Page 98 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Darcy accompanied her, the basket held by its handle at his side. A large tabby cat wandered over, her nose lifting to sniff at the basket.

“Hello, Cleo,” Miss Elizabeth said.

Cleo ignored her, more interested in the basket. She sat on her haunches and swiped at the container. The basket swayed—and it suddenly felt entirely too light.

“Oh, dear,” Darcy said, grimacing as he lifted the basket and held it over one arm.

“What is it?” Miss Elizabeth asked.

Chapter Sixteen

Lizzy fixed her gaze on Mr. Darcy’s eyes and saw ruefulness brewing there. “Pray, do not say that…”

“I think he is gone,” he admitted, keeping his voice low and deliberately calm.

Lizzy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. How can there be a magical guinea pig? And, if he is one—and he certainly seems to be—then why is his human companion not looking for such a wonderous friend? She slowly let out her breath.

“I will check,” Lizzy whispered. She opened the basket lid, peeked inside, and let the top fall shut.

“Well?” Mr. Darcy asked, lowering the basket so it hung from his hand. “May I point out that we are next in line? What will you say to Mrs. Moore?”

“Nothing about Jeffry. Maybe he will return,” she said, biting her lip.

“There is no time for hoping. We must give him a chance to return. I think we had best find a seat and order some tea,” he said, taking her elbow and turning her away from the counter. “There is a spot near this fireplace to our left.”

“Very well,” Lizzy said, permitting him to guide her to where several chairs, upholstered in a wine and gold stripped fabric, sat around a small round table. “It is Cleo’s fault. She must have frightened Jeffry when she batted the basket.”

“I apologize for not holding the basket higher,” Mr. Darcy said, handing her into a seat.

Lizzy took the empty carrier and placed it on her lap. “There is nothing to apologize for.”

Sally, a female staff member, approached before Mr. Darcy could respond. She presented him with a menu card. He ordered them some tea and lemon shortbread biscuits. She nodded and withdrew.

“You must have intimidated her,” Lizzy observed, her brows together. “Sally always says good morning to me and asks after my animals.”

“If I did so, I did not do it on purpose,” he said dryly.

“I expect not.” Lizzy peeked inside the basket, closed the lid, and sighed. “Nothing.”

*

Jeffry found himself on top of Aunty’s bedcovers. His nose twitched, and he chirped in alarm. He turned in a circle until he faced the head of the bed where Aunty sat propped against a pile of her pristine white pillows. Her dark gaze still looked rheumy. However, he detected a hint of sharpness deep in their depths.

“There yer are, ye scamp,” she said as she reached for a tissue, which she used to squeeze her nose. “Now, talk. I’ve no energy fer readin’ yer mind today.”

“Why am I here?” he asked, strutting back and forth on the puffy rose comforter. “Are you better? You don’t look better.”

Aunty swiped the tissue across her nose one more time before tossing it into the full bin beside the bed. “I’m not better, but I’m improvin’. What’ve ye been doin’? How’re things comin’ along?”

“You brought me here from a basket being carried by Darcy,” Jeffry explained. He stopped moving and glared at her. “He is with Lizzy. Now they must know that I’ve disappeared again. Granted, I think they’ll believe I left because of the cat, so—”

“Again?” she snapped. “What do y’mean, again?”

Jeffry stilled and settled into the comforter, making himself as small as possible.

“‘Ave y’been usin’ magic when people can see what y’re about?”

He wiggled his ears and did not immediately answer her. As usual, he could not outlast her stare.