“We have made our peace, Mama. I, too, see that Mr. Darcy’s worth is far grander than his reported ten thousand a year.”
Her saucy expression delighted him.He could not wait to repeat their kisses.
“Grander than ten thousand a year? Can you imagine!” Mrs. Bennet bumped her daughter aside to recapture his gaze. “My Lydia is a lovely girl with a lively character. And you are a wealthy man in need of a wife. I took note of your kindness toward her. Thus, I shall encourage her on your behalf—should you like?”
Miss Elizabeth chuckled softly.
He cleared his throat, horrified at her suggestion. He simply could not countenance the idea of kissing anyone other than that lady he could no longer think of as Miss Elizabeth. She washis Elizabeth.
“You are correct that Miss Lydia is a lovelygirl.Though I thank you for your suggestion, Mrs. Bennet, I would need a more mature woman to become the next mistress of Pemberley.”
“Well, I do suppose you know best,” Mrs. Bennet offered before leaving to speak with her eldest.
Elizabeth again caught his attention. “Mr. Darcy, is there anything Jane and I can do to help?”
Before she could finish her inquiry, Parker entered the kitchen with an armload of folded garments. “Sir, surprisingly, in addition to the servant’s staircase, the small sitting room between the library and Mr. Bingley’s study remains intact with nary a window blown out and no water coming in. The room directly above is the master’s private sitting room. I took the liberty of checking inside and it is the same. Since it is the only inside room surrounded by other rooms, I suspect it is the safest place in the house should the storm hit again. I spoke with Mr. Bingley’s steward, Mr. Morris, who arrived while you were outside. He agreed with my assessment. Therefore, I began gathering your belongings to bring down the servant’s staircase to be placed in the corner of said room, if this is agreeable to you?”
Darcy was grateful that something of the house was protected other than the cellar, which smelled of stale wine, cigars, and the sweat from fear.
“Very good, Parker. Proceed.”
Miss Bingley hissed. “What? My maid is able to access the bed chambers. Where is that lazy girl? I shall tell her a thing or two about what needs to be done.” Miss Bingley stared at Cook. “Tell her to gather my possessions and bring them to the sittingroom like Mr. Darcy’s valet has done.” Lifting her chin into the air, she added, “I shall be in the sitting room. Have my tea brought to me there.”
Blast!He had no desire to be in the same room as that woman.
As soon as Miss Bingley left the kitchen, Parker cleared his throat.
“Ah, sir. I might have been mistaken. You see, the small sitting room is indeed safe. Yet, I now recall that I placed your possessions in the library itself, which also sustained no damage. If you keep the door closed between the two rooms, I doubt anyone would know you were there.”
The sly man! Darcy would reward him at the first opportunity.
“I thank you.”
To Elizabeth, he said, “Please direct Mrs. Hammond and the others to the library. We shall allow Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley to continue enjoying their own company until this storm passes.”
The small smile on Elizabeth’s beautiful face was worth facing the viper in her den. Now that the situation was settled in his mind with how he needed to proceed with the second Miss Bennet, he was certainly looking forward to being in her company again.
CHAPTER 22
When Elizabeth stayed at Netherfield Park for three days, seeing Jane through her illness, she spent thirty minutes in the library with Darcy. He completely ignored her as she did him. It was a dreary room lacking windows or any other opening allowing light. When she entered before, she felt the atmosphere did nothing to enhance the few books on the shelves. Now, she was grateful for a room far more comfortable and cleaner than the cellar.
Maids carried in blankets and pillows, placing them in piles on the empty fireplace hearth. Footmen hauled in the few unbroken chairs from the kitchen to add to those that remained there during the storm. As it was, there was enough for each of the ladies to make themselves more at ease.
Moving to Mrs. Hammond, Elizabeth inquired of her health.
“I am pleased to say that I am very well. Mr. Darcy assured me that he will be with me when I return to my cottage to make certain that I am able to remain there safely. Also, he volunteered to cover the cost of any repairs despite my assuring him that I had funds set aside. The Captain was generous with the prizes he captured. Always looking to the future, he was. Like your Mr. Darcy, Miss Lizzy.”
“MyMr. Darcy?” Her hand shot to her chest as she remembered the touch of his lips on hers. Was he hers? She wanted him to be. “Do not say so, Mrs. Hammond.”
“Elizabeth Bennet! I may be old, but I am not blind. I see the way you look at each other, with a longing that only the other can satisfy. I felt the same about my husband prior to our wedding. There was not a minute of the day when I did not want to be with him. He filled my dreams at night. My imagination was rife with all we would and could do once we wed. I will confess to you that the reality far exceeded my dreams. A man who is devoted to the care and comfort of his wife is far more valuable than all the gold in the world. You will know this the first time he holds your hand in his. You see, their fingers are longer and wider, and their palms seem to have muscles that we do not. You will then know what it means to be cherished.”
Elizabeth blushed.
“Ah, I see, dear girl. You already know the feel of Mr. Darcy’s hand in yours. Is it not as I say?”
Exhaling slowly, Elizabeth barely nodded. “Yes, it is as you say.”
The corner of Mrs. Hammond’s mouth lifted. “You have so much joy to experience should you both commit to each other. There is no greater happiness in this life to be one flesh like God intended.”
