Page 58 of When Elizabeth Said Yes

And she had to nod, because how else could she explain the physical, visceral reaction she had to him? She did not even understand it herself.

He shrugged off his coat. "It’s wet," he said, "but it should still be warmer than what you’re wearing."

He draped it over her shoulders, and she inhaled his woody scent, felt the warmth of his clothing against her body, and caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Thank you," she said.

As he placed it on her, his hands lingered on her shoulders, and she suddenly got the feeling that he wanted more, too.

It was not just her who was feeling whatever this was.

The tension between them crackled like lightning, and then he moved away a fraction.

She looked up at him and blinked, all words having disappeared from her mind.

A droplet of water fell from her brown curls down the side of her cheek, and he reached out and wiped it away with his thumb.

The contact was fleeting, and yet it set a fire alight in her that felt like it might consume her.

"Two weeks has never felt so long," he said, and it took her a moment to realise he was speaking of their wedding date.

She swallowed, her throat dry, and nodded.

Two weeks did indeed suddenly seem like an exceptionally long amount of time.

She had not thought she wanted to marry this man, and yet now, now she was willing it to happen sooner.

◆◆◆

When the patter of rain slowed down against the stained-glass windows, Darcy offered to walk her home.

If he was going to maintain his honour, and hers, he thought they needed to not be inside alone together. Not until the vows were said and they were legally wed.

"Thank you," she said. "I can walk back by myself. I’ve done the journey many times."

He smiled. "I’m sure you have," he said. "But I would feel better knowing you were safely home."

She nodded and did not argue any more, and they set off back towards Longbourn, with Elizabeth still wearing his coat.

He rather liked the fact that she was wearing it. Something of his on her body.

There was still a drizzle in the air, but it was nothing like the downpour they had both taken shelter from in the church. When they were a little distance away from the church, Elizabeth asked him, "Do you think Bingley will ask Jane to marry him?"

He was surprised by the question. Was she thinking of marriage because they had been alone together, or because they had been in the church?

He hesitated for a moment. "I would not presume to speak on behalf of another man," he said. "But, yes, I think it is likely. I spoke to him as I told you I would, and he and your sister seem to have resumed their connection, have they not? Is your sister unhappy?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, the very opposite. She is very happy, for which I am pleased. And I am grateful to you for correcting your impressions to your friend, but…"

She hesitated, and he wondered what error he had made this time.

"I do not think she could bear it if he were to leave again without a word. I do not think her heart…or her reputation could stand it."

Darcy frowned. Bingley had certainly flirted with the girl, but had he behaved in a way that would impugn his honour or hers? Darcy hoped not, and Elizabeth did not seem inclined to give more information.

"Bingley is a good man," Darcy said as Longbourn came into sight. "I think you can trust him to follow through on his promises."

Elizabeth turned to him and smiled. "Good. If you trust him, he must be trustworthy," she said, and then continued to bound up the hill with far more exuberance than before.