Mr.BingleyandMr.Darcy arrived at eleven the next morning. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner were eager to meet Mr. Darcy, though more than a little in awe of him as he bowed cordially. The look on my aunt’s face when she first heard his name, I shall never forget. This Mr. Darcy must be even more wealthy than I had realized.
Which made it even funnier to me that I had first met him cowering behind a fireplace screen.
“Where are you off to, Bingley?” Mr. Darcy asked casually as we set out. “The weather today does not favor a turn in Hyde Park.”
“Bond Street, I should think,” Mr. Bingley replied, his eyes sparkling at Jane. “Does that suit, Miss Bennet? Wait, Darcy, will you not be joining us?”
“I am afraid not. Miss Elizabeth and I have business at the Academy, which should, I hope, be resolved today.” His eyes rested on me, his expression significant.
“Oh. Well, how long shall your business last?”
Mr. Darcy looked thoughtful, his gaze never leaving me. “An hour, I should think. But do not be concerned about us. I have left orders for my coachman to meet us on the Strand. There is no need for you to return for us.”
Mr. Bingley shrugged. “Very well, Darcy. A pity you will miss the shopping. I say, when shall we meet again this afternoon?”
“Darcy House. I would be honored to offer the ladies some refreshment after our outing. Miss Elizabeth, will that do?”
I lifted a brow. “I assume it will. Thank you, sir.”
He nodded and settled against the squabs, the side of his calf gently bumping into mine. “You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth. I expect you will need it by the time our errand is complete.”
Darcy
Bingley’scarriagesetusdown at the Exeter Exchange, and I handed Elizabeth out. Her smile had faded, and she clasped my arm with unusual strength. “Are you certain of this, Mr. Darcy?” she whispered.
I covered her hand with my own. “No. But I am willing to risk a very great deal, so that should reassure you.”
She held me in her gaze and nodded. “Let us get on with it, then.”
“Not yet. We are waiting for… ah, there he is, across the street already. Come, Miss Elizabeth.”
“What are we looking for?” She extended her strides to match mine, which is saying a great deal. I have seldom encountered a woman who can keep up with me when I have a mission on my mind, but Elizabeth Bennet was so readily at my side that I did not realize at first how quickly I was walking. I slowed.
“That man there, standing at the kerb with the hamper,” I replied.
“Yes? And who is he?”
I smiled. “My butler.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Trust you to bring your butler along when your intention is to burgle something.”
“One uses the resources available to him.” We reached the corner, and my butler finally saw us. He started to bow, but I stopped him. “That will not be necessary, Dobbs. Thank you. I will take the hamper.”
“But, sir, it is rather heavy. Should you not like someone to carry it for you?”
“There is no need. You may take the carriage home and send it back for me.”
He bowed again. “Very good, sir.”
“Oh, and Dobbs, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She will be joining me for tea this afternoon, along with Mr. Bingley and her sister, Miss Jane Bennet. Will you see to the preparations?”
A curious light appeared in the old man’s eyes. Dobbs was too much the professional to smile—a stately smirk was as far as he ever got. But his attention shifted to Elizabeth for an instant. Then he bowed again. “It would be my deepest pleasure, Mr. Darcy.”
“What was that?” Elizabeth asked as Dobbs walked back to the mews.
I was busy hefting the hamper and trying to decide how I would carry it. “What was what?”
She leaned her head close to my shoulder, still watching Dobbs’s retreating back. “He gave me the strangest smile just there.”
