First Came the Kiss

by Carissa

September 2002, Firthness Challenge Entry

Rated PG

Author's Note: Here is my offering for the September Challenge. I think that it will continue into the next months, but I am not sure. I hope you like it.


Thwack!!!

His hand instantly rose to give some comfort to his cheek as she turned away to the window. Darcy just stared at her back, amazed at the reaction. He did not know what reaction to expect but this was not it.

Flashback

Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley and his sister currently had guests in their home, dinner guests. It had been many months since Georgiana had seen her brother as happy as he was in this company, and she was certain that it was not due to the attentions of Caroline Bingley. Miss Bingley had been attempting to prove her superior claims on the Darcys by informing any person who would attend her, that she had seen the new piano when Georgiana was first presented with it. What Miss Bingley did not know was that Miss Bennet and her relatives had seen it earlier. In order to entertain her guests and prevent any barbs aimed at one of them, Georgiana sat down at the piano, asked Miss Bingley to assist in the selection of a piece to play - Miss Bingley was torn between showing herself to be a friend to Georgiana and leaving Mr Darcy to the care of the other guests.

Mr Darcy took the opportunity and offered to show Miss Bennet, and her relatives, the family gallery that is not open to public inspection. When Miss Bingley turned to face Mr Darcy as if to follow, he assured her that it was a gallery that she had seen before and had much better assist Georgiana in selecting music. Reluctantly she agreed and returned to the many pages of music available as Mr Darcy led Elizabeth Bennet and her uncle from the room, Mrs Gardiner choosing to remain and assist with the music selection.

A little polite conversation was exchanged between the three people on their way to, and upon entry into, the gallery. Mr Gardiner was quite interested in portraits, while Elizabeth had very little interest in portraits of people she did not have a connection to, and, would never meet.

“Why, Miss Bennet, I see that my ancestors hold little interest to you.”

“I am sorry, Mr Darcy, it is not that they do not interest me, it is merely that I know little of art and much prefer to view a scene than a face”

“I might wonder why you chose to visit the gallery” He said rather lightly.

Noticing the lightness in his manner, Elizabeth imitated it. “It was not the attraction of the gallery, sir, more the change of scene and society.” Darcy did not know what to think. The lady he loves is before him, stating that she would prefer his company to those in the music room…Oh, those in the music room, some in that room held little attraction for him either.

Deciding that he would do his best to show his guest the type of picture she may prefer, Darcy addressed both Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner. “If you will join me, this chamber contains drawings of a more scenic nature.” Mr Darcy indicated the door to the end of the gallery.

“I thank you, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner answered, “But I find myself quite well occupied with these portraits, but perhaps Lizzy would prefer the scenes." Mr Gardiner was not so ignorant as to miss the looks that Darcy showed Elizabeth, but he would be in the ajoining room and he did enjoy to study a portrait.

“Miss Bennet?” Darcy asked, both hoping and fearing her answer. She had shown him, in their meetings during her visit to Derbyshire (where she received no news of Lydia because her father did not allow her to go to Brighton) that she held him in some regard, but how much he was not sure.

“Thank you, Mr Darcy.” And he led the way into the room. Darcy knew these pictures by heart, most had been drawn by a mistress of Pemberley or a daughter of the house, so this room was very special to the family. Elizabeth walked about the room, admiring in silence but ever aware of the gentleman behind her who watched.

When she reached the second last picture in the room, Elizabeth stopped. “Is this…I believe I know where this is.”

Smiling, Darcy walked up behind Elizabeth. “I believe you have seen this place, it is the lake…”

“behind the house.” She finished the sentence and turned toward him, smiling all the way to her eyes. He was so close.

She was so close. He reached for her cheek with one hand, not really feeling like he was performing the action, more like a spectator to the action. He bent his head and kissed her, lightly, on the lips.

THWACK!


He stood and studied the back that was now before him. Elizabeth stood at the window, looking at the nearly black view. He did not know if he should speak, but he suddenly recollected that Mr Gardiner was in the next room.

Copyright held by Carissa - 2002