Chapter 7

Darcy watched the remarkable sight of a young woman of breeding and culture hurling daggers at tree trunks with painted targets. 'Is there anyone else like her in the whole world?' he asked himself. He had left his horse tethered at the base of the hill and had climbed quietly to where her family told him Elizabeth liked to hike and enjoy the scenery. They said nothing of hurling daggers… perhaps they didn't even know it was her practice. He watched her gather the daggers and then he moved out from behind the tree that had hidden him so he could secretly watch her practice.

A twig snapped as he stepped forward. Faster than his eye could follow, the woman he loved spun about, her arm whipping over and a dagger came flying at him! Frozen, he heard the plunk of the dagger as it thudded into the tree trunk between his first and second finger. His mouth dropped open in shock. She had hurled a dagger at him! The woman he wanted to make his wife… the mistress of Pemberley… and the mother of his children had barely missed skewering him with a dagger.

Still in shock and unable to move, he watched as Elizabeth sauntered nonchalantly towards him and dug her dagger out of the trunk. It took some effort, so deeply was it embedded in the wood. His mouth was still agape as, smiling, she playfully put the blade of the knife under his jaw and lifted it up, closing his open mouth.

"I trust hurling daggers at me this is not a way you intend to amuse yourself on a regular basis, lest I must tread carefully around you at all times," he said in a voice that still rasped from the close call he felt he had survived.

"Fortunately," she said, "I recognized you as I was casting the blade and make the slight adjustment to place the blade between your fingers and not into your eye… which I would have done had it been Lieutenant Wickham." Darby did not doubt her for a moment.

"As for the casting of daggers, my regular practice is a hundred casts a day to maintain my skills. Placing the blade between your fingers is a routine cast for me. You no doubt could do the same with your pistol or your musket," she said with a raised eyebrow that showed her remark was also half a question. Darcy thought for a moment, then agreed. "True," he acknowledged. "Such marksmanship would be considered routine for most gentleman. I have even heard of a few women who have developed proficiency with those weapons. You are unique, I believe, in your chosen field of expertise." He was relieved to hear his voice had returned to its normal timbre.

Elizabeth tucked her knives away beneath folds in her apparel that Darcy realized were designed for just that purpose. "Actually, it is good you are here," Elizabeth said, thoughtfully. "I believe my young sisters have recently been approached in town at the market by George Wickham. At least they describe a militia man, an officer… tall and blond who has flirted with them, young as they are. I intend to follow them to the market when next they go, and observe for myself if it is indeed Wickham who is trying to insinuate himself into my home for his evil purposes, It might be best if you remain in our area today until I can ascertain what the situation is and then we can plan the best course of action for us to take."

Again Darcy thrilled to hear her say 'we' and 'us'. "Do you not think he might recognize you from the ball when you were seen in my company? I would not have you risk a confrontation with him on your own." She gave him a smile and a twinkle. "Do not be so certain that I would come off second best in a confrontation with him. I am careful to choose my plan of attack to maximize my chances for success."

Darcy smiled back at her. "As I have learned from your marshalling of your chess forces." Then his voice dropped to a soft bass. "But I would share any risk with you. After all, two armies are better than one if they join forces together… as I wish to do with you on a permanent basis, dearest Elizabeth," he said as he reached out and took her hands in his. To his joy, she did not withdraw her hands, but looked deep into his eyes; a slight flush crept up her face and it seemed to him her hands grew hotter in his grasp.

Risking everything, he drew her closer and bowing his head, placed his lips on hers. There was a slight gasp, a momentary pulling away from him, then a deep sigh as the love of his life pressed herself into him, her lips parted as her passion rose. He released her hands and circled her body with his strong arms, drawing her into the deepest embrace he had ever enjoyed with a woman. He could not say how long they were coupled in their solitude. The world had ceased to exist outside the two of them. Finally, as his body grew more heated, he broke apart and stepped away. He held her hands in his again.

"Dearest, Elizabeth," he choked out. "Please let me believe that kiss was the seal of our pledge to each other. I cannot live without you at my side." She stared back, solemnly into his eyes. "I know you have spoken to my father," she said. "But in matters of my heart I consult only with my heart. And my heart is telling me to say… 'Yes'! I will be your wife. But we will speak no more of this until the danger of Wickham is ended. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted while an enemy is preparing to attack. Agreed?"

"As always, I shall be guided by my superior in strategy and tactics," he smiled at her, and was rewarded by a twinkle and a smile that melted his heart. "Now," she said breaking their contact. "I must see what mischief my two foolish youngest sisters are getting up to in the village. I am certain they will waste little time returning to the market for further flirtations with the men."

"In that case," Darcy said, "let me escort you home with both of us on Sirius" They walked together, her hand firmly on his arm, down the path to where his horse was tethered. She made no objection when he lifted her effortlessly (marveling at the strength of his arms) into a side saddle seating and pulled himself up behind her. Within five minutes they were approaching her home. "I shall walk from here, for I must make plans in my head. I do that best while walking." Elizabeth said. Not waiting for his assist, she leaped lightly to the ground, evoking a gasp of awe from Darcy. 'What can this woman not do?' he asked himself. 'And what amazing children will we create together?' He turned his steed to head back towards Netherfield. He would return later in the day to visit Bingley and check on the progress of his recovery.

'I cannot follow them openly', Elizabeth mused, as she approached the house. 'I will have to disguise myself. An old crone', she thought, 'that would be best… but one with throwing knives hidden under her cloak!