Stopping, he pressed his lips together and glanced away. Speaking in a low tone, he explained, “You are not alone in having prized possessions from childhood, Elizabeth. Or in owning items worn from constant use that are too comfortable to part with. Honestly, I highly anticipate sitting together as you show me your possessions and recount any memories attached. It is a way to learn more of your heart. Mayhap you have gleaned of my sentimental nature, but you might be surprised to discover just how maudlin I can be. I’ve done my best to hide it, but hopefully, our engagement is too far advanced for this to frighten you away.”
He flashed a grin, knowing the answer to that nonsensical statement, but with a hint of embarrassment and uncertainty in his eyes. In cases such as these, as they both had learned, words were not the best way to reassure.
Slipping her arms around his shoulders, she leaned in to deliver the kiss he was already bending to accept. Expressing her understanding and acceptance through kisses and caresses was not only more enjoyable, but it also conveyed a depth of emotion words never could.
Without any doubt, Darcy received the message loud and clear.
10
Dramatic Interruption
For the hundredth time in the past hour, Lizzy glanced away from the dress she was attempting to sew and peered out the window. A fragment of the main road connecting Netherfield with the thoroughfare leading to London was distantly visible through the trees and shrubs surrounding Longbourn. The sofa positioned by this window had been her favorite spot for years when doing any task that required unobstructed sunlight, yet until a few weeks ago, the fact that the angle afforded a view of the road had not registered as a noteworthy detail. This recent discovery had benefitted her enormously so she could see her beloved’s arrival, providing some ten to fifteen minutes for ensuring she looked her very best. Today the awareness only brought sadness.
Lizzy glanced at the mantel clock. Since the last time she’d checked, the minute hand had inched another whopping two strokes.
It is after ten o’clock, she thought forlornly, so surely he has already left for London.
She was torn between disgust for wasting two hours trying to sew while pathetically riveted to a gap in the trees, and desolation for apparently missing the passing of his carriage during one of those brief minutes she completed a stitch.
As if a flash of horses and the Darcy crest would make me feel any better. What utter nonsense.
Cognizance of her idiotic actions and emotions did not prevent another pitiful sigh, probably the thousandth in the past hour.
“Try not to be too sad, Lizzy. I understand your feelings, but he will only be gone a few days.”
“He said it might be a whole week.” The correction to Jane’s kindly meant consolation burst out as a plaintive whine. Cringing, Lizzy tossed the error-riddled gown into her sewing box. “Sorry, Jane. I am silly, I know. I shall try to exhibit calm restraint, as I know you would if the situation reversed. You would never stare out of a window for hours in the vain hope to glimpse Mr. Bingley’s carriage passing by.”
“Believe that if it helps. I shan’t comment upon the numerous attempts to peer through the miles in the vain attempt to draw Netherfield into focus.” Together they laughed at their joint whimsies instigated by hearts giddy with newfound love.
“I believe it is imprudent to squander the time God has given us in pointless anxiety. As the wise proverb of Solomon instructs, ‘Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.’”
Normally, Mary’s pious lectures stirred nothing but annoyance within Lizzy. Perhaps it was her newfound appreciation for scripture, thanks to William, or maybe it was the truth of the words that pierced her heart. Whatever the root, Lizzy gazed at her sister seriously and nodded. “Thank you, Mary. While I do believe Mrs. Price would scream if I went anywhere near her garden or demanded to make bread, the metaphor is valid. I shall take it to heart.”
“Might I suggest a visit to the Lucases? Kitty heard from Susie Ashe, who heard from Maria Lucas, that Mr. Collins has returned to Hunsford, but Charlotte is staying to help her mother. Lady Lucas has the gout, you know.”
“I think that was an excuse,” Kitty piped up. She sat cross-legged on the floor, teaching her puppy to balance a treat on his nose, attention focused but never so much so that sharing gossip wasn’t possible. “Susie and I saw Lady Lucas buying fabric from the draper yesterday, and she seemed fine to me. I think Charlotte wanted to be away from Mr. Collins and that horrid Lady Catherine. Who can blame her? And it was Mia Putman who heard it from Maria Lucas and told Susie, but I’m sure it is true.”
