Darcy stopped in his tracks, and looked over at the angelic face of Miss Elizabeth Bennett. The words that she had spoken mere moments ago had journeyed deep within his heart. Her visage smiled back at him as she viewed the myriad of emotions upon his face. She had lovingly expressed her engaging feelings for him, which had been growing within her ever since her visit to Pemberley. Her heart and every feeling for Darcy were open to accepting him, as she conveyed her true feelings. His chest beat heartily as the weight of her words flowed through every fiber of his being. Reaching across to her he clasped her hands in his, looking down upon her beautiful face. The rest of the world ceased to exist, with neither one of them noticing that Charles and Jane were disappearing down the trodden path upon which they had all ventured out for a walk.
Darcy finally found his voice and striving to keep his emotions steady he said, “My lady, your words fill me with a joy that you cannot begin to imagine. I am blessed and so mightily pleased to hear your feelings have changed favorably for me. I welcome knowing that we now appear to mirror one another in our innermost heartfelt desires.”
“My dear sir, I know that our acquaintance was wrought by forces outside of either of our control in the beginning, but now that I have come to know you, I will not deny my feelings any longer.”
Darcy felt the smile spreading across his face causing his cheeks to hurt just a little. The many months that he had been suffering since professing his love for Elizabeth had caused him a great deal of torture. He knew that the turning point for them had been her visit to Pemberley, and his smile grew even wider at the remembrance of that day.
“Beloved Elizabeth, I am happier than any man has a right to be. You have already made me into a better man and I would wish not to spend any more of my life without you by my side every day for years to come.” Watching her face Darcy lost himself in her beautiful smile, noting the twinkling in her eyes. She may be enjoying this, he thought to himself. As well she should, given how obtuse my expression of love for her was previously verbalized. He gazed into her chestnut brown eyes and felt himself realize the full potential of their life together for the first time. Indeed, he had loved her for many months, but now that her feelings were equal to his, the heavens had opened and presented him with an image of exactly how happy their lives together would be.
Darcy watched as she continued to look up into his face. It was as if she could read his every feeling showing upon his countenance. She had already captured his heart, so it was not a surprise to him that she was able to read into his very mind and soul. He longed to embrace her, but would not do so yet. Properly, he held her hands in his own, and stared into her eyes.
“Elizabeth Bennett, it would be my greatest honor if you would consent to be my wife. Everything that you are and all the goodness that you possess are desired by me. I could not pass another day, without knowing that your beautiful face will be mine to look upon for all eternity. Your passionate love of life, and intelligent regard for those who deserve it, makes you a woman unequalled by any previous in my acquaintance.” He paused for a moment, with an attempt to further gather his thoughts. She was enjoying the moment he could see, as he could read her face as well. Her brown eyes twinkled even greater as he strove to continue his declaration. His love for her threatened to overwhelm him as his throat became slightly choked up. Clearing his throat lightly, he continued.
“Please do me the honor of accepting my sincerest request in your hand Elizabeth. I do not know what I would do without you in my life. Please know that I will strive every day to make you the happiest woman in all of Derbyshire, indeed, in the entire world. You have my heart, mind, body and soul my beloved woman. Miss Elizabeth Bennett, will you please consent be my wife?”
She looked back at him as he searched her face for her response. Barely, she contained her pleasure as she paused and looked off across the fields. She replayed his words in her head, and they resounded true of nature and intent. She did not want him to suffer any longer as she spoke to him, “Fitzwilliam Darcy, I would be honored to accept your proposal as my love for you has grown to never experienced heights. I do know that we will be very happy together, and nothing would please me more than to be with you for the rest of my life.”
Darcy beamed at her as he enclosed his arms around her figure, pulling her close to him. He held her tightly feeling that now he finally had her in his arms exactly where he had wanted her to be, he never wanted to let her go ever again. Darcy felt everything that had burgeoned up within him over the past few months finally release as he luxuriated in her embrace for quite some time. His heart was overflowing and he could not contain his pleasure until sanity and propriety reasserted itself upon him once again. He stepped back from Elizabeth, sadly letting her out of his embrace for the moment. Excitedly, he began to walk with her by his side, “We must go back to Longborne now where I will request your hand from your father properly. I will not wait another minute as I want everyone to know of our happiness.”
Elizabeth nodded as they turned around and headed back towards her family home. She chuckled to herself as she added just one more notion as they walked, “I daresay sir, this proposal was quite more highly presented than your previous one.” She laughed as she saw him squirm a little beside her and took his hand in hers as they walked towards home. Together they began the journey to embark upon their new life together one step at a time.
I planned to read all the old posts in your blog before leaving a comment. However I liked this one so much that I couldn’t wait!
I really like this revisited scene, it’s full of love and passion without go over propriety. I don’t really like the Mr. Darcy some authors represent… so incapabal of control. This Mr. Darcy has the right compromise between his passionate nature and his irreproachable observance of rules.
By the way… I like to imagine what happen after Darcy and Elizabeth are married, however my favourite scenes are those before their final engagement. I love the tension between them!
Thank you for your sweet words… I am glad that the images spoke to you and that you enjoyed them. Comments like these motivate me to write mmore. So sincerely appreciated.. JDA…