Page 125 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Darcy drew her closer. “Do I?”

“Very much so.”

She kissed him again.

“I have been wishing to kiss you all morning, sir.”

Darcy wrapped his arms around her waist, drew her close, and kissed her soundly.

* * *

Two evenings later, Radcliffs and their guests dined at Pemberley.

It was Elizabeth’s first visit to the house that would soon become her home. She had heard Georgiana and Fitzwilliam speak of Pemberley often enough to have formed some idea of it, but nothing they had told her prepared her for its grandeur.

The entrance hall alone was larger than Elizabeth had expected, its high ceiling rising above marble floors and tall columns. Beyond it, a broad staircase swept upward before dividing toward the galleries, its carved balustrade gleaming beneath a great chandelier.

Elizabeth resisted the temptation to stare. She removed her gloves and listened to Mrs. Radcliff's remarks as though entering houses of this magnificence were an ordinary occurrence.

Caroline was already in the drawing room when Elizabeth entered with Jane and the Gardiners.

“Eliza, come help me. I have been attempting to convince Colonel Fitzwilliam that a sensible person may enjoy London without being deficient in character.”

Richard looked offended. “That bears very little resemblance to what I said.”

Elizabeth removed her gloves. “My dear friend, I fear I cannot assist you. I have become very partial to Derbyshire.”

Darcy had been speaking with Mr. Bingley when she entered. As soon as their conversation ended, he came to her.

“Elizabeth. I have been looking forward to this evening. I have wanted to see you at Pemberley almost from the moment I first knew you.”

Elizabeth stared at him. “Fitzwilliam, you astonish me, sir.”

“I believe I began imagining you here from the moment I saw you walking along the creek that first day. I did not understand it then, but somehow, I saw you here as my wife.”

Elizabeth lifted his hand and kissed it.

He offered his arm.

“There is something I would like to show you.”

Darcy led her from the drawing room and along a quieter passage before opening a door.

The room beyond was smaller and more intimate than the grand apartments Elizabeth had already seen. Tall windows overlooked the gardens, and a fireplace occupied one wall. The furnishings were handsome but had plainly belonged to another generation.

Darcy watched as she crossed to the windows.

“This was my mother’s private parlor. It has traditionally been reserved for the mistress of Pemberley.”

Elizabeth looked back at him.

“It is yours now.”

She ran her hand lightly over the desk near the window. “It is beautiful, sir.”

“You may change anything you wish. The furniture, the curtains, the carpets. I want you to make it your own.”

“It was your mother’s favorite room. I should not wish to change it very much.”