“Me too,” she said, her eyes bright and sparkling. “In fact, my feelings are quite the opposite.”
“Oh, how exciting! That is two engaged to be married, Mr. Bennet!” Mrs. Bennet gushed. “We will soon havethreedaughters married!”
Mr. Bennet, standing tall and strong in a dress shirt and slacks, smiled at his wife. “It does seem like we are quite blessed, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Okay, everyone!” Mayor Pembroke broke in. She wore a satin cherry red corset embellished with iridescent heart-shaped rhinestones. Her dress cascaded in a tulle skirt with LED fairy-light woven into it, giving off a gentle glow. “It’s time for our traditional second-chance slow dance. Those who find themselves back in each other’s orbit, come and share a dance.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Traditional?”
Mayor Pembroke only smiled. “Of course! Traditions have to start somewhere. Now get in there and dance, you two.”
I offered Lizzy my hand. “May I have this dance?”
A soft smile curved on those lovely lips. “I’d love to.”
The lights dimmed, and the music swelled. And in that instant, it was only me and Lizzy swaying across the floor.
“This was beautiful, Darcy,” Lizzy said.
“I’m surprised you told my aunt you wouldn’t refuse my proposal.”
“How did you find out about that?”
“She came and informed me herself. After you refused her, she visited me to make sure I wouldn’t propose to you. Once I heard that you’d turned her down, I—well, it let me hope in a way I hadn’t dared let myself hope in quite some time.”
She brushed her lips across my cheek. “I’m glad you did.”
The warmth of her breath made me pull her a little closer. “I didn’t even ask you if you’re okay with becoming queen?”
“Your aunt may not think me worthy.”
“I think you’re more worthy than any fae queen who has sat on the throne. You are kind, compassionate, and fair. You are the perfect queen. And besides, with the way you stood up to my aunt, I’m not worried at all.”
The bass thumped beneath our feet, lights pulsing in soft Valentine’s Day reds. My hand settled at Lizzy’s waist, guiding her gently through the crowd as if she were the only person in the room.
A clever gleam entered her eyes. She leaned in, her breath brushing my ear, playful and daring—exactly the way she always unsettled me. “That’s another reason you fell for me, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?” I murmured.
“I didn’t pander to you like other girls,” she said, chin lifting with that familiar stubborn spark. “I was a challenge.”
I huffed a small, helpless laugh, my thumb tracing circles against her hip. “You were my game of chess I couldn’t win. But now I willingly admit that I have lost to you. Do be gentle with your king’s heart, because I am completely yours.”
Lizzy curled her fingers into the collar of my shirt, drawing me closer until our foreheads nearly touched, the club noise fading to nothing. “I have finally captured my king.”
The disco lights flashed like confetti around us, and my gaze lowered to her lips with reverence. My heart knocked against her palm, wild and surrendered.
“Checkmate,” I breathed.
Chapter 16
A few Months Later
I took a quick glance beyond the tent door. The people of Austen Heights made their way up the narrow path to the outside church. The smiles on their faces showed their excitement about the upcoming nuptials. I’d offered to pay the cost for any citizen of Austen Heights who wanted to attend the wedding that was being held on our land behind our cabin in Wyoming. I wasn’t quite expecting the entire town to show up, but here we were.
It didn’t matter. It was worth it.
I stepped back into the tent. “People are being seated. It’s about time to start.”
