Breaking the silence, she chuckled softly, turning her gaze up to his. “Do you think you shall ever get used to such gatherings, Fitzwilliam? With Georgiana’s debut approaching, I fear your patience shall be tested to its limits.”
He smiled, a warm and genuine expression that softened his features. “If I am to survive it, I shall need your support, Mrs Darcy.”
“You have it, always. Though I must say, I think you could simply feign a headache. You have ample experience in knowing how it is done.”
“Feign! Madam, you wound me. Do you not know that deceit of any nature is my particular abhorrence?”
She tilted her head with a teasing grin. “Deceit… and crowds.”
“Now, I must protest. When have I ever—”
As they rounded a bend near the stream, she was just distracted enough by provoking her husband that she did not notice the root hidden beneath the grass. Her foot caught on it, and she stumbled forward, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips as pain shot through her ankle.
“Elizabeth!” Darcy’s voice was filled with concern as he quickly caught her up in his arms, though not swiftly enough to prevent her fall.
Elizabeth hobbled a little, tangling her arms about his neck for support and leaning back against his chest as she hissed in pain. There was a fresh rip in her gown, just over the knee, and grass stains on her stockings. But the worst was that blasted ankle… always thesame one! A few indelicate words slipped by her defences as she winced against the sharp agony.
Darcy slipped his other arm around her, angling to catch her weight better. “Are you hurt?”
She winced, trying to muster a smile despite the pain. “I am afraid I have been rather clumsy, Fitzwilliam. It seems my ankle has betrayed me once more.”
Darcy chuckled softly, though she could see the worry in his eyes. “Perhaps I should carry you back, as I threatened to do before.”
A laugh bubbled up from her chest, temporarily overriding the throbbing in her ankle. “If you must. It appears I cannot trust my feet any longer.”
Without hesitation, he bent down and scooped her up, cradling her close to his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek. “It seems I am destined to be your rescuer, my dear,” he said with a soft smile, “not that I mind in the slightest.”
Her fingers lightly traced the line of his collar, and she looked up at him with a playful glint in her eyes. “And I am most grateful for it, Mr Darcy. Always.”
