“Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth afterwards, “I must insist that I return to the house, and you to your horse.” Even as she said this she resisted her dangerous desire to initiate a kiss on her own.
Darcy accepted her limitation, exceptionally pleased that she had allowed him to kiss her in the first place. It was similar to what he had felt in London, only now it was so much sweeter. “You have no idea how happy you have made me, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth did her best to remain neutral, lest her body betray her. She intended not to dwell on her reaction to his kisses until she was alone.
Elizabeth was strangely silent the rest of the way back, which began to erode his confidence. For heaven sakes, it was her suggestion that they wander off the path, so why this sudden silence? With this thought in mind, Darcy was determined to discover Elizabeth’s state of mind. “Elizabeth,” he said, “Are you angry with me? Have I offended you?”
“Mr. Darcy, do not be foolish. You did nothing that I did not allow. I can find no cause for complaint.”
Darcy’s relief was evident, and he was satisfied with the progress he had made in winning Elizabeth’s affection. When they reached the place where Darcy had tied down his stallion, Elizabeth smiled and said daringly, “It was a pleasure getting to know you, sir. I look forward to many more opportunities to do so. I hope I shall see you and Mr. Bingley soon.”
Elizabeth never ceased to amaze him, but he calmly said, “The same to you, Miss Bennet. I wish you a pleasant day.” He then kissed her hand and mounted his stallion and before Elizabeth knew it, he had disappeared.
***
Bingley and Darcy visited Longbourn each following day. When Mr. Bingley took his place beside Jane, Elizabeth was thrilled to see them finally together again.
Mr. Darcy’s visits, brought vexation more than the happiness she witnessed between Bingley and her sister. After her interlude with Darcy in the trees, she knew her feelings were favorably inclined towards him. But how much of it was affection and how much of it was desire? Only time would tell, she decided, and she approached his visits to Longbourn with cautious optimism.
Mrs. Bennet was thrilled to have her favorite daughter happily engaged, and she often left the couple to themselves with Lizzy serving as chaperone. She had accepted the fact that Darcy, as Bingley’s closest friend, was to be included. However, that did not mean she had to pay him any mind beyond a civil greeting and seeing to it that he was adequately refreshed. Had she noticed the way he looked at her second eldest, her friendliness would have surely increased. As it was, she saw no reason to believe that Darcy’s opinion of Elizabeth had changed. Mary and Kitty followed the same logical thought process of their mother, both remembering Darcy’s slighting comment and their sister’s declaration of heartily disliking the man. For their part, they were glad that they did not have to speak to the quiet and intimidating Mr. Darcy, each perfectly content to converse with the amiable Mr. Bingley.
On each visit, it was clear to Elizabeth that Darcy was, initially at least, attempting to be social. However, after a few moments, he would relapse into silent contemplation. He never sat beside her, as Bingley did with Jane. Elizabeth was thankful for this, as it would have been highly uncomfortable. Perhaps Darcy was capable of putting her needs before his own.
***
“Miss Lizzy, your father wishes to speak to you in his library,” said Hill, when she entered the bedroom Elizabeth and Jane shared. Both of the ladies were already dressed and Elizabeth immediately went to meet her father in his library.
Upon her knock, he called, “Come in.”
Elizabeth entered, wondering what her father wished to speak with her about.
“Ah, Lizzy, good morning,” said Mr. Bennet from behind his desk.
“Good morning, Papa,” said Elizabeth, taking a seat in a chair near the desk. “What is it you wished to speak to me about?”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. His observations of the previous week had led him to several conclusions about the relationship between his second daughter and the stoic Mr. Darcy. “Surely you must know, Lizzy.”
“Indeed I do not, sir,” she said.
“Come, come, child, do not be Miss-ish! I have been observing you with Mr. Darcy over these past few days. It seems to me that you two are quite comfortable with one another.”
Elizabeth, suddenly guessing the purpose of this discussion responded with, “I will admit that we furthered our acquaintance in Kent, but—“
“You met Mr. Darcy in Kent. You never mentioned this,” said Mr. Bennet with a raised brow.
