“I hope you are aware that Jane does not,” she replied, and, noting the continued inattention from their companions, very daringly reached up and brushed her lips against his.
His eyes darkened in response. “You are fortunate, Miss Bennet, in that I am sure our fine chaperones would intervene if I were to make the response I would wish to that.”
Elizabeth laughed, and allowed her hand to slip lightly into his as they walked on. A few moments later, Jane called in a disapproving voice, “Elizabeth!”
Reluctantly, Darcy released her hand, saying, “I see you were correct, and she indeed has no sympathy whatsoever!”
“None, indeed,” she replied. “Jane is far too good for the rest of us.”
“I have been thinking,” he said a few minutes later, “that when I return for Bingley’s wedding, it is likely to be far more difficult to conceal my interest in you from your family, especially with my sister present.”
“Not to mention the apparent likelihood of being caught in some compromising situation or other,” she said demurely. “I did mention to Miss Darcy in my last letter that my parents think of you as only an indifferent acquaintance of mine, and that it would be best at present not to challenge that idea.”
“Be that as it may, I would like to ask in all seriousness if you would object if, after my arrival for the wedding, I were to speak to your father regarding my intentions, with the understanding that I do not as yet have your consent.”
Elizabeth was silent for a few moments as many feelings coursed through her. “I do not object, sir,” she responded quietly.
“Do you approve?” There was a thread of tension in his voice.
She looked up to meet his intent gaze. “Yes, I approve. Perhaps you might tell him that we have… an understanding.”
“Elizabeth,” he breathed, his eyes drifting to her lips. Her pulses pounded in a now familiar sensation, and she found herself longing for the relief that only his touch could bring.
With a muttered curse, he glanced behind them, then drew her over into a copse of trees by the side of the path. “I make no apologies,” he said in a low voice as he pulled her into his arms.
Secure in the knowledge that they would be shortly interrupted, Elizabeth allowed herself to slip her arms around his neck and abandon herself to the pleasure of his kisses. Tangling her fingers in his hair, she gasped as he drew a line of kisses along her cheek and down her neck before reclaiming her mouth once more with an urgency that stirred her beyond her imaginings.
“Elizabeth!” Jane cried. Reluctantly, they separated, and Elizabeth’s guilty look and Darcy’s unrepentant one met Jane’s stern glare and Bingley’s frankly delighted gaze. “I think it would be best if we all walked together.”
As they meekly followed her sister, Darcy whispered in her ear, “If that was an example of what I have to look forward to with you, sweetest Elizabeth, I shall be a very happy man indeed.” Elizabeth blushed furiously.
Darcy had promised to stop by Longbourn briefly to take his leave before his departure for Pemberley the following day, which provided a ray of hope for Elizabeth, who was already anticipating missing him. When he arrived, though, it became immediately clear there would be no opportunity for private conversation, as her mother insisted on commanding her attention for wedding plans. They were able to exchange a few heartfelt glances across the room, but no more. She still reserved hope for the moment of his departure, and was not the only one thinking of this; Bingley, when the moment came, announced himself to be too critical to the current discussion to break off, and perhaps Miss Elizabeth could see his guest to his carriage on his behalf.
Taking care to look none too anxious to perform this task, she walked out into the hallway, followed by Darcy, who managed to find the briefest moment between their departure from the drawing room and the opening of the front door to press something into Elizabeth’s hand. Then they were outside, in the presence of Darcy’s footman and coachman, who stood with their eyes carefully averted as their master took his time kissing Miss Bennet’s hand and thanking her for her most gracious hospitality while looking deeply into her eyes. She, in turn, assured him gravely of her hopes she would enjoy his company again soon. With one long parting look, he entered the carriage and was off. Elizabeth watched until it vanished from sight, trying to ignore the pricking of tears in her eyes, then, with a sigh, returned to the house. She paused inside just long enough to ascertain that what Darcy had given her was a paper, folded small, and she tucked it into her pocket for later perusal before returning to the drawing room.
After a certain amount of time spent entertaining Mr. Bingley and her family with a decidedly cheerful countenance, Elizabeth deemed it acceptable to retire to the safety of her room, where she at last was able to inspect the paper Darcy had given her.
So shall I be until we meet again, my dearest Elizabeth, for you shall be my constant companion in thought, until I can be once more in your most beloved presence. Till then, I remain, as always, yours in every way,
FD
Elizabeth, with deep feeling, pressed this missive to her breast, and it was some time before she could find the resolve to fold it up and secret it away in a drawer.
Had Elizabeth been aware of the exact time planned for Darcy’s return to Hertfordshire, she would certainly have been counting the days, but as it was, she only knew that the next few weeks would be much longer than she would wish. She attempted, to the extent possible, to distract her mind with activity. When she found herself wakeful at night, she used the time to continue embroidering the handkerchief she intended for Darcy. During the day she spent a good deal of time in Jane’s company, where she did not feel it necessary to pretend to a false cheerfulness.
She continued to be distressed by evidence of her family’s dislike for Darcy. Her mother, while planning a dinner for Bingley, mentioned that at least it would be a more pleasant occasion since that proud, disagreeable Darcy would not be there, and Elizabeth was further troubled to find her father in rare agreement with her mother.
Jane glanced at Elizabeth, and said, “I quite like Mr. Darcy. He can be very charming, and as a close friend of my dear Bingley’s, I am sure that I have nothing but good to say of him.”
“Of course, you must like him, Jane, since he is Bingley’s friend,” responded Mr. Bennet, “but pray give the rest of us leave to dislike the man.”
“Have you forgotten how he slighted Lizzy, and all his insufferable pride?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Why Lizzy saw fit to invite his sister to visit is quite beyond my comprehension.”