“I am the worst of fools!”
To his surprise, Elizabeth began to laugh. He lifted his eyes. Her hands, one still clutching the crushed flowers, were pressed to her mouth, but she could not suppress the sound. Mirth overtook her.
“If I do not laugh, I shall weep!” she exclaimed. “The one time I judged someone unfairly, and it caused such chaos. What a tangled mess!” She came and seated herself beside him, as they once had on Oakham Mount.
“I cannot entirely excuse your behavior, however understandable it was. It was Mr. Bingley who helped me piece together what may have occurred. I admit to being furious that you had not come to me for an explanation—that you thought so little of my character, or my regard, to believe me capable of such duplicity. It was badly done, sir.”
“I am sorry.” He reached out and placed a hand over hers. The one holding the flowers now rested in her lap. The blooms were limp, their petals rumpled by their careless handling. “Will you forgive me?”
His eyes sought hers, hesitant but hopeful. The hand in her lap rose and cupped his cheek, her thumb lightly tracing the edge of the mark upon his face.
“Yes.”
One simple word, and his heart soared. “Truly?” he asked, clearly astonished.
“Well,” she said with a grin, her fine eyes twinkling merrily. “I suppose I shall require you to find the golden fleece first—or perhaps slay a gorgon.”
Darcy laughed. “The first I cannot help with, but I fear there is a gorgon who must be dealt with ere long.” Thoughts of his aunt clouded his mind, and he frowned.
“You mean Lady Catherine, do you not? I could scarce believe a woman would speak so of her own daughter and nephew. How can you endure it?” She huffed, withdrawing her hand to her lap. “Miss de Bourgh seems a lovely woman. It is a shame so few men cannot see beyond her outward features.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam has expressed a desire to pursue our cousin’s hand. I wish him success and will support him. Anne has been made to suffer far too long…she deserves joy.”
They fell silent, both staring out across the little meadow. The early bluebells were few, which made their scattered blooms all the more dear. The song of birds surrounded them, joined now and then by chatter of some unseen creature.
A few minutes later, a doe and her fawn stepped delicately into view, ambling through the grass. Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath but otherwise remained silent. When the pair had passed, she turned to Darcy.
“I have never been so close to a living deer before. Longbourn’s woods are not large—I do not believe there are many there.”
“I am pleased to have shared this event with you.” Darcy turned toward her and squeezed her hand as it rested on the log. “Is it too much to ask that we begin where we left off—only now with a clearer understanding and a promise that I shall reform my pig-headed ways entirely?”
She smiled, just as he had hoped. “It is not too much to ask. Perhaps we might renew our morning walks. Does your aunt lay claim to much of your time while you are at Rosings?” Her foot scuffed the earth in front of them, stirring memories of Oakham Mount.
“I attend to estate affairs in the afternoons,” he replied. “My mornings are my own. My aunt believes I am inspecting tenant cottages. I do so on occasion but not every day.”
“Then there is time for a morning stroll. I am pleased.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “Will your cousin be joining us? I liked him very much.” The twinkle in her eye left no doubt she meant to tease, and he responded by adopting an air of mock offense.
“Better than me? I am wounded! Dear Elizabeth, must I challenge my cousin to a duel for your hand?”
“Never! Besides, I have lately learned the good colonel’s affections lie elsewhere. My poor heart shall bear the loss—it is full of another anyhow.” The fondness in her gaze made his heart falter.
He longed to speak, to fall to one knee and beg her to become his wife.It is too soon,he reasoned.Ten days past, she likely despised me.Instead, he cleared his throat.
“Bingley is to marry your sister. Miss Bingley will be delighted to learn her dearest wish will be fulfilled—that her brother wed a gentlewoman.”
“Yes, I can well imagine her exclamations of joy.” Elizabeth shook her head. Several strands had fallen from her pins and now brushed against her cheeks. She pulled her hand from beneath his and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I believe Miss Bingley had higher hopes for her brother.” One brow arched in silent amusement, and she gave him that impertinent look he so adored.
“Do not you mean to say she hoped for more for herself?” She smiled and took his hand again.
“Miss Bingley believed proximity would compel me to propose—that my want of good looks would make me desperate for any woman who would accept me. She did not perceive that others had tried the same approach over the years. Her disapprobation was always evident; thus, her motives were never selfless. Unfortunately, for these disingenuous women, however, my mother impressed upon me the importance of finding one who could see beyond outward appearance.” He paused, his gaze fixed on hers.How I love her.
“I never truly understood what my mother meant—until I met you. My dearest Elizabeth, never have you shuddered at the sight of my face. Never have you treated me as though I had carried some affliction. You, my darling, are the rarest of treasures—and I love you.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Without thinking, he drew her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her trembling fingers—his own eyes stinging, overwhelmed by the gift she had given him with one simple word.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
The flowers in her lap forgotten, she reached up once more, her fingers tracing the vivid mark that had brought him such torment. Darcy tilted his head and lowered his lips to capture hers. The kiss was tender, their soft lips suffused with longingand the unspoken promise of future happiness. When he drew back, he regretted it at once.
