“The bookshop.”
“Yes,” the older woman said in surprise. “How did you know?”
He gasped. “I am not sure. I must have recalled it from my trip when I was a child.”
“You have an impeccable memory, sir.”
“Odd, as I have only recovered from a head injury,” he said, sharing asmile with Elizabeth.
After the maid brought in the tea, Lizzy poured. All remained silent as Mr. Fitzroy took a sip, then Mrs. Gardiner asked, “Pray, forgive me, Mr. Fitzroy. But, has anyone ever commented that you resemble the former master of Pemberley?”
“It has recently been brought to my attention.”
“Have you ever seen an artist’s rendering?”
“Yes, actually, there are numerous paintings of the family at de Bourgh House. I also saw the miniature Mrs. Wickham wears.”
Elizabeth believed she heard a slight alteration in his voice but could not be sure.
Mr. Fitzroy set his tea on the table and turned in his seat to face her. “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, if you are not otherwise engaged, I was hoping I could interest you and your husband to attend the theater and then to de Bourgh House for dinner tomorrow evening? We are to use the de Bourgh box.”
Lizzy looked expectantly at her aunt, who then said, “We have no engagements tomorrow and would love to accept, sir.”
“Excellent. Excellent. I will send the carriage for you.”
“If you would excuse me, Mr. Fitzroy, I should check on the children. I shall be only a few minutes, Lizzy”—giving her a pointed look before she left the room, pulling the door closed quietly.
After setting her own cup down, Elizabeth asked, “Is your business going well?”
“I will be meeting with someone this evening to go over some matters of a most…interesting nature.”
“Hopefully, to your advantage?” She could not explain it, but her breath increased, and she realized she was wringing her hands in her lap.
“Let us hope.” He rested his hand upon hers, stilling her fingers. “Have you ever been to the theater?”
She swallowed attempting to not betray the fluttering the slow stroke of his thumb was producing in her heart. “Yes, but not in a box seat. I am sure it will be memorable.”
He squeezed her hand, and she felt a blush rising to her cheeks. He grinned as he looked at her face.
“Will your business keep you in London long?”
“My plans are not yet fixed, but I… Miss Bennet, I hope you do not think I am too forward,” he said, stopping, and taking her hand in his. “I know we have known each other but little, but time is irrelevant. In such cases, one might ‘know’ someone enough for two lifetimes, when it has only been a few weeks.”
She didn’t trust herself to speak but only nodded.
“I have found in you a woman whose beauty, grace and honor are what I have sought after the whole of my life, and would be honored if ––”
“Lizzy!”—and the room seemed full of little Gardiners. And then her aunt was there shushing and clucking at her children, and the moment was lost.
Soon after, Mr. Darcy stood and said, “Forgive me, Miss Bennet.” He saw the disappointment in her eyes but seemed gladdened by her hopeful smile. “Perhaps we might resume this conversation soon?”
She could only nod, and he raised her hand to his lips and said, “Might I call on you in the morning? There is something I wish to ask you.”
She breathed out softly. “I would like that very much.”
“Mr. Fitzroy. Thank you for returning. We have been able to contact the person who will authenticate your claim, and she will arrive shortly.”
She?Darcy looked at both men sitting across from him. They were evidently nervous, the younger man even wiping perspiration from his brow.
