Page 108 of A Searing Acquaintance
Darcy adjusted his seat belt and glanced over at Elizabeth. She was finishing up a text to Mary, asking her to keep Lydia in line for the weekend. He reached for her hand. He’d missed her as much as she’d missed him this past week. His back had a twinge in it from when she’d hurled herself into his arms yesterday. After the fevered homecoming, it was rather amazing he’d managed to get out of bed this morning, put on clothes, and sit through two meetings.Thank God for a rigorous education.
“We have to get this geography issue sorted out,” he said thoughtfully. “You’re in New Jersey, I’m in Manhattan, and the Yankees are in the Bronx.”
“It’s a bit of a sprawling relationship, you mean? Me, you, and the boys in pinstripes?”
He shot her a meaningful look. “Theboysstay in the dugout.”
She scrunched her nose and laughed. “Well, I’ve come to likeyourboys, my dear.”
His face would’ve turned red if all the blood hadn’t immediately rushed to his groin. “You’re going to be the death of me, Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Yada, yada, yada. Can’t take me anywhere; I know.” She played with his fingers, anxious to get home and relieve him of his agony. “Look, Jane and Charles have already moved into their new place. My lease is up November 1, but I’m ready to bail on New Jersey and leave it to Sylvia and her beau.”
“Really?”
“I have an old roommate who can sublet me her place by Columbia. That would be a lot closer to you.”
“I suppose that’s true.” His voice was edged with disappointment.
“And as you know, I do have a car,” she said lightly.
“Ah, yes. The one you don’t drive so you can save the whales.”
“It’s my carbon footprint, mister. And actually, I don’t drive it because I need new tires.”
He smiled, but she saw it didn’t reach his eyes.Enough teasing.She curled up in the seat and leaned into him. The city lights blurred through the car’s tinted windows. She loved these moments in the cocoon of his car, the fate of their trip in the driver’s steady hands. It made for some intimate conversations, among other activities.
“Elizabeth?”
She looked at him, into those fathomless eyes that swallowed her up. After that starry night at Pemberley, she knew she’d never leave him, nor he, her. They were bound together. For good times and bad. In sickness and in health. No more doubts.
“Move in with me,” Darcy breathed. “I hate taking you home. I hate leaving you.” His voice was earnest and urgent. “I want to come home to you and talk about your day.”
She was falling into those eyes.He said it. He asked. He’s ready.Except when one of them was traveling, she hadn’t slept alone since Pemberley. She had a drawer and closet space at his apartment. He had a place for his overnight bag at hers. He was all in; he’d told her that weeks ago. And now he’d jumped ahead.Can I?
“Is this one of your birthday wishes?”
“Yes.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them, one by one.
“Are you sure? Really sure? What if?—?”
“Lizzy,” he said, his voice unsteady. He looked out the window and then turned back to her. He wanted more; he wanted a ring. He’d known that since she’d kissed him in the park, maybe earlier. But he’d take what she’d give him for now. He had to keep her, keepthem, moving forward. “I’m sure. Beyond certainty, I am sure of my feelings. I live every day with regrets. I regret how things began with us, but Iwillneverregret loving you. I will never stop loving you.” He took a deep breath. “I want to live my life with you.”
Elizabeth’s face reddened. She felt stupid and thoughtless. She loved him. His past, their future…neither was a teasing matter. A shudder ran through her as his words, his vow, sank in. Just as she had gathered her courage to speak, she felt his hand brushing a stray hair from her cheek. She looked up and met his worried eyes.
“Don’t be frightened, love. It’s all right if you’re not ready.”
His voice, so soft and patient, broke her heart. She wanted him.This.
“I’m not afraid, Will. I love you. I want to be with you too, all the time.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Most definitely. I’m ready to move in. I want to be with you.” She squeezed his arm and touched his face, made more handsome by a broad smile, before kissing him deeply. “No more wishes till we get home, okay, Birthday Boy?”
He pulled back and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose. “Home,” he repeated, “Ourhome.”
Then he just smiled at her. “Best birthday ever.”
