“Thank you, Oliver. I shall be there shortly.” Mr. Darcy must have called and would be waiting for me. I set down the book and perused my reflection in the looking glass. The anticipation of seeing him brought a rush of colour to my cheeks. But first, I must go to my uncle.I steeled my spine and went downstairs to the study.
Once I sat across from Uncle Barton, doubts crept in for Mr. Darcy’s testimony. How could this man, who had been so good to me over the years, have been so deceitful? Could some sort of misunderstanding have taken place?
My uncle greeted me with a broad smile. Judging by the reddish hue that tinged his ears and complexion, he had indulged in a drink or two. “Lizzy, I have had the most astonishing meeting with Mr. Darcy.” His lower jaw tarried in an open position. “He said that yourefusedhis marriage proposal.”
“Yes, I did. As you may imagine, his declaration took me by surprise. I need the opportunity to know him better in order to make such an important decision.”
“Your logic is sound, and yet few ladies would hesitate to accept a marriage offer from a man of his wealth and rank.” His fingers rubbed upon his nape. “I feel foolish for having led you to believe your marriage prospects would be limited. After all, I understand very well that a man may go to great lengths to secure the lady he loves.” He blinked, his irises glistening.
He must have Aunt Barton on his mind; emotions often stirred him when he spoke of her.
“I hope you will forgive me for my error in judgment.”
“Yes, of course.” I bit my tongue. “I know you had my best interest at heart.”Is that the case, Uncle?
“You are generous and understanding, as always.” He shifted, and the tension in his shoulders abated. “Mr. Darcy is more reserved than most men, yet he displayed subtle signs of anxiety throughout our discussion—hefidgeted with his signet ring, and his gaze darted around the room. It seemed as though he imagined I might deny his suit.” He chuckled. “It is a wonder I never noticed his preference for you.” He angled his head sideways. “I informed him that you are not a blood relation, and the revelation did not discomfit him in the least.”
“Oh yes. I ought to have mentioned that fact myself. I suppose it never occurred to me.”
“No doubt that is because wearefamily, in every way that matters.”
His tone, comportment, and facial expression gave every appearance of earnestness. If only I could take his words as truth. I nodded.
“Is…um…Cassie aware of Mr. Darcy’s intentions?”
“We spoke earlier today. I am afraid she did not take the news well.”
Uncle wagged his hand in my direction. “Do not be concerned. I shall speak to her and will ask Noah to do the same. She will not lament for long.”
“I hope you are correct.”
“Be assured that I shall not press you to accept Mr. Darcy. However, if you decide he is the right man for you, I shall be delighted to see you become mistress of a fine estate.” Uncle Barton cleared his throat. “Now then, I imagine your suitor is eager to see you. He awaits you in the front sitting-room.”
When I entered the cheery yellow room, Mr. Darcy strode to me and took my hand, raising it to bestow a kiss, and a sensory shock from his touch warmed my flesh, sending sparks up my arm.
“Good day, Miss Bennet.”
“Good day, Mr. Darcy.” Even after he released me, a succession of tingles persisted on the back of my hand. We took seats on the sofa. “I take it that your conversation with Uncle Barton went well.”
“To my relief, yes.” He used a soft tone and glanced at the open doorway. “I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you to live here with your uncle. For my part, I had to fight the impulse to demand an explanation for the deplorable way he has treated you.”
I retrieved my letter to Uncle Gardiner from my pocket and passed it to him. “Thank you for handling this.”
“The pleasure is mine. My messenger will have this in Mr. Gardiner’s hands on Monday evening.”
“I am eager to be reunited with him and meet his family. If you would not mind, I should be pleased to hear more about the evening you spent with Mr. Gardiner and his wife.”
“Of course, I should be glad to oblige you.”
I sat forwards in my seat, riveted by Mr. Darcy’s recital of the time he and Mr. Hayward had spent with my aunt and uncle Gardiner. He described them as educated, discriminating, and charming, increasing my eagerness to meet them. Yet dark possibilities intruded upon my enthusiasm. Should I be forced to choose between my uncle Gardiner and my uncle Barton? And if I maintained an association with Uncle Gardiner, should I become estranged from one or both of my Barton cousins?
Noah would never abandon me; I should swear that to be true. Cassie, though, if ordered by her father to forsake me, might not be strong enough to defy him. The possibility of a permanent estrangement from her inspired my shudder. For Mr. Darcy’s sake, I strove to maintain a collected aspect.
Chapter 10: A Heartfelt Reunion
Wednesday, 16 October
Knight's Manor
