“Your praise is gratifying, and I shall be certain to pass on your compliments to our cook.” My sight flitted from Graham to my husband. “How did the two of you become friends?”
Fitzwilliam set down his mug and brought a napkin to his mouth. He cleared his throat. “We…um…both attended Cambridge.”
That one bit of information had already been revealed. Why did he continue to seem so uncomfortable in his friend’s society?
With a mischievous glint in his blue eyes, Graham inched towards me. “In those days, Darcy and I became inseparable. We attended all manner of parties together. I could tell you tales to make you blush.”
Fitzwilliam scowled at his friend before facing me. “Graham made a jest. His sense of humour can stretch the boundaries of propriety at times. The worst of my exploits concerned an injudicious consumption of liquor the evening after completing my final assignments.” He maintained a rigid carriage.
His declaration, which did not account for his uneasiness, left me with doubt. Could he have participated in behaviour at university so offensive that he dreaded my ever learning of it? Perhaps his friend would contradict his statements.
“That is true. I was joking earlier.” Graham spared me a brief look, then attended to his plate of food. I released a delayed breath.
Fitzwilliam met my gaze. “I expect an applicant for the steward position to arrive within the next hour, a Mr. Boyle. Based on the experience detailed in his missive, he seems to be a worthy candidate.”
I sat up straighter. “That is good to hear. I hope he is even more impressive in person.”
“Have you made any plans for the afternoon?”
“Yes, I shall go to Lambton. I am inclined to do a bit of shopping.”
Darcy
Soon after Elizabeth left the breakfast-parlour, my butler Mr. Rutley approached the table. “Sir, Mr. Matthew Boyle has arrived.”
Thank you, Rutley. Allow me ten minutes, then bring him to the study.”
“Very good, sir.”
When I rose and proceeded towards the passage, Graham came along and walked beside me. My mouth flattened to a taut line. What did he hope to accomplish by accompanying me like a shadow? He seemed too much of a dandy to attend to a task as mundane as querying a potential steward.
Inside the study, I confronted him. “I doubt this meeting will interest you.”
“Oh, do not fret for my sake." His lips edged towards a smirk. "I have not had a dull moment yet.”
Before long, Mr. Boyle joined us. I queried him, consulting my list of prepared topics.
With his hands clasped in a tight ball and his eyes crinkled, Mr. Boyle described the plight of the tenants under his care and expressed his frustration with his employer, who refused to spend the funds necessary for repairs to the tenants’ homes. Mr. Boyle sought a new position due to his inability to provide relief to the tenants.
His evident compassion impressed me. I should not hire an unfeeling man for this position, regardless of his experience or knowledge.
We had progressed to a discussion of land leases when movement at the edge of my vision prompted me to turn towards the angel, and Mr. Boyle’s words broke off in the middle of asentence. Graham stood and waved his hands in a bid for my notice. What did he want now?
“Darcy, pray excuse the interruption.” Graham’s weight shifted from one heel to the other. “I believe I shall venture outdoors. I am inclined to wander around your marvellous estate.”
As I had predicted, he had grown tired of our conversation. “That is a fine idea.”Good riddance to you. With a curt nod to Graham, I turned back to Mr. Boyle and bade him to finish his reply.
After the door to the study closed and the sound of footfalls grew fainter, the stiffness in my posture relented. I had already managed to become wearisome to the angel. Did I dare to hope Graham would cut short his visit and act upon my suggestion of finding an actor or dandy in London with whom to stay in my stead?
Graham
I opened the front door as Elizabeth approached the vehicle. Descending the steps two at a time, I sent her a silent command:Wait for me. Her steps slowed, providing me sufficient time to close the distance between us. “Elizabeth.”
She spun towards me, offering a magnificent smile. “Good day, Graham.” As in the previous times we shared company, the mere sight of her wrought a foreign effect upon me—a strange giddiness that eroded my poise. Never before had I been soutterly disarmed nor so eager to continue in that state. If I did not know better, I should suspect her of being a fellow angel.
Absorbed by her unaffected charm, I found my usual supply of pleasantries to be beyond my reach. No wonder Darcy had fallen for her. Could any mortal resist the opportunity to bask in her shining bloom? Thank the stars I did not suffer the many defects and weaknesses common to humans—otherwise, I might have been at risk of becoming vulnerable to her allurement. At any rate, she must wonder why I had sought her out. “Would you mind if I joined you? I have a great desire to see the town of Lambton.”
A teasing gleam danced within her luminous orbs. “I understood you to be keeping company with my husband. Did you not find the interview with a prospective new steward informative?”
