“I doubt that very much,” she replied readily, “since you have not even kissed me yet.”
“I will be more than happy to oblige,” he replied, bending to plant a kiss on the slant of her neck, just under her ear. He was gratified to see the little shiver she gave in response. It encouraged him to move his lips further, sliding them along the hard line of bone until they reached the soft base. He could feel the fast thud of her pulse in the hollow of her throat.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, breathlessly. “We had better stop.”
She was right. He raised his head reluctantly and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.
“We will continue another time,” he said, with a lazy smile. “We will have all the time in the world.”
“My father will be arriving soon,” she said. “What will you tell him?”
“That is why I wanted to speak to you, before more … pressing matters intervened.”
She smiled mischievously. “I asked for a kiss. You gave me—something else.”
His gaze followed the line of her neck. He was sorely tempted to go to the door and close it, but, fortunately, common sense prevailed. Therewerethings they needed to discuss, and decisions to be made.
“Much as I would like to spend the day otherwise, we need to reach some agreement on what we intend to do next.”
“Then it might be more comfortable if we sit down,” she remarked.
“I do not know if you have given it any thought, yet, but I have no idea how strongly you feel about having a large wedding. Personally, I think, under the circumstances, that the sooner we marry, the better. My cousin, Colonel Fitwilliam, has informedme of a betting frenzy in the club after the events in Green Park. It is important to put an end to the gossip as quickly as possible.”
“I thought you were inclined to give them something to gossip about,” she said. “At least, that is what it seemed like yesterday.”
“I have been rightly chastised by your uncle for that. Let us just say, I was lost in the moment and leave it there.”
Elizabeth’s mouth twisted with indecision. “Rushing the wedding may give rise to a different type of rumor.”
“I agree, but on the whole, I believe it might be better to have everything over and done with.” He paused and cleared his throat. “There is also the matter of my relations. I know you were displeased when I mentioned them in my earlier proposal, but it is an indisputable fact that they will make their displeasure very clear. I would prefer us to deal with them together, after we are married. If we give them half a chance now, who knows how far they will stoop to put a stop to the wedding.”
Elizabeth nodded but looked troubled. “I would have liked to marry in Longbourn,” she said. “Among the people who know me.”
Darcy looked at her tenderly. “Think about it. There is still time. I will have everything ready, and then we can decide what will be best. I will not push you to marry quickly if you would rather not do so. Your happiness is all that matters to me, my dearest Elizabeth.”
The clatter of a carriage followed by a knock on the door brought the conversation to an end. Elizabeth went to the window.
“It is Papa. He is here,” she said, gravely, curling her fingers into his coat and giving him a quick kiss. “You had better go. I wish you luck!”
“Thank you,” he said, his stomach knotting.
What would he do if Mr. Bennet refused to give his permission?
Mr. Bennet arrived as predicted, just before noon. He was closeted with Mr. Darcy for almost an hour, after which he came to speak to Elizabeth.
“I have spoken extensively to Mr. Darcy. I see two advantages for you in marrying him. He has more than one carriage, and he is in love with you.”
Elizabeth, who had been waiting anxiously to hear her father’s verdict, did not know whether to be relieved, or annoyed that her father was being so nonchalant about her future.
“Papa, please, I beg you to be serious.”
“I am being serious. Come, Lizzy, surely you know me well enough. This is not easy for me. To part with my only sensibledaughter. To have you live far away. Let us just say, I was not prepared for this.”
“Oh, Papa!” she said. It struck her now that her whole life was about to change, and she was leaving everyone behind.
“I will recover soon enough. You know, I would not have parted with you if you were not in love. I came prepared to refuse Mr. Darcy my permission. I was worried that the fear of scandal would lead you to do something that would bring you nothing but unhappiness.”
“That was what I thought myself at first. That is why I refused Mr. Darcy’s – William’s offer.” She blushed as she said his first name in public for the first time. “However, I am now absolutely certain that he and I were drawn together by the hand of fate, and that he is the right person for me.”
