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Chapter 30

Excitement coursed through her at Mr Darcy's request. Elizabeth stood stock still for a moment, and it felt as if the world slowed around her. She blinked, unable to speak for a moment. Then, she came back to her senses and with excitement building in her chest, agreed with a nod of her head.

Mr Darcy whisked her away. Once they were on the balcony, he led her to the carved limestone railing, looking out on the darkened landscape of the garden and fields beyond. Elizabeth's skin was instantly chilled, but she was not uncomfortably cold. The excitement of the question she anticipated made it impossible to feel chilled. As they walked along the railing, the noise and heat of the ball came out to meet them, the light of a thousand candles shining out through the long windows.

The moon was full, casting a silver light down on them to match the golden light of the candles. Mr Darcy offered her his arm; she linked her arm with his. It felt so right to be here beside him, so close and yet not close enough. What it would be like for him to take her into his arms, to brush his lips against hers?

They stopped when they came to the end of the balcony where they could still be seen, but would not be overheard. Mr Darcy turned to her, releasing her hand.

After a slight hesitation, he broke the silence. "Miss Bennet, I hope you can be under no confusion as to why I have asked you to dance three times this evening?"

Elizabeth shook her head, giving a small smile. "I hope not, Mr Darcy, but I hardly dare to say it aloud. I would not wish to presume too much. Perhaps I am only confused in imagining that you wish to ask for my hand in marriage."

Mr Darcy smiled at her a little crookedly. "No, Miss Bennet, you are not confused in the least. You have bewitched me, body and soul. I am indeed asking for your hand. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met. You have treated me and my sister with a kindness and generosity that is rarely seen, especially toward people who have reviled and insulted them. But you have borne it all with such grace and understanding. It has led me to hope, as I have never hoped before, that you might accept me."

Mr Darcy took a deep breath. "There is not a doubt in my heart. If you would consider me, but would prefer to begin a formal courtship to give us more time to get to know one another, then so be it. But hear this, I already know my mind. For as long as I live, there will never be another woman for me. I am yours forever, Elizabeth. I love you. And I never wish to be parted from you from this day forward."

Her joy made it almost impossible to speak, and yet he must not be left in any doubt of her answer. Elizabeth drew on all her self-command to answer steadily. "I already know my mind as well," she said. Elizabeth took a step closer. Under the bright light of the moon, could he see the tears welling up in her eyes? If so, she hoped he would know they were tears of joy.

"I love you, too," she whispered. "I think I have for quite some time. And my loving shall never cease."

Mr Darcy was reaching out to take her hand when someone called out his name at the other end of the balcony. Out of instinct, Elizabeth took a step back from him.

"Here, what is the meaning of this?" Mr Bennet asked as he joined them. "I've just been told you stood up with Mr Darcy three times, Lizzy. The whole of the company is in an uproar."

They had, perhaps, been less than entirely discrete. Glancing through the windows into the ballroom, Elizabeth saw that the dancing had all but stopped. There seemed to be a great deal of whispering and many heads craned in their direction.

Elizabeth and Mr Darcy exchanged a rueful glance. But, after all, neither had any intention of avoiding the remedy that society would prescribe.

"Mr Bennet, I hope you will forgive me for being somewhat — precipitate. Please grant me your permission to marry your daughter."

The older man looked surprised. "Just like that?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. You see, I am very much in love with her. I do not think I could ever be tolerably happy without her, and Elizabeth has done me the honour of giving me her hand."

Mr Bennet looked at his daughter, a smile slowly crossing his lips. "I never thought there would be any man worthy of my Lizzy. But it seems I am overruled." He took a deep breath and sighed. "And so, I heartily give my consent."

Elizabeth's heart soared. She went to her father and hugged him. "Thank you, Papa."

When Elizabeth at last released her father, she turned to Mr Darcy. He led her a little aside. Elizabeth gasped in surprise as Mr Darcy knelt and looked deeply into her eyes, taking her hands in his. "Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Through tears of joy, she nodded. "Yes, I will."

Mr Darcy stood. With a sudden motion, as though he could resist no longer, he leaned in, touching his lips gently to hers. "You've made me the happiest man in the world."

THE END

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