Page 5 of Mr. Darcy’s Storm of Temptation (Seasons of A Steamy Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Elizabeth barely slept after the library encounter. Her lips tingled from Mr. Darcy's kisses, and her body hummed with the memory of the pleasure he had given her.

When Sally helped her dress, Elizabeth chose a morning gown of pale blue that brought out her eyes.

She told herself it was not because Mr. Darcy had once mentioned admiring the color on her.

But her traitorous heart raced at the thought of seeing him, of telling everyone they belonged to each other now.

The breakfast room was already occupied when she entered. Mr. Darcy stood by the window, and when he turned to her, the joy radiating from his face stole her breath. Gone was any pretense of indifference. He looked at her as if she were the sun itself.

"Miss Elizabeth." His voice caressed her name. "You slept well, I trust?"

Before she could answer, he crossed to her, taking her hand and pressing it to his lips. The gesture was perfectly proper for an engaged couple, but the heat in his eyes as he performed it was anything but. She felt the press of his mouth through her glove and nearly swayed.

"I have news to share," she said, her voice shaking as she turned to the Gardiners, who had just entered. "Mr. Darcy has done me the honor of asking for my hand, and I have accepted."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Mrs. Gardiner's teacup rattled against its saucer as she set it down with shaking hands. Mr. Gardiner's newspaper slipped from his fingers entirely.

"I beg your pardon?" Mrs. Gardiner managed, looking between them as if she had misheard. "Elizabeth, did you say engaged?"

"Yes, Aunt." Elizabeth felt heat flood her cheeks at their obvious shock.

"But..." Mrs. Gardiner looked genuinely bewildered. "My dear, just three days ago you spoke of Mr. Darcy with such, that is to say, you gave no indication of any attachment. Quite the opposite, in fact."

Mr. Gardiner had recovered enough to speak, though his voice was careful. "This is rather sudden, Lizzy. Are you certain you have considered this properly?"

Elizabeth felt Mr. Darcy stiffen beside her. She reached for his hand instinctively, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by her relations.

"I understand your surprise," she said. "I know how this must appear. But my feelings have undergone a dramatic change these past days. No, these past months."

"Months?" Mr. Gardiner's eyebrows rose. "My dear girl, one does not hide such feelings for months."

"Our acquaintance is of longer standing than you know," Mr. Darcy interjected quietly. "I have admired, loved, Miss Elizabeth since last autumn. And I proposed to her once before."

This produced another stunned silence. Georgiana, who had just entered the room, stopped dead in the doorway.

"Brother?" she said faintly. "You are engaged? To Miss Elizabeth?"

"Yes, dearest," Mr. Darcy said gently, though Elizabeth could see his jaw was tight with tension.

"But I did not even know you were acquainted beyond... When? How?" Georgiana looked between them with such confusion that Elizabeth's heart ached.

"Perhaps we should all sit," Mrs. Gardiner suggested faintly. "This appears to be a rather more complex situation than we realized."

Once seated, with tea poured, though Elizabeth noticed her aunt's hands shook as she poured, the interrogation began in earnest.

"You proposed before?" Mrs. Gardiner asked carefully. "When was this?"

"At Hunsford, in April," Elizabeth admitted, her cheeks burning. "When I was visiting Charlotte Collins."

"And you refused him," her aunt said. It was not a question. She knew Elizabeth too well.

"I misunderstood his character. I believed lies that had been told about him. And his manner of proposing was not ideal. We both made mistakes."

"Yet here we are," Mr. Darcy said, his voice rough. "By some miracle, she has forgiven my former pride and arrogance."

"And in three days, you have overcome whatever objections caused you to refuse him?" Mr. Gardiner's tone was skeptical. "Lizzy, this is not like you. You have always been so sensible, so careful in your judgments."

"I was not sensible in my judgment of Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said firmly.

"I was prejudiced and blind. But after I refused him, I began to reconsider.

I realized how much of my dislike stemmed from wounded pride and false information.

These days at Pemberley have merely confirmed what my heart has been trying to tell me: I love him. "

"You love him?" Georgiana asked in a small voice.

"Completely," Elizabeth said without hesitation, squeezing Mr. Darcy's hand. "I have been falling in love with him since April, perhaps even before. I was simply too stubborn to admit it."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the breakfast table. Finally, Mrs. Gardiner sighed.

"Well, my dear, this is certainly unexpected.

You will need your father's consent, of course.

Mr. Bennet must be informed immediately upon our return to Longbourn.

" She looked between them with concern. "I do hope you both understand the necessity of his approval before any formal announcement can be made. "

"Of course," Mr. Darcy said immediately. "I intend to speak with Mr. Bennet the moment we arrive. I would never presume to proceed without his blessing."

"And if he refuses?" Mr. Gardiner asked carefully. "Forgive me, Mr. Darcy, but Mr. Bennet has rather particular opinions, and he may not be easily persuaded of such a sudden attachment."

