The following day, Charlotte Lucas and a very nervous John Lucas arrived at Longbourn. The Bennet sisters and Mrs. Bennet were chatting very lively about the party, especially their neighbours, Mr. Bingley, Caroline Bingley, and Mr. Darcy.

As usual, Mrs. Bennet enthusiastically greeted them, "Good morning, Charlotte, Mr. Lucas. It is good to see you today. Yesterday was such a wonderful party. Mr. Bingley is such a nice man and was very attentive to my Lizzy. Clearly, he is besotted with her…"

"Mama! It is not true. Mr. Bingley is a charming man, but he didn't pay me any special attention," cried Elizabeth.

Charlotte sensed Elizabeth's discomfort and John's anxiety, so she asked Mrs. Bennet, "Mrs. Bennet, yesterday my mother told me about the lemon tart she ate the last time she was here. Next week is my father's birthday, and we are preparing a surprise party in his honour. Would you mind If I ask Cook for the recipe?"

"Oh, what wonderful news." Mrs. Bennet stood up, adding, "Come, my dear, let us go to the kitchen to ask Cook…".

As soon as her sister and Mrs. Bennet left the drawing room, John Lucas took advantage of the opportunity and asked the Bennet sisters to take a stroll in the garden. Mary declined the offer, but her sister accepted.

Subsequently, the girls took their coats and joined John in the garden. Since the path was narrow, they had to divide it into two groups. Elizabeth and Lydia were several feet ahead of Kitty and John in a few minutes.

John had been up all night practising a romantic proposal but was tongue-tied, as usually happens in crucial moments. Kitty was very nervous and couldn't look at him without blushing. After a few awkward seconds, he stood up and said, "Kitty, you know I am not a shy man, but I lack the courage to speak with you."

Surprised, Kitty looked into his eyes and shyly replied, "Why? I don't understand you, Mr. Lucas."

They looked into each other's eyes for a long time; John took both her hands in his, and with feelings, he said, "Since I returned from University, my feelings for you gradually have been changing. I think about you several hours daily and realize I am falling in love with you."

Kitty smiled broadly; John kissed both her hands and knelt, "Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

Without realizing it, Kitty started to cry happy tears and couldn't answer for several seconds. At last, she found her voice and whispered, "Yes!"

They talked for several minutes, making plans for the future. They decided that John would speak with Mr. Bennet on this day, and they would marry the following year when Kitty reached her eighteenth birthday.

Mr. Bennet gave them his consent and blessing but only on the condition that John must learn more about estate management and Kitty about the household accounts and other concerns. Kitty's dowry was only £1500, but Mr. Bennet was willing to give the young couple an additional £50 yearly. They could rent a small house in Meryton or live in Lucas Lodge.

Mrs. Bennet was ecstatic and effusive in supporting the young couple's engagement. Kitty was now her favourite daughter. She made some plans to go to London in the spring to buy Kitty's trousseau, but first, she would invite all her neighbours to an engagement party the following week.

Elizabeth and Lydia were pleased with the good news since they knew Kitty had been in love with John for a long time. However, Lydia was also a little jealous of all the attention Kitty was receiving and was no longer her mother's favourite daughter. Mary was glad for her sister, even though she had never been close to Kitty.

In less than one day, everyone in Meryton and the surrounding area knew that Miss Catherine Bennet and Mr. John Lucas were in love and would marry the following year.

PPP

Lady Lucas was the first to organize a small ball in honour of her son's engagement. She would have liked a woman with a large dowry and connections, but, on the other hand, Kitty was a sweet, kind, and shy gentlewoman who was very much in love with her son. In the end, the happiness of her son was paramount.

On the day of the ball, Darcy and Bingley arrived at Lucas Lodge before Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Caroline, as there had been a problem with Caroline's gown. They were greeted by the radiant, engaged couple and Sir William and Lady Lucas.

Involuntarily Darcy's eyes were looking for Miss Bennet. Finally, he saw her conversing with her good friend Charlotte Lucas in the corner of the room. Elizabeth was beautiful that night. She was dressed in a pale-yellow gown with delicate lace and a flattering hairstyle. He was absorbed in watching the lively expression on her beautiful face when Bingley asked him, "Darcy, I am going to greet Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas. Would you like to come with me?"

Darcy's only answer was a simple nod, and he followed Bingley to greet the ladies.

Bingley asked Miss Bennet for the first set and Miss Lucas for the second, and Darcy only asked Elizabeth for the supper set.

As always, Darcy did his duty and danced a set with Caroline Bingley. It was not a pleasant experience due to Caroline's constant complaints about the low quality of the musicians and the lack of a superior society.

All night, his eyes followed Elizabeth's movements. She had a pleasant figure and a pretty face that was undeniable, but he still couldn't understand what was so special about Elizabeth Bennet that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Darcy didn't like dancing; it was an activity he tried to avoid at all costs, but he had to admit to himself that he had enjoyed dancing with Miss Bennet very much.

Almost as soon as they began to dance, Darcy asked her about the book they had discussed a few days ago in one of their chance meetings in Oakham Mount. "Did you get a chance to finish reading 'The Lady of the Lake'?"

Elizabeth smiled, "Sadly, not yet. These last few days, I was busy helping Lady Lucas with the arrangements for the ball. I hope to finish reading it tomorrow." She paused and added, "So far, I find the story interesting and fascinating. Maybe someday I have the opportunity to visit Scotland and the places of the novel."

"I have been several times in Scotland since I have a small estate close to Edinburgh. My sister lives there with her husband. It is a fascinating country, and it is very different from England in many ways."

"My father said the same. He went to Edinburgh when he finished his studies at Oxford…."

They continued talking while dancing and later during supper about the differences between Scotland and England, Edinburgh and London, followed by Wordsworth's poems about the Lake District.

PPP

That night in the privacy of his room, Darcy realized it was the first time in almost half a year that he had a very good time and he felt content.

He read again the list of attributes his ideal wife must have and he added a new requirement" Improvement of her mind by extensive reading"

When he finally fell asleep, his dreams were about a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman.