Page 128 of New World Tea Company
Finding the book on the table where her father left it before lunch, she hurried from the parlour and to the library door. When Elizabeth knocked, she was surprised to discover her father was standing just on the other side.
“Lizzy, you are an obedient child,” Mr Bennet said with a gentle smile. Then he kissed his daughter’s forehead and continued, “My dear, Mr Darcy has asked for a private interview. While he speaks to you, I shall wait in the hall and read from The Natural History of Selborne.”
The door closed and Elizabeth was totally alone in the room with Fitzwilliam Darcy – alone with a gentlemen behind a closed door without a chaperone. The young woman felt her face blush with an unfamiliar emotion – desire.
Gathering her courage, Elizabeth said, “Sir, you wished to speak…”
Without any words, Fitzwilliam Darcy took the three steps that brought him to Elizabeth’s side, pulled the beautiful woman into his arms and kissed her.
Unable to move her arms because they were captured inside Mr Darcy’s embrace, the young woman found her entire existence reduced to the feeling of this first kiss from the man who haunted her dreams. After a moment the man released her but did not step away. With a heated tone, Darcy declared, “Miss Bennet…Elizabeth…I love you. Please say that you will marry me.”
Sliding her hands around the man’s head and pulling his face toward hers, Elizabeth replied, “Of course, Mr Darcy. Kiss me once again and I shall marry you.”
This time, the kiss lasted longer, and the young woman’s hands pulled the young man’s head close to hers while his arms embraced her. The feel of a man’s body against pressing against Elizabeth’s bosom made her stomach feel as if it was filled with butterflies. And the press of Mr Darcy’s lips and then his tongue touching her lips and tongue ignited a fire in her belly.
They repeated the kiss a third time and then he asked a second time if she would marry him. Grinning widely, Elizabethreplied, “Yes! Mr Darcy there is no man in the whole of the kingdom to whom I would say yes except for you. No other man can compare.”
“Those are sentiments that I should say to you, Elizabeth,” Darcy stated. Now he grinned and repeated her words, “Elizabeth Bennet, there is no other woman in the whole the kingdom to whom I would propose marriage. No other woman can compare to you.”
He held her close for another moment before she asked, “Why today?”
Darcy explained, “Your father called me into his library and reminded me that two weeks had passed since we arrived in Meryton. He knew I intended to court you, and he made an inquiry as to my progress in winning your heart.”
Immediately, Elizabeth replied, “You hold my whole heart, Fitzwilliam!”
“I know and that made me determined to act before Mr and Mrs Bingley return,” Darcy replied. “I asked your father’s permission for this interview.”
Grimacing slightly, Elizabeth stated, “Sir, I hope that you can bear my mother’s expressions of joy this afternoon once she hears of our engagement.”
The gentleman replied, “I am certain that I can bear with a mother’s joy to have a daughter engaged to a man she loves – the man who loves her for her worth as a woman.”
There was a knock on the door and when it opened, Mr Bennet’s head appeared in his library. With a small smile on his face, the gentleman asked, “Is the deed done then?”
There were nods and smiles in confirmation to which the older gentleman said, “Well, then congratulations Mr Darcy on winning the heart of the brightest woman in the kingdoms of King George.”
Satisfied that his daughter was pleased with her situation, Thomas told the couple, “Now, I find myself in need of strong tea and believe we should adjourn to the parlour. There I shall share the happy news with your mother and all the sisters. I am certain that Jane and Mr Bingley will forgive us for taking this step while they are absent.”
~~~
Mr Bennet walked ahead of his daughter and her fiancé as he led them into the parlour where he did make the announcement of Lizzy’s engagement to Mr Darcy. While Mrs Bennet suffered spasms of great joy that she shared with her daughters and Miss Darcy for many minutes, Elizabeth summoned a maid and requested a pot of strong tea to fortify her father’s nerves.
Before Mrs Hill appeared with the tea tray, the emotion of the situation overcame Mrs Bennet, and the lady fainted. When Frances had been revived by smelling salts, she remained silent for three more minutes before approaching Mr Darcy to inquire about the dishes he preferred for supper and his favourite port.
With the delivery of the tea tray and sharing of cups of the fresh tea, Lydia began loud exclamations and demanded a new wardrobe. She declared, “Lizzy is richer than Jane! I am the prettiest Bennet sister and need a fashionable wardrobe to attract a rich husband!”
Kitty teased, “I thought you wanted an officer for your husband.”
“A rich officer will do perfectly,” Lydia declared.
However, the youngest daughter’s demands were cut off because Mr Bennet scowled and sent the girl to her room. Mrs Bennet pretended nothing had occurred to mar the happy afternoon.
For exercise after drinking the new tea, the newly engaged couple walked in the gardens around Longbourn and the along the cow path to the pastures. Miss Mary and Miss Georgiana were pleased to act as the chaperones who walked far enough ahead of Lizzy and her beau to give them moments of privacy.
~~~
That evening before retiring to her bedchamber, Mrs Bennet acted to force Lydia to reform her behaviour.
Frances was sincere when she warned her favourite daughter, “If you dare to make any declarations about new gowns or being the prettiest girl in company again, I shall not allow you to attend the next gathering at Lucas Lodge, the wedding breakfast, or any of the dinners to celebrate the engagement! There will be no officers in their red coats who ask you to dance until after your sister is married and removed to London.”
