Read Online Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers - Free Book Online Page B

would travel into the future, hand-in-hand, or separate forever.
    * * *
    He waited another twenty minutes for her return, but Darcy knew the minute Elizabeth appeared upon the Gardiners’ staircase, she arrived at a decision. He wished he read Elizabeth better while they were still in Kent, but something changed since her appearance at Pemberley. He recalled his illustrious father speaking of the late Lady Anne Darcy and George Darcy’s connection to his wife. It was a week after he and his father stood in a cold rain to watch Lady Anne laid to rest.
    “Your mother,” his father said wistfully, “was the only one who ever could anticipate my response before I spoke the words. And likewise, I with her. Lady Anne and I were often of one mind.”
    At twelve years of age, Darcy could not fathom of what his father spoke, but the way George Darcy spoke of his late wife made the silent exchange of ideas an intangible prize awarded only to a few. Was it possible he and Elizabeth Bennet would know such understanding?
    “Gwenie, Mr. Darcy and I have a matter of import to discuss before we depart. We shall only be a few minutes,” Elizabeth announced when Darcy rose to greet her.
    “Yes, Miss.”
    Without a word to him, Elizabeth strode into the nearby sitting room. Darcy followed, closing the door behind him before moving to intercept Elizabeth. Therefore, when she turned from what was likely anxious pacing, she walked into his embrace.
    “Mr. D…” she blustered, but Elizabeth permitted Darcy to wrap his arms about her. “This is not what I planned.” She sighed in resignation before burying her nose in his cravat.
    “I know,” Darcy whispered into her hair. Catching the bonnet she carried, he tossed it upon a table. Darcy stroked Elizabeth’s back and simply enjoyed the way she fit snuggly under his chin.
    “It is best you tell me what brings you such distress.” Darcy meant to lift her chin with his fingers, but Elizabeth shook off his tenderness.
    “I cannot.” Elizabeth’s voice caught on a stifled sob. “It will ruin everything.”
    Darcy leaned closer, the heat and scent of her fueling his desire.
    “What will be ruined?” he encouraged.
    “This!” she insisted. Elizabeth clutched at his lapels, nestling closer to him. “You and I.”
    Darcy’s smile held a bit of devilment.
    “Is there a ‘you and I,’ Miss Elizabeth?”
    Tears misted her eyes when Elizabeth glanced up at him, and her bottom lip trembled.
    “Of course there is no you and I, and after I confess my perfidy there never will be.”
    “Would you like there to be a ‘you and I’?” Darcy lifted his brows in challenge.
    Realizing what she admitted, Elizabeth shoved free of Darcy’s loose embrace.
    “My wishes are of no concern of yours, Sir,” Elizabeth huffed. With her knuckles, she dashed away the remaining tears. “Mr. Darcy, I thank you for your intervention in this matter. My family is deeply in your debt, but at this juncture, it is best if Uncle Gardiner and I handle negotiations with Mr. Wickham.” Her chin rose in customary defiance.
    “No.” Darcy declared. “You will not send me packing again, Elizabeth Bennet. Not after your confession of only a few moments prior. We will settle this now.”
    “There is nothing to settle, Sir,” Elizabeth snapped.
    Darcy closed the distance between them.
    “There is the matter of your sister’s ruination,” he hissed.
    “You know?” A look of bewilderment crossed Elizabeth’s features before indignation arrived. “Yet, you allowed me to exact a pretense. Did you think to claim pleasure at my expense?” She turned her back on him. “Just leave, Mr. Darcy.” A treble of embarrassment marked her voice. “You know enough glee from my foolhardiness.”
    Darcy ignored her protestations; instead, he placed his hands upon her shoulders and edged her return to his arms.
    “You of all people know I would never claim joy from your mortification.” He caressed her shoulders