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that effect on him. And Elizabeth had just uttered the most provocative thought wrapped in a cloak of sentimentality, something she did with regularity. It
kept him off balance—topsy-turvy. He would be going about his duties as Pemberley’s master, and his wife would say something inviting, and his thoughts were lost to her. It had been that way from the beginning: Elizabeth would challenge him with a pert curve turning up her mouth’s corner. Lord, help him! The woman had no idea how crazy she drove him!
    â€œBecause I love you. From the day I met you, I saw us — Us as the way life should be,” he murmured close to her ear.
    He noted the memory of heated sensations in his wife’s eyes as his breath’s warmth caressed her neck. “I may return to my bed before the walk,” she seductively said.
    Darcy warmed from the inside out. He stood slowly. “A man should see his wife to their chamber.” He held out his hand. Elizabeth placed her fingers into his palm, and his grasp closed tightly about them.

    â€œDoes everyone have a hat and gloves?” Bingley asked as he surveyed the group gathered in Pemberley’s main foyer. “Last evening held an icy mix. Watch your step and stay close together.”
    â€œDo not forget the mistletoe,” Kitty taunted good-naturedly.
    Georgiana motioned toward the house’s rear. “If we exit through the upper gardens we can reach the woods in half the time and distance.”
    â€œLead on, Miss Darcy,” Mr. Bennet proposed. “You know the best way.”

    Elizabeth waited patiently as Darcy spoke to Mr.Washington about the area surrounding the inn. They had spent the last hour in bed, and now they would walk off the remainder of their “stranded” frustrations. Although the facilities were adequate, Elizabeth would prefer her own home at Christmas.With Mrs. Reynolds’s assistance, she’d planned the decorations. Her first Christmastide at Pemberley,
she was still a bride, less than two months married, and Elizabeth had bowed to Pemberley’s long-time housekeeper’s wishes. Having celebrated her second wedding anniversary in November, this was to be her third Christmas as Pemberley’s mistress and her first at planning the Tenants’ celebration. She’d hate to leave final preparations to Georgiana.
    Christmas in this dreary inn would be a sorry excuse for a holiday if the roads didn’t clear soon. Looking about the room, Elizabeth’s eyes fell on Darcy. She sighed deeply. At least, they were together. Being at Pemberley meant nothing if her husband was elsewhere.
    â€œA copper for your thoughts,” Darcy said as he approached.
    Elizabeth bestowed a brilliant smile upon him. “I’d just considered how fortunate I am to be your wife. To be at Pemberley would be heavenly, but not without your presence. Though I must admit that sometimes when we’re there, I imagine our hearts beating in tandem.” Her frankness always appeared to have the oddest effect on Darcy. His eyes devoured her.
    â€œEven when I thought I’d lost you forever, I lived with hope. I am thankful you became my forever , Elizabeth,” he murmured softly.
    â€œYou have me now, Mr. Darcy,” she said, keeping her voice light.
    His steely grey eyes turned onyx. “And I bless each day because of your love.”
    As they stared lovingly at each other, the innkeeper’s wife hustled toward the kitchen, and Elizabeth impulsively turned to the woman. “Mrs. Washington.”
    â€œYes, Mrs. Darcy?” The pleasingly plump woman brushed a hair’s strand from her flushed face.
    Elizabeth caught Darcy’s hand to pull him along with her as she approached the harrowed-looking woman. “I realize you’re terribly busy and probably haven’t considered how close Christmas Day might be.”
    The woman sighed deeply. “Me and Mr. Washington planned a quiet