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

thoughtfully. “And, Jane, when I think of all the times I noticed him staring at me! I thought it was a sign of his disapproval.”
    “Have you given him an answer yet?”
    “I asked for time to consider his offer, but I am finding it hard to think about anything at the moment. I cannot seem to focus my mind with all that has happened.”
    Jane watched her sister’s face intently. So much had changed in a very short time. Elizabeth was finding it difficult to absorb all the implications.
    “If—no, we must face the truth— when father is gone, everything will change for us. We have always laughed at Mama trying to find us wealthy husbands. Maybe she was wiser than we thought,” Elizabeth said wryly. “If none of us marry before Papa dies, we will be in a very precarious situation. We will lose our home to Mr. Collins and have only a small income to live on, but if one of us is comfortably married, all the rest would benefit.”
    With that tears welled up in Jane’s eyes. Elizabeth reached in her pocket for a handkerchief and offered it to her sister. When Jane refolded the handkerchief to hand it back, she noticed the embroidered initials—’FD’.
    “Is this Mr. Darcy’s?” she asked holding it out.
    Elizabeth smiled. The fabric was very fine and clearly expensive—an indication of all that could be hers if she agreed to become Mrs. Darcy. “Yes, I have several now. I am embarrassed to report that over the past few days—nearly every time Mr. Darcy has seen me—I have cried, and he has given me another one of these. I have several more in my room. Do you think he proposed because he felt sorry for me or because he thought it was the only way he would get his handkerchiefs back?” said Elizabeth, her sense of humor returning.
    “Oh, Lizzy, I do not know what to think about all this. It is too much to take in,” Jane replied.
    “He came to call today with the express purpose of asking for my hand. I now suspect that was the reason for his call on me at the parsonage the evening I received your letter. I had just read it when he arrived, and I was in such distress that I told him everything without thinking. The next thing I knew, he had offered his carriage to take me home. I didn’t want to accept, but I really had no other choice. And so it seems, that may be the position I find myself in now. I have put myself in his debt in such a way that it will be difficult for me to turn him down.”
    “Surely, you do not think that was the sole purpose behind his offering assistance,” asked Jane.
    “It all happened so quickly. I find it hard to believe he had any motive other than genuine concern, but I cannot be sure. The most important thing is he has generously offered to take care of all of us if I marry him and that, Jane, is my dilemma. We both know that marriages of convenience are made every day. Although I have always vowed I would marry only for love, under these circumstances how can I refuse him?”
    “Lizzy, you must not sacrifice yourself for the rest of us. Somehow, we will resolve this without your having to tie yourself to someone you do not love.”
    “Oh, Jane, I fear you are far too optimistic.”
    “Perhaps, but I refuse to believe our situation is so hopeless.”
    “And I find it hard to be hopeful! Oh, Jane, what should I do? I have so many reasons to dislike Mr. Darcy. On the other hand, marrying a very rich and handsome—though somewhat unpleasant—man might not be the worst thing that could happen to me. After all, I understand he has a very nice house in town and a rather large estate in Derbyshire,” she said mischievously with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Lizzy, be serious. You must decide what you want regardless of the affect on the family. We will all manage somehow if you choose not to marry him.” Jane leaned toward Elizabeth as she continued, “At the same time, I have always said Mr. Darcy has many good qualities. He has also been incredibly kind and generous to