Page 89 of The Cheapside Runners
“When you asked for a courtship, I was flattered and interested, but not overly optimistic about our chances. Over thenext few days, I began tolike youand entertained some modest hopes that we might suit. Over the next few weeks, I came to like you more and more. Today, I find I love you with all my heart, though I cannot truly say when like and respect became love.I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun—but make no mistake. I have arrived. I love you, and I would be much obliged if you might make a proposal at your earliest convenience.”
Darcy laughed lightly. “You are correct that your request is unorthodox—and Thank Goodness for that! I believe I was farther along on the path when I asked for the courtship, but I did not yet love you, nor did I know you well enough to be certain I ultimately would. Now though…” and he leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “…now, I am absolutely certain I love you with all my heart. Your timing is impeccable as I was just coming to understand that myself. I would be most honoured and vastly pleased if you would consent to be my wife.”
Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.
Eventually, she removed her head from his chest and looked him straight in the face. Neither of them really paid any attention to the rest of the room’s inhabitants. They could only pay attention to each other, and when he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips, it was fortunate that Jane had already dragged everyone out of the room.
Their first kiss was soft, and warm, and protective, and understanding, and everything a first kiss should be. They had both read about first kisses and expected anything, from nothing to lightning. As it transpired, it felt just exactly like they hoped and expected, and as their courtship seemed to be a very orderlyand progressive one, it was just enough. They both felt the beginnings of what they would later come to recognise as banked passion… they both felt a sense of belonging, as of coming home to a warm fire and happy children… they both felt a sense of trust and wonder and affection.
It was wonderful, and the whole touchy idea of when to announce their courtship seemed entirely solved.
“I do love you… so very much, Fitzwilliam.”
“You are my life, Elizabeth.”
30.Christmas Cheer
Decorating Elizabeth’s house well for the holidays was an easy enough task, given it boasted ten ladies, one strapping gentleman, and two ogres to share the load.
Elizabeth was slightly surprised to learn that Lydia and Kitty had no memory at all of the great fun of going into the forest to pick branches. She wondered if they were just too young the last time they had put in the effort, or if their early memories had been subsumed by their later, less desirable activities. They had both, in her opinion, responded quite well to the course… but they had a fortnight of good behaviour against several years of bad. While she was optimistic, she would reserve judgement and maintain vigilance.
Since they had to leave London to get to any good forests, Elizabeth was tempted to spend two hours going to Longbourn to get the miserable interview with her father over and done with. She eventually decided she did not want to spoil the trip. They settled for visiting the estate of one of their clients that was less than an hour away.
Lydia and Kitty revelled in the novelty of being out in the forest with nothing to do and no officers to chase. They rushed about to and fro, and before long they were laughing along with the Weatherbys and Maria like a bunch of little children. It was wonderful to see.
She and Darcy had the onerous task of gathering mistletoe for kissing boughs. They were assigned the task for the obvious reason that he was the tallest person in the group, and they were the only ones who could actuallytestthe mistletoe to ensure it worked as advertised. Some clumps may even have required multiple tests—better safe than sorry.
They lunched at a nice little tea house in a nearby market town. Their group was big enough to burst the place at theseams, so Elizabeth and Darcy got stuck in a tiny little private parlour in the back. Neither complained of the discomfort.
At the end of a wonderful day, the house was beautifully decorated, the Yule log was ready to light, and all was right with the world. The colonel and the Gardiners were invited to join for dinner, and a great time was expected by all.
~~~~~
During a lull in the conversation, Lydia asked, “When will you marry, Lizzy?”
Jasmine said, “Oh yes, have you picked a date… and may we attend?”
Elizabeth laughed. “You may assume you are invited to just about everything, Jasmine. We have not picked a date yet.”
Darcy suggested, “You asked for a proposal for Christmas… how about a wedding for your birthday?”
He was not bothered by having what should have been a private discussion around a crowded and noisy dinner table. Everything else in their courtship had been unorthodox, and why fix that which was not broken?
Elizabeth laughed lightly, but before she could say anything Gardiner observed, “It does rather neatly solve the problem of consent, and the timing seems about right.”
Elizabeth thought about it a moment, and finally said, “Very well. I suppose a dozen ladies can plan a wedding breakfast, and I need do nothing at all.”
Darcy said, “Whilst we have solved the problem of consent, I still feel it would be right to go to Longbourn before we announce the engagement publicly to seek your parents’ blessing. I imagine we will wed from London?”
“Yes, I believe so. My connection to Longbourn is paper thin, and aside from Charlotte, I think I have everyone I want in this room right now.”
“Are you certain you wish to exclude Mama and Papa, Lizzy?”Mary asked, then rushed ahead before Mrs Black could bite her head off. “I amnotsaying you should or should not… just that you should give it some thought. However good or bad they have been as parents… sheisour mother, and I believe she was a good one when we were young.”
While Elizabeth was thinking that over, she got a good-sized surprise from Lydia. “Let Kitty and me keep her in line. I think I can convince her to behave properly, and I can escort her out if she gets out of hand.”
The sheer insanity ofLydia Bennetoffering to monitor and correct someone else’s manners left Elizabeth entirely flummoxed.
Fortunately, Darcy was slightly less stunned. “I shall not say whether they should be included or not, but I do thank you, Miss Lydia, for your offer. I think that might be a very good idea.”
