Chapter 46

"Y ou are most welcome," Jane enthused when Louisa and Caroline were shown into her drawing room at Westmore House on St. James Square.

The sisters curtsied, "As long as we are not imposing, Lady Jane," Mrs. Hurst verified.

"We are friends, so it is no imposition, and regardless of my marriage or my parents' elevation, I am still Jane to you in private," Jane insisted. "As today is the first day the knocker will be up at Bedford House, Lizzy, Henry, and Tom will join me shortly. They planned to make a discreet withdrawal before the horde descends on the house."

"Will that not leave the Duchess alone?" Miss Bingley enquired concernedly.

"No, Mama will have the Dowager Duchess, the Countesses of Matlock and Jersey, and if that were not enough, Her Majesty has sent Princess Elizabeth for this first at home," Jane revealed.

As if speaking of them had summoned them, the butler announced the Marquess of Birchington, Lady Elizabeth, and Lord Tom Bennet.

"Jane we barely escaped with our lives," Elizabeth exaggerated. "The knocker sounded at exactly eleven, as we were making our getaway out the rear of the house to the waiting coach." She had been so intent on greeting Jane; Elizabeth had not noticed the Bingley sisters. "Please forgive me Louisa and Caroline, I did not see you at first. Well met. You remember these scamps who masquerade as my brothers, do you not?"

"We took no offence Lady Elizabeth," Mrs. Hurst assured. "Yes, Caroline and I remember meeting Lord Birchington and Lord Thomas." Lady Elizabeth immediately requested Caroline and Louisa to call her Lizzy in private, as they had done prior to the elevation."

"Rather than paying our respects at Bedford House today, we wanted to wait until the crowds thinned before we called there," Miss Bingley explained. "We thought there would be a surfeit of callers without us adding to the numbers. From what you said, it seems we had the right of it."

"Janey, where is Westmore?" Henry asked.

"In his study; he will be happy if you and Tom join him," Jane averred. The Bennet sons inclined their heads to those in the drawing room and made for their brother-in-law's study with speed before clothing and lace were canvassed.

"Caroline you have been sly, we have heard talk you are being courted. Is that correct?" Elizabeth probed.

"I am Lizzy, but then I am not the only one being courted am I?" Miss Bingley smiled. "There is a whisper about a certain gentleman from Derbyshire courting the newly minted Lady Elizabeth Bennet."

"As I asked first, will you share the name of your suitor and how it came about?" Elizabeth deflected.

"He is Mr. Ian Ashby, a friend of Lulu's husband and lives in Surrey. He has been interested in me for some time and my dear brother kept that information from me," Miss Bingley revealed. "Charles did not think a mere second son would do for his plans, especially one without a large fortune or an estate of his own who would have to shift for himself. Mr. Ashby's father is the Earl of Ashbury. When we first began to speak, all I knew was he is a barrister and he was aware I am the daughter of a tradesman. We attended some events in common and he came to Mr. Hurst for permission to speak to me a month ago. When he approached me, I granted the courtship, and he proposed to me three days past. I accepted as I had fallen in love with him, as he is with me.

"He apologised that he was not very wealthy and did not own an estate before I answered his proposal, in case that would have made a difference to me. I accepted him and my brother-in-law gave his blessing. It was only thereafter I revealed the extent of my fortune and that, if we both desired to be landed, we could purchase an estate."

"That is wonderful news," Jane stated as she clapped her hands together. "We wish you and your Mr. Ashby happy."

Elizabeth related the path she and William had taken to reach a place they were today. She did not mention the proposal at Hunsford since that was unknown to the Bingley sisters. They were pleased it seemed Mr. Darcy had got out of his own way so he and Lizzy could move forward.

The four friends discussed their absolute shock, and that of the rest of the Bennets when discovering their ties to the dukedom. By the time the Bingley sisters departed, the friendship had deepened.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The next day Elizabeth did not have to manufacture an excuse to miss the at home because Darcy called in the morning and requested the pleasure of her company for a walk in St. James Park. It was much smaller than Hyde Park, and a short walk through Green Park to Hyde Park, if they chose to walk further than the smaller park would allow.

