Let it be her. Let it be her.The refrain repeated in his head as he rose to his feet. Georgiana was faster, though, or less concerned for her dignity. She raced to the door and threw it open. Apparently she did not care about hiding their presence here anymore, either, if it meant seeing Elizabeth one moment sooner.
And there she was, her cheeks flushed and rosy under the hood of the heavy red wool cloak. Snowflakes dotted it, caking at the hem. Another woman would have seemed tired and wanafter such a walk, but Elizabeth was deliciously alive and vibrant, as if it had given her energy instead of using it up.
Georgiana cried, “Oh, I am so happy to see you! I did not think you would be able to come today.”
“What is a little fresh snow? As your brother can tell you, I once walked to Netherfield after the rain, which was much more troublesome. And I cannot tell you how filthy I was when I arrived – my petticoats were six inches deep in mud!” She gave him an impudent smile, as if daring her to contradict him.
“All I recall is that your eyes were brightened by the exercise,” he said. “I hope you took care on your way here. I would not want you to slip and fall.”
Now she was definitely laughing at him. “I did, but only once.” She turned to display her back, which was indeed covered with snow. “It was rather exciting, as I slid down a small slope. But I am quite unharmed.”
Darcy could not take his eyes off her animated features. “I am glad of that. May I take your cloak? I fear the snow has kept our maid away, but I will endeavor to do my best as a substitute.”
Elizabeth undid the clasp at her neck. “I thank you.”
He stepped behind her, and then carefully reached around her. His heart raced at how close this was to an embrace, and he yearned to make it a true one. Especially after her gloved hand brushed against his fingers as he reached the clasp, sending a surge of desire through him. He lifted the cloak carefully, as if it were the greatest treasure, and only reluctantly relinquished it to the hook by the door. Fortunate garment, to be able to wrap itself around her light and pleasing body, to feel the warmth of her!
Elizabeth favored him with a smile that was greater thanks than any words could be. Especially when he could still feel her touch burning on his hand.
He forced himself to recall where they were and that Georgiana stood only a few feet away. Somehow he managed to say, “Pray come in and sit by the fire to warm yourself. I will ask Cook to make tea.” It would give him a much-needed moment to recover his composure. And his sanity. Why was it that he could not make her his wife, to have the right to touch her?
When he returned to the drawing room, Elizabeth was holding out her hands to the fire and saying to Georgiana, “Besides, I could not miss our appointment today, for as it turns out, I am leaving for London tomorrow.”
Suddenly he felt as cold as if he had been the one who walked through the snow. So this might be the last time he would see her. Unless Bingley…No, he would not get ahead of himself. He would enjoy this brief time of pleasure in her company. The memory of it might have to last a lifetime.
“Oh.” Georgiana’s face fell, and she was silent for a moment. “I will be sorry to lose your company.”
Elizabeth reached out and took her hand. “It is the only bad part of this unexpected trip, that I will not see you again while you are here. Perhaps someday we can meet again.”
This was his moment. He cleared his throat. “That may happen sooner than you think. Bingley is opening up Netherfield again and plans to come here in the New Year. So there may be an opportunity to continue your acquaintance with less secrecy.”
Elizabeth turned to stare at him, her eyes wide. “Mr. Bingley is returning?”
“I received a note from him yesterday.”
She hesitated, likely counting days in her head. “You wrote to him first,” she said, almost as if it were a question.
He inclined his head. “I did.” There was no point in denying it, especially if she had peeked at his letter.
“So he had not lost interest in—” She stopped abruptly and glanced at Georgiana, who knew nothing of Bingley and MissBennet. “In Netherfield,” she finished. A smile bloomed on her face.
“Apparently not,” he agreed, drinking in her pleasure at the news.
“That will be good for the neighborhood,” she said, clearly speaking of one particular person. “And I shall miss his arrival! But not by much; I will return in late January.”
Georgiana was eyeing them with puzzlement. She must have sensed there was more to their conversation than met the eye. He had best change the subject, if he did not want to answer uncomfortable questions later.
“Is there an occasion for your sudden journey, Miss Bennet? I hope it is not unwelcome news.”
“Nothing serious. My aunt received word that one of her children is ill, so she and my uncle are going home early. They asked me to join them. Well, actually they asked my sister Jane first, but she has a cold herself and does not want to travel yet, so I will go in her place.” She said it almost apologetically. “I almost said no, so as not to miss the festivities here, but in truth it will be a relief to be away. My mother has been in a terrible temper with me this last month, and I am rather tired of it.”
“Oh, no!” Georgiana said, looking horrified. “I am sorry she is being unkind to you.”
Elizabeth seemed to shake off the serious moment and laughed. “It is my own fault, or so she would say. My poor conduct is a great disappointment to her.” But it was clear she found that assessment more amusing than troublesome.
“I cannot believe that,” Darcy said, just in case she was more distressed than she was letting them see.
“Oh, it is true!” Now she was definitely teasing. “My terrible behavior is hardly a secret, since she has complained about it to everyone in town, so I might as well tell you what a poor excuse for a daughter I am. I refused a proposal of marriage she wishedme to accept, for the sole reason that the man was a fool I could not respect. He will inherit our house after my father dies, though, and that was enough to persuade my mother,” she said lightly. “Myself, I have no regrets.”
