Page 88 of Cads & Capers
The path could have fitted two barouches abreast of each other. Darcy smiled and squeezed his arm to his side, pressing her hand against his ribs with it. “I have missed you more than I can put into words.”
“You do not need to put it into words. I understand completely, for I have endured the same misery.”
“I am sorry I did not come back. I wanted to. If you only knew how many times I have almost ridden to Longbourn just to see your face!”
“Why did you not?”
Darcy directed Elizabeth off the main path towards a more isolated one. “Lady Catherine lied to me. When she relayed her conversation with you, she painted a very different story to the one you told Lady Tuppence, and which I heard last night. I knew my aunt was angry, but I still thought her visit to you must present the very worst of her behaviour. I did not believe her capable of such malicious deceit, and so I did not question her report.”
“Lady Tuppence has been of infinite use, despite her best efforts to invent an argument between us. But how on earth did you learn of my meeting with her cousin in the first place?”
Darcy was then obliged to explain his unpardonable eavesdropping. He could easily perceive that Elizabeth was amused by his absurd lunge behind the pillar but loved her all the more upon seeing her check her laugh. It was his turn to be amused when she admitted to having made precisely the same leap for cover upon seeing Georgiana in the same seat the next day.
“I ought never to have tried to interfere,” Darcy said. “I like to think Ihadlearnt my lesson in that regard, but when I thought you were in danger, I could not stand by and do nothing.”
“We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to this week’s mayhem. Your meddling may have set the ball rolling, butmyschemes embroiled everybody from your sister to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s batman in the fray.”
“Perhaps, though I do not think there will be many complaints. Georgiana and Rutherford have got off to a famous beginning, and if I am not greatly mistaken, Fitzwilliam is already half in love with Lady Tuppence.”
“’Tis a truly fortunate ending, in that case, for my sister has quite determinedly set her cap at Sergeant Mulhall as well.” Shesmiled at him affectionately. “None of them will be as blissfully happy as we will, of course, but they will make do, I am sure.”
“Nobody could ever be as happy as I am, Elizabeth. Not even you.”
“Do not be too sure. I have not told my mother yet.”
Darcy chuckled, revelling in being able to enjoy Elizabeth’s wit once more. He slowed their pace, for they had reached the most sheltered part of the path. “Your aunt and uncle seemed happy with our news.”
“Oh, they are—so very happy! They were convinced, when you helped Lydia, that you had done it for me. They were almost as disappointed as I was when you did not come back for me.”
“They were right, I thought only of you.” He stopped walking and tugged her gently to face him. With his thumb, he traced her cheekbone and jaw. “I have thought only of you for a very long time, dearest, loveliest Elizbeth.”
When he bent to kiss her, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he responded heatedly, pulling her tightly against himself. She was warm and supple in his embrace, and she fitted herself against him as though they had been made for each other. He was loath to let her go.
“Do not make me wait long to marry you, Elizabeth. What say I apply for a special licence? We could marry tomorrow.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and encouraged him with a nudge to start walking again. “Do you know many bishops?”
“My uncle does.”
“Do not be absurd. I have no more desire to delay than you, but a common licence will do.”
“But if we had a special licence, we could marry in the British Institution.” He was not serious, but her vehement response nevertheless took him aback.
“Absolutely not!” she cried. “I am sick to the back teeth of that place. A church ceremony will do perfectly well.”
Darcy gave a small grunt. “Very well.” After a moment, he added, “I bought the couch, though.”
She looked askance at him, then laughed lightly. “What?”
“The exhibition is closed now—last night was the final showing. I sent an enquiry this morning and received a quote by return. It is all settled. The couch on which we were reunited will be delivered to Darcy House tomorrow. I thought it might make a poignant engagement present.”
“And so it will!” she agreed, resting her head on his shoulder in another show of sweet affection. “We shall be able to finish what we started on it.”
Darcy turned to regard her in astonishment, and it was evidently enough to make her realise what she had implied, for a deep blush overspread her cheeks and she stammered, “Notthat!I meant our marriage!”
Conscious of not embarrassing her further, Darcy turned his gaze back to the path, trying prodigiously hard not to smirk. When they had gone a few yards along the path, he could not resist adding, “After all that, it turns outyouare a cad, as well.” He smiled to hear her mortified groan. “It is well, though.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the backs of her fingers. “You are my cad, and I love you, too.”
The End
