Just then, Elizabeth’s father entered, and he sat down. “Good afternoon, everyone. I look forward to hearing the rest of the story. My daughter has informed me that Mr Darcy has outdone me, but nothing more.”
“Yes, well, I suppose it would not hurt to tell you all now. Mr Darcy will still be getting changed after his bath, I imagine,” Mr Campbell said, more to himself than the assembled company. “Mr Darcy has solved the second riddle and brought me the cellar key.” He beamed at Miss Darcy. “I must congratulate you,” he said to her with a small bow.
Elizabeth glanced at her father, who could not entirely hide his disappointment. He took it like a dignified gentleman, though, and for that, she was grateful and proud. No matter what happened, the Bennets would maintain their pride.
“What do you mean, my brother was likely still changing?” Miss Darcy asked.
“Well, it is very comical, but I do not know if Mr Darcy would want me to say —”
“He will not mind,” Miss Darcy interrupted. “What happened?”
Mr Campbell went on, albeit a little hesitantly. “Well, you all know the riddle,” he said.
“By heart,” Mr Bennet said rather dryly.
“Yes, well, it was from a line in ‘The Lady of the Lake’ by Sir Walter Scott —”
“Sir Walter Scott!” Mr Bennet exclaimed, slamming his hand down on the arm of the chair. “I should have known!”
“Indeed, well, I admit it was a difficult one. I was unsure if everyone here would have read the poem, since it came out only two years ago. At any rate, I left out a line in the middle of the riddle, and Mr Darcy put it together. I had hidden the key inside a metal chest at the bottom of the loch.”
Elizabeth understood now why he had been all wet.
Miss Darcy pressed a hand to her cheek in shock. “And he fell in trying to get it?” she asked, concern etching her face.
“Not exactly. He dived in and retrieved it. I happened upon him by chance and saw to it that he had a change of clothes, so he would not catch his death. The loch is always frigid, no matter if it is summer or winter.”
Elizabeth had to admire Mr Darcy’s determination to win the contest. Less young and vigorous than Mr Darcy, her father could not have dived into the loch to retrieve the chest, which seemed a little unfair on Mr Campbell’s part. But as her father had not even solved the riddle, she could hardly protest. “And so you’ve gathered us here to give us the final riddle?” Elizabeth asked, her heart sinking.
Mr Campbell nodded. “As soon as Mr Darcy arrives, I shall tell you all.”
The rest of the company continued to talk and ask questions, but Elizabeth did not have the heart to join in. With the last riddle about to be given, she and her father might find themselves ready to depart Strathalt House within a few days.The thought saddened her. Not only would she be forced to leave this wonderful place and the friendship deepening between her and Miss Darcy, but she would be parted from Mr Darcy.
To him, surely, it would be nothing. Only the loss of a chance friendship of short duration. But to Elizabeth, it would be something more.
She very much feared it would be everything.
Chapter 14
After taking a long bath to warm up, Darcy had not yet finished changing into fresh clothes before a footman knocked on his door and announced that Mr Campbell was requesting his presence in the drawing room.
“I shall be there shortly,” he promised, then hurried his valet along to finish tying his cravat
Darcy had not yet regained his equanimity after unexpectedly encountering Elizabeth. Seeing her had been a jolt. He had ordered the shirt and kilt to patronise the dressmaker’s shop, but had never really given serious thought to wearing the ensemble. And he had embarrassed Elizabeth terribly — of that, there could be no doubt.
But had there also been something more? Had it been admiration in her eyes — even desire? He dared not think so, but still, the niggling thought chewed at the back of his mind. Was he a fool to hope that she might feel more for him than friendship?
When he entered the drawing room, everyone had gathered, and he felt the sting of embarrassment, though surely no one but Mr Campbell and Elizabeth could know of his adventures in the loch.
“Well, as I have already said, Mr Darcy has solved the second riddle, which puts us at a tie. I will therefore give the final riddle, which I crafted while we waited for the second to be solved, and now we shall see who the new owner of Strathalt House shall be.” Mr Campbell took a moment’s pause to look around the room. “Best of luck to all of you.”
Elizabeth caught her breath quietly. He was sure no one else had noticed, but Darcy noticed, for he had become all too attuned to her. She stole a look at him, a blush rushing into her cheeks that reminded him inexorably of their meeting that morning. Gathering his resolve, he nodded encouragement to her.
She looked away, but not before gracing him with an answering nod and a smile that made his heart beat faster.
“Here is the riddle,” Mr Campbell said, calling him back to the present. “When chapman billies leave the street, and drouthy neebors, neebors, meet.”
Darcy frowned, looking at Mr Bennet to see if he had any idea what the riddle might mean. He and the ladies seemed as stumped as Darcy was. He turned to Georgiana.
