"You are cold, my love," Mr. Darcy said, raising Elizabeth's hand to his lips to warm it.
"A little," she admitted. "But I want to remain here in the garden, just with you."
"Your family will look for you soon," added Darcy.
Elizabeth sighed. "Indeed. I suppose we ought to go in."
"Soon we shall spend every day together, my dearest Elizabeth. We shall never be parted if I can help it," he promised. "But before we go indoors, I wish to impart to you a token of my affection."
From the pocket of his coat, he pulled out a small velvet box, and then a larger one that held a matching set of earrings and necklace. As he slowly lifted the lid of the ring box, the glint of the diamond ring caught her eye. The diamond glimmered in the low light, beckoning her to reach out and touch it. "It is beautiful," she breathed.
"I hoped you would like it. It isn't as grand as some diamonds worn by some fine ladies, but I believed a larger stone wouldn't complement your delicate hands," he nervously explained.
"In no way was I thinking of the size of the stone, nor would I care how my ring compares to that of others," she assured him. "It is quite perfect."
He carefully picked up the ring and slid it onto her finger. It was a little larger than it ought to be, but that could be easily adjusted. "I am sorry. I had to guess for the size, and the jeweller said it was easier to make a ring smaller than larger."
"It does not matter," she said, overflowing with happiness.
"I nearly forgot," said Darcy, picking up the other box. "The earrings and necklace match the ring as well."
He opened the larger box, presenting the gift to his betrothed. Elizabeth gasped at the sight of the brilliant diamonds reflecting the light of the moon. "Thank you, but..." her words trailed off.
"But? Is something wrong with them?" he asked, turning the box towards him so he might examine them.
"Nothing is wrong with the gift," she assured him. "It is just so much. I hope you do not think that I expect such finery in order to marry you."
Darcy smiled softly, taking her hand once more. "My dearest Elizabeth, I give you these tokens of my love not because I feel I must, but because I want to. Besides, soon I shall share all my worldly possessions and my life with you. You shall have many fine jewels as Mrs. Darcy, but I know you too well to think such would at all have swayed you to marry me if you did not love me."
"I do love you, Darcy," she assured him.
"Pray, call me William," he asked as he brought her hand to his lips.
"I do love you, William," she repeated.
"And I love you as well. But now, surely we must go inside, else your uncle may have something unpleasant to say to me." He offered her his hand in rising and they walked together into the townhouse.
When they walked into the drawing-room where the others had congregated, conversation entirely ceased as everyone turned to look upon the couple. Jane was the first to notice the jewellery that Elizabeth wore. When she did, she jumped up and went to her sister, embracing her.
"Oh, Lizzy! I had hoped it would be so, but I dared not expect it," Elizabeth's elder sister exclaimed.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner soon rose and congratulated the betrothed couple. Mr. Gardiner shook hands with Mr. Darcy, saying, "We are very pleased to welcome you into our family, sir. You have chosen a wonderful lady. I do hope you realise her worth is far more than that of the ornaments you bestowed upon her."
"Indeed, she is worth far more than any jewels," said Darcy, smiling at Elizabeth, who then was speaking with accepting Mr. Bingley's congratulations.
Georgiana, timid as she was, stood back from the others, patiently waiting for her turn to express her felicitations. Elizabeth caught sight of her standing apart and beckoned her forward, citing a desire to speak with her future sister.
"I have long wanted a sister," admitted Georgiana. "And I am so glad that it shall be you, Elizabeth."
"We shall be the best of friends, Georgiana," replied Elizabeth, taking her hand. "And now you shall have five sisters, as I am certain that my sisters shall claim you as one of their own."
Such was the case the next day when Georgiana and the younger Bennets were introduced. From the moment they met her, Lydia and Kitty felt a strong connection to the young lady. Lydia found common ground with her new friend through their shared love of mysteries, while all three young ladies formed a bond over their mutual interest in fashion, especially bonnets. Georgiana was not as talkative as the Bennets, but she was content with listening instead of speaking herself.
They all three also shared a disappointment in not having been included in the conclusion of the mystery regarding Mr. Witting. Georgiana only expressed this feeling privately with her friends, while the youngest two Bennets were very vocal with their opinions.
"Surely you must feel the same, Lizzy," said Lydia that same afternoon when Miss Darcy, Elizabeth, and her mother and sisters were all taking tea together. Elizabeth's mind was quite occupied with other matters, as Mr. Darcy had gone up to speak with Mr. Bennet.
"About what?" Elizabeth replied.
"Being left out, of course," said her youngest sister with exasperation.
"I was upset by their not telling me what was happening, as I believe I should have been better able to protect myself had I been forewarned. I did not appreciate their putting a guard about Jane and I without telling us, in particular," said Elizabeth, considering her words carefully. "However, after reflection, I cannot regret not again going out into the fray. From what the men have said, it has been quite dangerous, and not at all a place I should like to be. It is much better to let the militia handle the worse of it. It is, after all, what the militia is for."
