Page 14 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“And never has my name pleased me so well until you pronounced it.”

“Then I shall use it often, my dear Fitzwilliam.”

He rose and retook his seat on the bench, his eyes riveted on my lips. “May I kiss you?” His baritone sounded a bit hoarse.

“Yes.” Of late I had pictured and longed for this moment more than I should like to have admitted. With a hard swallow, I slanted towards him. My eyelids lowered, and his lips closed upon mine. I revelled in the delicious sensations he wrought, like mild flames licking my flesh, emblazoning me. His body pressed against mine, exciting every inch of my person in contact with him and warming me through to my core. Then he withdrew, leaving me aching for his touch yet more sated than ever before. “That was…incredible.”

With a tilt of his head, he peered at me. “I heartily agree.” He lifted my hand and left soft kisses upon my inner wrist. Then his fingers interlaced with mine. “Your father needs to be informed, so I shall go to him tomorrow.”

Oh dear—Papa.I ought to have warned him before now. “I expect he will be perplexed at the news.” My index finger grazed my lower lip. “I shall write a letter to him for you to take. And I shall ask my uncle to write one too.”

“That would be welcome, thank you.” A knot formed over his brow. “I regret I never took the time to speak to your father last autumn.”

“Oh no, let us not rue the past. Papa is certain to like you once he knows you better.”

Saturday, 16 May

Gracechurch Street

Elizabeth

Yesterday had elapsed like an idyllic dream: upon our return to the house, my aunt and uncle had expressed their mutual delight for my engagement. Fitzwilliam took me to a popular new tea shop, and later he retrieved Miss Darcy to dine with us at my uncle’s home.

By now, Fitzwilliam would be on his way to Hertfordshire. At breakfast, Aunt Gardiner shared the news of her sister Mrs. Selina Perry’s imminent visit.

A clear image of the canny, patient, and resolute older lady prompted my smile. “I have fond memories of the summer Jane and I spent with you five years ago while Mrs. Perry stayed here.” Aunt Gardiner’s dark-haired sister, a former companion, had instructed us in various subjects, including literature, mathematics, and Italian.

“As I recall”—my uncle’s smile took on a teasing quality—“you did not welcome my sister-in-law’s presence at first.”

“That is true. In the beginning, I resented Mrs. Perry’s lessons. She found fault with most of my work and did not permit me to be lazy.” I puckered my lips into a playful pout. “But once I directed my full attention to her instruction, I became fascinated with her lessons. She has an innate knack for making even the most tedious subjects interesting. By the time I left, I had grown fond of her, and I am thankful for everything she taught me. Under her guidance, my skills on the pianoforte improved, and she inspired Jane and me to expand our reading and continue our studies after we returned home.”

My aunt beamed at me. “I am glad you had the opportunity to benefit from my sister’s knowledge.”

For a time, I fell silent, preoccupied by the germ of an idea. When the concept took form, I swallowed a mouthful of toast and caught Aunt Gardiner’s gaze. “Do you suppose Mrs. Perry might be willing to edify Lydia the way she did Jane and me?”

“Hmm.” My aunt stirred sugar into her teacup. “That is an excellent suggestion. With her patient and tenacious nature, Selina could do wonders with Lydia. When she worked as a companion, one of her charges challenged her at every turn, but under Selina’s guidance, the young lady became genteel and made an impressive match in her first Season.”

“Your notion is a fine one, Lizzy.” Uncle Gardiner blew into his mug of coffee and took a sip. “Lydia needs a firm hand. Her lack of decorum ought to have been corrected years ago.”

“And there is an important reason to address this now.” My aunt pointed her slice of toast at me. “You and Jane will marry gentlemen of standing and will be exposed to an exclusive society. Any transgressions your sister makes will have far greater consequences than before.”

“What about Kitty?” My uncle’s sight drifted from my aunt to me. “Is her conduct of concern as well?”

I scrambled for any past instances of her poor behaviour in Lydia’s absence, but nothing came to me. “Without Lydia leading the way, I do not believe she would misbehave.”

He nodded. “Even so, she and Mary would benefit from a competent companion.”

“Yes, I agree.”

Aunt Gardiner raised her napkin and dislodged a crumb from her mouth. “Selina will arrive here on the day of Jane’s wedding. I shall write to her and ask whether she is willing to educate Lydia.”

My uncle cleared his throat. “And if my sister-in-law agrees to this weighty task, I shall write to your father and suggest he send Lydia here after Jane’s wedding and hire a companion for Mary and Kitty.”

“That would be ideal.” I set my fork down. “It would be best if Lydia did not know the true object of the visit. Otherwise, shemight make a fuss, and I should not want any unpleasantness to mar Jane’s wedding festivities.”

“Yes, indeed,” said my aunt.

“Thank you both.” I smiled at them in turn.

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