Darcy briefly took and squeezed her hand before releasing it.
Elizabeth snuggled deeper against the side of the comfortable chair, wishing that Darcy would squeeze her hand again.
She was woken some time later by the ringing of the church bells calling out four o’clock.
Elizabeth stretched her arms out, and rolled her neck side to side to get rid of the slight crick in her neck from the upright posture she’d slept in.
Darcy still sat by her side, though he’d taken out a book, which he now also put to the side.He looked between her and the street running along the harbor.The rain had stopped and the late afternoon sun shone across the waves.“I meant to meet General Fitzwilliam, but I could not bear to wake you.Now it is too late to escort you back to the hotel and still meet him according to our arrangement.”
“Just go off, go off,” Elizabeth laughingly said, rubbing her eyes.“You can meet him there easily in time — leave your book so I have more than the view to entertain myself with.”
“I can’t leave you alone in a cafe!Unprotected, and unguarded.”
Elizabeth laughed.“What do you worry will happen to me?”
The cafe was clearly a respectable place, and at least one other conversation was conducted in English.The waiters looked quite fashionable in their uniforms, and with the prices drawn on the menus there was little chance of a rowdy low clientele visiting themselves upon her.
Which she wouldalsosurvive if they did appear.
Darcy frowned and did not answer her question.
“Are you wracking your brains to think upon every terrible thing that might happen to me if I am left alone for the span of an hour and a quarter in this place, or are you frowning for a different reason?”
“I just… I would never leave my sister without a maid or a footman — or best both — in such a place as this.”
Elizabeth laughed.“A caring and careful brother!‘Such a place as this’ — I hope neither the waiters nor the regular patrons can understand English, else Iwillbe in danger.”
“I confess…” Darcy scratched at the back of his head, almost confusedly.“You are alone; a British gentlewoman in a foreign country.Women must be protected… that’s the place of gentlemen, our purpose is to care for and ensure the wellbeing of those of the gentler sex around us.Especially when… especially a woman who I…” Darcy hesitated, he clearly wanted to say more, but also could not without directly declaring himself.
Infuriating, sweet man, Elizabeth thought both fondly and annoyedly.
“You saved my life, Mr.Darcy.You saved it at least twice — from the illness, and when you snatched me from under Lord Lachglass’s nose.”
“That was principally my cousin’s doing.”
“And you are a man who never wishes to take credit undeserved — which is a stance the easier for you to take since you deserve so very much credit, and you know it.Youhidme from Lord Lachglass at the least; you called the doctor for me.You allowed me without a question of anything but friendship and concern to occupy one of your bedrooms, and your time and your care.You protect me, and you care for me exceedingly well.I… I depend upon you in this foreign, half familiar, half strange and different country.”
“However?”Darcy smiled at her.“I hear a however in your tone.”
“However, if someone in this cafe tries to bother me, I will first butt them with my head, and then bash a coffee cup over their head, and you shall need to spirit me to Denmark, and pay the dear owners of this establishment some extra money for damages caused.”
Darcy laughed.“I forget in a way… that you are not so defenseless.Youlookfragile and everything that is spirit and beauty.But…”
“I like to think there is animal and flesh and muscle within me as well.I am not just a spiritual being.”
“You are not,” Darcy replied admiringly.
He looked towards the road again.“Still enough time.If youinsistI can leave you behind, with just a book for entertainment, I’ll do so, but know it makes me feel uncomfortable.”
Elizabeth took both his hands in hers and kissed his knuckles.“I thank you very much.”
Darcy went to the chief waiter and handed him one of those big French bills that he’d gotten from his man of business while saying a few words to him.No doubt ensuring that this man would keep a very close eye on her.
And then he was off to beat General Fitzwilliam into a friendly pulp.
Or the other way around.
Elizabeth would not care to wager bets on who would win in that conflict, but from the eagerness both of them had evinced when General Fitzwilliam mentioned the possibility of fencing, she was quite assured both would end with bruises.
