Chapter 30 #2
“We should make haste,” he said. “This weather does not want us in the park. You should take my coat — yours is too thin.”
He released her hand and began to unbutton his coat. Elizabeth grabbed his fingers.
“Do not be ridiculous. sir!” She laughed, the movement paining her frozen face.
“What should I do with your coat? You will catch a cold, and I shall not be able to walk in it regardless. I would probably catch my feet in its hem, fall on my face, and sprain my ankle. Let us simply hurry back home. Or perhaps not too hurriedly as I might fall and sprain my ankle in any case.”
“I could carry you, if you agree,” he offered, and she stared at him, her mouth and eyes widened in disbelief.
“You really are being silly, Mr Darcy! Very much so,” she replied, laughing to conceal her nervousness as she imagined herself being carried in his arms.
After a short while, they arrived home, just in time to be spared from the wind whipping the snow into a fury. Mrs Green met them in the entrance hall, her mouth covered with her hand.
“Do not fret. We are well,” Mr Darcy assured her. “We only need dry, warm clothes and a hot cup of tea for Mrs Darcy. I have brandy to warm me.”
Then they climbed the stairs together, still arm in arm. When they reached her door, Darcy opened it and almost pushed her inside.
He removed his own gloves, then untied her bonnet, took off her gloves and coat, and unceremoniously threw them all to the ground.
“You must remove your shoes immediately and warm your feet,” he insisted with gravity, and she was equally amused and distracted.
Before she could reply, however, her maid entered with Mrs Green.
Seeing the master, they both stepped back, but he said, “Please help Mrs Darcy change her clothes this very moment. And bring her that tea. I shall be in my room if I am needed.”
With that, he retired through the adjoining door, leaving Elizabeth bereft, missing his presence immediately.
It felt like only a few minutes had passed before she found herself ensconced in an armchair by the fire, in her nightgown and robe, wrapped in a blanket, with a cup of tea by her side, her hair, still damp, loose down her back.
“May we bring you anything else, Mrs Darcy?” Mrs Green enquired.
“No, thank you. I am perfectly comfortable. You may both retire for the night.”
Indeed, she was comfortable but also restless.
While she grew warmer and a sense of tiredness enveloped her, she wondered about Darcy.
He must have had a drink or two and gone to sleep, since another distressing, busy morning was ahead of him.
She had to thank him for that evening, to tell him she appreciated his effort and time to satisfy her desire despite his trying day.
She stretched a bit then better wrapped herself in the warm blanket, thinking of what he had said during their delightful walk through the snowy park.
He had said he was happily married. He had said he was happy to be with her in the park.
He had said he was content that he had chosen her from among many others with a similar fortune.
How serious was he about all those statements?
Had he made them for the sake of his acquaintances?
Should she dare question him? No, not that evening, but perhaps soon, when all the other distracting matters were settled.
“Elizabeth?”
“Yes?” She did not even hear him knock or open the door.
“I am sorry to startle you. I wished to see whether you are well.”
“Very much so, thank you. And you?”
“I am too. I have poured a second brandy, and it should be enough to send me to sleep.” He was jesting, standing near her, tall, impressive, handsome in his trousers and shirt, a loosely tied sash keeping his robe about him.
He took a thin, long box out of the robe pocket.
“But I also wanted to bring you something. Tonight, the snowflakes were sparkling like gold stars under the moonlight against the curls escaping your bonnet, but no more so than your eyes alight with the joy of walking. And the cold made your cheeks red and your… I am afraid I am no poet. Suffice to say I think this captures the picture even if it lacks the perfection of the original as it appeared in my eyes.”
“Would you like to sit by the fire for a moment?” she offered, accepting the box and glancing at him.
“I would, thank you,” he said, pulling a chair close to hers, watching her open the box. Her fingers caressed the beautifully carved stones.
“Rubies and gold? They are so beautiful! For me? Thank you, but you should not…” her words faded as his fingers pressed lightly against her lips to stop her protests.
“Thank you. And thank you for joining me in my escapade, Fitzwilliam. I am sorry I exposed you to such cold and to the censure of your friends. By tomorrow, the whole of London will know Mr Darcy behaved irrationally and walked in the park at a most improper hour, in the most improper weather, with his most improper wife.”
She was teasing him, warmed by his compliments and gifts and feeling pleasantly unsettled in doing so. He laughed.
“They are not my friends, and I care little about their gossip. As for the cold, it was fierce but somehow enjoyable. The sort that makes one grateful for a good fire…and for good company. So you see, it is I who should thank you.”
“You are most welcome,” she replied with a smile.
“I dare say you will love winters at Pemberley, Elizabeth. At least I hope you will.”
Her heart began to race. “I am sure I shall,” she said, accepting an invitation he had not realised he was offering.
He leant towards her, stretched out his hand to take hers, and watching her for any sign of opposition, he placed a lingering kiss in her palm. She held her breath, her skin shivering under his soft lips.
“I look forward to the delight of showing Pemberley to you, Elizabeth. Be it winter or any other season. But we need to order better shoes and a warmer coat for you.” He released her hand gently and rose. “I shall leave you now. We both need a night that is as restful as possible.”