“However the message passed along, it is good news.” Rising from the sofa, Lizzy pointedly turned her aching back toward the window and stretched until her spine popped. Inserting vigor and positivity into her tone, she said, “The suggestion is a marvelous one, Mary. I haven’t visited with Charlotte as frequently as I should have, I am ashamed to say.”
“I am sure she understands, Lizzy,” Jane said. “Not too long ago she was newly engaged so must know how it is to be centered on one’s betrothed, romance, and future happiness together.”
At this absurd declaration, hilarity erupted. Even Mary joined in, as well as Kitty’s puppy if his spirited yaps counted. Lizzy’s snort blended with a burst of uncontrollable laughter, the emitted sounds not at all ladylike. “Oh Jane! You are simply priceless! Bless your heart.”
Into the bedlam walked the butler. No one noticed until he cleared his throat.
“Pardon the interruption to your entertainment, ladies. Miss Elizabeth, you have a visitor.”
Before Lizzy had no time to run through the possible visitor's list, Mr. Hill stepped aside and in walked Mr. Darcy.
“William!” she exclaimed, shocked despite having done nothing but long for him all morning. They had said their emotional goodbyes last evening, so it had honestly not occurred to her to hope he would pause for a visit.
“Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Bennet flew into the room, from wherever she had been, faster than the speed of light. “How absolutely delightful to see you! Oh my! I am all aflutter! We were not yet expecting guests. I am afraid you just missed breakfast, although I am sure Mrs. Price can prepare something in no time at all. We have fresh biscuits with strawberry jam made not a week ago, and coffee of course, with cream as you like it—”
“Please, do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy hastily interjected when she finally paused for air. Tearing his eyes away from Lizzy, who was literally breathless, he bowed respectfully toward her mother. “I dined well this morning, thank you. I apologize for calling unannounced and unexpected. I am, as you know, departing for a short trip to Town. However, as I approached Longbourn, I felt it my duty to pause and pay my respects, yet again, for your outstanding hospitality these past weeks. I also regretted not asking if you have need of anything from the city, Mrs. Bennet. It would be my greatest honor to acquire anything you may need or want. The same is true, of course, for all of your fine daughters.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy! You are so very kind!” Mrs. Bennet dabbed her teary eyes with her handkerchief. “My Lizzy is the most fortunate of women to have gained the notice of such a great man.”
“Thank you, madam. I judge myself the truly fortunate one. With your permission,” he said, rushing on before another word passed Mrs. Bennet’s parted lips, “may I be granted a moment alone with Miss Elizabeth?”
“Mama.” Jane gently clasped onto her mother’s arm and steered toward the door. “I completely forgot that Mrs. Price wanted our opinion on the marzipan for the wedding cake. Safe travels, Mr. Darcy.” At an added head bob to Kitty and Mary, they suddenly had vital duties elsewhere. In a matter of seconds, Lizzy and Darcy were alone, the women’s voices drifting through the narrow crack in the door from farther and farther down the hallway until they finally faded into silence. Well before the last retreating murmur, Darcy had crossed the room in three long strides and
enfolded her hands in his.
“I could not bear to leave without seeing you—”
“I am so surprised to see you—”
Soft laughter stayed their jumbled confessions. Apparently deciding to forego unnecessary explanations altogether, Darcy bent for a tender kiss. A mere brush of his lips sent a jolt of desire through her body. Instinctively leaning to increase the pressure and parting her lips invitingly, Lizzy released a whining moan when he stepped back a pace.
After drawing a shaky breath, he professed teasingly, “I do not trust myself with you, Miss Bennet. For some bizarre reason, I lose all sense of propriety when kissing you. The gentleman Mr. Darcy vanishes as if he never existed.”
Smiling, he led her to the same sofa she had perched on for close to two hours that morning. “You appear amused, my darling. Then I haven’t disturbed you by dropping in unexpectedly?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. As if I would ever be disturbed to see you, William.”
