Darcy watched her go with a smile, desperately hoping her middle initial was R.Heaven help me.
Elizabeth fell back against the bedroom door and fanned her face.What had she been thinking, taunting Mr.Darcy like that?She did not say such things to people—to gentlemen!What had come over her?
But oh, it had been fun!Wickedly fun, and delicious, and dangerous, and oh so daring.
She should not have done it, but she could not wait to taunt Mr.Darcy again.
“Lizzy, where have you been?”asked Kitty.
“Just getting a book from the library.”
“Have you seen Jane?She has been gone with Mr.Bingley an awful long time.Should we go and find her?”
“I think Mr.Bingley may be coming to the point at last,” said Elizabeth.“Let us leave them alone a little longer.”
When a couple found they were marked, things did not progress in the usual way.It was often decided they would marry eventually, as it had been done with Jane and Bingley, before the gentleman had a chance to propose properly.The engagements would be a little longer than usual, and when they felt they were ready, the gentleman would offer an amended proposal.Having never received one, Elizabeth thought it would be something like “Are you ready, dearest?”but she could not know for certain.
She only hoped that wherever she was, Jane was enjoying her time with Mr.Bingley.
Jane was overwhelmed.Mr.Bingley had kissed every inch of her face and neck, and he was currently nuzzling his nose in the fichu she had painstakingly donned to preserve her modesty.She ran her fingers through his hair, encouraging him closer, so overcome with feeling that she did not even stop to wonder at her actions.He was her soulmate.He would be her husband.There could be no wrong between them.
“Dearest Jane, my sweet darling,” he murmured.
“Charles.”Her voice was breathy and quiet, driving the man beside her more than a little mad.
“Jane, marry me, my darling.Marry me soon.I want you with me always.”
She could not think for the way his hands were roaming over her gown, stroking down her hip and over the bare skin of her arms.
“Yes,” she breathed.
He continued kissing her for a few moments before he lifted his head and stared at her.“Did you say yes?”
“Yes.”
“You will marry me soon?Not in three months or six months, but soon?”
“Yes.”She smiled beatifically at him and Bingley let out a great whoop.
Jane laughed at his exuberance.
“I am the happiest man in England!”
She smiled as he straightened her fichu, then looked guiltily at her hair.“I am afraid I do not know how to fix that.”
She felt her head and realized several locks of her hair had come undone from their pins.“Charles!How will I leave this room?Everyone will know what we have been up to.”
He grinned at her wickedly and leaned forward until he could trail kisses up her neck and along her jaw.“You could simply not leave this room,” he whispered.“We could marry this week.”
She breathed heavily, trying to think straight.“As lovely as that sounds, I do not wish for a cloud over my wedding.”She gently pressed her hands against his shoulders, easing him away from her.“I should go.”
Bingley sighed.“You are right.There is a mirror in the corner if you wish to repair your hair.”
Jane put herself to rights in a few minutes, then Bingley peeked out the door to make sure the corridor was empty.“The way is clear.”
She bustled past him, stopping and turning back to give him a quick kiss and a bright smile, then rushed up the stairs, leaving Bingley staring after her with a stupid grin on his face.
Chapter 10
