Page 106 of The Slipper Scandal
Mr. Darcy, following her gaze, gave a small, knowing smile. “Word came this morning before we left for church,” he told her. “His commission has been sold. He wishes to set a date.”
Elizabeth’s hand tightened slightly in his. “Oh,” she breathed. “At last.”
“At last? Three weeks is no time at all, for it is not a simple thing.” His smile deepened. “But he had a powerful inducement, and he was determined.”
“Why did he wait until now to tell her?”
“He did not wish to take any of the attention away from the bride.”
Elizabeth smiled. “In other words, you told him not to.”
Mr. Darcy kissed the back of Elizabeth's hand and did not respond to her comment. "If they do one day wed, their story will be far less eventful than ours."
"You mean lacking in slippers, spilled trout, and cutting remarks?" Elizabeth teased. "I sometimes wonder what might have happened had we met in such ordinary circumstances as a dance near Longbourn."
He grimaced. "A country assembly, you mean? Where I knew no one?"
"Yes, why?"
He cleared his throat. "Better you not ask."
"Oh," she said delightedly, "now youmusttell me."
"You recall my blunder at the park?"
"Very well."
"Child's play."
She laughed then. "You would have insulted me?"
He shrugged. "You are very pretty. I would likely have nearly swallowed my own tongue and then said something abominably stupid."
"It is a good thing we met in London, then."
"Yes." His nod was sharp. "A very good thing."
The guests began to take their seats at the table, the murmur of conversation mingling with the soft clink of crystal glasses filled with champagne. Mr. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, leading her towards the head of the table where they were to sit as the guests of honour.
"It appears we have survived the scandal admirably," he whispered to her. "Lady Worcester informed me earlier that we are now considered the most romantic match of the season."
It was all absurd of course, but things had turned out so well she could now find it amusing. "How extraordinary," Elizabeth replied.
His gaze softened as he looked down at her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "How true."
Elizabeth felt herself blush at this proof of his regard, her thoughts turning unbidden to the wedding night that awaited them. The promise of intimacy and discovery sent a pleasant shiver of anticipation through her.
As if reading her thoughts, Mr. Darcy's fingertips brushed against the inside of her wrist, a gesture both innocent and laden with meaning. "I look forward to this evening, my love.”
The implication was clear, and Elizabeth felt her colour deepen. "Patience is a virtue, Mr. Darcy," she replied sweetly, despite the quickening of her pulse.
"One I fear you may already have exhausted," he retorted with a small smile, his eyes holding a tantalising promise. "But come, let us join our guests. The sooner the festivities conclude . . .”
He did not finish the sentence, but the slight curve of his lips told Elizabeth all she needed to know. As they took their places at the table, surrounded by friends and family who had witnessed their unlikely journey from scandal to marriage, Elizabeth could not help but reflect that, for all the trials theyhad faced, she would not change a single moment that had led her to becoming Mrs. Darcy.
After all, she thought as she glanced at her husband’s beloved face, even the most inauspicious of beginnings could lead to the most perfect of endings.
Epilogue
