She stopped walking and looked at him intently. “So you . . . you have never . . .?”
He could hardly believe they were having this conversation. It was likely to be discussed, but he had not thought it would take place five minutes after they became engaged. Darcy shook his head.
Rather than appearing mortified by the topic, Elizabeth was looking at him as though she thought him the finest man in the world. “I have not had any intrigues either.” Her eyes dwelt on his with an ardour he had been unused to behold. “I hardly think it an intrigue or an indication of loose morals if... if said lapse is with the person you intend to marry.”
The idle thought of what Elizabeth might be like as a lover had certainly crossed his mind, but the idea that she was aching to begin stole his breath.Could I take Elizabeth to my bed without every guest and servant at Pemberley learning of it in the morning?
“You were not silent when I asked if you loved me,” she saidarchly. “Has my boldness silenced you now? Shall we pretend it all unsaid?”
Her natural, very frank manner produced in him a satisfying, delighted feeling. “Oh, no. In fact, whenever we are certain to have absolute privacy, you ought to tell me every bold thought and secret wish you have. But we must be circumspect, especially as our friends do not know of our engagement.”
“How annoying for us both for you to be so sensible and conscious of propriety,” she said teasingly as she resumed walking.
“When do you want to tell them?”
“I could run down this hill crying it out at the top of my lungs, but I also would not mind time to enjoy my newfound happiness before we share it.”
Darcy saw the wisdom of it and agreed to wait another day or two. His own mind was now relieved from a heavy weight of uncertainty, and after quiet reflection, and perhaps more time in private with Elizabeth, he would be able to speak of his engagement with tolerable composure. Everything felt too recent to be shared. “We still ought to write to your father tomorrow,” he said.
“I can tell him how much I have come to esteem and admire you since my mother told him how shockingly rude you were on our first meeting. I will assure him that I can be happy with a man who thought me not handsome enough to dance with.”
He resigned himself to being laughed at with a rueful smile and a quiet apology.
“I know you have much to occupy you,” she said when they rounded Thorpe Cloud and made their descent, the river in sight again, “but areyouhappy, my dear Darcy?”
“I would be happier if you gave me my name when we are alone,” he said, and she nodded whilst a grin threatened to pull at her lips. “I am happy. And I hope thrice happy shall we be in three weeks.”
“So soon?” Elizabeth laughed and put her arm through his and tugged him closer. “I do want to return to Hertfordshire first, to part from my parents. You are eager considering how long it felt waiting for you to come to the point.”
“Perhaps four or five weeks, then, so you have time to travelhome,” he said stiffly, “but I see no reason for a long engagement, do you?”
Elizabeth tilted her head to look directly at him. “Fitzwilliam?” Her voice sounded heavy, as though his name itself was weighty on her lips. His heart was now pounding a little too fast. “I am as eager to marry as you are.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Have you enjoyed your day at Dovedale, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth was seated next to Miss Darcy and had been in pleasant conversation with her as they finished their picnic under the shade of the alder trees skirting the river. Hester went to a small hill to sketch, Mrs Annesley was reading, and Darcy and his cousin were fishing. She could hear them muttering to themselves about grayling and trout, but their baskets were empty.
She could not keep her eyes from admiring the brother when she answered the sister. “My happiness certainly has been promoted by the excursion.”
Darcy must have felt her attention; he turned from the water to give her a smile. His features in general were under control, but she knew now that they could be expressive of deep feeling when moved by his emotions. A rush of heat passed through her at the thought of his words, his look, the feeling of his being pressed against her. There had been unparalleled tenderness in all of Darcy’s actions towards her today, but she felt that tenderness was only a breath away from an unconquerable passion.
She turned from Miss Darcy as a joyful grin threatened to burstfrom her lips. She had only secured his affections two hours ago, but now that they had admitted to every feeling, she was eager to embrace him as a lover.Darcy had admitted to never having one before, but he had not shied away when she suggested it was not too early for them to begin.
She was certain she would never forget the look in his eye when he bent to kiss her, the way he wrapped his arms around her. She had felt the heat of him, the barely contained strength, when he held her against him on Thorpe Cloud. She wanted to see all that strength without any clothes covering it up.
“I hope this is not your last visit to Pemberley,” Miss Darcy went on, and Elizabeth pushed her immodest thoughts away to be the friend that Miss Darcy deserved. Soon she could call her Georgiana and profess all the affections of a sister.
“I know that you cannot always want guests about when you are at home, so I am grateful that you have made me feel so welcome. I hope that we shall be dear friends.”
Miss Darcy blushed, but nodded eagerly. The men then came from the river and set down their tackle in such a manner as to tell everyone that they did not have any sport. She exchanged an amused smile with Miss Darcy as Hester came from the hill and packed her pencils and paper.
“I do not think the anglers were successful,” Miss Darcy whispered.
“Will your brother and cousin be in a poor temper today because of it?”
Miss Darcy shrugged. Elizabeth gave her a small smile and decided to hint at their soon-to-be nearer relationship. “Shall I practise to improve my powers of consoling your brother and charming away his worries?” Miss Darcy smiled, her expression amused.
