Page 71 of Until My Last Breath

“I think we can expect some good news very soon,” Darcy said buttering his toast.

Elizabeth grinned, sipping her tea. “I believe we can. At last Jane has found a man worthy of her love. And I am very happy for them.”

As they left the house, Richard offered Miss Bennet his arm. They walked in silence around the small but manicured garden. Upon reaching a bench, he invited her to sit.

Jane noticed him wincing. “Is it still hurting?”

He looked down and smiled at her concern. “No more than is to be expected. But there are other things that can make a man wince…” He raised his troubled gaze and found her attentive eyes on him.

Richard looked down at his hands, rubbing them nervously. “Miss Bennet, I think it is time for me to return this to you.” He reached for his pocket and fetched one of the small black velvet pouches, placing it in Jane’s hand.

As he closed her hand around the small object, he kept his hand onhers. “Thank you. It gave me hope when I needed it most.” He tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. He loosened his grip on Jane’s hand, but she did not let go.

“Then I am happy it served its purpose,” she said, blushing.

Richard looked down at their entwined hands and gave a sad smile. “I… I love you, Jane. You must know that already. And although my heart is the only thing I can offer for now, I will freely give it to you, if only you will have it. I do not have much to offer. As an officer, my life is not easy—”

His speech was interrupted by a finger on his lips. She had given this subject a great amount of thought. So, when the words left her mouth, she knew she meant every one of them. “What else could a lady desire more than to be loved by a brave and honourable man? A man who keeps his word, is honest, who looks first for the interests of those who are vulnerable and who depend on him? You are a good man, Colonel. I doubt any lady would find anything wanting in you.”

He cupped her cheek, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on hers. “Am I a fool to believe you return my feelings? Oh, God. How could I not desire with all my heart that a woman like you could care for me? In my selfishness, I dreamt about you saying yes to my request and living by my side for the rest of our lives.” He paused and sighed, frowning, slowly lowering his hand and averting his eyes from hers. “But I do not have the independence to decide my own fate. How could I ever hope to ask you to marry me, even when I love you more than my own life, knowing I have so little to offer?”

Jane’s heart warmed at Richard’s pained words as he opened his heart to her, exposing to her his deepest concerns. In that moment, she could not avoid thinking about the feelings she had had for Mr Bingley. Nothing could compare to what she was feeling now.

She took Richard’s hand again and, when he raised his sad eyes to her, she caressed his bluish cheek and smiled. “I would say just ask and see what I have to answer.”

Richard smiled; his eyes now filled with hope. In that moment, he didthe only thing he could do. He knelt down in front of her, in the middle of Lord Matlock’s gardens, reaching for his coat pocket to find the other object. The small box revealed an engagement ring. He looked back at her. “Jane, would you give me the great honour of being my wife? I love you, more than I thought it was possible to love anyone. I offer you my heart and everything else you might want. Please, say you accept me.”

A small queue of tears followed down her face, but the smile never left her lips as she nodded. “Yes… Richard. I would be honoured to be your wife.”

Richard’s lips stretched in a grin. He stood up and pulled her into his arms, whirling her around like children in a time of innocence, laughing and enjoying the bliss of their newfound love. Her happy expression and melodic giggles were beyond anything Richard could ever feel, and he promised himself he would do anything to keep them for ever.

When they stopped, and still panting from his physical exertion, Richard gently brought his thumb to her cheek again and said, “Would you mind if I kiss my future wife?”

She lowered her face, smiling, but looked at him through her long lashes. “No, I would not. In fact, I would encourage you to do exactly that.”

Those eyes and words were his undoing. Richard leaned down to the woman who soon, very soon God willing, would be his wife, and reverently claimed her lips. A brief, but loving and meaningful kiss; a mark of the beginning of a happy life together.

He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, his breathing deep and ragged. What he found was not much different. Her passionate eyes and blushed cheeks were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

As expected from a couple who was just starting to share their love, a second kiss followed, and then a third.

From a window above, on the second floor, another couple hugged each other at the sight of such a beautiful scene in their garden.

“They will be happy together, will they not, Alfred?” Lady Madeleine asked her husband, while drying her tears.

“I am sure they will, my love,” Lord Matlock replied, placing a gentle kiss on the head of his wife and companion of the last thirty-five years. “I am sure both of our boys will.”

~ ♥ ~

That evening, a great celebration took place in the Matlock home. The Fitzwilliams, together with the Darcys, the Bennets, Captain Owen, Mr Duncan, Dr Alden and his wife, and Mr Lynch all gathered for the engagement dinner of Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, and Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Bennet.

Surprisingly, what had been a cause for concern for Darcy when he first met Mrs Bennet and her younger daughters — a meeting between his family and Elizabeth’s — was unfounded. The ladies’ behaviour was beyond reproach. The reason for that? Only God knew. Sometimes, suffering affects people in strange ways. In this case, however, the transformation was, without a doubt, very welcome.

As soon as dinner was served, Darcy stood up and asked for everyone’s attention. “I would like to take this opportunity to propose a toast and express my gratitude to a man who, throughout the years, has proved to be much more than a relative.”

Darcy paused and looked Richard in the eyes. For the first time for many of those present, the proud and arrogant Mr Darcy proved to be definitively gone. In his place was a man marked by suffering and pain, but also by love and hope.

“Richard, you have been more than a cousin to me. You have been at my side when I most needed help since we were young boys. You risked your life to save Elizabeth and me. You did not measure sacrifice or discomfort and have shown you are a faithful and trustworthy man. But, for me, your strength is not based on force, as many could attribute to a colonel in our Majesty’s Army. No. Your strength is here…” he said touching his own chest, “in your kind heart. And, for that, I will be forever grateful. I always considered you like a brother...” Darcy paused and gave Jane a smile. “But, now, this privilege will be mine by right, and I could not be prouder. I will thank our Lord every single day of my life for having favoured me with your strength and friendship. Thank you.”

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