“Glad to hear it. Honestly, I did not plan to stop. I thought I had convinced myself that our affectionate parting last evening was sufficient to hold me for the days I shall be in London. Alas, as my carriage neared Longbourn, the vision of you here, perhaps yet in your bedclothes, was too tempting. It was quite simply beyond my capability to resist.” Grinning, he reached up and tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear, his fingertips playfully tickling her lobe. Another tingling current cascaded through her until it created butterflies in her belly.
“So,” she stammered, “the stalwart Mr. Darcy confesses to weakness, does he? Unfathomable!”
“Indeed, it is true. Daily, I find my strength and control waning. I am helpless to do anything about it, other than pray for time to defy the laws of physics and bring November the twenty-eighth sooner than normal. It is entirely possible I may lose my mind for wanting you if the next ten days creep by.”
“Oh, the tragedy! A fine mind such as yours, sir, must be protected at all cost. Then I shall increase my prayers. Perhaps with the joint effort, along with Jane and Charles who are likely appealing to the heavens as well, God’s heartstrings will be tugged to perform a small miracle.”
He was still fixated on her ear, which was wreaking havoc with her insides. It didn’t help that his eyes had assumed a dreamy glassiness and were darkening with desire.
Goodness gracious but we are a pathetic pair of romantics.
Attempting a jest, her voice came out as a susurrant mumble. “If you want to know the truth, William, I shall confess my severe weakness, with the warning that it may result in uncontrollable laughter or possibly another round of improper kisses.”
Darcy agreed to take his chances, so Lizzy recounted her morning of staring out the window, eyes drawn as if magnetized to the gap in the trees. He did chuckle and bestowed a kiss. Attempting to keep the kiss light and under control failed spectacularly, Darcy once again calling upon some internal reservoir of fortitude that Lizzy appeared to lack.
“We are quite the pair of hopeless romantics, are we not?”
His gruffly spoken, rhetorical question, echoing her thought just seconds before, brought on a case of giggles. Tension momentarily eased, Darcy roughly cleared his throat and continued in a regulated tone, “I did have another purpose in stopping by, not that kissing your lips isn’t a justifiable reason. This trip to Town was an abrupt decision, and I worried I had not explained the necessity as fully as I ought to have done.”
“You are an important man, my love. I may not yet comprehend the intricacies of your myriad business affairs, and probably never will, but I know it consumes large portions of your time and is necessary. You need never fear I shall be demanding or jealous in this.”
A row of small creases marred his perfect brow, and he squeezed her hands. “I see I was wise to take the time to talk to you, Elizabeth, as there are misconceptions in your kindly meant speech. For one, I have no intention, ever, of placing my business affairs over you, and the family I pray we shall one day have. I am grateful for your willingness to be undemanding. However, if I ever slip into a pattern of ignoring my duties as a husband and father, I insist you bring it to my awareness. Those roles will always be of principal importance to me.”
Her answer was a firm nod and a smile. Pleased with that, Darcy went on. “Secondly, the fact is, my various business concerns, both in London and at Pemberley, consume my time because I have wanted them to. I derive tremendous pleasure from engaging in financial ventures and estate management. I doubt this desire and satisfaction will change, to be honest, only the quantity of time I spend doing it. To be frank, until I met you, I had little else to enjoy in life. Work is a far better alternative to boredom and loneliness than what most men of my station do with their time, trust me.”
The fleeting expression of distaste spoke volumes about his meaning. Lizzy chose to let that topic alone, but she did silently thank God for bringing her a man like Mr. Darcy rather than one of those others he alluded to!
“Once we are married, I will have other activities to bring me pleasure.” The salacious grin now on his face, while raising a blush to her cheeks, was preferable to the grimly pressed lips of a moment ago. “And that brings me to the reason I am making all these annoying journeys. I want our beginning months as husband and wife to be as carefree as possible, Elizabeth. Not that I have tended to travel to London often in the winter, but I am looking even beyond that. With Mr. Daniels’ assistance, I am arranging my various affairs so he will not have to bother me unduly. Unfortunately, just about everything in this era of complicated legalities requires piles of documents to be drafted, signed, notarized, distributed, registered, and on and on. My solicitor and his team are working overtime.”
