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Darcy called on Lizzy the next morning directly after breakfast. It was not yet the visiting hour. But he wanted to speak with her before travelling to Hertfordshire to ask her father for her hand.
The truth was, Darcy had not in fact made her a formal marriage proposal. Everything had happened in a muddle the night before. He wanted to make sure they were both clear on where things stood between them.
He waited in the front parlour, considering what he would say. First, he would assure her of his deep and abiding love. Second, he would thank her for getting him out of a scrape the night before. Third, he would make sure she did not feel trapped into the engagement.
At the sound of slippered feet, he turned. Lizzy stood before him in a plain white morning dress, her hair in a simple chignon. To him, she had never looked lovelier.
All his practiced words fled his mind as he strode forward and took her hands. “By Heaven, you are beautiful,” he cried, then raised her hands to his lips. Her skin was unspeakably soft.
Lizzy pulled away with a shy smile. She glanced towards her maid, then back at Darcy. “Would you care for some tea?” Lizzy asked him.
“Yes, thank you,” he replied, hoping to get rid of the maid long enough to give Lizzy a proper kiss.
Lizzy turned to Sally. “A pot of tea and some lemon tarts.” Sally curtseyed and withdrew.
Once the maid’s footsteps faded, Darcy wasted no time. He closed the door and took Lizzy in his arms.
Her body yielded to his as he met her lips in a gentle kiss. She smelled of violets and strawberries, the scent light but intoxicating. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, knowing he must stop, but resisting. Finally, he pulled back and said, “Are you happy, love?”
“Nothing could make me happier than marrying you.”
His heart filled with a joy unlike anything he had known before. He could imagine her walking through the halls of Pemberley. Giving instructions to the servants as they planned a house party or a ball. That life, which had been just a dream to him the day before, was now his future. It did not seem real.
She eyed the closed door, then opened it. “I would not wish Sally to encounter a closed door while carrying a heavy tray,” she said.
“Of course.” He admired how Lizzy cared for the staff, just as his mother always had.
Lizzy came and took his hands. “We must speak seriously a moment. Last night, things happened quickly. I do not wish to go through the rest of my life wondering whether you acted under duress. If you have any doubts about this engagement—”
“None at all. I resolved to offer for you weeks ago. Bingley can vouch for that, and so can Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
Her hand went to her throat, and her eyes glistened. “I confess, I am relieved. I barely slept last night. I worried you claimed an engagement between us to escape the situation with Miss Peabody.”
“Oh, my love,” he murmured, kissing her temple. “Forgive me. Perhaps I should have acted sooner. I wanted only to be certain of your regard for me.”
She flashed him a coquettish grin. “And you found the assurance you were looking for in the garden last night?”
He growled and hooked his arm around her waist. “Do not tempt me, minx. You have no idea of the things I would like to do to you right now.”
“I believe I could take a few guesses.”
He kissed her cheek. “I want to do this right.” He got down on one knee. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
She pressed her palms together as if she were praying, then touched her fingers to her lips. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. The honour would be mine.”
***
TEARS PRICKED LIZZY’S eyes as Darcy rose and stepped towards her. He took her hand, and the feel of his flesh on hers sent a shiver through her. Raising her hand, he pressed a kiss to it, then another. Her gaze swept up and locked with his. He brushed his lips against each of her fingertips, one by one, and desire flamed inside her.
How could such a simple touch turn her into something wanton? She knew she should stop him, but had not the strength. Sally would return at any moment—they could not continue like this. But instead of pulling her hand away, she wished he would take her in his arms again. She wished he would lay her on the sofa and...and...she knew not what. Give her something more than this ache, this longing. Give her some sort of satisfaction.
Yet that was exactly what he must not do. She had sense enough to know that much. Growing up in the country, she had seen the rams with the ewes. She was not entirely ignorant.
At the sound of footsteps, she jumped back. A moment later, her mother entered. “Why, Mr. Darcy! I did not know you were here.”
He bowed. “Forgive me. I should have asked for you. I only just arrived.”
“Sally went to get refreshments,” Lizzy quickly explained, then remembered who she was talking to.
Mrs. Bennet motioned towards the seating area. “Let us sit down, then.” She and Lizzy took their places on the couch, and Darcy on a chair perpendicular to them. “Mr. Darcy,” she said, “where is Mr. Bingley this morning?”
