Page 64 of Roses from Pemberley
Elizabeth was just trying to puzzle out the meaning of his words, when Mr. Collins suddenly spoke.
“I suppose that I too had better go with you. For who would be in a better position to offer solace at such a time than a close relative and parson? And perhaps, while there, I may also see how things stand…at Longbourn.”
He was just holding his hand out to Mrs. Bennet when Lady Catherine suddenly addressed him.
“Mr. Collins!” she cried. “Do you realise how unnecessary - nay, distressing - your presence would be in Longbourn at such a time? Pray, stay and assist your parishioners but leave the Bennets to themselves.”
Mr. Collins looked taken aback. But he only said, “Yes, of course, Lady Catherine. I apologise.”
Elizabeth gave Lady Catherine a grateful look and began to help her mother up once more. She did not even look at Darcy, for fear of seeing the look of recrimination in his eyes which she knew must be there. How could he feel otherwise after hearing of the calamitous downfall of her family and at the hands of his greatest enemy? She could not bear that, on top of everything else. He would have been better off, she thought bitterly, to have gotten engaged to Diana.
“Elizabeth.”
She turned to see that he was now standing beside her.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy?” she asked with as much dignity she could muster.
“May I speak to you for a moment?”
She turned back to her mother and noticed that Diana had now come to sit beside her after bringing her another glass of sherry.
“Go now, Elizabeth,” said Diana. “Speak to my cousin, while I sit with your mother for a while.”
Elizabeth nodded and began to walk towards the hallway, thinking that Darcy would follow her. But instead, he took her hand and prevented her from leaving. She turned and was suddenly enveloped in his embrace. The whole world seemed to contract, then, leaving only the two of them. She absently noted that Lord and Lady Matlock and Mrs. Jenkinson had quitted the room.
Taken by Darcy’s act of kindness, she found herself suddenly weeping. She thought of her stupid, silly sister, and her dying father and wondered if the world would ever be the same again. She knew she had to move, that there were many things she had to do between that moment and the following morning. But for a few seconds she just stayed in his arms and allowed herself to be comforted.
He led her to a corner of the room and sat her down.
“Elizabeth,” he said, with infinite gentleness, “it is not my intention to pressure you at such a difficult time. But…” He took a deep calming breath and added, “I wish to ask you for your hand in marriage...if you will have me.”
She stared at him and began to cry even harder. He would have been well within his rights to call off their courtship, but instead he was proposing marriage. It was practically unthinkable.
“You do not have to do this,” she said. “It is not your responsibility.”
“But it is, Elizabeth,” he said more insistently. “Do you think that I could ever leave you, or allow you to leave me, without an understanding that we shall one day be together? I love you. That really is all that matters.”
Elizabeth frowned through her tears. “But how can you?”
“I just do.”
Elizabeth suddenly came to understand that she might lose her father, and Lydia and even the reputation of her family. But she knew she could not bear to lose Darcy.
And so she gave him a brief nod.
He kissed the side of her face and stood up.
“We shall leave just before daylight, and I shall accompany you as far as London. And then I shall begin my search for Wickham.”
“And I,” said Richard, “shall follow the next day and assist you.”
Darcy looked across the room where Bingley was speaking quietly with Jane.
“Bingley?”
“Yes, Darcy? Shall I also accompany you? I shall do anything that may be of service to Jane and…to her family.”
“Are you engaged to Jane?” asked Mrs. Bennet, suddenly looking up.
