Page 12 of Courting Elizabeth

“Elizabeth.”

“Yes?”

“May I kiss you?”

Her color deepened.

“You have kissed my hand.”

“That is not what I mean.”

She looked away toward the door. Mrs Collins might return. A servant might enter. The risk was slight, but real.

“Not today,” she said at last.

The disappointment was sharp. I mastered it.

“Very well.”

She looked at me again. My acceptance surprised her more than my request had.

“You won’t argue?”

“You said no.”

“You seemed willing to negotiate on everything.”

“Not on this.”

A tension left her shoulders.

I took her hand slowly, giving her time to withdraw it. She did not. I pressed my lips to her gloved fingers, then to the inside of her wrist, where the fabric ended.

Less than an inch of her skin lay bare.

Her pulse beat against my mouth.

She drew in a sharp breath.

I raised my eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze darker. For the first time, I did not doubt that my presence affected her.

I knew she had reservations.

The word seemed then to mean something closer to modesty.

Chapter 4

ELIZABETH

Mr Darcy arrived at Longbourn the day after our return, and my mother's hopes were immediately kindled.

She did not know the reason, however.

I had confided only in Jane. Charlotte had kept silent, and Mr Collins still knew nothing.

My mother watched the carriage from the window with the agitation of a woman who could recognize a fortune before grasping its purpose.

“Mr Darcy comes alone,” she announced. “Why would a man of such importance call on us alone? Jane, fix your hair. Kitty, take off that ridiculous ribbon. Lydia, for heaven's sake, don't mention the officers.”