Abby forced a smile. “Phillip caught a fish, my lady. I caught Lizzy, a tree, and four bushes before I gave up.”
Phillip said, “The last time you cast, Miss Abby, you began to look as though you knew what you were doing.”
She studied his face. He seemed sincere, but his smile was devastating. Abby caught her breath. This man was dangerous. Women probably fell at his feet when he looked at them that way. She felt the urge to do so herself, but then anger saved her. He had been trifling with both her and with her sister the entire day. How dare he?
By the time the rain ceased an hour later, she was tired of his flirtations and resolved to avoid him. As Phillip left the carriage to ride his horse, Abby determined she would not be a participant in his little games.
That night, Abby waited in the dark hallway of the coaching inn for Elizabeth’s maid. When the maid came out, Abby stopped her.
“Miss Stevens, may I speak to Elizabeth?”
Stevens curtsied. “Yes, miss.” She tapped on the door. “Mrs. Darcy, Miss Abby would like to speak with you.”
“Show her in, Stevens.”
The maid opened the door. “Come in, miss.”
Elizabeth stood at the dressing table. Seeing Abby’s face, she set down her brush and came to her. “What is it, Abby?”
Abby drew a handkerchief from her sleeve. “I am sorry, Lizzy. I know Phillip is now your cousin, but I am exceedingly angry with him. Flirtations make Anise uneasy. She never knows what to say and often does not perceive the undercurrents. Today,the Viscount turned his attentions upon us both in turn. It was demeaning, Lizzy. We are not simpletons. I have come to beg a favor. Will you and Georgiana enter the dining parlor with us tonight and sit on either side?”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Yes. And I will do more. I will ask Fitzwilliam and Aunt Helen to sit with you as well. You will be protected from further attention, at least during dinner.” She narrowed her eyes. “Perhaps Anise can use this experience to her advantage. If she writes to Michael about the Viscount and his attentions, Michael will pass it on to Mr. Fairfax. They are best friends, after all. Surely Mr. Fairfax will ask your brother how his sisters are doing in Derbyshire. Perhaps the fear of losing Anise will help him decide to offer for her.”
Abby smirked. “I will do one better for my sister. I shall write to Michael tonight and post the letter in the morning. I believe it will light a fire under Martin Fairfax. He will learn that Anise is desirable and will not be trifled with. He has been stringing her along these past four years. We shall see.” Her narrowed eyes and determined expression made Elizabeth laugh.
That evening, when it was time to go down, the Darcys and Lady Helen stopped at the Stantons’ door and escorted them to the private parlor, then sat on either side. Phillip was the last to join the group and took the only remaining seat between Anne and Darcy.
Dinner was pleasant. The trout caught by Darcy and Phillip was served as part of the meal, and afterward they moved to the parlor. Elizabeth read aloud from The Italian, picking up where they left off in the carriage. After hearing one chapter, Lady Helen declared she was falling asleep in her chair and would retire to bed. The Stanton sisters likewise excused themselves and retired early.
Elizabeth turned to Fitzwilliam. “Will you play a game of chess, Mr. Darcy?”
“I am sorry, Elizabeth, but I cannot. I have business with Richard and Phillip. Please go up. I will join you soon.”
She looked disappointed but curtsied and went upstairs, followed by Anne.
Darcy poured cognac into three glasses and handed them to the two men.
He was frowning when he turned to face his eldest cousin. “Phillip, you will stop trifling with the Stanton sisters. They are Elizabeth’s guests and her closest friends. If you injure either, you will answer to me. Abby came to our chamber this evening and begged Elizabeth for assistance. The sisters are exceedingly loyal to one another, and they will not contend for the same man. If you are interested in one, leave the other alone. Make your choice or leave them both.”
Darcy’s frown deepened. “You will not find a better woman elsewhere, not if you searched for another year, nor even in a lifetime. I thank God each day that I had the sense to claim Elizabeth before another did. Pembroke was set to have her, and it would have been my loss had I not acted when I did. Phillip, do not squander such an opportunity.”
Phillip looked chastened but said, “And this advice comes from the most backward man in England when it comes to matters of the heart?”
Richard set down his glass. “Darcy is right. You will not find two women of greater quality. They are kin to an earl, amiable, unspoiled, and kind. You would be a fool to treat them lightly.”
Phillip rose. “I will think on what you say. For now, I need air.” He left the room.
When the door closed, Darcy asked, “Will Phillip take correction, or have we made him double down?”
Richard leaned back. “It could go either way. He has had his way too long. I would not wager on which course he takes.”
Darcy shook his head. “Then I leave him to Elizabeth. I expected her to scold him tonight. If he does not heed me, he will heed her.”
Richard shook his head. “I hope she will take him to task if he continues in this way.”
Darcy looked at his cousin, and a smile touched his lips. “Now I shall turn my notice on you, Richard. It appears you have won Anne’s heart.”
“Yes. She is beginning to trust me. Aunt Catherine filled her head with rubbish, saying that I was a libertine and a rake who did not care who I hurt. Anne feared she was one of many, just another amusement. But now she begins to see me as I truly am. I have come to love her and hope that she will come to love me in time.”
