Oooooh, this was so worth the wait! Thank you!
I love the bit of juggling of apologies and defensiveness and more apologies and explanations on both sides; a bit of gymnastics in the emotions between them, and then finally they were both "bowled over" so to speak! I do hope Darcy's ankle isn't too badly hurt, but it doesn't seem like he minds in the least now, even if it is!
I am surprised that a few others think that Darcy has been too thoughtless, hurting Elizabeth more than she had hurt him, as I do not see that. I believe you have done a great job of evening the playing field. Darcy may have been oblivious to the rumors of Miss Cornish, but it was not intentional, and I imagine that his mind has been so muddled with his feelings for Lizzy and what she feels or does not feel, that he was quite distracted with her dislike, then giving her friendship, flirting, then retracting everything! For much of the time, he has not known where he stands with her, but now he finally does, although she hasn't accept a proposal... yet!
Anyway, forgiveness is a necessary part of any relationship, and after being married 41 years to the same man, I am sure we could not have made it this far if we didn't forgive each other almost every day for something or other. I once was asked if, after all these years, wasn't it boring as we must know what the other was thinking, but you know it doesn't work that way; we misunderstand each other just as easily as anyone else. After all of it, we still adore each other and still have some romance left, too!
Thank you again for your story!!
