Page 32 of Master of Himself

Charles raked his fingers through his hair. “I suppose not, but with my sisters watching my every move and their constant complaining and harping, I need to get away.”

Darcy couldn’t deny that he had equal concerns about their situation. “Where should we go?”

“Since Hurst House is locked up, I suppose we should go to your place.”

“Very well. You can give the order that we’re not to be disturbed,” Darcy said, hoping it wouldn’t come to that. If they went to Darcy House, Georgiana would have no shortage of questions that his friend would be unable to answer.

Charles nodded his agreement.

This imprudent escape was exactly what Darcy had come to expect from his friend. He ought to have known that Charles would take flight when the pressure of circumstances out of his control became too difficult. “We left before breakfast. Are you hungry?”

“I can’t think of eating now.”

“You’ll be hungry by the time we reach the Blue Goose. Once you’ve broken your fast, you’ll be able to think more clearly.”

“I never should have taken Netherfield,” Charles said in an agitated tone. “None of this would have happened if I had stayed in town.”

“But you wouldn’t have had the pleasure of being master of your own home. I know you wouldn’t have given that up,” Darcy said, attempting to reason with his friend.

“Perhaps not, but that only lasted a month,” he said with a defeated air. “What are we to do, Darcy? We can’t go on indefinitely as we are. I can’t court Miss Bennet like this.” Charles gestured to his face and body. “It would be scandalous.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love again.”

Charles’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”

“You fall in love with someone new as often as the wind blows. This past summer, it was that lady with the whimsical name…Serenity or Felicity.”

Charles diverted his focus to the floor. “Destiny.”

“And before that it was Lord Crompton’s daughter.”

“Lady Alice.”

“And another one at the Wilson’s party.”

“Melanie,” Charles whispered.

“And too many others to mention – and I have only known you a twelvemonth. There must have been more prior to them.”

“There’s nothing to that,” Charles said with a careless shrug. “It only means I have a warm heart.”

“You’re inconstant, Charles. I doubt you ever really loved any of them.”

“Of course I did.”

“Have you ever mourned their loss?” When Charles stared blankly at this question, Darcy continued. “No, because there was always someone new to take the last one’s place. Just like there will be with this one.”

Charles scowled at this. “No, Darcy, Miss Bennet is different.”

“How so?”

“She’s a gentle soul, kind and unassuming. She never flirts with me or toys with my affections.”

On this point, Darcy couldn’t disagree; she had been perfectly charming last night and had done nothing to put herself forward. “But does she return your affections?”

“Well, that’s what I intend to find out…just as soon as I’m myself again,” Charles said, then squeezed his eyes shut. “Dear Lord, what a hopeless fix we’re in.”

Darcy couldn’t blame his friend for being discouraged, especially with no solutions in sight. Despite this, he maintained a positive stance. “Don’t worry. We’ll come about.”