Chapter 1.29
Elizabeth awoke after another night of restless sleep, her mind preoccupied by all manner of thoughts and worries.
The Gardiners, the Matlocks, and Miss Darcy were due to arrive in a couple of days, and although she dearly missed them all, Elizabeth knew that their presence would require all her remaining time and energy.
She would have no time for anything else.
I shall not have any time at all to be alone with him.
Although they met every day, she missed the opportunity to be with him privately.
Their eyes constantly searched for each other in a room full of people.
They even had a few moments alone in the evenings just before he took his leave…
but nothing more. She did not even have the chance to thank him for his generosity in the marriage settlements.
She tried to do it one evening in the hall, but he refused decidedly and silenced her with a hasty, brief kiss.
I miss him so much, was her only thought as she dressed and slipped out of the house before anyone awakened.
It was early that morning and quite cold; the air was frigid and so was the ground. Elizabeth started trembling the moment she left the house, but she needed time alone—a time of solitude and peaceful silence before the rest of the house awakened and the general agitation began once more.
She started walking slowly at first, looking around at the garden, the house, and the paths she knew so well and loved so dearly. Everything that had been part of her life for twenty years would be left behind in less than a fortnight.
She was looking with excitement and happiness towards her future life, but she could not avoid feelings of melancholy for all the changes that would transform her from Miss Elizabeth Bennet into Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Then more pleasant thoughts filled her, knowing that he would be with her, and the thought brought a smile to her lips.
Her cheeks reddened with the mere remembrance of what they had shared so far and the anticipation of everything they soon would share.
Unconsciously, her steps took her to the path that led to the cottage, but the road was frozen and slippery, and she did not even attempt to reach the hill.
The sound of a horse galloping startled her at first and then worried her as it grew stronger, but long before she could discern the rider’s face, his posture betrayed his identity.
If she needed further proof, her heart pounding wildly told her without any doubt that it was Mr Darcy.
The horse halted, and he hurriedly leaped from his back to pull her into a close embrace.
Suddenly, before she could say a word, a trail of small, tender kisses covered her eyes, her cheeks, and down to her jaw line until their impatient lips finally met and passionately joined.
They eventually drew slightly apart, their foreheads leaning against each other.
“Elizabeth, what are you doing here so early?”
“I came for a short walk before breakfast. And you? Am I to understand that you are displeased by my being here? I was tempted to think quite the opposite a few moments ago.” She was biting her lower lip, staring into his eyes with obvious happiness and no less impudence, demanding an answer.
“Quite the opposite would be a very correct assessment, I grant you.” Another passionate kiss followed his words, her impudent smile merging with his.
He broke the kiss to speak further, keeping her in his arms. “I have been riding here every morning at this hour since the day we returned. These paths where we met that day in the rain have become my favourite places. And I confess I was secretly hoping that I would meet you here again at some time.”
“Secretly? But why did you not tell me? I would have found a way to come.” Her eyes were staring into his, full of love and longing.
“I could not possibly ask you to wake up early only to meet me.”
“I would have come, for I greatly miss being alone with you.”
“Well, I can be patient, knowing that in a fortnight we shall be alone for as long as we want.”
She smiled and nodded in agreement, but he did not fail to notice the trace of a shadow that darkened her eyes for a moment. “Elizabeth, is something amiss? You seem upset.”
“No, I am not upset. How could I be? I am happier than I ever could have dreamed. It is just that I feel a little sadness, thinking that soon I shall depart from these places, from my family…”
“My love, you know that you will be able to see your family whenever you desire. You can invite them to visit us at any time, and we shall come to visit them as often as you wish it. I hope you are not worried on that score.”
“No, and I thank you for your concern. I am so anxious to see Pemberley, yet so sad to leave these grounds as well. I came out to walk today precisely to enjoy the beauty of these surroundings.”
“In that case, Miss Elizabeth, I believe I have just thought of a better proposition for you—would you not rather admire all these places from a more beautiful prospect?”
“I do not understand you…”
“Well, then I shall speak more clearly. Let us ride along all the paths you love most. We shall admire them together: you can tell me about your favourite places, and I can tell you about Pemberley if you wish.”
She stared at him with wide eyes, but then her brow furrowed. “I cannot ride your horse! I do not like riding and…I am not a good rider at all; I prefer walking.”
“You do not need to be a good rider; I shall be with you. There is nothing to be afraid of.”
“I am not afraid!”
He raised his eyebrow, an ironic smile hidden in the corner of his mouth. “Then may I dare ask what you call it, for it does not seem like courage either.”
“It is not a matter of courage, it is…well, I certainly cannot ride with you on the same horse! It would not be proper.”
His arms encircled her waist tightly while his mouth whispered against her cheek, close to her ear. “I would be very much obliged if you would do me this favour. As I recall, the first evening we returned to Hertfordshire, you said you were very grateful to me, do you remember?”
She nodded silently, and he continued with the same persuasiveness that weakened her knees. “This would be a wonderful opportunity to show your gratitude by indulging me. Will you not do that for me?”
She swallowed, shivers running through her, while she tried to voice an argument. “It is very ungentlemanlike to use that to persuade me. You are forcing me to do something against my will. I do not want to ride. I am not prepared for this.”
He smiled, placing small, warm kisses on her temples and on her cold, crimson cheeks.