Elizabeth enthusiastically agreed and then her papa was applied to for his permission. Bedford gave his permission with the proviso that Mrs. Jones, Biggs, Johns, and two of their men escort his daughter as well.

Darcy had arrived in a curricle accompanied by a groom atop a horse. There was room on the bench for himself, Elizabeth, and the companion. Biggs took position at the rear while the other three men and the Darcy groom rode behind them. Once he had handed Elizabeth and Mrs. Jones up, Darcy took his seat. He made sure the enormous man was in place behind them and then with a flick of his whip, the matched team of two were off.

They drove down in the direction of the Thames and then turned towards the houses of parliament and Westminster Abbey when they reached the river. With parliament in sight, Darcy wielded the team to the right and made the short ride to an entrance into the park near the island at one end of the lake. Darcy jumped to the ground from the bench, and handed first Elizabeth and then her companion down.

"If you like, we can walk along the path which parallels the lake, or we can walk further and cross The Mall into Hyde Park," Darcy asked.

Taking into account Mrs. Jones was not a great walker, especially as she was not a young woman any longer, Elizabeth replied, "A slow walk around the lake will be nice, thank you, William." She appreciated the fact he had canvassed her opinion and not just chosen where to walk on his own.

When offered, Elizabeth placed one of her dainty gloved hands on William's strong forearm.

"How is your mother surviving the endless stream of callers?" Darcy enquired. "Being the focus of so much attention is not something about which I would be sanguine." He saw Elizabeth's arched questioning eyebrow. He elucidated. "Both Anna and I are rather shy. I hid my shyness behind my mask of aloofness, and as you may have noted in Hertfordshire, my desire to stand like a sentinel staring out of windows regardless of the time of the day or night."

"Before I understood you better, I thought that was just rudeness on your part. But as I am coming to know you, I am sure you are an honourable man. One who is willing to address his own faults and make positive changes," Elizabeth blushed as she spoke. "It has only been a few weeks that we have been courting, but I feel like I know you, the true you, not the mask you present to society, and at the same time, I have come to comprehend my own wishes for the future much better. I now know who I desire to be with." She looked at William through her long lashes willing him to understand what she was telling him.

"And is it me you see in that future?" Darcy asked hopefully. He unknowingly held his breath as he waited for her to answer.

"Yes, William, I most certainly do," Elizabeth averred breathily, barely above a whisper.

Darcy stopped, rooted to the spot. Had he just heard what he heard or was it his mind saying what he wanted to hear. He looked into her magnificent emerald-green eyes which were shining as she looked at him with…love! Darcy understood at that instant he had not misheard her and she loved him. Regardless of all of his missteps, Lady Elizabeth Bennet would be his wife and partner. There was another step first and this time he swore to himself he would propose in a way she deserved.

Realising he was no longer walking, Darcy moved forward once more. "When we return to Bedford House, with your mother and father's permission, will you grant me a private interview?" Darcy requested soon after they began to walk again.

"You do remember I am of age, do you not?" Elizabeth responded. She was secretly pleased he wanted to ask Mama and Papa first; it was a sign of respect.

"Yes, I am well aware of that fact, however, as I was not able to speak to them before I offered you the courtship, I would like to do so before I proceed. I know how important the Duke and Duchess are in your life and I respect them and you too much to circumvent them regardless of your age," Darcy averred firmly. By the look of approbation on Elizabeth's countenance, he could see she approved of his reply.

They continued on their way around the lake, maintaining the slow pace from before. At the end of the lake closest to The Mall, Buckingham House was visible through the trees which reminded Elizabeth that she, her mother, Aunt Rose, and sisters (both by blood and in-law) would be taking tea with Her Majesty on the morrow. She also recalled a comment the Prince of Wales had made when they had been presented.

"William, why did your father turn down a title when His Majesty offered it?"

