“I did what I had to do,” he said.
“But are you completely recovered, Mr. Darcy?” she said, her eyes examining him in concern.
“Perfectly,” he said. For some reason, he could not tear his eyes away from her face.
“Though I must tell you. Therehasbeen one unfortunate consequence,” she remarked.
“I hope it is nothing serious,” he said in alarm.
“It is very serious,” she responded, though the laughter in her eyes contradicted her words. She was joking. “I am no longer able enjoy eating eel pie after our encounter with those underwater creatures.”
A loud giggle drew his attention to Maggie. “Silly Lizzy,” she said. “We did not see any eels. They were only weeds.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “A very sensible answer, Miss Margaret,” he said.
Everyone laughed, except Mr. Millett, who was looking bewildered. Good, thought Darcy. Enough of him trying to take up all of Miss Bennet’s time. Now the shoe was on the other foot.
“Well,” said Mr. Gardiner, “we are truly blessed you were on the scene, Mr. Darcy, eels or no eels. Since you saved our Margaret, I hope you will consider yourself part of the family. Is that not so, Madeline?”
“Indeed,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “You and Miss Darcy may call on us or come for dinner any time you choose. Just send a note with a footman whenever you please. You must not stand at formality. I am sure Maggie will be happy to see you whenever.”
Darcy blinked. It was a generous invitation. But did Miss Bennet want him to visit the Gardiners? He needed a sign from her. He sent her a questioning look, hoping she would add her voice to theirs.
She started to say something, but Mr. Gardiner asked her a question at that exact moment, and she turned to answer her uncle.
The Gardiners were kind, and he would certainly encourage Georgiana to see them until she returned to school. As for himself, he was not sure he was willing to put himself through more torment like tonight.
The conversation turned to some plans the Gardiners were making. They intended to see the equestrian display at Astley’s Auditorium. “Would Miss Darcy like to join us?”
Darcy dragged himself from his inner thoughts to see Georgiana sending him an appealing look. “Please, may I go, Brother? I have always wanted to see them.”
“You may,” he said.
Georgiana beamed.
“We will take good care of her. You are of course welcome to join us as well, if you wish, Mr. Darcy.”
“I am not certain I will be able to,” he answered. “I have business matters to attend to.”
Much as he was tempted, he needed to stay away. This was becoming ridiculous. He had to accept that Miss Bennet was not interested in him. He could not continue to pursue her. It was inappropriate, as well as humiliating, especially after she made it perfectly clear she did not want to marry him. She would rather marry someone like Mr. Millett, it seemed.
She had questionable taste.
That thought gnawed at his insides. He was glad when dinner ended, and Mr. Gardiner invited the gentlemen for some port. Darcy was relieved when Mr. Millett announced that he had to leave.
“I have a difficult day tomorrow. I had better go home and sleep early.”
He took his leave. Darcy had never been so glad to see the back of someone.
When the front door had closed, Mr. Gardiner poured the two of them some port and settled into a leather armchair.
“This is good port,” he remarked, taking a delicate sniff. “I have it from a merchant who recently came from the Douro in Portugal. Apparently, a cellar was found under an old collapsed monastery with several hundred bottles that are thirty years old. A rare find. I was doubtful initially, but you can tell by the taste. Those monks knew how to enjoy life.”
“True, though unfortunately, they seemed to have forgotten to take their bottles when they left the monastery," remarked Darcy. "I wonder what happened.”
“That is a good question, you know," replied Mr. Gardiner. "Perhaps my source will have more information.”
They drank silently for a few minutes, with the fire crackling warmly between them. Darcy brooded, pondering how Miss Bennet had slipped from his grasp.
