Disclaimer: Pride & Prejudice, all characters, places, and related terms are the sole property of Jane Austen.
Dedicated: For DesertVixen and rain_sleet_snow.
Author's Note: Italics are Elizabeth's point of view; plain text is Fitzwilliam's.
Escapes, Run-ins, and Discoveries (Dear Me!)
A man calling, "Wait, Cousin Elizabeth!"
A chorus of giggles, "Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam!"
Frustrated, the lady ducked her head.
Panicking, the gentleman broke into a run.
Of course she did not look as she swiftly rounded the corner.
Naturally he tripped when he reached the doorway.
So, Elizabeth collided with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
So, Richard all but fell into the arms of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Out the window, escape.
Out the window, proper manners.
"Cousin!"
"Sir!"
The lady observed the gentleman turn pale, terror in his eyes.
The gentleman saw the lady glance above his head and determination flash in her eyes.
Moving swiftly, she kissed him.
Time slowed as soft lips touched his own.
"Dear me! Lady Catherine would not approve!" were the fretting comments.
"Awwww!" were the sighs of overwhelming disappointment.
The kiss lingered; butterflies fluttered in Elizabeth's chest.
The kiss ended soon; Richard too startled to protest.
Shyness hung in the air.
The silence was awkward.
"Mistletoe," she blurted, directing his attention upward.
"Indeed," he observed gloomily, causing her to refocus on him.
"It is tradition," Elizabeth's smile was mischievous...
"Indeed!" Richard exclaimed happily…
And our gentleman and lady shared a proper Christmas kiss.
THE END