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[most_ardent]

As was perhaps to be expected in such an environment, Darcy had taken of late to a decidedly more casual manner of dress. He would likely never be comfortable in the brightly-colored, often vulgar modern clothing that the basement bin saw fit to so often provide, but he was satisfied enough with the few articles he had procured from his own time

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[most_ardent]

Darcy felt a momentary pang at having put a pregnant woman out of her own home -- He'd thought only that she might retire to one of the other rooms, not leave the house altogether -- but it was short-lived, as the bang of the door closing seemed to echo.

For a moment, he merely looked at Elizabeth where she stood across the room. He could tell that she understood precisely why he was there, and saw no reason to delay it, even if his own heart was hammering as loud as a bass drum in his ears.

With three long steps he crossed to her, his expression far more open than most anyone had ever witnessed. "Miss Elizabeth," he said, because that was the proper way to begin. "I know that you are too generous to trifle with me. You remarks yesterday have taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love- I love-" His breath hitched. "I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on."