Whether purposely or unknowingly, Darcy and Elizabeth grew farther and farther apart from Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner with each step they took. And understandably so. Being in a place where neither of them could have imagined being just a week ago was almost hard to fathom. That they would be enjoying each other’s company was equally inconceivable.
“I do not mind confessing how pleased I am to be spending today with you, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy began. “I also admit that doing so affords me a great deal of pleasure, but also some measure of regret.”
“Regret, Mr. Darcy?”
“Indeed. I do not wish to dwell on the manner in which we parted in Kent, but I cannot help but reflect on how different things might have unfolded had I behaved more gentlemanly.”
“Well, sir, since you broached the subject, I am obliged to tell you that I am not very proud of my own behavior toward you.”
“What did you say to me that I did not deserve? Having spent time with your relations, I realize how wrong I was to think meanly of your connections. I am certain had I put forth more effort while in Hertfordshire, I may have better appreciated your immediate family as well, specifically your mother, who, no doubt, only wants the best for her daughters.”
“I well understand how my mother’s exuberance might have been misconstrued. If you promise to never mention what I am about to confide, I will share a secret with you.”
“You have my word.”
“I could never really blame you or anyone else for suffering reservations where my mother is concerned. Even I find myself frequently overwhelmed by her constant complaints. Her woes are truly more than anyone deserves. That said, the business of her life is indeed marrying her five daughters. With the entail on my father’s estate being such that it is, I can hardly blame her. Especially given that I have done nothing to make her burden any easier. My cousin, Mr. Collins, stands to inherit Longbourn in the event of my father’s demise. He would be well within his rights to toss my entire family into the hedgerows with scarcely a moment’s notice were he to choose to do so.”
“I never supposed you felt that way. Saying that, I really ought not to be surprised. Your liveliness of spirit would likely place you in grave danger of misery of the acutest kind were you to allow another to dictate how you should live your life or with whom.”
Elizabeth made no response, no doubt giving her companion cause for concern.
“I hope I do not speak out of turn.”
“No, sir,” she replied softly.
“Yet, you seem troubled. What is on your mind?”
“Well, sir. Other than Jane and most recently, my aunt, I have told no one what unfolded between the two of us in Kent. My mother would be livid–no that is not the right word–she would be mortified, horrified, and severely wounded were she to learn of it.”
Now it was Darcy’s turn to remain silent. He moistened his lower lip. He arched his brow.
“Sir,” Elizabeth said, trying to summon his attention. “I fear you are the one who is now troubled.”
“I–I do not quite know what to say. I fully expected you to confide in your sister, even Mrs. Collins, knowing how intimate the two of you are and given that you were her guest on that fateful day. I must confess to being a bit taken aback that you confided in your aunt. What must she think of me?”
“Oh, you need not suppose she has an unfavorable impression of you. I surely did not share any of the details of what we discussed; only that you professed your love most ardently and offered your hand in marriage, and for reasons having to do with my sister and of course Mr. Wickham, I was compelled to refuse you.”
“Your aunt knows that I am most ardently in love with you, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy asked, half questioningly, half concerned.
“I told her that you professed your love to me when we were together in Kent. After my harsh refusal, I had every reason to assume your feelings had changed.”
“My feelings for you have not changed,” Mr. Darcy said. “Try as I might during the months since we parted, I could not help thinking of you, missing you, regretting you, and praying for a way to stop while secretly clinging to thoughts of what might have been.”
“I had no idea, sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I know our time here in Derbyshire has been of a short duration, but these past days in company with you have meant more to me than you can ever imagine. Dare I hope that your feelings are akin to mine?
“Dare I hope that I have a chance to win your heart? If yes, pray tell me at once else as much as it would pain me, I shall remain silent on this particular subject forever.”
Elizabeth could hardly believe what she was hearing. Until that moment, she never willingly allowed herself to imagine hearing such a profession from the man for whom she had suffered regret. True, he had not proposed marriage. Only time would tell whether such an offer was forthcoming.
A silent tear traced its way down her cheek. “Yes,” Elizabeth said. Their eyes met, and she trembled deep down inside. “Yes.”
Mr. Darcy leaned closer and gently wiped away her tear. His own eyes were teaming with tenderness, with love, and with desire. “Yes, I have a chance?”
Her spirits rising to playfulness, Elizabeth nodded. “With overwhelming odds for success.”