Within an hour, they were returned to the cottage and requesting baths. Elizabeth stood in the sitting room while she waited for the water to heat, remembering something her husband had said about baths when he’d given her a tour of the London house. She thought of joining him in his bath, but did not feel bold enough today. But soon, she would. It would be a perfect goal. She would aim to surprise him in his bath within the week. If that was not encouragement, she didn’t know what was.

Chapter 27

Dinner that evening was a lively affair. They teased each other about their escapade on the lake’s small island and laughed until their sides ached.

Elizabeth shocked Darcy quite happily when she said, “And of course I alone received the pleasure of seeing you lying in the sun without the encumbrance of your shirt.” Her eyes gleamed wickedly and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe as his heart took off at a gallop.

“I daresay it wasn’t as enjoyable as seeing your bare legs through your wet dress,” he said calmly before taking a sip of his wine.

Her mouth dropped open and she flushed before grinning and laughing softly. When the footman came in with dessert, she gestured him to her side and whispered something in his ear. The young man nodded and left the room, dessert still in his hand.

Darcy looked at her quizzically and she stood, her chin out but her cheeks slightly flushed, giving away her nervousness.

“I’ve asked for dessert to be served on the terrace outside our chambers. I thought we could eat it after changing into more comfortable attire, if that suits you?” she asked, her voice steady but for the tiniest shake.

There is my bold Elizabeth. “Yes, it suits me very well.” He rose and offered his hand, pulling her close and kissing her knuckles before leading her down the corridor.

As he prepared for bed, though the sun was only just setting, he smiled to himself. His plan had worked. He had been playful and carefree with Elizabeth today and look what had happened! She had all but requested his presence in her private chambers. He had hoped for positive results from his campaign, but never that they would happen so soon. He would not question his good fortune. He was already wearing comfortable breeches, not the incredibly fitted ones that were so in style in town, and he changed his shirt for a loose linen one and dismissed his valet for the night, telling him he would ring for him in the morning.

Darcy padded out to the terrace in bare feet and settled into a chair by the table where dessert had just been laid. He poured two glasses of wine and looked at the sunset while he waited for his wife.