"But there is no satisfaction in letting others take care of the ending, when we were so much involved in beginning," said Lydia, a slight pout to her lips.
"You speak as if someone stole the last pages of your Sir Francis story, Lydia," said Elizabeth with a laugh. "You must remember that in his stories, bullets tend to miss him, his wounds heal quickly when he does receive him, and people always escape from whatever danger they are in. Since we don't lead fictional lives — and therefore have not the same protection as Sir Francis — it's a relief to let others play the hero when needed."
Lydia and Kitty both disagreed, arguing that they might have been able to assist the militia, if only they were permitted to do so.
"Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise," said Mary, taking Elizabeth's part.
The younger ladies just stared at Mary, but Jane spoke up. "Indeed, Mary. It is wise to know your limitations. Perhaps we might have served some purpose if we had gone along, but we cannot know if we would do more harm than good."
Before any more was said, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy made their entrance into the room. Elizabeth glanced up nervously at her beloved and was comforted by his easy smile.
"Elizabeth," said Mr. Bennet, "will you come into the library with me a moment? I wish to show you something."
She hurriedly got up and followed her father to the library. The door behind them shut with a soft thud.
"I have just had a most interesting conversation with Mr. Darcy, my dear," Mr. Bennet said as he settled into a chair once Elizabeth was seated. "He has asked me for your hand."
Elizabeth's breath caught as she waited for her father to go on.
"He has convinced me of his great love for you, Lizzy," said Mr. Bennet. "I do not find it hard to believe that you could attract a gentleman such as he, but what I find it more difficult to determine is if you feel all that you ought for him."
"I know I once was most indecorous in expressing my judgement of him, but that is long forgot. I was quite wrong before, Papa, and I do not mind admitting it. Mr Darcy is, without a doubt, the best of men and I love him completely. I cannot fathom spending the rest of my life with anyone else," said Elizabeth, her voice soft but certain.
"That is very good, Lizzy," said Mr. Bennet, his eyes sparkling with good humour, "For I have already given him my blessing. It would be a bother to have to retract it."
Elizabeth was overwhelmed with elation as her father enfolded her in an embrace and offered his congratulations on her engagement. "I shall miss you dreadfully, Lizzy. There will not be any sensible conversation to be had once you and Jane are both wed."
"You do my sisters too little credit, Papa," said Elizabeth. "I think they may yet turn out well, given the proper instruction."
"Perhaps," admitted Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth had no strong conviction that her father would see to said instruction and therefore resolved to have her sisters often to Pemberley and Darcy House.
Had Elizabeth been allowed, she might have waited until she could speak to her mother alone before telling Mrs. Bennet of her betrothal. This was not to be, as Mr. Bennet thought it might be great sport to tell Mrs. Bennet the news in front of all. This decision he regretted, for upon hearing such news, Mrs. Bennet fell into a swoon. It took several minutes to rouse her, and the doctor had to be summoned afterwards to look her over. Elizabeth was glad that Mr. Darcy was in another room when she came back to her senses, as she exclaimed: "Good gracious! Lord bless me! How rich, how great you will be! What pin-money and carriages you shall have! I am sure Jane's shall be nothing to it. I am so pleased, so happy, my dear Lizzy!"
Mrs. Bennet likely would have gone on for some minutes longer, had the doctor not urged her to silence so he might listen to the beating of her heart. Such violent approbation of the match might have been seen as an ill-omen of what the matron's behaviour around Mr Darcy would be. Mrs. Bennet's tendency to swoon, exclaim, and fawn had ceased by the time she next saw her future son-in-law, and she instead regarded him with awe. Mrs. Bennet did not venture to speak to him, unless it was in her power to offer him any attention, or mark her deference for his opinion.
As for Elizabeth's younger sisters, they were quite pleased at the prospect of Elizabeth's marriage, particularly as it would mean such privileges for themselves and the promise of furthering their friendship with Miss Darcy. However, Jane was the most satisfied among her sisters, as she had been aware for quite some time of Elizabeth's feelings for the gentleman and the distress that such love had caused before the lovers finally came to an understanding. To now see her sister as happy as she was a fine thing indeed!
The only ones disapproving of the match were Lady Catherine and her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, who were as vocal in their disapproval as Mrs. Bennet had been in her approbation. Mr. Collins, of course, took the side of his patroness, sending several letters to the Bennets beseeching them to call off the betrothal. These letters had the opposite affect than what he intended, for although the engagement between Elizabeth and Darcy continued, Mr. Collins was thence refused by Miss Lucas, who was offended on behalf of her friend. What Lady Catherine said to her clergyman upon his second return to Hunsford without a betrothal is not known by the author. However, a few weeks later, Mr. Collins proposed to Miss Brown, a spinster from Hunsford, and his offer was accepted. To her credit, Mrs. Bennet did not lament over the engagement, as her own daughters had done much better for themselves than a mere clergyman.