Page 101 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Darcy’s smile grew.

“Forgive me. You must think me a bluestocking.”

“And why should you care if I did? You have always had a charming curiosity for learning, and I see nothing objectionable in your interest. Never let others tell you what to care about or which knowledge is worth your efforts to attain.”

She smiled at him and then returned to leafing through the book on her lap. After a few more minutes she closed the book and looked at him.

“I apologize. I will take this book out and read it later. You asked me to come today. Did you need to speak about something?”

As he looked into her earnest eyes he struggled to remember why he had not yet made her his wife. He was sure he had a reason, so he broke from her gaze and perused the magazines on a nearby table, though he did not really see them. In truth, he had asked her here today for no other reason than to be with her one more time before leaving the city.

“No, no. I only wished to be sure you will be well with Miss Bennet and Miss Bingley while I am away. Do they treat you better now than they did in times past?”

“Oh! Jane and I are good friends. I suppose you have not seen us together many times since we reconciled, but we are friends again.”

“And Miss Bingley? I do not think she has always been kind to you.”

Elizabeth’s smile faltered, and he inwardly kicked himself for choosing this topic in their last moments together for nearly two weeks.

“Miss Bingley and I have not spoken much for a long time, but Jane tells me she wishes to be friends again. Our time together at Christmas was strained but better than it had been in London. We are attempting to get along, I believe.”

“Perhaps her two suitors will improve her mood.”

Elizabeth grinned. “Perhaps they will. She was cordial enough at the dinner Saturday evening. Perhaps she simply needed someone to dote on her as Mr. Hillyerd does.”

Darcy had not noticed Miss Bingley’s attitude or her suitor’s, but he prayed Elizabeth was correct and the woman would be kind to her.

“Is Miss Darcy resigned to your journey tomorrow?”

Darcy grimaced. “She is still upset to be required to go, but she has not argued against it anymore. I have assured her I will go riding with her every day, which is far more refreshing in the countryside than on London’s busy streets.”

“I would be willing to put up with a great deal for the privilege of daily rides through the countryside. I am sure your sister will be more relaxed once she breathes the fresh air and feels the warm breeze on her skin.”

Elizabeth had closed her eyes and must be imagining her own country escape.

“That is how you felt in Hertfordshire.”

She chuckled and opened her eyes. “I think so. It has been so long that it is difficult to remember. In more than four years, I have not been out of London except in the dead of winter, so I recall icy breezes and a frozen nose when I ride. My uncle sold the horse Jane and I rode, in any case, so I only walk there now. I do long to see flowers in bloom outside of a window box or city park.” She sighed and then smiled. “No matter. If Mary and Jane marry before the weather turns cold, I will perhaps experience warmer country weather this year.”

Darcy wondered whether he could arrange anything. Once they wed, he could contrive everything for her happiness. Soon, Elizabeth. Soon.

Chapter Forty-Three

Elizabeth and Jane giggled like schoolgirls the next afternoon over her cousin’s telling of the dances she had shared with her betrothed the night before. Elizabeth was happy for Jane and Mr. Bingley, whom she had become comfortable spending time with regularly again this year.

“And did Miss Bingley divide her time evenly between her two suitors?”

“She danced two sets with each and gave the supper set to someone else rather than choose. Poor Caroline.”

“Poor Caroline? Do you really think so? She has two eligible men who wish to marry her. Does she not like either?”

“I think she likes them both. That makes this so much more difficult for her.”

“I suppose you are correct. One man truly devoted, with affections I could return, would be sublime.”

“Precisely.” Jane sighed.

Elizabeth missed Mr. Darcy already, though they had spoken in the library for more than an hour the day before. She realized with a clarity she could no longer deny that she would be heartbroken when he ended their association this time. She had known she would not like it, but she thought she had been protecting her heart. She had fooled herself into believing she would have no trouble filling her life with other interests when he left, as she had done the last time.