Read Online The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Victoria Kincaid - Free Book Online
Authors: Victoria Kincaid
Tags: Regency Romance, romance 1800s, austenesque, 1800 england romance, pride and prejudice variation, austen variation
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Was she only being polite?
Would she every care about him the way he cared about her? The sensation of not knowing was almost like physical pain – which mingled with the almost unbearable pleasure of being in her company. Careful of her sensibilities, he had been leery of exhibiting too much affection and the restraint was exhausting. Displaying the full power of his attachment, he feared, would frighten her away – but he felt heat between them whenever they touched. Had she experienced it as well?
Perhaps if he relaxed his guard a little and demonstrated some tenderness, it might stir similar sentiments in her. They were passing a park where children raced toy boats in a pond and she watched them with undisguised delight. “You are very quiet.” He ventured.
She grinned impishly. “Are you implying that I am being uncharacteristically quiet?”
He laughed in appreciation. “While it is true that you have decided opinions, it is also true that your lively conversation is one of the things I treasure about you.” She colored slightly, but did not object to this affectionate statement. Dare I try more? He wondered.
The thought suddenly struck Elizabeth that he loved her – apparently had always loved her – just as she was, despite any flaws in her character or her family. She was the one who wished him to be other than he was. The realization made her slightly ashamed of herself.
Elizabeth thought about making a saucy comeback to his declaration, but that did not reflect her true reaction. Instead she opted for sincerity. “Thank you. You are too kind.” Her statement reminded her of something which had troubled her since Rosings. “I must confess that I sometimes find it difficult to make out your character. Since you often argue with me, I had believed you were my harshest critic.”
Darcy seemed surprised by her statement and then thoughtful. “No, I was never that. Do you not see? I would not have crossed swords with you if I did not regard you highly. I rarely debate anything with Miss Bingley.” He grinned wryly.
They turned onto a street lined with shops and crowded with people. Now Elizabeth realized that she had completely misinterpreted his actions. It was true that he usually ignored people whose opinions he did not value; she had observed him simply turn away from conversations with Mrs. Bennet or Lady Catherine. But he most frequently engaged in spirited discussions with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley, two men he counted as close friends. Viewing their previous conversations in this new light compelled her to recognize how sincere and longstanding his affections for her were. Guilt and shame washed over her anew; how had she not realized this before?
“I am honored.” Although the words sounded sarcastic, she said them with breathless sincerity, daring to meet his eyes.
“I hope you know,” he said softly, “that there are many things that I treasure about you.” They had stopped walking the middle of the sidewalk. The intense emotions reflected in his blue eyes took her breath away. His very proximity was mesmerizing.
He gently pulled her to the edge of a sidewalk, next to the window for a dress shop, where they would be out of the way. What does he intend? Will he attempt to kiss me? Do I want him to? But he did not bend his lips to hers. Instead, he raised her gloved hand to his mouth and kissed it gently, his eyes never leaving her face. She experienced that current of excitement that she always felt when he touched her. Whatever he read in her eyes seemed to encourage him, for he turned her hand over and gently kissed the palm. Then his lips traveled to the bit of skin visible between her sleeve and her glove. A tingle of pleasure course up her arm and she closed her eyes against the sensation.
When she opened them again, he appeared concerned. “My apologies, Miss Bennet, if I am being too forward.”
“No, not at all,” she said faintly. Then she blushed to realize
Would she every care about him the way he cared about her? The sensation of not knowing was almost like physical pain – which mingled with the almost unbearable pleasure of being in her company. Careful of her sensibilities, he had been leery of exhibiting too much affection and the restraint was exhausting. Displaying the full power of his attachment, he feared, would frighten her away – but he felt heat between them whenever they touched. Had she experienced it as well?
Perhaps if he relaxed his guard a little and demonstrated some tenderness, it might stir similar sentiments in her. They were passing a park where children raced toy boats in a pond and she watched them with undisguised delight. “You are very quiet.” He ventured.
She grinned impishly. “Are you implying that I am being uncharacteristically quiet?”
He laughed in appreciation. “While it is true that you have decided opinions, it is also true that your lively conversation is one of the things I treasure about you.” She colored slightly, but did not object to this affectionate statement. Dare I try more? He wondered.
The thought suddenly struck Elizabeth that he loved her – apparently had always loved her – just as she was, despite any flaws in her character or her family. She was the one who wished him to be other than he was. The realization made her slightly ashamed of herself.
Elizabeth thought about making a saucy comeback to his declaration, but that did not reflect her true reaction. Instead she opted for sincerity. “Thank you. You are too kind.” Her statement reminded her of something which had troubled her since Rosings. “I must confess that I sometimes find it difficult to make out your character. Since you often argue with me, I had believed you were my harshest critic.”
Darcy seemed surprised by her statement and then thoughtful. “No, I was never that. Do you not see? I would not have crossed swords with you if I did not regard you highly. I rarely debate anything with Miss Bingley.” He grinned wryly.
They turned onto a street lined with shops and crowded with people. Now Elizabeth realized that she had completely misinterpreted his actions. It was true that he usually ignored people whose opinions he did not value; she had observed him simply turn away from conversations with Mrs. Bennet or Lady Catherine. But he most frequently engaged in spirited discussions with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bingley, two men he counted as close friends. Viewing their previous conversations in this new light compelled her to recognize how sincere and longstanding his affections for her were. Guilt and shame washed over her anew; how had she not realized this before?
“I am honored.” Although the words sounded sarcastic, she said them with breathless sincerity, daring to meet his eyes.
“I hope you know,” he said softly, “that there are many things that I treasure about you.” They had stopped walking the middle of the sidewalk. The intense emotions reflected in his blue eyes took her breath away. His very proximity was mesmerizing.
He gently pulled her to the edge of a sidewalk, next to the window for a dress shop, where they would be out of the way. What does he intend? Will he attempt to kiss me? Do I want him to? But he did not bend his lips to hers. Instead, he raised her gloved hand to his mouth and kissed it gently, his eyes never leaving her face. She experienced that current of excitement that she always felt when he touched her. Whatever he read in her eyes seemed to encourage him, for he turned her hand over and gently kissed the palm. Then his lips traveled to the bit of skin visible between her sleeve and her glove. A tingle of pleasure course up her arm and she closed her eyes against the sensation.
When she opened them again, he appeared concerned. “My apologies, Miss Bennet, if I am being too forward.”
“No, not at all,” she said faintly. Then she blushed to realize
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