If Only In His Dreams by Melanie Schertz Page A

he killed himself.  I am certain that you would understand when I tell you that my aunt was not heartbroken at the news of his death.  And fortunately, their only child, a daughter named Anne, for my mother, was near three at the time and does not remember her father at all.  All that my aunt endured was due to her brother making a decision for her to marry a man without her consent.  I realized that in the agreement I made with your brother, we acted similarly to what my uncle did to his sister.  Though you have my word of honor that I would never strike or harm you, you have been forced into the situation without being allowed to refuse.”
     
    “We discussed this several days ago.  I am willing to abide by the agreement.”
     
    “Miss Elizabeth, you were not given the option to refuse.  For that, I am ashamed of myself. You should have been consulted from the very start and allowed to voice your opinions.  If for any reason, you feel that you would prefer to end this agreement, say the word and I will speak with your brother.  There will be no anger on my part, no demands for reparations on my behalf.”
     
    Elizabeth watched this man she was slowly coming to know as he made every attempt to be thoughtful and caring.  “Mr Darcy, perhaps the situation began in a manner which I did not like, but you have made me feel more comfortable in the past few days.  And you have honored my request to have a courtship before announcing our engagement.  Of that I am grateful.”
     
    “Do you honestly feel that you can marry me?  Even with what little you know of me?”
     
    Laughing, Elizabeth pleaded with Darcy to take the seat next to hers.  “If I did not know better, I would think that you were attempting to dissuade me from marrying you.  Mr Darcy, in the few days of our courtship, I have come to respect you.  I do not fear you, nor do I believe you will ever harm me.  And as I said, you have agreed to allow me time to know you before a wedding date is set.  So, I do not feel that there is a need to break the engagement agreement at this time.   Now, if I later find that you have been murdered in a brothel or something equally offensive, I may find reason to be furious with you.”  She smiled wickedly at the solemn man.
     
    A small smile began to grow on his lips.  “Miss Elizabeth, I am in awe of the woman I have before me.  You are a wonder and I will cherish each and every day that I am blessed to have you at my side.”
     
    “I thank you for such kindness, Mr Darcy.  Now, as t o your calling me Miss Elizabeth, I believe that as we are betrothed, in private or around my family, you should refer to me as either Elizabeth or, as my family refers to me, Lizzy.”
     
    “Only, Elizabeth, if you were to refer to me as William.  I cannot abide the thought of you calling me Fitzwilliam or Mr Darcy when we are not in the company of others, with the exception of our families.”  Darcy lifted her hand to his lips and placed kiss on the back of it.  “Now, before your brother returns and becomes angry over my being on this side of his desk, let us make our way to the drawing room so I can take my leave properly.”
     
    “Thank you, William.” Elizabeth said with a slight blush to her cheeks.  “That feels…sort of…silly in a way, but a good silly.”
     
    “What is silly?” Darcy asked, his eyebrows rose as he looked at her.
     
    “The feeling I just had from saying your name, almost as if it were a forbidden treat that I am savoring.”  Elizabeth said as she took hold of his arm, squeezing it slightly.
     
    A tingle ran up Darcy’s arm at the intimacy in that touch.  “Thank you, Lizzy, for being such a delightful and amazing lady; you amaze me every time I see you.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
    Caroline thought she would have a chance to convince Lady Anne against Elizabeth, hoping to show herself as the better candidate to be the future Mistress of Pemberley.  She