“Surely she does not think that is the only reason I want to marry her!”
Elizabeth gave him a long serious look. “I would not be certain of that. Unfortunately, she is unwilling to discuss the matter at present.”
“Perhaps I could write her a letter.” He slanted his eyes towards Lady Matlock. “If her mother is kind enough to give me permission.”
“No letters, I am afraid,” said Elizabeth. “She has already said as much.”
Eversleigh made a wan attempt at a smile. “Am I so predictable, then?”
“I would not dream of attempting to answer that,” said Elizabeth demurely.
Lady Matlock dusted off her hands, although she had been doing nothing with them. “Well, she will have to speak to me sooner or later, and perhaps this can be resolved then. After all, if she does not wish to marry, all she needs to do is to say so. We will not insist on a marriage that is against her will.”
“Of course not.” Eversleigh seemed to be trying to put a brave face on it.
“In the meantime, we have a revel to plan. Lord Eversleigh, might I impose upon you to locate three handsome young men, either mages or poets, to act as Titania’s court at the revel?”
“I can manage that.”
“Frederica and Elizabeth will also be her attendants. Titaniahopes to convince Oberon to join her.”
“Most likely Aelfric will attend as well if I ask him,” said Eversleigh.
Elizabeth’s shoulders tightened. “Might he not offend some guests?” He certainly offended her often enough.
“I will speak to him about the importance of temperance. It may be difficult to believe, but he is generally a pleasant fellow, and he has the advantage that we can present him as royalty.”
“That brings up the delicate question of your own status, Lord Eversleigh,” said Lady Matlock. “Do you intend to reveal any of your own connections with Faerie?”
Eversleigh looked thoughtful. “I would prefer not to bring my parentage into question, but if I am there, Oberon, Titania, and Aelfric will not pretend they do not know me and will not lie for my sake.”
“Yet it would be best to have your presence in case of misunderstandings. Would your Sidhe friends be willing to tell a partial truth – that you are descended from Oberon, and Aelfric has always considered you his brother?”
“Clever,” Eversleigh acknowledged. “That might work.”
“Good. Now we must return to London without any further delay, but we will be in contact.”
DARCY BOWED OVER ELIZABETH’Shand as she prepared to depart from Rosings with the Matlocks. He dared not draw attention to her by kissing it, but he tried to show her with his gaze how much he cared.
She looked at him longer than propriety required, with both warmth and sadness, he thought. She said, “Goodbye, Mr. Darcy. I hope we will meet again soon.”
“You may depend upon it, Miss Bennet.” Now he was certain shecould see the burning desire in his eyes as he released her fingers.
It was all he could hope for.
When Eversleigh took her hand, he leaned forward and said something too quiet for Darcy to hear, but it made Elizabeth laugh and say, “I have no doubt of it! But be careful,shurinn.”
Eversleigh bowed to her. “Shurinn, I hope you will do the same, as we discussed.”
Blood rushing through his ears, Darcy did not hear what, if anything, Richard said to her. How dare Eversleigh behave so familiarly with his Elizabeth? They had been introduced for the first time only a week ago. Anyone seeing it would think there was an understanding between them. It could not be an accident. Eversleigh was usually so careful to avoid that sort of thing.
He watched the carriage start off, taking Elizabeth away from him, leaving him bereft. Why was he remaining here to help the man who was winning her away from him? He should be going with her, but instead he trudged back to the breakfast room.
Eversleigh poured himself a third cup of coffee. “It will be dull here without the young ladies. Collingswood, Winston and Elliott are good fellows, but not as pleasant to look upon.”
“Definitely not,” said Richard.
Darcy asked abruptly, “That thing you and Elizabeth call each other –sharin– what does that mean?”
