Page 31 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

A grin lit his countenance. “Are you certain you approve of it? I thought this one would suit you, but there are others at the house in London and still more at Pemberley.”

“It is an admirable choice, and I love it. Thank you so much!”

“You are welcome.” He removed the glove from my hand and pushed the ring upon my finger. The band appeared to be at least one size too large. “Although you cannot wear this on your finger whilst our betrothment is kept secret, you could keep it around your neck.” He withdrew a gold chain from his pocket. “What do you think?”

“I should love to wear this as a necklace.” I handed him the ring, which he secured on the chain, and I turned round so he could fasten the clasp. My current dress covered the ring, but the gown set aside for the wedding would not. I faced him again. “Depending on my attire, I may not always be able to conceal the ring, but I shall wear it whenever possible.”

“I understand. Later, when we are free to plan our wedding, I shall have the band resized.” His eyes locked upon me. “If I must be apart from you in the coming weeks, I am pleased you will at least have a token to remember me by.”

I took his hand. “I hope we shall not be separated for long. Nevertheless, come what may, you will remain in my thoughts.”

He left a tender kiss upon my forehead. “I love you.”

An outpouring of adoration for him cradled my heart. “I love you too.”

***

I took a position near the entryway as Jane and Charles made their farewells to the line of our family and friends.

At last, Jane came to embrace me, and I wiped my escaping tears. “Do not forget to write.”

“Of course, dearest Lizzy.” She clung to my back. When she stepped away, her eyes glistened.

Charles gave me a brief hug. “Good-bye, my sister. Do not fret—I shall take good care of Jane.”

“I know you will.” They left the house. I moved to the window and remained until the coach moved out of sight. I stirred at a familiar set of footsteps and turned towards Fitzwilliam.

“Are you well?” He peered at me.

“Yes. Although I shall miss Jane, I am delighted to have Charles for a brother.”

He stepped closer. “I am pleased for them both, yet during the wedding ceremony, my spirits plunged.”

“Why is that?”

“The significance of my past mistakes weighed upon me. If I had treated you better from our first meeting, we may have married months ago. Instead, we are forced to wait, and we cannot be certain for how long.”

“My father gave us a finite interval.”

“But if my cousin succumbs to her illness before we marry…” His head dipped. “It is unbecoming of me to bemoan the possibility—the inconvenience to me is nothing in comparison to my cousin’s life.”

I drank in his frank admission, lingering upon each word. Bless him; his thoughts mirrored mine. I chose my words with care. “It is sensible to consider potential consequences. We ought to face the unfortunate possibility you may soon be in mourning. Although the customary period is short for a first cousin, it would seem callous if we wed within a few weeks of her death.”

“Yes, I agree.”

“When do you expect to hear from the investigator you hired?”

“I hope Mr. Notley will have the answers I need by tomorrow or Thursday.”

With a glance around us to ensure our privacy, I raised my palm to his chest. “I wish my father had not imposed this restriction upon us. Nevertheless, wewillmarry.”

His dark eyes burned into me as his larger hand engulfed mine. “I used to consider myself a patient man, but any further delay to our wedding will seem tortuous. Yet you, more than anyone or anything else, are worth the wait.” He lifted my hand to bestow a kiss.

Meryton

Elizabeth

My youngest sister looked out of the window and frowned. “Dang, the street is deserted. I wish one of my friends could see me in this fangled carriage!” She settled against the squabs with an audible exhalation. Fitzwilliam’s luxurious landau followed Uncle Gardiner’s more modest coach, which turned onto the road towards London.

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