He stood and took her by the hand, leading her to the path that would take them to the shore. He stopped abruptly in a secluded nook at the end of the garden path before it opened to the stairs leading down. He swiftly pressed her into the niche in the wall and placed his arms on either side of her head, leaning down to kiss her deeply.

It was several minutes before he released her lips, and then he pressed his forehead to hers and caught his breath.

“A man full grown, am I?”

She laughed a bit breathlessly. “As you see.”

He smiled and kissed her again, this time more slowly, gently tracing her upper lip with his tongue. She started at the contact and pulled back, then slowly returned her mouth to his. After another minute of exploration, she tentatively traced her tongue along his lips as he had done hers. He moaned and she pulled back again, a question in her eyes, and he pulled her to him, placing one hand behind her neck while the other wrapped around her waist. She placed her hands on his sides and slowly wrapped them around to his back, drawing him closer.

It wasn’t long before Darcy withdrew, resting his forehead against hers again, his breathing ragged.

“So that is what a man full grown kisses like. I shall tell Jane to secure one immediately.”

He laughed and withdrew, running a hand through his hair and walking a few steps away from her.

“I cannot wait till we are wed, Elizabeth.”

This reminder of what was to come silenced her teasing and filled her with a sudden trepidation. She nervously smiled and walked toward the shore trail.

“Come, let us greet the sea today.”

Chapter 17

Charles Bingley placed the most recent letter from Darcy in the drawer with the others, then leaned back in his chair to think. His old friend wanted to meet him tomorrow at the club. Darcy had sent him a short letter to announce his engagement a few weeks ago and had kindly given him warning when he informed his family, knowing the gossip would circulate town in a matter of hours. Charles had been able to keep it hidden from his sister Caroline for a day or two, then told her after she had a proper meal and the servants were in another part of the house so as not to hear her tantrum.