Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) (23 page)

“This spot…with the willows and the…view”—he
swept his arm in a general easterly direction—“is lovely. Secluded yet
not dangerously so. How far is Longbourn from here?”

“A half mile or so, I believe. The
road is over there.” Elizabeth pointed to a distant line, proceeding to
indicate landmarks familiar to Darcy, as he would have recognized instantly if
not so flustered. The sudden recognition of just how secluded the area was, was
provocative…and perilous. So much for the scenery being a mundane subject!

“And to answer your question when
you arrived, yes, I do come here often. Willow Bench has been one of my favored
hideaways since I was quite young.”

“Willow Bench?”

Elizabeth laughed. “Not clever, I
know, but apt. I was ten or perhaps eleven when I first walked this far and saw
the willows. How the six trees grew in a circle with their limbs draped to the
ground, forming a shrouded lair was, to a fanciful girl, a magical place.”

They returned to the trees, many of
the yellowing leaves fallen, so the lair effect was diminished, and Lizzy
pointed to the dead willow log. “It was already fallen when I found this place,
and my thought was, ‘Oh, how nice, there is a bench for me to sit on.’ So this
place became Willow Bench.”

She sat on the surface smoothed
from unknown years of erosion and cushioned with a small, quilted blanket, and
ate the juicy berries one by one. Darcy leaned against one of the willows,
stared at the autumn landscape, and bit into an apple. He remained acutely
aware of her presence and the effect she had upon him, but the peaceful
atmosphere was hypnotic. Gradually he relaxed, realizing how uniquely gratifying
it was to simply be with her in silent accord. A fleeting glance showed she too
was staring placidly at the vista, not a hint of uneasiness apparent.

Later, upon reflection, Darcy would
mark this time as a significant leap in their relationship. Bit by bit, they
learned more about the other, and that knowledge created a growing
comfortableness that warmed his heart. Oh, how he longed for the day when their
minds, bodies, and souls were one!

“Elizabeth, I am not sure if I
adequately apologized to you for…everything…that I said and did…before. I do,
apologize, that is, down to the depths of my soul.”

She turned her head and gazed at
him steadily. She did not reply immediately, and when she did, her voice was
tender. “Thank you, William. I do appreciate you verbalizing an apology, but
not because I needed to hear it. You proved your regret by everything you have
done since Rosings. I forgave you long ago. For some reason,
you
needed
to say it. I hope you can forgive yourself now?”

“You never cease to amaze me,
Elizabeth.” Darcy shook his head and then sighed. “I think my guilt will never
be repelled, and maybe that is beneficial. Your recriminations taught me a hard
lesson, and thanks to your humbling, I am improving. I never want to forget how
damned fortunate I am to have you in my life.”

“Oh, you do not need guilt for
that, Mr. Darcy, as I intend to remind you every hour of every day just how
fortunate you are!”

“Please do,” he laughed and tossed
the apple core toward Parsifal. 

“And, so we can lay this
unpleasantness behind us once and for eternity, I apologize for my behavior.
All teasing aside, I truly am sorry for misjudging you, for Wickham, for being
endlessly rude, and—”

“No, Elizabeth, please. You were
not at fault nor rude.”

“I beg to differ, sir! If you
recollect in all honesty, I was horrid to you at nearly every turn!
Impertinent, uncivil, my sharp tongue seeking to cause you pain. How you bore
it all is unfathomable, let alone loving me through it.”

“I fell in love with you in part
because
of your liveliness of mind. Your wit is refreshing. If you were rude, I
deserved much more for how ungentlemanly and unpardonable my behavior.”

“So then, are we to end our lovely
interlude at Willow Bench with an argument as to who shares the greater blame
for our actions in the past?”

“There can be no argument, since I
accept the blame is wholly mine to bear.”

He meant it, but he spoke playfully
and smiled. How could he not when she fixed her dancing eyes upon him and
saucily cocked her head? She was utterly bewitching! Then she stood, casually
crossing the shaded clearing toward him.

