Free Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks

mind would improve immeasurably once she learned of their engagement and the security it would bring.
    “I know your father is very ill, but will it be possible for me to speak with him today?”
    “He was awake for a short period this morning, but you must give me some time with him first so he will not be so shocked when you meet with him. I am sure he would say you are the last man in the world he would ever have expected to be asking for my hand.”
    If Darcy was surprised at this, he hid it well.
    “I would also like to be the one to tell my father about Wickham. I do not think other members of the family need to be privy to what happened to Georgiana.”
    Darcy nodded in agreement. “I remember your mentioning an aunt and uncle in London. When I go to obtain the special license, would you like me to carry a letter to them inviting them to the wedding?” he asked.
    Elizabeth brightened at his thoughtful suggestion. “That would be wonderful! They have been like second parents to me all my life, and I would very much like them to be here.”
    Elizabeth was unsure how to explain her apparent sudden change of heart about Darcy to friends and family. She suggested they tell people they had begun to form an attachment while they were in Kent, but had chosen to keep it a secret until now.
    Just before reaching Longbourn, they stopped. It was an awkward moment in which she sensed he would like to kiss her, but she did nothing to encourage it. He relieved some of the tension by asking, “You will have to help me learn to get along better with your mother. I confess I am always at a loss as to what to say to her.”
    “Oh, you probably do not have to worry. She will either be too awed to speak to you or will carry on the entire conversation by herself. In either case, all that will be required of you is an occasional nod,” she said with a grin.
    “It is good to see you smile, Elizabeth.”
    “I hope I never lose the gift of finding humor in all sorts of situations.”
    “Now that we are engaged, would you consider calling me by my first name?” he asked.
    Elizabeth was not at all comfortable with this idea as he still seemed like a stranger to her, but if it was important to him, she would try.
    “Although my first name is Fitzwilliam for my mother’s family, those close to me call me William to avoid confusion with my cousin the Colonel.
    “Very well, William. I shall say good-bye until this afternoon.”
    Darcy took her hand and raised it to his lips again. “Until later, my dearest Elizabeth.”
     

Nine
    As she walked the last few yards to the house, Elizabeth felt light-headed. Had she really said “yes” to Mr. Darcy’s proposal? The idea of being “Mrs. Darcy” was not something she could even imagine. Oh, what have I done, she thought.
    After searching the house, Elizabeth finally found Jane in the garden cutting flowers. Standing for a moment in the doorway that led out to the garden, she saw Jane with a basket and clippers searching through the roses to find just the right ones for her bouquet. Elizabeth watched her, admiring the graceful way she moved as she bent to her work. Just then, Jane looked up and waved.
    “Lizzy, how was your walk?”
    “It was lovely. Oh, yes, and while I was out, I happened to encounter a certain gentleman whom I had been hoping to avoid.”
    “So Mr. Darcy was up early, too?”
    “I suspect he was out walking in hopes of seeing me. I wanted to be alone to think, but as it turns out, it was a most advantageous meeting. He shared some very interesting information with me about a certain militia officer of our mutual acquaintance.”
    Elizabeth related all she had learned about the character and ungentlemanly behavior of Mr. Wickham as it related to Mr. Darcy. Jane was truly shocked at these revelations.
    “How could we have been so taken in by Mr. Wickham?” Jane said with astonishment.
    Elizabeth loved that Jane always believed the best of people. “His past