Elizabeth felt Mr. Darcy tense beside her. "Then I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of his trust," he said. "I hope that in time, both he and you will see that my feelings for Miss Elizabeth are sincere and unchanging."

"Papa will not refuse," Elizabeth said with more confidence than she felt. "When he sees how happy Mr. Darcy makes me, when he understands the truth of our feelings, he will give his consent."

Mrs. Gardiner studied them both carefully. "I certainly hope so, my dear. Mr. Darcy, I hope you understand our concern stems only from love for Elizabeth."

"I understand completely," he said. "I would think less of you if you did not question this. I only hope that in time, I can prove worthy of her and of your good opinion."

After breakfast, Mrs. Gardiner contrived to get Elizabeth alone in the morning room, closing the door firmly behind them.

"Now," she said without preamble, "tell me the truth. What has really happened here?"

Elizabeth sank into a chair, knowing she owed her aunt honesty.

"Everything I said is true, Aunt. Mr. Darcy proposed at Hunsford very badly.

He insulted my family, spoke of the degradation of connecting himself to us.

I refused him angrily, accused him of ruining Mr. Wickham and separating Jane from Mr. Bingley. "

"Mr. Wickham? That charming militia officer?"

"Who is actually a scoundrel and a liar," Elizabeth said firmly.

"After I refused Mr. Darcy, I had time to reflect.

I observed how Mr. Wickham's stories never quite aligned, how he spoke so freely of private matters to strangers.

And I realized Mr. Darcy, whatever his faults in manner, had never shown himself to be dishonorable.

I began to see how badly I had misjudged both men. "

"And this reflection made you fall in love with him?"

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."

"I have been determined to marry Miss Elizabeth since April, sir, when I first proposed to her. The haste is only in her acceptance, not in my feelings."

"April? Only a few months past?"

"These have been the longest months of my life," Mr. Darcy admitted. "I believed I had lost her forever through my own prideful behavior."

Mr. Gardiner leaned forward. "Tell me, Mr. Darcy, what will you do when your family objects? Your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, will surely oppose this match. Your peers in London will wonder at your choosing a country gentleman's daughter with such a small dowry."

"Let them wonder," Mr. Darcy said firmly. "My aunt's opinion ceased to matter when I reached my majority. As for my peers, those worth keeping will value Elizabeth's intelligence, wit, and goodness. Those who do not are welcome to remove themselves from my acquaintance."

"You would risk social censure?"

"I would risk far more than that for Elizabeth's happiness."

"And what of Pemberley? Your future children's prospects?"

"Will be enhanced by having such a mother," Mr. Darcy said without hesitation. "Elizabeth will bring warmth and life to Pemberley that it has lacked since my mother died. She will raise our children to be thoughtful, kind, and intelligent, rather than merely proud and wealthy."

Mr. Gardiner was quiet for a moment. "You have given this considerable thought."

"I have thought of little else since April, sir. Every objection you might raise, I have already considered and dismissed as insignificant compared to the joy of having Elizabeth as my wife."

"And if Mr. Bennet refuses his consent?"

Mr. Darcy's jaw tightened. "Then I will respect his decision and Elizabeth's duty to obey it. But I will not give up hope. I will continue to prove myself worthy until she reaches her majority next year, if necessary."

"A year is still a long time for a young man's fancy to last."

"This is not fancy, sir. It is a fixed purpose of my life."

"I see." Mr. Gardiner stood and extended his hand. "You have given me much to consider, Mr. Darcy. I find your constancy and determination quite reassuring."

"Then you do not oppose the match?" Mr. Darcy asked, rising to shake his hand.

"I do not oppose it," Mr. Gardiner confirmed. "Though ultimately, Mr. Bennet's consent is what matters. I will say this - you are not quite what I expected from Elizabeth's previous descriptions."

"I hope I have exceeded those low expectations," Mr. Darcy said with a slight smile.

"Indeed, you have. I wish you good fortune with Mr. Bennet. He has a peculiar sense of humor and little patience for what he perceives as pomposity."

"Then I shall endeavor to be humble," Mr. Darcy said.

"From what Elizabeth tells us, you have already learned that lesson."

They emerged from the study, and Elizabeth flew to Mr. Darcy's side.

"Is everything well?"

"Your uncle has been most gracious," Mr. Darcy said, catching her hand. "Though it is your father's consent that is the second most important to me."

"Second?" she asked, puzzled.

"I have already, I hope, secured the consent of the most important party," he said, looking deep into her eyes.

Elizabeth felt heat flood her cheeks as his thumb traced over her gloved knuckles in a way that should have been perfectly proper but somehow felt scandalously intimate.

"You have," she whispered. "Most thoroughly."

His eyes darkened at her words, and she saw his jaw clench with that telltale sign of restraint she was beginning to recognize. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her palm through the thin kid leather that lingered a moment too long to be entirely proper.