On the next afternoon, Elizabeth released her ball upon the bowling green aiming perfectly for the white jack. Miss Darcy gave her a swift embrace as her ball stopped within inches of the white ball that was the target of the game. "Miss Elizabeth, you did not say you were practiced at bowls!"
Laughing merrily, Elizabeth glanced to Mr. Darcy as he strode toward them. The picnic and lawn games had been a most welcome treat and throughout the afternoon, the young guests of Rosings had made the most of the sunny day that seemed impossibly warm for the season.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, Elizabeth looked across the verdant bowling green to her sister. Colonel Fitzwilliam had returned from the fields with his brother in time to partake in the fun and was now showing Jane how to aim for the jack.
Lady Catherine and Lady Matlock remained indoors and Elizabeth was certain they were most unhappy with the frivolity that now ensued on the grounds of Rosings.
Miss Darcy greeted her brother before returning to the shade of the large tent the servants had erected earlier in the day. Elizabeth longed to follow her as the heat of the day intensified as the sun reached its zenith.
Mr. Darcy turned to her after watching his sister take James Fitzwilliam's arm. "Miss Elizabeth, would you care to join me under the tent? A young lady must not endure such a strong sun this time of the afternoon without a bonnet."
As she took his offered arm in reply, Mr. Darcy admired the blush of exertion that colored her cheeks. Wisps of her hair had fallen from their pins in an attractive manner about her neck. She smelled alluringly of lavender and light exertion. Her eyes danced merrily as he realized he had stared a moment too long.
"Mr. Darcy, is there something wrong sir?"
He smiled then, a broad and beautiful smile that came from the fullness of his heart. "Everything is as it should be Miss Elizabeth. I find great comfort in your company."
Elizabeth knew the sentiment well. The days at Rosings in his company among their mingled relations had passed much too quickly but now the secret she held from him diminished that comfort while she was in his presence.
Walking with him to the tent with measured steps, Elizabeth longed to make her heart known to him before they reached the aim of their stroll. "Mr. Darcy, I find I quite agree with your sentiment. But there is more, much more, and I fear I must not say it yet."
Mr. Darcy turned, his expression one of great concern. "Miss Elizabeth, has something of that night returned to you? Perhaps if we speak with Dr. Green…"
Elizabeth hated that she had worried him. She lifted her hand to caress the line of his jaw before she thought better of her actions and drew it away. Mr. Darcy caught her hand and held it for a painfully sweet moment against his cheek. He moved to shield her from the view of the tent and Elizabeth's heart raced in her chest.
She wished to look away from his gaze but it bound her to him. "Mr. Darcy…it does not matter, not truly. With or without my memory, I am Elizabeth Bennet and I have grown quite fond of you."
Her voice was barely above a whisper and Mr. Darcy fought the urge to press his lips to hers and seal their fate in spite of the truth he'd held from her. "When did you know your feelings for me, my dearest Elizabeth?"
His lady moved closer to him, testing his resolve and he dipped his head to be nearer. Her scent, the mingling of lavender with the warmth of the sun combined in a way he would always associate with her and this moment. Her lips parted and he waited for each word as a man awaiting the first sip of cool water in the desert.
Elizabeth's eyes searched his face, marking each line and plane. "I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."
Colonel Fitzwilliam's laughter startled the lovestruck couple from their romantic moment and Elizabeth stepped away from Mr. Darcy tucking the hand that had rested against his cheek into a pocket of her skirt. Her palm tingled at the separation from his skin and Elizabeth breathed deeply to combat the dizziness that overtook her.
Mr. Darcy saw her sway and moved quickly. As Richard and Jane approached, he swept her into his arms and Elizabeth hissed his name in embarrassment and struggled against him. His face had gone pale and she ceased her effort to escape his arms when she saw the concern in his eyes.
"Mr. Darcy, I am fine really. It must be the heat. Please, do not be concerned."
Her plea fell on deaf ears and Mr. Darcy strode quickly across the brilliant green of the lawn to deliver her into the doctor's care. "Come Harry, she is not well!"
Dr. Green left Anne's side and rushed to see to his patient. He sat beside her as Mr. Darcy sent a maid for a cool drink. "Miss Elizabeth, can you hear me? You must breathe deeply."
Jane moved to one of the tables arranged beneath the tent and pulled a fine linen tablecloth clear of its home. Her voice was calm as she spread the rich white fabric upon the ground. "Come Lizzy, you must lie down. This heat has been too much."
Elizabeth began to refuse her sister but Mr. Darcy and Dr. Green helped her to stand and in a moment she was flat on her back, her weight surely helping to stain the expensive linen a bright green from the grass beneath her. The situation was quite ridiculous and her mortification as the faces above her multiplied made her close her eyes and grimace.
Mr. Darcy fell to his knees beside her and looked helplessly at her still form. The scene was much too vivid and his mind could only envision her limp and injured in the back of that wagon.
Dr. Green urged the rest of their party to give them room and Mr. Darcy took her hand as Jane kneeled beside him. "She is well, Mr. Darcy. Look, she is only ashamed of causing such a fuss."
Elizabeth's eyes flew open then and she sat up with not a little embarrassment heating her cheeks. Dr. Green checked her pupils before laying the back of his hand against her forehead. "Are you well, Miss Elizabeth? You gave us quite the scare."
She smiled to show the man she was quite alright. Never in her life had she come close to fainting. Elizabeth Bennet was a great walker and accustomed to rambling outdoors for hours on days much warmer than this one.
The swoon had been induced by the nearness of Mr. Darcy though she would not admit such before the physician. "I am sorry, Dr. Green. It must have been the heat."
Jane gave her the water the maid had brought and Elizabeth busied herself with drinking to avoid Mr. Darcy's gaze. His expression when he carried her to the tent haunted Elizabeth and she was sorry to have caused him such pain.
Dr. Green returned to Miss Anne's side and assured everyone that his patient was well. Jane moved away to sit with the colonel and allow her sister a chance at dignity as she stood and gathered the tablecloth.
Mr. Darcy took the linen from her and handed it to the maid. "Miss Elizabeth, I would be happy to escort you back to the house and stay with you there."
His concern touched her heart. The man was truly worried for her. "No, I would stay here under the tent and dine with you. I promise I am not a wilting flower, Mr. Darcy," here her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper and he bent his head closer to hers, "twas your fault I became breathless to begin with."
Mr. Darcy forgot the worry that went before and was pleased with his effect upon the lady. In the future he would be certain she was sitting when the desire to make mad love to her overwhelmed his better judgment. He teased her mercilessly as he longed to kiss her lips. "I promise never to leave you breathless again, Miss Elizabeth."
Her brow furrowed at this terrible vow. "Mr. Darcy, do not make such a promise for you cannot keep it. It is not in your power to control. Your mere presence is enough to steal the air from my lungs."
Elizabeth gazed at him boldy daring him to kiss her. When it seemed he might take her challenge, she took his hand and pulled him to the tables where their party sat ready to dine.
Mr. Darcy was transported by her words, his mind conjuring scenes of her at Pemberley in his bed, in the chair that matched his own in the library across from him as they read together, of her heavy with their first child.
He would propose to her again and pray that his past sins were forgotten never to haunt them again.