“I believe, madam, that your character is less a mystery to me than it was a few moments ago. I perfectly understand now why you would not wish to expose yourself to… that.”
She could not help a bitter laugh. “That, sir, was my father’s cousin, and his character does not improve upon closer acquaintance.”
Her companion fell silent for a moment. “I regret the mortification such an incident may have caused you.”
“He has no right to abuse my name on the street like that! Yet, if I am provoked and speak against him, it should be myself upon whom the censure would fall.”
“I presume that when your uncle learns of the man’s conduct, he will be severely reprimanded?”
“Naturally… when hedoeslearn of it. But that will be perhaps hours. How am I to tolerate such a buffoon until then?”
“Perhaps there is no need,” he suggested.
“I cannot avoid it!”
“Why can you not? You have advised me, now I shall do the same for you. Wait for your uncle, and do not put yourself within reach of a fool without some protection in place.”
“That may do very well for a…” she looked him up and down… “gentleman….”
He smiled, and Elizabeth nearly forgot what she had been about to say. Those dimples again! She cleared her throat. “…But I have already behaved scandalously enough for one day. You cannot truly be suggesting that I continue walking the streets of London until this evening!”
“Would it make matters worse if you did?”
“How could it not?”
“Your aunt and sister do not presently fear for you—as you have said, they expect you to be in the company of one who would look to your safety, as you are at this very moment. Is it not true that the only person fretting about your whereabouts is… that man?”
“Mr Collins. Yes, I suppose that is true.”
“And would it distress you to be at odds with him until your uncle may intervene?”
Elizabeth stifled a grunt of wry laughter. “Not in the least! Think me a wretch if you will, but I would rather enjoy frustrating him.”
He smiled again. “I cannot think so ill of you, Miss Bennet. Come, I believe I will make use of your notion regarding my bootmaker, and then, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to some of the more memorable sights in London?”
She stopped and stared at him. “You are serious?”
“Quite so. As you have noted, we are both of us in need of a holiday. As we presently find ourselves with little opportunity to improve our situations, let us spend the afternoon reviving our spirits. I will look to your safety as if you were my own sister, and I shall depend on you and your parasol to keep me from being recognised.”
“Sir, I cannot claim to know you at all, but I have the sense that such a proposition would normally have caused you no small degree of horror.”
“You are correct that it is… out of character for me. But that only makes the suggestion all the more intriguing–not to mention that none would ever suspect how we passed our afternoon. I find it almost irresistible, do not you?”
Elizabeth arched a brow, a hint of mischief bubbling in her breast. “Irresistible, indeed.”
Chapter eighteen
Miss Bennet baulked at the door. “Are you certain this is a good plan? I have never even heard of such a scheme!”
“I assure you, it would not be the first time I have seen such arts employed. You might well be astonished and scandalised by some of the means essayed by the more creative among your sex. At least this time, it is done with the best intentions.”
“But I am not certain I have it in me!”
“That is why I know you will succeed,” he informed her warmly. “You have an honest face; therefore, none could suspect you of malice. The additional incentive of which we spoke will no doubt be of assistance as well.”
“It is not that, nor my appearance of honesty that I doubt, but my ability to behave the convincing flirt. My sister is the expert in that art.”
Darcy narrowed his eyes, once more thinking of poor, simple Bingley. “The elder sister you praised so highly?”
