Mr Darcy's Struggle by Martine J Roberts

Author:Martine J Roberts [Roberts, Martine J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Martine Jane Roberts
Published: 2014-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

“Wickham is dead!" Elizabeth said as she took a seat next to Darcy. "I can scarce believe it. I admit to entertaining harsh thoughts of him this past week, but dead! And you think it was a duel?”

“I can only surmise that, going on what the innkeeper told me and the evidence when I arrived at Green Park. It is the fashionable place for duelling at the moment, and his watch and fob were intact, which would rule out robbery. The pistol by his hand had not been fired and was still with the body.”

He paused to show her the initialled handkerchief. The implication to Mary King was self-explanatory, and Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath.

“Your sister has been more fortunate than others. You say Lydia seems largely unaffected by events? I also determined that; which is good. I believe your father has formed an agreeable plan to secure her future. Hopefully, all will be well.”

Elizabeth lowered her eyes and spoke hesitantly.

“When I discovered whom she had eloped with, I thought we were all ruined. I feared that you might want to reconsider our engagement.”

“You think my love for you could be so easily affected Elizabeth, what could the worst have been?" He raised her hand to his lips. "To be shunned by the Ton and forced to seek refuge at Pemberley until it had faded from memory?" He paused to place a few feather kisses along her wrist.

"Dearest Elizabeth, my heart would rejoice at having you all to myself,”

the delicate aroma of lavender that emanated from her skin invaded his senses,

and he murmured. "How I have missed you.”

“I missed you too,” she returned shyly, a gentle blush coming to her cheeks.

Mortified that he had been unguarded enough to let the words slip from his lips, he froze. Yet Elizabeth had professed to have missed him also? This was progress of the most positive and encouraging kind. He held her gaze and uncharacteristically sought reassurance.

“You missed me?”

“Yes, I missed you, as you have declared to have missed me," she reaffirmed. A crimson blush peeked over his collar, and she asked, “What troubles you, sir?”

"That my utterance was audible,” he said, now feeling foolish.

Clearly, he had not meant to speak aloud, and his discomfiture was evident. She, however, had been both pleased and touched at his declaration. Elizabeth, known to sometimes speak what should only be thought, understood how he felt. Unfortunately, too much had been said to now ignore it. She had already acknowledged it with a reply. To ease his discomfiture, she spoke again.

“We are adults, betrothed and hold each other in affection. Why in a little over a week we will share more than sentimental words, sir. Let us not dwell negatively on words expressed with honest feeling. You declared to have missed me, and I have returned the compliment. Is it that you are shocked to hear that I have missed you, Mr Darcy? Maybe you would prefer I did not voice my emotions but refrained from doing so, perhaps taking my example from Miss Bingley?” she teased.

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