Page 12 of Mr. Darcy's Storm of Temptation

Elizabeth blushed. "It began the process. I realized I had been blind to Mr. Darcy's true character, too influenced by first impressions and wounded pride. And then seeing him here at Pemberley, witnessing his kindness to his servants, his devotion to Georgiana, the way he looks at me. Aunt, I love him desperately."

Mrs. Gardiner studied her face for a long moment. "And has this desperation led to any improprieties?"

"Aunt!" Elizabeth's face burned hotter, memories of last night flooding back.

"I am not a fool, Elizabeth. The way he looks at you, the way you shake when he takes your hand. There is considerable passion between you."

Elizabeth pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks. "We have kissed," she admitted in a whisper, not daring to mention what else had transpired. "But he has been honorable. He insisted we wait until we are married for anything more."

Mrs. Gardiner moved to sit beside her, taking her hands with surprising gentleness. "Such feelings are natural between two people who love each other. But Elizabeth, be careful. Passion can cloud judgment. Guard your reputation. Your wedding night will come soon enough."

"Yes, Aunt," Elizabeth whispered, though her body burned at the memory of Mr. Darcy's fingers inside her, the pleasure he had given her.

Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy was facing his own interrogation from Georgiana in the music room.

"Brother, I do not understand," she said, her young face creased with confusion. "You never said you were in love with Miss Elizabeth. And at Rosings, when Aunt Catherine spoke of her, you were silent."

"What could I say?" Mr. Darcy ran a hand through his hair in agitation. "She had refused me. I had no right to defend her."

"She refused you? But why? And why accept you now?"

"She refused me because I was proud and insulting in my proposal. I spoke of her inferior connections, of the degradation I would suffer. I was everything she accused me of being: arrogant and conceited."

"You are not those things!" Georgiana protested loyally.

"I was, dearest. Or at least, I appeared to be. But I have tried to improve, to become a better man worthy of her love. And these past days, she has seen the change in me."

"And you love her?"

"More than life itself," he said simply.

"Does she love you?"

"She says she does," Mr. Darcy said, though a shadow of vulnerability crossed his face. "She says she has been falling in love with me for months."

Georgiana studied him with eyes that were suddenly older than her years. "You are afraid she will change her mind."

"Terrified," he admitted. "Every moment until we are married, I fear she will realize she has made a mistake."

"She will not," Georgiana said with surprising certainty. "I saw how she looked at you at dinner last night. And this morning, when you took her hand. Brother, she returns your affection. Truly."

"You think so?"

"I know so. And I am happy for you. Miss Elizabeth is wonderful. So kind and lively. She will make you happy."

"She already does," Mr. Darcy said softly. "More than I ever thought possible."

That afternoon, Mr. Gardiner requested a private word with Mr. Darcy in the study. Elizabeth watched anxiously as the two men disappeared behind closed doors.

"Your niece is very dear to us," Mr. Gardiner began once they were seated. "Our own children are young, and Elizabeth has always been like an eldest daughter to us."

"I understand, sir."

"I hope you will forgive my directness, Mr. Darcy, but this attachment seems very sudden. You must understand my concern."

"I would think less of you if you were not concerned," Mr. Darcy replied. "A guardian who did not question such a hasty engagement would be negligent in his duty."

Mr. Gardiner studied him. "Yet you seem quite determined."