“Yes. He was staying with his aunt, Lady Catherine. I saw him several times.”
“And these meetings improved your opinion of him?” asked Mr. Bennet doubtfully.
“I suppose so. His disposition was not so severe while at Rosings, though we rarely conversed. I did not expect to see him again,” she answered, choosing not to include the fact that he had proposed.
“Really, Lizzy, you can be honest with me. You did not seem surprised to see him when he and Mr. Bingley first called at Longbourn. I insist on knowing the truth. Did the two of you reach some kind of understanding while in Kent?”
“There is no understanding, sir,” declared Elizabeth, blushing furiously.
“Do you think he intends to make you an offer any time soon?”
Ashamed, but not wanting anyone, even her father, to control her life, she said, “I do not know his intentions, and at present we are only friends.”
“Well, Lizzy, I must confess that I am relieved. He is an unpleasant sort of fellow.”
“He is truly not so bad, Papa. I have recently made this discovery.”
Mr. Bennet was skeptical and sensed that his favorite child was concealing something from him. “Would you be opposed to my speaking with him, Lizzy?”
Dreading such a meeting, Elizabeth stammered, “I wish you would not, Papa.” Faltering under her beloved father’s glare she said, “But if you must, then I will not object.”
“I shall speak with him when he comes to call next then. It should be amusing. Now off you go, Lizzy. I suspect you would rather be with Jane sharing the joys of young love.”
Elizabeth smiled at her father’s words despite herself as she left the room. However, now she had something new to worry about. She knew Darcy to be a forthright man, and surely he would not conceal his feelings from her father. She would end up engaged whether she wanted to be or not. Her only hope was to speak with Darcy before he spoke to her father, and beg him not to ask her father’s permission for her hand.
***
When the gentlemen arrived, Elizabeth was decidedly nervous. It was not in her nature to speak so openly about her feelings, especially when she had not quite determined what they were.
Bingley and Jane took their usual places. Elizabeth was sitting on the window seat, Kitty’s usual haunt. Kitty, however, not wishing to spend time with the intimidating Mr. Darcy or the newly engaged couple, had gone to Meryton with Mrs. Bennet to call on their Aunt Phillips. Mary chose to keep to her room with her book of sermons, leaving Elizabeth as a chaperone for Jane.
Darcy quickly greeted Jane before walking over to where Elizabeth sat. “Good morning, Miss Bennet. I hope I find you well.”
“I am, sir,” said Elizabeth, who had not turned to look at him. After a slight hesitation, Darcy knelt down beside her. “May I ask what is so fascinating that it entirely captures your attention?”
“Nothing overmuch, sir, “ said Elizabeth, then a slight pause, “Actually, I have a favor to ask of you, but it is an unusual request.”
“Miss Bennet, you know I will do anything I can to help you,” said Darcy quietly.
“My father wishes to speak with you today,” said Elizabeth.
Darcy was taken aback. He had noticed Mr. Bennet’s eyes on him several times during the previous days, but no one besides Bingley, Elizabeth and Jane, knew of his attachment. However, Mr. Bennet seemed to be incredibly perceptive. Darcy sudden
ly suspected the purpose of this interview. “Oh?” he said, trying to sound neutral, despite his fear of facing her rejection once again.
She dropped her voice, “I know of your wishes, Mr. Darcy,” she said, “but I am not prepared to enter an engagement. I would prefer it if you did not seek my father’s permission for my hand.”
“Miss Bennet, I cannot deny my intentions if your father asks me directly, lest he think even less of me.”
“I am not asking you to deny your intentions, I am only asking not to enter an engagement.”
Darcy was disappointed by her words, yet his logic prevailed as he realized that she was merely asking for more time, rather than directly refusing him. “I will do this, Miss Bennet, if I have some reason to hope.”
“I am not sure that I can give that to you, sir,” she said, still refusing to look at him.
On impulse, Darcy took her hand in his. Once again, Elizabeth felt an undeniable sensation of pleasure at his touch. As if by magnetism, her gaze locked with his. He was looking at her with such sincere vulnerability. She had never before seen such a look in Darcy’s eyes before. It moved her in such a way that her trepidation suddenly melted away. She knew that as long as she was granted the time she needed, his proposal would eventually be welcomed.
