Hesitantly Elizabeth spoke. “It is difficult, I think, when we grow up and realise our parents are not perfect and just as fallible as the next person.”
She held her breath a moment seeing if he would make a reply. “I thank you for sharing this about your childhood. My own parents were… complicated. My mother was a caring woman and did her best for her family and Longbourn’s tenants. I loved her, but her behaviour at times could be vulgar and embarrassing. My father was not the husband he should have been.” She looked up, nearly afraid to meet his eye.
He turned his head to look down at Elizabeth’s upturned face. “We all have a relation or two who bring us to the blush.” One side of his lips curled up, “Your inner strength reminds me very much of myself. Though precious little else about you does.” His eyes flickered briefly to roam her figure.
For her part, her heartrate sped up at his quick perusal. To cover her nerves, she said a trifle playfully, “I find the longer I know you the more developed your humour and teasing becomes. The ladies of theTonshall have to beware.”
His expression shuttered into a look of cool hauteur.
She was appalled at his reaction to her tease. “Forgive me. I misspoke.”
“Not at all. I am not fond of large gatherings and the attention I garner. It makes me uncomfortable.” Darcy tried his best to relax his expression.
“Shall you absent yourself from Lady Matlock’s ball, then?”
“I could not even if I wished to. I have my orders from my aunt. Which reminds me, may I have the first dance, Mrs Carrington?”
Elizabeth’s heart dropped. Did hewishto dance the first sets with her or was it an obligation? “You may, I thank you.” Her reply was subdued.
“And I am commanded to reserve a dance for my miscreant cousin. The second, perhaps?”
“I should be delighted.” Elizabeth shook off her negative thoughts about the first dance. “You and Georgiana speak so highly of him I am amazed we have not yet met.”
“He has been particularly busy with his commitment to the war office.”
“He has seen fighting overseas?”
“He has. But once he had been seriously injured, he promised his parents to shift positions. He nearly died… Lady Matlock was greatly affected.”
Elizabeth focused on Alex in Darcy’s arms. “It is a terrifying situation, is it not? For our men folk and for us.” She huffed a quiet laugh. When he looked at her in inquiry, she explained “It seems we cannot but help to engage ourselves in more serious topics when we speak, Mr Darcy.”
He pressed the hand resting on his arm. “Mrs Carrington, I find,” he cleared his throat, “I find speaking with you more effortless than with any other woman of my acquaintance. One who is not a relation, of course.” When Elizabeth raised her fine eyes to meet his he felt a compunction to give a warning. “I mentioned earlier my discomfort in society. I am afraid my behaviour may alarm you, and I would not wish to cause offense.” He took a steadying breath, “Ever since I inherited Pemberley, members of theTonhave been… aggressive in their wish to match me with a female family member.” He came to a standstill, halting her with him. “Any expression of disdain the night of the ball will have nothing to do with your company. Indeed, I am looking forward to our dance as the highlight of the evening.”
Elizabeth forgot how to breathe. His sincerity shown in every aspect of his warm look. “I thank you, sir, for warning me of your dyspeptic comportment the night of the ball.” She smiled shyly, “I, too, look forward to our dance. Indeed, it is my first dance in nearly a year. I hope I shall remember the steps.”
Smiling her twinkling delight up at him, she could not help but tease, “You shall not mind if I step on your toes throughout our dance?”
“And if you did, I shall be the gentleman and deny it ever happened.” Darcy gestured to move them forward again. Herteasing never failed to delight him. She never fawned or flattered. With her he felt like a man first, the master of Pemberley second.
“I regret I must be on my way. I promised to escort Georgiana to an event this evening.” Darcy was torn. He wished to stay with Elizabeth, but duty never really rested.
“Before you go, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth took Alex from him, “I compiled a report of the estates. Shall I give it to you now, or wait until you have heard back from your man?”
Darcy agreed to take it with him now and they walked back to the house where Elizabeth collected the report from her study. She accompanied him to the door.
“Mrs Carrington. Until we meet again.” Darcy bowed low over her hand.
~ / ~
Darcy House
Darcy paced the foyer of his home waiting for Georgiana to come down. His mind wandered back to his afternoon at Carrington House. It seemed to him Elizabeth was warming to his presence in her life. She was more open with him, which he all too readily reciprocated. Being with her was effortless. Unlike the last ten years of meeting ladies on the marriage mart, Elizabeth’s very being encouraged him to be more himself.
In short, Elizabeth captivated him. More than that, he believed his feelings were fully engaged.No, I know my feelings are engaged. Elizabeth captivates me like no other ever can.Were hers? There was no doubt in his mind she was physically affected by him. He saw it the day of the picnic, and again this very afternoon. It was not knowing if she held true affection for him, even a little bit, which unsettled him.
Georgiana finally appeared and they set off.
“I regret our acceptance for this evening.” Georgiana admitted once the carriage was underway. Her voice held a note of fatigue.
