“No, Miss Elizabeth. I think only of your health. I feared you could not recover your breath.”
“I am better now. Pray, continue your story. I shall endeavor not to laugh again.”
He continued describing Sir Gareth’s obvious admiration for Miss Bennet and ended by saying, “I am not one who indulges in fortunetelling nor in matchmaking, but I foretell that Sir Gareth has lost his heart and will be making an offer of marriage to your sister within weeks.” He spoke with mock gravity. “And if he does not, then I foretell that another young buck in the neighborhood will snatch her from beneath his nose.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips to her handkerchief to hide her smile. Georgiana Darcy said excitedly, “How romantic. And I shall be here to witness it all.”
Elizabeth leaned back against the cushioned chair, and he asked softly, “Are you tiring, ma’am? Shall we return you to your bedroom?”
Elizabeth raised her hand so that a ray of sunshine washed over it. “No, sir. I have longed for sunshine and fresh air. This is heavenly, though I hope I do not fall asleep.”
Georgiana took her hand. “Never mind, Lizzy. If you fall asleep, you will not offend. We both know it is only because of your illness.”
Elizabeth returned the pressure of the girl’s fingers. “Thank you, dear.”
Darcy continued to relate all he knew of Sir Gareth. He described his fine estate, his family, and his military service. Elizabeth fixed her gaze upon him and listened intently. At last, he saw that she had fallen asleep. He looked toward his sister. “We have tired her out, Georgie.”
“Fitzwilliam, I fear she will grow cold if we leave her here.”
He gently shook Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Miss Elizabeth, let us return to your room so that you may rest.” Her eyes fluttered, but she did not wake.
He turned to his sister. “Georgie, open the doors. I shall carry her back to bed.”
He bent near and whispered into her ear, “Elizabeth, I am going to carry you back to your room.” Then he lifted her carefully from the chair.
She stirred faintly, but then her head settled against his chest, and he felt her nestle closer to him.
The fragrance of her hair and the softness of her form stirred him deeply. This woman filled a place in his heart that had long stood empty. He felt the quiet pull of his affections as he laid her gently upon the bed and assisted Georgiana in drawing the covers. Then they withdrew from the room.
Love and happiness filled his soul as he walked down the hall away from the woman he adored. He turned to his sister.“Georgiana, though you are not yet out, you may go down to the drawing room to observe Sir Gareth and his infatuation for yourself. They will not remain outdoors much longer, for the afternoons have begun to grow cold. I intend to go out on Ares before it grows too dark.”
“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
He smiled indulgently. “You are most welcome, dear.”
Darcy saddled his own horse and rode out to the tower. Upon arriving, he tethered Rowan to a thick ivy vine clinging to the outer wall and slowly surveyed the lower floor of the ruin. The chamber possessed a hard-packed dirt floor and high arched openings on either side through which the cold autumn air drifted freely.
He ascended the narrow stair and paused upon the landing where Elizabeth had led him. Then he continued upward until he reached the secluded chamber where they had spent the night together.
At the time, he had been so consumed by concern for her welfare that he had scarcely permitted himself to think of the warmth of her body nestled against his own. She had slept in his arms. He had drawn her tightly against him, hoping to preserve enough warmth in her chilled frame to prevent illness from her wet clothing and the fierce wind that had battered the tower.
Yet he remembered all of it now.
The soft curves of her figure had awakened a deep longing within him. He remembered how her fragrant curls had brushed against his chin and how, unable to resist the temptation, he had slipped his fingers through them. And he had discovered then that her hair was wonderfully thick beneath his hand.
He descended the stair once more and again saw her as she had lain upon the stone landing, cold and nearly lifeless. A sharp pang of regret moved through him. He ought to have forced her to return with him, wrapped in his greatcoat. But he had yielded to her wishes. In the end, he had asserted his own will and carried her to Rosings.
He remembered the long ride home with painful clarity. She had rested in his arms, chilled and exhausted, nestled against him. Secretly, selfishly, he had wished to keep her there forever.
At length, he mounted his horse and rode out through Westerham and beyond, allowing the cold wind and steady rhythm of Rowan’s stride to settle his thoughts. When he finally returned to Rosings, he retired at once to his room and sat down to write to his solicitor, instructing him to prepare a marriage settlement.
At the end of the week, he would ride to London to obtain a marriage license. He would review the settlement, sign it, and dispatch it to Mr. Bennet without delay. He would not wait one unnecessary day longer.
He intended to marry Elizabeth as soon as she accepted his hand and possessed sufficient strength to stand beside him before the rector.
Chapter 25: With Child
Mr. Collins sat beside Lady Catherine’s bed, reading from the Psalms. She gave no sign that she heard him, yet he continued, offering prayers of confession and absolution in the hope that, somewhere deep within her mind, his words might still reach her. Taking her frail hand in his own, he recited the prayers, but she remained motionless and unresponsive.
