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Darcy kissed her atop her head. “I have something for you.”
“You have given me so much already. You really do not need to keep this up.”
“I have every intention of showering you with precious jewels: diamonds and pearls—the likes of which you have never before beheld.”
“It is not necessary.”
Darcy tucked the box away. “If that is truly the case—”
“Of course, beautiful jewels are fast becoming some of my favourite things. How might I object?”
“I am delighted to hear it, my love.” Darcy retrieved the box, opened it, and watched her amazement. “This belonged to my grandmother. I want you to have it.”
Elizabeth fingered the precious family heirloom—a diamond necklace. “The Countess of Matlock?”
“It belonged to my father’s mother. Now, it belongs to you, my dearest, loveliest wife.”
Once he fastened the diamonds around her neck, Elizabeth endeavoured to catch her reflection in the carriage window with little success. “This reminds me of the first time we travelled together.”
Darcy kissed her on her cheek.
She smiled and crinkled her nose. “It is a good thing you did not do that.”
“I wanted to. I wanted to do that and more.”
“Yes, I do recall you saying I had lacked the opportunity to experience certain pleasures. I did not dare ask you what you meant then, but I must insist upon an explanation now.”
“How shall I describe the pleasures of which I spoke—in a manner you are now fully capable of comprehending?” Smiling, he moistened his lips. “Shall I liken its aftereffects to the intoxicating scent of our combined essence?”
Elizabeth’s heartbeat raced. “Mr. Darcy, if that be the case, it is a good thing such pleasures were not to be experienced at the time, what with Mrs. Annesley and the colonel’s presence.”
He reclaimed her in his arms, and she nuzzled contentedly against his broad chest. He buried his face in her loosened hair. “I shall not argue your point, especially when I consider the prospect of our sharing the taste of your own sweet wine fresh upon my lips—from yours.”
She laid her hand over her heart. “How scandalous!”
Darcy teased his soft lips along her neckline. He whispered against the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Last and most important, there is always the promise of a well-timed, perfectly executed crescendo.”
“Shocking!”
“There are only the two of us now. We have a bit of time before arriving at the manor house.” The gentle brush of his breath against her skin felt warm, enticing. “Shall we make up for an earlier missed opportunity?”
Elizabeth turned to face him and gazed into his beautiful eyes. “Well, Mr. Darcy, you have alluded to sweet perfume, wine, and music. As these, too, are some of my favourite things, how might I possibly object?”
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