Page 27 of An Interrupted Proposal
Her sister had read her mind, and Elizabeth could only nod.
Miss Darcy led the group to the drawing room where maids had just finished setting out the tea service. The neighbouring table held a selection of finger sandwiches and sweets. They all found their seats and Miss Darcy poured out the tea. Plates were passed about, and Elizabeth made a point of handing a tray of biscuits to Darcy with what she had noted to be his favourite closest to him. His smile as he took several of the preferred treats was adorably childlike.
The others conversed about them, but Elizabeth and Darcy heard little as they spoke only to one another. They discussed their favourite exhibits, the ones that were less appealing, and what they hoped to view in the future before turning their attention to the theatre and plays they had previously seen. Once this topic was exhausted, Darcy cautiously laid his hand over hers which rested on the settee between them.
“Do you like my home?” he asked in a softer voice.
Elizabeth looked about the room. A tranquil smile lifted the corners of her lips. “I do. It is peaceful and elegant.” She met his gaze. “Jane noted the colours in the entryway are my favourite.”
His smile lit his countenance. “I am pleased to hear it. Would you like a tour of the rest of the house?”
“Oh, yes.” She looked to their companions who seemed to be absorbed in a debate of some sort.
Darcy stood and pulled her up beside him. “I am going to give Miss Elizabeth a tour of the townhouse.”
The others nodded but did not show any desire to follow them, which seemed odd to Elizabeth. She had expected her sister to show some interest, and propriety dictated someone should attend them. Before she could say anything, Darcy had linked her hand about his arm and was escorting her from the room.
“I have often imagined you here,” he said as they traversed the halls, stepping into one room and then another. “Breaking your fast beside me in the morning room or reading letters while I worked at my desk in the study.” He paused before a set of double doors. “But mostly, I thought of you curled before the fire here.” He opened the doors and Elizabeth stepped into the library.
“Oh!” she breathed as she looked about. “I see why Miss Bingley praised your library so.”
He stepped up behind her, hesitantly resting his hands upon her shoulders, and whispered in her ear. “Miss Bingley has never been in this room, that I am aware of. She was speaking of the library at Pemberley.”
“And it is grander than this?” she asked in a breathless voice.
“It is.” Gently, he turned her to face him. “Would you like to live here, Elizabeth? Can you see yourself here? With me?”
She swallowed, unable to tear her eyes away from his, and found herself suddenly mute. This man, who she had berated furiously a little more than a week prior, was asking her to marry him. How was it that her feelings for him had changed and so quickly? True, she had read his letter repeatedly during her time at Hunsford. And he had travelled to Meryton at her request in order to protect her family and neighbours from Mr. Wickham. He had even seen to the man leaving England entirely. But right now, she just stared at the beauty of him, something shehad never denied, and allowed herself to consider the enticing conversations they had shared, in Hertfordshire, Kent, and London. With this man, she would never be embarrassed as she would with Mr. Collins or feel inferior as her mother did with her father. This man loved her, and she felt she could love him as well. Still unable to find her voice, she slowly nodded.
Darcy pulled her closer to him. “Truly?”
“Truly,” she whispered.
His arms wrapped about her in a loose embrace. “Then you will marry me, Elizabeth?”
She licked her lips and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “I fear I must, sir.”
His brow quirked upwards. “So formal?”
She laughed. “Fitzwilliam.”
“Better.” He leant forwards. “Whymustyou marry me, Elizabeth?”
“If I truly wish to be happy, I see no other way.” She ran her hands up his arms until they rested on his shoulders, then raised up on her toes and placed a chaste kiss upon his lips.
Though startled by her words and actions, Darcy was not so lost that he would miss such an opportunity. He closed his arms about her and deepened the kiss before she could escape him. When they were breathless and holding one another, he broke the kiss and asked, “What changed your mind?”
Elizabeth rested her head upon his shoulder and sighed. “It began with your letter and our walk at Rosings, but then you visited my family here in London and returned to Meryton. I was surprised that you would go to such lengths to change my opinion of you.” She snuggled closer to him, pressing her nose against his neck. “How could I resist such a handsome man who was willing to set aside his pride and protect me and my family?” She drew back and pressed a kiss upon his cheek before withdrawing from his arms and giving him a cheeky smile. “Butthen you showed me this . . .” her hand motioned to the room about them, “and I realized no other man would ever indulge my love of reading the way you would.”
A laugh tore from his throat as he tugged her back against him. “Minx!” He claimed her lips once more and kissed her until she clung to him. “You were saying?” he whispered in her ear.
“Saying?” she asked. “I quite forget what I was saying.” She lifted her lips towards his and he indulged her with another kiss.
“Ahem.”
The couple reluctantly separated and turned towards the doorway to find Colonel Fitzwilliam with his back to them.
“Yes, Philip?” Darcy said.
