Page 54 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“She is fortunate to have your support.”

“No matter what the future brings, she will always have that.” Mrs. Hawkins glanced towards the couple, now seated together on a settee with their heads mere inches apart. “I did not understand why Amelia insisted her chance for a union with Mr. Wood had passed until she confided in me a few weeks ago. She believed that, since he never replied to her letter, he either no longer loved her or could not forgive her betrothment to Mr. Lovell. I convinced her to seek him out and obtain a definitive answer. We met with Mr. Wood’s benefactress, Mrs. Dodge, in Bath. She related Mr. Wood had discovered his connexion to the Darcy family and had moved to town.” Her lips pressed together. “I brought her here with a degree of trepidation.”

“Why is that?”

“My niece had decided she would be content married to Mr. Wood, the tradesman. Yet it occurred to me that, in his new status as a gentleman and part of a prominent family he might have set his sights higher than a gentlewoman whose father has disowned her. Whereas Amelia once had a dowry of twenty thousand pounds, Mr. Hawkins has redistributed the funds to her brothers. In addition, he made a new will with no mention of Amelia.”

“Although I have not known Mr. Miles Darcy for long, I do not imagine he would marry for money or rank.”

“I am relieved to hear that.”

When I ventured to direct my vision at the couple, Mr. Miles knelt before Miss Hawkins and held her hands. I moved closer to Mrs. Hawkins. “It seems a blissful resolution for your niece may be close at hand.”

She craned her neck, and her sight riveted upon the couple. “Oh my!”

Despite my initial instinct to give them privacy, I soon yielded to temptation and espied the pair just as Mr. Miles took Miss Hawkins in his arms and pressed his lips to hers.

Heat suffused my body, and the inside of my mouth tingled. I closed my eyes, rapt in remembrances of Fitzwilliam’s kisses. How long must I wait to see him—talk to him—touch him again? My eyes opened as the pair walked towards us, arm in arm and wearing matching grins.

Miss Hawkins released Mr. Miles’s arm and crouched before Mrs. Hawkins, taking her hand. “We shall be married, Aunt. I am elated. This is too wonderful to be believed!”

“My dear Amelia, I could not be happier for you.” Mrs. Hawkins embraced her niece.

I stood before Mr. Miles and extended my hand. “Congratulations. I wish you and Miss Hawkins a blissful union.”

He gave my hand a vigorous shake. “Thank you very much.”

When the Hawkins ladies took their leave, Mr. Miles accompanied them to the door. Upon his return, he glanced at his pocket watch. “I apologise for having kept you for so long today.”

“Nay, I am delighted to have met Mrs. and Miss Hawkins and witnessed your felicitous reunion.”

He raised a hand to his chest. “It has been a wondrous afternoon. I shall call upon Miss Hawkins and her aunt tomorrow. They are staying in town at the home of a friend.” He tugged upon his sleeve. “I want to ask a favour of you.”

“Yes?”

“I should like you to keep my engagement to yourself for now. I believe Fitzwilliam ought to hear the news before Georgiana does, and I wish to tell him in person.”

“Very well.” My sight lingered upon the knot on his forehead. “Are you concerned he will not approve of the match?”

He brushed a hand over his jaw. “As I have assured Miss Hawkins, I shall marry her with or without his blessing. The income from my painting could support us. Nevertheless,Fitzwilliam’s opinion matters a great deal to me—I respect him more than any other living man.”

“I am certain he will be happy for you.”

“Your assurance is most welcome.”

A maid appeared at the doorway. “Excuse me, sir, Miss Darcy wished to convey her regrets to you and Miss Bennet. She has the headache and is resting in her chamber. Mrs. Annesley is seeing to her comfort.”

“Oh, that is a shame.” Mr. Miles sobered.

Poor Miss Darcy. With all the earlier bustle, I had not spared her a thought. I met the maid’s gaze. “I am sorry to hear Miss Darcy is unwell. Please tell her that I hope she will feel better soon, and I shall call on her tomorrow.”

“Yes, miss.”

“Has the surgeon or the apothecary been summoned?” asked Mr. Miles.

“No, sir. Miss Darcy assured me there is no need. She took a draught and believes that is sufficient.”

“I see.”

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