Page 183 of A Question of Character

He reached for her hands.

She placed them in his without hesitation.

“I know we disagree.”

“Yes.”

“I know there remain questions between us.”

“There do.”

“I cannot promise that every difficulty shall disappear tomorrow.”

His fingers closed gently around hers.

“But I can promise that every day of my life will be devoted to deserving your esteem.”

Emotion brightened her eyes.

“Elizabeth Bennet...”

He swallowed.

The words mattered too much for ornament.

“Will you marry me?”

For one glorious heartbeat he believed she would say yes.

Her lips parted.

Joy flooded her expression.

Then it faded.

She lowered her gaze.

“Oh.”

The single word carried such sorrow that dread swept through him.

When she spoke again, each sentence appeared painfully chosen.

“I love you.”

His heart surged.

“I do.”

Hope blazed.

Then she continued.

“But I cannot marry you.”

Everything within him seemed to stop.

He stared at her, scarcely comprehending.