"How did my father's name come up when you were all there?" Darcy asked. Elizabeth related how and why she had mentioned his name and the Prince's reply to his mother. Darcy was pleased she had made sure the Queen knew she was off the marriage market. "It was not the first time a Darcy has been offered a title. We are gentlemen farmers at heart and have never desired a title which would take us to London for far more of the year than we like to be in Town."

"Then I will not encourage Her Majesty to offer you one when I see her on the morrow," Elizabeth teased.

"See that you do not," Darcy bantered back with put on haughtiness. "How many days a week will your mother be home to callers?"

"Mama has decided no more than two days a week, and only for two hours a day. Unfortunately she needs to return the calls, but there is no getting around that." Elizabeth paused to gather her thoughts. "Mama and Papa have excluded my brothers and me from the calls as there has been so much interest in us by those seeking an alliance with the house of Bedford. "

"If my interview goes better than the first time I attempted this, then there will be an announcement in the papers on the morrow. That should make things more peaceful for you." Speaking of an engagement announcement caused Darcy to recall one he had seen recently. "I saw Miss Bingley has become engaged to Ashby. Good man that."

"Yes, Caroline related that to us yester-morning when she and Louisa visited us at Jane's house." Elizabeth saw William's questioning look. "You know the Bingley sisters are friends of Jane, Mary, and myself, do you not?"

"I was not aware you had moved from an acquaintanceship to friendship. It pleases me how much better they do with their brother not here to influence them."

"The less said about that man the better," Elizabeth stated pointedly.

Not too much later they had completed their circumnavigation of the lake and had returned to where the groom was looking after the curricle and the rest of the horses. The closer they came to Bedford House, the more the anticipation of the coming interview increased for both Elizabeth and Darcy.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Before he sought out the Duke and Duchess, Darcy went to find his sister. He discovered Anna with Charity, Alli, and Lilly sitting in the shade of some trees in the large garden area behind the mansion which was Bedford House. There were a half dozen footmen-guards he noticed at various points near the young ladies. The four had easels and were painting the late spring scene in watercolours. When he caught his sister's eye, he cocked his head to one side. Anna understood and made her way to where her brother stood.

"Anna, how would you like it if I were to make you one of several sisters? And you would be a sister-in-law of sorts to Charity," Darcy put to his sister .

It took Anna a moment or two before she understood what her brother was saying. She emitted an unladylike squeal and threw herself into William's arms. "Have you been accepted already?"

"Not yet, Sweetling, but I intend to ask the question as soon as I have her parents' permission to address Elizabeth."

"Then why are you dallying here, go to it," Georgiana commanded.

"Your wish is my command," Darcy responded with an exaggerated bow with a flourish at the end.

"What was that about?" Charity asked when Anna rejoined them.

"It is not for me to say." Georgiana saw her friend, and soon-to-be sister, was about to pout. This was one of the good days when Charity was not overset by sadness and Anna was sure she would be even more pleased when the announcement was made. "You will know soon enough, I promise."

Charity accepted her best friend's assurance and all four young ladies returned to their paintings.

Neither of Elizabeth's parents denied the request for Darcy to address their middle daughter in private. Bedford offered the use of his study, once Elizabeth's maid was seated in the hall just outside and Biggs and Johns were standing nearby. Darcy was given ten minutes and an admonishment about the door.

"Never hurt my daughter again," Bedford said close to Darcy's ear before the latter went to ask Elizabeth to join him.

"It will be my life's work to see to her felicity," Darcy assured the Duke. Bedford nodded.

Darcy found Elizabeth waiting in the yellow drawing room with Lady Rose, Mary and Richard, Marie and Andrew, and the two Bennet brothers. He simply nodded and Elizabeth beamed as wide a smile as he had ever seen from her as she stood and walked to her father's study with him.

As soon as they entered the large room, Darcy pushed the door until it remained open just a crack. Elizabeth had seated herself on the settee along the one wall facing two large windows which looked out onto Russell Square. Darcy sank down onto one knee and took each of her hands into his own much larger ones.

