Just a warning, in this chapter I co-opt/alter/use a scene from the 2005 P&P movie for my own purposes. I don't mean to pick on the scene…but I'm going to pick on the scene. Please don't come after me with torches and pitchforks. It's all meant in good fun.

(JLC, 03/20/2022)

~~OJ~~

The previous evening had been the finest of Darcy's memory since arriving in Meryton. Mr. Bennet's comments about a meeting in order to formalize a courtship with Elizabeth had stayed with him. He set out early in the morning to ride off his energy and, in truth, he hoped to encounter Elizabeth while he was out. Though he did not find her on the paths, he did find her seated by what he considered "their" tree. She was engrossed in a book, so much so she did not hear his approach and jumped when he greeted her.

"If I may ask, what are you reading that is so enthralling?" When he tried to get a closer look at the book, she slammed it shut and tucked it under her leg. He nodded knowingly as he sat down across from her, "Ah, one of those."

"What do you mean one of those? Are you suggesting I am reading something inappropriate?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not at all but I know you to be a keen reader of history and classics and poetry. You would not react so if the title you possessed was one of those. I simply imagine you are reading a novel and are embarrassed. There is no need. My sister reads them, and I have been known to enjoy one of occasion."

She removed the book from where she had stowed it and handed it to him. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was a rather notorious title, notable for its racy passages. "Well, my sister has certainly not read this one."

"That you know of, at least. But you have! Your blush is just as deep as I imagine mine to be," Elizabeth teased.

"I do not blush."

"How singular then, for you are as red as a soldier's coat. You look positively mortified."

"I am not mortified. Well, not by the content nor for having read it at all but merely for discussing it with a respectable young lady." As he loosened his grip on the volume it fell open to a particular page.

Striding with purpose across the field toward her, bathed in the morning mist, her lover was a vision to behold. He had abandoned his cravat and the neck of his shirt splayed open revealing the hair upon his chest. His coat swirled around him with each step. When he reached her, she was at a loss for words, she longed to run to him and press her body to his. She could only stare in appreciation at his magnificent form. When he finally spoke, he said the words she longed to hear, "I love, I love, I love you."

Unable to say what she felt despite his revelation, she took one of his hands in hers, raising it for a tender kiss. "Your hands are cold." Her actions served as an invitation. He, then, did exactly what she wished for, holding her close, before allowing his lips to find hers…" Darcy continued to read until Elizabeth cleared her throat.

Darcy closed the book quickly and set it on the ground between them. "Um, yes, well, very imaginative."

Elizabeth could deduce what pages he had just read, for it was because of her repeated readings the book fell open to them so easily.

"Is it imaginative? You think it a poor representation of romance?"

"I am no expert, but I would not say that is romance but rather lu-," he caught himself before he finished his statement.

"You were going to say lust. Are not romance and lust and love intertwined?" She genuinely wanted to hear his perspective.

"We should not be discussing this, Miss Elizabeth."

"I will not tell. Truth be told, the world would be a better place if young ladies were not so sheltered. Our expectations are formed through plays and novels because nobody will speak freely to us, so we are ill-prepared for the real world, and the dashing of those expectation. Then we are made to feel embarrassed or ashamed for our natural curiosity."

"Any conversation I would have with you on this topic could be deemed self-serving. It would be disrespectful."

"You are blushing again, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth said playfully. She picked up the book and it once again fell to the well-read pages. "Have you ever made such a romantic gesture to a lady?"

"Miss Elizabeth, please. I cannot speak of this." His thoughts of courtship had been overtaken by much more ardent thoughts.

"I have never been kissed," she said simply. Darcy's eyes snapped to her face as he tried to determine if Elizabeth was flirting with him or if it was just more of the verbal jousting they had engaged in in the past. Finally, he recognized the gauntlet that had been thrown down and he would not be bested.

"Are you telling me this because you would like me to kiss you?" Darcy asked, feigning confusion.

"A young lady should only be kissed by her husband." Elizabeth wondered why she had started down this path. Of course, she had never been kissed, because, of course, young ladies were taught that their husband should be the only man they kiss.

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

What! No! I just think it would be nice to be kissed…by you." Elizabeth hoped she sounded brave and not wanton.

"Without the benefit of an understanding? We are not even properly courting." Darcy knew he should not tease but she had instigated the conversation. "That can be rectified. Should we circumvent the courtship and go directly to the engagement? My father, sadly, has passed, so you will have to ask my uncle for my hand. I am of age, of course, but it would be proper, you understand, him being an earl and all. Unless you would like to elope. I have to confess, I have never liked being the center of attention so an elopement does have a certain appeal."

"You are insufferable, sir," Elizabeth huffed.

"But, apparently, very kissable. I can whisk the three of us away right now," he offered.

"The three of us?"

"We could not leave Frank." Darcy gestured to the beast who was grazing nearby. Hearing his name, the horse ambled closer. "He would gladly carry us to our future."

"Shall we ride horseback all the way to Gretna Green to elope? That would be very daring of us," she said, feeling able to continue with the joke. "Just like a novel."

"If there is cause for an elopement, I would be more than happy to take such action. But perhaps we should try a courtship first."

"Certainly less exciting but I would like that. I suppose I shall just have to daydream about kissing a little longer. I know one most wait at least three weeks to marry due to the banns but how long do courtships have to be?"

~~OJ~~

Immediately following their disccussion, Darcy and Elizabeth made their way to Longbourn so Darcy could seek out Mr. Bennet.

"Join us for breakfast once you have finished with my father," Elizabeth urged. "I imagine Mr. Bingley will join us as well."

"I would enjoy that. I will join you soon," he promised. She left him after escorting him to the door of her father's study.

Mr. Bennet granted him entry. Despite his joking from the previous day, he did not expect to see Darcy in his study quite so soon. The young man walked to his desk, his eyes searching the surface until he found what he was looking for. He picked up the diary and a pencil, after flipping through the pages, he made a notation on one of the dates.

Handing the diary to Mr. Bennet, "Mr. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth has agreed to enter a courtship with me. I trust we have your support."

"Of course, but then what is this for?" Mr. Bennet raised the diary in question.

"Our wedding date."