Lizzy’s mouth dropped agape, “You did this? It is wonderfully done!”
“I realise why you hate it, Lizzy.” William softly smiled. “I pricked my fingers a dozen times and that was the best I could do. I only know how to embroider four initials and that flower. Yours and my initials.” He leaned and laid his forehead against hers. “I am sorry to be morose. It is your birthday and I have yet to give you your gift.”
“This handkerchief is absolutely perfect, Will.” Lizzy declared. “I need nothing else.”
William looked into her eyes as he stood tall, “But you shall have everything that I can give you. But, if I may ask for one thing from you...”
“Name it, Will.” Lizzy smiled. “I will give you everything I can.”
William lowered his eyes and stared at her lips, “May I kiss you? A proper kiss from a man to a woman? I will never ask for more but I have desired to kiss you for so long.”
“You have kissed me several times already, Will, but of course you have my permission. I love you.” Lizzy answered.
Without waiting another moment, William leaned in and fondly kissed her lips. Lizzy stood still as his lips met hers but was surprised when he pressed harder and opened her lips with his tongue. Lizzy felt his hands wrap around her neck and cradling her head, and she raised her hands to hold his jacket lapels as he drew even closer. As his tongue slowly delved into her mouth and she responded in kind for what felt like eternity, Lizzy felt dizzy and breathless and completely enfolded in his passion.
William let go abruptly and turned around so she could not see his ardency. His heart beat wildly and he knew he was absolutely hers now.
“Thank you, Lizzy.” He breathed after calming himself. “I would have never believed how wonderful that could feel. I will not ask for it again. Thank you for your generosity.” He turned to find her face flushed and eyes broad. “I... I am sorry for my ungentlemanly behaviour. It will not happen again.”
Lizzy remained speechless while he pulled out an envelope from his coat pocket. Her head was still spinning from his fervent kiss.
“Lizzy, I meant what I said when I told you I would give you everything.” William cradled her cheek. “Happy birthday, my love. I will return to Netherfield now. I will see you in London next week.” He placed the envelope in her hand and ran off on foot.
Lizzy finally gathered her wits and looked at the parchment in her hand. She had never imagined that a kiss could be so overwhelming and she had felt completely loved by the man she had always thought like a brother. She realised that he truly loved her as a woman and the kiss that they had just shared was not the brotherly love that he had expressed before, but the ardency and admiration that a man felt for a woman and she was still burning by his desire and her own.
She opened the envelope and gasped when she saw that he had signed off his favourite stallion to her. She loved Snowflake more than any other horse and he had given it to her. Tears rolled down as she patted the horse that he had left next to their tree. “Oh, Snowflake, how is it possible for a man to be so generous? Could it be possible? He truly loves me and wishes for me to be his wife, as deficient as I am, as poor and unconnected as I am? I love him, Snowflake, but could I love him as a husband? Could I be worthy to be his wife?”
Lizzy mounted the horse expertly and trotted toward Longbourn. She had much to consider and was determined to make a choice soon. She saw the pain in William’s eyes as he struggled to love her only as a friend, and did not wish to continue to pain him.
~*~
April 1810
“Welcome, Lizzy! Come and sit! How was the journey from Hertfordshire?” Mrs. Gardiner embraced Lizzy. “Your uncle will be arriving shortly. He had an appointment with several gentlemen to discuss business and is very excited that we will be begin our lease at Haye Park soon. Mr. Stone has become an efficient partner and we wish to raise the children in the countryside during the summers, away from the heat of town. How is the rest of your family?”
Lizzy smiled, “They are well. They will call here tomorrow morning, aunt. It is incredible to see Grace and Gabriel growing up so quickly. Thank you for allowing me to stay here again. I know I had unexpectedly showed up at your door last year and I invited myself once again.” She reached for her aunt’s hand and squeezed it. “I have a decision to make, aunt, and I am hoping you can help me. I do not know what to do but I did not wish to pain Will by staying at Darcy House with him. I know that he is sad that I opted to stay here again but I did not want to give him more discomfort by constantly reminding him of my presence. I had hoped I could decide by now but I am still as obstinate as ever, I suppose.”
“He loves you, Lizzy, and I have never seen such dedication. I know he will love you for the rest of his life.” Mrs. Gardiner squeezed her hand in return. “Are you finally reconsidering your stance on marriage?”
“How did you know you loved Uncle Edward, Aunt Madeline? How do you know you made the right choice?” She asked. “Will... he, he kissed me and my view of love completely changed, aunt. I never knew such passion existed. He is... he is, by far, the best man I know, and I do not know if I can live without him. I am
