“That when I waked,” she said, continuing the quote, “I cried to dream again.”
“And do you? Do you wish to have not awoken from your dream?”
She shivered at the huskiness of his voice and a warmth rose from her bosom to her throat. “I do believe the world of dreams has an appeal that this life does not.”
“Such as?”
She paused for only a second. “In dreams, we often see the truth of our…hopes and fears.”
“And do you?” he whispered, stepping toward her and touching her hand. “Did yousee what you hoped for?”
She swallowed, gainingcourage. “Yes. Yes, I did.”
Darcy picked up a chess piece on the table from an unfinished game and rolled it around in his fingers. “Do you believe in Fate?”
“Fate?” He heard her swallow and then sit back down in the chair. “I am unsure, but believe there is some force which moves us toward our destiny. Yet, the idea of Fate seems predisposed to the control of others. I could not imagineyoubelieving in Fate, sir, as you rarely are not in control.”
A mirthful sound met her words. “Miss Elizabeth, it has only been these last two hours where I could have imagined disagreeing with you.” He turned and indicated the chair next to her. With her nod, he sat down, leaned forward, and clasped his fingers together. “I would like to ask you if you wereeverin possession of another letter I had written?”
“I am uncertain.” At his confused look, she responded. “My dreams and reality seem to have blended together.”
“So you do remember adifferentletter than the one you showed me?”
“Yes. Butthatletter is gone. And all that remains is the letter we read earlier.”
It is not just a dream?“And has the memory of the first letter diminished?”
“Not diminished. However”—she glanced up—“the appearance of the second more…thoughtfulletter…renders more clarity on the character of the writer.”
“You are aware then,” he said, reaching out with hesitation to still the fidgeting of her fingers, “the sentiments expressed in the second letter are…true and just?”
Her voiced faltered. “Yes.”
“And, if I may be so bold to ask what your…own sentiments on that subject are?” His world stood still as he held her hand. All he could hear was the sound of the wind outside and the chiming of the clock down the hall.
“I had…had hoped your feelings were still what they were before the accident.”
He felt himself exhale a breath he had been holding for two lifetimes. “Elizabeth. I––”
“Brother, are you in here?” Georgiana called, entering the room with Mrs. Annesley. “There you are. Oh! Miss Bennet. I just came down for tea and could only find Dr. Wiley and his colleague.”
Elizabeth replied, “I did not realize the hour was so late. Excuse me while I go up to dress.” Hereyes were then fixed on him as she arched her brow. “Mr. Darcy, might we resume our conversation at a later time?”
He bowed his head, wordlessly giving his assent.
“Pray, excuse me,” she said, smiling as she left the room.
A smile? Nay, he would not characterize it as such! It was a gleaming force, brighter than the sun reaching out its fingers to stroke his heart and wrap it in the warmth of its touch. No, it was no mere smile.
As she stepped out into the corridor, Darcy heard Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Miss Bennet, may I introduce you to Dr. Wiley, and his colleague––”
Elizabeth’s cry of alarm had him rushing to the hallway, where Darcy arrived in time to watch her slump to the floor.
She was floating. Floating up higher and higher and the scent of him surrounded her. Her dreams were more real than ever, but she was at the place between awakening and sleep, where she could feel the blanket tickling her nose, and yet could still see him before her. He sat by the fire in Mr. Collin’s study, his warm eyes caressing her from across the room.
“Elizabeth.”His voice was soft and inviting, and she needed no other encouragement than his outstretched arms. She nuzzled deeper against the mattress and sighed at his words. “My love.” His arms surrounded her, and she could hear his heartbeat as her head rested against his chest, breathing in his scent.
“Hurry, William. Before Jane comes to send me to my room,” she whispered as she rushed toward him in her dreams.
