“Why Mr. Darcy, I have only learned you were the unfortunate traveler also marooned at Ashby Park. How do you do?”
“Miss Bennet,” he said, quickly standing to bow. “I, too, was unaware of your presence until a moment ago. I would beg you forgive my appearance. I had thought to ride from London to Netherfield and was not anticipating dinner at Ashby.”
“Think nothing of it.” She smiled with a twinkle in her brown eyes. “Ishouldfeel guilty here in all this grandeur on my own little holiday away from home while my family welcomes the unknown cousin and heir to Longbourn. But I cannot.”
Darcy offered her his arm as they followed a footman to the dining room.
“It is my duty you know, as the second daughter to help pave the way for family unity. Instead, I am two hours away on an accidental respite. At least—” she smiled, releasing his arm and taking a seat at her place at the table “—I am in the company of a friend and can expect a pleasant evening of conversation.”
“I will endeavor to do my best, Miss Bennet.” He sat down across from her. “And might I hope to hear you play this evening? I am sure nothing would bring me more pleasure.” Noticing her hesitation, he said, “However, if you feel our situation alone might lead to speculation, I will gladly remain in my room all evening.” He took a sip of his drink and silently prayed shedid notfeel that way.
Miss Elizabeth smiled as he signaled to the footman to begin serving. “Mr. Darcy, I see no call for that. My maid has accompanied me.”
Conversation came easy speaking of books, music, and travel. Across the table, as candlelight danced across her animated face, Darcy could only imagine what an evening at Pemberley with her as his wife might be like.
“I have always longed to travel to Rome,” Miss Elizabeth said after the final course.
Darcy stood by her chair waiting to escort her to the music room. “Rome? Why Rome? I believed all young ladies wished to travel to Paris to shop and be seen.”
“But sir, have you yet to determine that I am not like all young ladies?” she asked with an impish grin. “My impertinence is legendary in Meryton.” Darcy struggled to control his impulse to brush a loose tendril from the nape of her neck.
“Oh, but I have, Miss Elizabeth, and I would not call it impertinence as much as spirit.” Elizabeth lowered her eyes, and he swallowed as she flushed with color from the rise of her bosom to her face. “Many of your sex speak only what they believe a man wishes to hear. But a man of character wants an equal, not solely in wealth and connections, but in intellect and sense. A powerful woman can lead a man to do great things.”
Elizabeth satdown on the sofa and Mr. Darcy seemed to hesitate before taking the chair across from her in the music room. Soon after, Sarah entered the parlor and quickly took up her needle.
“We were speaking of my impertinence.” She arched her brow in challenge.
“That conversation we will save for another day,” he replied with a grin. “But why, Miss Bennet, would you wish to see Rome?”
“Oh, Rome. I have read books from Father’s library about its rise and fall. I would dearly love to see the Coliseum and works from the masters. History and culture, sir, are two of my passions. I am not a simple country maid from Hertfordshire, you know.”
“No, Miss Elizabeth. I would never imagine anything about you as simple.” Her laugh tinkled around the room as his baritone joined hers. “I can attest to the beauty of Rome and its people. My father took me there once when I was just a boy. I was but ten and we were at a crowded market on the way back to our hotel. We became separated and I wandered for half an hour looking for him.”
“Whatever did you do, sir?”
He sheepishly looked down tracing the pattern of the rug with the toe of his boot. “I did what any young boy in a foreign country would do. I sat down and began to cry. A little grandmother found me, swept me into her home and fed me. She sent her granddaughter to the post master who spoke some English and within five minutes, we were back at the hotel with my worried father standing out front talking to the local constable. That was the first time my father publicly embraced me,” he whispered. He seemed to be affected by the memory as he lowered his head to study his boots. She found herself turning to look out the window in the following silence.
“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, Miss Bennet, with such maudlin remembrances.”
His nervous smile was met with her compassion. “Please, do not apologize to me. We—the weaker sex—welcome open demonstrations of paternal affection. However, not only the weaker sex needs affirmation from their parents.”
Attempting to lighten the pervading somber mood, she asked, “Might I play for you?”
“I would like that very much.”
She beganto play the same Irish tune she had sung earlier. Instead of the tune reminding him of his mother, he thought how this woman was capturing his heart. He leaned back and rested his head against the chair allowing the music to transport and fill his mind with images of her. He imagined walking together throughout Pemberley with her small hand in his. He saw her with Georgiana, coaxing her out of her reticence. He imagined the sunlight peeking through the curtains of their bed chamber and casting a glow upon her cheek. He saw her with a little girl with chestnut ringlets and beautiful dark eyes like her mother and a young boy with dimples like his father climbing onto her lap to hear stories. Before him was the future he craved.Blast that letter from my mother!
As his thoughts changed to match his torment, Miss Elizabeth looked up. She stopped playing instantly. “Sir, I apologize if my playing disturbs you. I will leave you to your solitude. If you will excuse me.”
Miss Elizabeth rose and curtsied before Darcy realized what was happening. The maid was as surprised and began to gather her things. Darcy stood and closed the distance, gently clasping her elbow.
“Miss Bennet, pray forgive me. Your playing was lovely. Just the balm I needed on such a rain-sodden day.” His words stopped her. “I apologize if I have somehow offended you. My mind had wandered to an unpleasant obligation. Please do not end the evening. I had so looked forward to more music and conversation. That is,” he said anxiously, “unless you are fatigued. If so, I will not importune you further.” He released her elbow as his hand felt the loss of her touch.
She looked up at him before a smile played across her lips. “I suppose I might stay as long as my playing gives you pleasure.”
“Unspeakable amounts, Miss Bennet.” He gallantly bowed and extended his hand to hers. She lightly placed her fingers in his palm as he escorted her back to the piano. The young maid began her sewing again. He tried to ignore the warmth radiating up his arm from where her hand had been only moments before.
“May I turn the pages for you?”
