“When the music changes, only the worst dullard continues to step to the old rhythm.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Youarea fine dancer.” She sat up and raised a finger. “Another person can often see us more clearly than we can ourselves. A single overheard conversation might grant more knowledge of the self than the greatest exertion to examine one’s own soul. Perhaps a wise person would allow someone who can see better than they themselves to choose in such a case for them.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “You delight in being contrary.”
“You adore me for such.”
“The solution to your conundrum is whatyoupreached to me. We must have the liberty between us to converse upon any subject. But the person principally involved makes their own decisionafterdue consideration of their mate’s opinions. The danger of the opposite is greater.”
“Conversation prior to decision? That is a plan to reduce the deleterious effects of passion upon the reason which I wholly approve of.”
Mrs. Bennet stood, the multicolored threads from her embroidery dangling down. “You make love in such a roundabout manner. Both of you. Not nearly loverlike enough for my taste. Passion. Lord! I showed more passion as agirl,” she added, in a sly voice, with a wink at the two of them. “I must look in on the cook. An important matter I just recalled, and which cannot wait, and which will keep me away forat leasthalf of an hour.”
Mrs. Bennet left the drawing room, securely shutting the door behind her.
The two looked at each other, bright shining eyes flickering between each other’s eyes and lips. In a moment Elizabeth was on Darcy’s lap, passionately kissing him. They clearly had hermother’ssupport for these liberties, though Elizabeth had no intention allowing matters to progress so far asherparents had before their marriage. Darcy’s hand gripped her hips, holding her body against him, and she played her fingers over his neck, his cheeks, and stroked them through his thick hair. He moaned in appreciation.
“I had thought,” Elizabeth murmured into Darcy’s vest once they slowed their impassioned kisses, “thatIwas a lax chaperone before Jane and Bingley married. I would quite happily look the other direction.”
Darcy squeezed her head against his chest. He smelled warm and tasty.
“I am delighted I need never worry about being principally responsible foryourwelfare. You are my equal in sense and my superior in wisdom.”
Elizabeth kissed Darcy for such a speech.
“Only a little my superior in wisdom,” he added once her lips pulled away. He grinned. “You have an ample reserve of foolishness as well.”
“Horrible to say!”
“It is a good thing, if you would always be the wise one, you would grow frustrated with my fallibility in time, and I would not enjoy always being the foolish one. This way we both have ample opportunities to tease the other.”
“Thatreasoningismuch to my own liking.”
Darcy inclined his head to hers, and they pressed their lips together again.
Darcy said, “I was too arrogant — I did not even consider that Georgiana might choose for herself soon as she reached her majority.”
Elizabeth pushed Darcy’s shoulder. “Arrogant nitwit,” she said fondly.
“I am your arrogant nitwit.”
“Mine.”
They kissed softly.
Darcy squeezed an arm around Elizabeth and pulled her close. “Maybe Peake is right that I should focus on investments in businesses and paper instead of additional land—”
“That was what was on your mind as we kissed?” Elizabeth giggled, as Darcy protested. “Has he been seeking to convince you to also invest in Gardiner and Peake? Naughty boy.”
Darcy shook his head laughingly. “Quite the opposite in fact. He thinks I ought to make investments in companies that have nothing to do with him, and in government paper. He argues that there is less risk involved when your wealth is spread among a wider set of sources of income. Land prices and rents can rise shockingly and then fall with suddenness, but so long as the government can be trusted, income from Consols will remain.”
“You plan for us to have perpetual bonds?”
“A pun! From you!”
Elizabeth blushed.
“I shall enjoyconsolations of married life.”
