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Darcy pulled her closer just as the cold wind blew sharply around them.

“I look forward to it.” He glanced back down the path and, not seeing Bingley and Jane, who had agreed to chaperone, turned his attention back to the woman in his arms, who shivered as she looked at him with wide eyes.

“You are cold,” he whispered. “Let me warm you.” He leaned down again and captured her lips.

As had happened the night before, he lost himself in the feel of her.

The snap of a twig brought him back to awareness, and he slowly ended the kiss.

He whispered words of love in her ear before taking a step back.

From a few feet away, Jane called out to them. “Lizzy, Mary has been sent out to bring us in for dinner.”

Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked down for a moment before lifting her eyes back to Darcy’s. “We are coming, Jane.” She addressed her betrothed. “Well, sir; shall we eat?”

Entranced by Elizabeth’s blush and her sparkling eyes, Darcy only nodded. He turned them back toward Bingley and Jane and escorted her down the path and into the house.

After giving their outerwear to the housekeeper, the pair entered the drawing room. Immediately, Mr. Collins began a long speech on the proper behavior of young ladies. Mr. Bennet arrived shortly thereafter, and Collins ceased speaking entirely, his whole being exuding affront.

Darcy leaned toward Elizabeth, who was seated beside him on a sofa. “What has happened?”

Elizabeth looked at him and rolled her eyes.

Her soft reply made Darcy’s eyes widen. “He spent most of the day following me around, lecturing me on the same subject he just now did and declaring how he was certain he would soon make my father see reason and end my engagement to you. Mama had spent the morning doing something similar. Mr. Collins joined his arguments to hers until Papa called her into his book room not long before you arrived and apparently told her to leave off. She retired to her room but he has not left me alone since.”

Darcy’s brow creased. “Had you been aware that he wanted to marry you?”

She shrugged. “I wondered about it. He refused to be parted from me for two whole days and my mother was always pushing us together. However, my father would not have allowed it unless I truly wished it, and I did not.”

Darcy’s frown remained, but he took her hand and lifted it to his lips.

“I am happy to hear it. I confess it was your mother who, without meaning to, pushed me to act as I did last night.” He glanced at Collins, who was standing a few feet away and glaring at them.

“I overheard her telling someone that she would force the match and …” he paused, looking down and turning a deep red.

“I was frantic that it not happen. I did not wish to lose you. I acted without thought. I should apologize, but …” He looked up. “I am not the least bit sorry.”

Elizabeth’s lips lifted in a soft smile. “I am not sorry, either. Do not be distressed. I am incandescently happy to be engaged to you.” She glanced around before leaning a bit closer to him so she could whisper her next words. “I thought it quite the romantic thing.”

Darcy’s eyes lit up. “I am pleased to hear it.” He lifted her hand to bestow another kiss upon it when the sound of Collins’ voice made him stop.

“I cannot believe, Miss Elizabeth, that your father sits right here in front of you and yet you throw yourself at Mr. Darcy. I can promise you that when we are wed, you will be soundly corrected for such wanton behavior.” He took a breath and opened his mouth to continue when he was suddenly stopped by Mr. Bennet.

“That is enough, Mr. Collins.” Bennet practically leaped out of his chair.

“I told you that you will never marry my daughter and I meant it. As a matter of fact …” He paused as he looked around at the rest of his offspring and their guests.

“You will not marry any of my daughters. Not now and not ever. If any of them choose to accept you, I will disown them and they will not receive a penny after I am gone.” He looked at each girl in turn, asking if they understood.

When he received acknowledgement from them all, he turned back to his cousin.

“If I hear one more word from you about it, I will demand that you leave and never return.”

“Now see here! I am to inherit. I have every right to be in residence in this house.”

“When I am dead you do. Not before. Until the moment I cock up my toes, this house remains mine and the only visitors that will come here will be those I invite. Do I make myself clear?”

Collins stood silently clutching his lapels and clenching his jaw. Finally, he bowed shallowly and replied. “Crystal clear.” He turned and stomped to the corner of the room, where he slumped down into a chair and looked for all the world like a pouting child.

Darcy shook his head at the spectacle the clergyman made. He could not imagine behaving in such a manner. He looked at Elizabeth and his heart soared. “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine,” he whispered before he lifted the hand he still held and kissed the back of it.

Mrs. Hill called them in to dinner at that moment and Darcy proudly escorted his betrothed into the dining room, sitting beside her and thereby displacing Mary.

“I apologize, Miss Mary.” He stood and bowed. “May I help you with your chair?”

Mary turned red and looked down. “There is no need to apologize, sir. You are to be my brother; it is only right that you sit beside Lizzy.”

“You are too kind.” Darcy helped Mary sit, thinking as he did that she reminded him of a less-polished version of his own sister, Georgiana. He made a mental note to try to draw her out more often. However, as he settled into his own chair, it was Elizabeth who drew his attention, as it always did.