Chapter 20 It fits

It was uncommonly warm for the time of the year and Fanny had for once welcomed the errant that her aunt had sent her on. Somehow the atmosphere indoors was stifling. Mrs Norris always seemed cold nowadays so the fire was lit high, which made it almost unbearably hot.

Fanny had just returned from the white house where she had brought something. She took the time now to walk around the garden. It was such a joy to see how spring was well on its way. Fanny loved the daffodils which had taken over some of the lawns. The trees had blossoms and everything seemed so much brighter in the sunshine.

The past weeks had gone rather slow. With Mr Crawford gone, she did not really know what to do with herself. He had become such a big part of her life that it was difficult to imagine how life had been before he had come here. Mary faithfully brought her news whenever a letter arrived. It seemed his time at Everingham was going well and he hoped to soon be back.

Maria and Julia were back home and had brought a friend with them to stay. All in all, they had been in town for about four months and Fanny could see that they did not find it easy to adapt to life at Mansfield Park again.
They talked of the parties they had visited, about the men they had danced with and who was the handsomest of them.
They had not come back engaged, as Mrs Norris had hoped. But they both talked about someone who might come and call on Maria in the near future. Julia said she had met Mr Yates quite a few times and mostly talked about him.

Edmund lived partly at Thornton Lacey, although, he said, some improvements needed to be done to the vicarage. But as he had no wife yet, he saw no reason to hurry.

Fanny had no idea where in the country Tom was. He had been in London, but it was very likely that he had moved on to some other place. She had heard the horseraces in Newmarket mentioned.
Sir Thomas was not very happy with his prolonged absence, for he wished for his son's assistance in estate matters, as well as for time to teach him important things.

Sir Thomas seemed quite busy and sometimes went to town for a few days.
Fanny had lost her fear for him. He seemed to enjoy her company and was happy to talk with her. She enjoyed listening to his stories from his time away. But always, when she heard about the heat and the dire circumstances some people lived in in Antigua, she was happy to be living in England.

Her turn about the garden now brought her near the stables. She greeted Robert, who was walking around with one of the horses.
Then someone stepped out of the stables.

Without realising, her whole face lit up. Mr Crawford had returned!

He walked eagerly towards her.
"You're back!" she said with a smile.
"I am!" He took her hand and kissed it. "I am very glad to see you again. How are you?"
"I am well, thank you."
"Would you like to walk with me through the gardens?" He asked.
She nodded. "I have been walking around already, but it is such a fine day that I do not oppose to another turn."

He took her arm and they walked into the direction whence she had come before. At first they were both quiet.
Fanny couldn't quite believe it that he was back! Mary hadn't known when exactly he would return, so it was a nice surprise. It was so good to be in his company again!

Henry was ecstatic that the first person he should meet, was Fanny. How he had missed her! Work had kept him busy, so the time had gone by very quickly. Yet at the same time, every day without her had seemed very long.
She looked healthy and seemed very pleased to see him.

"Fanny, I have missed you very much!" He said. She looked up at him. "And I you. Time seemed to go so slow without you being here."
He smiled at her and found he did not need more encouragement. They walked on a little longer until they came at a fairly secluded spot. Now he stopped her.

"Fanny, I must speak with you. Since the last time I spoke these words, things have changed I think. My love for you has only grown deeper! I very much enjoyed spending so much time with you after the ball. Being away from you once more was agony. I do not wish to be parted from you anymore. Fanny, will you marry me?"

She looked up at him, smiling her lovely smile.
"Mr Crawford... Henry, my feelings have changed so much since last time. I have truly come to love you! Whatever obstacles there might be, I do not want them to be in the way of our happiness. So yes, I will marry you!"

Henry felt as if his heart exploded. These were the loveliest words he had ever heard!
He could not contain himself and lifted her off the ground, spinning her around. She laughed at his enthusiasm.
When he put her down again, he leaned over and kissed her. She was very shy at first, but he was elated when he felt her respond.

"Oh Fanny," he sighed. "You've made me the happiest man in the world! I so love you! Dearest Fanny!"

After another kiss, he took out a little box from his pocket.
Upon opening it, he said: "My mother's engagement ring. Will you accept it?" She nodded and he slid it on her finger.
"Oh Henry, it is beautiful! And it actually fits!"

"How I love it how you say my name!" He smiled. "And it's quite amazing that it fits straight away. I would have sent it to town to have it altered if it didn't fit."
She looked once more at the ring, but then back up to him, her face beaming. He had to embrace her again. She was his! She would be his wife! Such happiness!

They walked a little longer and then went towards the house.
"My uncle is at home, I believe. So you could go and ask his permission."
"Are you not afraid anymore that he should oppose?"
She shook her head. "I know he likes you a great deal. I am sure he will approve."

They were now nearing the front doors.
Henry pulled her out of view to kiss her once more.
She smiled. "Now go in, Henry. I wish to stay outside a little longer, for I do not feel equal to other company yet! I am so happy! I will wait for you outside."

With one last squeeze of her hand, he went into the house.

Fanny felt like she was floating on air.

He still loved her! She loved him! And she would marry him!

She could hardly believe what just happened, but one look at the ring on her finger confirmed it was real! Oh how she loved him, her Henry! This was by far the happiest day of her life!

She wandered around, eagerly waiting for his return.

Then she heard footsteps ahead of her around the corner.

When she saw the hatred and rage on the face of the person walking towards her, she stepped backwards and blanched.

A.N. I hope you are still enjoying this story. Although it is getting dark again. Let me know what you think.