“You assumed that poetry occupied my attention this morning. I neither confirmed nor denied it,” she said stiffly.
“If not poetry, then what did you prefer to read?” His genuine question helped lessen her pique, and she tried to reply composedly.
“Evelina.” She would not be ashamed of choosing a romantic novel to soothe her aching heart.
“A good choice.” Sir Andrew nodded.
They came upon Jones who had laid out the contents of the basket on a rug that he had spread out on the grass beneath a tree. Sir Andrew helped his grandmother to seat herself where she could lean against the trunk of the great oak that they sat under. Charlotte took a seat across the blanket from Amelia, assuming that Sir Andrew would sit by his grandmother.
He did not. He walked around the edge of the blanket and sat next to Charlotte before proceeding to make selections for each of the ladies from the fare before them.
They chatted amiably about the events that Amelia wished to attend during the next two weeks as they ate, and when they had finished eating, Amelia leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes.
“Would you care to walk with me, Miss Lucas?” Sir Andrew asked.
Having no reason to refuse, Charlotte accepted and allowed him to help her to her feet. He offered his arm, and she took it, ignoring the thrill that shot through her at his touch.
“What have you done to occupy yourself since you departed Kent so… expeditiously?” he asked after they had moved a little away from their picnic site.
“I returned to Meryton and stood up with Elizabeth—now Mrs. Darcy, if you recall. After the wedding, I came to London with Lady de Bourgh.”
“Ah, yes, how is our happy couple? Happy? Still a couple?” He smirked and she rolled her eyes in response.
“Your plans came to fruition nicely,” she said. “Elizabeth is married, and she is trying her best to find satisfaction in her new situation.”
“I believe you meanourplans,” he corrected. “It was apparent to all except Darcy that Elizabeth’s regard did not match his.”
“She claims she holds nothing but disdain for him… or rather she claimed thatbeforeher marriage. I never believed her, for she has always discounted those she holds in contempt, and she has never been able to let go of Mr. Darcy’s insults from their first meeting.” Charlotte shrugged. “And though she now professes that her esteem for her husband grows, I do feel some guilt in my involvement. We ought not to have interfered. How can we be certain we have not ruined their lives forever? I know Elizabeth wished for a love match, and Mr. Darcy must have felt the same, for he disregarded every expectation to have her for his wife.”
“What if we acted for their own good? They are well-matched. Your friend only needs to see it.” Sir Andrew spoke gently, patting Charlotte’s hand as they strolled.
“She is trying. Elizabeth fights against first impressions and a stubborn nature. But she is not wholly untouched.”If only I had the same fortune.
“Enough talk of Darcys. Let us speak of other things. How long will you stay in town?” He turned them off the main path and onto another, smaller track that led into the trees.
“I am at Lady de Bourgh’s disposal. I suppose I shall return home when she tires of me.”Hopefully not until I am engaged,she mused.
“That is good. My grandmother lives in town year-round, except for when she visits Briar Court during the winter season. She appreciates your company, I am certain.”
They came to a bench beneath a flowering tree of some kind and Charlotte sat. True to his nature, Sir Andrew straddled the bench so he could face her.
“Are you pleased to see me, Miss Lucas?” he asked earnestly, searching her face for something.
“I am,” she replied honestly. “We departed so precipitously that I was unable to bid you a proper farewell. I missed our walks.”
“And my company, I hope.”
“Are not the two intertwined?” she teased lightly.
His face grew sober again and he took her hand. “In truth, Miss Lucas. Did you miss my company?”
She glanced away and nodded, feeling unequal to meeting his gaze. “Very much,” she whispered, cursing her traitorous heart for how it beat for him.Why must he torment me so when there is no hope in that quarter?
He squeezed her hand and changed the subject. They talked of trivial things for a half an hour before returning to Amelia. They found the picnic gathered up and Lady de Bourgh ready to return home. They did so, and Sir Andrew called for his horse, declaring that he would spend the rest of the afternoon at his club.
Amelia asked Charlotte to join her in the sitting room. “How did you enjoy your stroll with my grandson?” she asked.
“We had an enjoyable time,” Charlotte responded non committedly.
