Elizabeth paused in her writing, considering how much of her evolving feelings she should commit to paper. The journal was private, yet something about recording intimate thoughts made them more tangible than she was ready to acknowledge.
A soft knock on her cabin door interrupted her reflections. “Elizabeth?” came Prudence’s voice. “Might I come in?”
“Of course.” Elizabeth set aside her journal and opened the door, allowing Prudence to enter and settle in the small chair.
“I hope I am not disturbing you.” Prudence settled herself. “I come seeking information about Colonel Fitzwilliam. He mentioned earlier that you were brieflyin company at his aunt’s estate in Kent, so you are aware that he is not the merchant he claims to be.”
Elizabeth grinned. “I will not ask why you want to know. Instead, I will allow my imagination to run free and make my own conclusions.” She tapped her friend’s arm with her fingertips. “I found the colonel to be delightful. Not only did he tease his cousin mercilessly?deservedly so, I might add?but he refused to be intimidated by his aunt. Do understand, this was no small matter. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a formidable woman convinced of her own superiority. Never have I met anyone with such strong opinions that expose ignorance over expertise.”
Prudence’s smile widened. “He treated her well, though?”
“For a certainty. He never lost his dignity, nor did he show any disrespect. It was only a twinkle in his eye that conveyed a mischievous sense of humor. After a few days in company, we were well on the road to friendship.”
“I see,” Prudence peeked out of the small window. “I will be honest with you. I have met many men in the years since I lost my husband. Not all have been gentlemen through and through. I have placed barriers around myself to prevent anyone from taking advantage of me?a constant danger in my position. Colonel Fitzwilliam constantly fails to respect these barriers.”
“He makes you uncomfortable?” Elizabeth’s hand shot to her chest.
“Ha!” Prudence practically snorted. “Richard Fitzwilliam is a menace. He is charming and knowledgeable, and…”
“And you do not trust him?”
“Of course I trust him!” Her shoulders squared. “I would trust him with my life.”
“But would you trust him with your heart?”
“That is the crux of the matter. I have spent seven years shoring up my defenses. He easily finds the gaps. I am not certain how…”
“You are not?” Elizabeth teased.
“Yes…I suppose I am. He bypasses my strict standards because I find myself inching the gate open. He simply pulls it open further and walks through.” She shook her head. “I promised myself that I would never admire another military man, but he is military through and through. I must be the biggest fool on the planet.”
“Or you are the wisest.” Elizabeth studied the woman, tension plain in every inch of her. “Scriptures say that the heart is treacherous. I could not agree more. Of course, it is easier to see danger when we are protecting someone else. It is more challenging to see our own way. Mr. Darcy has asked me for a courtship. I have promised myself?and now I promise you?I will take my time, not rushing into any life-altering decision before accepting or rejecting his suit. As you have said of Colonel Fitzwilliam, I trust him to protect my life. What we need to determine with certainty is whether we can trust the gentlemen with our hearts.”
Prudence nodded. “That is exactly how I feel.” She slapped her palms on her knees and stood with a broad grin. “You realize that, if we marry these men, you and I will be cousins.”
“What a pleasure that would be. On the other hand, even if we do not marry them, we will always remaingood friends. Either way, we have formed a bond that will last a lifetime.”
“We have.” Prudence opened the door. “Come. Let us see what color the setting sun paints the sea today.”
The two ladies made their way topside to find the western sky already beginning its descent to the horizon. Bands of gold and coral shot across the sky, reflected in the water below. Elizabeth immediately spotted Darcy near the stern, his tall figure silhouetted against the dramatic sunset.
“Go to him,” Prudence urged with a knowing smile. “I shall find your father or that other man.”
Elizabeth chuckled. She did not doubt that, by the time they were back in England, Prudence Bell would be one of her closest friends.
As she approached Darcy, Elizabeth was drawn by an indefinable quality in his posture as he stood gazing at the horizon. He turned as she got closer, his face aglow with obvious pleasure. “Elizabeth,” he said warmly, making room for her at the rail. “I had hoped you might join me. Have you ever seen such a sunset?”
“Never. It is as if the entire sky has caught fire.”
They stood together and quietly watched the sun sink lower toward the water. While soaking in the atmosphere, Elizabeth found her other senses filled with acute awareness of Darcy’s presence beside her. The rhythm of his breathing. The way the evening breeze ruffled his dark hair. The contentment emanating from him.
“Look there,” he said, nodding toward another part of the deck.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Prudence again stood together, this time near the bow, facing away from the sunset. Their conversation appeared intimate.
“How wonderful,” Elizabeth said with warmth. “Look how they charm each other.”
“Dowecharm each other?”
