Chapter 11

Darcy watered his horse at the stream, and then tethered it at the foot of the path to Oakham Mount, loosened the girth and patted its shoulder. “Good fellow. We’ll have another gallop on the way home.”

He walked thoughtfully up the hill; glad Bingley had ordered Netherfield reopen, and promised he would return the next day. Darcy’s servants were removing all his belongings back to the house, and Richard had moved there also and agreed not to accompany Darcy this afternoon.

Darcy needed to think. He had felt more at ease with Miss Elizabeth this morning, although there had not been time to play chess; having to turn down an invitation to stay for lunch, because they needed to go to Colonel Forster to arrange for Wickham’s desertion to be posted in town and for Darcy’s investigators to begin the search for him to face his crimes.

But Darcy had been sorry not to stay at Longbourn. He might have managed to see Miss Elizabeth alone for a few moments, and he longed to be able to prove himself worthy of her, to be able to court her properly.

He’d discovered he liked her father, having previously disdained the man as indolent and dismissive of his family. Instead, he seemed to have a mischievous side, and his chess game showed an incisive, highly intelligent man. Darcy wondered how he would have felt if he had been in his position, with an estate entailed away to someone like Collins.

But he should certainly have worked to improve his daughter’s dowries. It was fortunate Darcy had no need to look for fortune; his main concern was to make Miss Elizabeth happy, and Georgiana would find a friend in her new sister.

He turned his mind to how he could show Miss Elizabeth he had only her own happiness and contentment at heart.

* * *

He turnedat the top of the hill and looked out over the valleys and hills that had made Elizabeth what she was, and his heart warmed. After a long look, he decided he might sit on the log to think for a few minutes and turned. His heart leapt into his throat.

She was sitting watching him, a smile of amusement on her face.

“Miss Elizabeth! I am sorry I did not see you sooner.” He bowed.

She rose to her feet, curtsied briefly, then returned to her seat on the log, moving to one side of it. “Not at all, Mr. Darcy. It was gratifying to see you admiring my favourite view.” Her smile was warm and womanly. “Do sit down, I am quite relieved at the opportunity to speak to you.”

“Of course, madam. I am completely at your disposal.”

Her eyebrow arched and his legs went weak. “Careful, Mr. Darcy, you might receive more questions than you can answer.” Her light laugh wound around his heart, tightening her hold on him. He knew his smile was foolish.

“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.”

She laughed again. “You remember how we spoke at the ball, then.”

He looked away, over the hills. “I remember every moment we have been in company, Miss Elizabeth. And every word spoken.” He turned back to her, seeing her hand was at her throat, and her eyes dark and huge in her face.

“In vain I have struggled. I am aware I ought to speak to your father first, but my feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” He moved very slightly closer and reached for her other hand. “Your father told me how much you despise me and that I must first convince you that I am worthy of you.”

He raised her hand to his lips, heartened by the fact that her eyes were soft and smiling. “I know that no man can ever truly be worthy of you, but if I ever gained the privilege of being beside you, I vow that I will spend my whole life attempting to make you happy. Nothing will be of greater importance.”

He pressed his fingers onto her hand. “I had no design of selecting a wife when I came to Hertfordshire as Collins did, neither can I say that marriage to me would save Longbourn for your mother. I can and will promise that no hedgerows will ever be in the future for any of your family, and they may make their lives wherever they wish. If it is to be here, in the town where their friends are, then I will purchase property here so we may visit as often as you wish. I know you love your family deeply.”

“Mr. Darcy!” Her voice was shaky and she sounded shocked. He waited, his heart hammering. Had he spoken too much and too soon?

“I …” he could go no further, for she reached forward and placed a finger on his lips, which burned and pulsed at her touch.

“Say no more, sir. You need say no more.” She rose to her feet, drawing her hand away from his, and moved to the edge of the clearing, looking out; and he sat there, his heart bounding erratically. He could not bear it if she sent him away, and he rose to his feet and followed her.

“If I have said aught amiss, please, I beg of you, do not send me away. I do not know how I can make my life without you in it, and will do all I can to improve that you might accept me.”

She turned to him and her proximity sent a cloud of lavender scent around, preventing a single coherent thought.

Her hand came up and cupped his face. “You can be very eloquent, Mr. Darcy.” Her thumb traced along the edge of his jaw, a promise of closeness to come. “Yes, I will marry you, for though you did not use these words, I believe it was such a declaration, and you have proved yourself worthy.” Her eyes danced. “I believe I love you at least as much as you love me.”

“Elizabeth!” His voice was hoarse and he drew her to him, his hand rising to capture hers. He looked into her eyes. “My family call me William.”

“William.” Her whisper was a promise, her presence a balm, his love ignited to passion, and he gently drew her closer, watching her face lift towards him.

Their lips met, a gentle but passionate promise for the future, and then he drew away. “Let us go to Longbourn together, Elizabeth. I must gain your father’s permission as the first step to make you mine — as soon as I may.”