Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) Read Online Free PDF Page A

would agree!”
    Sprinting from the room with her
father’s chuckle following behind, she dashed into the empty corridor and then
into the parlor. Suddenly frantic over the barrage the poor man had probably
been subjected to, she stopped short when her rapid scan of the room revealed
only her mother and three sisters.
    “What have you done to him?” she
blurted.
    “Oh, Lizzy! Mr. Darcy? Are you
certain of what you are choosing? What pin money and fine carriages you will
have—and a house in Town too! Quite wonderful, and a saving boon for us
all, but he is so disagreeable and…”
    Mrs. Bennet was atwitter, clutching
at Lizzy’s hand and gasping as she went on about Mr. Darcy’s wealth and
negative qualities in running sentences. Not wasting time to reply to any of
her mother’s ramblings, Lizzy glanced to Jane, who inclined her head toward the
garden. Mrs. Bennet’s voice followed behind as Lizzy flew down the steps and
the well-trod path to the garden. She slowed when she saw him, her heart
skipping several beats and butterflies dancing in her stomach.
    He sat on a stone bench, hunched
over with his elbows on his knees, and nervously twisted a mutilated flower
between his fingers. He looked up and then lurched rapidly to his feet. For a
moment she thought he was going to leap toward her, but instead he stood
frozen, staring at her with a panicked question.
    “It is official. I am yours.”
    The expressions that crossed his
countenance would have been vastly humorous if she did not feel his turmoil.
She laughed gaily, and swiftly reduced the gap between them until they were standing
less than a foot apart. He enveloped her petite hands with a steadfast grip,
face jubilant and awash with liberation, and placed their entwined hands against
his throbbing heart. At the same time, he bent and settled his forehead on
hers, releasing a mighty sigh.
    As delightful as the sensations
were, a giggle escaped her smiling lips.
    “Are you laughing at me?”
    “Only a little. Did my frightening
father scare you after all, Mr. Darcy?”
    “He can be rather intimidating when
he wishes it, Miss Elizabeth. I relinquished my pride and bared my soul. I
confess that I never recognized how deep his love for you. Of course, this
emotion, while of a different nature, placed us on equal footing to a degree.
Nevertheless, he put me on the defensive and refused to completely grant
permission for our engagement until he spoke with you. Under the circumstances,
I could not fault him that, but as he held my entire future happiness in his
hands, I am not ashamed to confess being overcome with tremendous fear.”
    “I shall have to tell him. I doubt Papa
has frightened anyone in his entire life! He will be amused.”
    “How pleased I am to be a fount of
amusement for the Bennet household. I believe I have also adequately supplied
the daily portion of entertainment for your mother and sisters.”
    She burst out laughing. “Poor
William! Mr. Darcy, who hates to be teased, has received his allotment today.”
    Releasing one hand to smooth the
loose strands of hair away from her eyes, he smiled unabashedly and replied, “I
suppose I should be chagrined, but I find that teasing does not annoy me as
much as it once did. Levity appears to have entered my existence along with
you, dear Elizabeth, and it heals me.”
    “So, are you better now? Your heart
continues to pound.”
    “I judge my heart shall forever
pound when near you.” His voice deepened, and tender fingers traced over her
features, darkened eyes following. “Elizabeth, you are incredibly beautiful. I so
love and adore you. I am the happiest of men.”
    Once again Lizzy was breathless and
mesmerized, captured by his eyes and the renewed thrills racing through her
body at his touch. His eyes and fingertips reached her parted lips, feathering them
lightly.
    “Elizabeth, please, may I kiss you?”
    Unable to speak, she nodded
faintly. As if in a dream of exquisite beauty, he lowered