Chapter 4: A Blissful walk

Darcy and Elizabeth began their walk in silence. They were both busy conjecturing how to start a conversation and to clear their doubts about the feelings of the other. Darcy couldn't help staring admiringly at Elizabeth's fine eyes and at her rosy cheeks, always a slightly pink from her recent walk and a becoming flush that spread on it.

Finally Elizabeth decided she couldn't bear the uncomfortable silence one minute longer and began to speak, although her voice was very tight and tinged by her anguish: "Mr. Darcy, there is something I must tell you since I have the courage to say it. I learned about what you did for Lydia and my family. I want to thank you from the depths of my heart for all the mortifications you must have endured to restore the honour of my family."

"Miss Bennet, how do you know of my dealings with...?" Then he realised it must be one of the Gardiners who have told her. "I thought Mrs Gardiner was to be trusted to maintain secrecy."

"Oh please, do not blame my aunt. It is Lydia who betrayed first your presence at her wedding and I couldn't bear to stay in this state of suspense. So I wrote to my aunt asking her to give me an explanation. I could not say how much I was... delighted to find such a.... friend in this moment of mortification."

"Miss Bennet," Darcy interrupted "I am unworthy of your thanks. If I did it, it was to crush my pride once and for all. Your refusal at Hunsford opened my eyes to my flawed character. When you refused me, it took very little time to know that I had got what I deserved".

Here, Elizabeth tried to protest, but he silenced her by putting his hand lightly to her lips for some time. He continued: "These past months, I realised your true worth and despaired of one day being worthy of your attention. I hope that in time I will not be as disagreeable to you as I was in the past. If I decided to interfere on the business, it was for your sake. How much I respect your family, it was done for you."

"Sir, I can not allow you to take the blame all upon yourself. I have made errors too. When I think how I defended Mr. Wickham against you, I am so ashamed. These past months, I realised that I have misjudged your true character. I was so blind and I didn't see that you are all the goodness. I am not worth your consideration, Mr. Darcy." And tears began to roll over her cheeks.

Darcy couldn't bear to see her crying and said softly, wiping gently her tears away with his thumbs: "On the contrary, Miss Bennet. You are worth every consideration. I hope that in time you will be able to see how much I want and need you. But there is one thing I must ask you before my courage failed me: Elizabeth Bennet, will you marry me?"

Elizabeth lifted her head and Darcy saw the answer in her eyes then she answered: "Mr. Darcy, I love you so that I can hardly put words to all I feel! Yes, I will marry you."

Darcy said in a soft voice: "Am I not dreaming...Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth stepped near him and encircled his neck with her arms "Was that a dream?"

Darcy embraced her tightly, saying, "No I don't think it was, Elizabeth."

"I feel so protected when I am in your arms, Fitzwilliam."

"So I shall never pull you apart, dearest."

"Never?" she said with a bit of insecurity in her voice.

"Never!" he said firmly.

Finally, Elizabeth regained her composure "We had better continue if we do not want to be lost in the dark, Fitzwilliam."

"I do not care to be lost so long I am with you, Elizabeth."

"And I with you, Fitzwilliam" Elizabeth recovered quickly her teasing manner "However if we not come back, my mother will send all the hunters of the county looking for us!" She laughed and Darcy smiled broadly back as he recognised her charming tease.

He answered as they resumed their walk: "I didn't know your mother is so well acquainted with all the hunters of the county!"

"So much you don't know about my family, sir! After all, we dine with four and twenty families!" she answered laughingly.

Darcy laughed too. The rest of the walk towards Longbourn was silent. Each was so comfortable with the other that they didn't need to talk, but their eyes spoke a great deal.

When they finally reached the door of Longbourn they separated reluctantly. Darcy said, "If you permit me, I will speak to your father this evening."

"Oh, please do and I will speak to my mother once you are gone."

They agreed and separated with a lot of affectionate and tender smiles. After Elizabeth had entered the house, Darcy stared at the heavens and said "Thank You". Now he was complete.