He raised a brow in question.
She repeated herself. “How many years?”
“Let me see. I was one-and-twenty when she went away to Scotland, and I returned to university.”
Elizabeth regarded him steadily.
“I only wished to tell you that at one time we both had feelings for each other. But I discovered that my attachment was the stronger when she turned to another. As I said, I returned to university, and she removed to Scotland to reside with family in Edinburgh. I have not heard of her since.” He looked directly into Elizabeth’s eyes. “Darling, I never wished to know more of her. I could not bear to think upon the betrayal.”
“Did I come between the two of you, sir?” Elizabeth asked softly.
He met her eyes. “No. That attachment ended long ago. I merely wanted you to know that there was once some history between us, that you might not be taken unawares when we meet her.”
He shifted, turning to face her more directly. “I remember her as being dramatic and demonstrative. I cannot say how she will be now, as a woman of five-and-twenty, but I wished to put you on your guard in case…”
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, one brow raised. “In case?”
Darcy hesitated. “Christiana was always rather demonstrative. There is no saying but that she may attempt to embrace me when we meet.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flamed. “Embrace you, sir? Why, I have never yet embraced my own husband, yet this woman may embrace you?”
He shifted uneasily. “Of course, I shall do my utmost to prevent it. But if she is as she was before…”
Elizabeth turned toward him until her knees brushed his. “Prevent her, sir? And how, pray, will you prevent her embrace?”
He rubbed his jaw, and she noticed the shadow there; he would need to shave again before dinner. He looked like a hero of old with that dark shadow. Her gaze lingered a moment on his full lower lip before his voice recalled her to the present.
“If we meet, that is to say, when we meet, I shall offer my hand to her. She must either permit me to bow over her hand, or she will take my hand and shake it. Either way, I can avoid an embrace.”
Elizabeth huffed. “And if I am near, I shall stand between you and offermyhand, introducing myself as your wife.”
He grinned. Was Elizabeth jealous? Did she even realize it? He doubted it, but she was claiming him, and that was another step toward the intimacy he craved.
Aloud, he said, “That will do very well, Mrs. Darcy. I doubt she could get around you to wrap her arms about my neck if you were standing guard.”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “Her arms about your neck, sir? I thought you said she was a gentleman’s daughter! From what you say of her, it appears to me she has no breeding at all.”
Darcy chuckled. “Elizabeth, we have known each other since she was five years old, when her father inherited from his elder brother. As she grew older, she would tag along with us: riding, fishing, shooting. And yes, she was demonstrative, fond of small embraces. I once thought we should marry.”
Elizabeth was very still. “Do you love her, Mr. Darcy?”
He took her hand. “I do not. Looking back now, I believe I never felt more for her than calf love. Though I suffered at the time, I see now that I did not suffer nearly enough. Had we married, I fear whatever affection we once held would have died long before its time. I believe now, she did me a kindness when she turned to another.”
Elizabeth did not speak but sat quietly, her gaze fixed on her folded hands.
He broke the silence. “Elizabeth, did I do well to tell you, or would you rather I had remained silent?”
She lifted her eyes to his. “No, sir. I would expect you to tell me. I should have felt betrayed had you kept silent, for then she would know more of your past than I. She would know of your former attachment, and I should have been the foolish wife left in ignorance. How she would crow over me.”
She placed her hand upon his. “No, sir, never keep a secret from me, and I promise you, I will do the same.”
Chapter 36: Mr. Lewis
James Lewis was angry. He had not wanted to visit Darcy, and now he felt duped. He had been brought to Pemberley under false pretenses. Richard Fitzwilliam was also a guest, and he would surely begin to court Bella. Perhaps that had been the entire reason for the invitation.
He kicked at a stone to vent his irritation. How could he have refused? Darcy was newly married and wished to introduce his wife to the neighborhood. They had been friends since boyhood; it would have been an insult had Darcy not invited him, and an equal insult had he declined. Still, must that cousin of his also be present? And why was he here at all?
Isabella had told him that Richard had been ordered back to the Continent. The man was as handsome a devil as ever, and James cursed inwardly. How could his sister not be drawn to him? In an excess of anger, he kicked another stone. This one flew high and landed somewhere beyond the hedge. A shriek followed.
