“What is funny?”he asked between kisses.
“I am.I am a ridiculous creature, more ridiculous than I was even at fourteen and I am thoroughly embarrassed at my own thoughts.”
He raised a brow.“Care to share what thoughts have made you so ridiculous?”
She shook her head.“No, sir.I prefer to maintain some dignity in your eyes.”
He looked at her skeptically again.“Are you going to be in the habit of keeping secrets?”
“Perhaps.A lady must maintain some mystery, you know.”
“Hmm.”He held her face in his hands, then, as if he was tasting a very fine wine, he kissed her.Slowly, deeply, until her toes curled and her fingers clung helplessly to his forearms.
“Keep your secrets, my love.I only require your heart.”
Chapter 11
WhenthecarriageleftNetherfield the following morning, Jane and Elizabeth leaned back against the squabs and sighed.
“That’s it!You two have been sighing all morning.What is going on?”cried Kitty.
Jane looked at her sister in surprise.“I told you.Mr.Bingley and I have set a date for the wedding.”
“And he kissed you.Rather a lot if your hair was anything to go by,” said Kitty.
“Catherine Bennet!You should not speak of such things.”
Kitty rolled her eyes.“It is only us, Jane.If you cannot talk to your sisters, who can you speak to?”
“I do not wish to speak of my private activities with Mr.Bingley with anyone,” said Jane.“Not at this time, anyhow.”
Kitty rolled her eyes as Jane looked out the window.“I know why you are sighing, Lizzy.Miss Bingley was an absolute harridan!”
Elizabeth did not correct her and turned her gaze to the window so her sisters would not see her face.
“Jane, I hope she does not live with you and Charles after you are married.She will make your life a misery.”
“She is not so bad,” said Jane.
“She is awful!”cried Kitty.“Truly Jane, you cannot trust her.She will take over your household and drive you mad.”
“I agree with Kitty,” added Elizabeth.
“What?”cried Jane.“I was counting on you to be the voice of reason!”
Elizabeth shrugged.“Miss Bingley is shrewd and self-serving, a terrible combination.And I cannot give you particulars, but I know she has a loose relationship with the truth.”
Jane gasped.“Calling a lady a liar is a serious accusation, Lizzy.Are you sure?”
“She lied to my face, Jane.And I suspect she has lied about me as well.”
“I am not surprised,” said Kitty.“She is jealous that we are the daughters of a gentleman and our family has lived on our land for hundreds of years.Her brother has yet to buy an estate.”
“We should not judge them for that.They cannot help their birth,” said Jane.
“I am not judging them for it, merely saying it is a reason Miss Bingley might be jealous.”
“Kitty may be right,” said Elizabeth.“She is certainly displeased with Hertfordshire and our family in particular.You should be careful with her, Jane.She will not make things easy for you.”
