“And that is?”
“Why, you are to ask me about the great surprise Anne has for you, of course.”
He frowned. “Surprise? Did I know I was to ask about a surprise?”
“Naturally, no!” the countess laughed. “But now you know, therefore you may ask.”
“But that is a contradiction, for if it is meant to be a surprise, would I not spoil it if I asked?”
“Oh, you ought to know better than that. The entire point of a surprise is that it should be spoiled. Why, what fun would it be to not know what is in the offing? The very idea!”
He sighed patiently. “Am I to understand this spoiling is with Anne’s blessing?”
“Of course, it is. How else should you know the proper attire to pack?”
“Ah, so she has plans for some trip.”
The countess looked near to bursting with glee. “There, you have it! She has secured passage for two persons—I shall let you guess who they are—on board the Nomadic to South America next summer!”
“South America! Whatever for?”
“Why, Darcy! Can you be so impossible? It is a wedding tour!”
“But she has never spoken of going there. What does she wish to see in South America?”
“Well, I would imagine her husband, if she can get him on the ship. Now, Darcy, do not be a stick in the mud. You will need to have suitable attire, so Anne has provided some recommendations. Here is a list for you to give your tailor, and you must have some proper hats. There, I have done my duty, and you can thank me later.”
“I will thank you now.”
Lady Matlock beamed and patted his cheek as if he were her little boy. “But you do not mean it, do you? Never mind, Darcy, I will accept your thanks, and with good grace. Be sure to act surprised when Anne gives you the news. Now, go on with you, you must have better things to do before it is time to dress for dinner.”
Asithappened,hehad several better things to do, but to his shame, a private interlude with Anne had not been among them. She drew him aside, however, just as he had been casually seeking out Georgiana and the Bennet sisters in the music room.
“My dear,” she said with an extended hand. “I was hoping to speak with you alone.”
The others stared, then pointedly looked away as he smiled tightly. Was it his imagination, or did Elizabeth flinch as she averted her eyes?
“Of course, Anne.” He followed her to the library, a tendril of worry curling in his stomach. Hopefully, it was nothing but more talk of this change of plans to South America. “What troubles you, my dear?” he asked after the door closed.
“Troubles me? Nothing at all, but it occurs to me that we have hardly exchanged five words today.”
“You seemed busy.”
“Oh, that was nothing. Will you not kiss me, Darcy?”
“If you wish,” he replied neutrally.
She came near and tipped up her cheek, and he dutifully rendered his offering. No passion sparked. No desire rumbled in the pit of his being. Not that it ever had—any affection between them had always felt more like the kinship of brother and sister.But at least I do have feelings for her, he consoled himself. He liked Anne. He always had, although sometimes he had to remind himself of that fact.
“How have you been keeping, my dear?” she asked lightly. “I thought I would have seen a bit more of you since you came back. But, I do not need constant assurance of your devotion. A pretty thing that would be!” she chuckled. “Truly, though, we ought to show some little eagerness for our nuptials, oughtn’t we?”
He dipped his head. “It is only natural. Forgive me, Anne, I will be everything an earnest bridegroom should. If I have made you unhappy, I apologise.”
“Oh, it is no matter,” she said with a lazy wave of her hand. “I suppose we need not try to learn one another’s character as a newly courting couple. No, what I wanted to ask you was a favour, really.”
He gestured for her to take a seat. “Anything, you know that.”
She smiled and touched his hand. “I do. I was thinking of our American friends, you see. Now that we know something of how matters lie, is it not time to start thinking of their future?”