"Once before I came to you with a very important question, and I asked it in the worst possible way." Darcy saw Elizabeth was about to admonish him regarding not berating himself for that again. "I will not dwell on the past, but I cannot ignore it either." Elizabeth nodded her understanding.

"The truth is you entranced me from the first moment I saw you, that is when I truly looked at you, and I feared my heart was in danger of becoming irrevocably yours. Then I did all I could to hide my attraction, especially from you. Thanks to you, I was able to make amendments to my character and behaviour which culminated in you granting my request to court you.

"Elizabeth, these weeks spent courting have proven the love I felt when I proposed at Hunsford was weak compared to how I feel now. Never did I believe I could love another with the depth I feel for you. You have completely captured my heart, to my unending joy. You are the most intelligent, witty, elegant, charitable, and beautiful woman I have ever known. I do not seek a bauble to decorate my arm who will agree with whatever I say, I seek you, a true partner to walk next to me, not behind me as we navigate the paths of our lives. Your character is above reproach, even if you tend to be quick to temper." Darcy smiled up at Elizabeth who answered his tease with a wide smile of her own. "Your fragrance intoxicates me, and your very presence overpowers me with a longing to be ever by your side. My love for you is deeper than anything I ever imagined, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. I do not love you in the way any other man has ever loved a woman. I love you with the power of every part of my being—mind, body, and soul. My love for you consumes me, and it will never be any other way. In fact, it will transcend time and space and extend into the world to come. Death would be preferable to a lifetime spent without you. You see before you a man who is without hope, who will be a shell of himself, unless you consent to become my wife, for only you can complete me. You are my love and my life. Will you, Lady Elizabeth Rose Bennet make my person and my heart whole and marry me?"

It took Elizabeth some moments to recover from his impassioned speech. Darcy felt nervousness build as she sat there and said nothing. At first Elizabeth did not understand why William looked concerned and then she realised she had not responded in any way to his proposal.

"It seems you have learnt well," Elizabeth teased which caused William's face to change from worry to joy. "Now that was a proposal! It has erased any memory of the one at Hunsford." His smile was so wide it revealed his dimples. Elizabeth needed to concentrate on her answer so she tried not to look at the dimples on which she wanted to plant a kiss. "When you requested to court me, I was not in love with you yet. However, William Alexander Darcy, I find I have fallen head over heels, irrevocably, and ardently in love with you. You have won not only my love, but my undying respect and trust as well. As you are the only man I could be prevailed upon to marry, my answer is yes. Yes, William, I will marry you and be your wife, your lover, and your partner."

As he stood and gently pulled Elizabeth to stand in front of him, Darcy felt a joy that was immeasurable. He would be Elizabeth's husband! He lifted his eyes to the heavens and felt sure his parents were looking down on him with pride and pleasure. Thinking about what he desired to do next, he hoped his parents would look away.

Darcy looked into the emerald-green eyes which entranced him. Elizabeth looked up and was so caught up in the look of intensity she could only nod her head in the affirmative. He released one of her hands, leaving her hand bereft of the warmth of his touch, but he then drew her very close to him until they were almost touching.

Her mouth suddenly felt dry and her heart thumped almost painfully, so loud in fact, she thought William could hear it. He whispered her name, and she looked up. It seemed as though he was hardly moving at all as his head descended to meet her upturned face, until she felt the light pressure of his lips on hers. Suddenly, she felt very hot as he released her other hand and placed his hands on her hips and pulled her even closer.

Elizabeth's arms, which seemed to have a will of their own, found their way around his waist. The second time their lips connected, they both moaned. However, rather than pull away they could not get enough of each other as kiss after kiss deepened. Elizabeth tightened her grip on William's waist when it felt like her normally trusty legs would not keep her upright any longer. Their mouths opened simultaneously and their tongues explored each other's mouth and then began to duel vigorously. The sensations caused were exquisite and travelled to the farthest reaches of each one's body. The kiss lasted until they remembered they needed to stop to breathe. As much as they did not want to, they pulled apart from each other and created a gap between their heads while still holding one another and tightly maintaining the contact of their bodies.

