What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds Page B

she said, “Mr. Darcy, would you care to view our gardens? They are particularly lovely at this time of year.”
    Darcy’s smile grew deeper. “A delightful idea, Miss Bennet.”
    When Elizabeth told her mother of this intention, Mrs. Bennet pulled her aside into the hallway. “An excellent plan, Lizzy,” she whispered. “That will keep him out of Mr. Bingley’s way. I hope you will not mind it too much: it is all for Jane’s sake, you know.” Her daughter could not help feeling slightly amused by this interpretation.
    Elizabeth was more than relieved to be leaving the stifling confines of the crowded drawing room. Stepping outside, she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath of the fresh air. Feeling revitalized, she favored Darcy with an unrestrained smile.
    Darcy’s eyes warmed in response, and Elizabeth found her pulse quickening. As they began their progress across the lawn, Elizabeth found herself walking closer to Darcy than was strictly necessary. She was amazed that she could feel at the same time both so agitated and so content.
    “Miss Bennet?”
    “Yes, Mr. Darcy?” She smiled up at him.
    “Would it be inappropriate for me to tell you how happy I was to receive your letter?”
    Elizabeth, sensible of a certain fluttering inside her, raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it could be any more inappropriate than it was for me to write it in the first place,” she said impertinently. “Perhaps I should be grateful you were not offended.”
    “Hardly, Miss Bennet. If that was offensive, please feel free to offend me at any time.”
    “Are you encouraging me, sir?” she asked with mock disapproval.
    “Very much so.” His gaze turned serious. “I have missed you, Elizabeth,” he said softly, speaking her name as if it were the most intimate of endearments.
    Elizabeth felt an array of sharp sensations course through her. She felt unable to respond, or perhaps more truly that should she attempt to respond, she might say too much, so she limited herself to drawing closer to his side and taking his arm. Though the contact gave her a surge of pleasure, she almost immediately doubted her wisdom in initiating it; she had forgotten the power his touch had on her, and she shivered as she felt his breath in her hair.
    “You are perfectly safe, Miss Bennet. We are in full view of the house,” he said, misinterpreting her reaction.
    “I appreciate your reassurance, sir, but I assure you that I do not feel unsafe.”
    He put his free hand lightly over hers. “I am glad to know that you recognize that I do still have some self-control where you are concerned.”
    “Are we returning to the question of self-control, then, sir?” She looked up at him teasingly.
    “Miss Bennet, I will happily discourse on any subject matter of your choice, but perhaps it would be wiser to focus on patience rather than self-control.”
    Elizabeth felt it safest to change the subject. “I understand that you had the opportunity to see my uncle and aunt Gardiner when you were late in London.”
    He gave her a questioning look. “I did indeed have the pleasure of calling on them,” he said somewhat cautiously.
    “So my aunt told me when I spent several days with them last week.” She added playfully, “It would appear that you have obtained quite an advocate in Mr. Gardiner. He could not praise you enough to my father when he was in London.”
    “I am honored,” said Darcy, “especially as I suspect my reputation with your family can benefit from any advocacy that is available. I assume from my reception earlier that your parents are still unaware of our… more recent encounters?”
    “I assure you that you could not possibly have got away from my mother with the ease you did had she the slightest idea!”
    “Nor, I expect, would I have been allowed to walk out with you alone.”
    Elizabeth blushed. “Fortunately, the Gardiners have been most tactful in that regard, and settle for singing your praises at any opportunity.