Darcy, seeing the bloom on her cheeks and suspecting its cause, tightened his hold on her. His voice turned gravelly and low. “Welcome back, my dear Elizabeth.”
She was all too aware now that they were alone and in his chambers, and for the first time, both of those instances were combined with the fact that neither of them was ethereal in nature. Elizabeth struggled to raise her eyes to meet his and turned to look beside them. Her eyes caught on something, and she began to smile widely. Thankful for the distraction, she said impertinently, “You have not moved your bed back, sir.”
“No, I have not.”
Somehow, his voice seemed yet lower, her momentary equilibrium lost again. She looked at him then and saw his eyes burn with love and desire, once again bringing heat to her cheeks. Emboldened by his look, she stood on her toes and bestowed a brief kiss, one to which he instantly reacted, pulling her back for another not quite so brief one.
Though her heart was beating quite fiercely, Elizabeth threw a mischievous glance his way before trying to disengage herself from his arms.
“I recall your saying to your valet, William, that you preferred to sleep alone.”
Darcy’s lips twitched in remembered humor, but his arms tightened about her waist, keeping her from leaving him. “You have misheard me, Elizabeth. If you will recall, I said that a man deserves to sleep alone if he wishes.”
Laughing, Elizabeth managed to squirm away, and backing away towards her door, gave a quick curtsy. “Then I will leave you to it, sir. Good night.”
She turned then and, before she could depart, felt his strong arms steal around her. Darcy’s voice was husky in her ear as he whispered, “I do not wish to sleep alone tonight, Elizabeth. Or ever again.”
“So I presume you would wish for me to stay?”
Darcy kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. Each word he punctuated with another gentle kiss. “As ever, Mrs. Darcy, you are right and beautiful.”
THE END
Author Bio
KaraLynne is an amazing mother who never makes mistakes, never gets upset with her children, and never ever has a dirty house. Ever. She always has her dishes done and the floors spotless, and dinner is always prepared and ready on time. Her kids are always clean, polite, respectful and loving, especially to each other. She never gets irritated with her husband when he doesn’t turn his socks right side out for the laundry, and they always agree on everything. She delights in nothing else than to serve her family and never wants or needs time for herself. She takes great care to shower every day and put makeup on so that she is always beautiful and presentable. She never wears her pajamas all day or for days in a row, and she is the epitome of womanhood. Most of all, she has a great sense of humor and loves to write.
Although admittedly a Darcy addict, she enjoys many things, such as: Mr. Knightly, Edmund Bertram, Captain Wentworth, Mr. Tilney and John Thornton. She is happily married to her own Mr. Darcy and together they share the insanity-inducing responsibility of raising four children.
More Titles by KaraLynne Mackrory
Falling For Mr. Darcy
In this Regency adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, the simple truth is proven that sometimes a gentleman never knows his heart until a lady comes along to introduce it to him. When Mr. Darcy encounters Elizabeth Bennet injured after a fall, his concern for her welfare cracks the shell of his carefully guarded heart, and a charming man emerges. Elizabeth sees an appealing side of him she never believed possible from the stoic, proud master of Pemberley. They find the simple gentlemanly act of assisting her home will test both Mr. Darcy’s resolve to keep his heart safe and Elizabeth’s conviction that this is the last man on earth she might have ever been prevailed upon to marry. Soon, falling for Mr. Darcy becomes a real possibility.
Bluebells in the Mourning
Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice is re-adapted in this Regency tale of love in the face of tragedy. Mr. Darcy is thwarted in his attempt to propose to Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford when he encounters her minutes after she receives the sad news from Longbourn of her sister’s death. His gallantry and compassion as he escorts her back to Hertfordshire begins to unravel the many threads of her discontent with him. While her family heals from their loss, Darcy must search London for answers — answers that might bring justice but might also just mark the end of his own hopes with Elizabeth. Is it true that nothing can be lost that love cannot find?
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Author Bio
More Titles by KaraLynne Mackrory
Haunting Mr. Darcy Page 34
