“He was waylaid by a wager, apparently.”
Mr Darcy made a derisive sound. “Has he gone?”
“No, he is downstairs. Where is Miss Bennet?”
“Dashed if I know. She said she was coming to find you.”
Their voices faded as they walked away into the house. Elizabeth sank down onto the toppled trunk, clasped her shaking hands together, and took a deep breath. She had no idea what had just happened—whether it was tantamount to a declaration of his affections, whether he would marry her now, or whether he had simply got carried away in the moment.
And who could blame him if he had? I certainly did!
There was but one thing she knew for certain: whatever they had just shared, she had enjoyed it. Very,verymuch.
She waited for her hands to cease shaking before making her way downstairs. Everybody was milling about in the vestibule, and none of them noticed her straight away—except Mr Darcy. When he saw her, he smiled in a way that made her skin tingle at the recollection of his touch, and she looked away quickly, thoroughly flustered.
“Miss Bennet, I did not know you were here too,” said Lord Saye.
“Nor I you, my lord.”
He frowned. “I was not supposed to be. I was to go up to London but then I ran into Fred here, and he persuaded me to come to Raggett’s. There is a game on in—” He looked at his fob watch. “Gads, a quarter of an hour now.” He looked as though he would leave directly but then stopped and, pointing at his friend, asked, “Have you met?”
Elizabeth replied that they had not and was dulyintroduced to Sir Frederick Moore. She paid little attention. Mr Darcy was watching her, that same complacent expression on his countenance, and all she could think about was the feel of his hands on her hips.
“It is a charming house, Miss Bennet,” Sir Frederick said.
The taste of his tongue on her lips. “Thank you.”
“It is haunted, you know,” Miss Hawkridge said. “Someone died here.”
“Good lord, is that true?” Sir Frederick asked Elizabeth.
The sensations that coursed through her when he pressed his leg against her.Stop it, stop it, stop it!“Perfectly true,” she mumbled, nodding.
“Are you quite well, Miss Bennet?” Lord Saye asked.
“Yes, thank you.”I think.
He squinted at her dubiously for a moment but then gave up with a little shake of his head and turned to his friend. “Well then, shall we get on?”
“Yes, let us go. Will you join us, Darcy? Fitzwilliam?”
The colonel readily agreed, but Mr Darcy faltered over his reply, glancing worriedly at Elizabeth.
“No excuses, Darcy,” Sir Frederick insisted. “Come on.”
“Do not concern yourself, Mr Darcy,” said Miss Hawkridge. “I shall see Miss Bennet safely home.”
He continued to hesitate, but there was clearly no way to escape the invitation without drawing undue attention to what had transpired between them. Elizabeth released him with a smile. “Good day, sirs.”
He gave her an apologetic look and, as he passed her on his way to the door, said quietly, “I shall call onyou.” His fingers brushed hers, then he and the others were gone.
“Faith, that was close!” Miss Hawkridge said once the door closed behind them.
“What was?” Elizabeth asked guiltily.
“Saye coming home. Our little ruse was almost exposed.”
“Oh yes, of course.” Elizabeth reached up to smooth her hair, suddenly concerned she might look…as though she had been in a closet, kissing.
