“No, not at all.” She motioned to the writing desk. “I was just writing a few things down. I thought it was important to remember things as accurately as possible.”
“Yes, a great deal has happened over the last few days.” He nodded, then motioned to the sitting area. “Might we sit down and talk for a moment?”
“Yes, please,” Elizabeth said readily. She led the way over to the settee. The hearth was ablaze with a cheery fire and had been tended with fervour since she had nearly frozen to death. The servants seemed to have made it a point of honour to see that she would never be cold again.
They sat down on the settee together, and for a moment, the sound of the fire crackling was the only thing that broke their silence. Elizabeth had just got up the courage to speak what had been on her mind for the last three days, but there had always been others around to overhear. What she had to say was for his ears only.
They began talking at once, only to both stumble to a halt and break out into laughter. “You first,” she urged.
“I have been thinking a lot the last few days, writing it all down,” Mr Darcy began. “I believe we are alike in that — that we must write things out to get them straight in our minds?”
“Yes, very much so,” Elizabeth agreed.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “It has been difficult to put into words how I felt the day you went missing. I thought for a time that I had lost you, before you were ever really mine…” He stopped and looked her in the eye. “I was so afraid I would never be able to see you again.”
“I had the same fear. And for good reason, for if you had not rescued me, I would have died in those woods.” Elizabeth’s mouth suddenly went dry. How could she put into words all that was in her heart? She had been trying for days to plan how she wanted to say it perfectly. Now, she was not sure perfection mattered as much as getting the words out in the first place — a feat that was easier said than done.
Will took her hand and traced his fingers over her knuckles. The bruises and scratches from her ordeal had not yet fully healed, but they were no longer painful. At least, they were not painful when he was holding her hand like that, and looking into her eyes as if he wanted to hold her forever.
Elizabeth swallowed hard, but did not pull her hand away. Instead, she reached out, joining her other hand with his.
He cleared his throat and went on. “I was so afraid that I would never be able to tell you how I truly feel about you, Elizabeth. Lizzy.” He met her gaze. “When we first met, I was struck by your courage and kindness. I did not realise that it was only a small glimpse of the depth of your character. Over the last few months as my wife, you have become precious to me. I cannot imagine what my life would be now, if you were not in it. Indeed, I do not want to imagine it. My future would be too bleak to bear.”
Elizabeth’s eyes welled with tears as he spoke. It was better than she could have hoped. Each word he spoke made it obvious that he cared deeply — might he even love her?
“It cannot have been easy for you, leaving your family so abruptly, and under conditions of terrible uncertainty. You have made this your home and settled in with such grace, such wit and wisdom.” He gave a short laugh and covered her handswith his. Her heart skipped a beat, relishing the feeling of being protected and cherished. “I cannot imagine a woman more suited to the task of being my wife.”
Elizabeth licked her lips in anticipation of his next words, the ones she had been longing to hear for many weeks. Hoping. Waiting.
He hesitated for only a moment, as if he were drinking in every detail of her face. “I love you, Lizzy. With all my heart, and all that I am.”
Giddy with joy, Elizabeth let out a short laugh. “I do not view being your wife as atask, Will,” she murmured.
He smiled. “What do you view it as?” He traced his thumb down her jawline. Elizabeth strengthened her resolve. If she were not careful, he would so overwhelm her with his tenderness that she would not be able to get the words out.
“It is a great honour to be your wife. I only hope that we can also be the best of friends. That is how I see you, as a very dear friend,” Elizabeth said. She looked down, studying their intertwined hands. He was so handsome, it was almost too much for her. With a sigh, she admitted the rest. “I was afraid as well, when I was Wickham’s prisoner. Afraid I would never have a chance to tell you how much I love you.”
A dark cloud settled over his features. “I am sorry I did not protect you,” Will said hoarsely. “It was inexcusable. I would give anything to have made it otherwise.”
“You were not to blame,” Elizabeth said firmly. “If anything, I was too reckless. Worse still, I did not listen to you when you tried to warn me of Wickham’s true character, and for that I am truly sorry.”
He cupped her face. “No, Elizabeth. It was not your fault. As for the rest, I can say only that I will never let anything happen to you again. I promise you that.”
She covered his hand with hers, unable to do anything but beam up at him. “I wish only to be near you always, never separated again.”
“You have spoken the words in my own heart.”
Elizabeth’s lip quivered. She was so overcome with joy at being able to tell him how she felt about him she could burst. He lifted her chin, then slowly leaned his head toward hers.
Was this really happening? How many times had she dreamt of this very moment? “Will…” she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed. His lips touched hers with exquisite delicacy. Elizabeth hardly knew what to do, too overwhelmed by all the sensations travelling through her all at once. Warmth filled her, as she had never experienced before. Her heart soared, and her mind was focused on this one sensation of being held by the man she loved.
He deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She touched his cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck. It was so painfully sweet, she never wanted it to end.
But nothing, however sweet, can last forever. When Darcy pulled away, he let out a breath and kissed her again for a moment. “I cannot tell you how long I have been wanting to do that, my Lizzy,” he breathed. “You are altogether perfect.”
Elizabeth laughed, feeling a little uneasy. Stephans had promised she would return after delivering the laundrydownstairs. She cast a wary glance at the door. “I am far from perfect, Will.”
“That is not how I view you. I know no person can ever be truly perfect. However, you are perfectfor me.”He traced his fingers down her jawline again. She broke eye contact with him to look toward the door again. He frowned, looked over his shoulder to follow her gaze. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.
