Chapter 4

The next few days were spent with Mr. Darcy visiting while Mr. Collins was as Rosings. He read to Elizabeth. He answered her questions about himself, his sister, his estate, his relations. He was very careful what he told her about their past relationship. He said that they had met at the assembly that she remembered, but they did not dance. He did not tell her about the insult he said about her (why apologize for something she did not remember?) He mentioned her stay at Netherfield to take care of her sister, but he did not mention the arguments they had had while she stayed there.

He was trying to ascertain the best way to ask Mr. Bennet for his permission to marry Elizabeth. He knew that he didn't have a very good reputation in her hometown of Meryton and was afraid that her father would deny his permission, especially if he thought Elizabeth didn't remember her animosity towards him when he was in Hertfordshire. He figured his best plan of action was to make Elizabeth fall in love with him starting now, hoping they could overcome the past mistakes he made in their relationship if they came to light.

About two weeks after her accident, he decided it was time to talk about their so called engagement. They had canvassed many subjects during their time together, but never discussed their future. From time to time she would stare off, then give a little head shake and return to their discussion. When asked, she said she was fine.

During a short walk in the garden on a beautiful spring day, he asked her opinion of their future, trying to gauge if she would accept him if she knew about their past. A few of her memories had returned, but she never mentioned anything about their past shared experiences.

He finally decided to press his luck. He asked "Miss Elizabeth, do you think that if we had not met until these last two weeks, here in Hunsford, do you think we would have gotten engaged?" What he really wanted to know was if she remembered the whole of their relationship, would she still marry him.

She was quiet for several moments. He was worried what she was going to say. She started quietly, "What you mean sir, is, do I love you as you are now. You are worried that if I remembered our experiences from the fall, would I hold that against you." His eyes went wide and she paused to decide how to proceed. She decided to tell him the truth.

"My memories are still incomplete from the time between the assembly and my waking with you sitting next to me. But, I do remember your words at the assembly. I do remember some of the discussions we had at Netherfield, including during Mr. Bingley's ball. I do remember our walks here at Rosings. I do remember your addresses the night of my accident." She paused again.

He wished he could disappear. He was sure that he knew what she was going to say next. She was going to break their imaginary engagement and send him away.

"But sir, I find, that all those experiences only serve to highlight that the people who engaged in those discussions, are not the people we find here in the garden at Hunsford today. You are no longer the man who didn't want to dance with anyone in a room where you felt uncomfortable, who argued just for the sake of keeping me engaged with you, who tried to ascertain my feelings about moving so far from my family, who was scrupulously honest about his feelings when asking me to marry you."

"But, I am no longer the girl who had her vanity hurt by a handsome stranger saying the same things my mother had been saying since I was 15, no longer the girl who did her best to try your patience at Netherfield, who believed the story of a rake who was out to destroy your reputation by spreading lies about you, no longer the venomous girl who thought she knew everything and never took the time to see the other side of the story, never took the time to see who you really were."

"You remembered all that... and didn't send me away?" He replied. "How is that possible?"

She paused to gather her thoughts. "In you, I see an honorable man. A man who takes great care of all those who rely on him, and many who it is not his responsibility to care for. A man who is thoughtful, honest, quiet, handsome, the best man I know." she paused.

"I have discovered, that, that, I have fallen in love with you." She whispered.

He closed the gap between them and gently took her hands in his. He kissed her hands tenderly and lowered his forehead to hers.

"I can hardly believe it. How could you forgive all the stupid, arrogant things I said back then? How could you fall in love with me after all I did? Thank you. Thank you."

"And so, now..." she peered at him with a questioning look.

"Let me do this properly. This time." He dropped down on one knee, holding her hands and looked up at her, saying "Dearest, wonderful Elizabeth, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes" was all she said.

He rose and took her in his arms, looking at her with a look that begged her permission. Seeing the look of love in her eyes, he gave her a gentle kiss to seal the deal.

At this point, Mr. Collins came up the road and as soon as he saw them he yelled "Elizabeth Bennet what are you doing? Unhand Mr. Darcy this instant! Oh Mr. Darcy I am so ashamed of my cousin. How dare she."

Without letting go of Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy didn't turn to look at Mr. Collins and said forcefully "Shut up Mr. Collins. Never speak to my fiancee like that again!" He instantly resumed his previous endeavor.

There would be time enough in the future to deal with Mr. Collins, his aunt, her family and the ton. He was currently pleasantly employed and would hold onto this moment for as long as he could.

The End