My expression took a sheepish turn. “Oh, without doubt. Still, I could not resist the tempting prospect of travelling to a new town with a lovely guide like you.”
The mirth in her visage diminished, even as a pleasing infusion of colour overspread her cheeks. “You are welcome to join me.” Her speech, though, sounded more perfunctory than warm.
Perhaps I ought to temper my avidity.We entered the open carriage and set out towards Lambton. I sat at an angle, the better for which to view her, and she presented a most enticing vision. In fact, I spared not a glance to the verdant countryside.
Elizabeth's sight settled upon me. “If you do not mind, I should like to hear about your life in Calabria. I am curious how it differs from England.”
Her dulcet query pulled me from my study of her long, ebony lashes. “It would be my pleasure to satisfy your curiosity on this or any other subject.” I drew from the memories of the man whose body I had borrowed to describe in scrupulous detail amerry existence with plenty of social engagements and diverse entertainments. Of course, given the Lothario’s proclivities, I could not mention all the activities favoured by the deceased.
The perfect listener, Elizabeth inclined towards me in an attitude of assiduous interest, and the questions she posed revealed an intelligent mind. As I provided her with answers, a peculiar cramp afflicted my chest and restricted my respiration.
A novel comprehension enlightened me, bringing my cheery commentary to an abrupt end: without question, the primary source of Darcy’s happiness, despite his being rich, well connected, rather handsome, and blessed with a healthy son, must be his entrancing wife. Without Elizabeth’s profound influence upon him, Darcy would not have struck me as remarkable; almost everything significant to his current existence emanated from her. Therefore, I should spend at least as much time with her as with Darcy. I must witness this force within her and the way she wielded this power upon her husband and others.
Of course, Darcy would be apt to object to my amended purpose. If he did…well, he had no choice in the matter.
Lambton
Elizabeth
Due to Fitzwilliam’s standing and the importance of his estate to the community, I had grown accustomed to a certain amount of scrutiny from the locals. But the attention Graham and I received as we progressed along the high street exceeded anything in my experience. More people promenaded upon the cobblestoned thoroughfare on this day than on any of my prior visits. It seemed the entire local population had thesame intention at once—at least the female residents, for they outnumbered the males by five to one.
Many of the ladies rushed towards us, greeted me, and eagerly accepted introductions to my dashing companion. The lack of an acquaintance, though, failed to deter the others from drawing near—a succession of strangers veered towards us with the apparent aim of obtaining a closer look at the mysterious man at my side—not that his identity would remain unknown for long. The ladies who obtained introductions to Graham formed conferences with others on the street. Ere long, everyone in Lambton and beyond would be aware that Mr. Darcy’s friend Mr. Graham visited the area from Calabria and walked out in public with Mrs. Darcy.
In time, the constant surveillance eroded my tranquillity. When we persevered to the haberdashery, I fought the urge to hunch my back and hide behind Graham’s bulkier frame to shield me from the prying eyes of others in the shop. In London, the simple act of shopping on the arm of a charming stranger could prompt rumours of an illicit liaison, but these townspeople would not suspect me of such base activity, would they? No, of course not.
We left the shop to find the street much less crowded than before, and my qualms dissipated.
“This is a charming town.” Graham tipped his hat at a pair of young female passersby. “Do you and Darcy come here often?”
“Yes, and once a month or so, we may go to Buxton or Bakewell, for they are—"
In a blur of movement, a gentleman propelled from the post office with unseemly haste, colliding with Graham and compelling us into a violent halt.
The man jerked backwards and scowled at Graham. “Damn it. Take care how you go!” I flinched at the familiar, obscene voice, and every part of me tensed. The ruffian who accosted Graham,Mr. Andrew Oakley, bore the responsibility for the unfortunate encounter—no one who witnessed the incident could think otherwise. One day, the hateful man would inherit a prosperous local estate, and I had seldom met a less deserving heir.
In an admirable show of tolerance for the unwarranted and profane outburst, Graham maintained an amicable demeanour. “Pray excuse me, good sir.”
I bit the inside of my mouth to keep from expressing my outrage. Mr. Oakley counted among the few unpleasant people who lived in the area. The smug, arrogant, and rude man never failed to ogle at me with a disgusting gleam in his eyes. Upon my word, he turned my stomach!
Mr. Oakley stood erect with his chest out and his chin high. His right hand clutched his left upper arm, and the limb hung at an odd angle, as though injured. “Yes, well, you ought to pay better attention to where you are going in future.” Upon shifting towards me, he started, and his eyes grew wide. “Mrs. Darcy.”
I attempted to appear impassive. “Mr. Oakley.”
He glanced around us. “Is Mr. Darcy not with you?”
“As you can see, he is not here.”
With his lips curled into a sneer, Mr. Oakley’s gaze skimmed over Graham from head to toe as one might appraise a horse at auction. My pulse rate soared, and the disadvantage to Graham’s eye-catching and ostentatious choice of attire had never been clearer.
An offensive noise akin to a grunt escaped with Mr. Oakley’s exhalation. “I suppose Mr. Darcy’s absence works to your advantage. After all, you must be familiar with the saying, ‘one’s too few, three’s too many.’ He would only be in the way.” His wolfish leer bored into me, and I shuddered.
The audacity of the man! How dare he make such a vile insinuation?One day I should be pleased to relate my opinion of him, but not now. It would be undignified to make a publicscene, and I should not give him the satisfaction of knowing he had upset me. “You must excuse us, for we are pressed for time.”
“Then I shall leave you both to carry on with your…affairs.” Mr. Oakley tipped his hat in a mocking fashion and stamped away.
With narrowed eyes, Graham followed Mr. Oakley’s departure. “What a singularly disagreeable fellow.”
“He is indeed. I am sorry to say Mr. Oakley’s conduct did not present an aberration.”
