Page 93 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“It has been interesting,” Elliot said, and he described their journey thus far.

“You have collected some specimens?” Darcy asked.

“I have.”

“You are most welcome to spend as much time as you would like in Pemberley, collecting to your heart’s content,” he said slowly.

Elliot looked across at him. He was flush-faced and so handsome that it was all Darcy could do not to halt them both and pull the other man into his arms.

I thought I should at least kiss him before making a declaration!

Bingley’s words echoed through Darcy’s mind. He had thought of kissing Elliot so many times, but he had always resisted. It was not because of a lack of desire but simply a lack of control. Darcy knew that a single kiss would be insufficient.

“I do not believe we had planned to stay in the area for more than a few days,” Elliot was saying now. “My uncle is keen that we away to Matlock.”

They turned the corner of the maze and came upon the uncles in question.

“Matlock?”

The older Gardiner smiled. “Yes, Mr. Garinder is keen to revisit some memories from his youth, and I am hopeful of a spot of fishing!”

It was insupportable that they might leave so soon after arriving! Darcy wanted, needed, more time with Elliot. The other man seemed altered since their last meeting. Darcy did not know why but he wanted an opportunity to find out. He was also feeling a sense of hope that had been entirely absent these past months. Darcy relished it and intended to hold on to it for as long as possible.

“If fishing is your desire, then by all means I would be pleased for you to spend some time here,” he said. “There are trout aplenty, and Mrs. Reynolds would be happy to ask the cook to deal with any and all you catch. He is her husband so unlikely to refuse her!” He paused and turned back to Elliot. “You enjoy fishing also.”

“I do,” Elliot said, eyes wide.

“Then may I encourage you to spend the day here tomorrow. Fishing is not the only activity we might enjoy, and I would also ask for your company at dinner with the rest of my party.”

“We would be delighted!” Mr. Gardiner said.

Elliot did not say anything at all.

“Among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you,” Darcy continued, his eyes on Elliot. “Mr. Bingley and his sisters.”

Elliot answered only by a slight bow and Darcy knew that his thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley’s name had been the last mentioned between them. How would they find their way through that? There was no question in Darcy’s mind now that they would do so.

“There is also one other person in the party who more particularly wishes to be known to you,” he continued after a pause. “Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during your visit?”

The Gardiners said nothing at all to that, but they were more than aware of the honour Darcy was bestowing on Elliot with that suggestion.

“I would be pleased to meet Miss Darcy,” Elliot said after a moment.

“And that pleases me, Mr. Bennet. Excessively,” Darcy said, and his voice was so soft and so careful, and Elliot knew it.

Their gazes held.

That same…something…arched between them.

Neither said a word.

Silence was all.

Perhaps they would have remained so, wrapped up in one another, as the sky darkened, and dusk met them. Perhaps they would have eventually taken one another’s hand and made their way from the maze and across the valley and down to the stream where they might watch the stars emerge.

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…

Eventually it was the older Gardiner that broke the silence, bringing them all back to the moment, and Darcy could do nothing but smile and gesture them onwards. Because Elliot was here, at Pemberley, exactly where he was damn well meant to be!

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