The Road to Pemberley Read Free Page B

curricle toward Oakham Mount. They had walked there the day after his second proposal, but Darcy had seen nothing but the woman he loved. Today, he had hoped to actually take in the Hertfordshire countryside, spend time with Elizabeth, and maybe steal another kiss. “Have I offered you an offense, Elizabeth?” Ten minutes had passed since she had spoken.
    Elizabeth looked reluctantly at him as Darcy slowed the horse to an easy walk. “No, sir,” she said and gulped.
    He brought the animal to a halt and turned to her, before availing himself of her hand and removing her glove. Elizabeth looked away when he began to trace circles on her palm. “Elizabeth, I can count on these pretty fingers how many sentences you have spoken to me today. Can you not trust me with your thoughts?”
    â€œTrust?” she echoed softly as he raised her chin to see her eyes clearly.
    â€œDo you wish for me to return you to Longbourn?” Darcy watched as a flash of recognition crossed her face. “Is that it, sweetheart? You did not want to accompany me today?”
    Elizabeth flinched when he reached for her cheek. “Not exactly.”
    Darcy returned her hand to her lap. “Then tell me exactly. I will not be angry, no matter what it is.”
    â€œWe … we have not been…been alone like this before,” she confessed.
    â€œLike what?” he encouraged. “Did you think I had plans to seduce you?” Frustration played through his tone.
    Elizabeth stifled a sob. “No.”

    â€œSweetheart, you must tell me what disturbs you. I will not look at you, and you may look away if you wish, but I would hear what brings you sorrow.” He turned to face forward.
    Silence—broken only by a bird’s call and a rabbit’s race through the underbrush. Finally, she cleared her throat. “Yesterday evening…when I returned to the house…my mother had observed our embrace.” Elizabeth paused again, but Darcy forced himself to look straight head. He had given his word. “My mother chastised me for my behavior and wondered aloud if my so-called wantonness was the source of your proposal.”
    Darcy mumbled a curse. “I apologize if my action has brought you humiliation,” he said through gritted teeth. “Did you object to my kiss? Did it make you uncomfortable?”
    â€œNo.” Her face flamed. “I enjoyed it.”
    How her family treated Elizabeth incensed him. “I will not live my life by the standards established by others.” Mrs. Bennet, Darcy reflected, had shut the barn door after the horse escaped. If she had exercised some control over her youngest, he would not have been forced to lay out several thousand pounds to entice George Wickham to marry Lydia Bennet. “We are engaged and an expression of our affection is natural.” Without looking at her, he picked up Elizabeth’s hand and brought it to his lips. “I will not demand more of you than what you are comfortable with. But we must spend time alone, Elizabeth. How else are we to really get to know each other? At Pemberley, we must be of one mind on how to keep the estate successful. And we have an obligation to an heir. Both of those require that we become familiar with each other prior to exchanging vows. I hope that we can consult with each other—act as partners in running our estate and raising our family.”

    Elizabeth sucked in a sharp breath. “You wish your wife to be your partner also?”
    â€œI do. I could have chosen a woman as Pemberley’s mistress long ago, but I needed something more than a pretty figure. I am not saying that your figure is lacking! But your mind is impressive, too, owing in part to your extensive reading. When I speak of railroads or crop rotation, your eyes do not glaze over, nor do you simply nod. You challenge, and you puzzle, and you demand.”
    â€œI see.” Elizabeth was silent a moment.