Page 219 of What Change Entails

He stared at her.

Then, to her surprise and delight, he laughed. Not loudly. Not long. Enough to break the tightness between them.

He bent and picked up the hat, brushing grass from the brim.

“I love you,” Elizabeth said again, because the first time had felt like stepping from a cliff and the second felt like learning she could fly. “I did not understand it at first. I was too busy being astonished, then pleased, then frightened. But I love you.”

Darcy took one step toward her, then stopped. “May I?”

The question encompassed more than touch.

Elizabeth answered by offering her hand.

He took it carefully, then with less care, closing both his hands around hers. His gloves were dusty. His skin beneath them warm. His eyes held a week of travel and sleeplessness and relief too deep for elegance.

“I love you most ardently,” he said. “Still. Always, I think. Though I hope to express it with better judgment than I once did.”

“I prefer this version.”

“I am glad.”

“It is a marked improvement.”

His thumb moved over her knuckles. “Your praise is generous.”

“It is accurate.”

He looked toward the valley, then back to her. “I do not ask you to ignore what Miss Bingley said. Society may speak. Lady Catherine certainly will. My family may not all receive the news with grace. I cannot promise ease in every quarter.”

“I know.”

“But I can promise this.” His fingers closed into a fist. “No one’s disapproval will make me regret choosing you. No relation, no rank, no expectation formed without my consent. I have lived too long according to what I thought I ought to value. I know what I value now.”

A lump rose in Elizabeth’s throat. She disliked it. She welcomed it. Both feelings existed together.

“You brought Georgiana all this way?”

Darcy shrugged nonchalantly. “She wished to come.”

“And Miss Bingley?”

“Gone north with the Hursts.”

Elizabeth absorbed that. “Was it dreadful?”

“Yes.”

“I am sorry.”

“I am not.”

Darcy’s jaw worked once. “Georgiana said she did not wish Miss Bingley to remain at Pemberley. That was enough.”

“Good for Georgiana.”

“Yes.”

The pride in his voice warmed her.