Lizzy looked into his eyes, and at that moment she was convinced that he wasn't lying, but she still had to be sure that Rose was going to be fine…, "Could you promise me that if I marry you and die in childbirth you will take care of Rose? I am not referring to financial support, because luckily, she already has a large dowry, but to take care of her as if she were your own daughter."
Darcy's face darkened and he hugged her tight, "I don't want to think about that horrible possibility, I can't imagine my life without you... But I swear to you that if something bad happened to you, I would never leave little Rose and I would raise her as my own daughter." He paused and added with a smile, "To be honest with you, she has already completely won my heart… she reminds me so much of you. Please, my love, tell me what other doubts and fears you have."
"I don't want to sound petty, but I wish you would never see Mrs. Smith again... I know very well that she had financial difficulties after her husband's death, and she had to do several things that she probably never would have done in other circumstances to pay for her daughter's treatment... I even raised money at the Institution to help her —she took a deep breath—, but it doesn't justify lying to me like that."
He nodded, "I can assure you that regardless of your request, I do not want to have any kind of relationship with her. But I would like to know what exactly she told you."
Lizzy took a deep breath, "She told me that you two had been lovers for a while, and even though she was grateful for everything I did for her and her daughter, she was not willing to end her relationship with you."
Hearing her, Darcy's eyes widened and he angrily exclaimed, "That woman is a liar! I am so sorry, Elizabeth, but I can't let her say such things and go unpunished… In addition to causing a quarrel between us, she's tarnishing my reputation, and for that reason alone I must have a serious talk with her…"
Elizabeth interrupted him, "Forgive me, I didn't think of your reputation, but I prefer that you do not go to see her in Lambton, and we leave this unpleasant incident in the past." She sighed, "Now she has a chance to start over and build a better life for herself and especially her daughter, and it would be foolish for her to say that she was your mistress. But I agree with you, if she says something like that again, you should be clear with her."
Darcy shook his head, "I disagree, Elizabeth. I prefer not to take unnecessary risks, and she must pay the consequences of her actions." He gently caressed her cheek, "Promise me that from now on whenever you have doubts about me, you will talk to me first before jumping to conclusions."
She nodded, "I panicked, and felt that I rushed to accept your marriage proposal just two months after we met." She smiled weakly, "It is not only my future and welfare that's at stake but Rose's as well…"
"You don't have to tell me anything else; I perfectly understand your fears and I recognize that I am primarily responsible for not having been honest with you… Let's put this sad incident in the past, and look to the future." He kissed her lips softly, "I have no doubt that I love you and if it were only for my wishes, I would marry you today; but I am willing to wait as long as necessary to dispel all your doubts."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, "I have no doubts anymore..., and I promise you that you won't have to wait long..."
They returned to the house arm in arm, much happier than they had been two hours before. Despite Mrs. Maxwell's protests that he stays at her house that night, Darcy returned to the inn, but he promised to return the next day.
Elizabeth already had all the answers she was looking for and they agreed that in two days they would return to London.
