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Darcy’s heart swooped with joy. “Oh, Elizabeth!” He crushed her to him in a fierce hug that evolved into a tender, lingering kiss.
How could such a simple act create so many sensations everywhere at once? Elizabeth wondered. She tingled all over – in every place their bodies touched, she felt a warm energy spread through her skin. The same sensation she had earlier experienced when he touched her hand now hummed along the entire length of her body, while in the pit of her stomach she experienced a pang, a deep longing. Too soon, Darcy pulled away to look down at her, but he still held her firmly in his arms. “Miss Bennet, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She smiled at him as a warm serenity spread through her. “Mr. Darcy, I will.”
He reclaimed her lips with a kiss that was more urgent and desperate than the last. His hands rose to her face and then her hair, exploring the curls and threatening to dislodge her hair pins. She did not understand how the simple, gentle sensations from his fingers – while exquisite – could travel through her body, making her weak at the knees and hot all over her skin. Her body pressed against him almost of its own volition, apparently wishing to mold to him until there was no space between them and they felt like one body. They separated only when Elizabeth found herself gasping for breath.
Darcy stared at her in wonderment. “There are no words to describe how this moment. ‘Happy’ is completely inadequate to describe my feelings.”
Elizabeth smiled tenderly at him, enjoying the gentle pressure of his arms still clasping her waist. “I know.” Then she felt suddenly dizzy. Taking a few unsteady steps, she seated herself on one of the garden’s stone benches.
“Forgive me,” Darcy was instantly concerned. “I forgot about your illness. Would you like to return to the house?” Carefully, he settled next to her on the bench, watching her guiltily.
“Please, do not apologize for kissin
g me like that! No woman could possibly object.” He chuckled. Unable to resist, she reached up and kissed him briefly. Inwardly she wondered at her own boldness; not only did she want his kisses, but she wanted more – much more. These sensations were completely wanton, but kissing him felt so good – so absolutely right – that it was hard to resist.
When they separated, Darcy asked, “When would you like to be married?”
She leaned her head on his shoulder, sensing the warmth of his body through his coat. “As soon as possible.”
“I am absolutely in accord.” The enthusiasm in Darcy’s voice was unfeigned. “Perhaps a fortnight after we arrive in England? That should provide sufficient time to make arrangements.”
“If we make it to England,” Elizabeth said, anxiety surging her through her again.
“Do not worry.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I will ensure we arrive home one way or another.”
Elizabeth said nothing, but gazed out over the garden’s perfect rows of flowers. To Darcy’s eye she seemed a little melancholy.
“Darling, is something amiss? “
“No, no…It is simply that…it will be another week until we can leave and then a day or so of travel…and then another fortnight….” Her voice trailed off.
“Yes?” He prompted, not understanding the source of her distress.
“It simply seems so long to wait – too long.” Blushing a little, she fixed her eyes on her hands.
Darcy’s heart was pounding with joy. He wanted to jump and dance. She could not wait to marry him! The thought flooded his entire body with happiness – and set it afire with aching desire. “I am afraid it cannot be helped.” The calmness of his words belied the wild excitement coursing through him.
She bit her lip in a way that he found completely endearing. Then she gazed into his eyes with an expression that betrayed her anxiety over his reaction to what she was about to say. “William…what if…we could get married here? Now?”
Chapter 7
“Mr. Whitmore could perform the ceremony.” Elizabeth rushed on. Darcy was so shocked he could not speak, his lungs robbed of breath. “We have waited so long…I do not want to delay any further….You should not wait. And we have days of travel ahead of us. It will make it easier to travel since we will need no chaperone.”
Darcy’s mind was attempting to grasp the idea. “That is true….” A wry smile twisted his lips. “Everywhere we have traveled people have been assuming you are my wife or—” Too late he realized that he should not have pursued this line of conversation.
“Or—?” She arched her brow curiously at him.
He hesitated, but forged ahead. “Forgive me, my mistress.”
To his astonishment, she laughed. “This is precisely my point! From that perspective a hasty marriage is far better!”
He smiled, but still shook his head. “Elizabeth, everyone will assume that I have compromised you or that you are with child—“
Elizabeth sprang to her feet and started pacing, her slippers crunching the path’s gravel. “Let them!” Then seeing his shocked expression, she said in a softer tone, “William, I almost died. It forced me to consider what is most important in my life – and understand what is missing. I do not wish to wait what society would consider an appropriate amount of time. I want to – seize the moment!” She closed the distance between, pressing herself against his chest; his arms wrapped around her of their own accord, reveling in her softness. With her in his arms, warm and alive, he found it difficult to think about anything else. “I want to start our new life as husband and wife immediately,” she whispered.
He pulled away from her to gaze directly into her eyes. “But, a wedding with no family, no friends…”
