Elizabeth stopped breathing.
She turned towards the door, and just the sight of him made her light-headed. He was alive and well and here in her bedchamber. She eagerly rushed to him with tears of happiness in her eyes.
“Fitzwilliam,” was all she could manage to say, as her arms reached around him. She breathed in the comforting familiarity of his musky scent and buried herself in his embrace.
Darcy’s arms automatically enfolded her. “Don’t cry, Elizabeth,” he whispered. “Everything is all right. I am here.”
They stood motionless in that exact positon for many minutes, merely wanting to hold each other until the empty feeling that they each had experienced for the past two days was completely dispelled.
“I was so worried that something had happened to you,” she murmured against his neck.
“The roads from Sheffield were impassable. I tried to make it through last evening, but the floods rose above the carriage’s wheels. I had no choice but to turn back.”
“You are here now, and you are safe; that is all that matters.”
“I would never forgive myself if I missed our anniversary.”
“I am so glad that you did not. I know it has only been two days, Fitzwilliam, but I missed you terribly.”
“And I regret that I caused you such worry. I missed you too, Elizabeth. I find that I do not like sleeping without you beside me. I shall try to avoid it as much as possible in the future. I love you so much, Elizabeth, more than I ever thought I could love anyone.”
“I love you too, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered as their lips met in a desperate kiss.
When they finally managed to tear their lips apart, Darcy took a step back and ran his hand lovingly over her stomach. “And how is our little one doing?” he asked as he bent to kiss the bump of her slightly protruding belly.
“All is well,” she breathed out on a sigh. “Although I do believe your child is growing at an alarming rate. It is not even four months, and already I cannot fit into any of my gowns.”
“Then I will simply buy you new ones,” he replied as he kissed her sweetly. He then reached over and again wound the key of her music box. “Happy anniversary, Elizabeth. Thank you for making this past year the happiest of my life,” he said as the melody of the waltz once again filled the room. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her fervently once again.
“Dance with me,” he whispered against her ear.
“Shall I go put on my dancing slippers?”
“Wait, not yet,” he murmured. “Stay here in my arms.”
Elizabeth was only too happy to comply. The music soon had them moving in time with the tempo. But as their bodies brushed so enticingly against each other, Darcy’s lips were soon upon hers once again. The kiss grew in passion and heat, and though they tried their best to continue on with their lovely waltz, it was soon impossible to keep up the pretense of dancing. As Darcy breathlessly pulled back from their kiss, he looked deeply into her eyes. “I have a feeling your dancing slippers will not be required tonight, sweet Lizzy.”
The End
Also by Pat Santarsiero:
Thursday’s Child
available in paperback and Kindle
If you would like to comment on the book you have just read, contact Pat Santarsiero by email at pats.stories820@gmailcom.
She would love to hear from you!
The Last Waltz: . . . another pride and prejudice journey of love Page 34