Only Mr. Darcy Will Do

bench, inviting Elizabeth to sit down.

Elizabeth took a seat, and when she looked up, she was startled to see Miss Darcy gone. Only Mr. Darcy stood next to her. His brown eyes were warm and his smile tender.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her mind began to spin as he sat down on the bench beside her.

Chapter 27

In the relative seclusion of the bench, Mr. Darcy turned toward Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, I had hoped your visit here today would have been a pleasant one. I am deeply grieved over the behaviour of my aunt.”

“As I told your sister, it was not her fault; neither is it yours.”

He reached out and took Elizabeth’s hand, cradling it in his own. He lightly stroked the back of it with his fingers. “My sister truly enjoyed your company. You have been very kind to her.”

His gentle touch and close proximity produced such light-headedness in Elizabeth that it made it difficult to even think. Her heart pounded so strongly, she felt it up in her throat, making words difficult to express. “She is a wonderfully sweet young lady whose company I truly enjoy.”

“For that, I am most grateful.” He looked down at their hands. “It is apparent she feels equally toward you.”

“I could not be happier,” Elizabeth reassured him.

Mr. Darcy pressed his other hand upon hers. “As am I, but to own the truth, I do not wish to talk about my sister.” His eyes searched hers and grew warm.

“Miss Bennet…” he began. His voice was noticeably unsteady, but he turned and looked at her with a demeanour of hopefulness. “Elizabeth, there is much I would say to you today, but being a man of few words, any that come to mind seem inadequate.” He took both of her hands in his. “I have acknowledged to you that my feelings and wishes over the duration of the past year and a half have not diminished or changed, despite attempts over the course of the past year to talk myself out of them.” He paused briefly and then added, “Not because I felt they were wrong, but due to how things were left between us when we parted at Rosings.”

Elizabeth broke in, “I am so sorry for my words that day. If I had known what I know now…”

Darcy lifted one hand and pressed it briefly to her lips to silence her. “No. I needed to hear what you said to me. It pained me at the time, but as I reflected upon it, even that first night, I knew that you spoke the truth about both my behaviour in Hertfordshire and my actions regarding your sister.”

“I have often regretted how I spoke to you that day…”

A crooked smile appeared and he swallowed, taking in a deep breath. “I do not wish to speak about Rosings, either.” He pursed his lips and closed his eyes briefly. “Elizabeth,” he said as his eyes opened and gazed intently at hers. “My love and regard for you is so fervent that at times I can hardly bear it. I am convinced that life without you would be painfully empty and hopeless.”

He paused and studied her face. Very slowly he said, “I would be honoured if you would consent to become my wife.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “There is none other with whom I want to share the sunrises or explore the many paths at Pemberley. There is none other with whom I want to read Cowper’s poems and Shakespeare’s sonnets.” Taking her hand again in his, he asked, “Will you marry me, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth fought back the tears of joy that threatened. She bit her lip as she considered that he still wished to marry her. She thought for a moment before answering.

She whispered his name. “Fitzwilliam, you know my heart, but I cannot help but consider the truth of what your aunt said to me earlier. Marrying someone in my position… one who is merely a governess, could readily cause a great deal of gossip. Your standing in society…”

His face drained of all colour and she felt his hands tighten about hers. “Elizabeth, you must know that I do not care about any of those things. I…”

With her hands enclosed in his, she brought them up to her lips and kissed each one, bringing a halt to his words. “You may not care what it means to you, but there is your sister you must consider. She may have a more difficult time in society due to your marriage to one so beneath you.” She looked down briefly, and then looked up into his eyes. “Therefore, while I do agree to your offer and desire most heartily to become your wife, I ask that we not announce our engagement until after I have spent sufficient time living with my sister and Mr. Bingley in their home. Perhaps in a relatively short amount of time, I will become known as the esteemed Mrs. Bingley’s sister, rather than a mere governess, and consequently, more worthy of your hand.”

Darcy let out a sigh of relief, but the look of apprehension still remained. “There is truly no need for this.”

“Perhaps, but I must insist upon it all the same.”

Darcy eyed her curiously. “What do you consider to be a relatively short amount of time?” he asked. “A week? Two weeks?”

Elizabeth chuckled and tilted her head as she paused to consider her answer. “Hmmm. Since it is entirely out of our hands, we shall have to wait and see.”

Darcy drew nearer. “I have waited this long; I suppose I can wait a little longer. But I shall do everything in my power to introduce you to everyone I know as the finest young lady in my acquaintance. I am convinced that all London will soon be aware that a very fine, eligible woman has captured the notice… and the affections… of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley!”

Elizabeth’s heart beat rapidly as Darcy grasped her fingers and brought them close to his lips. As he spoke, his warm breath poured over them.$“I regret that I will be occupied for the next several days with my cousins and their wedding. It is going to be a small ceremony in Rosings church, which I would be delighted for you to attend as my guest, but…”

Elizabeth drew in a breath to calm herself as she shook her head firmly. “The last person you need at their wedding is me. Your aunt will have enough to contend with without my presence.” She smiled and her eyes displayed a mischievous sparkle. “We would not want people to speculate about us. Heavens! What would people say if I came as your guest? We are not even engaged yet!”

Darcy appreciated her humour, but earnestly said, “In my heart, we are engaged. I am committed to you now as I ever will be.” He looked down at her slender fingers encased in his. “I shall care not a whit what anyone thinks! Let them speculate all they want!”

Elizabeth’s breath caught and she closed her eyes as she felt his lips touch her fingertips. When she opened them, she saw that he had drawn closer to her, his eyes level with hers. “I am an exceedingly fortunate man. It is not often that one is granted a second chance when one behaved so reprehensibly the first time.”

Elizabeth met his intense gaze. “And I am an exceedingly fortunate woman,” she replied, her voice trembling, “indeed, for very much the same reason.”

His eyes searched her face, and slowly he leaned in and kissed her forehead. Drawing back only slightly, he whispered, “Forgive me for this, Elizabeth…”

His lips touched hers before she could object or give her willing consent. Her eyes immediately closed again as his arms wrapped about her, pulling her even closer. Elizabeth’s heart beat thunderously and she was certain Darcy was just as aware of it as she was. In truth, their hearts beat as one, with the same fervour.

Very reluctantly and slowly he pulled slightly away.

“Elizabeth,” Darcy said, his voice raspy, “my staff is very discreet; however, I would not wish for your reputation to be compromised.” With a slightly raised brow and crooked smile, he added, “Although it would serve to expedite my wishes if one did raise an objection to my behaviour just now and insist we marry without delay.”

He removed his arms from about her and took her hand again. She wrapped her fingers tightly around his and looked up into his face. “Trust me when I say, Fitzwilliam, that I would marry you tomorrow if it were not for my concerns.” She looked down and shook her head slowly. “I think it is imperative that I wait until I am well settled with Mr. Bingley and my sister, if not for you, for your sister’s sake.”

“It is fortunate, then, that Bingley is talking with your sister this very day about moving the wedding to an