‘Consider it done,’ Hurst agreed and almost as an afterthought before he applied himself to his meal again, he said, ‘I hope you have a successful journey.’
~T~
After an extended visit, during which everyone agreed to meet again two days hence for a visit to the museum, Darcy and Fitzwilliam eventually walked back to the former’s house.
Richard had thoroughly enjoyed his conversation with Mary but due to his profession had learnt to maintain some awareness of his surroundings and had therefore noticed Darcy’s interaction with Elizabeth. ‘What do you think of the ladies now?’ he asked.
Darcy glared at him as he said, ‘There is no need to rub it in how much of a fool I have been.’
‘Since you are usually so very controlled, I do not have many chances to tease you. I must make the most of the opportunities with which I am presented.’ Richard grinned. ‘But you have not answered my question.’
‘I must confess that I was amazed by Miss Bennet’s reaction to Deveril’s revelation. Most women would have been overjoyed to be courted by a future duke.’ Darcy sidestepped answering the question in which his cousin was really interested. He was not going to admit that he had been bowled over by Miss Elizabeth.
The more he conversed with her the more he appreciated her intelligence and wit. It had been an utter delight that the lady did not always agree with him and was unafraid to voice her own opinions. He wondered if sometimes she did not profess opinions which were not her own, simply to extend the debate.
He was most certainly not going to admit that the way her eyes sparkled with good humour when she disagreed with him had captured his interest. Fortunately, she had the most captivating eyes on which to focus otherwise he would have been utterly distracted by her luscious lips.
Even though he did not answer the question which most interested Richard, the soft smile Fitzwilliam noticed on his cousin’s lips was more eloquent than Darcy imagined.
~T~
As soon as they arrived at his home, Darcy’s butler handed him a note which was addressed in an unmistakable handwriting.
‘I wonder what Bingley wants,’ Darcy murmured before inviting Richard to join him in his study, where he opened the missive.
Thankfully the letter was short, and he managed to make out the gist amongst the blotches. ‘It seems that Bingley had to leave for Scarborough,’ he informed his cousin.
Richard’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, what a shame. We will be unable to inform him about Miss Bennet’s relationship to the gentleman with whom Miss Bingley saw her,’ he said facetiously. ‘But it does not matter. After all,Miss Bingley would never spread unsubstantiated rumours. Now, would she?’
‘Richard, you are a very bad man,’ Darcy said in a censorious tone of voice, although he was unsure whether he should frown or grin.
~T~
The lady in question was displeased when Hurst informed her of her brother’s absence.
She had planned for him to call on Mr Darcy so that she could accompany him and get that gentleman’s assistance in ensuring that Charles would stay away from that hussy. After all, a man with Mr Darcy’s strict morals would not countenance his friend associating with a fallen woman.
And of course, she was also hoping to spend time with the gentleman herself to continue her campaign to win the position of Mistress of Pemberley.
Since that was not an option, Caroline decided to visit her friends and ensure that when her brother returned, his angel’s reputation would be in tatters. By the time she was finished with Miss Bennet, even her forgiving brother would not wish to ever see her again.
Then Caroline could focus on her own future.
~T~
After all the shocks they had within the last day, the ladies residing in Gardiner House decided to have a quiet day to recover.
Naturally the main topic of discussion amongst themselves were the gentlemen who had visited earlier.
‘That appeared to be quite an intense discussion you had with Lord James earlier,’ prompted Elizabeth. ‘Would you be prepared to share with us?’
Jane smiled fleetingly as she wrapped her arms about herself and considered all they had discussed. One item stood out above all others. ‘He all but asked me to marry him,’ she confided to her aunt and sisters.
Elizabeth tilted her head. ‘The way you say that… I am not certain whether to congratulate you or commiserate with you.’
‘I believe that congratulations are more appropriate. I am simply stunned by the rapidity with which this relationship has progressed.’
’Lord James certainly seems to be a man who knows what he wants. It seems that he wants you. The big question is, what doyouwant? You appeared quite distressed when you discovered his horrible secret.’
