She was now resigned to sitting along the wall during the dancing, or perhaps even stepping outside to get a breath of fresh air. Just as she turned to step away from the crowds, she felt a tingling she would recognize anywhere. It was the same feeling she had when she was certain he was watching her in the park in London.
Her gaze scanned the room, but she did not see him. Perhaps I am mistaken and it is only wishful thinking, she told herself.
She walked over to the side of the room where the doors that led outside to the balcony were easily accessed and she could sneak away from the crowd quickly once the dancing began.
The final strings of tuning quieted and a hush of excitement washed over the crowd as Mr Bingley welcomed his guests. He then led Jane to the head of the line of dancers and nodded to the musicians. The room immediately began to fill with the musical strands and jovial chatter.
Elizabeth was able to slip through the doors easily without being noticed. As soon as she stepped outside onto the balcony, she felt the tingling even more intensely than before. She looked around, but saw nothing out of place.
She shuddered, the cool evening air making her draw the shawl around her shoulders more snugly.
The moonlight and lampstands lit the garden paths below in such a way as to draw your eye past the beds of flowers that opened their autumn buds for all to see and towards the large sculpture fountain in the center. From her vantage point here on the balcony, she could easily see the shrubbery that spiraled out, forming the intricately designed paths below.
She nearly jumped when she felt something warm drape across her shoulders, but she recognized the masculine scent immediately and closed her eyes, her heart beating profusely. Finally she whispered, “You have returned.”
He stepped closer, his voice cutting through the chilly air, “I got here just before the guests began to arrive. I begged my friend not to reveal it to you though, as I hoped to greet you myself privately. It was agony to await your arrival on this balcony.”
Elizabeth felt the heat from his body as he stepped even closer behind her and his hands came around, a small bundle of flowers held in his hand and tied with a yellow ribbon.
When she leaned back into him, accepting his presence, his heart began to soar.
He pulled a bud from the small posy and drew it up in front of them, slowly twirling it around in his fingers as they both looked on its beauty. His lips were nearly touching her ear as his deep voice spoke softly through the cold air, “When I first arrived here in Meryton you asked me of the origin and name of this special flower. I told you it was one my mother bred, but said I would tell you the name at another time. That is because it holds such a special connection to my parents. I do not remember the moment, as I was only seven years of age, but my father related it to me later. One night I was supposed to be in bed, and instead I was sneaking around the halls. I opened the door to a room to find my parents embracing and whispering to each other as they shared a tender moment. I immediately scampered off, but they heard my feet in the hall. I was hardly in my bed when my father entered my chambers and chastised me. I was very apologetic, saying I would never again interrupt my parent’s whispered kisses. My father said they both loved the sentiment of their son’s words, so they began to refer to their private moments together by that name. The following year, when my mother was successful in breeding this particular flower, she named it in honour of their shared tender moments. Thus, it is called whispered kisses.”
Elizabeth felt her knees go weak at his voice, so close to her ear that she could feel his breath.
Darcy could wait no longer, so he finally said in a hushed voice, “I have long awaited the time when I could share whispered kisses with my own wife. In a way, I have loved you since the moment I first saw your smile, but it has been this time here in Meryton that has shown me how truly special you are. Be the person who wakes beside me all the rest of my days? Prove to me that this life may have its trials, but it can have happy moments that are not fleeting as well. Marry me?”
She dared not move and break the spell that was cast over the two in this moment. The simple pleasure that came from feeling his breath against her skin sent her heart reeling. She told herself she must answer, or she dared not think what torturous moments these were for him, but she could not move. She could not think. Everything slowed down around her, even the music filtering out through the doors seemed slower than ever before. Each heartbeat was accentuated by the shallow breaths he took right beside her ear.
Finally she leaned, ever so slightly, back into him. His arms wrapped around her and his lips touched her blushing cheek, slowly leaving a path of tingling sensations down to her mouth, where he gently pressed his lips against hers. They were both soon lost in the sensations that exploded on the inside as their lips spoke of love in ways only their hearts could hear.
When the need for air finally made the two separate, Darcy whispered, “If your answer is not yes, please tell me now, as my heart cannot take much more waiting.”
She blushed, realizing she still had not answered him. Her gloved hand reached up to cup his cheek and she looked deep into his eyes, “Yes!”
It was just the inspiration he needed to pull her into an embrace that would again leave the two breathless after a few minutes. With his forehead leaned against hers, he uttered, “Do not make me suffer too long, otherwise I may become so desperate I steal you away in the night.”
Elizabeth chuckled, “My sister is to marry in just three weeks. I would say perhaps we could have a joint ceremony, but the banns have already been read once for them and there is not time to have them read thrice for us before their wedding is to take place.”
His hand reached down, his fingers winding their way around her own, as he brought her palm up to deposit a kiss to it. “I would never presume to know your answer before even asking the question, but since I was already in Town and had the opportunity to procure a special license, I wrote to your father. That is what delayed my return, as I was determined to have the Archbishop’s signature before I returned to you. We may marry at any time and in any place you will have me.”
She smiled, “Are you so desperate to have me as your wife so quickly, sir? That is quite an expense, and unnecessary.”
“On the contrary, it is absolutely necessary, as I plan to spend this Christmastide with you at Pemberley.” He stepped back and put his arm out to escort her back inside, “Come, my love; it is time we tell your father of your answer, and then I intend to ask for three sets full.”
“I anticipated sitting out the dancing tonight in hopes that you would return and we could spend the time together as we did at the Assembly.”
“My obligations to the mourning period have been fulfilled, and I have every intention of asking for as many dances as I am allowed this evening from my intended.” He smiled broadly.
Elizabeth’s heart melted at the sight. “It is a good thing my dance card is so empty then, as it would be unbearable to have to deny you such pleasure.” Never before had she seen such serenity show on his features. While she knew he still missed his sister, she was delighted to also know that he would not be as despondent as he was before. She loved to see him smile, and she would consider it her daily requirement as his wife to induce such a smile from him as often as she could.
She drew her arm through his, the flowers she still held resting on the sleeve of his jacket. A feeling of joy settled on her heart as she walked towards her future beside the gentleman who had won her affection with the simple gesture of giving her whispered kisses just to see her smile.
Sarah Johnson is a professional juggler in the circus of life! Married to her own Mr Darcy for sixteen years, they traveled the world thanks to the US Army. Now back in the civilian life and settled in Texas, where she grew up, they focus on homeschooling their six children and participating in church and community activities. She can often be found writing a manuscript between spills, science labs, and pencil wars, or late i
nto the night when the house is finally still enough for her imagination to run wild! When she has a few spare moments, she enjoys just about anything crafty — scrapbooking, painting, sewing, quilting, crocheting—basically anything except knitting, a craft she swears few left—handers truly ever pick up well.
A devotee of all things Jane Austen, she enjoys exploring the story lines Jane never lived long enough to give the world. She is often found discussing with her online friends the intricacies of the novels we do have from our dearest author. It is these discussions that often lead to the plot bunnies that have now become many stories over the last few years, and hopefully further into the future as well.
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Whispered Kisses Page 8
