“My dear, you mistake me. Military campaigns require order and precision. In this case, I rely upon confusion, surprise, anda well-placed ally. If Richard will not ask Anne to marry him, perhaps Phillip’s influence may bring matters forward. In short, my scheme is superior to my aunt’s.”
Elizabeth could not help but laugh, even as she moved to his side.
“You astonish me. The great Mr. Darcy, reduced to matchmaking.”
“Reduced?” Darcy caught her hand and pressed a kiss upon it. “I consider it a promotion. Did I not first succeed on my own account? You and I have already established that I married the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”
Elizabeth leaned into his embrace.
“I see I shall never be rid of your vanity.”
“No, you shall not, Mrs. Darcy,” he whispered, his voice thickening. “Rather, you shall discover what a most devoted lover you have married.”
His lips brushed hers in a gentle caress before claiming her more fully, slow and deliberate, until her heart seemed to beat out of her chest. Her arms wound about his neck as he gathered her close. His hands, strong and sure, held her at the waist, drawing her nearer until she felt the steady beating of his heart.
Elizabeth yielded to his embrace, to the warmth of him, to the press of his body against hers. When at last he lifted his head, his eyes held hers with a look so ardent that her cheeks flushed.
“You undo me, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered.
His smile was at once tender and possessive.
“And you undo me, Elizabeth. No man was ever so blessed.”
He drew her down beside him, their laughter mingling with whispers and sighs as time slipped by unheeded. The cares of the household, the schemes of relations, the weight of family expectation, all were forgotten in that private world where there was only husband and wife, lover and beloved.
In the early hours of the following morning, Darcy woke, troubled. His thoughts were on the dinner conversation between Lady Helen and Abby. He wished to tell Elizabeth about his mother and her charge that he wed a woman of consequence, but he did not. He had almost lost Elizabeth once for admitting his reservations on this very point. What would it do to her now if he confessed that he had chosen the wrong woman? Had he paid attention to the introductions that night, he would have made a match equal in rank, but instead, he had fallen headlong for Elizabeth, and now he was unequally matched.
He realized he must keep this revelation to himself. But would he be able to? And if so, for how long would he keep this secret? Would this eventually act as a wedge between them?
Chapter 79: Phillip
Jane and Charles were in the front hall preparing to leave.
“Let me help you.” Elizabeth moved to her sister’s side and helped her on with her pelisse.
“Thank you for bringing the Stantons to Pemberley, Jane. I wish you and I could have had a longer visit. I have missed you.”
“We must plan a visit soon, Lizzy, but in the meantime, we will write often.”
Elizabeth leaned in close.
“My best wishes for Caroline.”
Later that morning, Elizabeth and her guests drove into Lambton to shop.
Georgiana was curious. “What brings us to Lambton today, Lizzy? I thought you did not like to shop.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I do not dislike all shopping, my dear. I received notice from the bookshop thatThe Romance of the Foresthas arrived, and I mean to look for another book besides, so we will have something to read on the journey to the Lakes.”
“Will we have time to stop at the confectioner’s? I wish for an éclair and madeleines.”
“Yes, we will take a blanket and sit under the chestnuts and enjoy our pastries.”
They walked from shop to shop in twos and threes, with Lady Helen inviting Abby to walk with her.
Elizabeth smiled at her quiet friend. “Anise, when does Michael take you to London for your Season?”
Anise wrinkled her nose. “Never, if I had my way.” She turned to Elizabeth. “I have told Mamma I do not wish for a Season. If I must marry, I prefer a gentleman farmer who lives a simple, uncomplicated life, without pomp and show, who would rather sit quietly at home in the evening and read a book while I play the pianoforte.”
