“And you believe she returns your feelings based on spirited conversation?”
Darcy straightened in his saddle. “She challenges my opinions with a freedom that suggests she is comfortable with me. And there have been moments…” His heart softened. “Moments when I could swear that I saw more than mere intellectual interest in her regard.”
Richard leaned even closer, his tone carrying the weight of years of experience in reading people. “Forgive me, but are you certain you are not seeing what youwishto see? Women can be complex creatures.”
“I am not some green boy, Richard.” Frustration surged through him. “I recognize the difference between polite society conversation and genuine engagement. Miss Elizabeth Bennet does not suffer fools, nor does she waste her time on those she does not find to be of interest.”
Richard urged his horse forward. “One question, Cousin. Have you joined this expedition to be in her constant company because you wish to court her, or because you cannot bear to be parted from her?”
There was a thoughtful pause. “Both, I think. The weeks at sea will give us time to know one another, awayfrom the constraints of Society. And if we make discoveries together…”
“Well then, this should prove to be the most interesting trip in recent memory.” Richard grinned. “Between ancient treasures, military intelligence, and your romantic aspirations, I suspect we are in for quite an adventure.”
His heart full, Darcy observed, “When you put it that way, it does sound appealing.”
“Come now, Darcy. We are about to sail to Egypt with the woman who has captured your heart. If that does not stir your blood, nothing will.”
His posture relaxed as Darcy matched his cousin’s pace. “It certainly promises to be illuminating.”
“There is the spirit. Let us begin the campaign right now. At my command, we shall spend the night at the next inn. Tomorrow, we will present ourselves to Bingley and his new wife after they break their fast. Hopefully, your Miss Elizabeth will be there. Then we shall see how fast these horses can carry us to London. I have reports to file, information to seek, and you have both a sea voyage and a courtship to prepare for.”
As the two riders disappeared into the gathering dusk, the lights of the next village twinkled in the distance, a beacon of the future Darcy hoped to claim.
Early the following morning,Darcy caught sight of the familiar gates of Netherfield Park. He had not expected that such anticipation would course through him at the prospect of seeing Bingley again. But then, his feelingshad little to do with his friend and everything to do with the possibility, however remote, that Elizabeth might be visiting her sister.
Their reception at Netherfield exceeded Darcy’s memories of Bingley’s warmth. Mrs. Bingley welcomed them both as if they were long-lost family members, while Bingley’s enthusiasm nearly knocked them from their feet. But it was the familiar figure rising from the settee in the morning room that made Darcy’s breath catch.
“Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth said, offering a perfectly proper curtsey. “What a…surprise.”
“Miss Bennet.” Darcy bowed, hoping his voice betrayed nothing of the elation singing through his veins. If he could find a way to get her alone, he could propose, setting in motion his plans to marry prior to their ship’s departure. He only needed to rid himself of his curious cousin. “You left Rosings Park suddenly. I hope you are well.”
“I am well, thank you.” Her smile was polite and distant, the expected deportment of an accomplished lady. “I trust your journey from your aunt’s estate was pleasant?”
“We are from Cambridge on our way to Town.” Richard sat next to Miss Bennet. “Shortly after you departed Kent, Darcy received a summons from an old professor with an intriguing commission for me and a weighty task for my cousin.”
“Professor?” Elizabeth held her teacup still halfway to her lips.
“Professor Phineas Drye.” Richard turned toward her.
The color drained from her cheeks. Darcy studied herwith an intensity that would have been improper had anyone noticed.
But his cousin was watching, too, his shrewd eyes moving between them with interest. “Professor Drye mentioned your father also received an invitation. Will he be traveling alone?”
Her chin lifted. “I will travel with him.”
“How fortuitous that we shall all be journeying to the Mediterranean,” Darcy ventured, unable to suppress the excitement in his voice. “Perchance we might arrange passage on the same vessel.”
“The same vessel?” She looked from Darcy to Richard. “Do you mean that both of you are part of Professor Drye’s expedition?”
The news unsettled her. The way she stared at him, as if he had announced some terrible catastrophe, was more painful than any direct rebuke could have been. Her obvious distress pained Darcy.
Fortunately, Richard responded to her question. “Why, yes. Surely, Professor Drye mentioned?—”
“Only that there were three invitations.” Elizabeth’s voice sounded strained as she struggled to regain her equilibrium. “He did not provide any names.”
“Professor Drye summoned us to pursue scrolls missing from the lost Library of Alexandria,” Richard interjected, sensing the tension in the air. “He spoke most highly of Mr. Bennet’s expertise in ancient languages.”
“Yes, my father is captivated by Greek and Latin,” she said. Darcy caught a slight edge beneath her polite comment. “I had not realized the expedition would be so…comprehensive in its participants.”
