by Lady Waller
It only took until noon for news of Mr. Darcy’s return to Netherfield to reach Longbourn. Lydia and Kitty bounded into the sitting room, where Elizabeth had been staring out of the window for hours. Mary played a mellow tune at the pianoforte, while Jane stitched ribbon around a worn pair of slippers.
“We have news of Mr. Darcy!” they shrieked in almost perfect unison.
Elizabeth stood, careful to keep her excitement under control.
“Tell us,” Jane said.
Lydia pushed in front of Kitty. “He’s been found by the old witch, Mrs. Hucklebee.”
Kitty refused to be upstaged by the youngest Bennett and shouted the next part. “He’d fallen from his horse and broken his leg!”
Jane gasped. “Oh my.”
“Apparently, he’d hit his head as well and was too wounded to be left alone. Mrs. Hucklebee found Mr. Bingley and the search party this morning and told them where to find him.”
Mama came through the door. “What’s this I hear?”
“Mr. Darcy has been found alive with a broken leg,” Mary called out, her monotone voice a welcomed relief from that of the two shriekers.
Mama’s face lit up with joy. “I shall tell Mr. Bennet at once. Mr. Bingley will surely be back in good spirits and ask for Jane’s hand before the end of the week.”
“Mama, really,” Elizabeth said.
A carriage rumbled outside the front door and the two youngest Bennett girls rushed to the window. “It’s Mr. Bingley’s carriage,” Lydia said.
There was a fierce knock at the door and shortly after, the maid appeared. “Mr. Bingley requests to see Miss Jane and Mr. Darcy requests to see Mr. Bennet. He’s still in the carriage, Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth sucked in a sharp breath. As much as she wanted to run outside and climb in the carriage with him, she had to now obey the proper restraints of society and keep Darcy at a distance until their marriage.
The sisters rushed around in a bustle of excitement, clearing away bundles of ribbons and crumb-filled plates leftover from tea.
Elizabeth watched from the window as Papa approached the carriage. He stepped inside and Mr. Bingley exited.
Unable to breathe, she waited with her hands clenched around the curtains. Mr. Bingley had been shown to the sitting room, but Elizabeth could only focus on the events taking place outside.
Papa exited the carriage and Elizabeth scurried through the sitting room door to meet him in the hallway.
“Shall we speak in my study, my dear?” he asked.
“Yes, Papa.” She followed him and once they’d entered, closed the door behind them.
“Mr. Darcy has asked for your hand in marriage.” Papa’s eyebrows sat heavy over his eyes and concern dipped his mouth into a frown. “I told him that I was not in the habit of procuring marriage contracts without my daughter’s approval. Say the word, and I’ll send him on his way.”
Elizabeth launched into her father’s arms. “My word is yes, Papa. I want to marry Mr. Darcy.”
His strong arms squeezed her tight. “I won’t pretend to understand your change of heart regarding the man, but if he is the one to make you happy then so be it.”
After a moment more, she backed out of his arms. “Shall we tell him together?”
Papa nodded and when he opened the door to his study, Mama stood there with Mr. Bingley and Jane by her side.
Papa tweaked the edge of Mama’s nose. “One at a time, my dear.”
“Whatever do you mean,” she asked.
He chose to remain mysterious, and Elizabeth followed him to the carriage. It took all of her strength not to leap into the carriage and nestle into Mr. Darcy’s arms. Instead she dipped her head in greeting. “Mr. Darcy.”
“Miss Elizabeth.” His rich, warm voice flowed over her like silk. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” she replied, the honesty in her statement sending ripples of delight through her body.
His pale face broke into a wide grin.
Papa reached in and they shook hands. “If you’ll excuse me, by the happy skip in my wife’s step, I believe another daughter has just been proposed to.” He glanced between them. “I’ll send Mary out to the front steps to chaperone.”
Elizabeth didn’t acknowledge her father’s words as she couldn’t tear her gaze away from her future husband. “Are you in much pain?”
“I was better until Mr. Bingley and the coachman had to twist and turn me to get me into the carriage.” He leaned his head back against the carriage seat. “But I didn’t want to wait another moment before seeing you again.”
She tugged at her lip and leaned her head in so that her next words would be between the two of them. “What’s to be done about Mr. Wickham?”
“Mrs. Hucklebee has agreed to ‘discover’ his body later today. She’ll say he must have slipped helping with the search party.”
“Why did he hate you so much?” As much as she’d disliked Mr. Darcy in the beginning, she’d never have wished such a horrible curse on him.
He closed his eyes. “Perhaps some people are born with hate in their soul.”
“And others with love and compassion?” she asked.
“No more talk of that foul villain. I want to focus on my future happiness.” His lips turned up in a slow smile. “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet.”
She rested her head against the side of the carriage, looking forward to the life and adventures they’d share. “And I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
The End
Other Pride and Prejudice Variations by Lady Waller:
It’s in His Kiss: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Short Story Variation
A Gift for Lizzy: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
A Gift for My Mr. Darcy: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
About the Author
Lady Waller is a shy girl who loves to write sweet and spicy historical romances. Come along as she takes you through medieval, Victorian, and Pride and Prejudice variation romances.
For updates on releases, connect with Lady Waller on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lady-Waller-Books-1472640382782167/
