Posted on Thursday, 6 July 2000

A few months after his marriage to Jane Bennet, Mr. Bingley had the fine notion of holding a surprise birthday party for his most excellent friend Fitzwilliam Darcy. There had been such a drastic transformation in the disposition of Mr. Darcy since his return to the Hertfordshire that he had become favorite among the local population. There was not a single invitation, which was not happily received, for everyone knew that Bingley had the talent of holding the most delightful parties in the neighborhood.

Netherfield two weeks later at Mr. Darcy's Birthday Party

Mr. Darcy could not help but feel a great deal of joy at the party held in his honor, for Elizabeth Bennet was among the guests. At every opportunity Mr. Bingley would take sly measures to ensure that she was placed very near Mr. Darcy's person. Indeed, the friendship among the two had blossomed during his stay with the Bingley's, but the there were other deeper feeling to be detailed in the young man's heart. He had made several attempts to renew his proposal, but the words simply refused to come forth from his lips. After her rejection in spring he knew that he had only one more opportunity to ask her consent, any rejection would have to be taken as final. He had to be sure that he had won her heart before applying again.

The guest of honor had opened all his gifts, and was a little startled to find that the one he had most hoped for was not among them. Though he would never be so rude as to let it show, he was very disappointed to find that none of the presents were from Miss Bennet. He was hoping to have something tangible to remind him of her, in the unhappy event that she were to give him a refusal. It did not have to be something grand, anything given to him by her would be sooth his soul.

Once she felt that she had worked up the courage Elizabeth Bennet waited for a moment when Mr. Darcy was alone and approached him.

"Mr. Darcy" said she in a low voice. "You might have wondered why my gift to you was not a with the others".

"It does not matter, Miss Bennet. It is enough that you are here" he replied.

"It is not enough for me though. As I do have a gift, one which I have been saving especially to give to you for some months now." she said as a slight blush warmed her cheeks.

"But you do not appear to have it with you" he stated softly.

"Oh, I do. It is only that it is special to me and of a very personal nature and I wish to share it with you alone."

"I am going to the library, now. meet me there in ten minutes time, so that I may give it to you." with that she quickly turned around and left.

Ten minutes later in the Library

"Miss Bennet?" called the voice of Mr. Darcy as he entered the room.

"Yes, I am here." said she.

"I am all curiousity."

"I must first warn you that many would not consider it appropriate for a young lady to give a man such a gift as you are about to receive from me. You will probably find it quite shocking and may not like it at all."

"Miss Bennet, It does not matter what it is, for I am sure to find great pleasure in any gift given from you" he stated

"Alright then, Mr. Darcy, but first you must close your eyes."

"Close my eyes"? he asked with a slight chuckle."

"Oh, yes. It is most important and you must not peek. That's it. Now step forward, closer, a little closer,"

"Am I ready now, Miss Bennet".

"I think so. Keep your eyes closed. Here is your gift."

With one delicate movement she reached out and slowly placed the sweetest of kisses upon his lips.

"Happy Birthday Mr. Darcy." her entire body trembling as she said it.

He said not a word as he attempted to recover himself.

"You did not like it. It was wrong of me to impose mys-"

"No, no, you are wrong" he stated, finally managing to shake himself of the state of bliss. " You do not know how I have longed for your kiss" he paused for a moment as he was rewarded with a smile from his lady "Indeed, it was the best gift that has ever been given me."

"I am glad that you liked it", her voice still a little shaken as she said it.

"However, I must break every rule of etiquette and be completely gosh in asking you for another gift."

"and that would be?"

"As enticing as your lips are, they alone are not enough to appease me. I will not be satisfied until I have you hand, as well." he said in a tone of mock conceit.

"Mr. Darcy, I would be most happy to honor your request, sir."

"With that their lips met once again, but took much longer to part."

The End.