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“Yes, madam, I shall be there shortly.”

Upon Elizabeth’s quitting the room, Darcy and Lord Matlock wasted no time at all in speaking their minds.

“Your behaviour was uncalled for, Darcy,” the earl raged bitterly.

“The look on Mrs. Carlton’s face upon my entering the room told me otherwise, my lord.”

“I am the head of this family, young man! I have every right to know more of the young woman who has taken up residence with my niece!”

“As long as you regard Mrs. Carlton with respect, I shall have no cause for concern that you might wish to know her better. However, I will not allow you to demean her in any way, as you are so wont to do.”

“Respect, you say!” He spat the words. “Does the fact that you appear to have your mistress residing under the same roof as your sister not constitute blatant disrespect towards Georgiana and the rest of the Fitzwilliam family?”

“I will not be accountable for any misapprehensions you needlessly suffer regarding the nature of my affiliation with Mrs. Carlton. My intentions are honourable. I would marry her today, if she would but say yes.”

“I am not the only one who suffers this ‘misapprehension,’ and you would do well to know that, regardless of whether or not your intentions are honourable! You very well may intend to marry the woman; however, you are not yet married—nor will you ever be if I have any say in the matter.

“How fortunate it is then, for all concerned, you do not have a say!”

Darcy and Elizabeth were not seated close enough to each other at dinner as to make it possible for them to converse, nor were they close enough that he might catch any of her conversations with those around her. The ease with which she engaged her dinner companions and the spark that shone brightly in her fine eyes, gave him to know she was enjoying the evening. He was pleased. If only Caroline had not been seated directly across from him, he might have enjoyed the evening too. Would his aunt ever cease in punishing him?

Mindful of his wish that Georgiana not remain in society any longer than was warranted, Darcy saw to it she returned home almost immediately after the meal, along with Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley. He had remained long enough to enjoy port with the gentlemen, departing his uncle’s home shortly thereafter.

Soon after his arrival at Georgiana’s residence, she excused herself for the evening, thereby affording Darcy and Elizabeth time alone. Darcy and Elizabeth sat opposite each other on facing couches. More space was between them than either of the two would have wished, but warranted if they were to keep up their tacit agreement of a chaste relationship.

Elizabeth spoke to him of her pleasure at having been received favourably by so many, including his aunt, Lady Matlock, on the one hand, and her general displeasure with the scrutiny she had received from his uncle, on the other.

“Elizabeth, I apologise for my uncle’s deplorable treatment. I assure you that I will make certain he is on his best behaviour when next you two meet.”

“It is not solely your uncle, I am afraid. Others uttered thinly veiled, snide remarks regarding my association with you and your sister; Miss Bingley amongst them.”

“What is your greatest concern? People will think what they want, will they not? You know the truth. What concerns have you of what others so wholly unconnected with you might think?”

“If only it were so. My dearest sister Jane has been keeping company with Mr. Collins. Can you imagine that? It seems he is courting her. He may very well ask for her hand in marriage. From all indications, she is quite prepared to accept.”

“I can think of worse things than that,” he mumbled, nonchalantly.

“Can you Mr. Darcy? What do you suppose might be worse than my sister marrying Mr. Collins?” Elizabeth challenged.

“He might have married you!”

Elizabeth was not amused. She rested her head in her hands. “Would that I could get away from it all,” she uttered wearily. Not wishing to minimise all he had done on her behalf, she raised her eyes to meet his. “Not that I do not enjoy it here, mind you. I am very grateful Georgiana has extended such hospitality. It is just that I feel so much a prisoner here—having to be ever cognizant of society’s rigid expectations. I can scarcely step out of doors for a solitary breath of fresh air without giving rise to a scandal.”

Darcy wanted desperately to offer Elizabeth solace. Giving up all pretence of not wishing to be near her, he abandoned his seat and moved to her side. Faint traces of lavender flooded his senses. He took her soft hand in his and placed his free hand lovingly on her cheek. “There is a matter I have been putting off discussing with you. In fact, I have been putting it off, not wanting to leave you and Ben so soon after you settled in with my sister. Now seems an apt time. I have been summoned back to Pemberley by my steward, to resolve an escalating dispute amongst my tenants.”

He gently caressed her tiny hand. “What say you we all travel to Pemberley? I am sure Georgiana will be agreeable since we had planned to spend the summer there. We will simply arrive a little ahead of schedule. This way, you can take your time in deciding your next step, away from prying eyes, wagging tongues, and interfering uncles. You and Ben will have a chance to enjoy the freedom of Pemberley, and Ben will have leeway to roam a bit farther than I am comfortable with here in town.”

Elizabeth looked deeply into his eyes. Her eyes then fell to his lips and remained there for as long as it took to remember herself. She then gazed at his beautiful face. Say what she would for the benefit of everyone else, she was in his power, completely. Elizabeth would deny him nothing.

Darcy traced his fingers along her cheek. Speaking in a deeper, more seductive tone, he continued, “Please, say you will accompany me. You are sure to enjoy yourself—I promise.”

Between Darcy and Bingley, there had always been a very steady friendship. On the strength of Darcy’s regard, Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion. Therefore, when Bingley became aware of the talk circulating amongst the ton that Darcy was often seen around town in the company of an unknown country beauty, he sought to know what his old friend was about.

Try as he might to call on Darcy at his town-house, he had yet been unable to accomplish that feat with any success. Bingley, being a single man, was not apt to call upon Miss Darcy, a young woman not yet out amongst society.

His sister Caroline’s account that Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton of Hertfordshire was the mystery woman rumoured to be his friend’s mistress, he regarded as complete nonsense—as clear a sign as any his sister continued to delude herself where Darcy was concerned. Elizabeth’s presence at the Matlock’s dinner party had solved the mystery of the woman’s identity for Bingley, even if it had not lent credence to his sister’s theory. The last he had heard, Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton was engaged to be married to her cousin.

His late arrival to the Matlock home along with Elizabeth’s early departure provided little by means of satisfying his curiosity. With his friend’s eagerness to leave early as well, the best he could secure from his friend had been a promise to meet him at White’s for drinks the next day.