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“A lot of good things, don't you think?”
“Yes. Mostly excellent things.” She kissed his chest again. “But some not so good. My mother, for starters. Lydia...”
“They were fine. It wasn't a big deal.”
“What exactly did you and my mother talk about?”
He sighed, and thought back to his conversation with Mrs. Bennet.
Lizzy has her faults, and Lord knows she's no Jane, but if you're patient with her and can learn to overlook her flaws, I'm sure you'll see that she can offer you something.
He’d been so shocked when the words had dribbled from Mrs. Bennet’s mouth, he’d been unable to think of an appropriate response. Her questions about his status and his wealth were indiscreet and intrusive, but he’d grinned and bore it, not wanting to make waves for Elizabeth’s sake. Now, in the face of Elizabeth’s question, he struggled to keep his expression neutral. He didn't want to let on how much her mother had aggravated him, but honestly, he’d be happy if he never saw her again.
“She let me do most of the talking,” he finally answered, “so I raved about you.”
This was true; whenever Mrs. Bennet gave him the chance to speak, he made sure to flatter Elizabeth in every way possible. It managed to render her mother speechless once or twice, but only temporarily.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, and he knew she wasn’t sure whether to believe him, but she let it go. It fell silent as they lay together, each of them lost in their own thoughts, and his mind turned to the events of the weekend, but especially to what happened this morning.
“Um, I was thinking about what we talked about on Friday,” he began. “About both of us being wary, I guess, of sharing ourselves. Of trusting.”
Her eyes met his. “Iwaswary. I guess I still am, a little. But I’m trying to get past it.”
“We’re both trying, but I know it’s still scary. It’s tough to be vulnerable, to willingly give someone the ability to hurt you.” He hugged her tighter. “So this morning, when you told me you were sure and that you wanted me...that was a huge leap of faith for you.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed thickly, and stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I won't ever hurt you. You know that, don't you?”
She nodded, and he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. They embraced for a long moment, and then rose from the couch to get ready for bed. Elizabeth was under the covers first, and he felt her eyes on him as he moved around her bedroom, then noticed her grin as he climbed into bed next to her.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked, pulling her close.
“Nothing. It’s silly.”
He tickled her waist. “Tell me.”
“I just like that your suit is hanging in my closet with my clothes.”
He chuckled. “You’re right, that is silly.” He quickly rolled her under him and began kissing her neck.
“Will?”
“Mm?”
“Can we just...go to sleep?”
He stopped immediately and raised his head. “Yes, of course. I’m–I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m just a little achy. My body isn’t used to so much…attention, I guess.”
His brow furrowed. “I didn’t know. I would have left you alone this afternoon.”
“I didn’t want you to leave me alone this afternoon.”
“Were you uncomfortable?”
“No. Far from it.”
