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

my revealing this to him. I did not tell him how I came to have this information.”
    “I thank you most sincerely, Mr. Darcy. My sister mentioned her regard for Mr. Bingley only just yesterday. His call will be most welcome.”
    “It was one the most difficult things I have ever had to do,” he confided. “Bingley is a dear friend to me, in many ways like a younger brother. I knew I was risking the loss of his friendship by confessing that I had also kept your sister’s presence in London from him this past winter. Fortunately, Charles has such an amiable disposition that he cannot stay angry with anyone for very long. He forgave me even before we had finished talking and immediately formed a plan to return to Netherfield.”
    “So you told Mr. Bingley all this even before you came to Hertfordshire and before you knew how I might receive your proposal?” she said with astonishment.
    “Do you really think me so unkind that I would make your acceptance of me a condition of my telling Bingley the truth about what happened?” he replied somewhat indignantly.
    Elizabeth blushed and fumbled for something to say.
    “I consider it a matter of honor to correct my mistakes when I become aware of them,” he added.
    That he considered it so important to speak to Bingley about Jane gave her new insight into his character. He had known the importance she placed on her sister’s happiness, and he had taken action without the expectation of anything in return. Elizabeth looked away wondering if she should feel flattered or offended by the unusual manner of his proposal, but her curiosity was definitely piqued. This speech and his behavior over the past few days were leading her to wonder if perhaps there was more to Mr. Darcy than she had first thought, but still, how could she say “yes” to him?
    “Mr. Darcy, I thank you for your very generous offer, but I am not able to give you an answer today. Would you allow me some time to consider your offer?” Elizabeth was surprised that what came out as her response was not what she had intended to say. Her plan to refuse him then and there came undone somewhere between her head and her mouth. Somehow she could not bear to disappoint him when he was sitting there so like a vulnerable little boy. Turning away, she stared at the picture over the fireplace so she would not have to look into his eyes.
    Darcy reached over and gently turned her face back toward him. Elizabeth noticed his other hand had somehow come to rest on her knee, and she found herself staring at his long slender fingers. His touch was creating heat on her leg, heat that seemed to travel all through her body causing her cheeks to glow. She marveled how just his touch could create such unsettling feelings.
    “Elizabeth?” He spoke very softly. Finally, she raised her eyes to meet his. He was so close she was certain he must be able to hear her heart beating. “Promise me you will give my offer serious consideration. I can take care of you. You would want for nothing.”
    Elizabeth bit the side of her lip as she thought about what to say. “I promise I will think this over very carefully before I give you my answer, but that is all I can agree to at present.”
    Darcy rose slowly as if he were reluctant to leave. “Very well,” he said with a small sigh. “I will leave you for now and with your permission call again tomorrow morning to inquire about your father. Good-day, Miss Elizabeth.”
    The warmth of feeling she had seen in him a few moments before had been quickly replaced with his more familiar formal manner. Giving a small bow, he turned and walked out of the room. She heard the sound of his boots on the marble floor of the entryway, the front door opening and closing, and then silence. Still shaking from what had just transpired, she could not seem to get up from her chair.
    Looking around the room, she noticed that someone had poured a cup of tea for her. With a shaky hand, she took a small sip. It