Saturday, 14 September
Knight's Manor
Darcy
Hayward and I followed the butler into the dining-parlour, where we exchanged greetings with Mr. Barton and Mr. Noah Barton.
The elder Mr. Barton urged me towards a pretty blonde lady with classic features and a well-proportioned frame. He introduced me to the lady, his daughter, Miss Cassandra Barton. She wore a fashionable gown of fine checked muslin and a pearl necklace.
Miss Barton beamed at me throughout our salutations, sparing Hayward a brief juncture of regard. Whilst she did not breach propriety, she came close enough to provoke me to stretch my upper body backwards. I guessed her age to be near twenty. She swept her arm towards a chair. “Will you sit and have refreshments before you leave?”
I might have been more inclined to stay for a cup of coffee if she tempered her eagerness. “Thank you, but we ate before we left the house.” Her mouth squeezed shut for a moment.
Hayward glanced around the room. “I do not see your cousin. No doubt she is on one of her rambles.”
Miss Barton gave my friend a quick look. “Yes, Lizzy has not yet returned from her walk.” Her azure irises returned to me. “My cousin resides with us, so you are certain to meet her soon.”
I nodded.
She took a basket from the table and held it out to me. “You may not be hungry now, but you could take a muffin or a roll with you for later.”
“Thank you, no.”
Her smile wavered again for a few seconds, and she neglected to extend her offer to Hayward before she set the basket down. “Well, we must have you to dinner one night soon.” She directed her sight to my friend. “I shall send an invitation to Mrs. Hayward.”
“Thank you.” Hayward inclined his head.
My friend and I left the house with Mr. Barton and his son. Several of Mr. Barton’s servants led the way into the woods with a yelping pack of boisterous hounds close at their heels.
Elizabeth
“Lizzy, you have returned at last.” Cassie strode into the breakfast-parlour and slipped into the seat beside me.
“Good morning, Cassie.” I ingested a mouthful of eggs.
“You are tardy today.”
“Yes, I meant to return sooner, but the Hughes children called out to me as I passed their house. They wanted to show me their kitten, an adorable tabby. I ended up staying with them for half an hour.”
She shifted to face me, wearing a broad grin. “You missed the opportunity to meet Mr. Hayward’s guest, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He is the handsomest man of my acquaintance, his figure is faultless, and he is one of the most sought-after bachelors in town. His name has appeared in the Fashionable Intelligence section of the London papers many times. He owns a magnificent estate in Derbyshire with an estimated income of over ten thousand a year.”
“That is all quite impressive. What do you know of his character?”
Cassie shrugged. “I have no doubt he is honourable. He is Mr. Hayward’s friend and a guest in his home, so that speaks in his favour.”
“That is true. I do not believe Mr. Hayward would expose his household to a man of poor character.” I bit into my roll.
“Of course he would not.” Cassie twisted a lock of golden hair around her finger. “I believe Mr. Darcy is the man I have been waiting for—my future husband.”
I almost choked on a morsel of bread. “But you cannot know this already. You just met him.”
“Nevertheless, I have a powerful feeling about him, right here.” She raised a hand to her heart. “I do not believe any other man could suit me better.”
“Well, I am eager to meet this paragon.” I infused exaggerated reverence into my statement, but Cassie did not appear to notice the gibe.
“And so you will. I shall invite the Haywards and Mr. Darcy to dine with us.” She leaned back in the chair with a fanciful gleam in her eyes, and her sight drifted upwards. “I shall take every opportunity to secure Mr. Darcy’s affection. He will choose me—I shall ensure he does.” Her lips curved up. “I cannot wait to see Stephen…um…ratherMr. Ware’sexpression when he sees us together.”
Oh, Cassie. My cousin still cared deeply for Mr. Ware, but she refused to admit it. Why else would she be so eager to exhibit a new suitor before him? “I still believe Mr. Ware is your ideal match, and I wish you would forgive him.”
