Page 31 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“I’m afraid it’s going to become public sooner than you realize.”
“Why is that?”
“Have you no curiosity as to why such a mark appeared on your wrist when you touched my hand?”
“I assumed all Miatharans receive this when they come into contact with one of their own.”
“Have you ever touched your father’s hand?”
“Of course, what a silly question...” She trailed off as understanding dawned. “Am I to assume this mark carries some significance?”
“Yes.”
“Dare I ask what it constitutes?”
“We are soul mates, Elizabeth.” He held up his hand to forestall her chastising him for not using her proper name. “We must marry now; it is our destiny.”
“But...” she stuttered out. “I don’t want to marry you.”
There. She’d said it. Now what?
He paused for a brief moment and then continued to the chair opposite her and sat.
“It’s not as simple as wanting. We must.”
Was no man going to take no for an answer? She huffed out a breath in frustration. In two days, she’d had as many men tell her she would marry them. And in two days she’d declined. At this rate, she’d go through all the eligible men of England in a year. Against her better judgment she felt the glimmer of a smile curve her lip.
“What amuses you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I wonder if any more men will tell me I must marry, even though I’ve said no. It’s become quite tedious and I’d rather not progress past two, for the interim.”
“You’ve had more than one marriage proposal?
“No,” she shook her head. “I’ve only had one marriage proposal and I told him to find someone else.”
“You have not told me to find someone else.”
“How vain you are, Mr. Darcy. You are not the first gentleman who sought my hand.”
“Who?” He jumped to his feet. “Wickham?” He paced to the window and back. “I’ll kill that bas− My apologies, Madam,” he said and retook his seat. “Then who?”
“Although ‘tis none of your business, it was Mr. Collins.”
“Ah... the gossip was accurate.”
She sighed. “Yes. Although I did my best to dissuade him, he was quite obstinate. At least he was until I told him to desist and find another woman to marry.”
She glanced up at him when he chuckled softly.
“Did you happen to wave your hand when you said that?”
“As a matter of fact, I did.”
He nodded at her words. “Then, be assured. He’ll not ask you again.”
“Did I bespell him?”
“It’s not like casting a spell, that requires careful wording and focused thought. No, it acts more like a suggestion and he’ll find his own way.”
