Darcy and Deception

Elizabeth nestled against his side, fitting perfectly. “Elizabeth?” he murmured.

“Hmm?” Her smile was tired but still thoroughly enchanting.

“I very much would like to make you an offer of marriage. Would you fuss if I did so now, or would you prefer that I wait for a more appropriate moment?”

Elizabeth blinked in surprise and then gave a soft chuckle. “Are you asking for permission to propose to me?”

He shrugged. “Well, these are not the ideal circumstances, but I am loath to allow further delays. And a betrothal might forestall some of Colonel Forster’s baleful glares in my direction.”

After a quick peek at the scowling colonel, Elizabeth nodded. “Very well, Mr. Darcy. I give you permission to make me an offer of marriage.”

If she refuses me now, I will feel like an idiot.

Taking hold of Elizabeth’s hand, Darcy stood and then bent on one knee to kneel before Elizabeth’s seated form. Lydia squealed, and a hush fell over the soldiers. I had not anticipated such an audience, but oh well…

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he said, his voice husky and low, “I cannot possibly express how much I admire and love you. Will you consent to be my wife?”

She did not leave him in suspense. The sweetest smile imaginable spread over her lips. “Yes, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, I will marry you.”

The kiss that followed was overly long—even by the generous standard for betrothed couples. If anyone objected, Darcy did not notice.

Epilogue

“My shoes are simply full of sand!”

Elizabeth shrugged at her mother’s sour face. “I apologize, Mama.”

“Of all the foolish ideas!” her mother exclaimed. “Whoever heard of being married at a beach!”

“Your ordeal is nearly finished,” Elizabeth observed mildly. She and William had known that her mother and sundry other guests at the wedding ceremony would consider a beach venue to be peculiar—or even a personal affront—but they had loved the idea and advanced with the plans while preparing for criticism. “If you like, you may proceed to the wedding breakfast early.”

Now that the ceremony was complete, Elizabeth and William were mingling and greeting their guests, which included the Earl of Matlock and other high-ranking personages. Mrs. Bennet scanned the crowd and patted her coiffure. “Not just yet, I think.”

Elizabeth suppressed a smile; no doubt her mother hoped her unwed daughters might encounter other rich men at this event. As if on cue, her mother murmured in her ear, “Who is the man speaking with Kitty?”

“I believe he is a viscount’s heir.” No other words could have prompted Mrs. Bennet to move with such alacrity. She was standing at Kitty’s side within seconds. I hope she does not scare away the poor man.

Any lingering frustration with her mother was instantly dispelled when William came beside Elizabeth and took her hand in his warm, firm grasp. “Was your mother generously bestowing her opinion on the wedding venue again?” he asked and then chuckled when she nodded. “Indeed, I just heard Miss Bingley’s view on that subject—and realized we are fortunate Aunt Catherine did not accept the invitation.”

The thought of Lady Catherine de Bourgh with sand in her shoes caused Elizabeth to shudder. “Indeed.”

Holding a wedding ceremony at a beach was an unusual idea, but Elizabeth had loved it from the moment William had suggested it. Since the events surrounding Wickham and Harrison’s attempted escape three weeks ago, the couple had taken many happy strolls along the beach; fortunately, none were as eventful as the first one. Elizabeth believed William nearly loved the seaside as much as she did.

Once during the preparations, the doubts of friends and family caused Elizabeth to second-guess their decision, but William reminded her that they had recently faced life-or-death situations and survived. “I believe we are entitled to hold our wedding service wherever we would like,” he had said with a kiss to the top of her head.

Elizabeth’s mother had predicted they would never find a priest to perform the ceremony, but the prestige of the Darcy name had readily solved that dilemma—and eased the process of obtaining a special license. Much dismay had also been expressed over their brief engagement, but neither Elizabeth nor William wished to wait, and the shortened time span kept Mrs. Bennet’s interference to a minimum.

Elizabeth had no regrets. The ceremony had been everything she hoped for. Bright sunshine sparkled and glinted off the water while the waves provided a soothing background noise. William’s face had glowed with happiness as he had recited his wedding vows, and Elizabeth had no doubt hers mirrored it. She would cherish these memories, and the guests would soon forget the sand in their shoes.

Scanning the crowd, she realized that she and William had greeted nearly everyone there. “Perhaps it is time to go to the Pavilion?”

William squeezed her hand. “Yes. I am famished!”

Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived in time to hear this exchange. “Excellent! I was just about to warn you that your troops need sustenance. An army travels on its stomach.”

“I do not believe we have an army’s worth of guests.” William chuckled at his cousin.

“We have quite a wedding banquet ready for them at the Pavilion,” Elizabeth assured Richard.