Edited by SamH294

PPP

Darcy sighed and opened Lord Frederick's note. Everything was going very well, even better than he had expected. Georgiana was in high spirits, her reputation was virtually restored, and she was very happy with her new family and friends.

He also felt that he had made great progress in his relationship with Miss Bennet at the ball the night before, and he anticipated paying her a call in a few hours. He remembered her reaction when they were about to finish the last set and asked her if he could visit her the next day...

"Miss Bennet, if you don't have another engagement tomorrow, I would like to visit you in the afternoon."

"No, I don't have any engagement, Mr. Darcy. Actually, I was thinking of inviting Georgina to have tea and telling her the details of the ball. Of course, you are invited," with a mischievous smile, she added, "You may even help me describe the gowns and hairstyles."

He looked at her intently and shook his head, "Actually on this particular occasion, I would like to visit without Georgiana."

Surprised, Elizabeth looked at him, and they stared into each other's eyes for several seconds. Finally, Elizabeth smiled and nodded, "I shall expect you at 4:00 PM, Mr. Darcy."

Darcy smiled, "I will be there."

Around 3:30 PM Darcy went to the Harrisons with a pretty bouquet of flowers for Elizabeth and another for Mrs. Harrison. He arrived 10 minutes before the hour, and the housekeeper ushered him into the drawing room where Elizabeth was waiting for him with her aunt.

After he gave them the flowers and they made small talk, Mrs. Harrison excused herself for several minutes saying that she had to send a note to Mrs. Campbell.

Darcy took the opportunity to take Elizabeth's hand and tell her part of what he felt...

"Miss Bennet, I was about to ask your aunt for a few minutes to speak with you alone, but it seems she understood my wishes."

Lizzy smiled and nodded. "My aunt is a very observant person, but she also takes her duties as a chaperone very seriously, which means she will probably be back in less than ten minutes."

"I shall have to use my time wisely, then. What I wish to tell you is that I think about you every day, and even though we have known each other for less than three months, I have never felt anything like this before." He smiled. "I would like to court you with the intention of marrying you. Miss Bennet, may I court you?"

Until the day of Marianne's ball, it had never crossed Elizabeth's mind that Mr. Darcy might be interested in her. From then on, she began to think of Mr. Darcy as a potential suitor, and she realized that of all the gentlemen she knew, he was undoubtedly the one she liked the most, even more than Lord Sebastian. She was sure that if she had the opportunity to know him better, she might even fall in love with him.

Elizabeth finally replied, "Gladly, Mr. Darcy." She smiled mischievously and added. "It took you less than five minutes."

Darcy smiled broadly and kissed her hand, "I am a man of few words, and I like to be clear. In fact, I would like to speak to your uncle today and ask his permission to court you as well."

Elizabeth smiled. "It is not necessary that you speak to my uncle; In a few weeks I will be of age and it is enough that I give you permission."

"May I call you by your name, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth nodded

"Elizabeth, I know that your permission is enough; but, if you agree, I want to visit you every day, and as a gentleman the least I should do is talk to your uncle to assure him that my intentions are honorable."

"Very well, if you wish, my uncle is in his office..."

Elizabeth escorted him into her uncle's office, and the two gentlemen talked for a few minutes. Mr. Harrison had no objection to Darcy's courtship

Before leaving, Darcy invited her to go to Gunter's with him, Georgiana, Lord Frederick, and Lord Sebastian. He further told her that Lord Frederick would invite Miss Campbell and her mother to accompany them.