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“Really, Henry,” said the countess with a sigh. “He has done nothing of the sort, Miss Bennet. You must excuse my son. He really does exaggerate dreadfully.”
Mr. Darcy’s mouth was slightly agape. “Please tell me that you are indeed exaggerating, Henry,” he said.
“Of course I am!” exclaimed the viscount. “It is really only three in the past month. And do not fret, Mama. They were none of them over you.”
Elizabeth was just close enough to hear the viscount as he whispered, “Not this month, anyway.”
Mr. Darcy was about to refuse. She could see it in his inflexible posture and wrinkled brow. Although she wished to deny it, the viscount had a point. If the men at his club were to see that her betrothed was a happy man rather than one who hid from view, it might make the early days a little easier to bear for them both.
She stepped forward. “Might I borrow my intended for a moment, my lord?” she asked politely.
He offered her another sweeping bow, and she could not help but answer it with a small but impatient huff before taking Mr. Darcy’s arm and stepping away.
“Elizabeth,” he said firmly, “if you would prefer I remain, I shall. I have no desire to visit the club with Henry.”
She worried her bottom lip before replying, “As long as you are safe, William, I believe you should go.”
His confusion was endearing. “You do?”
“As long as you believe your cousin will keep you safe,” she repeated. “Yes.”
“I do not require Henry to protect me,” he grumbled.
Elizabeth searched Mr. Darcy’s face. He was clenching his jaw. “Would you normally have done as your cousin recommends, had our courtship transpired in a more traditional way?”
Mr. Darcy considered her question before answering. “I do not know, to be truthful. It is more in Henry’s style than my own, but I might have been more easily persuaded had I not lately been required to remove you from quite so many trunks.”
She touched his arm. “I am in your uncle’s house, the same house that protects your sister.”
“And turned Howard’s notice from Georgiana to you.” He took her hand and traced the palm of it with the pad of his thumb.
“None of that, William,” Elizabeth told him sternly. “It was not your fault. I will say it again and again until you agree—you are responsible only for your own actions.”
He gave her a sly look. “Actually, once we are married, I am legally responsible for your actions.”
“Are you?” Elizabeth placed a finger on her chin. “All of the mischief and none of the punishment. I think I shall enjoy being married.”
“Minx,” he said. “I would kiss you now, you know, were the room not so full.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed. “Go out with your cousin. I promise I will not leave the house today.”
“Very well. If you insist.”
She felt him squeeze her hand before he raised it to bestow a kiss. He had given her one after all. “I do. You might even try to enjoy yourself a little.”
“Well done, Miss Bennet!” cried the viscount, who had sidled over to listen. He pointed at her, ignoring her surprise and Mr. Darcy’s scowl at his rudeness. “You may call me Henry!”