“He is...that is, he had not come downstairs yet when I left. I realize it is early for me to call, but I am heading to Longbourn today to speak with Mr. Bennet. I wanted to talk with Lizzy before I left.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, it is most proper of you to call on her father. Perhaps I could send a note along with you, assuring him that Lizzy and I are of one mind.”
“I agree, Mama,” Lizzy said in a rush, remembering Mr. Collins’ proposal. On that, she and her mother had had decidedly different opinions. “I would like to send a note along as well.”
***
DARCY’S STOMACH TWISTED as Hill the housekeeper led him into Bennet’s study. This might be one of the most momentous occasions of his life. He did not believe Bennet would refuse his suit. And if he did, Lizzy was nearly of age. They had only to wait a few months, and they could marry without permission if necessary.
But surely it would not be necessary—would it? Lizzy would be unhappy to act without her father’s blessing. The two were close. If Bennet disapproved, would Lizzy go forward with the wedding?
Darcy forced those thoughts from his mind as Bennet stood. The man received him with the shake of a hand and a sardonic grin. “This is a surprise. Surely you are not here to warn me about another worthless young man of Colonel Forster’s regiment.”
“No indeed.” Darcy’s mouth grew dry as the weight of what he was about to say gripped him. “I have come to beg for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Bennet startled, eyeing him curiously for a moment. Then his shoulders relaxed as he said, “I have four daughters yet unspoken for. Was there one in particular you had in mind?”
Darcy’s face warmed. Did this man truly intend to taunt him? “Miss Elizabeth, sir.”
Bennet nodded thoughtfully. “Excellent choice. She is a jewel amongst women. In fact, I am rather loath to part with her. Are you sure I cannot interest you in Mary? She has as many arms and legs as the other. I would be willing to add in Kitty as a bonus.”
Darcy stared at the man as if he were mad, bartering his daughters like horseflesh. Then, he saw the gleam in Bennet’s eye. Darcy did not much care for the man’s joking at his daughters’ expense. But if Bennet was to be his father-in-law, he supposed he had better get used to it.
“The last I heard, polygamy was illegal in this kingdom. And I confess I am rather attached to Miss Elizabeth.”
“Well, then, Lizzy it will be, if she will have you. But I assume you have already spoken with her, or you would not have ridden all the way here.”
“Yes, sir. I have spoken to Miss Elizabeth and to Mrs. Bennet. They have sent letters with me to assure you of their consent.” Darcy handed the envelope to Mr. Bennet.
The man took the missive but made no motion to open it. “Did you think I would need their persuasion before granting your suit?”
“The ladies seemed to think you would welcome their opinions on the matter.”
Bennet took out a letter opener and sliced through the seam. He read a moment, then took off his spectacles and tossed them onto his desk. “Is this true? You ruined Lizzy at a ball last night?”
Ah, Mrs. Bennet, making sure that Darcy could not slip through her claws. He explained the incident with Miss Peabody. Partway through, he realized he was getting in deeper than he intended. His behaviour with Lizzy had not been all it should have been, if looked at in a certain light. Her father might take exception.
Leaving Lizzy shivering in the garden, after kissing her half senseless... It had not been his finest moment. And yet, the memory of the kiss could not but make him smile.
Bennet’s frown only deepened, however. “You ruined two young ladies last night?”
Darcy sat forward. “No sir, I did not touch Miss Peabody. I swear it on my father’s grave.”
“So it was just Lizzy, then.” Bennet’s tone was icy.
The man confounded him. Bennet had had a quarter century to set aside dowries for the daughters he was blessed with. He had not saved a penny. And here was Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in England, offering to provide for one of those daughters. Yes, Darcy had kissed Lizzy before proposing, but the intervening time had not been above an hour. Who, pray tell, was the less responsible man?
Despite the anger simmering in his breast, Darcy said, “I confess that I was more ardent than I ought to have been. But my behaviour was not dishonourable. A gentleman does not kiss a gently bred young lady without intending to marry her.”
A wry smile curved Bennet’s lips. “I appreciate the sentiment, however idealistic it might be.”
Fighting to keep the exasperation out of his voice, Darcy said, “I am in love with your daughter, sir. I am in a position to care for her in a manner befitting a woman of her sensibilities. Do you mean to refuse my suit?”
“Heavens, no. My wife would kill me in my sleep. You understand that with the entail on the property, I cannot offer you a dowry. Lizzy is entitled only to her share of her mother’s five thousand pounds at its four percents, upon my wife’s demise.”
