Chapter 11 A Most Memorable Party #2
With Hayward’s words of praise for the man echoing in my head, the suggestion of him being my neighbour’s murderer seemed implausible. Yet if Mr. Rowe did not kill Mrs. Cooper, then who had committed the crime? I scrambled for any remaining unanswered questions. “What happened to the missing vase?”
“I have no knowledge of the vase. Perhaps the killer stole it.”
“What time did you leave Mrs. Cooper’s house?”
“Well, I arrived at six and remained for no more than two hours.”
I pressed my knuckles to my lower lip. Someone could have entered the house after Mr. Rowe left. And since Mrs. Cooper had dismissed most of the servants for the evening, that person may not have been observed.
Mr. Rowe held me in a steadfast stare. “Pray tell me, what do you intend to do now?”
“You are an esteemed member of the community, and I am inclined to believe you. Nevertheless, I am honour-bound to notify Mr. Notley, the Bow Street runner, of your testimony. He may see fit to question you further.”
He rubbed his hands over his trousers. “By Jove, he may assume that, because I had been to Mrs. Cooper’s house that evening, I must be the one who murdered her.”
“I have observed him to be a skilled and thorough investigator, so I expect he will follow all the evidence. I suggest you compose a written account of everything you have told me. I shall forward your statement to Mr. Notley and indicate that you have been cooperative and made no attempt to evade the subject or conceal the truth.”
“Very well.” In a laborious movement, he stood and trudged to a mahogany desk. “The Bartons keep writing supplies here, so I shall compose my account now.” He raised a pen, gesturing towards the door. “You may as well join the others. I shall find you later.”
Upon my return to the drawing-room, Elizabeth caught sight of me, parted from Miss Barton and my sister, and strode in my direction. My pace accelerated as I went to meet her.
“There you are.” Her glittering irises distracted me, disrupting my respiration. “Noah said you left with Mr. Rowe.”
“Yes, we had a matter of business to discuss.”
She took a backwards glance. “Cassie will have the card tables brought out soon, but I thought we might take a walk in the garden.” Her smile took on a teasing disposition. “Unless, of course, you are keen to play whist.”
“Not at all. I shall always choose you over cards.”
A becoming blush overspread her complexion. “I am pleased to hear it.”
We left the house and strolled upon the winding brick path.
“Our roses and chrysanthemums are thriving.” She gestured to the plants on either side of us. “Aunt Barton favoured them, and they are among the few flowers that bloom so late in the year.”
At her statement, I spared a look at the colourful bushes to our left and right.
“They are lovely.” Although neither their vivid hues nor their floral redolence could compare to Elizabeth’s charms. I stopped short of uttering the thought, for I had already made my feelings for her plain.
Or would that be a mistake? Maybe I ought to—
With pressure on my arm, she halted, prompting my own steps to cease. She moved to confront me. “Although my childhood was happy for the most part, I often lamented that, unless I married, I should remain a burden to the Bartons.”
My back stiffened. “I wish Mr. Barton had never given you the misconception of being penniless.”
She touched my upper arm, and a grin lit up her countenance. “But now, everything has changed. The funds that Uncle Gardiner invested for me are a gift far beyond their monetary value. Unlike most others of my sex, I may choose to live the life that best suits me.”
A snarl tangled my gut. Had she chosen to remain unmarried? Or maybe she desired a Season in town. Maddening images filled my head: Elizabeth dancing and laughing with other gentlemen.
“I need not bind myself to a husband for money, position, or property. If I chose to, I could marry a penniless man.”
Good God, I had lost her. She meant to reject me and find someone else, a man with whom she could fall in love. A burning sensation blurred my vision, and I fought to maintain an erect posture.
“But in a fortuitous twist of fate, the man who has stolen my heart happens to be wealthy.” Her hazel orbs glistened in the afternoon sunlight.
Every inch of me stilled. Could I have misunderstood her, or did she refer to me?
“It is high time I made my sentiments known to you. I love you utterly and completely and want nothing more than to spend my life with you.”
She loves me. Her declaration combined with her captivating beauty to place me in a dream-like, mute daze.
I stepped closer and interlaced her hands with mine.
An electric incandescence emanated from her and shot up my arms. My yearning for her defied the nagging voice in my head that cautioned me to heed propriety.
Thus, I embraced her, savouring her entrancing form, so pliant and feminine.
