Darcy watched Miss Bennet closely, hoping her response to his letter was a sign of her changed opinion of him. It was more than he could hope to have a friendship with her, 'twas far too much for a romantic relationship. As she stared into the forest, Darcy took the opportunity to appreciate her beauty. Her mahogany curls were pinned haphazardly to the top of her head, with small strands framing her face. Her plain dress softly enhanced her figure. Her dark eyes seemed an endless pool of emotion, the dark circles under them showing Darcy that she, too, had been affected by their conversations the previous evening. Everything about her indicated she had dressed hastily, though she could not be more handsome to Darcy.
At length, Mr. Darcy determined it necessary to part; they had spent most of the morning in the grove, and they were bound to have been missed. After watching Miss Bennet for a few more minutes, Darcy spoke at last.
"Miss Bennet, unfortunately I believe it is time for us to go." Darcy paused, attempting to find words to fill the silence. "I must get this letter off, and I am quite sure Mrs. Collins has been expecting you for some time."
Miss Bennet glanced at their surroundings, rising from her spot on the log. They had in fact been gone too long; the sun was nearly high in the sky.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy. I believe you are correct; Charlotte is surely looking for me now." Her countenance proved her thoughts were still deep and not at all on her close friend.
"Perhaps…" Darcy's confidence wavered. Would it be too much to ask to call on her in London? He was meant to leave Kent for town that very day – though he was waiting to leave, wanting to spend as much time in her presence as possible.
"Yes, Mr. Darcy?" Miss Bennet's fine eyes found his and bolstered his determination.
"Perhaps, while you are in town, I could call on you." Miss Bennet's eyes widened considerably, forcing Darcy to hastily rephrase. "What I mean to say is… Well… Perhaps I could introduce you to my sister?" He did not wish to overwhelm her with his presence, but maybe they could start again? Friendship was preferable to no relationship at all. At the very least he wished Georgiana to meet Elizabeth; his sister would benefit greatly from the influence a woman like Miss Bennet.
"You would wish it? After…?" Miss Bennet questioned quietly. Darcy looked uncomfortable at the reminder of the previous night; his proposal would forever be locked in his mind as the worst conversation he had ever had. The woman he loved – the woman he adored! – had crushed his heart in a single sentence. The last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
"Yes." Mr. Darcy stated strongly. "Yes, I would." While a relationship between Miss Bennet and his sister truly was a wish of his, he could not pretend that it was the only reason for asking. Even with a crushed heart, he could not bear the thought of never setting eyes on Miss Elizabeth Bennet again.
Miss Bennet smiled bittersweetly at his admission, nodding silently. She had never looked so vulnerable; Darcy had never been so attracted to her. He wished to pull her into his arms, but knew better than to do so. Comprehending that their encounter was at its end, Darcy sighed deeply before bowing towards her.
"Miss Bennet. I wish you good day, and I hope to see you again soon. But I must leave you."
"Yes," Miss Bennet whispered while curtsying. "I must go as well. Goodbye, Mr. Darcy." Both hesitated before silently walking in opposite directions; he to Rosings, and she to the parsonage.
As he made his way to his aunt's home, Mr. Darcy pondered the type of woman Miss Bennet was. She was willing to turn down a suitor – a very sought-after bachelor – because he had harmed her sister and one who she thought of as a friend. That she would give up a man with ten thousand per year, when there were women who would happily compromise him for a chance at being Mrs. Darcy, still astonished him.
Darcy realized that her rejection of him, though brutal, only made him love her more. He knew that if he ever was able to win her hand, it would be because she loved him. Never would he wonder if she wanted his status over his person. A plan began to form in his head; he would start anew and win her friendship. More than that, he could not let himself hope for…yet.
A/N: Hey guys! I hope you're doing well! Just a short chapter, but we'll be in London soon!