Page 44

As Hen galloped over the dusting of snow that had fallen during the night, Fitzwilliam’s teeth ground together.

He had been about to give up on waiting out the vision and return to Pemberley with his wife, but when he awoke early this morning to ensure Miss Bingley had departed, the sight of the fields covered in a slight white hue was an unwelcome discovery.

The person who would attempt to take everything from them would be here soon.

Was he prepared? Moreover, was Elizabeth?

After all, the vision indicated she would be the one fighting this person.

He had seen nothing that indicated he would be forced to face them, yet he would if it meant saving Elizabeth—if it meant sparing her life, he would do so without a second thought.

Even now, their child could be growing in her womb.

He would sacrifice himself for the two of them if need be.

He could do no less for the one he loved so greatly.

After handing Hen off to the groom, he hastened into the house and upstairs. As he entered their bedchamber, he paused for but a moment before tossing his great coat and hat on the nearby chair. He had been too quick for the butler and footmen to take them downstairs.

Elizabeth lay on her side, her hands nestled up by her face. She was so peaceful. He had no wish to disturb her equanimity, but they must be ready.

He trailed his fingers down her cheek, making her nose crinkle. She brushed her hand across her face before settling back. He bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“Elizabeth,” he said softly in a sing-song tone.

“Just a few more minutes. ”

He nuzzled his nose near her ear, and she gasped. “Fitzwilliam Albert Darcy, your nose is freezing.”

“But you are awake.”

“That was uncharitable. What if I did the same to you?”

This time, he did laugh. “That would require you to wake before me, which has yet to happen, so I doubt you will ever have the opportunity.”

She gave a playful growl and rolled on top of him, straddling him in her nightgown. With her hair trailing down her back, she was beautiful. “I could wake early if I wished.”

“If you say so, my dear.”

He did not argue as she unbuttoned his topcoat then his waistcoat, but when she reached around his side, he grabbed her by the wrist. “What are you about?”

“Do you not know?” She pressed her lips to his and began to kiss him in a way that he had no power to resist her. That is, until a sharp pinch to his side shocked him from those pleasant activities.

“And you call me uncharitable.” Her mischievous grin warmed his heart.

“I am merely seeking my revenge.”

He rolled them so he was on top and began to tickle her sides. “Revenge? What need you of revenge?”

Her laughter filled the room. “Stop! Pray, I beg you!”

He drew away his hand but held it so his fingers were poised and ready to continue their assault. “What do you have to say to me?”

“If I decided to use magic, I could win.”

“Not what I was looking for!” He continued tickling her until she was gasping, then gave her a reprieve. “How about now?”

She scraped her teeth over her bottom lip in a way that stirred his blood. “I shall never concede that this is fair, but I shall forgive you since I cannot remain angry with you for too long. I love you too much to do so.”

He paused and lifted himself from her, sitting back on his heels. “What did you say?”

“I said, ‘I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy. ’”

His hand lifted to her cheek and caressed down the velvety softness of her flesh to her chin. “I have waited so long to hear you say those words.”

“Since you knew of me before I knew of you, your feelings formed without impediment, even before we met. I am certain waiting for me to love you in return has seemed interminable.” She combed her fingers through his curls.

The slight scratch of her fingernails against his scalp soothed him in a way nothing else did.

“In hindsight, I likely loved you for some time, but with such a new emotion, how was I to be certain what I felt was love? This morning, when you awakened me with your cold nose and childish antics, you made my heart overflow.” Her words made his own heart overflow!

He shook his head. “The hardest part was seeing the love in your eyes and not rushing you to say those precious words. At least I hope I did not make you believe you had to say them. I wanted nothing more than to hear it, but I hoped you would soon understand what was in your heart first.”

A tear landed upon her cheek and trailed down into her hair. “You were perfect, Fitzwilliam. You never let any impatience or hurt be known to me; I assure you.”

Her words were all he needed to peel himself out of his topcoat and waistcoat and throw them away.

