"I just remembered, I had Saunders put him in the study."
Darcy exhaled with obvious relief. "Yes, I know. I passed him in the hall. I told him I would be with him in a moment."
"Oh," I said, deflated, "Should you go to him?"
"I do not think he will notice my absence. Jane was already in the study seeking refuge from your mother."
"Excellent." It probably was not proper to leave them, but I was quite done with propriety at present. "In that case, perhaps we might retire upstairs . . . and have tea?"
"Tea?" he asked, kissing me teasingly. "Is that what we are calling it?"
I nodded. "Tea has the remarkable quality of being both soothing and invigorating. It is most healthful, yet we haven't had tea in days. We should be taking tea far more often."
"Indeed?"
"Oh, yes," I said, feeling emboldened to the point of insanity, "I even think it would be quite agreeable to have tea in the library."
"Ahem."
Darcy, model of dignity that he is, actually jumped higher and yelped louder than I did. Startled did not even begin to cover the rush of emotion I felt upon turning to see my father leaning non-nonchalantly against a bookshelf amused expression plastered irritatingly on his face.
"Papa! I was just—we were just—Darcy and I were just discussing—" I have no idea why I felt the need to explain myself, which was good because I had no idea how to explain myself.
"Tea, I think, was the primary subject of the conversation."
"Yes, I was suggesting we might be in need of refreshment," I said, blushing madly.
"Yes," Papa agreed, chuckling gallingly, "You both look quite thirsty."
Twenty-One
5thJanuary, 1812
Morning
"I will remind you, once again, you said you didn't care. On more than one occasion, actually."
"I recall what I said, but I never thought—"
"You never imagined how evil I could be?"
Darcy cast his eyes away sullenly, I could see he was undergoing a great struggle to appear impassive and he was failing miserably. It was most gratifying. I knew he would be annoyed, but I never imagined he would be this put out. He is rather adorable when he pouts.
After several moments of internal conflict, he finally burst out, "The god of the bloody underworld!"
You may think it surprising that Darcy should be just now discovering what his costume is to be the very day of the ball at which he is to wear it, however you must understand he as been avoiding all discussion of it by finding something he must attend to the moment costumes are mentioned. Apparently he was not exaggerating at all when he said he loathed fancy dress balls.
"Hades is rich and sinister. The perfect costume for you, really. And my dear Mr. Darcy, I do believe you just cursed. I see I am having a good influence upon you."
"I suppose you will be Persephone, then."
"Oh, no. My mother shall be Persephone."
He was so flustered he was well past hearing sarcasm. His face was the picture of terror.
"Of course I am Persephone." I was enjoying this far too much. I should be ashamed. I wasn't.
I took a sip of tea to hide my smile. We were having breakfast in bed again. It has become a habit despite it being messy and a bit of nuisance for the servants. However, the only place we could conduct a private discussion lately has been our bedchambers and even that was uncertain if Mama was particularly determined.
