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“Miss Elizabeth, I believe the second set is mine,” said Mr. Bingley as he offered his arm.

Fitzwilliam kissed the back of her hand before offering his own to Jane, who he had asked to stand up with him for the second.

After they began the dance, Bingley glanced over to Jane and Fitzwilliam. “Do you know; I have never seen Darcy dance the quadrille before. Who knew he could be so light on his feet?”

“He danced at the assembly. Did you not notice his skill then?” Fitzwilliam had proved to be an agreeable partner. He had not trod on her toes once .

“I do not argue at his ability, only his willingness to dance when it is you, Miss Elizabeth. He appears amenable to the most disagreeable diversions—his opinion of course—in order to spend time with you.”

She glanced over her shoulder. Fitzwilliam was executing the motions of the dance perfectly, but his countenance was not as open as it was with her. He cared for her deeply. He had to. Why else would he be so relaxed in her company?

“Mr. Darcy is a dear man.”

Mr. Bingley smiled, but before he could speak, they were separated by the dance. When he returned, he bent a little closer. “I would say it shows the depth of his love for you.”

Love? They had been spending a prodigious amount of time together. He sought her out and showed her affection. He had confessed that he cared deeply for her, but did he truly love her? She bit her lip as she watched her betrothed for a moment. She stumbled, and an arm kept her from falling.

“Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Bingley looked at her with a frown.

“Forgive me. I was distracted.”

His jovial countenance returned. “I believe I understand.” He glanced at Jane, and her heart leapt. She had the vision of Jane’s happiness due to Mr. Bingley’s proposal when she had first touched the altar with Fitzwilliam. It seemed this was all how it was meant to be.

“I am happy to hear it, Mr. Bingley.”

As soon as the set ended, Fitzwilliam claimed her. “Come.”

“But what of your cousin? I agreed to dance the next with him.”

“He will understand.”

They approached the side of the room near a door and stood for a moment .

“Fitzwilliam—”

All of a sudden, a surge of power flowed through her just before she was pulled into a dimly lit room. Fitzwilliam’s arms wrapped around her, and she was pulled close. “I noticed you almost fell during the set. Are you well? Did Bingley say something to upset you?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. He was very kind. But what if someone saw us leave?”

“No one saw us. I hid us from sight before I pulled you from the room.” He trailed his fingers down her cheek. “What has upset you? You stumbled during the dance and kept turning to watch me. What did Bingley say to you?”

Her hands trembled as she joined them so Fitzwilliam would not notice. He would not relent until she told him what had discomposed her, but would he think her silly?

“Mr. Bingley commented on your willingness to dance with me. H-he implied . . .”

“He implied what?”

“Well, I suppose he did not imply it, but he said it was proof of your love for me.” She inhaled a great breath.

“Since you have not said those words to me, I simply wondered if what he said was true. That is all.” The last rushed out on one long exhale.

She braced herself. He would not be upset, would he?

Fitzwilliam took her forearm and tugged her until she was in his embrace. “Bingley speaks before thinking.”

She looked up at him with a frown. What could he mean?

With a chuckle, he took one of her hands and placed her palm on his chest. “I had hoped to tell you on our wedding night, but it seems that with only three days or so to go, Bingley has stolen that from me.”

Her chin hitched back. “I do not understand. ”

He leaned down and claimed her lips in a sweet kiss that she clung to when he drew back.

“What I am saying is that I love you. I believe I have cared for you since the first vision I had of you, but I did not love you as a betrothed or a husband should until I first met you in Oakham Forest. Since that day, the depth of attachment I have felt has only grown. I admire your adept use of your power as well as your mind, and I anticipate the life we will have together. I know I shall never be distracted.”

She rested her forehead against his chest and breathed in the familiar notes of his cologne. “How could you steal my heart with so little effort?”

His finger tipped her chin up. He was smiling.

“I thought you would change your mind in the beginning. I do not know how I convinced you to let me court you, but I shall be forever grateful that you were somehow persuaded.” His thumb caressed her cheeks.

“Now, you have said I stole your heart, but I should like to hear the words if you are inclined to say them.”

She cradled his dear face in her hands. “Despite what I said, I do not know if I am in love with you. I have never fallen in love before, but I can no longer imagine my future without you in it. In truth, I believe I am falling in love with you, and I hope you can understand that I want to be certain of my feelings before I say those words. I never thought I would be happy to have an arranged match, but you and my father have proved me wrong.”

“I find that I can accept such an answer without reserve. You have given me hope that I shall not have long to wait for your heart to be mine.” His expression was joyful as once again, he pulled her to him and kissed her deeply.

As he held her close, his hands stroked along her back, pressing against the small.

A knock made them separate, and Elizabeth moved over beside the fire while Fitzwilliam answered the door .

“I am uncertain how Mr. Bennet knew you had sneaked away from the ball, but he was indeed correct,” said the colonel as he entered. “He sent me to request your return. He said Miss Elizabeth should make her way first.”

She set off for the door, but Fitzwilliam stopped her with a hand to her arm. “Go this way.” He opened a door to the side of the room. “This will take you into the hall, and it will not be so obvious that we were together when Richard and I go through the other door.”

“And do save that dance for me, Miss Elizabeth. I believe your cousin is searching you out in the hopes of claiming you for himself.”

“If only he would understand that I will never marry him.”

Fitzwilliam squeezed her arm. “In a few more days, all will be settled. In the meantime, I shall return to your side in a trice. I promise.”

After nodding, she exited the room to a corridor that led to the great hall. When she entered the ballroom, she approached her father’s side.

“You will be wed soon. No one seemed to notice Darcy’s charm which caused you both to disappear so abruptly, but I did. You should not keep sneaking off when others could notice you are missing.”

“We had a matter to settle. Nothing more.”

Her father tilted his head with a questioning expression. “And?”

“Nothing is amiss, Papa. We shall be married and be the happiest couple in the world.”

He offered her his arm and patted her hand when she rested it in the crook. “I could not be more pleased to hear that.”