Fitzwilliam, with a soft smile, reached out and touched her face, his warm fingers tracing the outline of her cheek. Elizabeth wondered how his bare skin would feel sliding against hers.
“Must we wait until the end of the summer to marry?” Fitzwilliam whispered.
Did he assume that she could not control her desires until then?If he can, then so can I.“I am looking forward to travelling with the Gardiners. It would disappoint me to give it up.”
“I am not asking you to give up the trip. The settlement will be signed when I return next week, and after the following Sunday, the banns will have been read a third time. What say you to marrying when the Gardiners come to collect you in July? Then we might all travel north together, and when the tour is over, we can return to Pemberley.”
“You would not mind touring with the Gardiners for three weeks?”
“Not at all. We four are well suited. Most couples bring company with them should they take a wedding tour.”
“I hope you are not intimidated by the prospect of total seclusion with only me for occupation and conversation, Mr Darcy.”
“No, Elizabeth,” he said, emphasising her name. “I simply want to marry you and bring you home as soon as possible, and this is the simplest way to accomplish that while pleasing everyone concerned.”
“My mother will wish for more time to shop for my wedding clothes, and she has to plan the wedding breakfast and make the wedding cake.”
“If I imply that this is what I prefer, your mother will move heaven and earth to see that I am satisfied, so long as I marry you.”
Elizabeth agreed, but before she could say more, the door opened, and Jane ran into the room. Jane instantly embraced her and acknowledged with the liveliest emotion that she was the happiest creature in the world.
“’Tis too much!” she added. “By far too much. I do not deserve it.”
Elizabeth’s congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight that words could but poorly express. Fitzwilliam took Jane’s hand and wished her joy with much affection.
“I must go instantly to my mother! He is gone to my father already. Oh, Lizzy! How shall I bear so much happiness?”
Jane then hastened away, while Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam grinned at one another in enjoyment of Jane’s excitement and with ease in knowing that the affair was now settled. Bingley then joined them; his conference with Mr Bennet had apparently been short and to the purpose.
“Where is your sister?”
“With my mother upstairs. She will be down in a moment, I daresay.”
He then shut the door and, coming up to them, claimed the good wishes and affections of a sister and brother. Elizabeth heartily expressed her delight in the prospect of their relationship. Fitzwilliam shook his hand with great cordiality, and then, until Jane returned, they had to listen to all he had to say of his own happiness and of Jane’s perfections.
Mrs Bennet could not give her consent or speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings. When Mr Bennet later joined them, his voice and manner showed how happy he was with this daughter’s engagement.
“You are a good girl,” said Mr Bennet to Jane, “and I have great pleasure in thinkingyourbeing so happily settled. I have no doubt of your doing well together. At leastyourtempers are by no means unlike.” He turned his eyes toward Elizabeth who, for the sake of Jane’s happiness, did not run from the room.
The gentlemen took their leave for the night, and for once, Mr Bennet did not accompany them for the purpose of annoying Elizabeth’s betrothed. Bingley and Jane loitered in the hall while Elizabeth walked outside with Fitzwilliam. When they were alone, he pulled Elizabeth into his arms and held her fast.
“Dearest,” he spoke into her hair, “why do you shy away from me? Will you not speak to me about last night?”
It was not regret that made Elizabeth’s heart race and bring heat to her cheeks; it was the thought of wanting him before she was supposed to.
“I will, but Bingley will be here in a moment. It cannot be done now.” Elizabeth leant into him and rested her head against his chest.
His body lost some of its tension. “Can we speak tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “My mother wishes to discuss my wedding clothes in the morning, and we have an engagement with my aunt Philips in the evening. You need not attend if you do not wish it.”
“Of course I shall attend. Although Mrs Philips might often be a tax on my forbearance, I know you will do all you can to shield me in your own way,” he said with a smile. “I like to think that you do so because you are keen to keep me to yourself.”
That was all too true. “Why do I not walk out early on the morning after, so we can speak alone before you leave for London?”
“I can be outside of your father’s property at sunup.”
“That is likely to be five o’clock in the morning!” How much time would he need to tell her he was ashamed of her, as any respectable man would be, and that any other amorous embraces would have to wait until after they were wed?
