Yesterday, Lord Matlock surprised him with his announcement in support of Mrs Carrington’s son, only for the day to have ended in unmitigated disaster at the destructive hands of Lady Catherine. Darcy sat behind his desk leaning on his elbows, head in hands.
That woman despoils everything in her path.He was still furious over the scene and knew not how to tender his apologies to Mrs Carrington.I am still so angry; I fear I should not find the correct words to say.
His study door was opened with a flourish.
“I am not to be disturbed.” Darcy did not bother to look up.
“Nonsense. I am never a disturbance.” Richard’s grin was wide.
“You are always a disturbance, Richard.” Darcy spoke dryly, but his fleeting smile was inviting. It disappeared as memories of Lady Catherine’s display overtook his thoughts yet again.
Richard sauntered to the drinks tray and poured himself a glass of port. “I heard about Lady Catherine’s visit.”
“That woman. She is a blight on humanity.” Darcy gave up the pretence of working and leant back in his chair. His cousin, drink in hand, took a seat on the opposite side of his desk.
“How did your fair lady take it?”
A faint pink colour bloomed on Darcy’s neck and ears. “I know not. I have yet to see her.”
Richard gave him an incredulous look. “Darce.”
“What can I possibly say?” The bright, cloudless sky seemed to taunt Darcy with its cheerfulness.
“You have a point. Knowing you, you would just make a hash of it.”
Darcy rolled his eyes at Richard’s attempt at humour.
“Come, come, Darcy. Surely it cannot be that bad?” He watched his cousin, examining the play of emotions flickering on Darcy’s face. “What you need is exercise.” He waggled his brows. “Oh, wipe that scowl off your face, Darce. I was referring to Angelo’s. You need to work off this anger and frustration. Once you are calmer, you shall know how to address the situation.” He continued, muttering, “At the least you will not scare her with that glower.” He drank the last of his drink and stood erect, “Come. And that is an order.”
~ / ~
Darcy stood on the doorstep of Carrington House, tugging down on his waistcoat with one hand, the other holding a posey of aromatic white flowers. Richard had been correct about relieving his frustrations at Angelo’s. Still, knowing himself, his fear over saying the wrong thing was very real.
He was shown into the parlour expecting to see only two ladies. “Bingley. What do you do here?”Blast his ridiculous mouth!
Bingley stood next to Miss Bennet, a smile of greeting lighting up his face. “Darcy, how do you do? I have come to call on Miss Bennet.” A sly look entered his eyes, “What doyoudo here?”
Elizabeth approached Darcy smoothly from the other side of the room. “Mr Darcy, welcome, it is a pleasure to see you today.” She turned her head to address Jane, “You may continue your visit in relative privacy. Mr Darcy and I shall take seats over there.” She gestured to the other side of the room and catching the footman’s eye, nodded for tea to be refreshed.
Darcy, still standing fumble-footed near the entrance to the room, was grateful when Elizabeth guided him to a seat. She put away the embroidery she had clearly been working on before hisentrance and said, “Tea shall be here shortly, Mr Darcy. Pray, be at ease. We are all friends here.”
Gathering his courage, he faced Elizabeth, “Mrs Carrington, I do not have the words to express my horror at the behaviour to which you were subjected yesterday. Lady Catherine was completely out of line to speak to you and of you in such an abhorrent manner. I can only beg your forgiveness for exposing you to such loathsome conduct.” He shoved the flowers in her direction. “These are for you.”
Elizabeth reached out to take the flowers. “These are lovely, thank you. But as I told Georgiana, you owe me no apologies. There is nothing to forgive. Lady Catherine seems like a woman who… keeps her own council. No offence was taken by anyone other than she. Should I be upset with Lord Matlock for having such a sister?” With a raise of her brows, she tilted her head and smiled.
An exhale of pent-up breath left Darcy as he tentatively smiled. “I believe my uncle gave up apologising for his sister many years ago.”
“Rest assured, once the shock wore off, Jane and I were quite recovered. To repeat your words from the other day ‘we all have relations who put us to the blush.’” She elegantly shrugged one shoulder and spoke of Lord Matlock’s surprising yet generous offer.
“His offer was quite sincere, though I too was surprised. They are both fine people, yet they adhere to strict lines of societal standing. It seems Lord and Lady Matlock have taken you and Lord Carrington under their wing. Nothing could please me more.” He gave her a brief bow from his seated position.
A maid entered with fresh tea and several minutes passed busy with the preparation and offering of refreshments. Elizabeth sent the flowers with her to put them in water. When once again both couples were on opposite sides of the room, Darcy set down his teacup and cleared his throat. He began haltingly in a low voice. “Mrs Carrington, since meeting you I have come to admire you quite beyond my expectations. Being that we are both unencumbered, I was hoping you might be amenable to increasingthe opportunities we spend together.” He waited to see if Elizabeth reacted.
Elizabeth was confused by his words, their meaning too ambiguous for her understanding. He had stopped speaking and required a response. “I beg your pardon?”
Darcy took one of her hands and could not help but caress it. Her skin was warm and soft, and he imagined the rest of her was even softer. “I wish to see all of you.”
A second passed, then another. Elizabeth was absolutely still. Then she snatched her hand away from his. “Mr Darcy,” her voice was low and vibrated with strong emotion. “I may be a widow, but I have no intention of ever entering into that kind of relationship. No matter what behaviour a sister of mine might have succumbed to in the past.”
