Page 14 of Master of Himself

Now having a full understanding of what Darcy had endured this past month, he supposed he owed his friend an apology. He knew Caroline hoped to impress Darcy with her skills as hostess and potential mistress of his house, but she was making a dashed nuisance of herself.

However, upon further consideration, he decided to use this situation to his best advantage. “My chef makes the best roast turkey,” he said, despite having no idea if this were true.

When Caroline’s eyes brightened at this observation, he suspected the chances of having his favourite dishes served rather than Darcy’s were quite excellent.

At the end of the meal, Caroline rose from her chair. “Come, Louisa and Miss Eliza,” she said. “Let’s leave the men to their drinks.”

The ladies obediently followed her out of the dining parlour.

“Well,” Darcy said once the footmen had cleared the table and left the room. “That went reasonably well.”

“I must apologise, Darcy,” Charles said. “I can’t imagine how you’ve endured Caroline’s relentless questions this past month. She never gave me a moment’s peace.”

“Now you’re beginning to understand what your neglect has wrought.”

Charles cringed at this reproach. “She never listens to me, or Henry either.”

“You must take a firmer stance, Charles, or she’ll take advantage of you.”

Henry barked out a laugh. “That ship has sailed.”

Darcy relinquished his chair. “Change places with me and sit at the head of your table. We’re drinking your wine, after all.”

Charles changed seats, while Darcy and Henry sat on either side of him. “We’re still no closer to figuring out how to solve our dilemma, Henry,” he said as he filled the wine glasses. That burden weighed heavily on his shoulders.

“I’ve been thinking – you’ve probably been cursed by the dark arts,” Henry said with an uncommonly serious mien.

“Witchcraft?” This suggestion was unfathomable to Charles.

Henry vaguely waved his hand in the air. “Evil spirits or some such thing.”

Darcy scoffed. “Preposterous.”

Henry drew his brows together. “How else can you explain it? Nothing in the natural world caused this mix-up?” he said, pointing to Charles and Darcy. “No, I tell you, it’s devilry.”

“Maybe so,” Darcy said, “but that brings us no closer to finding a solution.”

Henry lit a cigar, blew out a puff of smoke, and leaned back in his chair. “Well, no. I suppose you must find the devil if you are to reverse his spell, or hex, or whatever he’s done.”

“Don’t tell me you believe in such things, Henry,” Charles said.

Shaking his head, Henry took up his glass. “Never did before, but can’t deny it now,” he said, then swallowed down half his wine. “Look on the bright side. One of you could have switched with me instead.”

Darcy visibly shuddered. “Thank the gods.”

Charles grumbled as he refilled Henry’s glass. Tonight was certainly not the first time his brother-in-law had succumbed to Bacchus’s persuasion. Once again, Henry was in his cups.

“How is Miss Bennet?” he inquired.

“Still unwell, I’m afraid,” Darcy said in a grim tone. “Miss Elizabeth is quite worried.”

His mind reeling, Charles despaired at the hopelessness of his situation. “Is there to be no end to the trouble laid at my door?” he wondered aloud. If being in the wrong body were not bad enough, Miss Bennet was gravely ill, and Caroline was flirting with him. His present circumstances were past all endurance.

Since neither Darcy nor Henry offered any solutions, he finished his wine and suggested that they join the ladies in the drawing room.

***

When the men entered the drawing room, Darcy lamented Miss Elizabeth’s absence, but he supposed she must be in the sickroom tending to her sister. He had been taken aback by her sombre demeanour at supper, so unlike her usual liveliness. She reminded him of those dark days at home this past summer when Georgiana had been forced to come to terms with losing her first love. He’d been ill-prepared to advise her and, if not for Mrs Annesley’s gentle guidance, she might still be in the depths of despair. She had grown up without the benefit of her mother’s instruction, and her absence still weighed heavily on Darcy’s mind.