by Lady Waller
“Miss Elizabeth, I am afraid there is a great possibility we shall not cross paths again.”
Her heart squeezed, his words speaking a truth she did not wish to hear at the moment. “And if we do?”
“Then I hope we can call ourselves friends.”
A servant called for Mr. Collins from across the garden. He and Maria were still a good twenty paces behind them, and Darcy and Elizabeth stopped as the man trotted towards them.
“Mr. Collins, her ladyship requests you attend your wife and Miss De Bourgh at once.” The servant’s eyes bounced between Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. “She would also like to see you, Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth knew the invitation had not been extended to her as well.
Mr. Collins twitched with excitement. “Please tell her ladyship I will be along posthaste.” He turned to Darcy and Elizabeth. “I apologize, but it appears we must conclude our walk.”
Darcy held the man’s gaze with a hard, unfaltering stare. “Run ahead Mr. Collins and please tell my aunt I will join her shortly.”
Mr. Collins opened his mouth as if to say more, but must have thought better of having the last word. He tugged on Maria’s arm, and they scampered towards the manor.
Elizabeth turned towards Darcy, admitting there was much between them she did not understand. “I think you and I would make great friends.”
“If that is the most that I can hope for, I will take it.” He pulled her hand from his coat sleeve and bent to place a kiss on her knuckles.
Mortification would swallow her if he could hear the rapid beat of her heart caused by the thrill and excitement of his touch.
He did not release her hand and returned to his full height. His eyes met with hers and in them she read a deep well of emotion and turmoil. Would he propose again? His gaze traveled to her lips and hung there. She parted them slightly, and as if a magnet had been placed between their bodies, they pulled together. His lips hovered above hers and their breaths mingled.
She would not wait for the moment to be ruined by another interruption and stretched on the tips of her toes to press her mouth to his. The kiss, so brief and startling, tasted of happiness and regret.
After this how could they remain only friends?
Unwilling to allow a discovery that would compromise and force Darcy’s hand, Elizabeth turned from him and lifted her skirts to run back to the parsonage.
Everything had changed.
Chapter Three
It’s Never Too Late
The four-hour ride to the Gardiners home passed without event. The conversation between Elizabeth and Darcy played out in her head over and over.
And the kiss.
If she could not relieve some of her burden by relaying it to Jane, she would burst.
As soon as they arrived, she sought out her favorite sister.
“Jane, I have missed you.” Elizabeth crushed her sister in a deep hug. They had a brief moment to themselves, and she checked her sister’s face for anything disagreeable. “Are you happy?”
“Dear Lizzy, the engagements have been many here in London, and I have scarcely had a moment to be unhappy.” Jane’s sweet smile enhanced her beauty. “What do you have to tell me of Hunsford?”
Elizabeth knew her sister would not tell the truth of her unhappiness, and she did not wish to cause her more with the tales of her talks with Darcy regarding Mr. Bingley. She would hold that information for when they returned home.
Without the privacy of Longbourn, she did not know if her promise of discretion could be maintained. It occurred to her to use the story of the Fox, the Swan and the Stag to keep their conversation in code. This time she would add another animal to the tale, a wily rabbit—no perhaps an intelligent doe.
Elizabeth pulled her sister to a quiet corner and relayed parts of the tale of the Fox and the Swan. She ended with the kiss between the Stag and the Doe.
Jane’s eyes sparkled. “The Doe refused the Stag, yet they shared a most improper kiss in the garden?”
She bit the edge of her lip. “What do you think?”
Jane’s optimism shined through like rays of sunshine on a cloudy day. “I should think the Stag and the Doe should never give up hope for a happy ending.”
Elizabeth’s heart swelled with the good faith her sister shared.
Never give up hope shall be my mantra until we meet again, Mr. Darcy.
The End
Dear Reader,
It is a pleasure and an honor to re-imagine a scene from Ms. Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. I’ve always wanted a kiss to melt Elizabeth’s heart, and I enjoyed giving these two characters a little more physical touch in their romance.
If you enjoyed this variation, I have two more variations available for preorder. This time, we will spend Christmas with the Darcy and Bennet families. Please see the descriptions below.
Thank you, my friends, for joining me and happy reading!
Lady Waller
Coming Soon:
A Gift for Lizzy: A Pride & Prejudice Sweet Variation Preorder Available at Amazon.com
Christmas Eve has come to Pemberley, and Elizabeth Darcy is in her fifth month of pregnancy with their first child. Fitzwilliam Darcy will grant his lovely wife any wish she desires, yet a request for him to host a houseful Bennets quickly turns to disaster.
Their love has survived many a trial, but can they survive the meddling and gossip of her family?
A Gift for My Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Sweet Variation Preorder Available at Amazon.com
Christmas Day has come to Pemberley, and Elizabeth Darcy has fretted over what to give the man who has everything. Even after a disastrous Christmas Eve spent with her family, she’s determined to make this a holiday to remember.
About the Author
Lady Waller is a shy girl who loves to write sweet and spicy historical romances. Come along as she takes you through medieval, Victorian, and Pride and Prejudice variation romances.
For updates on releases, connect with Lady Waller on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lady-Waller-Books-1472640382782167/