Where they landed, he knew not since he settled himself back upon his wife and began to kiss her with all the passion in his heart.

They loved each other, and he wished for no other occupation than to show her .

He kissed and caressed her until he had to touch her everywhere and removed her nightgown.

When he sat back on his heels once more, he gazed, enraptured by her loveliness while he had removed all but his breeches.

He had to feel her pressed against him. Even his breeches were too much, but he could not peel himself away from all her glorious skin to remove them just yet.

As it was, he never did fully remove his breeches. At the moment that he finally cried his release, he collapsed atop her with a loud groan. When he regained his wits, he chuckled.

“What amuses you so?”

“We must appear everything that is ridiculous.” He lifted his head and propped his chin on his hand.

She glanced down and frowned.

“Here you are without one stitch of clothing and on top of the coverlet while my breeches are still wrapped around my thighs. I am still wearing my boots as well.”

Her small feet lifted, and she pulled down on his breeches with her toes.

“You will never remove them that way.” He could not help but grin at the silly expression she wore while her feet slid along his legs pushing his trousers down a little at a time.

“I can try.”

“My boots will never come off. They are too difficult to remove as it is.” He pulled himself from her, his heart cracking with the separation. “Give me one moment.”

While he made for his dressing room, he pulled his breeches up. Thankfully, his valet was pressing some freshly laundered shirts when he entered.

“Sir?”

“I require the removal of my boots.”

Hastings had his feet free in a trice. “I thank you.”

“Are you ready to dress for breakfast, sir? ”

“Not just yet.” Without another word, he hastened back to his wife’s bedchamber.

At the edge of the bed, he came to a sudden halt.

She was on her side, with her dark curls spilling behind her, and on full display.

The morning sun peeking in from the windows gave a tantalising glimpse of his beloved’s curves.

“You are still wearing your breeches.”

He lifted his eyebrows, grabbed the waist, and shoved them down to the floor. As soon as they were completely removed, he dove onto the bed while she laughed and rolled out of the way.

“You will crush me like that.”

With one arm, he pulled her back to him. “I would never harm you.”

She kissed his bare shoulder. “I know that.”

He sighed. As much as he despised the idea of ruining their light-hearted mood, he had no choice. “There is a dusting of snow on the ground this morning.”

Her eyes widened. “So much for our return to Pemberley.”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “If I thought that would prevent this confrontation, I would remove us without delay, but I believe the inevitable will come no matter what, and I would not have your father lose his life to have another month or two with you.” How could she forgive him if that happened? How would he forgive himself?

She dropped onto her back, so he nestled his head into her chest. How he loved spending time with her thus! The softness of her breasts under his cheek would never grow tiresome.

“I suppose we need to keep to our usual routine.”

“I believe so. Even if we change our habits, this may still come, but I do think we should continue as we have been.”

His head lifted as she took in a large breath. “We should begin our day then. ”

He turned and caressed his lips against the side of her breast. “Not just yet.”

She gasped when he took her nipple in his mouth and sucked hard before releasing it again.

“At the moment, I am not ready to leave this room.” Before she could respond, he continued his assault, which meant they arrived to breakfast after Bingley had already departed to spend the day with Miss Bennet at Longbourn.

Neither of them was particularly upset about their late arrival.

Instead, they ate their meal while they chatted in soft tones.

But before they could depart for Oakham Forest, the arrival of a carriage made them hesitate. Who could be calling? The hour was still early. It was not even noon yet.

He hastened them into the drawing room, which had a view of the drive. When he peeked out the window, his heart dropped like a rock. Lady Catherine had finally arrived.

A response had been sent to her letter on the winter solstice.

He had explained his betrothal to Elizabeth occurred not long after her birth, and how he would never dishonour his parents by betraying their wishes for his future.

Because his aunt had no belief in love other than the affection she held for her daughter, he had never mentioned any of those tender feelings he held so dear.

She would not be moved by their love match.

Instead, she would consider this a weakness and all the more reason for him to remove Elizabeth from his life. She was a heartless woman indeed!