She lay her head in the crook of my neck.
Her breath wafted over the skin below my ear in a most provocative manner.
“Elizabeth.” I swallowed, my voice husky. “I love you so very much.” I should have been content to remain in that beatific position indefinitely, but she stirred, inching back to peer at me.
“Forgive me for having made you wait. At the time of your proposal, I did not understand my own heart, though I do not doubt now that I already loved you then. I have wanted to reveal my sentiment since last week, but with all that has taken place, the time never seemed right.”
“You have no need to apologise.” My sight froze upon her rosy lips; did I suffer under a delusion, or did they beckon me? It would not do to rush her into an intimacy beyond her comfort, yet neither should I squander this opportunity. “My love, if you are agreeable, I am…I should like to—”
With a slight nod, she raised upon her toes and pressed her lips to mine. Never before had I been so effectively silenced and elated at once. Her grip tightened around my waist, her fingers pressing into me. I allowed my hands to slip under the fabric of her spencer and explore her back.
It occurred to me that I ought to keep this first kiss chaste lest I overwhelm her, yet she pressed further against me, leading me to dismiss the concern.
Her touch, her fragrance, and her nearness had an exhilarating effect, whilst delivering a narcotic more effective than the finest and most potent of liquors.
Then my Elizabeth, the darling minx, drew my lower lip into her mouth in a gentle sucking motion. A faint groan escaped me as I waged an internal battle to maintain my self-control.
She started and drew back from me, tucking her chin. “Forgive me. I…I do not know why I did that.”
I raised my palm to cradle her cheek. “My love, you have done nothing except bring me enormous pleasure.”
Her gaze inched higher to meet mine. “Truly?”
“Yes. Moreover, I should never want you to be restrained with me, as long as we are alone.”
A sparkle illuminated her hazel eyes. “I had no notion that a kiss could affect one’s entire person, almost like tiny fireworks dashing through my veins. Even now, my senses are heightened, and my legs are weak and trembling.”
Her words had a bewitching effect upon me, so it took several moments for the gist of her last statement to spur my action. I took her hand and supported her lower back with my other arm. “Let us move to the bench.” I led her forwards, and we sat together.
“I have decided to travel to town with the Gardiners tomorrow and stay with them for the next few weeks.”
“Then Georgiana and I shall return to London on the morrow as well.”
“You need not depart so soon, especially on such short notice.”
“I have informed Hayward and his wife, as well as Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley, of the possibility, so no one will be taken unawares.”
Her smile brightened at my reply.
Dear Lord, she would not want a long engagement, would she? “Have you considered where and when you would like us to marry?” As soon as possible?
“Ah, well… Where do you attend church in town?”
“St. James’s in Piccadilly.”
She nodded. “The Bartons belong to St. George’s, but Cassie has been to St. James’s and has declared it to be lovely. Should you like to marry there in a month’s time?”
“If that suits you, I should like nothing better.”
“Then it is settled.”
Thank goodness. “Shall we go there on Friday so you may meet the rector, Mr. Andrewes, and we may make the arrangements?”
“Yes, by all means.”
The breeze picked up, sending a surge of coolness through the air and rippling the thin fabric of her shawl.
“Are you cold?”
“No.” Her lips curled up in a coy style. “But perhaps you should take me in your arms again to ensure I do not take a chill.”
“I am at your service.” Elizabeth’s delectable figure melted against me as I held her, her slender arms snug around my middle and her head resting upon my shoulder.
Warmth emanated from my chest and spread through my limbs with a tingling sensation.
Before I met Elizabeth, I could never have fathomed such felicity.
Back then, I had merely existed. With her at my side, my life would be vigorous, vivid, and complete.
Monday, 7 September 1812
Pemberley
Elizabeth
A soft chuckle escaped me, and I shook my head, setting Cassie’s letter upon the desk.
Marriage had not altered my cousin’s tendencies in the least, and she took delight in managing the household at Hawthorne Ridge.
In this missive, she lauded Mr. Stephen Ware’s efforts to increase the estate’s yield of grain and expand their herds of cattle and sheep.
Cassie declared that her husband’s income had surpassed that of her father.
In addition to her usual effusions of idle gossip, accounts of recent parties, dinners, and dances, and detailed descriptions of her latest acquisitions from the milliner or mantua maker, Cassie shared a notable bit of news: Noah had fallen in love!