Page 52 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
“Although our arrival here was brought about because of great evil and pain, I cannot say that I regret one thing.”
“How can you say that? My heart was torn asunder when I saw you strung up on those pillars.”
“It is in the past.” She cupped his cheek and held his gaze. He was mesmerized by the shafts of silver around her pupils. “We should remember it only as it gives us pleasure.” Her hand moved down his neck and onto his chest. “And we had much pleasure.”
She would have trailed her hand further down his body, but he captured her small hand in his and held it against his heart.
“As much as I would love to explore further our earthly pleasures, I received a very strong warning from your Grandmother that we must wait until we are wed.”
Elizabeth stepped closer and lifted her lips to his in invitation.
“Are you sure?” she whispered; her soft breath warm against his lips intermingling with his.
“Woman, you are going to be the death of me.” He gave her a quick kiss, then with both hands on her shoulders, set her away from his body. “I do believe what I received was tantamount to a Royal command.”
“I’m sorry Fitzwilliam.” She wrapped her arms around her middle and walked to the edge of the terrace. “I’m all sixes and sevens. When I saw that... that man crush you before my eyes I...”
He rushed to her side and from behind wrapped his arms around hers.
‘Shh....,” he said low in her ear. “We are safe and whole.”
She turned in his arms and slid her arms around his middle, locking them in a close embrace.
“I never wish to be apart.” She raised her head and looked at him. Her eyes swam in unshed tears. “You are my heart, Fitzwilliam. Without you I am a lost soul upon the ocean of humanity, seeking shelter from the wind and waves.”
“Then, we never shall be apart.”
With two fingers he raised her chin and captured her lips with his. It was Elizabeth who broke the embrace and after a loving caress of his cheek, returned to her chair and invited him to sit across from her. Once settled, he waited for her to speak.
“How long do you think we’ve been in Miathara?” she began.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know how I arrived. My last memory is of Richard storming out of the woods to where I lay within the standing stones. There was no one else in the area. You had disappeared as well as Wickham and his cohorts.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. I smelled citrus fruit. Of what kind, I do not know.”
Elizabeth smiled when he mentioned citrus. “That was Grandmama. She brought us both back to Miathara with her.”
“Ah.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“So, how long do you suppose we’ve been here?”
“Truly, Elizabeth, I do not know.”
“One day.”
“One day?” Surprised he sat back in his chair. It felt like he’d been here a lifetime.
“Yes,” she smiled again although this time there was a touch of sadness in her mien.
“What is it, my love?”
“While we have been here one day, our family and friends in Meryton have lived years.”
“What!” He stood and almost fell again at the thought of Georgiana, alone, not knowing where he’d gone.
Our family and friends in Meryton have lived years.
