“Devilish brutal,” he slurred. “Why did old Richard drive us back through the night?” He hiccoughed. “Could’ve been…” Another hiccough. “Highwaymen.”
“I pity the highwayman who takes on Colonel Fitzwilliam’s carriage.” I eased myself into a chair, as it was apparent that Wickham would not be any good at standing just now. “And it was a matter that required haste.”
Wickham tipped his glass up, but it was already empty. With a sigh, he put it down. “Suppose now that you’re back, it’s no good asking for another bottle.”
I shook my head.
“So, what was that all about, Darcy? Aren’t you too saintly to soil your hands by employing me to burgle some statue from Lady Catherine?” He hiccoughed again.
“As it happens, Lady Catherine was the thief, robbing a man in significant straits of the money he was counting on to keep a roof over his head. I will see that the true owner is now paid in full. Not to worry, Wickham. I will be certain that Lady Catherine is happy, and that all is fair.”
Wickham grunted and rubbed his eyes. “Who made you the arbiter over us all?”
I shook my head. “Someone who asked for my help. And thank goodness my task is at an end.” I withdrew a fifty-pound note from my breast pocket. “This should be sufficient for your troubles.”
That got him to his feet. He tossed a lazy salute and grinned like a lush. “Anytime you need something stolen, Darcy, I’m your man.”
“That will not be happening. This was far too close to the edge of morality for me.”
Wickham shrugged and started for the hall, but then he rounded on me with a sloppy grin. “By the by, how is your dear sister? She must be nearly grown by now.”
I pointed at the door. “Out.”
He grumbled and turned away. And that was the last I ever saw of George Wickham: the man who taught me to pick locks.
Elizabethdidn’tevenhearme when I slipped into the library behind her. Richard was showing her where to find certain categories of books, for I had a precise system of organization on my shelves. She was still wandering with her mouth open and her eyes scanning from floor to ceiling, but Richard slipped out when he saw me.
I didn’t interrupt Elizabeth’s wanderings. It was too delicious to see her here, in my home, for the first time. I merely leaned against the fireplace mantel and watched her—the quiet way she moved about the room, her light steps, the grace of her form. Yes, my life with Elizabeth at my side would take on a new brilliance. Once, there was a time when I would have objected to the small fortune that would come with her or her lack of connections. Now, I knew beyond a doubt that what Elizabeth did have was what my soul thirsted for the most. She was laughter and light and the one person who could challenge me to reach beyond myself. I needed her like I needed air.
But more than anything, I longed to be the one she always turned to for help. I wanted to be the man she trusted to comfort her, to protect her, and to make things right for her. I wanted to be the one who got to show his adoration every day, to be the lucky man who got to hold her to his heart and make her laugh, and maybe even do something crazy with her when the mood struck us.
She rounded the corner, walking almost sideways as she took in all the books on the shelves, and still, she had not seen me. And that gave me a rather impish notion. Lightly, I slipped behind her, then as she took her next slow step, I scooped her into my arms and dipped her backward over my bent knee for a kiss.
Note: Elizabeth does not react well when startled. I now have a black eye, and I am quite proud of it.
“William! Oh, are you all right? I did not mean to…”
I put my hand up. “No, no, that was my fault. I ought to know better by now. Help me up off the floor, will you?”
Pearly teeth sank into her lip as she grabbed my hand with both of hers to tug me to my feet. She wasn’t much help, really—I am, after all, approximately twice her size. But I loved that she didn’t shrink from the challenge, all the same. I stood on my own, still clinging to her hand long after I was on my feet.
Her expression had grown suspicious. “What are you doing now, William?”
I put my other hand into my pocket and withdrew a sparkling sapphire ring. “I believe I told you earlier. Shall we see if it fits?”
She blushed and looked down, spreading her fingers so I could choose the one I liked best to slip the gold ring on. Her gaze slid to me as she held it up to the light for examination. “Are you sure? It seems I have a fearful habit of injuring you.”
“Yes, but you’re getting better at it. I think with a little more practice, you could be a true proficient.”
“Cheeky rascal! For that, I shall have to invent some form of penance.”
I drew her into my arms, relishing how she let her body mold to mine. Her hands slid up my chest, then snaked into my hair, and she even hooked one foot behind my leg, creating… interesting sensations. That time hiding together in the crate had gone to good use. “And what is that?”
Elizabeth got a wicked grin and leaned close to whisper against my lips. “You will have to take me back to Hertfordshire and explain all this to my family. My mother will want to know why I am wearing a boulder on my finger, and my father will be curious about what happened to his sculpture.”
I laughed weakly. “One day at a time, love. Let’s do that…” I kissed her “…tomorrow.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Very well. I suppose until then, I will just…”
