“A magnificent hidden chapel that was used by the survivors of the Templar order after the monarchs of Europe jealously murdered the defeated defenders of the Holy Land. It is said their treasure was hidden away there, and many men have sought to know the meaning of the carvings, but none have succeeded.”
“I had heard,” Darcy said, “that it is unlikely the caves were truly constructed by the Templar order.”
Bingley rolled his eyes. “Of course they were built by Templars! A hidden cave, filled with mysterious carvings. Perhaps the treasure is still hidden in them beneath the excavations opened to the public.”
“I do wish to go! Such a fine idea.” Georgiana looked at Darcy. “Would Lizzy wish to go also?”
Jane said, “She was not greatly impressed when we visited as children, but I believe she would be interested in seeing the place once more.”
That put matters in a decidedly more encouraging line: A trip with Elizabeth to explore dim caverns, carved with medieval piety, illuminated by a flickering lantern. Brushing against each other, entirely by accident, of course. They would joke about the unlikelihood of finding Templar treasure…
“Eh, Darcy?”
“Ahem, I did not hear the question.”
“Growing distracted. We aren’t so elderly you have excuse. Wassomeoneon your mind?”
Darcy stared back, a little coldly. Then he grinned. His heart had bubbled the last few days, since he danced with Elizabeth, and she convinced Georgiana to play, and he realized he loved her. Bingley teasing him about his lovesickness for Elizabeth could not injure his buoyant mood.
“Maybe someonewason my mind. Tomorrow you say?”
“It is far enough out that we had best start in the morning. I’ll send a message over to Longbourn to ask Lizzy what she thinks of the scheme.”
“She will go along.” Jane pursed her lips from right to left. “I hope Mama does not wish to come as well. She did not like the dark when we went a decade past.”
“Send that in the message to Lizzy,” Bingley said. “She will handle it all. But I have been here long enough; the time is past when I ought to make my effort to find the treasure. We will need more money with all these balls I’m throwing.”
Bingley grinned at Jane, who swooned and kissed him on the mouth.
The next morning Elizabeth was brought early in the day by the Bennets’ carriage to Netherfield. Her red clad form lightly hopped out of the low carriage, and she looked like a winter nymph. She wore a fur lined winter coat; a soft yellow bonnet had a pattern of flowers inlaid into it and a lace fringe around her face. Her cheeks were rosy and smiling.
There was a dusting of snow on the ground from the previous night, and the white created a contrast which made her form stand out. She wore blue kid gloves that he’d seen her wear the time he met her during a ride.
Elizabeth looked first towards him, and she smiled and curtsied, before she embraced her sister and then Georgiana. “Whose idea was a return to Royston?”
“I have not been,” Bingley replied.
“I wish to see!” Georgiana’s eyes glowed. “The Knights Templar are so fascinating.”
Elizabeth laughed. She turned to Darcy and their eyes touched. Her smiling expression meant she must love him. But he could not be sure. She always smiled and laughed, even when he had angered her.
Elizabeth said, “Do give me your hand, Darcy. Let me shake it. There. We shall be the only sane ones on this fated excursion. You do not expect to find some vast Templar storehouse of the raided gold and gems of the Holy Lands. I depend upon you.”
“You may always depend upon me.” Through their gloves her small hand seemed to radiate a tingle which traveled up his arm, like magic. A strange witchcraft. She could not be ignorant of the effect of this simple touch.
Her color rose. He admired her clear skin, the few freckles visible on her nose, the pale English whiteness covered by a perpetual tan. She looked shy.
Darcy could not be precipitate. He must court Elizabeth properly.Thiswas the one woman in the world who might refuse him.
Their eyes met again and held.
Bingley pushed Elizabeth towards the carriage by her shoulder. “Come you two. Faith, it is too cold to stand about like a pair of hobbled horses. I will freeze, thoughyoutwo notice not.”
It had been decided that putting the five adults in one carriage would make it more crowded than comfortable, so Bingley and Darcy were to ride alongside, providing a protective pair of outriders, and giving the horses and men a nice exercise. The three women comfortably bundled up with hot water bottles and heated bricks for the trip.
They set off. At first over the pathways near Netherfield, graded for a carriage, but not comfortable. Then they hit an improved section of a turnpike. After a half hour the carriage reached a tollpost, and Bingley rode direct to the booth where the gatekeeper sat and tossed him their fair. Quickly the barrier was raised, and they continued on, making a good pace.
The day looked warm and clear. It hadsnowed the previous day, and the further north they went the thicker the white powder stood on the sides of the ditches. No ice had formed on the road. Still Darcy kept his eyes open, especially when they went past shaded patches where difficult to see ice could form and stick.
