“Lizzy and Noah?” Her features constricted. “No, that would never happen. They view each other as sister and brother.”
Thank goodness. Although I did not doubt Mrs. Hayward’s admirable intellect and powers of perception, Miss Barton must have a superior understanding of her brother and Miss Bennet’s connexion.
“Besides, Noah is certain to wed an eminent lady of theton. After all, he must consider what is best for his future children.”
Just as I must do.The food I had consumed earlier churned inside me. She must believe that Miss Bennet fell below the notice of a man of her brother’s standing. A firm desire arose within me to argue the point. Although I had entertained similar thoughts, I could not abide Miss Barton’s austerecharacterisation of Miss Bennet’s future. Mr. Noah Barton would be privileged to have her as a wife!
The mechanics of the game interrupted my musings. I declared my scores and advanced my peg. For all the disadvantages inherent in Miss Bennet’s situation, she was a gentleman’s daughter. And despite what others may expect of me, I did notneedto wed for either money or connexions. Given this, why could I not marry for love?
My eyes sought her radiant person. She beamed at Georgiana and leaned near her to share an aside. Whatever she said inspired a responding grin from my sister. Could I already be in love? That must be so, for nothing else explained the unshakable hold Miss Bennet—Elizabeth—had upon me. Since the first day I had encountered her at the stables, not one of my waking hours had passed without her entering my thoughts. And more often than not, she had appeared in my dreams.
If I married her, one or two of my relations would object to my choice, but no one could dictate how I lived my life. A few people of my acquaintance might shun her for her lamentable background, but I should not tolerate any mistreatment of her, and the Darcy name would sway most to accept, if not welcome, her.
I fidgeted in my seat. Perhaps I ought to ask for an audience with Elizabeth tonight. For a moment, I indulged in a day-dream of her displaying surprise and delight upon my declaration. Perhaps she would take my hand or even consent to a kiss.
But my next thought threw a damper upon my suppositions. In my eagerness to make Elizabeth my betrothed, I had overlooked a significant and precarious element: her tradesman uncle. What jeopardy might he pose? The prudent path would be to determine what entanglements this man could cause usbeforeI entered into the engagement.
Tonight, I should send an express to Mr. Notley and offer him an assignment for which he could name his fee: a thorough investigation of Mr. Edward Gardiner—in particular any criminal or dangerous activity or hintsof scandal—to be completed as soon as may be. If possible, I should obtain the investigator’s report during my stay in town.
In addition, I should write to Bingley, who had met many tradesmen through his father, and query my friend as to whether he had any knowledge of Mr. Gardiner. I should ask Winston as well, for my valet had a wide and varied acquaintance.
My gaze fell upon Mr. Barton, and my earlier letter to Mr. Notley came to mind wherein I had provided his and Mr. Rowe’s names as possible suspects. Neither man had revealed the merest indication that he could be capable of murder, yet I could not regret having acted in good faith to assist the investigator.
Had Mr. Notley come any closer to identifying Mrs. Cooper’s killer? There had been no further reports in the newspapers of any arrests made for the crime, and the investigator had not provided a response to my earlier note. When we next met, I should enquire as to his progress in that investigation.
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
Upon our return, we retreated upstairs, and Cassie followed me into my chamber. “Lizzy, may I have a word with you?”
“Yes, of course.”
She took my hand and led me to the bed, where we sat together. “When Mr. Darcy said good-night to you, I thought I heard him say he would see you tomorrow. Why would that be?”
Gracious Heavens, I ought to have predicted Cassie would find out about our morning rides. “Yes, he has been accompanying me when I ride Lily.” I used a matter-of-fact cadence. “Now, though, Miss Darcy comes, and the bulk of my conversation is with her.”
Her mouth fell open. “This is extraordinary! Why did you never mention this fact before?”
I shrugged. “It did not occur to me to tell you.” The falsehood left a lingering bitterness upon my tongue. “He has ridden with me as a means of introducing Lily to him in a gradual way.”
“Has he ever spoken about me?”
“No, not that I can recall.”
Cassie pouted, her shoulders rounding.
“But then he is not a gregarious person.”
“Well, that is true enough.” After a moment, she straightened her posture and grinned. “Oh, but he is such a handsome man! Do you not think so?”
I stiffened. “Yes, he is…attractive.”Cassie, when will you come to your senses and reconcile with Mr. Ware?
“He confirmed that he will attend the assembly on Friday.” She released a sigh. “I am in great anticipation of dancing with him, for he is certain to ask me for at least one set. We shall be the most attractive couple there.”
She placed a hand on my arm. “Do you know what the best part of the evening will be?”
“No, I cannot imagine.”
