Edited by SamH294

March 1812

"Mr. Darcy! What a pleasant surprise! I thought you were not returning from Rosings until tomorrow." Elizabeth greeted him with a big smile.

"Mr. Darcy? We agreed that you would call me by my first name when we are alone."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "You are right, Fitzwilliam."

"I arrived just a couple of hours ago, I changed clothes and came here." He kissed her hands, "I missed you so much this week."

Elizabeth blushed. "I missed you too, Fitzwilliam. I am happy you arrived earlier than expected! Is your cousin well?"

"My cousin is fine but sad about his wife's death. Even though he was already aware that she was very sick when he married her."

Darcy continued, "I want to tell you that in the six-hour journey from Rosings to London I was thinking about you and what I was going to say to you the next time I saw you." He paused. "I thought I should first tell you that I missed you very much." He kissed her hand. "Then I thought maybe that was not enough to express my feelings for you." He kissed her other hand. "Maybe I should tell you that I think of you constantly and in these last few weeks I have fallen irrevocably in love with you." He kissed both her hands. "But after serious consideration, it seems to me that there is something else I want to tell you or rather ask you." He paused and asked, "Do you want to know what it is?"

Elizabeth blushed even more; she smiled and nodded.

Darcy knelt down and took both of her hands. "Elizabeth, my love, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

Elizabeth nodded and with a shaken voice she replied. "Yes; the honor is mine, Fitzwilliam."

"May I kiss you, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth nodded, Darcy stood up and they kissed tenderly for the first time.

Darcy spoke with Mr. Harrison that very afternoon and her uncle consented to Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage. They agreed that the wedding would be held in mid-June at Pemberley.

The following day, Darcy published an advertisement in the newspaper with the news of his engagement to Elizabeth.

PPP

The news of Darcy's engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet was taken with varying degrees of enthusiasm and interest by the couple's family and their friends. The Matlocks thought that in order to completely reestablish the Darcys' position in society, it would be better if he married the daughter of an Earl or a young lady with connections to the nobility, but they did not express any criticism of Elizabeth. They showed every respect to her and support of their nephew's choice of wife, while in society. Their acquaintances were informed of Elizabeth's large dowry and connection to the Marquess, she was, after all, the daughter of a gentleman.

Lord Frederick genuinely congratulated them and publicly endorsed their engagement, and Lord Sebastian told Darcy that he was a very lucky man. Georgiana was very happy as she adored Elizabeth and now, she was finally going to be her sister.

Mary was also very happy for her sister as she appreciated Mr. Darcy and especially Miss Darcy. Charles Bingley was happy for his friend as he considered Miss Bennet a pretty and lovely young lady. Caroline was not happy at all to learn of Mr. Darcy's betrothal.