Waffles tilted his head, ears perked with interest. The word “food” had caught his attention.
“Not actual food poisoning,” she clarified. “Fake food poisoning. Strategic illness.”
But even as she said it, Elizabeth knew she wouldn’t. Darcy had been pleased when she’d invited him. He’d asked careful questions about her parents and sisters, their likes and dislikes.
The fact that he’d been worried about making a good impression had been so endearing that Elizabeth had forgotten to be terrified. She was making up for that now.
Her phone rang, and Darcy’s name flashed on the screen.
“I’m just leaving,” he said without preamble. “Should I bring Athena, or would that be too much?”
Elizabeth paused, considering. On one hand, Athena was an impeccably behaved dog. On the other hand, Waffles still assumed that Athena wanted to be his best friend, and his enthusiasm tended to be overwhelming.
“Bring her,” Elizabeth said, making the decision before she could talk herself out of it. “Waffles will be thrilled to have someone to show off to.”
“Are you sure? I know how excitable he can be.”
Elizabeth smiled despite her nerves. Darcy was a dog lover who'd immediately developed a sort of exasperated affection for her golden retriever. She wasn’t about to ask him to leave Athena alone in his flat.
“I’m sure. Besides, my family loves dogs. Well, my father does. My mother tolerates them. Lydia and Kitty will try to get Athena to pose for social media photos.”
“Right.” She could hear some tension in Darcy's voice, which informed her that he was having his own moment of panic. “And you’re certain you want me there?”
“Of course, I do. I will warn you that my family is mad, but we’re doing this anyway. That’s what people in relationships do, isn’t it? Inflict their families on each other and hope for the best?”
“I suppose it is.”
“See you in an hour?”
“Looking forward to it.”
Elizabeth was almost certain he meant it.
An hour later, she stood in her parents’ front garden checking the wreath, the light in the portico, the sight lines to the living room. Everything seemed neat and tidy. Growing up, most of the boys with tidy hair and tailored clothes had visited for Jane, but Elizabeth had observed how they smiled at the noise in their house like her family was an unusual exhibit and then never came back.
While she was assessing the approach, Darcy pulled his ridiculously expensive car into their drive and parked next to her father’s battered Toyota. Through the windscreen, she could see Athena sitting regally in the tiny back seat, her posture so perfect it made Elizabeth want to check her own.
Darcy climbed out of the car, immaculate as always in dark jeans and a grey jumper.
“Hello.” He reached her side and pressing a kiss to her cheek. His voice was warm, but Elizabeth could see the slight tightness around his eyes that showed he was more nervous than he was letting on.
“You look worried.” She took his hand. “We don’t bite, I promise.”
“I’m not worried. You gave me notes. I’m just . . . apprehensive.”
“Darcy, they’re going to love you.” That was never going to be the issue. “And if they don’t, we’ll leave early and get chips on the way home.”
He squeezed her hand. “That’s strangely comforting.”
They were only halfway up the path when the door flew open and Waffles shot out as if the starter’s pistol had cracked and he was sprinting for a new world record. He ran straight at Darcy.
“Waffles, no!” Elizabeth shouted, but it was too late.
Darcy cinched Athena’s lead around his palm, said “Waffles,sit,” and handed the flowers to her mother without missing a beat.
“For you, Mrs. Bennet.”
Both dogs sat.
