The sounds of the field continued around them—voices, movement, the calls of recalcitrant animals—but they seemed removed from it somehow.
"This is a very poor moment," she said.
"I am aware."
"Anyone might see."
"I think it unlikely they are looking here."
"That is not the point."
She drew a breath that did nothing to steady her.
"Indifferent acquaintances," she whispered
"Never," he replied
Elizabeth shook her head and said, "You are very determined."
"Only where it signifies."
"That is not reassuring."
"I do not mean it to be."
He said her name then, quietly. She did not answer, and did not need to.
The kiss was immediate and without hesitation. Whatever restraint had governed them before did not survive it. He drew her closer with a certainty that admitted no misinterpretation, and she answered him in kind, her hand rising to his neck,holding him there as she crushed her lips to his with a boldness that shocked her.
She felt the shift in him when she moved, the answering pressure of his hand at her back, closer still, as though distance itself had become intolerable. He made a low sound in her throat as his tongue traced the seam of her lips and she felt lost to him entirely.
"Mr Darcy—"
"My Elizabeth…"
He did not release her. A few steps carried them backwards, scarcely conscious of direction, until Elizabeth became aware of the rough stone wall of the shed at her back. She felt the hard planes of his chest against her and pulled him even closer to her, the urge to erase any distance between them impossible to ignore. He began to nibble at her neck and she gasped at the ridiculous pleasure of it.
The moment broke with Bingley’s voice. "Got them!"
Elizabeth pulled back, breath unsteady. "That," she said, "was badly timed, sir."
"Yes," he said, breathlessly. "It was."
She glanced past him. The sheep were contained once more. Bingley stood with a grin of victory and his hair standing in disarray.
"We must go back."
"We must."
They stepped out together.
Mrs Bennet saw them first. "Lizzy! My dear, what has happened to you?"
"I slipped." "In a field? Well, that is not unexpected I suppose. You really must be more careful."
Darcy inclined his head. "I did not prevent it as well as I might have wished."
Mrs Bennet looked between them with renewed attention.
