As time went on, Darcy's admiration and feelings for Miss Elizabeth grew stronger. He had fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with her; she had bewitched him body, mind, and soul. They had much in common, both passionate, intelligent, well-read, honest, and loyal. It was clear to everyone that they were meant to be together.

Mary and Jane were fully aware that Darcy held a strong admiration for Elizabeth, and they were also aware that Elizabeth reciprocated those feelings. Whenever they returned to Longbourn from school, Mary and Jane would make sure to walk a few steps ahead of Elizabeth and Darcy, allowing them to have some private time to speak.

A month and a half after they started teaching, Elizabeth suffered a sprained ankle. Although the injury was not severe, she decided to remain at Longbourn in order to rest.

Darcy, seeing only Mary and Jane at school, immediately asked them, "Good morning, Miss Bennet and Miss Mary. Isn't Miss Elizabeth coming today?"

"Good morning Mr. Darcy; No, unfortunately, Lizzy had an accident and stayed at Longbourn."

Darcy's face darkened with concern and he asked worriedly, "What happened to Miss Elizabeth? Is she well?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Darcy. She sprained her ankle; she will be fine after a few days of rest." Jane replied with a smile.

A little less worried he replied, "I am glad it's nothing serious. If you will excuse me, I have some tasks to do."

Mary and Jane nodded and entered the classroom where the children were waiting for them. Immediately, Darcy fetched his horse and made his way to Longbourn; he needed to see with his own eyes that Miss Elizabeth was well.

PPP

Upon reaching Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet greeted him cordially and told him that Elizabeth was in the drawing room. Mrs. Bennet had for some weeks suspected Mr. Darcy was not interested in Mary but in Elizabeth. Since she loved her niece – but not as much as her daughters – she was glad a kind and handsome gentleman was interested in Elizabeth. Therefore, she left them alone so they could talk in private.

Elizabeth was sitting in an armchair with her foot on a stool reading a book. When she saw Darcy, she blushed and lowered her foot off the stool.

Darcy immediately knelt beside her, and took her hand, "Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet told me you had an accident, how are you?"

Elizabeth grinned, "I am well Mr. Darcy, I just sprained my ankle. It's nothing serious."

"Does your ankle hurt?"

"A little when I stand up, but in a few days, I am sure I will be fine." She added with a mischievous smile, "Besides, I don't know if you remember that next week is Meryton's monthly assembly, and a gentleman already asked me to reserve the first set for him. It would be a shame not to be able to dance with said gentleman. Don't you think?"

Darcy smiled even more, "Umm, I agree with you. It would be a shame. But I am sure the gentleman cares about your well-being; if your ankle is still sore, he would have no problem sitting with you simply to talk during the set." He looked at her intensely, and added with feelings, "I would gladly talk with you all my life and I would never get tired."

Elizabeth smiled and whispered, "I wouldn't get enough of it either."

"Since you have to rest for the next few days, I brought a book I would like to share with you." He opened his bag and showed her the book: 'The Lady of the Lake' by Sir Walter Scott.

Elizabeth was thrilled. They had talked about that book a few days earlier and her desire to read it. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy! Have you read it?"

Darcy shook his head. "Not yet. Perhaps we can read some parts of it together, if you would like."

"Indeed, I would, sir."

The two beamed. On impulse, Darcy took both her hands and looking into those beautiful green eyes which had him completely bewitched said, "Miss. Bennet, from the first day I saw you I felt a strong attraction for you, and in these two months that I have been getting to know you the attraction has turned into love. I think of you all the time, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. You have even invaded my dreams." Elizabeth beamed, and he kissed both her hands, "I am deeply in love with you, and what I would most like is to have the privilege of taking care of you all my life. Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, would you do me the great honor of being my wife?"

Elizabeth met his eyes, and kissed his hand, "The honor is mine, Mr. Darcy, and I gladly accept your proposal to be your wife."

Tenderly, Darcy kissed her gently at first, then more deeply. They were both happy and in love...

PPP

Although Mr. Bennet gave his consent to the wedding to take place, the news was like a bucket of cold water. Until then, he legally had access to the interest on Elizabeth's dowry, and part of it had been used to save money for his daughters' dowries. Each of his daughters had a £2,200 dowry, in addition to sharing their mother's £5,000. But that extra money would end in a few months. In recent years, he had neglected Longbourn, and it would be difficult for him to save any more money.

That same afternoon, overjoyed at his engagement to the woman he adored, Darcy sent letters to his brother, Bingley and the Matlocks, informing them of his good news. He would go to London the following week to speak with his solicitor and prepare the marriage settlement. They wanted to get married in three months, and would then live at the parsonage.

PPP

"Lizzy, I am so happy for you. Mr. Darcy is an intelligent and kind gentleman. I am sure you will be very happy with him," said Mary.

"He is also handsome, has a beautiful voice and he is in love with you…and you will live only three miles from Longbourn!" Jane added.

"When are you getting married?"

"In three months. First, we must speak to Mr. Tilk as we are to be married at Longbourn's chapel."

"Where will you go on your wedding trip?"

Elizabeth beamed, "We would like to travel to Derbyshire since I want to visit Pemberley."

"Is Pemberley Mr. Darcy's brother's estate?" asked Jane, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, Fitzwilliam was born and lived there until he came here." She smiled, "he told me the estate is large and beautiful. It is at least five times the size of Longbourn. His older brother, Frederick Darcy, lives there and he is still single. To be honest I am also curious to meet him; although Fitzwilliam is not very close with him..."

PPP

The next morning, Darcy returned to visit Elizabeth. Her ankle was still swollen and she still needed to rest. Even though the door was ajar, they left them alone so they could talk privately.

"How is your ankle, my love?" Concerned, he asked.

"I am already much better; but it is still swollen. I promised you that I would rest for three more days." She smiled mischievously, "and I am not going to break my first promise."

He nodded and smiled, "I am glad you won't break it. It is important that you take care of yourself." He kissed her hand, "Today I sent a letter to my brother, my best friend Bingley, and my uncle with the news of our engagement." He kissed her on the other hand, "Next week, I will go to London to meet my solicitor in order to have the marriage settlement prepared."

"Have you already spoken with my uncle about my dowry?" she asked curiously.

"Yes." He sighed, and said sadly, "I am embarrassed that you contribute more money to the marriage than me. Believe me, I didn't know you had a dowry of £30,000." He looked into her eyes, "I would gladly marry you if you didn't have a dowry. I love you so much, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth tenderly caressed his cheek, "I know." She beamed, "Perhaps, one day, if we have children, we can buy an estate similar to Longbourn. The parsonage only has three bedrooms."

"Would you like us to buy an estate?" Darcy asked curiously, since up until now it had never been a possibility.

"Not for now, but it is a possibility in the future…"