She smiled again and rested her forehead against his.“Then I am glad we have an agreement.”
“Do I, Elizabeth?”
“Do you what, my dear?”
“Do I have your heart?”
She pulled her head back from his and met his eyes.“It is less my own every day.”
His lips were on hers in a flash and she was pulled impossibly closer, her heart pounding against his as he ravished her mouth, then made use of their convenient position to place kisses along the column of her neck.
“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered lowly.
Her voice was like fire in his veins and he redoubled his efforts, running his hands along her back as he kissed and licked and nibbled at her skin.“Elizabeth, my love.”He murmured as he kissed her.“I love you so much I cannot contain it.”
Their eyes met for a moment and she said, “Then do not,” and held his head in her hands as she kissed him, her tongue sliding along his lips and making him groan with pleasure.
Neither knew how long they stayed in the garden, but when Elizabeth next looked up, the sky was darkening.
“Fitzwilliam, look.It is nearly dark.”
He pulled away from her long enough to take in his surroundings.He was unsurprised so much time had passed—or uncaring.He did not bother to analyze his feelings.
He could only care about Elizabeth, seated delightfully on his lap, her weight a pleasant pressure on his legs, her arms about his shoulders, her cheeks flushed and lips red from kissing.
“I am going to marry you one day,” he said, looking directly into her eyes.
Her eyes grew round in response, and he placed a quick kiss on the tip of her nose before rising and escorting her back into the parsonage.
Saturday’s Journey to London
Mr.Collinswishedtojoin them on the journey to Hertfordshire, but he did not have a horse to ride alongside and should it rain, there would not be room in the carriage.Charlotte convinced him to give his sermon as planned on Sunday, then when his curate was prepared, he could join them in a few days.
Elizabeth could spare a little pity for him.He had never been out of Lady Catherine’s good graces before, and she knew enough of that great lady to know she would not make it easy on her parson.But Elizabeth could not be anything but relieved that he would not ride in the carriage with them.
They rose early on Saturday and dressed warmly in traveling clothes, then closed their trunks before sitting down for breakfast.Elizabeth bypassed the dining room and went to the kitchen to personally thank Mrs.Hopkins for the basket she had prepared for them.
“You’re that welcome, Miss Bennet.And here’s that receipt, like I promised.”
Elizabeth took it with a smile and tucked it into her pocket.“Mr.Darcy will be pleased to have it.He is very fond of your muffins.”
Mrs.Hopkins blushed.“I’m pleased to hear that.You tell Mr.Darcy he is welcome to them any time he is in Hunsford.”
“I will.”Elizabeth pressed her hand and smiled again, then skipped out of the kitchen, in too good a mood to be sedate.
Soon Darcy’s coach arrived, and they were off to London.The ladies rode in the carriage while Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam rode alongside.
“Do quit mooning over Mr.Darcy, Eliza.You will put me off my breakfast.”
Elizabeth turned sharply from the window—where she had indeed been watching Mr.Darcy—and faced her friend.“I am not mooning!”
Charlotte gave her a doubtful look and reached into the basket for a muffin.Maria giggled in the seat beside her sister and Elizabeth glared at her.
“Wait until your turn comes, Maria,” she teased.
Maria’s eyes widened and she leaned back into the squabs.“I do not know that I wish for a suitor.”
“That is wise, since you do not have one,” said Charlotte before biting into a muffin.
