Page 9 of Before She Knew Him

“That sounds rather ominous.” Her eyes widened slightly, though the curve of her lips told him that her alarm was at least partly feigned.

“Only if one intends to stand beneath it.” Fitzwilliam smiled, finding it considerably easier to tease her than he had found it to begin their conversation. “Still, you may be assured, Miss Bennet, that I have no intention of leading you into danger.”

She glanced at him, her eyes bright with amusement. “How fortunate for us that you have chosen a different location for our picnic.”

“Naturally,” Fitzwilliam said, smiling at her for yet another moment before turning his attention back to the path before him.

That exchange prompted further questions about the surrounding prospect, and Fitzwilliam found it increasingly easy to point out places of interest as they travelled. Before long, they reached the site selected for the picnic. The landau carrying his father and the Gardiners had not yet arrived, but the estate wagon stood nearby, and the servants who had accompanied it were already arranging everything. Rugs had been spread beneath the trees, a folding table erected for the food, and chairs placed in the shade for those who might prefer them.

Fitzwilliam handed the reins to the waiting groom and descended from his side of the phaeton easily. After assisting Georgiana and Mrs Livesay from the rear seat, he walked around the back of the carriage to where Miss Bennet awaited him.

“May I?” he asked, extending his hand.

She placed her gloved fingers in his and gathered her skirts with the other. Fitzwilliam watched as she turned slightly and placed one foot upon the iron step. He steadied her descent with his hand beneath hers, his other coming to rest lightly at her waist as she stepped down.

For one suspended moment after her feet touched the ground, Fitzwilliam’s hand remained at her waist. Even through the fabric of her gown, he was conscious of her warmth beneath his palm and of how little distance lay between them.

Miss Bennet did not immediately draw away. Her eyes lifted to his, widening slightly, and her breath seemed to catch. The startled awareness in her expression answered something within him that he had not yet dared to examine too closely. It was something he had felt each time he was near her, but now, touching her in this manner, it flooded through him.

He knew he ought to release her, but neither of them seemed capable of movement.

“Thank you,” she said at last, her voice scarcely above a murmur.

Fitzwilliam allowed his hand to fall, though every instinct urged him to retain the contact, and indeed, to take an intimacy that was not at all appropriate for the time of their acquaintance or their location.

“It was my pleasure.” The words felt forced between his lips.

Her gaze remained fixed upon his, and for several heartbeats the servants, the waiting phaeton and even the picnic itself seemed to recede from his notice.

The approaching rumble of wheels broke the spell. Miss Bennet glanced towards the path as the landau came into view, a delicate flush rising into her cheeks. Fitzwilliam stepped back to a more proper distance, but the warmth of her remained impressed upon his palm long after he had released her.

Elizabeth scarcely knewwhat to think. She hastened towards Miss Darcy, seeking what she hoped would prove the safety of the younger girl’s company. Never before had a gentleman affected her so strongly through a single touch. She had already discovered that she enjoyed the younger Mr Darcy’s conversation, and there could be no denying that he was exceedingly handsome. She had recognised that much even when she believed him to be a gardener.

But whatever had passed between them beside the phaeton had left her thoroughly unsettled. When Miss Darcy addressed her, Elizabeth scarcely knew what answer she gave and could only hope it had borne some relation to the question. Mrs Gardiner soon joined them, and beneath her aunt’s familiar conversation, Elizabeth gradually recovered her composure.

A short time later, Elizabeth sat upon one of the rugs with Miss Darcy beside her. The others had chosen the chairs provided by Pemberley’s servants, but Elizabeth and Georgiana had both been charmed by the prospect of dining upon the ground.

Her newly recovered composure was threatened, however, when the younger Mr Darcy lowered himself onto the rug on her other side.

Nevertheless, the conversation soon became so light and easy that Elizabeth felt herself relaxing once more. The three passed comfortably from one subject to another, discussing books and music, history and the prospect spread before them. It was unlike any picnic Elizabeth had experienced before, made all the more pleasant by her companions. While her admiration forMr Darcy increased with every exchange, she found Miss Darcy equally delightful.

“Miss Bennet,” the younger girl began after her brother had gone to fetch more lemonade and pastries for them, “do you think you might call me Georgiana?”

Elizabeth smiled, touched by the request.

“I know we have been acquainted for only a short while,” Miss Darcy continued, “but I should very much like for us to be friends. When you leave here, perhaps we might write to one another.”

“Of course, Georgiana,” Elizabeth replied. “And you must call me Elizabeth—or Lizzy, as my family does. I hope you will write to me often, for I should not like our friendship to end so soon after it has begun. You may tell me everything you are learning, particularly when you begin school this autumn, and I shall send you all the news from Longbourn.”

Georgiana’s expression brightened. “I should be delighted to have a friend to write to, Elizabeth.” Elizabeth could see the slight hesitation when she spoke her name, but was pleased that she already seemed so comfortable with it.

“Then it is settled, Georgiana, and we shall be very good friends indeed.”

Elizabeth became aware of Mr Darcy’s return and looked up to find him standing nearby with their refreshments. His gaze moved between his sister and Elizabeth, and the warmth in his expression suggested that he had heard at least part of their exchange.

“I see I have been absent long enough for the two of you to dispense with ceremony,” he observed as he resumed his place beside Elizabeth.

“Only with each other,” Georgiana replied, accepting the lemonade he offered her.