Page 44 of Her Affections and Wishes

“What is the hurry to marry?” Elizabeth asked with genuine wonder. “Your two sisters will be out, but that does not mean you will never find someone. And you have a brother who will give you a home. There are five of us daughters, all out, and my sister is about your age and just got engaged. You are not too old at all. Besides, most men want a woman who is far from being a naïve child.” Her mind passed over Wickham and Georgiana Darcy, and her stomach turned. Any decent man, anyway. “And an older man is surer of himself, so what about Mr Travers, since you are in a hurry? Your mother approves of him.”

Julia scowled. “Stop talking about things of which you know nothing.”

Another door opened, and Sir John entered. “There you are,” he cried agreeably. “Such pictures of beauty.”

Elizabeth had nothing in common with Julia, but they both frowned at the insincere greeting.

“Miss Bennet, congratulations on feeling better. The Tessiers have ordered the carriages, Miss Metcalfe. We will leave for the downs in half an hour. I understand Mr Travers will meet us there. He left early to see the horses, little good it seems to do him this week. The turf has not been kind to him,” he added with a careless laugh.

“I have no interest in Mr Travers’s losses. Where is Mr Darcy?”

Sir John’s eyes widened and a grin burst from his lips. “My, my, no longer subtle. Soon you will offer to carry his candle to bed and see if he invites you in.”

It was a crass statement to make to a lady, but Elizabeth thought it might be true.

Julia gave Sir John a frosty glare. “I do not know what you mean.”

“Of course,” he said, bowing, “forgive me. I have not seen Darcy today. Perhaps he rode early with Mr Travers again. But if you ever want to darken my door⁠—”

“I do not. I am interested in a respectable establishment,” Julia insisted. She turned to Elizabeth with narrowed eyes. “Is Mr Darcy staying behind with you?”

She could not lie and deny that he had any reason to stay with her. “I could not say how Mr Darcy intends to spend his day. He is his own man.”

“Not if Miss Metcalfe has her way,” muttered Sir John.

Julia looked ready to shriek, but then she tamped out her simmering rage and stormed off. Sir John laughed to himself then gave Elizabeth a perfunctory bow and wished her continued good health.

Elizabeth hoped she would hear from her father today. He was a dilatory correspondent, but her news was rather tremendous. Of course, her mother had probably told the entire neighbourhood before Darcy could even talk to her father in person. Regardless of her parents’ approval, she would ask Darcy to bring her to Longbourn. There was no way she could remain in striking distance of Julia if she knew who was truly about to become Mrs Darcy.

Not five minutes later, Darcy entered the library, carefully balancing a small tray as though he had never done it before. She rose to help, but he shook his head and set it down without spilling anything.

“More willow bark infusion for the patient,” he said in greeting as he poured a cup. “I asked the housekeeper to make it before she left for the races.”

“But you did not have to carry it yourself,” she insisted, taking a drink.

“I did, or rather, I chose to not inconvenience the few people here. Henry convinced his mother to give the servants an afternoon at liberty to see the Oaks Stakes.”

She suspected Darcy had guided him in the gesture. “That means I must rely on you for whatever I need today. I promise not to abuse my position of power over you.”

Darcy smiled, leant forward, and said, “I told you, I adore you, so you can do whatever you please with me.”

Her heart fluttered, and a warm feeling spread over her. He meant nothing provocative, or at least not in this moment, but her thoughts raced back to last night. A week ago, she would never have thought it possible that the best part of her day would be talking with Darcy, being comforted by him, and having his hands on her body.

Could she boldly tell him she wanted him to do it again as soon as possible? She felt hot at both the hope of it and at admitting it aloud. “I adore you, too, Fitzwilliam,” she added. Her voice shook with nerves, but Darcy ought to know how she felt. He smiled to hear his name. “And I am eager to do as I please with you, but even if most of the servants and guests are gone today, it would be wise to wait.”

That dark look flooded his eyes, and he took a slow breath. “We ought to leave Sunday,” he muttered.

She grinned at him and said playfully, “How improper. You are so eager to marry me that one day will make the difference?”

“Perhaps we will leave tomorrow night, after the races,” he said. “Then Sunday we can go to Longbourn’s church together for the first calling of the banns.” He took her hand. “I am eager to marry you.”

She felt her cheeks flush, but strove to appear unaffected. “I want to marry you too, but you must be secure in my feelings for you. There is no need to rush home.”

Rather than be playful in return, he looked solemn. “I have not been secure for long. I admit that my hopes were checked by a knowledge of all the things I had done wrong.”

“So were mine,” she cried. “I abused you terribly. I was such a fool to think you were proud and unpleasant.”

“Well, you will be glad to know that my pride was insufficient to conquer the belief that I was the last man in the world you would marry. And even though it was clear you did not hate me, in my wildest imaginings I feared it was too soon to overcome all the rest and ever love me.”