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“You are free to say whatever you wish to me, Miss Bennet. You will find that I am not easily offended.”

This, she considered sufficient encouragement to speak at liberty. “I now understand Miss Bingley’s fondness for you. Perhaps the lady harbours hopes of being something other than a frequent guest.”

Darcy said nothing. His puzzled expression encouraged her to continue. “Surely you are aware of her feelings for you. One would have to be daft not to.”

“When you couch your opinion in those terms, I am obliged to answer you in the affirmative.”

“You mean to say you are aware of the lady’s feelings?”

“I am; however, she tries too hard, and trying too hard to capture my attention, or any man’s notice for that matter, is the surest way to discourage it. Besides, even a shy Miss Bingley would fail to garner my heart.”

“So, Mr. Darcy, you have given your heart to another?”

“I want to.” He took her hand again, led her to a grassy knoll, and encouraged her to sit with him. He traced his fingers along her chin. “Do you know how amazing you are? I believe you are a goddess sent from the heavens to rob me of my composure and render me incapable of thinking a single thought that does not centre on you.

“Being with you like this seems right as if it is what I was meant to be doing. You must feel it as well.” His deep voice struck all the right cords, rendering Elizabeth speechless amidst the rush of heat flooding her entire being.

“You need not to say a word, for I already know the answer.” Darcy took out his pocket knife. He threaded a lock of Elizabeth’s hair around his finger.

“Mr. Darcy?”

How he wanted to lean in and bestow a tender kiss upon her lips. Instead, he leaned down and spoke softly in her ear. “The evening of the ball, I spoke of being in grave danger as regards you, but I did not complete the sentiment. What I should have said is I am in grave danger of surrendering my heart to you. You are more important to me than you know.” He breathed in the fresh scent of her hair—pleasingly awash in lavender. “May I?”

The warm, sweet caress of his breath against her skin robbed her of her composure. What could be his meaning? He took her silence as acquiescence. His ardent purpose completed, he folded his precious treasure up in his crisp white handkerchief, kissed it, and placed it in his breast pocket.

“Now that you have a lock of my hair, what do you intend to do with it, sir?”

“What else but carry it with me—here,” he rested his hand over his chest, “close to my heart as a means of having you with me everywhere I go?”

What they had done had exceeded the bounds of decorum. What a scandal it would have been were they discovered. The taking of one’s hair was as good as a commitment, yet no true declaration of intention had been made. Elizabeth endeavoured mightily to silence the cautioning whispers that admonished her for allowing Mr. Darcy such liberties. Even now, she berated herself for shying away from what would have been her first kiss that night on the balcony during the Holland ball. What is the harm, especially as there is no one other than the two of us to bear witness to what took place?

CHAPTER 8

REASON TO FEAR

Darcy and his groom were embroiled in deep discussion in the stable, when out of nowhere, Lord Holland stormed up to them. His jaws twitching, he directed a menacing glower at the groom. “Leave us!”

The groom, rather wishing to take his orders from his master, walked away after Darcy ceded permission. Darcy could never recall seeing his lordship short-tempered and dismissive.

His posture threatening, Lord Holland soon answered the unasked question of what had brought about his raging attitude. “Your unguarded behaviour towards Miss Bennet is inexcusable.”

Darcy squarely met Lord Holland’s gaze. “I beg your pardon?”

“I saw the two of you together earlier today.”

“Then perhaps you should have made your presence known.”

“Had I done so, I would have embarrassed the young woman. She does not deserve to be humiliated, nor does she deserve to be hurt.”

“I would never hurt her.”

“You say that now, but there will come a time when you will, and you know of what I speak. I only pray the damage is not severe.”

“My relationship with Miss Bennet does not concern you. That being said, she understands my intentions.”

“Then you have asked her to accept your hand?” Lord Holland did not wait for an answer. He knew his friend very well. “Of course you have not, and you never will.”

“When have you ever known me to trifle with a young woman’s affections?”