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“Yes.”
At dusk the beach was not crowded. A few other couples were also enjoying the beach’s beauty, and some distant children ran and splashed in the shallow water. It was nearing high tide, and the beach was far narrower than it had been when Elizabeth had bathed there.
They walked east for a while, with the setting sun at their backs, watching as the waning light cast the clouds into vivid hues of gold, orange, and pink. The rhythmic sound of the waves was relaxing, and some of the tension from the past few days drained from her body. It was somehow easier to breathe here. Elizabeth sighed in contentment; the serenity of the place soothed her soul. “At times I believe I could happily spend the rest of my life on the beach.”
“I know how you feel,” Mr. Darcy replied. “Although I would miss trees and woods and Pemberley.”
They strolled in a companionable silence. Accustomed to walking with her rather voluble sisters, Elizabeth found the quiet to be both strange and oddly comforting. The only Bennet sister who did not maintain a constant stream of chatter was Jane, but when she said something it was worth hearing. Elizabeth might say the same of Mr. Darcy. This brought a smile to her face. Who would believe those two people would have anything in common?
After several minutes of silence, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “I suppose they will arrest Wickham tonight.”
“They may have already.”
“What will you do then?”
Elizabeth stared at the horizon. “I would like to return to Hertfordshire. There is no need to remain. However, it may be difficult to convince Lydia to depart immediately, and she should not remain in Brighton without me.”
He fell silent again. Only then did she realize that expressing a desire to leave Brighton might be interpreted as a wish to quit his company. “But we might linger in Brighton a week or two as well,” she added.
He did not respond. Perhaps I misinterpreted his reaction. Finally, he lifted his head and caught her eye. “Would you…perhaps consider…a visit to Pemberley?”
Elizabeth blinked rapidly. “Pemberley?”
“I would very much like to show you Derbyshire…and my home…” He swallowed. “The grounds are very fine.”
“Of course. Of course, I would love to see Pemberley,” she said hastily. “But I would need—”
“A chaperone,” he finished for her. “Yes, yes, of course.”
Another long silence followed, broken only by the crash of waves and the crunch of sand and stone beneath their feet. “My aunt is from that part of the country,” Elizabeth said finally. “She might accompany me on a visit.”
“That would be…I would love to have her visit…and you, of course.”
How ridiculous. We kissed on my bed. More than once. How silly that we are now so awkward and hesitant with each other. We did better when I disliked him. Perhaps he prefers frankness?
She stopped walking and faced him. “Why, Mr. Darcy,” she adopted a pert tone, “are you hoping that a visit to Pemberley will convince me to accept an offer of marriage?”
A smile curled up one side of his mouth. “I do not believe an offer of marriage is on the table, madam.”
She almost laughed aloud. “So you climbed into my bedchamber because…?”
“I had to warn you about Wickham. I had no other purpose in mind.” He clearly repressed a smile.
“And when you kissed me?”
“Kissed you?” he exclaimed in mock horror. “I recall no kisses. Perhaps I fell against you and our lips br
ushed against each other, but kisses? No.”
Elizabeth could maintain the charade no longer; she burst into laughter. Mr. Darcy joined her, but when their chuckles subsided, his expression was sober. “In truth, I have long been hoping to change your mind on the subject of marriage—whether it is with kisses or houses.”
“Quite a devious plan, sir.” He smiled at her raillery. “But I must warn you that neither kisses nor houses will tempt me.” His face fell. “However, your words may very well accomplish that goal. I must confess to a weakness for lively conversation.”
His eyes lit up. “Hmm…I will do my best to provide it.”
“You have done an admirable job to this point.”
He was standing quite close and spoke softly. “However, Miss Bennet, I find I have a dilemma. You enjoy my conversation, but I have a strong inclination at this moment for an activity that does not include words.”
