Chapter 14

Author's Note:Like I promised, here it is! Even though a bit late...

With his hand resting on her waist; he led her towards the garden. As he opened the door for her, Elizabeth gasped at the beauty which was awaiting for her. Free from his hold, she wandered around in awe. It was beautiful beyond words. She laughed softy with her glimmering eyes and smiled at every flower she laid her eyes upon.

Garden looked like a little piece of heaven. In the middle stood a cupid spitting water from his full lips with his bow on his hand. Although his naked form was too much for Elizabeth's innocent eyes, she was still in awe. From a distance she could see the sunset. Deep orange colors spreading over the clouds. Just like a painting.

Darcy was happy to see her in such good spirits. He looked at the library window and noticed a shadow moving there. No good. He walked towards where Elizabeth was standing at and gently encircled his arms around her waist from behind. Setting his chin on her shoulder; he whispered

"Someone is watching us. Shall we take a walk around? I'll show you the land around Pemberly."

Elizabeth quickly sensed the situation and nodded. Together, hand in hand they walked off. Darcy did not let go of Elizabeth's hand even though they were far from his grandfather's view. He loved having her next to him. His mind was at peace when she was around him. An unexplainable condition it was.

They walked and walked before Darcy stopped them close to the pond. With his sweet childhood memories appearing in his mind; he pictured his father playing there with him.

"I spent the happiest moments of my life here. This was my favorite part of the land. My father thought me how to swim here before the accident took him away." he did not know why he was telling her all this. And yet he knew she would listen to him and ...comfort him?

Elizabeth came up to him and hugged him tightly. She was about to cry, but more than crying; she wanted to comfort him. She hugged him tightly and tightly as if there was no end to it. How hard it must have been on him...

Before he realized what was happening, he felt her small form hugging him. With her arms around his neck, she was burying her face on his chest. He heard her mumble something, but could not hear her properly. It was already more than he could ask for.

William returned her hug even more tightly. Embracing her with everything he had; fear, warmth and love. Love? Where did that come from?!

Neither of them let go of each other. One wanted to comfort the other and the other wanted that comfort. William wanted to be even more closer to her than they were now. He buried his face on her neck; breathing in her sweet scent. Feeling her warmth. As he moved his face along the lines of her neck; she giggled and gently pushed him away. He was confused and at loss at her sudden action.

She looked up at him with her hand on her neck and gently said;

"I'm sorry, I'm very ticklish"

Darcy silently laughed and said;

"I see. Forgive me I did not know it." Good thing she stopped me...

He kept gazing at her face admiringly. She looked slightly embarrassed as she avoided his gaze. To make her comfortable, he extended his hand to her:

"Let's go." She took it with no hesitation and they walked back to the house.

"Edmund, hand me the binocular" said Nicholas looking out the library window.

"Yes Sir!"

With the binocular, Nicholas observed the land; trying to spot them. They were gone for far too long. What on earth are they doing?

"Did you...?"

"Yes Sir, I did."

"Good, good!" he finally spotted them coming together holding hands. Aha! He handed the binocular back to his butler and walked to meet the couple.

"Elizabeth, how do you like the land?" Nicholas asked affectionately.

"It is breathtaking!"Elizabeth exclaimed happily.

"Good, I will take you on a tour around the town tomorrow. There's so much to show you."

"Thank you grandfather!" Elizabeth returned delightfully.

Nicholas eyed William and saw a glint of happiness in his eyes or was he wrong? You just wait! He thought cunningly.

Elizabeth and William retired to their bedroom early than expected. Darcy stared at his reflection on the mirror and splashed his face with cold water repeatedly. Not helping!

He opened the bathroom room and found Elizabeth laying on bed facing the window. She was already sleeping peacefully. And in the middle of the bed was a pillow. A wall? No, that was not helping either. He tried to think about something else; their embrace, her adorable face...No, no! He shook his head reminding himself again and again about their real relationship. Their contract! And for God's sake he was a gentleman and could not have such thoughts.

William turned down the lights and laid down on his side of the bed quietly not to wake her up. Where was sleep when he needed it?! He laid awake knowing that she was sleeping peacefully on the other side of the bed. She was within his reach, well except the pillow that was supposed to act like a wall. As if... He was restless. It's unfair, totally unfair! He thought. 'She's sleeping blissfully, while I'm about to break down!' With quiet movements he turned the lamp next to his bed. Suddenly Elizabeth moved in her sleep and now she facing him. He turned to his side to observe her carefully.

Her features relaxed in her sleep and her lips looked as if she was slightly smiling. Her soft hair, long eyelashes and soft features could entice a man. He slowly moved his eyes over her petite form. She was sleeping in an oversized t-shirt and baggy pants. Really, she had no idea what she was doing to him!

The clock hit midnight; still he couldn't sleep. He moved and moved; tried everything he could and yet he couldn't fall asleep. And then an idea hit him. 'What if I use one of the other guest rooms to sleep in and then come back here before the sunrise' Yes, and nobody would suspect a thing. A brilliant idea.

He got off the bed and opened the door quietly. The hallway was dark, so he took his phone and turned it on. He could barely see a thing. He traced the wall with his hand and walked until he saw a door. He gently turned the doorknob; it was locked. He slowly approached another door; same thing; locked! Something was wrong here! He was about to approach another one when he noticed footsteps and bright light coming towards him. 'A ghost? Dear God!' It came closer and closer. His eyes adjusted to the dark and he could see the intruder! Ghost? Nope, worse than a ghost! It was his grandfather holding a flashlight. William was partly relieved and partly worried.

"Grandfather!"

"William!" Nicholas did not seem so surprised.

"Grandfather! What on earth are you doing here?"

"And you?" asked Nicholas slyly.

"I... I was a bit thirsty" said William with no better excuse.

"Ah really?!"

"Yes. And you? Don't tell me that you came to see the new library floor plan!" William crossed his arms.

"No. I heard footsteps and... and thought it was a thief. So, I came to check" said Nicholas confidently.

"Ah really?!"

"Yes. Seems like the footsteps belonged to you. Well, I'll go back to bed now. Goodnight!" his grandfather left.

"Goodnight!" William sighed. With no choice left, he went back to his own room. He prayed for a sleep to come to him. Or for the sun to rise faster! He laid there for hours before finally falling asleep.