The door between the two rooms was unlocked. She had checked it earlier. She slipped out of bed, wrapped herself with a woolen shawl, and walked over to the door. The fire was already out, and, despite the carpet, the cold seeped into her feet and up her legs under the long nightgown. She knocked softly. There was no reason she should not open the door, but Darcy was entitled to his privacy, and she did not want to intrude.
“Come in.”
Darcy was standing in the middle of the bedchamber, his cravat thrown onto the floor, his white shirt open. Elizabeth immediately forgot everything she wanted to say and walked over to him.
He regarded her warily as she approached.
“Elizabeth.”
He might as well have told her to stop, judging by the tone of his voice.
“Darcy.” She smiled. He was scowling in the most forbidding manner. Still, she could not help advancing towards him. She wanted to touch him. Sheneededhis touch. She wanted him to assure her that all would be well.
She slid her hand under his shirt to the warm skin on his chest. His heart was beating against her fingers. It was beating fast, echoing her own.
Yet he remained unyielding, the stance of his body telling her she was unwelcome.
“I am feeling cold, Darcy. May I come under the sheets with you and get warm?”
He breathed in deeply, a shuddering breath that did not tell her anything.
“I am weary, Elizabeth. I have been working magic all day, and my energy is depleted.”
“Just for a few minutes. I just want to feel your arms around me.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. It hurt even to imagine him turning her away. She could not take more rejection.
He must have seen her distress, because his gaze softened. He reached out and touched the corner of her eye with infinite gentleness.
“Come,” he said. “You can lie in my bed, and you can tell me what is troubling you.”
Chapter 5
When Darcy returnedthe next day from a long stint at the Prince Regent’s residence, Carlton House, Darcy’s valet Evans had a message for him. It was a request from Matlock to stop by the library when he returned.
Much as he would have preferred to sink into bed and consign Matlock to the devil, he knew Matlock did notrequestmeetings. He issued summons, and woe betide anyone who did not obey them. He was like his sister, Lady Catherine. It would be unwise for Darcy to provoke him, especially since he needed his help.
