Page 37 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“Very well, Miss.”
Penny was waiting for her in her room; she had already heard of the plans for the walk, and had laid out a coat on the bed. Lizzy did not think to ask how she had come to know so quickly; servants seemed to know what one wanted before it was even asked for.
“Miss, you’ll want to wrap up. A storm is coming in.”
Lizzy looked out the window at the bright blue sky.
“Surely not!” she smiled. “Every day, someone says there is a storm coming. I do not think I have seen a spot of rain in my weeks here.”
“A rare thing. We get our fair share of rain here, Miss, believe me.”
“I do, but I think we must not chase the good weather away. I could spend my life outside here. It is so beautiful.”
“Aye, Miss, that it is. Come along, then, let’s get you ready.”
A short time later, Lizzy sat on the gravel outside the front door. She was alone, looking out upon Pemberley’s landscape in the sunshine. The wind blew gently around her, carrying the scent of summer flowers. She heard the crunching of gravel behind her, and she turned to see Mr Darcy walking towards her, a footman walking a number of paces behind. Mr Darcy took the handles of her chair.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.”
“To the lake?”
“Yes, please.”
They walked in silence. When they reached the lake, Mr Darcy settled her in a pleasant spot. She looked out over the water, peering beneath the surface to see the carp swimming happily in the sunshine.
“The last time we were here, I believe we were interrupted.”
“Please, Miss Bennet. You have made your feelings towards me quite plain.”
“I have not, Mr Darcy. You have given me no chance to see you, to explain.”
“What would you explain?”
“Have you written to my father?”
“No. You made it quite clear that that would not be needed.”
“I made it clear? I do not understand? I said no such thing! I cannot recall precisely what it was that I said, but I do not think it was that!”
“You said I had misunderstood you. That was clear enough; you need not trouble yourself and reject me again.”
“Mr Darcy! You seem determined to think the worst of me.”
He said nothing. He stood facing the lake, and she longed to see his face. She wondered when she had begun to love him, truly love him as she did. She had previously been inclined to believe that love was a powerful force that overcame you all at once; now, she knew that love could disguise itself as something different entirely. She was no expert in love, and now she was consumed by it. She had taken so long to admit her feelings to herself that she could hardly believe they were true.
“Mr Darcy, would you look at me, please?”
He turned with a deliberate slowness. Gradually, he raised his head until their eyes locked. He waited for her to speak again, unmoving and silent as he stared at her. She paused, wondering just how to say what had been building inside her heart for so long. Every moment that passed seemed to cause Mr Darcy visible pain, for his demeanour stiffened with each breath that he took.
“I would tell you that you are mistaken; my feelings towards you have changed. They grow each day, and I do not know what would happen if I had to leave Pemberley and never see you again. You may think me forward, sir, or improper – but I share your feelings. I share them as deeply as I have ever felt anything.”
“You… Truly?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
He stepped closer, casting a wary glance to the man behind them. Satisfied that they were not being watched too closely, he knelt beside her chair and took her hand. Lizzy reached out, cupping his cheek with her free hand. He leaned into her touch, inhaling deeply. When he spoke, his voice was so soft she could scarcely hear him.
