She tilted her head to look at him, amused. “Cricket?”
“Why not? Do you have any objection to cricket?”
“Not at all. I do not have much exposure to the game, apart from seeing children playing on the village green, but I am sure I will enjoy it, especially if you are with me. Though I warn you I will be asking questions.”
“I will be happy to answer them.”
He was buoyed up by the light in her eyes. It might seem like a forlorn hope right now, but who knew what the future might hold? He had never imagined when he joined the Council that his desire to reinstate Elizabeth as his Janus Mage would come into fruition so quickly. Everything was possible.
Which reminded him of the reason he was here. “I came because I have a surprise for you.”
Elizabeth looked towards Bingley.
“No, not about Bingley. About us.” He took hold of her hands. “I have talked to the Council, and they have allowed us to train together again. At least until Redmond makes an appearance.Ifhe does.”
“Finally! I scarcely believe it!” Elizabeth’s eyes glowed. “You accomplished it that quickly? If I had known, I would have pushed you to join the Council myself.”
She laughed and flung her arms around his neck. He took hold of her by the waist and swung her around in a circle.
“So when do we start training? This afternoon?”
“I am working with my apprentices today. The timetables are fixed. But we can start tomorrow morning.”
“I hope you do not expect me to wake up at half past six again. I have grown indolent, and I am no longer used to waking up when it is still dark.”
“Then you will have to change your habits. We will be going back to our original training.”
“Very well, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. If that is what you wish.” The purr in her voice vibrated through every bone in his body.
“You know I wish it more than anything.” His voice was a rough whisper, full of need. He no longer knew what wish he was referring to. All he knew was that he had to control the impulse to throw all caution to the wind.
He forced his mind back to practical matters. “I need to accompany Bingley to the Healer’s Hall before my lesson. I will see you tomorrow then. Bright and early.”
She groaned. “I bow to the inevitable.”
“Iam the inevitable.” He gave an exaggerated smirk.
Her eyes danced. “Never! Does your arrogance have no bounds?”
The playful quirk of her lips made his heart quiver, and an intense longing to stay with her gripped him. But even if he wanted to, he could not. He had responsibilities. He turned to his friend, only to realize with horror that Bingley was no longer there.
“Where did he go?”
He must have left while Darcy was preoccupied with Elizabeth. He assured himself there was no need to panic. Bingley could not have gone far. Darcy was about to give chase, when Elizabeth put a finger to her lips and looked towards the bed.
He blinked in confusion. Was that an invitation? Was she taking advantage of Bingley’s absence? “Elizabeth, I cannot. I have to find Bingley.”
For the second time that day, his face grew red as he realized his folly. It was not an invitation. Bingley was lying on Elizabeth’s bed, fast asleep.
***
THE NEXT MORNING, WHENDarcy stepped into the practice room, Elizabeth was not there yet. He chuckled to himself. She really did not like waking up early. He would probably have to compromise if they intended to train together regularly. He was at his best this time of the day, but he could always practice alone until she arrived.
He decided to work on a spell as he waited, but quickly gave up. He would never admit it to her, but he was nervous. A small part of him whispered that the rumors could be true. He was taking a chance. He trusted Elizabeth, absolutely, but her type of magic was unusual. He could not predict how it would work, and that made him anxious. He had to depend on his faith in her abilities.
It was a leap into the unknown, no doubt about it, but a leap he needed to take. He could not function alone as a Janus Mage, and if Redmond was under the protection of Lady Alice and refused to cooperate, then his hands were tied. Besides he had entered an arranged marriage with Elizabeth for one reason. They weresupposedto Bond.
The idea both thrilled him and terrified him, and it should not have done either. There was nothing emotional about Bonding. It was not an intimate act. He had Bonded for years with Cuthbert, and he had always thought of it simply as a way of combining the magic of two mages to enhance their abilities and make them both stronger. With Elizabeth, Darcy was entering uncharted territory. Their love made everything more intense, and he was not sure what the practical implications would be.
