by Jemma Thorne
Then, slowly, I gathered myself.
It was a new day.
“Lizzy, Bingley is here and he’s brought Darcy!” Jane called merrily from the front of the house.
My stomach lurched as if I’d just ridden over a steep ridge on horseback. He had returned after all. It was just the sign I’d hoped for.
No ghost spoke up about it, standing over my shoulder. No ancestor proclaimed her wisdom.
I wondered what Clarice would have said.
And I had Sarah take extra care with my hair before I went downstairs.
“You’re all walking out!” Mother exclaimed as I descended the steps. “I do apologize; you know walking is not for me. Mary is busy with another of her books. So you and Kitty are left to entertain Darcy.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Bingley suggested the whole affair to have a few moments’ peace with Jane.”
A solid assumption. Darcy stood, hat in hand, by the front door. His eyes never left me as I came down the hall. It was forward, but I determined I’d read nothing into it. Maybe he was just distracted.
Jane and Bingley trailed behind us, as my mother had suggested. It was sweet. They had still to determine a date for the wedding, but I doubted my sister would sleep too many more nights at Longbourn. And then it would just be Kitty, Mary and me. Those two had no prospects, so I certainly hoped I’d be the next Bennet daughter out of the nest.
Just thinking about it made me blush and I saw Darcy give me a sidelong look that lasted a few moments too long for strict propriety.
I would not let myself hope that his thoughts mirrored my own.
“You know, I fancy a visit with Maria. Can we walk that way?” Kitty said suddenly.
I could have kissed her.
We changed course for the Lucases.
Kitty and Darcy were awkward with each other. Kitty had nothing at all to say to him, and he had trouble making conversation even with interested parties.
I saw my opportunity ahead. I had to talk to Darcy. I needed to thank him for his interference with Lydia.
Kitty departed with a wave. Darcy and I strolled on. I was careful to walk with appropriate distance between us. I had a growing desperation to touch him, to jolt him out of his rank and privilege and into the very physical way that I knew I felt for him. It had started in Derbyshire, and I was done denying it. I wanted Darcy to be mine to touch. Mine to encourage and mine to hold. Even mine to ferociously debate, as I had no doubt we would if my dreams came true.
I couldn’t think about any of this right now. Before I lost my courage, I blurted out, “You may have noticed I am a selfish creature. It’s what makes me my father’s favorite daughter – I think I am the most like a man. I have something to say to you and I know you don’t want to hear it.”
His surprised gaze darted to my face and I hurried on.
“It will make you most uncomfortable, as I realize I’m not even supposed to know the truth...Darcy, I must thank you for what you did for my sister.”
He was silent for a moment before he let out a rough laugh. “Nothing I did was done for your sister.”
“For all of the Bennets, then.”
He stopped, and I glanced behind us. Jane and Bingley were still climbing the hill we’d just topped and the vista was ours alone. But only for a few more minutes.
“Lizzy…”
I thought he’d never speak the words – never choose his heart over his mind.
“Everything I did was done for you. You must know it.”
We stared into each other’s eyes and I felt all of the walls of prejudice and station falling away. He loved me. He really did. And I loved him more than I could even put into words.
“If your feelings have not changed since spring, I will understand and I will do no more to pursue you. But, if there is a chance...please tell me now, because I do not think I can stand this agony a moment longer. Is there a chance?”
He raised one hand between us and I raised mine to mirror him. For a moment we didn’t touch, but when we did his hand was warm, real, and unforgettable.
“What I said in the spring was never the truth. It was the result of a rash, over productive sense of dignity. My feelings for you have grown and grown over our acquaintance. And now...they are far beyond what I felt last spring.”
Hope surged in his bearing – he stood straighter and his eyes widened as he took in my words.
“I am so sorry for my words at Rosings. So sorry—”
“No.” He shook his head. “You had every reason to make me eat my words. I have thought – with extreme embarrassment – on that day many times. But the reason for my embarrassment might surprise you.” He drew a deep breath. His eyes were shining, and darting all over my face, as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight of me.
Oh, my word. Was this truly happening? Or had I fallen into the greatest dream I’d ever had?
“I should never have spoken to you so. It was callous, unfeeling. I had no idea of love, then.” I made to speak and he held up his hand to have his word. “Oh, I thought I knew. But my love was only wanting. It wasn’t knowing. When we met again at Pemberley, after I’d had more hours to ponder it than I will confess, I knew. I need you, Lizzy, above all.”
“Darcy...are you sure?”
“If you will have me, I will move heaven and earth to see it done. Nothing will stop me.”
What could stop him?
I grinned wildly. “I will have you, Fitzwilliam Darcy. I love you. So very much. I will say it a thousand times if that will sear the words on your heart.”
“You’ve just done the job,” he whispered, his eyes on my lips. “You will be my wife?”
“I want nothing more,” I confessed. “I can’t believe—”
He moved just a touch closer; we should not be standing so, and not only because our position only made me want to touch him more. “You answer my dreams and my prayers...and I swear, I will do all I can to make you happy.”
His eyes spoke only truth and I trusted him completely.
“You already have.” My heart was thumping so rapidly I might faint.
Our fingers entwined, we moved back toward Jane and Bingley, a heady expectation between us for the first time.
We walked toward our future.
The End
* * *
Jemma Thorne is a romance addict. She loves the thrill of new love to be found again and again in the pages of books, whether it’s a modern or historical setting, or better yet, one full of magic and mystery. She’s been writing for years (and years). She lives in a stunning land of magic and mystery herself, a place called Oregon, along with her husband and daughters.
Connect with Jemma online at:
@booksbyjemma
www.authorjemmathorne.com
Also by Jemma Thorne
TRUE LOVE THROUGH TIME SERIES
Match Made in the Stars
Smitten Before the Sunset
The World for Her Favor
LIZZY BENNET GHOST HUNTER SERIES
The Netherfield Phantom
Spectres at Longbourn
Rosings and the Wraith
Ghost of a Pemberley Bride
Shades of Prejudice Past