“You are forgiven, Mr.Darcy, though I do not see what is so surprising about a gentlewoman being able to read in French.It is 1811, you know.Not the 1500s.”
“Of course.The fault is entirely mine.I was not thinking.”
She nodded, wondering why he constantly insulted her when he seemed perfectly polite, if not pleasant, with everyone else.He was even cordial to Miss Bingley!Thinking there was nothing to add to the conversation, she said, “I will go upstairs now.”
As Elizabeth turned away from him and made her way to the stairs, Darcy followed her with his eyes.Something flashed on her back, above the hem of her gown.He looked closer, his eyes squinting, and unthinkingly moved closer.It was a mark!On the left side of her back, beneath her gown.
So excited was he at the knowledge she was marked that he reached out without thinking and touched the edge of her gown.
Elizabeth spun around to face him.“Mr.Darcy!”
He spluttered.
“I don’t know how you do things in Derbyshire, but here, gentlemen do not put their hands on a lady’s person uninvited!”
Darcy flushed.What had he been thinking?He had not been thinking, of course.He said the first thing that came to mind.“You have a soul mark!”
“Yes?”She looked at him in confusion.“It is common knowledge I have a mark, Mr.Darcy, as I have had it since I was thirteen.”
“So you had a marking ceremony?You were not marked before?”
Elizabeth bristled.“That is correct.”
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth.I meant no disrespect.It is just that, I was under the impression that you and your sister Miss Mary were not marked.”
“Mary is not marked, but that was her decision.My other sisters and I are marked.Does that clear it up for you, Mr.Darcy?”
He felt his ears burning under her glare.“Yes, quite.Forgive my clumsiness, Miss Elizabeth.”
She softened a little at his apology and his obvious embarrassment.
“It is forgotten, Mr.Darcy.”
They watched each other in silence for a moment.He looked like he wished to say something, but he did not, so she finally asked, “Why were you grabbing me, anyhow?”
“I wished to see your mark.”He closed his eyes in mortification.Would he never stop saying the wrong thing to this woman?
Her lip quirked slightly.“Why do you want to see it?”
To know if it is a match to mine, he wanted to say, but for once, he maintained control of his tongue.
“I was curious.Forgive me.My actions were unpardonable.”
“I can understand curiosity, Mr.Darcy.It has gotten me into trouble more times than I care to count.”
He smiled ruefully at her and it was her turn to flush.Must this man be so attractive?
She watched him for a moment, then said steadily, as if imparting significant information, “It is a large mark, the largest most have ever seen or heard of.”
“Oh?”He remarked, pleased she was confiding in him.
She raised a brow.“Yes.And intricate, too.”
“Intricate?In what way?”
“That is enough for now, Mr.Darcy.Let us speak no more about what is under my gown.”
She turned and walked up the stairs, her hips swaying temptingly with each step.