“And being paid well, I presume.”
“Oh yes.” He laughed, leaning back into the sofa for the first time. Relief and happiness shone in his countenance. He dropped his hand to her knee and caressed it lazily. “Every penny is being earned and willingly paid so I can be alone with you and unfettered from all pressing matters. To state it another way, my love, as terrible as it is to separate during this special period of betrothal, the sacrifice will benefit us later.”
“I cannot argue on any point. And perhaps it will ease your terrible feelings about our separation if I remind that you shall fortuitously miss out on the grand ball the Lucases are holding next Saturday.”
“I realized this morning and did send a note of explanation to Sir William. I promised to try to complete my business in time to drive back, although it is unlikely.” Pausing for a moment, the eyes resting on her face penetrating, he then asked, “You will attend the ball, then?”
She was startled at the question and the odd discord in his voice. “I planned to, with my family and you and Mr. Bingley. Indeed, I was only teasing. I know you like Sir William. We will miss your presence tremendously, of course. Worst of all, I shall be losing my favorite dancing partner. You never miss a step or trample upon my toes. Imagine how mangled I may be when you next see me!”
“So, you shall dance. I see.”
Her efforts to jest had clearly failed. Holding in her giggles, she smiled serenely. “Only with decrepit old gentlemen, like my father, if I can drag him onto the floor. And Mr. Bingley, if I can tear him away from Jane for one dance.” She held up her left hand, wiggling her fingers so that the sunlight sparkled off her engagement ring. “I am an engaged woman. No unattached male dances with a lady he cannot flirt with.”
Her attempt to placate with truth spoken humorously was ineffective. Darcy narrowed his eyes farther, and the muscles in his jaw visibly tightened. Still more amused than concerned, she softened her tone. “You have been to enough Meryton assemblies by now to surely know that none of the men can compete with you. Not a one stirred my interest before meeting you, so how could they now? Rest easy, my love, as you have no cause for jealousy.”
“I believe we establish several weeks ago that I am a possessive man, Elizabeth. Jealousy is a natural reac
tion and I shan’t apologize. Nor do I see it as a weakness, but as a trait any sane man should have when he loves passionately. Additionally, when the woman he loves is beautiful, witty, physically desirable, and near perfection, a sensible man will anticipate jealousy arising frequently.”
She vividly remembered their heated argument in the garden after he observed her playful antics with Matty Beller. That incident recalled her raging jealousy over Caroline Bingley, a woman Lizzy had done her best for the time being to pretend didn’t exist.
Closing her eyes at the uncomfortable memories, she rested her head on his shoulder and curled against his body. Momentarily mystified by the unexpected action, Darcy stiffened slightly but quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around her.
“Forgive me,” she whispered. “I know better than to tease about that. You have nothing to fear, my love. You are the only man I want, now and forever. However, if it distresses you to think of it, I shall not attend the ball. I would miss you too much to enjoy it anyway.”
After a brief silence, he relaxed fully and kissed the top of her head. “It distresses me that I shall miss an opportunity to be at your side, proudly escorting the most beautiful woman in Hertfordshire. My peevishness is from that more than actual jealousy. I want you to go and enjoy yourself, Elizabeth. Just not too much, how about that?”
Answering with a hushed chuckle, she snaked her arms around his waist and nestled deeper into his warm embrace. The feelings of peace and harmony drifted over and through her. Desire, never far away when in the same room with William, simmered under her skin. For the moment, she was content to bask in the love between them. In contented quiet they held each other, the marvelous lulling interlude abruptly shattered when the mantel clock loudly struck the eleven o’clock hour. Darcy jolted into a half rise, which might have toppled Lizzy onto the floor if she hadn’t jumped out of his arms and briskly scooted to the other end of the sofa.