Page 42 of One Good Sonnet

“I have opened the doors to the small breakfast room and ordered a few chairs in there,” Mrs. Bennet said as they entered. “It is well lit, and will help with our expanded numbers. The Gardiner children are abed as well, which will help ease the chaos a little. Lydia, you must sit with Colonel Fitzwilliam. He is a handsome man—surely he will like a lively lady such as yourself.”

Elizabeth had it on good authority that despite his rank and his connections, the good colonel would need to marry an heiress. Mr. Darcy had lamented his cousin’s lack of choice during one of their conversations.

But Mrs. Bennet would matchmake, regardless. It was in her nature.

Hill announced their guests a few minutes later. Mrs. Bennet drew Lady Matlock away as soon as she entered the room, and Lord Matlock went off with Mr. Bennet. They learned that the Hursts and Miss Bingley had elected to remain behind. Mrs. Hurst was exhausted from all the festivities, and Miss Bingley wished to “comfort” her sister.

Bingley and Jane went to a settee in a corner and spoke with their heads bent together. Darcy’s sister, who was allowed to attend despite not being out, was dragged away by Kitty, Lydia, and Mary.

That left Mr. Darcy. He came to Elizabeth’s side.

“Good evening, Miss Elizabeth,” he murmured, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. “Would you care for a turn about the room?”

“I find it to be too close in here,” she replied. “Mama has prepared an adjacent room. Shall we?”

He nodded, and she led the way to the breakfast room.

We shared our first kiss here, she thought. And so we shall share our second. The kissing bough in the corner had long since lost its berries, but she had one in her pocket.

The room was better lit than it had been before, and that somehow made her more nervous.

“How does Miss Darcy get along at Netherfield?” she asked.

“She is well, though Miss Bingley’s attention makes her uncomfortable.” Darcy smiled and shook his head. “I believe Miss Bingley thinks a friendship with my sister will result in her connection to...me.”

Irrational jealousy bloomed inside her. “Does she?” Elizabeth asked hollowly.

“She does, though her efforts will not bear fruit. Georgiana will not be swayed by petty flattery, and I shall not be turned from my course.”

“Your course?”

“Yes, Elizabeth, my course. I have been patient—or I have tried to be. Surely, you can see how I feel.”

Elizabeth put her hand in her pocket and pulled out the berry. She took his hand and placed it gently in his palm. “I see,” she said. She did. She saw how kind, generous, and loyal he was.

His hand closed around the berry. “Elizabeth,” he whispered. “I love you. Will you do me the very great honor of being my wife?”

“Yes.”

The single word was enough. He captured her lips with his own. This was not the gentle, thrilling kiss of a week prior. This was earnest, yearning, and intense. Elizabeth’s heart hammered as the kiss deepened. Darcy’s hand pressed against her back, drawing her closer. Her arms wrapped around his neck, tangling in his hair.

A throat cleared at the door and Darcy broke away.

“If this does not mean you have proposed, Mr. Darcy, I expect that to be rectified immediately.” Mr. Bennet frowned, but Elizabeth saw his lips twitch.

“Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth has done me the very great honor of accepting my proposal. May we have your permission and your blessing?”

“Indeed. Let us inform Mrs. Bennet. She will be in raptures.” Mr. Bennet said nothing more, but turned and left the room.

Elizabeth heard her mother’s exclamations before she and Darcy made it to the door.

“Two daughters to be married! Mr. Bennet, God has been very good to us!”

Darcy pressed a piece of paper into Elizabeth’s hand. “I trust that one good sonnet will not starve our love. Not now.”

“Indeed, no. Our love is not a slight, thin sort of inclination. This love has become quite stout.” He kissed her once more before they rejoined their families.

Epilogue