Chapter 4:
It has been one week, several days of too much quiet and hurt at Netherfield; too many thoughts of the woman in one of the many bedchambers. For Mr Darcy, this week has been excruciating, even though Elizabeth had woken up three days subsequent to the accident. It was the state of which she had woken up; distressed and lost, it was a very fearful time for Jane Bennett, but as Elizabeth fell back asleep only to awake later on in the evening, perfectly fine. After that day Eliza Bennett had been recovering remarkably well. At the moment Elizabeth was sitting in one of the drawing rooms after dinner and having a very fun, very secluded conversation with Mr Darcy.
"My dear Elizabeth I have something I must tell you." He said smiling slightly.
"And what would that be, Mr Darcy?" She said with an amused tone.
"Well, as a method to distract myself from going insane as you were injured, I went to call upon your father." Elizabeth was astonished at his statement, so when she gave him permission to carry on with the topic, she was listening rather intently. "I asked him permission for you hand in marriage, and he has accepted my request, but you must ask him why he accepted so fast, I thought at least he want to speak with you before making his decision." Elizabeth chuckled at his face, although she too was also curious to know what her father has been thinking.
"Well Jane and I are to depart tomorrow morning, I shall ask as soon as I walk through the door." With a look of love so pure in Mr Darcy's eyes, Elizabeth knew that she would be happy indeed to become Mrs Darcy. A few hours' later, Elizabeth and Jane retired for the evening, claiming that Jane was tired and Elizabeth needed to be well rested for tomorrow's journey; as their hosts bid them good nights and sleep wells, the ladies made their way to their bed chambers. Elizabeth fell asleep that night with an amused grin and a heart full of love.
The next morning the Bennett sisters took their time packing their gowns, for in truth they really didn't want to leave Netherfield, although they knew, for proprieties sake, they must. As Elizabeth was packing, and feeling rather dull; there was a knock at the door. She asked whoever it was to come in, and as she heard the door open and close, she saw Caroline Bingley through the corner of her eye.
"Miss Bingley, what an unexpected pleasure. How can I help you?"
"I have only come to wish you a pleasant trip, and I am sorry about the horse." This past week, Miss Bingley had been apologising profusely about the accident, in fact Elizabeth was getting rather annoyed with it.
"Miss Bingley I have told you, far too many times to count, that I accept your apology. I am perfectly well." She said with an annoyed expression.
"Thank you, I am forever grateful." And with that she walked out of the room. Elizabeth finished her packing, and went down for breakfast.
After their meal they said goodbye, taking a bit longer with their betrothed; as Jane bid her farewells to Mr Bingley, Elizabeth walked over to Darcy and looked him in the eyes, with as much love and passion as she could spare.
"William, how I shall miss seeing you every morning."
"And I, but it will not be long until we are wed my love, and then I shall see you every morning and night."
"Such thoughts hardly belong to a gentleman." And with that, Mr Darcy held onto Elizabeth's hand, placing his lips upon the top.
"Good bye Miss Bennett."
"Until next time Mr Darcy."