Next Came Agreement

by Carissa

October 2002, Firthness Challenge Entry

Rated PG

Author's Note: Thank you for your kind comments after the first, unusual answer to the challenge set. I am writing this rather shorter than the limit allows, but I hope that it meets will your approval.


Elizabeth was looking out the window, thinking about what had just happened. Mr Darcy had touched her cheek, gently, in a way that made her skin tingle and the hairs at the base of her spine stand on end. Just as she was deciding if this was too much of a liberty, considering how to ask a gentleman that she admires to cease an action that she found excitement and comfort in, his lips touched hers. The decision was made by instinct. Elizabeth did something that she could not forget, nor take back. Even now, she knew that it was right to stop the kiss, no matter how gentle and pleasant it was, but like that. ‘How could I do that?’ she admonished herself.

Elizabeth was stuck in that dilemma that was a curse of her time. How could a lady preserve her reputation, yet encourage a gentleman she admired. And now, a gentleman who is the perfect match for her, and Elizabeth had acted with reflex in haste. ‘Surely he will never wish to speak with me again. I do not doubt he wishes me out of his house.’

Her reverie was broken by a hesitant voice, one belonging to a person who Elizabeth never thought of as hesitant. “Elizabeth…Miss Bennet” He corrected, almost whispering in his concern that she may never face him, or speak to him again. That is what Darcy feared most, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet would never turn her smile his way, let her eyes glisten as she teased him, or raise her voice in song with him present. “I am sorry, I did not intend…”

She turned slowly around to face him. Her face red, whether from embarrassment or another source he did not know. He could not know that she was surprised and gratified at his informal use of her Christian name, as she could not know the fears that were tearing him apart as he hoped she would give him some encouragement, and forgive his impulse.

“You are sorry?” She whispered.

“Yes…No…Perhaps.”

Elizabeth looked at him. In three words, her companion had managed to give every possible answer. What could she say? Was Elizabeth to select the answer that best suited herself, the one she wanted. Confused by his indecisive non-answer Elizabeth did not know what to say. They studied each other for a minute.

Darcy was in a place that was foreign to him. Never before had he not known what to say or how to react.

Seeing her confusion at the statement, and knowing that he had to say something Darcy decided that pure honesty would be the best course of action, he would put his heart before her, again. “I am sorry to have caused you any distress. I did not intend to behave in so inappropriate a manner. To have you before me, in my home, it seems…it is so right.” He looked up into her eyes and saw that they glistened with tears, of joy or fear. He was halfway there, a few more little words and he would be the happiest man alive, or one with a great deal of work ahead of him. “My feelings have grown since April and my wishes the same. Elizabeth Bennet, please relieve my suffering and consent to be my wife."

Elizabeth was shocked. She wanted to say yes and scream it from the rooftops, but she did not wish for a marriage based on an unfortunate incident. There was no other person present, and, although she deeply regretted her actions, she could easily forgive his. “Mr Darcy, do you ask me this to protect my reputation, for there is no need, this can be forgotten.” She hoped that…well she did not know what could happen to make this right. Surely he would never forgive her actions…

“You misunderstand me, madam, I do not wish to forget this, I wish to repeat it.” He saw her start, look at him with a hint of hope. He continued. “Though perhaps with a different conclusion.” He said the last rubbing his pink cheek.

They looked at each other, each with hope that they dared not trust too much. Elizabeth looked up at Darcy as he self consciously rubbed his cheek. A smile began to tug at the edges of her mouth. The instant he noticed (barely an instant after it started as he was paying particular attention to every change in her demeanour) a similar smile began to take place on his face.

Elizabeth spoke.

“Are you certain…”

To answer he stepped towards her. He began to reach a hand towards her and hesitated. Darcy did not wish to repeat the earlier incident, not when victory was so near. Elizabeth saw the gesture and her hand twitched a little, perhaps involuntarily and perhaps in anticipation of reaching out to his. This movement did not escape his notice. With not a little feeling, he answered.

“Elizabeth, there is nothing more I want in this world than to have you by my side. Will you consent to be my wife?” He said this with such earnestness and depth of feeling that she could not doubt his words.

“Mr Darcy, there is nothing that would give me greater pleasure.”

The smile that stretched over his features as he stepped closer to his fiancé cannot be described. He reached out and took her hand in his. “Please, does this mean, it is just that I would not wish?”

“Mr Darcy, I accept your proposal and consent to be your wife.”

He reached for her cheek again, a slight sense of déjà vu came over him and he stopped himself from repeating his earlier actions. Darcy impertinently asked “May I kiss you to seal this arrangement.” In answer she smiled and he kissed her, and she returned the kiss to his satisfaction.

Copyright held by Carissa - 2002