“Mr. Darcy, if you agree to my terms, I can give you the hope you wish for.”
Darcy smiled suddenly, and Elizabeth realized how handsome he looked when did so. “Are you certain?”
“Yes,” said she said, holding his gaze.
A loud clearing of one’s throat pierced their silence. Elizabeth’s cheeks colored as she looked up at her father. “If you do not mind, Lizzy, I wish to speak to Mr. Darcy in my library.”
Darcy released Elizabeth’s hand and stood up. “Certainly sir,” he said, bowing correctly. With a questioning look at his daughter, Mr. Bennet escorted Darcy away.
***
“Mr. Darcy,” said Mr. Bennet, “I cannot help but notice that you seem to have captured the attention of my daughter Elizabeth. What say you to that?”
Darcy knew that he would have to choose his words carefully. He needed this interview to go well, for he understood that Elizabeth’s family, with the exception of Jane, heartily disliked him. “Rather it was she who caught my attention,” said Darcy.
Mr. Bennet’s raised brow indicated his surprise. “Oh, is that how the land lies? When did this occur?”
“Many months ago,” said Darcy shortly.
“And you are just acting on it now? I find myself surprised and offended. Usually a gentleman asks the lady’s father before entering an agreement.”
“With all due respect, sir, there is no agreement between us.”
“Then what, may I ask, are your intentions toward my daughter?”
Darcy eyed Mr. Bennet and noticed that there was a faint smile on his serious face, as if he already knew the answer he would receive. “My intentions are honorable. I wish to marry her.”
“You do, eh?” said Mr. Bennet, “and is she aware of this desire?”
Was Mr. Bennet testing him? Had Elizabeth not mentioned their meeting in Kent? It was the only possibility; otherwise, Mr. Bennet would not question him so. Without thinking about the consequences he said, “Yes. I proposed to her in Kent and she refused me.”
Mr. Bennet instantly realized what his daughter had concealed from him. Now that he knew, everything was clearer, Darcy’s return to Hertfordshire, Lizzy’s constant blushing when with him, and Darcy’s eyes constantly on her whenever they were together. “I see, well, it seems to me that she is no longer opposed to enter into an engagement.”
“I would not say that,” said Darcy.
“Are you suggesting that I do not know my daughter’s heart?”
“Of course not, sir,” said Darcy quickly. “But I do not wish to enter into such an engagement until I am completely sure that she is content with the idea.”
Mr. Bennet did not expect Darcy to be so mindful of Lizzy’s feelings, as he imagined Darcy to be the sort of man who was accustomed to taking what he wanted without question. The fact that he had set his sights on Elizabeth showed that he had excellent taste. Perhaps he had misjudged the young man. “I see. I expect you wish for my permission to begin to court her.”
“Of course,” said Darcy.
“Given my observations, the courtship has already began, but you have my permission nonetheless. As to an engagement, I will not agree until I hear directly from Elizabeth that she welcomes exactly that.”
“Nor do I wish to force Elizabeth into a decision she does not wish to make. “Thank you sir,” said Darcy.
“Very wise of you. My Lizzy does not take well to being coerced. Now, I am sure you would rather be spending your time at Longbourn in the company of Elizabeth rather than myself.” He waved his hand dismissively.
Darcy nodded, stood, bowed politely and left the room. The interview had gone better than expected.
***
“I hope my father was not too intimidating, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth with a smile.
“No more intimidating than another Bennet I know,” he said.
“Oh, come sir, no one is intimidated by Miss Elizabeth Bennet!”
“A gentleman ought not to disagree with a lady, so I shall concede,” said Darcy.
“Ha! If it is that easy for me to win an argument, perhaps I am intimidating,” she said, her eyes shining with mirth. “But, let us be serious. I hope, sir, that I am not yet an engaged woman.”
“Have no fear, Miss Bennet, I am true to my word. I did, however tell him of my intentions.”
“And you have his permission?”
“I do, on the condition that you are amenable to a courtship.”
