She put her cup down in astonishment. ‘Has he indeed?’
‘Yes. It is a place called Netherfield House. Do you know it?’
‘Of course I do,’ she gasped. ‘It is not three miles from Longbourn. It is a fine place, though I can only speak for the exterior, having not been inside. It has been empty for many years.’
He returned to her side and stroked her hair from her face. Having just woken up, her plait was unruly, but she did not feel self-conscious. With Darcy, it had always seemed like he loved her just as she was.
‘My darling, it will soon be time to take our leave of London until next year. It worries me that you will not be pleased by the separation from your sister.’
She shook her head. She and Jane had talked at length about where they might go, but they had not decided anything conclusively. Since Bingley was from Derbyshire, they had both assumed that he might seek a house in that county.
‘Yes, of course I shall miss her. It is a shame they will not move north so they are closer to us.’
‘It is not so far from Pemberley to Meryton.’
She laughed and leaned forward to kiss him. ‘Yes it is, my dear husband. We are not all reckless horse riders willing to go all that way without the comfort of a large and therefore slow carriage.’
‘A curricle would do it.’
He had such a look of determination in his eyes that she did not have the heart to argue that the distance was far too great for such a carriage.
He must have sensed her reluctance all the same. ‘You must tell me if it is too far. You need only say the word and we can take up a place that is closer.’
‘No, Darcy,’ she cried, aggrieved that he would even think she wanted such a thing. ‘Pemberley is your home and I would never keep you from it.’
‘My home is wherever you are,’ he whispered, tracing her lips with his finger and then kissing her. ‘It does not matter if that is London or Derbyshire or some other county altogether.’
She smiled as she remembered Miss Bingley’s condescending explanation that London was only to be enjoyed in the season. It had only been a few months but it felt like a lifetime since those days when she first arrived in town to set up in her new home. ‘You would remain in London out of season for me?’
He grimaced. ‘Well, yes of course. It would not be my preference but I would do it to please you.’
‘There is no need!’ She took his face in her hands and peppered him with soft little kisses. She felt like the most fortunate young lady in London for having found this kind, soft-hearted gentleman who had been hiding in plain sight from the other young ladies of London. ‘Yes, I shall miss Jane, but I have a very strong suspicion that she shall not last long in such proximity to my parents. I imagine we shall be hosting them at Pemberley as they seek their own home—and soon, at that!’
Elizabeth Bennet’s Secret Protector Page 10