“We have two options, sir. The
first is to add the topic of whose comportment was most abominable to the list
of postponed arguments, after literature choices for women and the deficiencies
in the justice system…” Elizabeth paused when Darcy laughed aloud at the last.
He had completely forgotten their heated debate over London’s crime problems,
that one occurring while she was staying at Netherfield nursing Jane, as had
most of their disputes.

“The second choice,” she resumed
when he regained control, “is for us to concur the entire matter is in the
past. How about a treaty of peace and nullification? Does the latter sound
preferential, Mr. Darcy?”

“Indeed it does, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Very well then, we are in
agreement. A sweet blackberry to seal the bargain.” Abruptly she closed the
space between them, the ripe berry held by her fingertips pressing against his
mouth. Instinctively he opened, and the brushing touch of her downy skin over
his sensitive lips followed by the burst of juicy sweetness sent a wild bolt of
sensual pleasure through his body. It was all he could manage not to moan and
crush her into his chest.

“As exciting as it can be to bicker
with you, William, I am discovering harmony and obliging communication is
richly satisfying.”

A second berry entered his mouth,
Elizabeth’s fingertips lingering on his lower lip. If she only knew how that
simple touch, and the faintly glazed expression in her eyes as she whispered
about being satisfied, affected him!

“I conclude that our unexpected
meeting today has been productive. We have forgiven each other and agreed that
the misjudgments of the past year are behind us—”

Another berry passed his lips,
Darcy barely tasting it with all his focus on her words, the close proximity of
her body, and his struggle to remain composed.

“—we have agreed to move
forward in honesty and accord—”

A caressing rub of her fingertips
as one more berry was placed onto his tongue…
God! Please let it be the last!

“—I learned more about you
and Pemberley, and took a small step toward liking horses—”

Frantically he snagged the next
berry from between her fingertips, and grabbed the handkerchief out of her
other hand. Stuffing the latter into his pocket, Darcy masked his ragged inhale
behind chewing the final blackberry and kissing her knuckles.

“Thank you for an extraordinarily
wonderful morning, Elizabeth. It pains me, but we should say our good-byes for
now. I do have some business to attend to before seeing you for dinner.”
Praying for tact and grace, no small request considering his raging emotions,
he sidestepped away from the tree while tucking her hand into the bend of his
arm. “How should I dress for the theatrical tonight?”

“Casual evening attire is
sufficient. It is not a formal affair at all. I do hope you are not expecting
too much from our community of actors, William. Miss Grant is gifted, but I
doubt Mrs. Siddons is fretting in her sleep!”

“My expectations are for a charming
country production that will, by its contrast to a Covent Garden play, be
delightful. Do not mistake me, Elizabeth. I adore the theatre and prefer a
serious, professionally rendered play or opera for the comprehensive experience
offered. Nothing can compare, of course. Nevertheless, entertainments presented
by traveling troupes or local groups have a value and pleasure that is unique.
Wait until you view the plays enacted by the parish children at Pemberley,
always for Easter and Christmas, as well as other special occasions. I daresay
nothing is more adorable and amusing than children acting out Biblical stories.”

“That sounds enchanting. I am
pleased to hear this, and it eases my mind. I feared you would be bored or
liken it to the worse torture imaginable.”

“Not at all. I hope to be
entertained, but in truth, it will matter little. I shall deem each act
delightful whether I attend to it or not because I shall be with you, dear
Elizabeth.”

He kissed her knuckles again, added
a florid bow and a tip of an imaginary hat, and ignored the frown flashing over
her brow when he whistled for Parsifal rather than kissing her offered lips. If
only she knew the battle being fought to resist! But it was definitely wiser
not to initiate a kiss at this juncture and place.

He kept his promise not to jump the
fence, riding on the Longbourn side until reaching the road and circling
around. Once alone again in his chambers at Netherfield, he pulled the
forgotten handkerchief from the jacket pocket where he had stuffed it. It was
plain linen with narrow lace along the edge, and a red embroidered EB in bold
script covering one corner. Inhaling, he could smell the blackberries as well
as the lavender scent he long ago began associating with Elizabeth Bennet.

Smiling dreamily, he folded the
square neatly and placed it onto the table by his bed.
A token for our
surprise encounter at Willow Bench.

