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“Perhaps she will, in time. Your sister is practical in choosing not to live her life as a lonely spinster when she is just as likely to find happiness with Collins as anyone else.”

“I am surprised you would express such sentiments when you swore I might find misery with the gentleman!”

“What did I suspect that was not true? Your lively spirits, as well as those of your son, placed you in grave danger of an unhappy life with such a man. Your eldest sister, on the other hand, has a temperament more suited to his officious manner.”

“So, you think me a lively sort, Mr. Darcy?”

“I do.”

“On what basis is your opinion formed, if I might be so bold as to ask?”

“I see it in your eyes when you look at Ben, even when you look at me, when you suspect I am unaware. I sense it in our touch whenever I have ventured to hold you, and I feel it in your presence whenever we are near,” Darcy spoke softly, touching Elizabeth on her face. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her lips. The sound of his sister’s voice urged him to surrender his hands to his sides.

Georgiana and her young companion approached Elizabeth and Darcy in the lane. Georgiana sensed something in the air. Instead of an awkward apology, she said cheerfully, “Ben and I are out for a walk.”

“I say we all enjoy a leisurely stroll,” Darcy responded as he offered Elizabeth his arm, and they set off happily on the path.

Although Darcy may not have been thrown by the interruption, Elizabeth was all aflutter. If ever there had been a moment she did not wish to be interrupted, it was then. Memories of the first time he had kissed her lips were fading. How she longed for a reminder. Elizabeth’s silent musing recalled her to a time from the not very distant past when she imagined she might satisfy her aching, longing for his touch. Her learning he had placed her in the mistress’s suite at his town-house was met with a mixture of anxiety, anticipation, and tension laced with excitement. On the one hand, she wondered what on earth he might be thinking. On the other hand, she wondered whether he was thinking the same thing she was thinking. Not only was she no stranger to desires of the flesh; he was the one person on earth who stirred those desires like no other had or could.

Elizabeth suppressed a smile in remembrance of the last night in his London home, as she stood at the door adjoining the mistress’s suite to the master’s suite, with her hands placed on the centre pane. Her dilemma, If it is honourable for him not to venture through this door would it prove dishonourable should I venture forth, instead?

Of course, she would never know. Elizabeth determined she would follow his lead. Mr. Darcy is in love with me after all, she reminded herself time and again. He offered his hand once. Surely, he will offer again; his actions suggest it is only a matter of time. Might pride prevent a man such as Mr. Darcy from offering twice to the same woman?

Georgiana and Ben raced ahead, whilst Darcy walked along the narrow path, arm in arm with Elizabeth, his thoughts of a similar vein. The gift of time had allowed him to think with greater discernment back to the nights Elizabeth and he had slept just a doorway apart in his London town-house. His excuse of wanting her to be close to her son had been part of his reasoning, of course. Indeed, he had been most considerate in settling her within feet from her son’s apartment. Without a doubt, Darcy had wanted her close to himself, as well. Darcy’s dilemma had been overwhelming, knowing as he did how Elizabeth’s desire for him was as potent as was his desire for her. To have ventured through the door connecting their adjacent suites, amidst the quiet stillness of the night, might well have led to the fulfilment of their shared utmost yearnings, but would it have been any less dishonourable?

Darcy would never know. Furthermore, he would not chance it again. For the time being, the mistress’s suite at Pemberley remained unoccupied. Darcy determined he would follow Elizabeth’s lead.

The following days and nights at Pemberley were filled with harmonious accord. Elizabeth had ample opportunity to enjoy Pemberley at her leisure. Darcy and Georgiana made sure of that. Both devoted as much time and attention to Elizabeth’s young son, as did she. They were becoming a family. The prospect of their newly formed relationship ending—of Elizabeth yielding to the threat of censure from both their families and even society and denying herself, denying them all the happiness they richly deserved—was too much to fathom.

One morning whilst Darcy was in the stable yard with Ben, teaching him the finer points of horsemanship, Georgiana accompanied Elizabeth on her walk. Not usually an early riser, Georgiana was on a mission.

“Though I am not yet out in society and thereby not expected to discern such things, it is clear to me that my brother cares deeply for you and your son. Have you any affectionate regard for him?”

Elizabeth often wondered what the young lady suspected of the nature of Elizabeth’s association with her older brother, although she would never broach the subject. “Georgiana, there are certain things one does not discuss with a prospective suitor’s younger sibling by ten years.”

Not to be discouraged, Georgiana persisted. “Ah, so you do consider my brother a suitor. I cannot imagine he has asked for your hand in marriage, for what woman would reject him? On the other hand, realising the way he feels, I cannot envision what is keeping him from offering for you.”

As Elizabeth had supposed, Darcy had not discussed the circumstances of their past with his sister. “Georgiana, I shall not discuss such matters with you.”

“Why will you not, Elizabeth? Is your reluctance merely a result of the difference in our ages?”

“Our age difference is a consideration, of course. The other matter has to do with the history between your brother and me, matters which neither of us would care to talk about with others, I am sure.”

“If you insist, then I shall not pry. However, I ask one thing. When my brother offers his hand in marriage, will you please say yes?”

“At times, you are as incorrigible as Ben!” Elizabeth exclaimed to the younger woman.

“Indeed, I shall consider that a compliment, for Ben is wise beyond his years.” Georgiana and Elizabeth paused and embraced in an unspoken truce before resuming their stroll.

After dinner, neither of the Darcys had seemed much in the mood for company. Darcy parted with the ladies following a single exhibition by his sister on the pianoforte. Soon afterwards, Georgiana pardoned herself from Elizabeth’s company as well, with the excuse of wanting to retire early.

Elizabeth, however, had no wish for an early end to the evening. Furthermore, she had no wish to spend the evening by herself. She wanted to spend time alone with Darcy, for they had rarely done so since their arrival at Pemberley. She found him on one of Pemberley’s many balconies, one overlooking a small, glistening pond.

She approached him from behind. “Are you wishing on a star, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy was not expecting company, as the surprised look on his face attested. A further testament was the casual state of his attire. Having discarded his dinner jacket and vest, he was dressed solely in a shirt hanging loosely from his breeches. The bright moon and the brilliant stars above conspired to cast a perfect glow on Darcy’s profile. He was such a pleasure to behold—broad chest, long legs, taut muscular thighs, and tight leather boots hugging his calves as if painted in place.

Turning to face her, he said, “Indeed. It seems my wish has been granted, for here you are.” Darcy extended a welcoming hand, which Elizabeth graciously accepted. He then raised her hand and brushed his lips unhurriedly against it in a lingering kiss.