The three women rose and curtsied.
“Mrs. Darcy, Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy.” He bowed graciously to each woman.
“Mr. Selkirk. Please have a seat. May I offer you tea?”
“Yes, thank you. I have been to Bakewell and came straight here.”
His brows had drawn together.
“Sir, is anything amiss?”
“No, ma’am. I apologize if I have alarmed you. I merely wished to inform your husband that Mr. Baker put down a rabid fox two days ago. The tenants said the animal ran openly in daylight. The man shot it when it charged both him and his horse.”
“Sir, did it bite anyone?”
“No, ma’am. No one was injured. They intend to set traps should any other wildlife exhibit signs of the madness.”
Kitty sat rigid. Her face had gone pale, and she had taken hold of Georgiana’s hand.
Selkirk hastened to apologize.
“Miss Bennet, I beg your pardon. I did not intend to frighten you.”
She inclined her head. “It is of no consequence, sir. I am certain we are all grateful for the information. We shall exercise greater caution when we go out to walk.”
“I am glad to hear that you are taking every precaution.” Addressing Elizabeth, he said, “Mrs. Darcy, you ought to have your gamekeeper survey the estate each day to ensure there are no other diseased animals. I am doing the same on my estate, and the other landowners with whom I spoke this morning intend to do likewise. We must eradicate this scourge as quickly as possible.”
The tea tray arrived, and Elizabeth poured.
“Mr. Selkirk, our gamekeeper, has been checking the traps, though he has not provided me with any reports. Mr. Darcy does not wish me to worry while he is away, but perhaps you might speak with him. Would you tell him what you learned and also inquire whether any other animals afflicted with the madness have been found on Pemberley land?”
“Of course, ma’am. I shall speak with him before I depart.”
“Kitty, will you ring the bell and ask Walters to send for the gamekeeper?” Then addressing Mr. Selkirk, she said, “Sir, you may meet with him in my husband's study.”
Kitty rose to do as she was asked, and Elizabeth noticed Mr. Selkirk's gaze follow her to the door. Did the gentleman find Kitty worthy of his notice?
And then, with an eye toward matchmaking, she said, “Sir, if you have no other plans this evening, would you join us for dinner? We have been very much alone without Mr. Darcy.”
His eyes brightened, and his smile held genuine pleasure.
“I should like that very much, ma’am. I am free this evening.”
“Thank you, sir. We sit down to dinner at seven. Is that convenient?”
“Yes, ma’am. I shall be here.”
“How does your bereaved sister fare, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Mary is well, sir. They had not yet been married a year, and much of that time was spent here with me, as she required additional care. She is more shocked than grieved at present. The loss still seems unreal to her, but caring for her twin boys has brought her comfort.”
His gaze shifted to Kitty.
“And how do you and Miss Kitty fare, ma’am?”
“Sir, he was not a near relation. Indeed, Kitty had never met him before he came to us here. She has not been greatly affected, and I knew him little better. Still, we remember him as our brother, though our acquaintance with him was brief.”
Walters entered the drawing room.
