The author had skill, true skill, and indeed, a refreshing way of expression… if only he could focus. If only his mind did not return to the face and voice of Miss Elizabeth; not that it proved in any way unpleasant, save that he wished she were here beside him, enjoying the sweet words with him.
Gulping the last of his tea, Darcy stood abruptly.Something had to be done.
Even if he did not plan to yet reveal the full depth of his feelings, that did not mean he could not speak on some of what he felt?
Striding toward a nearby shelf, book in hand, Darcy considered what he might say to Miss Elizabeth.A simple greeting? Remarking on the poem he had read? Complimenting the glow of her gaze, or her wit?
“Charles, come in here. I must speak with you,” the voice of Miss Bingley flitted as footsteps fell.
Turning around to find no one, Darcy’s forehead crinkled.What the deuce?
“If this is about Wrotham Park, the deed is done; I am sole owner of the place now and as soon as our stay here is concluded, I plan to move in lock, stock, and barrel to the new Bingley estate.”
Stepping closer to the shelf, Darcy leaned his ear to the wall of books, the voice of Bingley and his sister, though still muffled, far clearer than before.
The passageways Miss Mary mentioned?
Elizabeth would be pleased; at least Lady Charmane’s vanishing made sense if it were true.
Perhaps, knowing that this room and… oh, what room would be behind this one? Lady Charmane’s study? Yes, if memory served. Perhaps knowing that these rooms connected, some of them might hide in the library and the rest in the study, until their host chose to enter? Then the sisters might have their talk at last. Fitz would be of help, likely Bingley too, if his sister calmed herself long enough to allow him privacy.
Chapter 20
Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 10
Lady Charmane? There were voices in her study. At last she would be able to speak with her. All she had to do was wait until the person she was with left, then catch her unawares. Passageways or no, she would not be expecting her this time.
“Not everything has to do with your precious Wrotham Park,” the sharp voice of Miss Bingley growled. “That place, however much an eyesore, is hardly worth discussion, not when the very position of our family is at stake!”
“Whatever do you mean?” Mr. Bingley questioned, his tone irritated in the extreme.
Pressing herself to the wall beside the study door, Elizabeth waited, her heart pounding as she listened for any signs of Lady Charmane.
“As much a fool as ever, I see. How you can be friends with Mr. Darcy I do not know. We are trying to raise ourselves, not sink lower! He, and his sisters for that matter, are worse than I can describe with any equanimity.YOUhave heard the rumours yourself; his father, and his grandfather, were both traitors! Society maynearlyhave accepted Mr. Darcy and his sisters last year, but not now. Not with America’s insulting behavior regarding this war. He might as well be in trade! No. If you see him outside of gatherings such as these… if you invite him into our home… then I promise you, I shall go live with our sister and no longer oversee your household!”
“Capital!” Bingley cried. “I shall invite him at once, and see him whenever I damn well please! Honestly, Caroline, I would not be as fastidious as you are for a kingdom. Even if the rumours are true,HEis neither his father nor his grandfather. YouDOrecall how our father made his fortune?”
“How dare you use such language in my presence!”
“How dare I? You insult my good friend, his sisters, and any other number of his relations. You even insult our own father with your contempt for trade,” he growled. “Live with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst; I admit with full shame, I know not what to do with you.”
Giving the hall a furtive glance, Elizabeth slowly backed away from that portion of the space, choosing instead to compose herself in the nearby library.
Utterly absurd. Mr. Bingley’s sister? Mr. Thomson’s vitriol made sense, the man had a streak of cruelty in him. Miss Bingley? She was sister to one of the kindest men.
True, it had been obvious from the first moments of her arrival that she was nothing akin to her brother… but this? Vicious and… and prepared to tear a man, a gentleman, down. One who ranked above her even with his ties to America. That could not be understood.
Floundering as she turned into the library, Elizabeth gasped at the sight of Mr. Darcy, his own eyes wide as he looked between her and the wall beside him.Had he somehow heard what she had? She dearly hoped not, even though Mr. Bingley had been loyal in his response.
“Have you been here long?” she asked awkwardly as she moved toward him; the voices of the Bingleys suddenly audible once more as she reached his side.
He had heard.
“I have,” he mumbled as he lifted the book he held; the final screech of Miss Bingley fading. “You heard that as well, did you not,” he added several moments after the silence took hold.A statement, not a question. He knew she had heard. Her expression told all.
Nodding, she smiled softly, “Mr. Bingley was a marvel, was he not? I never would have thought he would send his sister packing, did you?”
“Not overly. Not after seeing her throw her slippers at him the other day,” he chuckled uncomfortably.
