{"id":2367,"date":"2018-03-23T13:14:33","date_gmt":"2018-03-23T17:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2367"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:09:35","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T18:09:35","slug":"chapter-16-if-mr-darcy-dared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/chapter-16-if-mr-darcy-dared\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 16 If Mr. Darcy Dared"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The first of a few scenes in the book where Our Dear Couple learn to love each other. Le sigh. It’s HAWT and well, I can’t wait to hear the feedback LOL. \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>

XOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 16- If Mr. Darcy Dared<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An announcement of the Bennet sisters\u2019 arrival caught Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy off guard as they played a game of billiards.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“You’re quite sure? Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are here?” Charles asked his footman to repeat the information as Darcy took a wayward shot. When the footman confirmed the two sisters of Longbourn had indeed arrived, both gentlemen made a hasty exit into the perfectly polished hall of Netherfield. They left their game as is, no longer interested in the wager.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“But Caroline, she sent her note-” Mr. Darcy began as Mr. Bingley shushed him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Before they were to round the corner and come upon their ladies in the entryway, Charles Bingley held out a hand to stop his friend’s progress.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Do we tell them that my sister has gone to London?” Charles asked in a whisper. He took in a deep breath as he waited for Darcy’s answer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“I believe it would be dishonest of us not to make them aware. If the letter from your sister never arrived, I fear they will be far angrier with us knowing that we kept such information from them,” Fitzwilliam said, matching his friend’s crestfallen feeling. Still, Charles shook off his disappointment and put on a brave face to lead the way.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Both ladies brightened at the sudden appearance of their suitors from the side hall. As Charles and Fitzwilliam naturally broke away, Jane and Elizabeth walked directly to their future husbands to clasp hands.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“I must say, it is a great surprise to see you both. A great surprise, indeed,” Mr. Bingley effused.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Jane looked at Lizzy who gave her sister a quick nod. Making sure the staff had left them alone, Jane spoke.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“I am so sorry to hear that your sister had to return to London. We thought that is if you both don’t mind, that it might be a lovely afternoon with just the four of us,” Jane finished.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy tucked his arm into Elizabeth’s and leaned closer to her ear. “I see you took my letter to heart.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth stood up on her tiptoes so that she might whisper back to him. “I have a feeling your letter was much like your friend’s in sentiment.” <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth covered her mouth with her gloved hand as she looked behind them and giggled. Jane and Mr. Bingley were in an equal exchange of whispers, and the four young people felt the delicious thrill of possibility such a quiet afternoon might hold.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “I believe you were just calling for refreshments?” he asked addressing his friend.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Bingley thumped his forehead in consternation. \u201cHow foolish of me. You are invited for lunch, and I have been remiss in alerting the kitchens.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>

As Mr. Bingley began to walk away, Jane followed and caught up with him to touch his shoulder. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Perhaps I should go with you; it is not so very long before I shall have to know the way to the kitchens myself.” The future Mrs. Bingley braved asserting her position.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Bingley laughed. “Of course, of course, you should meet Cook. You know most of the staff here as they are locals to the area, but not my Cook. I hired her in London at Caroline’s insistence.” Mr. Bingley spoke to Jane, and the two of them quickly left to see about the lunch arrangements leaving poor Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth alone in the foyer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

For a moment, the two quietly stood slightly dumbstruck that they had been left alone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Do you believe we should wait in the library?” he asked and Elizabeth heartily nodded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy allowed Elizabeth to lead the way to the room that they had both frequented when she had come to take care of Jane. Feeling her senses nearly on edge as Mr. Darcy stood behind her so close to her person, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back as she felt his cheek pressed against her neck. His lips delicately kissed a small bit of exposed skin just above her clavicle. When he pulled back, she turned around to look up at him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cHow do you make it feel as though there is a fire raging through my body?” she asked, reaching up her gloved hand to place her palm against his cheek. It was now he who closed his eyes and leaned his face into her palm.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Madam, I might ask you the same.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Before their greeting could continue, Mr. Bingley and Jane suddenly appeared in the doorway. Elizabeth hastily lowered her hand. Mr. Darcy turned to address his friend and Miss Bennet, but Mr. Bingley was already explaining his intentions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“If it does not disappoint either of you, Miss Bennet has requested I give her a tour of the house and discuss arrangements needed for when she joins the household in two weeks,” Mr. Bingley tentatively declared, though before he finished, Mr. Darcy was already nodding. Then, Mr. Darcy thought to turn around and make sure Elizabeth thought similarly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

“Will it be about a half-hour until luncheon then?” Elizabeth asked. Mr. Bingley agreed, though his attention focused back into the hall where Jane stood.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy, eager to start again, gently placed his hand on the small of Elizabeth’s back. “Enjoy your tour, Bingley. I believe Miss Elizabeth and I will remain here and discuss books.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Without thinking, Mr. Bingley agreed that was a capital idea and as he had leaned against the door when he spoke, his weight released the stopper. Mr. Bingley left to escort Jane, and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy found themselves not only alone in the library, but with the door decidedly shut.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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