* *
*

Lizzy
brushed her hair absently while contemplating her dreamy face reflected in the
silvery surface of the mirror. The dim candlelight and flames from the
fireplace were the only illumination in the darkness of her bedchamber, but
enough to reveal her beatific countenance. She sighed, the sound almost a
breathy giggle, and closed her eyes as a euphoric shiver rushed through her
body.

What a marvelous day.

Waking that morning to a gloriously
colorful sunrise and vivid azure sky set the tone, and beckoned Lizzy outside
as soon as a hasty breakfast was finished. There, she discovered the air as
fresh and crisp as imagined, and walking the trails through tall waving grasses
invigorating. Every leaf seemed sharper and brighter than normal. The willows
at her favorite secluded spot swayed serenely in the breeze, the autumn-yellowed
leaves a vibrant curtain and carpet. An hour of quiet reading with only the
scurrying of tiny squirrels and chipmunks or the occasional cry of a bird added
another layer of happiness.

Then, the distant sound of hooves
registered, and her happiness tripled. An unexpected and delirious interlude in
the solitary company of the man she loved surpassed any possibilities dreamt of
for her morning. Walking home with the sensation of his lips tingling her hands
and mouth was sheer rapture, and the feeling held all through the afternoon and
up until Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley’s arrival for dinner.

Sadly, the surprising inclusion of
Caroline Bingley had dulled her joy. Invited to Longbourn several times since
Jane’s engagement to Mr. Bingley, Caroline had extended thinly veiled,
contemptuous refusals each time. Therefore, no one anticipated her accompanying
the gentlemen on the night of an after-dinner community theatrical. Lizzy’s
suspicions that Caroline was attempting to wrest Mr. Darcy away through
seductive maneuvers were proven true by her outrageous display at the
Netherfield dinner the night before. With her tolerance hanging by a thread,
Lizzy barely hid her irritation, and even sweet Jane grimaced and greeted her
future sister-in-law testily.

Assuming the evening was doomed to
be ruined by Caroline’s harping, sneering remarks, and simpering at Mr. Darcy,
it was remarkably fantastic. Oh, Caroline did all that and more, but Mr.
Bingley and Mr. Darcy deflected her barbs, smoothly interrupted, or humorously
flipped the comment around. More often than not, they simply ignored her, the
Bennets following suit. That alone was enough to lift Lizzy’s spirits.

Best of all, Mr. Darcy held Lizzy’s
hand during the performance, whispered questions as to the people involved, and
honestly enjoyed himself, just as he said he would. Caroline’s pointless
pursuit faded into oblivion.

A knock on the bedroom door brought
Lizzy out of her woolgathering. It was Jane, as anticipated, and within minutes
they were snuggled close by the fire with a blanket draped over their
shoulders. A long-held routine after a particularly interesting day or evening,
the eldest Bennet sisters gathered together in one of their rooms to talk and
giggle. It was not unusual for one, two, or all three of their sisters to join
them, but since Lydia’s marriage and their engagements, it was typically just
the two of them, and no matter what topics they covered, their lovers
inevitably were the main subject.

So after talking about their
neighborhood friends and the comedic farce enacted to enliven an otherwise
humdrum season of the year, the gentlemen were mentioned, this time by Jane
first.

“Mr. Bingley said it was the most
amusing play he has seen in ages. Undoubtedly he was being polite more than
factual, yet he did laugh often and comment relevantly.”

“I suspect Mr. Bingley is amused
easily compared to some. Not to imply his taste lacking or that he is less
cultured. Rather that he possesses a gay heart and light spirit that loves
laughter.”

“As do you, Lizzy. Indeed, that is
a trait you have in common with my Mr. Bingley to a greater portion than me. I
do delight in humor, but I am not one to openly express, as you and Mr. Bingley
so readily can.”

“Perhaps in this we are mutually
blessed. Mr. Bingley’s ebullience touches you, as mine touches Mr. Darcy. You
are not as reserved as previous, and to my constant startlement, neither is Mr.
Darcy.”

“I agree that Mr. Darcy appeared
genuinely amused. His pleasure annoyed Miss Bingley profoundly. Her mouth
pursed as if sucking lemons all night!”