March 15-21, 1813 - Pemberley, Derbyshire

Elizabeth checked her timepiece once more. Only five minutes had passed since the last time she had checked. "This will never do! I must order my thoughts." She deliberately made her mind review the past week. She could not remember when she had last enjoyed such pleasant company and interesting pursuits. Her morning walks with Mr. Darcy had continued either on the pathways or in the conservatory and, if they had not been as insightful as the first several, they had provided her with a better appreciation of Mr. Darcy's character and likes. His knowledge of the world and experience greatly exceeded her own and yet he was willing, nay eager, to share it with her. Her riding lessons were proceeding apace and her confidence in her abilities was growing. She was under no illusions that her skills matched those of Georgiana but she no longer feared falling from her horse. "And my new riding habit looks very good if Mr. Darcy's reaction was anything to go by!" This produced a satisfied chortle from her when she remembered his eagerness to assist her in mounting and dismounting. Riding could not replace her love of walking but it was one more thing that she could enjoy with Mr. Darcy and the visits to the tenant farms had been illuminating in terms of Mr. Darcy's character. It was clear from the start that he was comfortable talking to his tenant farmers and that they were equally comfortable talking of their needs and concerns with him. Their relationship was clearly not a new one. As well, the condition of the farms and buildings provided clear evidence of his care for his estate. Buildings were solidly constructed and well maintained; ditches were clear of rubbish; fences, sturdy although hedges were frequently used in place of fences.

She and Jane had also managed to visit all the ladies that their Aunt Gardiner had suggested. Georgiana had, in fact, accompanied them on the visits and had seemed to enjoy the experience. Elizabeth thought their Aunt Gardiner may rue her promotion of those visits since she and Jane had been told some interesting stories about their aunt's younger days. The one involving their uncle's courtship would make a particularly effective tease. She looked at her watch once more. "Ten minutes to wait. Perhaps I should make my way to the drawing room now." Elizabeth could wait no longer. Rising she dipped a cloth in cool water, wiped her face and hands, checked her gown and hair and moved decisively out of her room.

With every pretence of calmness and certainty, she walked through the hall, down the stairs and towards the drawing room. If any of the staff had thought to observe her closely, they could only have discerned her inner turmoil if they recognized that deliberate calmness as the mask it was. Before she entered the drawing room, she spoke to the footman in the hall. "Is Mr. Darcy in the drawing room?" Upon being told that he was not, she nodded and entered the room. She was not about to indicate her eagerness by sending the footman to find him. She took a comfortable chair by the window and tried to make herself relax. She was rather sure she knew why he had requested this private interview but the formality of it rather perplexed her and, she admitted to herself, discomposed her greatly.

She was not so wrapped in her thoughts that Darcy's appearance startled her. In fact, Elizabeth had become aware of Darcy as soon as he entered the room and crossed to stand before her. He looked oddly disconcerted notwithstanding the fact that this audience was at his request. Striving to maintain her own composure, she greeted him, "Mr. Darcy."

"Miss Bennet, I … "pausing, he looked around the room and shook his head. "It will not do. There should be no one in the conservatory; I would prefer to hold this conversation there if you have no objections."

"Since I do not know the subject of this conversation that you have mentioned, I do not know if I should object or not; however, it shall be as you wish Mr. Darcy." Taking the arm offered by Darcy she strolled in silence beside him. Neither was inclined to talk and the mind of each was too busy to admit idle chatter. He was trying to calmly and logically order the jumbled mass of his thoughts while Elizabeth was sure she knew of what he would speak and her response but even so, it was difficult to control her nervous anticipation. If Darcy's disastrous proposal a year earlier was remembered, it did not cause undue concern for either. The mistakes and misunderstandings which had led to so much misery were now behind them both. Fortunately, it did not take long to reach the conservatory and their favourite spot by the fountain.

Darcy led Elizabeth to one of the benches where he assisted her to sit down and then, himself. Her hands were clasped in his, the look in his eyes, she now recognized admiration, desire, love. "Miss Bennet you must know how ardently I admire and love you. You are the only woman I have ever loved and while I thought I loved you a year ago, that love was a pale shadow of what I feel today. I wish for you to be my partner in life, to bear my children, to bring love and light into my life and to allow me to love and care for you as long as I live. Will you marry me?"

Elizabeth could not help but compare this proposal with that which she received from Mr. Darcy almost a year ago. The last man she could be prevailed upon to marry had become the one man she most desperately wanted to marry. "Mr. Darcy, I am most happy to accept your offer. There is nothing I want more than to be your wife."

Darcy stood and pulled her to her feet and releasing Elizabeth's hands, cupped her face with his hands and she felt him gently pulling her face towards him as he bent to kiss her. Closing her eyes Elizabeth felt the gentle pressure of his lips on hers; she grasped the lapels of his coat and felt his hands move down to her shoulders and then around her back pressing her body closer to his. He broke the kiss gradually and leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, "I had not intended to ask you so soon but intended to wait until we heard from your sister in the summer. But I could not wait. You are so lovely and I love you so much, I could not wait." His lips once more sought hers. She could not help herself; it was too delicious and she felt her body getting unusually warm and realized that her hands had somehow found their way around Darcy's back. With a gasp, she brought them back and pushed herself gently but firmly away from Darcy, breaking contact while trying to regulate her breathing. She could see that Darcy was similarly affected.

