The first day of their adventure at Lake Windermere dawned clear and dry. At breakfast, when Darcy inquired what diversion the ladies most desired, it was agreed that they should like to hire a boat and pass the afternoon upon the lake.
Darcy entered into their enthusiasm. “Then we shall drive to Lord Harcourt’s holiday home. I apprised him of our plans before we set out, and though he is not in residence, his butler will see to the sailboat.”
After breakfast, the party set out in carriages. The lake sparkled under the summer sun, its grandeur surpassing all expectations. Once aboard the large sailboat, they divided into smaller groups. Anise moved to sit with Georgiana in a sheltered corner, and both women wrapped themselves in their shawls and tightened their bonnets. Seeing Abby alone, Phillip moved to stand beside her. Darcy kept Elizabeth close, with his arm firmly about her waist, so that she would not be tossed about. Richard sat on a bench between his mother and Anne. The captain, from time to time, pointed out historical landmarks or natural beauties along the shore.
After about a quarter hour, Abby looked to Phillip. “Will you take me to the prow? I should like to see the view from there.”
He was gratified. “Come, take my arm. I shall anchor you to my side so that you are not tossed into the lake.”
As they walked forward, Abby felt the boat shift beneath her and clung to the Viscount. When they reached the front, he found a sheltered corner, and there they stood to take in the prospect of Lake Windermere.
An hour later, they debarked at Belle Isle House. The men spread blankets under the shade of a grove while the women unpacked the hampers, and the company sat down to eat. From their vantage, they could see the dome, portico, and columns of the romantic building. Afterwards, Anne asked Richard to walk with her deeper into the grove. Abby and Elizabeth wished to see the Venetian windows, and Phillip and Darcy escorted them round the perimeter of the gardens. Georgiana fell asleep on a blanket, while Lady Helen remained seated on a bench, gratified that her sons paid their attentions to two lovely, eligible women.
That evening, Elizabeth asked Darcy to teach her billiards. Phillip offered to teach Abby, and the two couples amused themselves in this way, while Richard and Anne sat together in a distant corner.
“Anne,” Richard said quietly, “I believe you think better of me now than when I first came to Kent last November.”
She smiled. “I do. I think much better of you now.”
“And perhaps you even like me?”
She laughed softly. “I have come to like you very well indeed.”
He studied her face, and she met his gaze steadily. At last, he spoke. “Anne, do you care for me enough to accept my hand in marriage?”
She grinned. “Richard, the more important question is whether you love me enough to ask for my hand in marriage.”
He was grinning now. “I do love you enough to ask. Darling, will you accept my offer? I have come to know you, and to know you is to love you.”
She was laughing though tears spilled down her cheeks. “Yes, Richard, I will marry you.”
He drew her into his arms and kissed her. Laughing, he said, “I am the happiest of men, my darling.”
She drew out a handkerchief to dry her eyes.
“May I tell the others?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
He stood, helped her to her feet, and led her across the room to Lady Helen. “Mother, Anne, and I are going to be married.”
In a moment, the company surrounded them with congratulations. Lady Helen wept openly, Phillip and Darcy clapped Richard on the back, and Elizabeth and Georgiana embraced Anne. Darcy rang for champagne, and the remainder of the evening was spent in talk of wedding plans and how the couple had fallen in love.
That night, Elizabeth lay smiling in the darkness. “I believe Phillip began courting Abby today. Something in his manner over the past few days reminded me of his cousin, who resisted the woman he loved for months before making a move. For Abby’s sake, I hope the Viscount does not take so long to know his own mind and settle on one woman.”
Darcy gave a sudden laugh, rolled toward her, and with a swift motion bore her back against the pillows. Elizabeth gasped, then laughed as he bent to kiss her, his hands already atthe fastenings of her nightgown. She was still laughing at his playfulness, but soon his passion engulfed her.
Chapter 88: Calgarth Hall
“I have served you two strips of bacon and a boiled egg, Anne. Shall I butter your toast?”
Anne wrinkled her nose. “I want dry toast, Richard. If I eat too much fat, it makes me ill.”
He placed the dry toast on her plate and set it on the table. “Is there anything else I can get for you, darling? Would you like coffee?”
“No, thank you, Richard. I have a cup of tea.”
He served himself and sat in the chair next to her, but he did not eat; instead, he began speaking.
