Mrs. Bennet rolled her eyes heavenward and silently scolded herself for not strictly enforcing the ‘children should be seen and not heard’ proverb. “Yes, Robert, it is very important to keep one’s promises. Come along now, love; it is time for you to return to the nursery.”

The poppet was whisked away as he loudly protested. “Can I not stay? I promith to be a good boy. And, Mama, I weally did not axe him if he is Libazeth’s hanson barberin.”

Darcy coloured up at the reference. He desperately wanted to be Elizabeth’s; and although ‘handsome’ was flattering, ‘barbarian’ was not. He stole a quick glance in her direction, and Lizzy’s mortification was also evident. The quick glance turned into a long, admiring observation of her loveliness. Sparkling, intelligent eyes had been brightened by the recent exercise, and chestnut curls escaped from a bonnet that exactly matched the green of his coat and her riding habit. Her cheeks glowed, his heart tingled, and he could not tear his eyes away.

Elizabeth dared to steal a quick glance at Darcy, who had risen when she entered the room. It was supposed to just be a quick glance; still, she could not look away despite her embarrassment. Fitzwilliam Darcy was incredibly dapper and arresting, standing tall in his tight-fitting green tailcoat, white shirt, and intricately knotted cravat. He wore a brocade waistcoat, light-coloured breeches, and high black boots. Elizabeth was thrilled to be in his company again and would have rushed to his side if propriety allowed. Instead she reluctantly excused herself to change and promised to return quickly.

Miss Edwards, Kitty, and Lydia curtsied and took their leave of the two gentlemen. Martha had decided to accompany the girls on a quick stroll in the garden because she assumed her employer would want to speak privately with the visitor. The scuttlebutt amongst the servants was that Mr. Darcy was dangling after Miss Elizabeth and mistakenly assumed she had become betrothed to Lieutenant-Colonel Dun.

Mr. Bennet sat in a chair across the room and observed the gentleman caller whose eyes had followed Elizabeth as she left the room. “So, Mr. Darcy, what brings you here on this fine morning?” I already know the answer, you rapscallion. You are setting wheels in motion that will carry Lizzy away from us. Please spare me a bit more time to adjust to the inevitable.

“I have come to call on Miss Elizabeth, sir.” I will not spare any more time. I would apply to you for her hand this minute if only I had her consent. Nonetheless, you must be prepared for the inevitable. Although today I will settle for asking Elizabeth to stand up with me at the ball, very soon I will be asking her to stand up with me in front of a clergyman.

“Pardon me for speaking plainly, Mr. Darcy; however, the last time you were here to visit my daughter you hardly spoke two words together and departed in quite a dudgeon. I hope whatever caused your bristles to be set up has been resolved to your satisfaction.” You acted too hastily upon overhearing Dun’s words, young man; and I hope you are not prone to rash decisions and reckless behaviour in other aspects of your life.

“Mr. Bennet, I sincerely apologize for that unacceptable behaviour. I erroneously believed someone had thrown a rub in my way; yet as it turns out, my plans have, in fact, not been spoiled after all. I confess I jumped to a wrong conclusion, and I hope to avoid any further misunderstandings in my determined course of action. Therefore, sir, I humbly apply to you for permission to court Miss Elizabeth. I have not yet sought her approval; but since you and I are speaking plainly, I believe you should know of my good intentions. If my prayers are to be answered, your lovely daughter … ”

Mr. Bennet spoke loudly to cover the other man’s words. “Ah, here is my lovely daughter now, Mr. Darcy. Lizzy, do come and join us. Your mother should return any minute. Miss Edwards and the younger girls are in the garden, and I believe Jane and Mary are practicing in the music room. If you will pardon me for just a moment, I must fetch Whitelaw’s correspondence from where I left it in the dining room. I will not be gone long. Oh, and Mr. Darcy, I should tell you I have decided to grant my permission.” Before he exited he gave the visitor a pointed look. I trust you to be alone with my precious daughter for a few moments. Use your time wisely.

Darcy acknowledged Mr. Bennet’s look with a slight nod. Thank you and I will not betray your trust.

