Page 53 of The Heir and Spare
Lydia and Kitty both squeezed her tight, though Lydia did not look convinced.
“I promise, with the right person this is lovely, indeed.”
A flicker of hope lit her face, and she nodded.
And then the door opened, and Arthur helped her up.
As they drove away, everyone she most loved waving and smiling, she turned to Arthur, unable to stop her tears. “What a lovely surprise. Will we dine with them tonight?”
“Yes, I think they are staying for a bit.” His eyes held promises. She let those soak deep inside her. Unspoken, she heard them, cradled them, allowed them to fill in all the cracks of loneliness she’d always known and settle inside.
Two footmen and a coachman traveled with them. A maid sat up top. The windows were wide open, and the breeze smelled of the flowers that covered the carriage.
“This is quite a flower feat. I love it so much.”
“I’m so glad. I know how much you love flowers.”
“I really do. How far are we going?”
“It will take a couple of hours. And in that time…” He pulled out some books. “I have come to fulfill my promise as your book reader.”
She laughed.
“No fire or blanket today.”
“But that can come.”
“Yes, it most certainly can.” His gaze filled her with warmth. She daringly kicked off her slippers and rested her feet in Arthur’s lap. “What are you reading today?”
After many pages ofSense and Sensibility, which left the both of them quite in angst and frustration about the fate of dear Elenor, they put the book aside. “We are arriving near the estate.”
She rushed to the side of the carriage near him and peered out the window. Everything about them was green. Everywhere they looked, fields and fields of rolling green hills and low stone walls poured over the world like a blanket. “It’s amazing. I wish to walk over the whole of it.”
“I’ll join you. Might we also ride?”
She laughed. “Of course.”
They peered together out the carriage window, Arthur pointing to things, or Lizzie pointing to things, and both completely contented with everything around them.
They turned down a drive and continued on in between a row of trees with a high stone wall running down one side.
She breathed in great contentment. “Everything here is so peaceful.”
“The fountains, rose gardens, and greenhouse are even more so. I do hope you like it, that you approve.” His eyes filled with so much hope, yet with a touch of insecurity—so much so that she wished to kiss it away.
Completely embarrassed by her thoughts, she tried to hide the blush by looking out the window again, but Arthur turned her head to face him again. “With me, there is never anything to fear, no need to be embarrassed, and an openness to say and act freely, please.” He pleaded with his expression, and Lizzie didn’t quite know what to do.
She laughed. “Oh, Mr. Darcy. Some things are best shared after an anticipating wait.”
He moved closer to her than he ever had, so close that she could feel his breath on her skin. “I could not agree more. I shall have to wait and it shall be ever sweeter because of it.”
Her whole head pounded with the beating of her heart. She swallowed and then tried to wet her very dry mouth. “Well then, Mr. Darcy, shall we see your grand estate, then?”
He waved the footman over who opened the carriage door then swung down quickly to turn and offer his hand to Lizzie. “Yes, we shall. But it’s not like Pemberley. Please know that it will grow…”
“Oh, my Darcy. It is far better.”
He opened his mouth to protest.
