Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World Read Online Free PDF Page A

awe of her intended son-in-law that she
ventured not to speak to him, unless it was in her power to offer him any
attention or mark her deference for his opinion. The last thing
    Elizabeth
wished was to offer him any further confirmation of his low estimation of her
family.
    She
was relieved when he proposed walking out, despite her suspicion it would lead
to certain attentions she preferred to avoid. At least it would reduce the
likelihood of scenes embarrassing to them both.
    Darcy
was silent as they strolled down the lane. Once they were out of sight of
Longbourn, he favoured her with a smile which brought more warmth to his
features than she would have once thought possible. "How I have missed
you, my sweetest, loveliest Elizabeth."
    The
regret she had felt on reading his letter returned in force, coupled with doubt
as to the correct course for her. She could not pretend to feelings she did not
possess, yet neither could she ignore his words nor suggest they were
unwelcome, and she did not wish to be unkind. Finally she cast her eyes
downward and murmured, "You are welcome back to Hertfordshire, Mr.
Darcy."
    "What,
still blushing?" His countenance bespoke amusement.
    "Do
you object to my blushing, sir?" she asked archly.
    "I
object to nothing about you, my love, except perhaps your current marital
status." He took her hand and placed it on his arm.
    It
was difficult to listen to his endearments knowing how little she would ever be
able to reciprocate them, and she once again found herself in the curious
position of feeling a sort of pity for Mr. Darcy. Thus it was that
    when
he bent to kiss her, she accepted it with more grace than she had in the past.
    He
must have felt the difference, since he carefully drew her into his arms, never
allowing their lips to part. She did not resist him and, finding no other spot
to put her arms, followed her instinct and placed them around his neck. She did
not realize how much more vulnerable this made her until she felt the
strangeness of his body pressed against hers. It was an entirely novel
sensation, and surprisingly enough not an unpleasant one. It felt somehow
natural to touch this way, and, if she did not think too hard about whose arms
she was in, she could even have said she enjoyed the feeling of his arms around
her.
    He
did not ask more of her than the gentle pressure of her lips against his, nor
did he keep her in his embrace long. With an air of pleased satisfaction, he
replaced her hand on his arm and began to walk again.
    Elizabeth
was more confused by her reactions. It was in her best interests to find his
actions unobjectionable and even pleasant; why, then, should she be disturbed
to find it was so? Still, when she stole an embarrassed glance at Darcy's face,
she saw an expression which bespoke a new happiness on his part, and she
discovered to her surprise that she was glad of it.
    "How
are the plans for the wedding coming along?" he asked.
    "Quite
well, I believe." Since Elizabeth preferred not to think about her
wedding, she had ceded most of the decisions to her mother. She supposed she
ought to show some sort of interest in it, so she said, "Will any of your
family be in attendance?"
    "Only
my sister and Colonel Fitzwilliam. They will not arrive until the previous
night, since I would prefer to minimize the risk of Georgiana encountering ...
Meryton society."
    Any
small pleasure she had felt in his company vanished. She could not feel regret
for her inability to love him when he was so ready to disparage her family and
friends. She did not understand how he could possibly expect her to share his
views, yet apparently he did. To think she had almost enjoyed his earlier
attentions!
    Think
of Jane,she told herself. Think
of giving her another chance with Mr. Bingley.
    Darcy
was in near-constant attendance upon Elizabeth at Longbourn over the next two
days. He spoke little when any of her family were present, saving his discourse
for when they were alone together.