“I see no apparent reason to oppose the idea,” said Elizabeth archly.
Darcy smiled and took Elizabeth’s hand in his, “You have no idea how happy you have made me today, Miss Bennet.”
“It seems, sir, that you are easy to please.”
Suddenly she wished she were alone with him. The feel of her hand in his was surprisingly wonderful. She knew these impulses were jeopardous and that her father, now that he was aware of Darcy’s intentions, would not allow them to be left without a chaperone. As it was, they too were chaperones. Jane and Bingley had not moved and were still speaking quietly with each other. Jane had slipped her hand into Bingley’s, which obviously pleased him greatly. However, Elizabeth doubted that anything improper would happen between her sister and her fiancée. Bingley would surely not kiss Jane as Darcy had kissed her. Remembering the sensation of his kisses made her desire for isolation even stronger. “Jane,” said Elizabeth, “I think it would be nice if we showed the gentlemen our gardens. It is so pleasant outside.”
“What a lovely idea, Lizzy.” With that the two couples left the house for a stroll in the garden. As it was, each pair was yearning for some privacy, so they ended up on opposite ends of the garden. Elizabeth and Darcy sat on a bench under the shade of a large willow tree. The sweet summer blooms surrounded them. “I believe Bingley was grateful for your suggestion. He would never say as much, but he has been eager for some time alone with Jane.”
Elizabeth averted her eyes, “I must confess that my motives were selfish. I, too, wanted time alone with you.”
Darcy boldly took her hand in his and moved slightly closer to her. “Interesting,” he said, “and what did you wish to accomplish during our respective solitude Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth flushed, questioning her own sanity for what she was about to admit. “I was hoping, perhaps, for something similar to our interlude in the trees.”
Darcy’s heart was pounding. He could hardly believe that Elizabeth blatantly admitted that she wished for him to kiss her. God, she was incalculable, and there was that intoxicating scent of lavender again. Moving slowly he cupped her face in one hand, his thumb idly caressing her cheek.
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at his touch. Her lips parted in anticipa
tion as he drew closer to her.
Their lips met in a wonderful sensation of bliss. Elizabeth allowed herself to succumb to the thrill of his touch. Darcy was inflamed by her reaction. His free hand stole around her waist as he pulled her ever closer to him. She was practically in his lap. Elizabeth’s hands clutched his shoulders as they kissed; both hearts were racing with excitement. This kiss was far different from those they had shared in Kent, for it was born from mutual desire.
After a long, blissful moment, they broke apart. Elizabeth’s chest was rising and falling rapidly. She could hardly believe that she had allowed, no, asked him to kiss her. What must he think of her, after she refused to enter an engagement, yet was desirous of his kisses?
Darcy, however, was not harboring a single negative thought. On the contrary he was elated. The feel of Elizabeth in his arms was heavenly. Again, hope flared within his heart. The dream of having Elizabeth as his wife was growing closer to a reality. “Thank you, Elizabeth,” he whispered.
“You are welcome, sir,” she said, blushing furiously. “I hope you do not think less of me.”
“Elizabeth,” stated Darcy, “you have given me what I have wanted for days. How could I think less of you?”
“We are not engaged, nor shall we be any time soon, and suddenly I wished for your kisses. It is highly improper.”
“That may be true, but it would not bother me if this improper behavior occurred more frequently,” said Darcy with amusement. “In all seriousness, nothing you do could negatively affect my opinion of you. With every day my love for you grows.” Suddenly it was Darcy who was embarrassed by his words. “Forgive me, Elizabeth, that was too forward of me. I know that you have not yet come to love me. I hope that will soon change.”
Elizabeth made no reply, but simply squeezed his hand. They sat together in quiet companionship and passed a pleasant afternoon together. If anything improper happened between Jane and Bingley, they never knew about it.
***
The pattern of the previous day was repeated for the next three days. Darcy and Bingley came to call at Longbourn; the couples would spend an acceptable amount of time in the sitting room before retiring to the garden. Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth supposed, remained the paragon of propriety, while she and Darcy were content to steal kisses beneath the shade of the trees.
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