Her joyous expression faded slightly. “I will miss Jane, that is true, and my father would have liked to give me away. But, if we marry here it will be a moment just for the two of us. And, truthfully, we will be better off without certain family members….”
Darcy knew she was thinking of some of her more embarrassing relations, but he considered how grateful he would be to do without Aunt Catherine. “Are you certain?”
“I know that I do not wish to wait.”
He bestowed a huge smile on her. “Very well. I will speak to Whitmore today.”
Whitmore seemed a little surprised to find Darcy at his study in the middle of the day, but Darcy explained his purpose right away. “Elizabeth has consented to be my wife.” He could barely contain his sense of ebullience; this moment had been so long in coming.
His friend evinced no surprise, but his face split in a wide grin. “Congratulations, man. This calls for some brandy. I know it is early in the day, but some occasions warrant celebration.” He poured them both glasses.
“You do not seem surprised,” Darcy observed, settling into a stiff-backed chair opposite Whitmore’s desk.
“No one who observed the pair of you the past days would be surprised. I have noticed how you watch her – and how she looks at you.”
This remark took Darcy off guard. “Truly? Does Elizabeth truly—” He was still insecure enough in her love for him that this confirmation of her regard came as a surprise – and a reassurance.
Whitmore chuckled knowingly, refilling their glasses. “You might not have noticed, but Marie and I have. Miss Bennet is as smitten with you as you are with her.”
“I am pleased you think so because I have a favor to beg. Elizabeth’s brush with death has made her eager to – seize the moment. She would like to be wed as soon as possible, before we leave for England.”
Whitmore choked a little on his brandy and set his glass down hastily, taking a moment to absorb the news. “And you concur?”
“I have been waiting for her for a long time. I would prefer not to wait any longer. Plus, being married would mean we could travel more easily. ”
Whitmore was still eyeing him skeptically. “What about your family?”
“Actually there will be a great advantage in arriving home with the wedding fait accompli.”
Comprehension dawned on Whitmore’s face. “You are thinking of your aunt?”
Darcy nodded. “And a few other relatives. I would prefer to avoid enduring their attempts to dissuade me because they believe Elizabeth is beneath me. She is infinitely my superior.”
“She is a fortunate woman. I saw how devoted you were to her during her illness.”
Darcy plowed ahead with the conversation. “The favor I would like to ask: we are hoping you would marry us.”
Whitmore seemed to have anticipated the request. “When?”
“As soon as possible. Is it necessary to obtain a special license?”
Whitmore shook his head. “Not in France. I could do it tomorrow if you would prefer.”
“That would be…excellent.”
Whitmore shook his head, chuckling. “I was saying that in jest.”
“I am in earnest, Thomas. The sooner we start our married life, the happier I will be.”
“Very well. I will assemble the papers you need to sign. And I must tell Marie. She will never forgive me if I do not give her some time for preparations.”
After another glass of brandy, Darcy left Whitmore and sought out Elizabeth, who was alone in the parlor reading a book on the fainting couch. Silently he approached and gave her a kiss on the neck. After she started, she gave him a smile so blinding he thought he would never recover. Such a short time ago he believed she would never look at him that way!
He perched on the edge of the couch next to her and she laid down her book. “What did Mr. Whitmore say to our request?”
The smell of her filled his nostrils and the sight of her filled his eyes, while his hands longed to be full of the touch of her skin. Darcy tried to form a coherent sentence. “He was somewhat taken aback by our desire for speed, but not, however, with the fact of our engagement.” Unable to stand it any longer, one hand reached out to caress her neck.
“Indeed?” She gave