A Proposal Scene by Jennifer Altman

Hi friends! I hope everyone is hanging in there and staying safe and healthy.

As you’ve likely noticed, we’re celebrating proposals at Austen Variations this month, so today, I’ll be sharing a scene from my debut novel, To Conquer Pride.

Ironically, when I first set out to write a Pride and Prejudice variation, the proposal was one of the first scenes I wrote. As much as I adored Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, it always bothered me that after witnessing Darcy’s horrific offer of marriage at the Hunsford parsonage, Elizabeth never gets the swoon-worthy proposal she deserves… so I knew that was something I wanted to rectify in my own novel.

I hope you enjoy my attempt below (and if you’re interested in reading more, please see details on a special offer at the end of the post).

To Conquer Pride

Still holding Elizabeth’s hand, Darcy made his way along the avenue that circled the formal gardens. Turning onto a smaller footpath, he continued past polished marbles and neatly trimmed topiaries until he could finally see the high stone wall, covered almost entirely in thick vegetation. Stopping beside the iron gate, Darcy reached into the pocket of his coat, removing a small brass key and twisting it in the lock. The gate squealed open on its hinges, and Darcy stood back, allowing Elizabeth to enter.

Stepping into the enclosed space, he watched her freeze, a small gasp escaping her lips.

Directly at the garden’s center, water from a marble fountain cascaded into a circular pond, producing a soothing murmur, while all around them flowers of every variety blossomed, creating a riot of color. Sunlight filtered through the surrounding trees and the scent of honeysuckle and lavender floated on the breeze. Nestled between the blooms, several stone benches sat on a carpet of bright green grass.

Elizabeth turned in a small circle, her eyes shining. “Your mother’s garden,” she whispered.

Darcy nodded. “Yes. I have wanted to show it to you since you arrived, but there did not seem to be the opportunity […]”

“It is magnificent!”

Darcy smiled at her obvious delight. “I have kept it locked since my mother’s passing. Besides the gardeners, only my sister and I possess the keys.” He paused for a moment. “I have never brought anyone here before.”

Elizabeth turned to face him. “Thank you for showing it to me.”

Settling his palm at the small of her back, Darcy led the way to one of the benches opposite the fountain. He waited for her to sit and then took the spot beside her.

Courtesy BBC

Somewhere in the trees a sparrow called, and another one answered.

Darcy hesitated, collecting his thoughts, before turning to her with a solemn expression. “Elizabeth, there is something I need to say, and I hope you will be kind enough to allow me to express myself without interruption.”

Elizabeth nodded her agreement, and after a moment, Darcy began to speak. “Before I met you, I had always considered myself to be an honorable man. I was raised with good principles by two excellent parents who were very much in love. In fact, seeing their devotion to one another made me understand that I would not be happy in a marriage of unequal affection.”

He paused and the expression on Elizabeth’s face made him believe she saw the sadness he carried.

“But then my mother died, and soon afterwards my father. By the time I reached my majority, the world had become a place where I no longer felt comfortable. I realized that the people who sought my favor saw me only as a commodity. I was highly coveted by women of the ton, but not for who I was. No, it was my position, my standing in society, and my money these women wanted—not me.

“By the time I came to Netherfield with Bingley, I had closed myself off to all but a few trusted friends, certain I would never find a woman who could touch my heart.

“Unfortunately, when I first encountered you at that assembly in Meryton, I did not behave honorably. In fact, it pains me to recall the things I said. I do not know why… but I’d like to think it was because I saw something in you, felt something, and I was afraid. Afraid to let down the carefully constructed walls. Afraid to stand up to my family, who I knew would not approve of the match. Afraid to be hurt. And so, I behaved badly. Not just to you, but to everyone in the neighborhood. I was proud and arrogant and I deserved their censure, and yours. To safeguard my heart, I convinced myself that you were unsuitable, and I fled, hoping to put you out of my mind.

“And it worked, for a time.