“Miss Elizabeth’s lack of fortune is nothing to me. I want her for herself, and consider myself lucky to have found her favour.”
“In that case, you will be a happy man, Mr. Darcy.” Bennet rose and extended his hand.
Darcy stood and took it. “I shall indeed. I am honoured that you entrust your daughter’s future to me.”
“Take good care of her, young man. She may not have brothers, but she has uncles and cousins who will see to her welfare after I am gone. If you harm her in any way—”
“I would not think of it.” Darcy stared at him, aghast. Did Bennet think him such a rogue? “She is in every way precious to me. I desire only her happiness.”
The man nodded, looking grey and weary. Darcy had expected joy. Instead, he realized, Bennet was mourning the loss of his daughter. Darcy would take her away to Derbyshire, a distance of more than a hundred miles. They would stop in Hertfordshire a few times a year, on their way to and from London. But Lizzy would never again be a daily presence in her father’s life.
Darcy felt somewhat guilty about that. If Jane and Bingley also move to Derbyshire, Bennet would be twice bereft. But the man had a wife and three other daughters to comfort him. If he found their company wanting, well, he had no one to blame for that but himself.
***
LATER THAT WEEK, GEORGIANA called at the house on Berkeley Square. Jane and Mrs. Bennet had gone shopping for soaps, perfumes, and potions to take back to Longbourn. Lizzy was in her room deciding what to wear for the wedding. She bounded down the stairs, took Giana’s hand, and led her to the bedroom.
“Miss Darcy!” Sally greeted. She was dressed in the sage green frock Giana had given her on the day they got caught in the rain. “We could use your help. Which gown is your favourite?”
Lizzy had hired Sally as her lady’s maid. Mrs. Gardiner was sorry to lose her, but glad the girl would have the opportunity to work in a great house.
Sally continued, “The pink and violet gowns flatter Miss Elizabeth the best. They bring out the colour in her cheeks. But she prefers the blue as better suited for a wedding.”
Giana examined the frocks that hung about the room. The three ball gowns were all in pale pastels suited to an unmarried lady. The pink was Lizzy’s favourite from Longbourn. It was in a simple style with updated sleeves and a new white ribbon about the waist.
The other two had been purchased in London for the season. The violet was a shimmery satin with puffed sleeves and a delicate lace overskirt. The blue silk was the colour of a summer sky, the skirt dotted with white rosettes.
“We will need to add a fichu,” Lizzy said to Giana, “to make the neckline more appropriate for morning wear. Otherwise, I think any one of the gowns would do very well. What do you think?”
Giana smoothed her hand over the fabrics, rubbed the flounces between her fingers. “They are all so lovely, it is hard to decide. Have you thought about jewellery? If you choose the blue, I can lend you a sapphire set that belonged to my mother.”
Lizzy pressed her hand to her heart, touched by the offer. “Oh, that would be splendid!”
Sally gave a little pout. “The violet is the prettiest, I think. It has such a lovely sheen, and all that lace. But I suppose it is better suited to a ballroom than a church.”
“Shall we go with the blue, then?” Lizzy asked, bubbling with excitement.
“Darcy will love it,” Giana urged.
The mention of his name brought a flutter to Lizzy’s stomach. The idea of him waiting at the altar while she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm... It was thrilling, and hardly seemed real. But in a few short days, she would indeed become his wife.
“I have an appointment with the modiste this afternoon to make the alterations,” Lizzy said. “She has assured me she can finish before we leave for Hertfordshire.” With a sly grin, she added, “I find tradespeople are far more accommodating when you tell them to spare no expense.”
Giana smiled brightly. “My father raised us never to be wasteful, but this occasion is an exception. Do you mind if I accompany you to the dress shop?”
Lizzy squeezed her hands. “Nothing would please me more than having my newest sister with me.”
Giana’s eyes teared. “A sister at last! I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. I shall not be nearly so frightened making my come-out with you by my side.”
“We will have such fun.” Lizzy looked into Giana’s pretty face, fresh with the glow of youth. She was still innocent despite the tragedies that had befallen her. She had lost her parents too young. Experienced the betrayal of that blackguard Wickham. Yet her eyes still beamed with hope.
Georgiana was resilient like her brother, and like Lizzy, too. They had persevered through hardship, and now had found this happiness as a new family. With luck, their joy would be increased by the addition of children. Lizzy’s heart raced with exhilaration as she anticipated the adventure before them.