She was breathless and standing on legs which felt leaden. It did not help Elizabeth's equanimity that she could feel a rather large bulge pressing into her waist. She did not need Mama's talk to know what it was.

Knowing their allowed time was coming to a close, they reluctantly released one another and with loving and passionate looks on their faces, they took a few steps back, creating some space between them .

Elizabeth felt like she was floating upon a sea of sensation; unlike anything she had ever imagined. As she was still unsteady on her feet, she reached out and held onto William's hands for support. She prayed Mama and Papa would not ask for a long engagement. After a minute she once again felt like she could stand unaided.

"As much as I do not want to be parted from you, I think we have used up our time." As if she conjured it, the maid cleared her throat loudly signalling the end of the ten minutes they had been granted. "I will go ask Mama and Papa to join us. I suggest," Elizabeth's eyes dropped to the prominent bulge in William's breeches, "you do something with that ."

Darcy was pleased his fiancée had turned and was walking out of the study so she did not see his mortification. The feeling of embarrassment had the desired effect as the bulge became far less prominent.

Not five minutes later, Elizabeth returned with her parents. She came and stood next to William and took one of his hands in one of hers. "William proposed and I have happily accepted him. We would like your blessing, and although not needed, your consent as well," Elizabeth stated in challenge daring her father to say anything like he had regarding the courtship.

Bedford raised his hands in surrender. "That is your father's way of telling you we bestow both our permission and blessings for you to marry." Priscilla looked at the besotted couple before her. "I assume you have not discussed a wedding date yet, have you?"

"We have not," Darcy confirmed.

"Personally, I do not want a lengthy engagement," Elizabeth asserted. Darcy nodded his head in agreement.

Cilla and Bedford looked at one another communicating silently, as was their wont. "We would prefer an engagement of six weeks; however, we will be happy with one month," Bedford stated.

The newly engaged couple looked at a calendar on the Duke's desk, and with the approval of Elizabeth's parents, they chose Saturday, the fifteenth of June, in just over five weeks.

By the time the announcement was made in the drawing room, Jane and Wes were present as well. Darcy was welcomed by his future family, including warmly by Elizabeth's brothers who had accepted he was a good enough man to marry Lizzy. Almost as happy as the newly engaged couple were Anna and Charity who were beyond pleased they would be sisters after Lizzy and William married. Rose felt joy not only for the couple, but that Charity seemed to be recovering some of her innate happiness and joie de vivre .

As they would have tea with the Queen on the morrow, Cilla suggested they inform Her Majesty prior to the announcement in the paper. Her suggestion was accepted.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

During the tea at Buckingham House, while Mary was playing the pianoforte and Jane was singing with her perfect mezzo soprano voice, the Queen beckoned Elizabeth to her side. Elizabeth curtsied and then sat next to Her Majesty as indicated.

"How goes your courtship with young Darcy?" The Queen enquired.

"I am no longer courting, Your Majesty," Elizabeth replied honestly. She smiled at the look of surprise on Queen Charlotte's face. "That is because as of yesterday he is my fiancé."

The Queen playfully swatted Elizabeth's arm with her fan. "Lady Elizabeth, we were correct about you. You are as teasing as our daughter Elizabeth. When will you marry?" Elizabeth provided the date. "And the announcement?"

"We will send it to the papers this afternoon to be printed on Monday," Elizabeth related. "We wanted to inform Her Majesty before she read it."

"We appreciate that. Inform their Graces they may add the Queen heartily approves of the match. We wish you happy, Lady Elizabeth. Come and call on us with your fiancé for tea one day. Our lady in waiting will send the invitation."

Her Majesty spoke to Elizabeth for a while more. It seemed the Queen had taken a liking to her.

On the way home, Elizabeth told her mother and Aunt Rose what the Queen had told her to convey. When Bennet sent the information to the papers, it included the line about Her Majesty's approbation.