Read Online The Last Waltz: . . . another pride and prejudice journey of love by Pat Santarsiero - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Pat Santarsiero
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concern of running into Darcy. They would meet again soon enough.
********
“We have come to inquire after Miss Bennet’s health,” stated Bingley as the two gentlemen were led into the parlour.
Hill hurried into the dining room, where Mrs. Bennet sat with three of her five daughters. When she was informed of the two guests waiting in the parlour, Mrs. Bennet fairly choked on her tea.
She rushed to Jane and pinched her cheeks, hoping to bring some colour back to her pale skin. “Oh what a pity Kitty and Lydia have gone into Meryton,” she declared as she looked over to Mary and Elizabeth, the look on her face displaying her disappointment that the wrong two daughters were seated before her.
Mary raised her eyebrows acknowledging and dismissing the insult all in one brief look. Elizabeth’s only thought was to flee to her room.
“Bring them here to the dining room Hill and then see that more tea is readied.”
Moments later, Hill appeared with the two gentlemen in tow. “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy,” she announced.
The two men entered the room and bowed to the ladies assembled. Bingley immediately approached Jane. “My friend and I were concerned as to your recovery, Miss Bennet. I trust your health is improving?”
“Yes,” stated Jane. “Today is the first time I have ventured below stairs. It was so kind of you to come all this way to inquire.”
“Indeed!” cried Mrs. Bennet as she looked over both gentlemen with approval. “Unfortunately my other two daughters are from home as they have walked to Meryton this afternoon. You remember my other two daughters do you not, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, of course,” he responded. “I remember them well from the Assembly and from the party at Sir William’s. They are very . . . enthusiastic young women, Miss Lydia especially.”
This pleased Mrs. Bennet immensely as the smile she displayed covered her entire face, and she appeared to literally bounce with delight.
Darcy glanced over to Elizabeth who was fixated on her embroidery. She had barely acknowledged their entrance into the room except for a slight bow of her head.
Elizabeth was determined to keep her eyes concentrated on her needlework. His presence in Hertfordshire had once again promoted dreams of him, and last night’s had been most disconcerting. Her cheeks flushed red at just the thought of it . . .
We are dancing the last waltz of the evening, and he is holding me so closely in his arms that every part of my body is brushed against his. My limp seems to have no place in my dreams; I am elegant and graceful on my feet.
Our steps move us towards the balcony doors, and his eyes quickly scan the room to make sure we are not being observed. Then, without another thought to propriety, his whisks me through the doors, and we are suddenly alone in the darkness, breathing in the cool, crisp night air. Only the moon is witness to our indiscretion.
I look up at him in confusion. But his eyes give away nothing as he pulls me into his arms. “I have been waiting all night to finally have a few moments with you all to myself, Elizabeth.”
I know I should be angry, but that is not the emotion that is suddenly consuming me for I, too, have been longing for a chance to be alone with Mr. Darcy.
His eyes are steadfast on mine as he lowers his head and places a tender kiss upon my lips. I should be embarrassed by my response for it is all too eager and willing, but I have no desire to escape his seduction. I am lost, and I do not care if I am ever found so long as I can remain here in his arms. When his lips finally release mine, softly he whispers, “Promise you will always save the last waltz for me, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth gave a brief glance upwards, only to find Mr. Darcy’s penetrating brown eyes focused directly upon her. Her flushed complexion grew even more inflamed.
After tea was served, Mr. Bingley turned toward Jane. “Perhaps a short walk would help restore your well-being. The weather is
********
“We have come to inquire after Miss Bennet’s health,” stated Bingley as the two gentlemen were led into the parlour.
Hill hurried into the dining room, where Mrs. Bennet sat with three of her five daughters. When she was informed of the two guests waiting in the parlour, Mrs. Bennet fairly choked on her tea.
She rushed to Jane and pinched her cheeks, hoping to bring some colour back to her pale skin. “Oh what a pity Kitty and Lydia have gone into Meryton,” she declared as she looked over to Mary and Elizabeth, the look on her face displaying her disappointment that the wrong two daughters were seated before her.
Mary raised her eyebrows acknowledging and dismissing the insult all in one brief look. Elizabeth’s only thought was to flee to her room.
“Bring them here to the dining room Hill and then see that more tea is readied.”
Moments later, Hill appeared with the two gentlemen in tow. “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy,” she announced.
The two men entered the room and bowed to the ladies assembled. Bingley immediately approached Jane. “My friend and I were concerned as to your recovery, Miss Bennet. I trust your health is improving?”
“Yes,” stated Jane. “Today is the first time I have ventured below stairs. It was so kind of you to come all this way to inquire.”
“Indeed!” cried Mrs. Bennet as she looked over both gentlemen with approval. “Unfortunately my other two daughters are from home as they have walked to Meryton this afternoon. You remember my other two daughters do you not, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, of course,” he responded. “I remember them well from the Assembly and from the party at Sir William’s. They are very . . . enthusiastic young women, Miss Lydia especially.”
This pleased Mrs. Bennet immensely as the smile she displayed covered her entire face, and she appeared to literally bounce with delight.
Darcy glanced over to Elizabeth who was fixated on her embroidery. She had barely acknowledged their entrance into the room except for a slight bow of her head.
Elizabeth was determined to keep her eyes concentrated on her needlework. His presence in Hertfordshire had once again promoted dreams of him, and last night’s had been most disconcerting. Her cheeks flushed red at just the thought of it . . .
We are dancing the last waltz of the evening, and he is holding me so closely in his arms that every part of my body is brushed against his. My limp seems to have no place in my dreams; I am elegant and graceful on my feet.
Our steps move us towards the balcony doors, and his eyes quickly scan the room to make sure we are not being observed. Then, without another thought to propriety, his whisks me through the doors, and we are suddenly alone in the darkness, breathing in the cool, crisp night air. Only the moon is witness to our indiscretion.
I look up at him in confusion. But his eyes give away nothing as he pulls me into his arms. “I have been waiting all night to finally have a few moments with you all to myself, Elizabeth.”
I know I should be angry, but that is not the emotion that is suddenly consuming me for I, too, have been longing for a chance to be alone with Mr. Darcy.
His eyes are steadfast on mine as he lowers his head and places a tender kiss upon my lips. I should be embarrassed by my response for it is all too eager and willing, but I have no desire to escape his seduction. I am lost, and I do not care if I am ever found so long as I can remain here in his arms. When his lips finally release mine, softly he whispers, “Promise you will always save the last waltz for me, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth gave a brief glance upwards, only to find Mr. Darcy’s penetrating brown eyes focused directly upon her. Her flushed complexion grew even more inflamed.
After tea was served, Mr. Bingley turned toward Jane. “Perhaps a short walk would help restore your well-being. The weather is
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