Chapter 1.13 #3
She gasped when she felt his lips for the first time—not just touching her bare skin but moving, pressing against it, his mouth half parted, warmer, bolder and more impatient than she remembered, taking from her and demanding still more.
She could think of nothing other than that she wanted to give him more and wanted more from him.
Unconsciously, her flustered face moved closer to his and her dry lips parted slightly… waiting.
He was aware of nothing except her intoxicating closeness—just the two of them, alone—her soft, unadorned lips: an homage offered to him. The shiver struck them both at the same moment in anticipation of what would come next, their faces drawn to each other until their lips almost joined.
But he withdrew a few inches, just enough to no longer touch her.
He remembered he had something to do first. He could not think coherently enough to recall what, for his brain seemed to register nothing but her warm nearness, but he knew it was something important and must be done before letting himself throw away all the restrictions of propriety.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must—”
Though deeply disappointed by the interruption, she tried to regain her composure and enlarged the distance between them.
“Mr Darcy, we both must remember we are in your sister’s apartment, and my relatives are waiting for us downstairs.” Her voice was in no way reproachful but sweet and teasing; however, her words made Darcy conscious of his duties and responsibilities as a host and master of the house.
“You are right, of course. I am very sorry. My manners were unpardonable. I am again in the position to beg your forgiveness. My behaviour was intolerable.”
He hastened to release her hands, but she deliberately delayed him, clasping his hand between hers more tightly.
“Sir, I can only hope there was nothing intolerable or regrettable in our behaviour, for if that were the case, I would be equally to blame. As shameful as it might sound, you did nothing that I did not accept and welcome.”
Even in the relative darkness, her eyes seemed like diamonds, and her teasing but slightly embarrassed tone, as well as her flustered, smiling face, were the sweetest reward for his distress.
“No indeed, Miss Elizabeth, there is nothing for which to be sorry. And you are certainly blameless.”
She blushed, smiled sweetly, and then turned to the door, still holding his hand in hers; this time he stopped her.
“Please allow me one more moment. Tomorrow, when you visit Georgiana, could you reserve a few minutes for me? I have a very important question I have been meaning to ask you for some time. I do not want to hurry you in any way, for I am not expecting an immediate answer, but I can go no longer without addressing the question.”
Her whole body was thrown into an amalgam of fire and ice as her heart seemed to stop and then started to beat so wildly that it threatened to break through her chest. She could hardly find the proper words.
When she met his eyes, she could see his pleading gaze, full of uncertainty, obviously as emotional as she was, and she did not delay her answer.
“Of course, Mr Darcy! However,” said she, smiling and hoping to put an end to the unbearable wait, “if the question is so important and you have wanted to ask it for some time, could you not do it now? After all, what will a few more minutes be?”
He returned the smile but offered her his arm. After she took it, he led her outside the room to the stairs.
“No, I cannot, for it is a very important question, and I need time to ask it properly.”
He could feel the tightening of her hand on his arm and knew she understood. For a few seconds, his heart seemed to stop in anticipation, waiting for a sign of her own wishes and intentions.
“I see…but I must confess I am confused. As you have wanted to ask it for quite some time, one would believe you have had time enough to prepare it.”
“Yes I have, but I do not like to hasten such important matters. I prefer to take the time to do them properly, slowly, and with care as I want them to be perfect.”
“I see…” Another shiver ran up her spine, though she did not quite understand why. She felt more than understood that his innocent statement was hiding other meanings, and more than his insinuating words, his pointed look and deep, almost whispering, voice made her tremble again.
“Then I shall have to wait until tomorrow. But did you not mention you will be out tomorrow, sir?”
“I did; however, there are occasions during which I prefer to take my time and other occasions that require as much haste as possible, and tomorrow’s business away from home is in the latter category, I assure you.”
They stared at each other a few more moments until their attention was drawn by voices in the dining room, and Mr Darcy remembered his duties as a dinner host.
“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me. I forgot to mention that I welcomed a last-minute guest. My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has just arrived and joined us. I hope you will not be displeased.”
“I am sure I shall not, Mr Darcy. It would be a pleasure and an honour to meet your cousin.” In fact, she was quite happy that something had come up to distract her attention until the momentous ‘question’ should arise.
And such a long wait she had to bear: a whole evening, a night, and a morning—an eternity.