Chapter 9: Broken ice

"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." -Jane Austen

One month later...

Darcy stepped out of the carriage after his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam and extended his arm for Miss Brown to take it. Her parents had allowed her to travel with them and stay for a week in Pemberley, just to see Georgiana. She was a pleasant company and to Darcy's amazement, she was developed in an almost accomplished lady, according to his terms. The threesome found the young ladies in front of them just as they entered the big hall of Pemberley. But, before anyone could speak, Georgiana ran to her brother and hugged him tight, saying over and over again how much she missed him.

"I have missed you all, so much," she claimed again and everyone laughed. "Especially you, Penelope." Miss Brown smiled politely and turned her gaze upon Elizabeth, who was standing behind Georgiana.

"Will you not introduce me, Georgiana?"

"Yes, I totally forgot. You must excuse me," she replied and the two ladies smiled with civility to each other.

It was at last Elizabeth's time to speak, for she stood quite some time, unaffected and a little embarrassed. "It is a pleasure to see you all again." She looked at the colonel first, who was now next to her, kissing her hand. She blushed a little and as she tried to recover, her look fell upon Darcy, who was once again staring at her intensively. She smiled at him, with the great smile of her that could make him forget the world.

At that moment it seemed to him that time stood still and the soul of the world surged within him. When he looked into her dark eyes and saw that her lips were poised between a laugh and silence, he learned the most important part of the language that the entire world spoke. The language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their hearts. It was love. Something older than humanity, more ancient than the desert. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met, as had theirs here at the well. She smiled, and that was certainly an omen. The omen he had been waiting for without even knowing he was for all his life. The omen he sought to find in his sheep and in his books. In the crystals and in the silence of the desert. It was the pure language of the world. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the boy felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life. And that with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it, than of anything in the world. He had been told by his parents that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way never learned the universal language. Because when you know that language, it's easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you. Whether its in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love and makes a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one's dreams would have no meaning.

"Did you have a pleasant trip?" She asked as she kept looking at him. The truth was that in some inexplicable way, she had missed him, very much. So much that she did not even understand why, maybe because she had missed his intensive looks or their diverting conversations. Or maybe she had missed him, all of him.

He nodded, but just as he did the colonel said "The most agreeable one. My cousin is the most enjoyable company, don't you agree Darcy?"

He felt her gaze on him, constantly, but as everyone expected him to speak he replied "Yes, indeed" He looked immediately at Miss Brown, who was smiling at him. Elizabeth felt her heart popping a little bit faster.

"I hope that you did not forget my presents" Georgiana interrupted, speaking with an irritating tone as though she was angry.

"No, I did not. How could you think I could forget?" Darcy spoke and smiled. "But, I intend to give them you at dinner."

"Do you wish to keep me in agony?" she mocked.

"Yes." he teased.

Georgiana, who was in high spirits because of their arrival, simply laughed. She then, took the hand of her friend and led her towards the stairs. Elizabeth, who knew that she would be neglected by her dear cousin, preferred to stay with the company of the gentlemen. Or was that the true reason? They moved to the drawing room and as they sat, Elizabeth decided to speak first.

"Tell me how was London."

Of course, the colonel decided to start his speech, before Darcy could even open his mouth. He talked to her with ease and sometimes she laughed at his funny descriptions of the people they met. He looked at them more with grief rather than jealousy. Yes, he was sad indeed for he did not have the opportunity yet to make a decent conversation with her, when she seemed to seek it. But before he could start overthinking, she turned her look at him and smiled politely.

"Did you take care of your business, Mr. Darcy?"

He smiled at her at least, with a smile wider than ever before. She could actually see his white teeth. "Yes, I did. Thank you for asking. Pray tell me, did you had a good time with my sister?"

"Yes, the most pleasant one." she laughed. "She must love you excessively, for she kept mentioning how much she missed you."

"Did she not say anything about me?" The colonel teased.

"I am sorry to tell you, but she did not" Elizabeth replied seriously, but as she saw the poor colonel's look, she laughed. "I am teasing. Of course, she did". She turned her face and looked at Darcy one more time "I missed your company, as well."

He smiled a little; but nothing that could make Elizabeth extent that subject any further. So she rested, listened to colonel's stories with Darcy looking at her.

Elizabeth, some hours later, had decided to isolate herself in the library. She had hoped to comprehend herself better, for she was quite oblivious to the sudden change of her behavior. It was true that she had missed Mr. Darcy, but she did not know the true reason yet. She looked on the pages of her book, but without even attempting to read. Her thoughts passed through her mind so quickly like the speed of lightning. And then, his blue eyes appeared as a vision right in front of her, so she closed her eyes immediately. But, when she opened them again, they were still there. She could see Mr. Darcy's face clearly.

"Elizabeth. Elizabeth..." it was a whisper. She blinked sometimes and took deep breaths to come to her senses. "Are you alright?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?" he asked again. She could feel his hands on her arms, holding her tight "You gave me such a fright. You were standing there, pale and..."

"I am fine," she replied and finally looked at him in the eyes. He smiled.

"I was hoping to find you here..." He paused and took his hands off her, as he realized how improper this was. "You see, I bought you something."

Elizabeth looked at him surprised as she felt her heart beating fast. She could almost forget how to breathe, for his touch had still some effect on her. She smiled weakly at him "I do not understand."

"I thought that you might like this." He replied and gave her a book. "I know how much are you fond of reading and since I brought Georgiana some presents, I thought that I could…" he tried to say, but she saw her disappointed expression. 'How fool can you be?' He thought. "I saw it on the bookstore and I thought of you."

Elizabeth's eyes met his immediately. She smiled at him so widely, so that he could understand that his words had a pleasant affect. "Ohh Mr. Darcy! Thank you so much," she replied and as soon as she finished, she encircled her hands around his neck and hugged him tight.

Darcy froze for one second, but then as he felt her body pressing against his, he finally relaxed and closed his eyes to savor the moment. He took a deep breath to smell the lavender on her and with his right hand; he touched her back, pushing her a little closer to him. They stayed there no more than few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity to both of them. As she took a step back, she looked down on the floor and said quietly "I am so sorry, I should not..."

But, before she could finish and assuming what she would say, Darcy replied. "Do not be sorry, madam." he paused. " Can you not see it?"

Her heart was beating so fast. "What do you mean, sir?"

He smiled a little. "You are a clever woman, surely you can understand."

"I do not."

He took a step closer to her. "I cannot..."

The door opened suddenly, making both of them look at the intruder. For that she was, Georgiana was an intruder, or that is what the two lovers thought. Darcy smirked sadly as he was irritated by his sister, who had the worst timing of the world. He was about to confess his feelings to her, he did not intend to, but he could not do otherwise. As he felt her so close, her body touching his and her beautiful scent overwhelming him, he had instantly knew that she belonged with him. There on his arms. Forever.

Thanks again to my lovely beta, who is so loyal to me, even though her busy schedule. You are truly a gem.

Did you expect that? Our couple is getting closer and closer. If you please, take a minute to review, it would be most appreciated.