Darcy released her but sought her hands to prevent her from moving away. "Elizabeth, I am most sorry. My behaviour was most inappropriate. Please … accept my apologies!"

"Mr. Darcy, I am equally at fault. Truly there is no need to apologize." With a shaky laugh she continued, "However, I am going to have to watch myself around you. I enjoyed being kissed altogether too much, sir!"

"I know I probably should have waited until we heard back from your sister that she had married Simpson but I cannot wait so long. I have waited for a year to have your love and your hand. I could wait no longer."

"I, sir, am glad you did not!" She tucked her arm onto his and turning with him began to walk out of the conservatory. "I believe that the others are awaiting us at dinner, Mr. Darcy."

He stopped, "Will you not call me William now? I want to be able to call you Elizabeth as I have when thinking of you."

"I think I will like calling you William. Of course, I reserve the right to call you Mr. Darcy when I am annoyed with you or when teasing."

"As long as I can call you Lizzy when we are alone."

"How long … have you called me Elizabeth?"

You will hardly credit this, but almost from the beginning. I think it was when you came to Netherfield that you began to haunt my dreams."

"So soon! I had no idea." Elizabeth looked at Darcy scrutinizing his face, perhaps more closely than she had ever done before. How could I have been so blind to his feelings? She touched his cheek with her fingertips, "I think we must join the others. We have an announcement to make."

"Before we do so, first I wish to know when you knew you loved and trusted me enough to accept my offer. You must have known I would make one."

"I cannot say for certain … but I think the last vestige of uncertainty disappeared during our talks and in particular when we discussed our very first meeting." That this admission relieved Mr. Darcy was evidenced by the relaxation of his features.

"You have, I suspect, no idea how happy I am to have earned your love and respect." After a short pause, he continued, "I also think we should discuss when to announce our engagement but perhaps we can leave that for later."

"Yes, I would like to simply enjoy the pleasure of the engagement before considering the practicalities."

Their conversation turned to less personal topics as they left the conservatory and walked down the hall towards the dining room. When they entered the dining room, they were the immediate object of everyone's attention. Georgiana only had to look at Elizabeth entering on Darcy's arm and was immediately running with a smile on her face to envelope Elizabeth in a hug. "Oh, I am so happy. You will be my sister, truly." She was literally bouncing with pleasure until finally Elizabeth extricated herself with a laugh, "Gently Georgiana, gently."

Jane and Stovall were no less eager to extend their congratulations and Darcy could tell from the tears running down Jane's cheeks that her joy was overflowing. Once they had settled at the dining table and began to eat, the questions quickly turned to the questions of when and where the wedding would take place. Darcy looked at Elizabeth before commenting, "We have not discussed these matters as yet. I would wish to know Elizabeth's preferences."

Elizabeth was thoughtful but stated firmly, "I do not wish for along engagement. I would marry next week if that were possible. As to where, it matters not."

Darcy grinned, "While I am very much in favour of an early marriage, I am afraid next week is too precipitous. I must, before we marry return to London to inform the Matlocks and visit my solicitor to draft the settlement papers. Since Bingley is expecting me to visit York and you and the Stovalls will be visiting his family, the earliest I could return to London is mid April and you," gesturing at the Stovalls, "will not be returning until May, if I remember correctly. I am sure you want Jane to stand with you?" He looked at Elizabeth rather tentatively who nodded her agreement, "Would a mid May date be acceptable? That is about two months from now."

Elizabeth looked rather disappointed which Darcy took some pleasure in observing. "Yes, I suppose that makes the most sense. I really would prefer not to be married in Longbourn…would the Gardiner's church or yours be acceptable?"

"May I suggest that you write your Aunt Gardiner for her advice. My preference would be for a small quiet wedding. With a special licence we could be married anywhere…Darcy House perhaps?"

Stovall, in a rather hesitant voice, interjected, "This really is not my business but would not society be more accepting of a large public wedding?"

Both Elizabeth and Darcy considered this suggestion thoughtfully. Finally Darcy spoke, "I think I should discuss this with my Aunt Eleanor and Elizabeth with her Aunt Gardiner. I know we cannot escape some public exposure and, I admit my desire to have Elizabeth on my arm at the theatre and at least one ball."

Georgiana burst out laughing, "Elizabeth, who is this man? What have you done to my brother? Wanting to attend a ball indeed!" Elizabeth could not suppress a chuckle, not that she tried hard to do so, and even Darcy joined in the general laughter.

The conversation remained good-natured throughout the meal with much teasing of the engaged couple. Afterwards Darcy and Elizabeth retired to his study to write their various letters; Darcy, to Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet informing them of his offer of marriage and Elizabeth's acceptance, along with the tentative travel plans and another letter to his solicitor outlying the terms of the marriage settlement to be drafted; Elizabeth, to Mrs. Gardiner for which four pages were barely enough to contain her effusions of happiness and to seek such advice as was necessary, and to Mr. Bennet, assuring him of her affections for Mr. Darcy; the latter letter to be enclosed with the letter from her betrothed.