Page 55

Once Elizabeth sensibilities recovered enough to allow her to speak, she said, “Clearly you are not in tune with the finer points of negotiation, Mr. Darcy.”

“Am I not?” His eyes etched a tempting path from her eyes to the enticing décolletage of her evening gown. The rise and fall of her chest told him all he needed to know of the efficacy of his approach. With a slight sweep of his lips against her bare shoulder, he murmured, “You have yet to counter propose, my love.”

The burning shiver of desire coursing through her body threatened to melt every bit of her resolve. “A month—” she managed to utter.

Darcy teasingly brushed his lips against hers. “A se’ennight,” he repeated as he drew Elizabeth ever so slightly nearer to his body, close enough that she might realise the strength of his desire.

“A fortnight …” Elizabeth whispered. Her heart raced. Her thoughts shouted, Should he keep at this, we might very well be planning a trip to Gretna Green in the morn! She placed both hands on Darcy’s broad chest, initially hoping for a moment to catch her breath but instantly losing herself in the pleasure of the touch of his skin underneath her palms. He had discarded his cravat, as well as his dinner jacket and vest before she came across him. The sight of the soft hairs of his chest threatened to strip away all her sense of purpose. She closed her eyes and relaxed.

Darcy rested his head atop hers as he gently caressed her curves. “Half a fortnight, Elizabeth,” Darcy murmured.

“How would we manage that, Mr. Darcy?”

“We shall be married by special license[1], of course.”

“Does a special license not take time to procure?”

“What if I confess I took care of the matter before leaving town?”

Elizabeth raised her head and looked into his eyes. “I would say you are rather presumptuous.”

“I would rather you say I am determined. Which I am, you know. I am determined to make you my wife as soon as can be.” Darcy kissed Elizabeth on the tip of her nose. “The ball is in your court, Elizabeth, my love. What say you?”

“Even with this new disclosure, I am resolved. I say a fortnight, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy smiled. “A fortnight it is.”