed of what I said then. I had always prided myself on my discernment of character but I confess I was quite wrong where it comes to Mr. Wickham, and yourself. As for the matter of Jane, you did what any friend would have done. While your observations were faulted, you did not want to see your friend enter a loveless marriage."
"But your feelings madame, as much as I appreciate it I do not want your gratitude. It is your love that I seek." Elizabeth had never seen the man so humbled. He was here in front of her practically begging for her love, free of any other care in the world.
Looking away she answered rather quietly, "My feelings are," here she paused, "quite the opposite."
Not two days ago had Mr. Darcy been moping around, still heartbroken at his rejection. This was better than anything he could of ever hoped for. Here was his Elizabeth standing here in front of him, after having visited Pemberley telling him, in an indirect way but nonetheless telling, that she loved him. This was his opportunity to secure his happiness and a sister for his beloved Georgiana. "Miss Bennet, allow me to ardently I admire and love you. I have taken you comments upon my last proposal to heart, I have tried to change for you. The slights I made to your family are inexcusable, especially when I myself have relations that could be considered far worse. I hope madame that you would do me the honor of accepting my hand. It would bring me, and Georgiana I dare say, much joy."
Elizabeth could scarce respond she was so happy. This was far more than she too, could have hoped for just a few days prior. After a few moments she gathered herself, if only a little, and turned to face her admirer. "Mr. Darcy, I can't think of anything that would make me happier than to accept your hand, for it would bring me much joy as well," she said with a small smile.
I intend on making the next chapters a little longer, given that I do get even the slightest bit of feedback. Please, I beg of you my lovely readers that you will you review your every thought on this story so far. I am well aware that this prompt is commonly used but it is among one of my favorites. To keep it interesting to you I will try to incorporate a few plot twists and such. Any ideas that you lovelies have is welcome.
XOXO Darcy
