The warmth of Darcy’s gaze when he looked at his sister lit Elizabeth’s heart. When he turned his eyes on her, his heat melted any reservations she had left over from their early acquaintance. He burned for her as she did for him.
The hour was late.Pemberley was finally quiet.
Darcy sipped the cognac he brought from London. Stretching out his leg, he rubbed at the flesh around his knee. He should not have volunteered to give Elizabeth and the Gardiners a private tour of the family areas of the house. He was suffering for his lack of modesty. Mrs. Reynolds was ready to take his place, but he wanted to show Elizabeth the best that Pemberley had to offer.
What a day it had been. Despite the sunlight breaking over a glorious Derbyshire summer morning, Darcy’s attitude wasdismal. Then, a miracle happened. Elizabeth arrived, bringing with her happiness and joy.
Rubbing his hand over his mouth, he worried that events moved too quickly throughout the day and that she was overwhelmed. He loved her with his whole heart. Could she possibly love him in return?Or could she be fearful of asking him to wait? To court her properly instead of being rushed by the pressure of his family and hers to accept him prematurely?
“Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth walked confidently into the room. “Why are you not sleeping?”
“I could ask the same of you.”
“You could, of course.”
He struggled to stand.
“No, stay, please. I shall sit next to you if you do not mind.”
He continued to rise, using one of his canes and the arm of the chair. “I do mind. If I sit for too long, my leg gets stiff and too painful to move. If I am to stroll in the rose garden like Georgiana suggested, then I need strength and flexibility to be mobile.”
When she stood in front of him, he placed one hand on her shoulder. Resting the cane against the chair, he put his free hand on the other side.
“My cousin interrupted us earlier.”
“He did.” She looked up at him expectantly. “You asked me if, during all the months since Kent, ever I thought of you. As you know, yes, I did. Constantly.”
He gently brushed the side of her neck with his thumb. “Do you have anything you would like to ask of me?”
“I do. I was wondering how Mrs. Reynolds knew about me and why she was in a hurry to bring me to you.”
He eased. This was a question he had no difficulty answering.
“As Richard mentioned during dinner, I dreamt of you. If you could imagine my aunt Catherine’s reaction when she heard merepeat your name while recovering at Rosings, then you would know why you heard nothing of my illness. You see, she feared that my attachment to you would prevent me from offering marriage to my cousin, Anne. Therefore, she paid out large sums to guarantee that no one, not even her ridiculous clergyman, who was married to your friend, Mrs. Collins, would know the true state of my affairs. During the second week of my fever, she coerced her quack of a doctor to give me too much laudanum, enough to render me insensible. Richard happened to overhear her plans to bring in an unethical clergyman to marry me to her daughter while unconscious. Before an hour passed, he had carried me to my coach so we could leave for London. I owe Richard everything.”
“As do I.”
“By the time we arrived at Darcy House, my fever worsened. My housekeeper there, Mrs. Davis, wisely removed the servants from the family wing so that no one heard me pleading for you. Unbeknownst to me, she wrote to Mrs. Reynolds, asking what could be done to find this Elizabeth. Since your given name is not particularly uncommon, Pemberley’s housekeeper had no idea to whom I referred. It was not until later that Mrs. Davis asked Richard. From then on, they both were on the lookout for one Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Reynolds probably hired an express rider to send a note to Mrs. Davis that you had finally been found.”
“I am deeply saddened that you suffered so much, Fitzwilliam. At the same time, it is a lovely tale that I shall never forget.”
“Elizabeth, I apologize for the scene with Miss Bingley today. My error was ignoring her complaints against you in Hertfordshire. As a gentleman, I should have spoken up for you. Bingley did, you know.”
Her shoulders tensed. “Why did you refrain, if I might ask?”
He sighed. “The truth is that I already felt the danger of you. Had I suddenly started defending you, she would have known. I did slip and confess that I thought you had fine eyes and a beautiful face. The teasing after was relentless.”
“I see. So…you like my eyes?” Her lashes fluttered.
“I think I pretty much like everything about you, my dear lady.”
The rosy hue of her cheeks served to brighten his favorite features. “I thank you, sir.” Rubbing her hand up and down his forearm, she asked, “To be fair, do you have any questions for me?”
“I do.” He took a moment to formulate his words. “Do you think you could love a man who may never be able to dance or ride or climb Mam Tor or Kinder Scout?”
“I do.” Her hands moved in the other direction until they were atop his shoulders. When her fingers brushed the back of his neck, he feared his knees would no longer hold him.
“Do you love me now?”
