He leaned toward her. “You are lovely, Elizabeth. You are truly the handsomest woman of my acquaintance.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
He handed her into his carriage. “To Longbourn, Peter.”
Seated beside her, he cleared his throat. “Mrs. Darcy, at the risk of embarrassment, I wish to speak of the stipulations you placed on our marriage.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Your father said you expressed a wish to know me better before I visit your bed.”
She flushed. “Yes, Mr. Darcy, that was my stipulation.”
“Mrs. Darcy, do you know how long it will take you to know me better?”
She hesitated. “Mr. Darcy, my aunt Gardiner advised me not to delay too long, lest I tempt you to seek solace elsewhere.”
His brows rose, and he suppressed a grin, but he said nothing.
“I was hoping you would give me two months to know you better before you visit my bed. Will that be too long, sir?”
He smiled wryly. “No, Mrs. Darcy, I think two months is entirely reasonable. We must spend time together each day, so that youmay know me well enough to look forward to my visit with pleasure rather than dread.”
She choked. “Sir, you speak very candidly.”
“Yes, I did say it might cause us both embarrassment. But would it not be far more comfortable for you to know what to expect than to lie awake each night wondering if I intend to come through the connecting door?”
She covered her eyes. “Yes, I suppose so.”
His eyes were smiling again. “You suppose so?”
“I meant, yes, it is more comfortable to know what to expect.”
“Very well, Mrs. Darcy. Today is the tenth of July. Two months from now will be the tenth of September. You have the rest of the summer to enjoy yourself as a maiden. You need not fear that I will be unfaithful to my vows nor come to you before time.”
She sat silent, and as he regarded her face, he saw her cheeks flame hot.
Gathering her courage, she spoke. “Mr. Darcy, at the risk of displeasing you, may I ask something of a personal nature?”
“Of course. What do you wish to know?”
She lifted her eyes to his for only an instant before dropping them again to her folded hands. The question cost her an effort. “Do you have a mistress who lives near Pemberley? Someone I might encounter by chance, in the village or at church?”
His brows rose, and a faint color touched his face as he considered her question. Seeing her head bowed and her expression flushed with embarrassment, his manner softened.
“My dear Elizabeth,” he said gently, “you need never fear that a question of yours will offend me. I would rather you speak plainly than suffer in silence.” There was warmth, even amusement, in his eyes. “I am happy to assure you that I have no mistress at Pemberley, nor anywhere else. In truth, I have never had one.”
Her fingers tightened together, though she did not yet look up.
“My father disapproved of such arrangements. He warned of the risks of a disease that was cutting down our young men, and he would not have me risk it. More than that, it never suited my inclinations.”
He reached for her hand, drawing her attention back to him. “You may be certain, Elizabeth, that I intend to be faithful to my vows, in every sense of the word.”
Only then did she lift her eyes, relief and gratitude mingling in her expression, and she found that the fear she had felt before was no longer present.
Her eyes were still fixed on her hands. “Thank you, sir, for your frank reply.”
“I see we are nearing your father’s home. Do you have any other questions before we arrive?”
