Pemberley Ranch - Jack Caldwell [111]
Darcy’s voice trembled. “This is not out of gratitude for what I did for Lily, is it?”
Beth blinked. “What do you mean? Of course, I’m grateful for what you did! Why are you unhappy?” To her astonishment, William’s face nearly crumbled.
“Oh, Beth, if you’re accepting me out of gratitude, well… well, I just couldn’t stand it!”
Beth was incredulous at William’s stubborn inability to grasp what was so clear. Couldn’t the fool see that she loved him body and soul? Only one way to clarify things came to mind. With a look of determination, she reached up and lightly kissed him on the cheek. As she drew back slightly, she said to his amazed face, “That’s for Lily!” and in a softer tone, she added, “And this is for me.” This time her lips firmly met his with a scalding kiss.
Beth was starting to become concerned over William’s lack of response, but then she felt his strong hands on her shoulders gently pull her closer as he deepened their kiss. Beth was relieved and thrilled, and it was pleasant to learn that Will’s lips felt very soft against her mouth. Her arms moved by their own volition to twine around his neck as her body arched against his. They seemed to become one. Her moans of delight were a counterpoint to his. An intoxicating dizziness overtook her senses. She felt she could remain thus occupied for the rest of her days.
“What the devil is this!?”
The two were startled by Mr. Bennet’s cry and jumped apart as if the other were on fire. Beth could feel the heat of mortification replace the warmth of desire on her face. Mr. Bennet glowered from the doorway of the study, his mouth working soundlessly in his righteous anger. Darcy was the first to break out of his shocked stupor and begin a rambling apology. This seemed to accomplish nothing but to unlock Bennet’s tongue.
“Keep your mealymouthed assurances to yourself. I’ve no time for your perfidy,” he growled in a low tone, his desire not to alert the entire household evident. “You return my youngest from that bastard Whitehead, I turn my back on you, and you reward me by treating her elder sister in exactly the same manner!”
“No, Father, please. Don’t blame Will. This is my fault,” Beth claimed.
“Your fault!” Bennet laughed incredulously. “I suppose you threw yourself at him!”
Before Beth could assure her father that that was exactly what she had done, Darcy cut in. “Mr. Bennet, sir, this is my fault. I pledge to you that my intentions are honorable. I respect you and Miss Beth, but… I’m ashamed to give you reason to doubt me. I beg to explain myself.”
Bennet thought it over for a moment. “Beth, leave us.”
Beth looked between her father and her lover and clenched her teeth. She would not let these two men—whom she loved most in the world—decide her fate without her attendance. Instead of obeying her dismissal, she defiantly moved closer to Will and took one of his hands in both of hers. “No, Father, as this concerns me, I’ll remain.”
Darcy turned, his face registering his concern. “Beth, are you certain—”
Beth returned his look with a glint of steel. “I’ll stay by your side. There’s nowhere else I want to be.”
A relieved grin stole across Darcy’s face. He nodded and faced their inquisitor. “Mr. Bennet, I’ll tell you straight up that I’ve admired Miss Beth for some time—since our first meeting, I’d say. The plain truth is that I love her. Tonight, I’ve learned that she returns those sentiments, and well… I let things get out of hand in expressing my happiness.”
Bennet eyed the young man closely. “You say you love my daughter?” At Darcy’s confirmation, he asked, “And would I be wrong to think that she is your motivation for your involvement in my family’s concerns?”
Darcy sensed dangerous ground, but answered truthfully. “You wouldn’t be wrong, sir.”
“No,” Bennet declared. “No. No, sir! You ask far more than I can pay.”
“What?”
“Elizabeth will not be the