Page 21 of Courting Elizabeth

“You are accepting another of my requests…”

“You will be my wife in three weeks. It would be wise to accustom yourself to being heard.”

“You might regret it.”

“I already regret the time when I did not listen to you.”

She remained silent.

I raised my hand toward her face, then stopped before touching her. A lock of hair had come loose beneath her bonnet. I gestured toward it with my eyes.

“May I?”

She nodded.

My fingers brushed her temple. The curl was soft. I tucked it slowly behind her ear, unable to stop my fingertips from tracing the delicate curve down to her jaw.

Her breath caught.

I did not withdraw my hand.

“Elizabeth.”

She lifted her face.

We were alone among the trees, though Lydia and Kitty remained visible in the distance. I could feel the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers. Her lips were parted. My entire body strained toward her.

“Not today?” I murmured.

Her eyes dropped to my lips.

“You are persistent.”

“Desperately.”

I thought she would consent. She even placed a hand on my arm, and that contact alone was enough to make breathing difficult.

A burst of laughter rang out on the path.

Elizabeth turned away at once.

Kitty came running back toward us, Lydia behind her.

“Lizzy! Mr Denny has invited us on a walk tomorrow. Mr Darcy, you can come too, if you wish, but I’m afraid it will be very boring for you.”

“Your solicitude touches me,” I replied.

Elizabeth coughed to hide her laughter.

I withdrew my hand from her face, but when we resumed walking, she slipped her fingers around my arm—though propriety did not require it.

That willing touch erased the doubts her reserve should have stirred.

She gave it no name.

I gave it one for her, and I chose the wrong word.

Chapter 6