Darcy Saga 01 Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy Read Online Free PDF

understood her completely on this subject because he harbored the same emotions, but he was utterly confident that their love would triumph beautifully. She told him about her conversation with Mrs. Gardiner, and he had to smile. He greatly respected Lizzy's aunt; he found her a delightful woman of superior common sense.
    Lizzy described her nightmare, which he thought rather humorous except for how she depicted his reactions and the memories of the past that were conjured up. He thought they had thoroughly discussed their horrible miscomprehensions and had agreed to pardon each other. Of course, dreams could not be controlled.
    She paused momentarily, then arose from the sofa. He watched her carefully and felt his alarm again increasing. She walked several feet away, keeping her eyes averted. After a huge swallow, she resumed. She told him about Mrs. Bennet's "advice." He saw no humor in it at all, and his countenance darkened further with each passing word. He frowned at the very notion that he would seek to "control" his Elizabeth as her mother intimated. His eyes blazed at the implication that he would ever force himself on her against her will. By the time she repeated the "producing an heir" statement, his fists were clenched and his mouth a thin line of anger.
    He was rigid on the sofa, stunned beyond coherent thought, aching for Elizabeth having to endure such torture. He was livid and intensely offended. It was fortuitous that Lizzy had turned away from him, or she never would have told him the rest. When she did, Darcy reached the end of his forbearance.
    "No!" he roared and jerked up from his seat, causing Elizabeth to start violently. "This is unconscionable! How could she accuse me of such a malicious falsehood! It is not to be borne!" Darcy was beside himself with wrath. "Elizabeth, you surely do not lend any credence to this... this... filth?"
    Lizzy was terrified. She had rarely witnessed Darcy so furious. "William... I..."
    Something in her face brought him up short and he looked at her in horror. Suddenly bereft of the air necessary for speech, he could only gasp, "You do!"
    He turned away from her, and it was her nightmare coming true. She had to think! She approached him slowly and placed her hand gently on his arm, feeling his tension. "William, you must listen to me." She spoke very softly. "I know you are not the man my mother says you are. I know you love me and would never hurt me. Ours is a relationship and a love far superior to my parents'. I am confident in this."
    She could perceive a slight easing of his rigidity as she spoke, although he still had not looked at her. She went on, her voice breaking, "You must appreciate that there is so much I do not know about your world--or about you for that matter. You must help me to understand, William, please!"
    He sighed deeply and finally relaxed, running his hand over his face. He turned to her then and took her face into his hands, wiping her tears. "Forgive me for my outburst, beloved. It was inexcusable."
    He kissed her tenderly and held her close to his chest until their trembling ceased. "You are absolutely correct, dearest. I must help you to understand. This will be painful for me, and awkward, so now it is my turn to beg your patience and ask you listen uninterrupted. Can you do this?"
    "You do not even need to ask, my love. Of course I will."
    They returned to the sofa. Darcy leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, and was silent for a long while. Lizzy waited patiently. Slowly he began to speak.
    "My earliest childhood memories of my parents are of love." His deep voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Love toward me and later for Georgiana, naturally. Love for their families and friends. Love for Pemberley and Derbyshire and all the many people whose lives depend on us."
    He paused briefly and sighed deeply. "Mostly, though, it is their love for each other that is etched into my mind. When I was very young I took it for granted, did