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.Then, with one hand on the back of her head and the other splayed across her lower back, he pulled her against his body and rested his head atop hers.Content to hold her thusly, the drumming of their hearts was the only sound penetrating the silence for a long while.Finally, after a deep sigh, he spoke.“Elizabeth, I cannot fathom how I will survive without seeing you every day.It is as though the moment you are away from me, I die little by little.Tell me we shall find a way to see each other.”Staggered that the misery in his voice matched her own, Elizabeth murmured, “I have also dreaded parting from you.” His fingers dug into her back, and his grip tightened.“I do not know what shall transpire after my family learns what has happened with Mr.Wilkens.I am afraid they were set on our engagement.Then again, his rejection may force me in the direction of another gentleman they deem suitable.”William growled into her hair, “NO! I shall not allow it.”Her answer was muffled by his waistcoat.“I fear that you will have no say in the matter.” Then she tilted her head to look up into his anxious blue eyes.“They could also send me back to Meryton.”“You know that I will travel to the ends of the earth in order to see you.Even if I do not have permission, I will find a way.”“Our only hope is to tell Papa of our agreement.I believe he, of all people, will understand.”William kissed her gently again.“I pray he will at least give us a chance to explain.Still a part of me—that which thinks of Georgiana as my own child—would completely understand if he forbade me from seeing you ever again, or in the worst case, shot me on sight.”Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears and she pleaded, “Please do not say such things! I could not bear it.”“Sweetheart, I am speaking the truth.We must think of how our love may appear to your father—to anyone that learns of it.”She ran her fingertips gently over one cheek before cupping his face.“Papa has always wished for my happiness.Once he recognises how much I love you, that I do not wish to live without you, he will understand that I have no choice but to wait for you.”William kissed her thoroughly now, his ardour rising with the declaration of her love.Passions escalated rapidly until he pushed away from her, his breath in ragged pants.“Elizabeth Bennet! See what you do to me.My resolve vanishes the moment our lips meet.”Elizabeth sighed dreamily.“It is the same for me.”“Do not tell me that, my love.It will be hard enough having you under my roof tonight without coming to you.”“You will not come? But we may not have another chance to be together after tonight.”Pulling her back into his arms, William savoured the pleasure of her form melding into his.“Last night was torture.Had I awoken this morning with you in my arms—” He stopped to take a deep breath, and she felt his chest swell with the effort.Unexpectedly he pushed her at arm’s length, searching her face for a hint of understanding.“I am only a man, sweetheart.The next time I spend the night with you, I may not be able to resist you.And I want to be able to tell your father the truth when we meet again—that we have never made love.Help me in this.”She nodded despondently.He tried to smile though his heart was not in it.“Thank you, my love.”After another long, seemingly endless kiss that was more difficult to quit, he led her out of the dining room and up the stairs, stopping outside the door to her room.They stood for some time without speaking, neither wishing to be the first to say goodnight.Finally, Elizabeth took action.“Please remember that no matter what happens in the future, I shall love you for all eternity, whether we are allowed to marry or not.”“I have never given my heart to any woman save you, my love.Providence willing, you shall be mine in the eyes of God and man one day soon.”A chaste kiss sealed their vows, and as Elizabeth slipped into her room, William stood for a long time with his hand clenching the knob, before retiring to his own room.~~~*~~~Darcy HouseThe next morningThe servants were up and about early, all working so quietly below the main floors as to be unnoticed by the occupants of the upper ones.Mr.and Mrs.Barnes had no expectation of seeing the Master or any of their party until much later, as it was their custom to awaken later than usual when they first arrived in Town.In addition, the knocker on the front door had not been put back, as the family never received visitors for at least two days after their return.It would remain off until Lady Ashcroft or Mr.Darcy instructed them to restore it.Nonetheless, even under those circumstances, someone had the audacity to rap on the front door just after eight o’clock, stunning the staff.Mrs.Barnes was standing in the foyer when the offending noise made her startle.Mr.Barnes rushed from the back of the house, thinking his wife must be below stairs and had not heard the commotion.Seeing her staring in the direction of the door, he stopped short and addressed her.“No sensible person would call on a house with the knocker removed.Do you suppose there is some crisis?”Jarred out of her trance, the housekeeper nodded slowly.“You could be right.Even Colonel Fitzwilliam would not call at this hour if he knew the Master was in residence, unless it was urgent.” She hurried to grab her husband’s arm as he stepped towards the entrance.“But keep in mind it could also be another ploy by Mrs.Darcy.”Mr.Barnes hesitated.Gisela Darcy had tried an infinite number of ways to gain entrance in the past [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]