“I know it is very ungentlemanlike, but I am not forcing you to do anything against your will. I am begging you to do something to please me. You are free to refuse if you feel too frightened to do it. I told you there is no need for you to express any kind of gratitude to me.”
His words, full of sweetness, and his tender look changed her mood instantly as she did not fail to notice his meaning. He was teasing her and using his powers of seduction to gain the advantage.
Immediately, she quelled her misgivings, and her voice was unexpectedly sharp as it issued from her soft lips, almost touching his as she spoke.
“You are mistaken, Mr Darcy. I am not at all frightened. I said I was not prepared as my gown is not proper for riding, and I am not at all accustomed to your horse—not to mention that it is highly improper to ride upon the same horse even if we are betrothed. But let it be as you desire since it seems you are accustomed to having things your way. Would you be so kind as to help me into the saddle?”
She was up in a moment, seated side-saddle, and in the next moment she felt him close behind her, his arms embracing her and taking the reins at the same time; instantly, the horse started to move restlessly and she gasped, wrapping her arms tightly about his waist and hiding her head on his chest. Darcy laughed as he pulled her closer, and the ride started at a slow pace.
Then he softly coaxed her chin up with one hand, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Elizabeth, try to relax a little. Trust me, you will like this as much as I do, I promise.”
“You tricked me into this.”
“Yes, I did, my love, and I rejoice in my success.” His voice changed again, deeper and lower.
“Having you in my arms in these secluded places, your warmth much more powerful than the winter cold, your beautiful eyes gazing at me…This is happiness, Elizabeth. Can you not feel it? Look around and tell me: is it not better to admire your beloved environs from up here?”
Reluctantly, she cast a glance around them.
A loud gasp and then a deep sigh answered his questions, and he could feel her adjusting her position to allow a better view.
Soon, in the comfort of his arms, she regained her composure and allowed herself to enjoy the wind playing on her face, the soft sway of the steady ride, and the newly discovered beauty of those well-known surroundings.
He tried to direct the horse to the cottage, and she smiled in undoubted agreement.
The place was dear to both of them. She wanted as much as he to spend at least a few minutes there, but when he realised the road was frozen and dangerously abrupt, he immediately turned back.
He would not consider risking her safety, not even for such a romantic reason.
They returned to the main road, and it was with no little regret that he whispered to her, “When we return in the spring, perhaps for your sister’s wedding, we shall go there; I promise.”
“I would like that very much.”
“And even more, I shall ask your father to allow me to have the cottage repaired and some improvements made. It can be used very well for fishing parties. I am sure Mr Bennet would like the idea, and so would Mr Gardiner.”
“I am sure they would. And if they did not”—she paused, her gaze a mix of sharpness and sweetness, her lips twisted in a challenging smile—“I am sure you will be more than able to convince them to like it. You seem very proficient in persuading people as to what they like and dislike.”
“Are you complaining about something, Miss Elizabeth? Are you not enjoying our ride?”
“Quite the contrary, sir, I am enjoying it very much. You seemed to know better than I that I would find great delight in something I have always disliked. Do you have any other suggestions for me?” The moment she finished her question she blushed and averted her eyes from his intense gaze.
However, she could not avoid hearing his answer, which was as husky as she expected.
“No, I do not have any other suggestions for the moment. However, I shall think very diligently on the subject, and I shall gladly share any ideas with you…most likely after our wedding.”
She tensed and turned her attention to the road, not knowing what she could say in the embarrassing silence provoked by her imprudent words.
Her position made her feel altogether vulnerable.
She was practically trapped between his strong thighs, his hands around her, his body pressing against hers.
How could she answer him? How could she even look at him?
“Elizabeth…you must learn not to ask questions if you are not certain you can bear the answers.”
She laughed, still embarrassed, her cheeks crimson and her eyes filled with mirth as she dared to meet his gaze again.
“Thank you for your advice, sir. I shall try to follow it. I have always tried to follow your wise counsel as you well know.”
“Indeed you have, Miss Elizabeth. I have no complaints.”
The witty, teasing dialogue gave them equal pleasure, and Elizabeth did not even notice when the horse, under Darcy’s guidance, quickened its pace.
“Elizabeth, when we arrive at Pemberley, will you allow me to teach you to ride?”
“Well, I do know how to ride—a little. But I would not be opposed to improving my skills. And I have to do so in any case. I promised Lady Ellen as much the first day we met.”
“Lady Ellen? On the first day?”
“Yes. She informed me that the mistress of Pemberley must be a very skilful rider. But do you know what her supreme argument was that instantly convinced me of the wisdom of her idea?”
“No, and I confess I am eager to know it.”
“She told me Miss Bingley is a proficient rider, and I would need to learn how to ride a horse so I might protect you from her.”
He looked at her, his mouth open in obvious incredulity. “Lady Ellen told you that on the first day you met? Well, my aunt is an impressive as well as an insightful woman. And she always knows what arguments to use in order to convince people to have her way.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to chuckle. “Apparently, you have somehow learned this quality from her, sir.”
“When it comes to you, Miss Bennet, I hope I have.”
His face lowered to hers, and their lips joined in a brief, tender kiss.
The wind started to blow stronger, but neither were affected by the chilling breeze.
Darcy turned the horse back to Longbourn, and the quick pace soon turned into a canter, and Elizabeth did not protest. She leaned her head against his chest and closed her eyes, feeling safe and protected by his strength and warmth.
For the first time in her life, she enjoyed the pleasure of riding.