“You will leave now. I have important business to discuss with Lady Rebecca.”
The maid glanced back at her mistress.
“Very well. Do as she asks.” At Lady Rebecca’s lackadaisical response, the abigail hastened out to the passage.
I strode into the murky space, slamming the door behind me. The curtains had been drawn, allowing naught but tiny threads of light inside. Lady Rebecca reposed on the bed. I stopped before her. “What is the meaning of this? Are you truly ill?”
Her lower lip trembled. “Yes, I am in pain as is often the case for me on the first two days of my courses. The cramps are debilitating. I may need to remain in my room for a couple of days.”
“This is not to be borne! You ought to have turned my nephew’s head by now. Whatever you have been doing is insufficient. You must be bolder if you want to engage him.”
She took a laboured breath. “I disagree. As you witnessed, I tried being obvious in my attentions to Mr. Darcy for the first day or so. That method made him more distant with me. A subtle approach may be more effective. My plan is to desist from any physical contact. Instead, I shall ask him to explain how to keep the accounts and ledgers of an estate and show an interest in everything he says. That will provide a reason for sustained close companionship.”
Perhaps she had a valid point. Darcy had always been a singular gentleman. “Yes, I think that might work. Make sure you flatter him often too. Men love compliments.” Still, she would be wasting two entire days shut up in her chamber! In my frustration, a moan escaped me. “Is there nothing that can be done to make you well sooner?”
“No, in the past I have tried every known remedy.” Lady Rebecca pushed up on her elbows, raising the pillow behind her. She pressed her hand against her abdomen and winced. “Elizabeth Darcy bears no resemblance to the calculated, heartless woman you described. Rather, she appears to be a gracious person and a loving mother. She came in to see me earlier and showed me kindness that I did not deserve.”
My mouth wrenched downwards.Heaven deliver me from fools!“Her show of sympathy is no more than a sham. She is as cunning as a fox. That woman ruined my daughter’s life, and she must pay for that.” I glared at her. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” She whispered the word, her gaze averted.
I spun on my heel and left the room.
Graham
I followed Darcy into the stables. He went to a large stall occupied by a striking brown Welsh pony. He opened the door and gave the animal a close inspection.
To avoid alarming the creature, I watched from outside the stall. “Is this one intended for your boy?”
He patted the pony’s neck. “Yes. I wanted to ensure he arrived in good health. This stall has undergone repairs and has not been in use the past few months, so if my son visits the horses, he will not look here.”
Darcy left the stall and closed the door. “I expect the arrival of several family members on the nineteenth of September for Elizabeth and Bennet’s birthdays. My wife knows we are celebrating on that day, but she is not aware that her family members are coming.”
“I see. So you shall have more guests in addition to Lady Catherine, Lady Rebecca, and me.”That is certain to be interesting.
“Yes, the timing for my aunt’s visit is unfortunate.” He ran his fingers through his hair and turned towards me. “Is there a chance you will cut your holiday short and leave us before then?”
My mouth parted, and I leaned my weight against the wall. “I should be sorry to think you still wish me to go. Have I done aught in particular to distress you?”
Darcy’s jaw clenched, and his respiration grew erratic. “You cannot be serious! You must realise it is taxing to have you here.” With a glance around the area to ensure none of the grooms worked nearby, he stepped closer. “You have powers far beyond that of mortals, and you threatened to end my life. You have forced your presence upon myself and my family. Of course I want you to leave!”
My sight cast downwards. Somehow, I had deluded myself into the fanciful notion of gaining his friendship. “Despite all that, I never wanted to cause you disquiet. I meant what I said before. You need not fear for your family’s welfare.”
Darcy’s steely gaze bored into me. “I suppose I have no choice but to take you at your word.” His hands formed tight fists.
“I am afraid that is the case.”
Even from where I stood, the wild thumping of his heart rumbled in my ears. It seemed nothing I could say would ease his mind. Unfortunately for him, I had no intention of leaving—not yet.
Darcy uttered no more than ten words to me for the next thirty minutes. He and I mounted the awaiting horses—the black stallion for Darcy and Rusty for me. We rode out and stopped at a small barn located near the dower cottage. Darcy entered the barn, where a young groom brushed a beautiful sorrel Arabian mare.
I waited at the barn entrance.
“Good day, Billy.” Darcy ran his hand along the mare’s neck.
The groom straightened. “Good day, sir.”
“I understand you rode her this morning. How did she behave?”
