Chapter 34- Almost

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your reviews. I read some reviews about the angst level of this story and questioning how it could end in a HEA. Since this story is a WIP, the readers may feel as if they are reading only about the suffering of the characters. In a few chapters, there will be a lot of events unfolding and progress in the relationship. Thank you for your constant support, and I am very confident of doing justice to the story and how Elizabeth and Darcy find their HEA. Stay safe.

Life at Pemberley was the same. It was a week since Elizabeth had started spending time in the stable. She was surprised at her eagerness to spend time with the horse. Mr Rogers tried to encourage her to remember the pleasant memories and forget the fall she had in the past. Darcy had spotted her several times with the horse and did not intrude in her training. She was grateful for his gesture.

She remembered her ride with him and wondered if it would ever happen again. Darcy, on the other hand, was struggling every day to combat his feelings.

If I tell her that my feelings have changed and I believe her innocence, will she be able to forgive me? I constantly accused her and hurt her in more ways than one how can she trust me?

He was agonised by the uncertainty of the outcome if he disclosed his feeling. He was jealous of the amount of time Elizabeth spent with Emma and Georgiana.

One evening, he caught Emma running merrily in the upper corridors.

"Oh my! Emma! What are you doing running around in the corridors?" He asked, carrying the laughing child.

Georgiana came running towards them. "Fitzwilliam, she ran away. We were playing hide and seek."

Darcy laughed. "Georgiana, since when did you start playing these games?"

"Oh! We play on the upper floors every day. Lizzy makes it so much fun. We are still trying to find her."

"Uncle Darcy, Libby is always hiding in a new place. Come and find her. Please, Uncle Darcy."

She pulled him and ran. Georgiana ran along with them. He was embarrassed when one of the servants spotted him. They finally found Elizabeth hiding behind one of the curtains.

She was surprised to see him and smiled.

"Libby, see uncle Darcy is going to play with us. It is your turn to find us." Emma cried with excitement.

"Oh! Emma. I am too old to be a part of this." Darcy said, unable to take his eyes off his wife's smiling face.

"Oh! Fitzwilliam. Please join us this once. We play here every day, and it would be wonderful to have you join us." Georgiana said eagerly.

Darcy inwardly wanted to join their play. He agreed. It was Elizabeth's turn to find the others, and she spotted Georgiana near one of the pillars. They then found Darcy and Emma hiding inside one of the rooms.

"Yay! Libby found us. It is my turn to count." Emma said innocently.

"You cannot count alone, Emma. I shall join you." Georgiana offered.

Darcy and Elizabeth hurried to find a place to hide. Darcy tried to hide behind the stairs, and Elizabeth warned him that it was a familiar place.

"I give up. Where do you suggest?"

"Maybe that room in the corner. Do you know what room that is?"

"I have not been on this side of the house for many years. I have no idea."

They could hear the scrambling of footsteps behind them, and Elizabeth pulled Darcy's hand and ran towards the room.

The room seemed to be a storage place for artifacts and furniture and smelled musty.

"Oh! God! There is so much dust. Why hasn't it been cleaned?" Darcy cried, looking annoyed.

Elizabeth pulled him behind the giant curtains and hid behind them.

"I cannot believe there is a room like this in Pemberley. Look at the dust. I must…"

"Shhhhh!" Elizabeth quieted him.

They heard the fading sound of footsteps outside their room. Elizabeth saw her husband examining the room. She noticed his frown and began to giggle.

"Mr Darcy, the staff will despise us for playing this silly game. I can see that it is going to get them in trouble. They will be reprimanded for not dusting this place and hate me." She laughed out heartily. Darcy found her laughter infectious.

"Elizabeth, you do not paint a good picture of me. I am not such a strict master." He said, smiling at her.

"Oh! Really. Were you or were you not mentally preparing a speech for Mrs Reynolds now?" She asked and laughed again.

Darcy realised how close they were standing. She was still holding his hand. He stared into her beautiful eyes. Her chocolate brown curls shimmered in the rays of the evening sun. Darcy was mesmerized by her. Elizabeth was unaware of the effect she had on her husband and continued her mirth, peeking through the curtains now and then.

I love her! Say it! Darcy, say it!

"If Georgiana and Emma do not find us. We may have a lot of time to do the cleaning ourselves. What do you say?" She asked, looking up at him. Elizabeth was oblivious to their closeness but when she noticed the expression on his face, she realised their intimacy. The look of adoration on his face unsettled her. She blushed deeply. She realised that she was still holding his hand and tried to let go.

She was shocked when Darcy boldly held on to her hand.

Oh! God! Move away, Elizabeth. Leave at once. What her mind commanded her to do, her body failed to accomplish. She stood rooted to her spot, holding his gaze.

Darcy slowly lifted her hand and kissed it. Elizabeth shivered when his lips touched her skin. She gasped. She wanted to leave him, but she could not. She loved him and could not deny it.

Darcy knew it was time to disclose his feelings. He was a man of control, but his rational mind betrayed him. He moved closer to her and touched her cheek. Elizabeth was shocked. He looked at her lips and bent towards her. Elizabeth was aware of his intention but could not move away.

"Elizabeth!" He whispered as he leaned forward, and she closed her eyes.

What happened next caught both of them by surprise.

"I found you! Aunt Libby, I found you." Emma yelled through the curtains.

The couple moved away from each other, and Elizabeth was mortified. Darcy realised what he had done.

"Oh! Emma, you found them. I am so proud of you." Georgiana exclaimed.

Elizabeth was utterly mortified. Oh! God! What will he think of me? I should have moved away.

She could not look at him. She lifted Emma.

"It is time for her supper." She said, unable to look at him. "But one more game, Aunt Libby."

"No, Emma." She said firmly. She took the child and hurried away. Georgiana left along with her.

Darcy watched with a heavy heart as she left the room. Guilt tore him apart. He knew he had no right to touch her in any intimate way, let alone kiss her.

How do I explain my actions to her? I should have told her that I loved her and was wrong about her character. She will never believe me now. All she will see is a man who desperately wants her for his physical needs. I can never win her heart or gain her trust.

Oh! God! What have I done?