“I am impressed that any boy of ten would be so dedicated to the welfare of a squirrel. In your place, I should have been loath to part with her.”
“In fact, that was a melancholy day for me, even though setting her free had always been my goal. Once I let her go, she scampered off without a backwards look and disappeared in a thicket. I returned to the spot where I had released her many times and left a handful of nuts and berries lest she had trouble finding sustenance on her own. The food always disappeared by the following day, but I never saw her again.”
In my mind’s eye, I conjured up a ten-year-old version of Mr. Darcy waiting in vain for a visit from his squirrel friend. My heart-strings constricted.
On the next curve in the track, Springvale House appeared in the distance.Bother, I could no longer delay fulfilling my promise to Cassie. Yesterday, she had bemoaned to me that thus far, her attempts to put herself in Mr. Darcy’s company had been fruitless. At her enquiry, I had fibbed and told her that I had not yet had the opportunity to laud her to the gentleman.
With a bit of affected cheerfulness, perhaps I should avoid revealing my reluctance. “I believe Cassie intends to call upon Mrs. Hayward later today.”And she hopes to see you. “My cousin and I have been like sisters since childhood, and I admire her very much. Not only is she beautiful, but she is jovial as well.” There, Cassie could not expect me to say more than that. I let out a deep breath.
“It is fortunate that you and Miss Barton have a close kinship. As a child, I often wished for a brother or sister near my age. Still, I am grateful to have Georgiana. She is considerate and sweet—an ideal younger sister.” He twisted at the waist to regard me. “I received a letter from her yesterday. She will be joining me here in a few days.”
“Oh, that is welcome news.”
“At fifteen, she is not yet out, so she will be restricted to small gatherings. With your agreement, I should like to introduce her to you.”
“I should be pleased to make her acquaintance.”
His response, a winsome grin, had an entrancing effect. “I appreciate that.”
For a long moment, I could not help but take in the handsome picture he made until I wrested my gaze away. Of course, once Miss Darcy arrived,shewould be riding Lily, so our current arrangement would come to an end. My mouth tightened, and I braced myself to keep from frowning. “I appreciate this time you have given me with Lily. I imagine Miss Darcy will be eager to ride her. If it pleases your sister, I should be happy to accompany her on Thea.”
His head whipped towards me. “Oh no, I did not intend…I want you to continue riding Lily. My sister may join us on her mare, Shadow.”
I stared at him. What a tempting proposition! Yet it did not make sense. “But you must want Miss Darcy to become accustomed to Lily.”
“Yes, but there is no hurry for that. My sister will spend time with Lily and may ride her at other times. For now, though, Lily much prefers to be ridden by you, and I shall indulge her for as long as we remain at Springvale.”
“Oh, I see.” He could not have made a more generous suggestion. What an extraordinarily kind and patient man he must be to afford such time and care to Lily’s comfort. In a handful of days, my affection for Mr. Darcy had flourished from one or two scattered sparks to a blazing bonfire. For my own sake, I must learn to quell this sentiment, for we could never be anything more than friends.
Back at Knight’s Manor House, I spent an hour in the music-room playing the pianoforte. I practised my latest undertaking, another challenging piece by Herr Beethoven: the second movement ofGrande Sonate Pathétique. I caught Noah’s entrance near the edge of my vision and broke off after the next measure. “Good afternoon, Noah.”
He halted in a rigid bearing. “Forgive me, I did not mean to interrupt you.”
“Not at all. I welcome the respite.” I stood and approached him. “Is anything wrong?”
“No, all is well.” He gestured to the sofa. “Will you sit there with me?”
“Yes, of course.” I sat in the centre of the sofa. He settled at my right and faced me. “I saw you riding with Mr. Darcy this morning.”
Caught off guard, I froze for a moment but soon recovered, giving him what I hoped to be an easy smile. “Yes, we took the meadow path that skirts the border of Knight’s Manor.” Why did Noah deem this worthy of a discussion? I straightened my spine. “I do not suppose there is anything improper in our riding together.”
“That may be true, yet I question whether you are being wise.”
“Why? What troubles you?”
His fingers brushed over his mouth. “It pains me to broach this subject, but Mr. Darcy is one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. No one doubts that the lady he chooses to marry will be wealthy and well-connected.”
“Why should that fact concern me?” I did not bother to moderate my voice, and my chin inched higher. “Cassie is the one who is keen to attract his notice.”
“Yes, she has made her preference for him clear.”
“Whereas I go to Springvale to seeLily.” Yet my declaration did not reveal the entire truth. Did not Mr. Darcy comprise another inducement for going there? Flames crept up from my neck.
“That does not explain how you came to ride with Mr. Darcy.”
My hand fluttered in a dismissive signal. “He is keen upon giving Lily time to adjust to him at her own pace. He suggested we ride together as a means of allowing her to grow accustomed to him in a gradual way.”
“Huh.”