Elizabeth glanced around the room and contemplated where to sit. The point became moot when Mr. Darcy stepped forward, their dark eyes locked, and he kissed her bare hand, sending thrills to the tips of her fingers, toes, and other places in between. He did not release his hold on her hand or sever eye contact as he spoke in his deep, rich voice. “Miss Elizabeth, it is a great pleasure to be in your presence again; and I am very sorry I displayed such deplorable manners the last time I was in your home. Although you did not witness the worst of my behaviour, I am sure you heard of it. Georgiana explained what actually transpired, and I beg you to please forgive me.”

“Mr. Darcy, of course you are forgiven. I am sorry you were put into such an uncomfortable position. All the same, you must know my own position, at that time, was extremely uncomfortable as well. Turning down a marriage proposal is not something I would ever care to repeat.”

He smiled, dimpled, and squeezed her hand. “That is, indeed, very, very good to hear, Miss Elizabeth; I hope you keep that thought in mind the next time a man asks for your hand.” He could not help it; he raised that hand to his lips again, gave her an intense look, and took a step forward.

Elizabeth blushed and thought the room was overheated until she noticed there were no flames in the fireplace grate. She snatched her hand from his and reluctantly, breathlessly said, “Mr. Darcy, sir, my family may return at any moment. Perhaps we should be seated.”

He took possession of her hand again. “Not just yet, please. I have two requests to ask of you.” Will you please be my wife? Can we marry tomorrow? “Most importantly, Miss Elizabeth, may I have the great privilege of being permitted to court you?”

“Well, I am somewhat embarrassed to say, sir, I assumed you had already been doing so since you first arrived in London.” Her intelligent eyes sparkled, her brow arched, and a pert, saucy smile sent his blood racing.

He smiled back at her and said, “Answer the question please, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Very well, Mr. Darcy. Yes, you may continue to do what I already thought, and hoped, you were doing this past fortnight. I would actually like that, very much, indeed.” My goodness, but you are an attractive man, especially when you smile at me in that manner. I believe I should revise my favour and ask Jane not to allow you and I any time alone at the ball. “Would your second request have anything to do with my dance card for tonight’s event, sir?”

“I remember telling you at the art exhibit our minds think alike, and you have just proven my statement’s veracity. Miss Elizabeth, if propriety allowed it, my name would be on every space of your card; and I am already jealous of all those blanks that will, undoubtedly, fill far too rapidly for my liking. Before that happens, will you please reserve for me the supper and last sets for this evening?”

“You may consider them yours, Mr. Darcy.” You may consider my heart forever yours as well, dear sir.

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I do believe, for the first time in my life, I shall actually look forward to attending a ball.” Is it improper for a courtship to last a matter of hours before it becomes an engagement?

The sounds of her family in the hallway made Lizzy start to snatch back her hand again, but not before Darcy turned it over and placed a lingering kiss on her racing pulse, thereby making her knees weak and her cheeks red. What effect it had on the gentleman was a private matter.

When Mr. and Mrs. Bennet entered the room together, Lizzy was seated on the sofa while Mr. Darcy stood directly behind her. Mrs. Bennet took one look at her daughter and said, “Lizzy, I did not notice before, but your colour is quite high. I hope you were not galloping Gloriana around the park.”

“Not at all, Mama. We rode at an appropriately sedate pace, although she and I long to fly across the fields at home. I do miss Longbourn, yet I must admit London has much more appeal on this visit than at any time previously.”

“Mr. Darcy, do sit down, sir. Are you enjoying your stay in Town as well?”

“Yes, Mrs. Bennet; and I quite agree with your daughter. The city suddenly holds a certain attraction with which I could not bear to part right now.” He moved from behind the sofa, chose a chair facing Lizzy, and gazed into her beautiful, dark, chocolate-coloured eyes.

Bows and curtsies were exchanged as Jane and Mary entered the room; and when Mr. Bennet asked Darcy if his latest endeavour had been successful, his answer was that in the short term it had, but the long term was yet to be determined. The ladies assumed the two were discussing business, and they began to speak of more important issues. “Jane, have you chosen between the blue silk and the silver satin yet?”

“Yes, Mama, I have selected the blue. Lizzy, have you finally decided on the primrose? Lizzy? Lizzy!”

“Hmm? I beg your pardon, Jane. Did you say something to me?”

Mr. Bennet cleared his throat and said, “Excuse me for interrupting your riveting discourse, ladies; however, I have an announcement to make. I have sanctioned a courtship between two people present in this room … present, at least in body if not in mind, for it seems Mr. Darcy and Lizzy can scarcely tear themselves away from one another’s eyes for even a moment.”