“Oh, I don’t think so,” said Caroline. “I don’t think you’re average at all.”
“I think I must agree with Miss Bingley there,” said Mr. Darcy. “You are rather extraordinary. You have come to a place in society in a manner that is most unique, and you do throw the most singular of country gatherings. I’ve never been to one quite like it.”
“Thank you,” said Mr. Houseman.
“Yes, you have managed so admirably,” said Caroline. “And without a wife, also, which must have been trying for you. A hostess for your gatherings would take a great deal of the labor out of your hands, would it not?”
Mr. Houseman was taking a drink, and at this he coughed, sputtering a bit. He swallowed it and squared his shoulders. “Naturally, someday, I hope to find a woman to share my life with, of course. But I am still a bit young for marriage, in all truth, and I might like to take the time to wait to find exactly the right woman.”
Caroline leveled a gaze at him. “Yes, of course.”
“I haven’t met anyone who has struck me in that way, you see,” said Houseman, and there was a bit of an undercurrent to his tone.
Caroline sniffed. “I see.”
Then, it was dreadfully and awfully quiet, and the air seemed charged with the silence.
Abruptly, Caroline excused herself and Houseman sagged in her wake.
The tension had broken, and Mr. Darcy welcomed that. He was so relieved that he did not immediately begin to strike up a conversation with Mr. Houseman, and instead considered the fact that Elizabeth had come late to breakfast and hadn’t looked at anyone except her sister. It was strange because last night, they’d seemingly been unable to stop looking at each other, but now, she seemed entirely closed off. Had something happened?
“My apologies,” Mr. Houseman was saying. “I should not have brought you over here. It is only that Miss Bingley, she…”
“Not very subtle,” said Mr. Darcy.
“Not at all,” said Houseman. “I wouldn’t have thought a woman like her would wish to marry someone like me. I would have thought she’d like to marry into a respectable family, not throw her lot in with an upstart like me.”
“Well, she is growing desperate, I suppose,” said Mr. Darcy. Then, realizing how that sounded, he winced. “Apologies, that did not come out quite the way I meant it. You are not a man for whom a woman should be desperate. I’m sure there are a number of women who would be very gratified to have you. I can’t imagine you are not oft pursued.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Houseman. “But I suppose that there is always that, with women, this tension about it, as if they cannot put the thought of marriage aside, not truly, not until they have accomplished it.”
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Darcy. “As it happens, I am glad you called me over. There is a matter I should like to discuss with you, though I am beginning to realize it’s a bit mad. If I begin to speak about it, you may think I am out of my head.”
Houseman lifted his chin, smiling. “Oh? I am quite intrigued. Do go on.”
“I shall start by pointing out that you bear a striking resemblance to the Duke of Neithern.”
Houseman squared his shoulders. “Oh, dear. Are you in contact with Sulles? Has he brought you into his little circle?”
“What?” said Darcy, pulling back, quite confused. “Isn’t Sulles the, um, the younger brother of the late duke? He would be the current duke’s uncle, right? He’s clergy, isn’t he?”
Houseman chuckled, draining the drink in his hand. “That he may be, but he isn’t righteous.” He shook his head. “Now, I’ve said too much, and Sulles won’t like that. I should have kept my counsel.”
“Now, what is this?” said Mr. Darcy. “The duke’s uncle is harassing you? Because you two look alike?”
Houseman dragged a hand over his face. “No, no, I can’t speak about this.”
“I wish to set you at ease—”
“Mr. Darcy, I’m very sorry, but I must excuse myself,” said Houseman. He walked off.
Mr. Darcy pursued him. “Wait, Mr. Houseman, if you please.” Houseman did not wait, so Mr. Darcy caught up to him and took him by the arm. He breathed in his ear, quite low, “Are you the brother of the Duke of Neithern?”
Houseman turned on him, his expression shocked, horrified. He shook Mr. Darcy off. “I’ll thank you not to touch me, sir,” he snapped.
Mr. Darcy was chagrined. “If so, you should know that we may have some information—”
“Leave this,” said Mr. Houseman. “I beg of you. Leave it.” He swallowed. “I am going to walk away now. I charge you, please, if you have a heart in your chest, do not follow me.”
