She was too stricken to move, afraid that it would break the spell. Elizabeth raised her chin, every part of her leaning toward him — heart and soul. She had never known how much she could want someone until now.
Suddenly, the spell between them was broken by the sound of heavy footsteps coming down the corridor. Elizabeth’s eyes flew open when she recognised Lady Catherine’s voice; the dowager was berating a footman for not informing her at once that Mrs Darcy had fainted.
Quickly, they stepped away from each other. Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the bed, afraid that she would fall over, not from dizziness or fainting, but from another kind of strain entirely. The intoxicating tension between them faded slowly as they stared at one another. Mr Darcy’s eyes were filled with such longing, no doubt mirrored in her own gaze.
As Lady Catherine burst into the room, Elizabeth forced her eyes to focus on her riding boots, one of which had been knocked over on its side.
“Have I heard rightly that Mrs Darcy has fainted?” Lady Catherine exclaimed with consternation. She wagged a finger at Mr Darcy as she brushed past him to focus on Elizabeth. “It would seem I have a great deal more to teach your wife before she is worthy to be called the Mistress of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth forced herself to look back at her husband. But he had already turned and started toward the door. “Stay with her, Aunt Catherine. She has had a trying morning,” hesaid. Mr Darcy turned and gave her a long look, his expression unreadable, before he left the room.
Lady Catherine ordered a chair to be brought to the bedside and promptly sat down. “It was very foolish of you to faint, Elizabeth, especially while seated atop a horse.”
Elizabeth barely heard the lecture that Lady Catherine gave her, though it went on for a considerable period. All she could think of was her husband’s lips nearly touching hers.
And to her mingled shame and excitement, she very much wished that Lady Catherine had not interrupted them.
Chapter 17
Though his cousin Richard was usually a most welcome guest at Pemberley, Darcy found himself looking forward to the colonel’s Christmas visit with mixed emotions. They were due several conversations, each of which Darcy suspected would prove equally a hardship and a considerable relief. There was the prospect of introducing Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth, which inspired a mix of pride in his wife and distress at the circumstances of their wedding. There was the uncertain state of the marriage, in which his regard for his wife seemed to grow apace with his doubts of whether it was returned.
Most of all, there was the unsettling question she had posed to him, the question of whether the Wickhams ought to be welcomed back to Pemberley. Darcy could not yet say whether the idea inspired more disgust at the idea of receiving Wickham, or longing at the thought of seeing Georgiana again.
Then, of course, there was Elizabeth’s fear-induced swoon and its aftermath — one topic he did not intend to canvas with his cousin.
“You are sure you feel well enough to receive our guest?” Darcy asked as they retired to the drawing room after their supper. Having arrived at Pemberley as supper was already underway, Fitzwilliam had elected not to join them.
To his relief, Elizabeth flashed him a smile that seemed wholly effortless. “Yes, I am quite recovered, I assure you. You need have no concern for me.”
“Very well. If you are sure,” he replied. They did not have long to wait in the drawing room, for Fitzwilliam made his appearance.
“Cousin, at last,” he said, reaching out to shake his hand. It had been far too long, and the relief of seeing a trusted and well-loved old friend came crashing in on him all at once. Fitzwilliam beamed at him and shook his hand warmly in return.
“Good to see you, Darcy. Very good indeed.”
“So it is,” Darcy replied. “Elizabeth, allow me to present my cousin and one of my dearest friends, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.” He turned to his cousin. “Fitzwilliam, this is my wife, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.”
To his surprise, the colonel did not react with his usual bluff, hearty good cheer. His “How do you do, Mrs Darcy?” was perfectly proper, yet strangely flat and even cold. Odder still, the look he gave Elizabeth was cautious, even wary.
If Elizabeth noticed, it was not evident in her reply. “Very well, thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam. How pleased I am to meet you! I shall be very glad to know more of my husband’s family.” Her manner was all ease and friendliness, full of the warmth his cousin was unaccountably lacking. Watching her, Darcy found himself smiling with pride.
Now, if only Cousin Richard would unbend a little. “Well, then,” Darcy said with slightly forced heartiness. “It is a cold night, and you must be frozen through with travelling. Let us all get warm by the fire.”
Elizabeth seconded the suggestion at once. His cousin followed them over to the hearth, somewhat hesitantly, and they all settled there.
“How was your journey, Colonel?” Elizabeth began.
“Well enough, considering the state of the roads at this time of year.”
“It was a shame you could not join us for supper. Shall I call for a tray for you?”
“No, please do not trouble yourself, Mrs Darcy. I stopped before sunset and had something at a very fine public house.” Fitzwilliam shifted, glancing at Darcy. “How have you found Pemberley since coming to be its mistress?”
Darcy’s brow furrowed again. That was hardly a fitting way to express his congratulations and his welcome to the family. What was wrong with his cousin? He was normally all ease and charm.
“It was quite an adjustment, I must admit,” Elizabeth said with a good-natured smile. “However, Mr Darcy has been very patient with me, and Reynolds has shown me everything I need to know about how this grand house is to be run.”
After several more exchanges, all equally strained, Elizabeth excused herself in favour of an early night. “I am sure there is much you two need to catch up on,” she said. “I am very glad you are here to spend the holidays with us, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Please do not hesitate to let Reynolds orme know if there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable.”
