She smiled so sweetly at him he couldn’t help but feel moved by the intimacy of it all and he leaned down and gave her a gentle, lingering kiss.

She anticipated his actions and tilted her chin up to meet him. “I love when you do that, too,” she said impishly as he pulled away.

He kissed her once more for good measure before leading her back to the path, too overcome for the moment to speak.

“Fitzwilliam, are you well?” she asked quietly.

He looked at her in surprise. “Yes. Very well.” He saw her confusion and continued. “Forgive me if my silence indicated otherwise.” He could not tell her how her innocent words and sweet affection had done him in or how he longed to hold her tightly to him and kiss her senseless before continuing on to more agreeable pursuits. Instead he said, “I am very pleased to be walking with you, and even more pleased to be marrying you tomorrow.”

“I’m afraid I am not as adept at understanding you as you are me.”

“Truly?” He thought she was remarkably good at sensing his feelings and knowing exactly what would restore him to good humor or how to comfort him when he was upset and soothe his anger before it got the better of him. It was one of many reasons they were perfect for each other.

“Truly. I cannot read you as yet. How will I know what you are thinking?” she inquired.

“Easily. If I am smiling, I’m thinking of you,” he said charmingly.

She smiled and tilted her head flirtatiously. “And if you are frowning?”

“I am thinking of business. Or my Aunt Catherine.”

She burst into peals of laughter. And just like that, she was restored to good humor herself.

~

That evening, the entire Bennet family plus the Gardiners were due to dine at the Darcy townhouse for dinner. Darcy had invited her family, which she had assumed included the Gardiners, and when the thought crossed her mind that perhaps it didn’t, she purposely included them to prove a point. Firstly, that her relations were intelligent, kind, genteel people and deserved respect based on their own merits. Secondly, she was soon to be mistress of that house and she wanted to set a precedent. She would not forego her relations for his sake. It was not right of him to ask it of her and she wouldn’t agree to it even if he did.

The Bennets and Gardiners alighted from their carriages in front of the tall imposing structure that was the Darcy home. Mrs. Bennet tittered to her daughters until her husband nudged her and they walked up the front steps.