Page 140 of Blink
"You know this path well." Darcy observed.
Elizabeth smiled. "It used to be one of my favourites. Those are apple trees - see them? When spring comes, they are filled with blossoms. The wind catches them and lays them or the ground like a white carpet. It is like walking on clouds."
“I suppose an angel would know that sensation well." he teased.
Lizzie smiled and then spoke very, very carefully. "It is a shame that we will not be able to see it."
Darcy stilled. "What do you mean?"
Lizzie laughed nervously, "Well, that I will not be able to make the journey - and if I do, I shall certainly be in no condition to walk about the countryside."
He tried to catch her hand, but she whisked it away. Her smile was beautiful and fragile, like a single pane of glass. The rain had plastered her hair to her cheeks, making her look elfin and delicate.
"I do not think you should be out in the rain." Darcy told her.
"We are nearly there." Lizzie promised and began walking once more.
Darcy got his bearings slowly when they left the enclosed trail. Without the heavy drips from the trees the rain felt lighter, like a fine spray over the open fields. His head was spinning; he only noticed the style when Elizabeth stopped walking. She perched upon the stone wall, feet dangling.
"I do not think you should be climbing, either." Darcy said.
Lizzie raised a challenging eyebrow. “But surely I should be sitting down?"
He settled for resting his hand upon her knee, ready to catch her in the unlikely event that she toppled. "How long have you known?"
She regarded him carefully, "Since before we arrived."
"You kept it secret from me?"
Lizzie frowned, "Not secret, exactly. I wanted to be sure. I… this morning I felt it quicken. I suspect the baby knew you needed a distraction. It is a good one, is it not?" She laughed suddenly, brightly, her cheeks burning pink. "Oh, it feels so strange to talk about it! And you have gone so pale! I was sure that you already knew."
"I wondered. I hoped." he murmured, "But I did notknow."
"Are you... pleased?”
Darcy looked amazed. "How can you doubt it?"
"Well! You have not smiled, or said anything beyond a few silly orders, and you have not kissed me. Holding onto my knee, sir, is not a fitting substitute."
He raised an eyebrow at her stern tone. He could tell that she was flustered, and that her brash speeches were all bravado. “Climb down, Elizabeth, and I shall kiss you."
"Another order!" she slid down at once with a bump which made her husband wince. "Do not pull faces at me. I shall not be swaddled in lambs’ wool, Mr. Darcy. Pemberley has had quite enough of that. We shall fill it with life and laughter and very stubborn children."
"Is thatmyorder, madam?"
"I foresaw no objections, sir. You certainly seem up to the task."
Darcy laughed aloud at that, his stunned solemnity broken, and kissed his wife soundly. "Oh, angel, you are a miracle."
"No. I am neither." she smiled, planting one teasing peck on the end of his nose. "I am your Elizabeth."
~~~
