“No, not at all.” His rushed reply did not convey assurance. He shifted his weight and toyed with the cuffs on his sleeves. “I suppose it will take time for me to become reacquainted with his…habits after all these years.”
“Oh, I see.” I resisted the impulse to enquire further. My husband appeared to be touchy on the subject of his friend. “What would you like to do? Shall I play a few songs for you?”
The hint of a smile enhanced his mien. “Yes, I should like that.”
We adjourned to the music room where I played a couple of his favourite pieces on the pianoforte and, upon his request, sang several Scotch airs. By the conclusion of my performance, no trace of his former petulance remained.
Darcy
After having endured an interminable, maddening day that at times evoked desperation, fear, and jealousy, I needed Elizabeth like never before. I soon became lost to her and the expression of my love, unleashing the emotions suppressed throughout the day. Not until I found my release, did I recover a firm hold upon my sanity.
Afterwards, I held her to my chest and ran my fingers through her sleek ebony locks. The pulse of her thundering heart against my skin further soothed me.
“Fitzwilliam, pray tell me what is bothering you.”
I froze. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you seemed agitated before and…different somehow.” Her soft voice slowed, her intonation hesitant. “You have never been quite so fervid before.”
Good God, what have I done?A spasm stirred within my chest, an icy blast of dread demolishing my earlier calm. “Have I…hurt you?”
“No, not in the least.”
The breath I had held rushed out.Thank goodness.
“Yet I am concerned for you, for I know you are not at ease.”
Could I speak of this? Would revealing this source of my qualms make them worse, give them more life? At any rate, I had alarmed her and should not refuse her request.
“You must know it bothers me that you are so attracted to Graham.” Sentiment affected my speech, hindering my clarity.
She raised up upon her forearm to view me in the fire-light. “No, I am not.”
That cannot be true.“There is no point in denial. I observed you after I introduced him today, and you could not take your eyes away from him.”
She returned to a reposed position. “Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, I stared at Graham then, and that mortified me. His appearance is extraordinary. I should compare the experience to discovering a new, colourful species of butterfly.”
“Then you admit you are attracted to him!”
Her hand raised to my heaving chest. “No, my love. Graham is remarkable and singular—unlike any other man I have met, but it does not follow that I am attracted to him. As it happens, I am quite partial to your looks and the various inner qualities that make you unique. You are my love, my husband, and the father of our beautiful child. You are the one who elevates my spirits and owns my heart.” She took a trembling breath. “In my eyes, no other man can hope to compare to you.”
How I loved her! Her words wiped away much of the anxiety I had harboured today. With Elizabeth at my side, nothing—not even Graham—could trouble me. I pulled her against me. “I love you so very much.”
Illuminated by the waning flames from the fireplace, her skin acquired a mystical shine. “And I love you, my darling Fitzwilliam.”
Chapter 3: A Most Unpleasant Surprise
Friday, 15 September
Darcy
Iremained motionless as my valet, Winston, tied my cravat, and did my best to sound dispassionate. “Do you know if our guest, Mr. Graham, has returned?”
“No, sir.” Winston’s sight did not stray from his task. “No one has seen him since last night.”
“I see. Thank you.” At this intelligence, the tension left my jaw. I did not question my valet’s account, for he took pride in being better informed than anyone else in my employ. With luck, I should be spared from Graham’s intrusion for the entire morning.
Starting today, I should recommence taking morning walks with Elizabeth—an activity I had forsaken with estate mattersdemanding my time. First, though, she and I stopped in the nursery for a visit with Bennet.
