Ardently Admired (A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation novel) by Cora Stirling

Author:Cora Stirling [Stirling, Cora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

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Mr Darcy returned to Berkeley Square in the latter part of the afternoon. As he entered the house, he was glad to hear that things were quiet. After the hive of activity that had been Tattersalls’ horse establishment, Darcy needed some quiet time. If nothing, he wanted a chance to reflect on what had happened this morning in Bond Street. Because, as far as he was concerned a very great deal had occurred.

He gave instruction for tea to be brought to the library. He made his way into the room and took his seat at the reading table. The late afternoon light coming in through the high windows was soft. He immediately felt the peace of the room affect him, taking the hard edge off the emotions which had been swirling through him these past few hours.

There was only explanation for those turbulent sensations. Only one person who had been the cause of them.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

The entire time they had spent in Bond Street had been an exquisite form of torment to him. Not only had he had to deal with all of his concerns regarding Georgiana, and the potential suitors who insisted on imposing themselves upon her, but there had been an entirely surprising development once they had started to ride in the carriage from Berkeley Square. And that had been the close proximity to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

From the first moment of the carriage ride to Bond Street, Darcy’s whole attention had been seized by the presence of Miss Bennet. She had sat immediately opposite him and Georgiana, and every moment had proven to be both a challenge and a delight.

At first, he had not really known how he would be able to maintain control over his conduct toward her. He had occupied himself by attending to Georgiana, sharing in the idle chatter and her excitement about the trip to Bond Street.

But that had not proven to be a large enough distraction. Many times, he had glanced at Miss Bennet, and had seen the expression of casual and amused interest on her features. Each time he had chosen to look in her direction, it had seemed she had been fully aware of his attention.

And not only that. There had been moments when he was sure he had seen the corner of one of her brows rise as his gaze had drifted from the street, to her even, extremely pleasing features. Had she been testing him with that almost imperceptible gesture? Had she been sending him a signal that she was aware that he was regarding her, however secretly, however surreptitiously?

He was not entirely sure. But, one thing he did know. By the time they had arrived at Bond Street, there had been a part of him which had begun to enjoy those clandestine, furtive glances. He had liked how they had made him feel. There had grown a warm sensation in his heart which had been completely surprising and delightful to him.

However, further reflection told him that those sensations should not have seemed so very surprising, after all.

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