Page 24 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

“What? Had he not just leased the property recently?”

“He did.”

“Does Hertfordshire not agree with him?”

“There were circumstances there that…his sisters and I believe he is better situated elsewhere.”

She stared at him, and he knew his cryptic answer did not satisfy her, but, again, she refrained from pressing; nonetheless, Abby did not forget small details and could often find a way to unearth the information she sought before one was even aware that anything had been divulged.

“I will have Mrs. Singh bring supper to your room. If you are not expected at Rosings till the morrow, you ought to stay the night here. Pierre can serve as your valet.”

He breathed in relief, for he had hoped she would extend just such an invitation. “If it is not too much an imposition—”

“Darcy, you are never an imposition. Quite the contrary. Your arrival is most timely.”

She took in a deep breath, and he wondered if she was unsure of herself. He had never known Abby to be uncertain.

“I have as a guest a young woman in need of an introduction. Of all those who have served as instructor, I have determined your manners to be the most tender and most suitable to her naïveté.”

Though she had never before been reticent to address him, she refrained from looking at him directly.

He hesitated. “It has been some time since…”

She smiled to reassure him. “You were far too good a student to forget your art.”

“Nonetheless, I am out of practice.”

“She will not know it. She is new to the wicked arts. You spoke of being restless. Perhaps a lesson would calm whatever ails you.”

He weighed her words. The responsibility—and pleasure—of awakening a woman to the capabilities of her own body would surely divert his attention from Miss Elizabeth. Abby waited in silence for his response, and he knew then there was no refusing her. She would wait an eternity without word lest he gave her the answer she wanted.

“I should be honoured.”

“Her family is of a good sort, I believe. In all honesty, I know very little of her or her background, but I am quite taken by her. Her decision to seek an education caught me by surprise, and I wonder that she may suffer buyer’s remorse at any time. We must take every care to guard her identity.”

He almost protested the need for such reminders for he had never been indiscreet.

“I have formed quite a fondness for her and wish her to have the best experience possible.”

“I will endeavour to do my best.”

Abby beamed. “Of course you will, and I trust you above anyone.”

“I doubt I merit such a compliment.”

Her eyes gleamed. “I can say unequivocally you were my best student.”

“And I am forever indebted to you that you were willing to take on the mantle of teacher with me.”

“The pleasure was mine.”

Their exchange thereafter was the warm and easy affection he remembered till Mr. Singh came to inform them that the guestroom was ready. After Abby promised to join him for supper, they parted ways.

In his room, while Pierre assisted him from his riding clothes, Darcy reconsidered his decision not to share the events at Hertfordshire with Abby. His conscience weighed on him. It was his persistent persuasion, as well as the efforts of Bingley’s sisters, Caroline and Louisa, that had compelled Charles to quit Netherfield.

While in London, Miss Jane Bennet had called upon Miss Bingley. Between him and Caroline, they had kept the knowledge of Miss Bennet’s presence to themselves. He was not pleased with his duplicity in not informing Charles, and as if by way of punishing himself, he did not pass a single day without thinking of Miss Elizabeth. After she had refused his hand in dance at the Lucas assembly, he had considered it just as well that she took no interest in him. Perhaps her response would cool his own. But shortly thereafter, Nature and the Bennets had, unknowingly, conspired otherwise.

After the Lucas ball, at the request of her brother, Caroline had invited Miss Bennet to dine with her and Louisa at Netherfield. Despite the dreary weather, Jane had arrived on horseback rather than by carriage. Darcy had thought it rather suspect and would not have been surprised if Mrs. Bennet had sent her daughter through the rain on purpose. As a consequence, intended or not, Miss Bennet had fallen ill and was obliged to remain at Netherfield.