“But then I saw you again at Rosings, and I realized I could no longer fight my attraction, and so I offered for you. Dreadfully. Yet in my vanity and conceit, I never doubted that you would accept me.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth, but Darcy held up his hand. He swallowed hard, staring out across the garden. “No. Pray, let me finish.”

“Your rejection of my offer—of me—was one of the lowest moments of my life, but it made me take stock of my imperfections. When you refused me, you spoke of my selfish disdain for the feelings of others, and in that you were correct. I realized when I offered for you, I thought only of my own needs, my own feelings, my own desires. Not yours. I observed myself clearly for the first time, and I did not like what I saw.

“When I left Kent that spring, I did not believe our paths would cross again. Indeed, knowing your feelings for me, I made every effort to see that they did not. Yet I still wished to improve myself. To be a man worthy of your regard, even if your affection was something I could never hope to attain.”

Elizabeth flushed, lowering her lashes. “But we did meet again,” she said softly, and Darcy nodded.

“Yes, by the grace of God, our paths crossed on that cold November day. And over the past nine months I have had the privilege to be once again in your company. To bear witness to your kindness, your intelligence, and your strength… and I have been awed and humbled by the experience.

“So, here we are, and I now know with absolute certainty that we are not equals. You are my superior in every way that matters.” Reaching out, Darcy lifted Elizabeth’s hand, brushing a kiss upon her knuckles before sinking to his knees. “Elizabeth, the love I feel for you defies expression. I love you wholly, without reserve. If you refuse me now, I know that I shall never marry, for there is no other woman who could fill the space in my heart that belongs to you.

“So, I will ask you one last time, the way I should have asked you all those months ago. Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

As Darcy stared up at the woman he loved, tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes. She opened her mouth and then visibly swallowed, offering him a shaky nod.

“Yes?” Darcy whispered, hardly daring to breathe. “You are accepting me?”

Elizabeth nodded, more forcefully this time. “I am accepting you, sir.”

Darcy started to rise, but to his amazement, Elizabeth fell to her knees in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Instinctively, his own arms slipped about her waist, and he pulled her body firmly against his. His eyes began to sting as he hoarsely choked, “Elizabeth, tell me you will never leave.”

“I will never leave.”

His palms traveled up her arms, coming to rest upon her shoulders. He lifted his fingers to caress her cheeks, dipping his chin until their faces were inches apart. Elizabeth’s mouth opened ever so slightly and his heart raced as his lips brushed hers for the first time. He kissed her delicately, reverently. A small sound slipped from her throat, somewhere between a sigh and a moan and Darcy was overcome with the brightest joy. Dear God, how had he lived his entire life without this feeling? He pulled back to gaze into her fine eyes before once again capturing her lips. Her kisses were as sweet as honey and as intoxicating as the strongest drink. Time seemed to slow and then stop altogether, and Darcy was in no hurry to have it start up again.

He wanted the kiss to go on forever, but after several moments he broke away. He knew he had already gone well beyond the bounds of propriety and he did not wish to overwhelm her. After all, they had an entire lifetime to look forward to.

Courtesy BBC

He opened his eyes to find Elizabeth staring up at him, but this time a mischievous smile brightened her expression.

Reaching for her hands, he rose to his feet, pulling her with him. “Is there something you find amusing, Miss Bennet? Most gentlemen do not like to be laughed at when they have just kissed a lady for the first time.”

To her credit, Elizabeth blushed. “Oh, it was not the kiss I found amusing. The kiss was lovely.”

Darcy smiled, exposing deep dimples. “Good. I am pleased to hear it.”

“It was only that I was thinking about everything you said to me here in this garden, and I believe, Mr. Darcy, that is easily the longest speech I have ever heard you utter. Until today, I would have thought such a thing quite impossible.”

Thanks for reading! I hope you felt that Darcy redeemed himself a little bit here. 🙂

Until next time, stay safe and keep reading. 🙂

JA