“Very well. I shall go now and hope for the best, though I require no reminder that I am nearly eight and twenty and must establish my nursery.”
“Go along, then. Why do you delay?”
Darcy took a measured sip of his drink to bolster courage and approached Lady Horatia.
She was a handsome woman of about four-and-twenty. Why she remained unmarried was not immediately apparent. He knew her portion stood at forty thousand pounds, and her appearance would satisfy any gentleman. Her fair hair was arranged in a most becoming style, and she possessed a striking figure.
He bowed. “Lady Horatia.”
“Mr. Darcy.”
“My aunt informs me you are but recently returned to England. I understand you traveled to Canada.”
She smiled. “I have, sir. But before I relate my Canadian adventures, will you refresh my glass?”
“Certainly.”
“Cognac, if you please.”
His brow rose. At this rate, she would soon rival any gentleman at the table.
He took her glass and withdrew to comply.
From what he had seen so far, she was excessively fond of the bottle. Perhaps this accounted for her remaining unwed at her age? For she was undeniably handsome. Her gown lacked the elaborate ornament of Lady Isabella’s, but was elegant in its simplicity and most becoming.
He handed her the glass, which she drained in a single swallow. She laughed. “Mr. Darcy, have I shocked you, sir? Have you never met a lady who can outdrink a man?”
“No, ma’am, I have not yet had that pleasure.”
“My father did not admire it either, sir. His lip would curl in much the same fashion as yours did. That was when he resolved to send my sister and me to Canada, in the hope that such an adventure might cure me of my habits. It did not. Tell me, sir, have you considered how little there is to occupy one upon a long sea voyage? There is nothing but games to fill the hours.”
He allowed himself a faint smile, for she was a most engaging creature. “No, ma’am, I confess I have not given it much thought. But I agree, if one does not care for games or books, one must soon fall into a state of tedium.”
“And that was precisely my condition, sir, for I care for none of those pursuits. I passed my time upon the deck, when the weather allowed, drinking away the hours with my sister, and I assure you it proved a very agreeable method of enduring the journey. There were only two unmarried officers on board, so conversation was limited. It suited Diana well enough. She fell in love and married before we reached our destination.”
She regarded him with a knowing smile. “She declares her husband kept her most agreeably occupied, and as evidence, sir, I saw very little of either of them during the voyage. They appeared only at dinner and were gone again soon after.”
“Your sister remained in Canada?”
“She did. My aunt, on my mother’s side, resides in Montreal with her family, and it so happens my new brother-in-law is stationed there, so the arrangement answered very well.”
“I see. And you, ma’am? How did you like Canada?”
“It was delightful, Mr. Darcy. But my father sent for me, and here I am. He declares I must marry this year, for I shall soon be upon the shelf, as they say.”
Darcy raised his eyes. “Your father, Lady Horatia. Is he present this evening? I do not believe I was introduced.”
He glanced about the room and soon observed a gentleman watching him with particular attention. She followed his gaze and raised her hand in greeting. “Yes, that is my papa. He has arrived. Come, I shall introduce you.”
Darcy was not eager for the acquaintance. The gentleman regarded him with a focus that suggested intention, and though Lady Horatia might be destined to marry this year, Darcy had no desire to be the unfortunate candidate. He was considering how best to withdraw when dinner was announced.
His aunt drew near. “Nephew, you will escort Lady Isabella, and Richard will attend Lady Horatia.”
Darcy’s eyes met Richard’s, though he did not dare linger, lest he betray himself with laughter. What possessed his aunt to suppose either he or Richard might admire these ladies?
He went to Lady Isabella’s side. “My lady.” He offered his arm and conducted her to the dining room. They found their places, and he seated her.
By the end of the week, Darcy remembered little of that evening; it might now be considered amusing, though it had not struck him so at the time. That night, a measure of pity stirred in him for Lady Horatia, a woman endowed with many advantages, undone by an unfortunate fondness for drink.
