Page 140 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“That will give us time to reach our destination by Friday or Saturday at the latest. If we may meet with the…the person we will see on Saturday, then we shall begin our return journey on Monday morning. In the worst case, we will be back by next Friday…or perhaps Saturday.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes and searched for something positive to say. Finally, she spoke more brightly than she felt.

“Still more than a full month before my birthday. You celebrated with me last year, and I hope to make it a tradition.”

Fitzwilliam smiled warmly. “I will celebrate every birthday with you forever. Will you have a family dinner, as you did last year?”

“I think so. If Jane and Mr. Bingley are still in town, they will come, as well, but I think they will return to Netherfield Park soon.”

“Are they in London?”

“Oh, yes. They returned from their wedding trip while you were gone. They are staying with the Hursts, but…”

“A little too crowded for the newly married couple?”

Elizabeth blushed and nodded. “Miss Bingley is not easy to live with, and her wedding is still some time away.”

“Not so long away as our wedding.”

Elizabeth gazed into his eyes, and he pushed a curl off her face, caressing her ear and then brushing his fingers down her jaw before pulling his hand back to his lap with a glance at her aunt.

“When I return, promise me we will find a moment alone somewhere. Only a minute or two. Perhaps Dutton’s or…I can think of no other place, as Matthew is an excellent chaperone.”

Elizabeth swallowed. “He is. But yes, he usually waits outside Dutton’s when you join me there. Or…what about the Hurst home? I could visit Jane, and we could meet in the library.”

“No, no. That is too much. We must not allow ourselves that much privacy. Forgive me, my love. I should not have suggested anything. I will leave you now, and I will write to you. We will be together soon. Enjoy your time with your cousin this week.”

All too quickly, he was gone, and she wished she had not mentioned the Hursts’ library. She had not meant anything so very scandalous by it. She thought he hinted that he would like to kiss her again, as he had done in Hertfordshire, and she would welcome it, but he must have thought her wanton to have made the invitation. Shame burned red on her neck and face as she realized he had wanted nothing more than to speak freely without an audience. She hoped he had been looking for a way to share more of whatever it was he was doing with his cousin. He had not answered her questions about their business except to say he would tell her as much as he could when it was over.

Darcy was miserable company on their journey to Yorkshire. Trapped in a carriage with his jovial cousin was torture when all he could think about was Elizabeth and how long it had been since he had kissed her. What was worse, he was feeling sorry for himself about the year stretching before him until he could marry her and kiss her every day.

His hand in his pocket, he stroked the smooth back of the miniature portrait Elizabeth had given him in December. He had pulled it out and gazed at it so many times he was almost in danger of confusing the image’s eyes with Elizabeth’s. Yet he could never forget her sparkling mischievousness, and he sighed loudly.

He had written to her in the bumpy carriage as best he could, posting it the first time they stopped to change horses. Another letter had gone to her the following day from their inn and again this morning from yet another inn. He was determined to be as attentive as if they truly were engaged, even though the match was not yet sanctioned by her uncle.

Perhaps it was best they had been apart so much since they had come to an understanding. It was becoming increasingly difficult to be a gentleman. Had he been out of his senses to propose they meet alone, purposely shrugging off her aunt’s and Matthew’s attentive eyes? Darcy shook his head at his own stupidity.

“We are nearly to Rowe Manor, Darcy. Are you going to tell me what is bothering you, so we can focus on the task at hand?”

“Forgive me. It is only my frustration at the state of my engagement to Elizabeth. I apologize for being such poor company these three days, but I am prepared to meet the duke.”

“Glad to hear it. He may not appreciate visitors so late in the day, but if you are still in agreement, I think this is the best plan. If he sends us away, we can ask for an audience on the morrow or even seek him out at the local church services.”

Darcy took a deep breath as he shifted his focus to their purpose. “Yes, yes. It is a fine plan.”

Not half an hour later, they had been shown into the study of the Duke of Malmesbury. Darcy chastised himself inwardly when his first thought on looking at the man was that his eyes reminded him of Elizabeth. Everything reminded him of Elizabeth, but this was hardly the time to be distracted.

“Your Grace, thank you for meeting with us,” Darcy said after he and his cousin had introduced themselves and they had been invited to sit opposite the duke, who took his seat behind a large desk.

“I remember Lord Matlock, of course, but I do not concern myself with politics much these days. I hope he did not send his son and nephew here to persuade me to take up any cause.”

“My father does not know we are here, Your Grace. We have come on a more personal matter.” Richard was in his army uniform again today, wishing to lend a degree of authority to their business.

“Very well. Go on.”

“My cousin Darcy made a discovery some months ago that has prompted us to investigate your son’s dealings in Antwerp.”

The duke inhaled sharply. “Oliver? You have come to speak to me of Oliver?” His voice trembled, but he sounded eager.