“I have been accustomed to reading and discussing such books with my father since I was younger than Miss Darcy.”
“Then you are very fortunate to have a father who was willing to do so,” he said. He took out his pocket watch. It was half past ten. “Have you breakfasted yet?”
The abrupt change of topic left her blinking.
“Not yet.”
“I suppose you were too engrossed in your reading.”
Why did every word that came out of his mouth sound cynical? “Not at all. I was simply waiting for Georgiana to come down.”
“I deferred my breakfast because I was planning to eat here. I normally eat at ten o’clock. I will be ordering for the food to be brought up,” he said. “Would you like to join me? I will instruct the footmen to always be present.”
She could refuse him, of course, but it was the first gesture he had made to be remotely pleasant. She could not turn it down. Besides, he was making a point of observing the proprieties.
“I must admit, I am hungry,” she replied. “I did not expect to wait quite that long to eat. I am accustomed to country hours.”
He went into the parlor and tugged at the bell. The housekeeper appeared almost immediately. She must have known of Mr. Darcy’s arrival and expected to be summoned any moment.
“Mr. Darcy, sir. What can I do for you?”
“Would it be possible to have breakfast as soon as possible? Miss Bennet, it seems, is starving.”
“Notstarving,” replied Elizabeth, embarrassed. She hoped Mrs. Morton did not think she had complained to him.
“Certainly, sir.” Luckily, Mrs. Morton did not seem at all bothered by his remark. “I am sure Miss Bennet knows that she can request anything she needs any time, day or night.” She smiled at Elizabeth in a motherly way, and Elizabeth immediately warmed to her.
“Thank you, Mrs. Morton. I have no doubt about it. You have been remarkably efficient in preparing for my arrival.”
Mrs. Morton gave a decisive nod and turned to Mr. Darcy. “I will have the servants bring up the food to the breakfast room immediately.”
As she disappeared down the servants’ stairs, Mr. Darcy turned to her. “Shall we walk in that direction, meanwhile?”
Elizabeth noticed he did not offer his arm. Still, he was only a hand’s width away as they started to walk. She did not look in his direction, but she could see him in the corner of her eye. A faint scent of shaving soap reached her, aromatic and refined.
It was a nice scent, but that was neither here nor there. She did not care what soap he used. Instead, she decided to put in a good word for Mrs. Morton. After all, it was Mr. Darcy who paid her wage.
“I have found Mrs. Morton to be very effective. She handled our arrival yesterday without a hitch. It is hard to believe she was not chosen by you, but came with the lease of the house.”
“Yes, we have been very fortunate. She has been managing Georgiana’s move very well. She is a sensible woman.”
As they reached the breakfast room, a footman was already stationed outside. He held open the door for them to pass and left it open. Inside, three footmen were busy setting up the places at the table, with the butler overseeing them to make certain it was done properly.
It was not long before the food arrived and was placed on the long sideboard. She helped herself and sat at the table.
“I am glad I caught you, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth stiffened as she struggled to fathom his meaning. He hadcaughther stealing in Pemberley. How could he be glad of it?
He must have seen her expression shift, because his ears reddened.
“I meant, I am glad I ran into you this morning – by accident.”
His words seemed to be a quagmire of different meanings. She did not know what he intended, and what he didn’t. Why was he making a point of saying their meeting was accidental? Did he mean he did not believe it was?
“Now that we have a moment to ourselves, I would like to take the opportunity to talk to you.”
“Of course.” She was conscious of the footmen moving around her. She did not like talking in front of so many witnesses, but she supposed they were discreet. In any case, she could not be in a room alone with Mr. Darcy. This was as close as they would get to a private conversation.
