Page 15 of The Heir and Spare
He had sent feelers out to determine if there were any properties available for sale or even land without any structures yet on it. Luckily his investments had grown, and his small estate from his mother was also profitable. There was much he could do, and he best be about giving greater attention to such things. A working estate with current tenants would be the ideal choice. And he’d enjoy being close to Pemberley, but then would he end up running two estates, his brother leaving all the work to him?
The idea of creating a legacy was appealing. To think that he could begin what his ancestor Darcy had; to gift something of worth to his future generations that he himself had created. His breath filled his chest along with a huge sense of satisfaction.
A soft hand rested on his arm. Her entrance had been so gentle, so natural that he hadn’t realized Miss Elizabeth’s approach. As gently as her entrance, he recognized that she seemed to fit in with his plans. She matched the sense of pride and hope for his future generations. He could not place why she seemed to so seamlessly blend in with his direction, but she did.
The eyes turned up to his face were smiling as she tipped her head toward Miss Mary. “They seem happy,” she whispered.
He couldn’t help but feel a touch of concern, but he nodded. “They do indeed. I haven’t yet conversed with them but they have been doing enough of that on their own.”
Their heads were dipped together in that moment, and Miss Mary seemed intent upon Lord Perceval’s every word. Again, Darcy felt concern. What were the man’s intentions? He was not Miss Mary’s guardian or anything like it. But he couldn’t help but notice she had no one speaking for her in that way at the party. If Lord Perceval was about a small flirtation during the party only, and she would be left picking up the pieces of her heart and hope and expectations, Darcy felt he should intervene. Marked attention and then a withdrawal of such left the lady in question up for ridicule and shame. Lord Perceval, while not a rake or a cad by any stretch, had certainly shown no recent intentions of settling down. If Darcy had heard correctly, he was much sought after among the ladies of theTon. Why would he leave all of that for the simpleness of Miss Mary? She was pretty enough naturally. She had a gentleness to her that Darcy admired. But she was not like any of the diamonds that Lord Perceval was reported to visit during a London Season. Had something occurred to sully his reputation there?
“You are displeased?” Miss Elizabeth’s hand pressed into his forearm, and her expression filled with concern.
“No. Not…necessarily. Miss Mary looks happy.” He didn’t know why he hesitated to explain Lord Perceval’s reputation. Heshould. Miss Elizabeth deserved to know. But at the same time, he believed in giving everyone second chances, new starts. If the man would allow himself a woman like Miss Mary, it could do everything for his life. Darcy believed in the power of a good well-suited marriage. He’d seen it in his parents and he craved it in his life.
“You are so distant in your thoughts. How were your letters from home?”
He turned his attention to the beautiful woman at his side. “I admit to not reading them yet. And yours?”
“The first one is so full of happiness and excitement from Jane that I can only think that things are well. The militia is there, and that is adding much energy in my younger sisters. Mother is pleased. Father is spending more time in the library.” She shrugged. “I think it seems like all is well. I have such high hopes for dear Jane.”
“Hopes? In what way? Jane is your elder sister is she not?”
Miss Elizabeth looked at him curiously for a moment, and he felt yet again in her presence like he was missing something rather important. But her expression cleared and she nodded. “Yes, she is elder. Although most don’t know that on first meeting. She and I are so close in age.”
“And you are dear friends, are you not?”
“Oh yes, she is my closest, most dear friend and confidante. I am truly blessed to have someone who cannot think ill of another, who is perpetually kind and wants my happiness almost as much as I do, sometimes even more than I do.”
“I, too, have such trust in my sister. Georgiana. Though she is much younger than I, barely sixteen.” He led Miss Elizabeth toward the other garden, toward the roses. He wished to see her near them, to see if she would be as entranced by the sweetness of their smell as he had been.
Lord Perceval and Miss Mary turned that direction as well.
“I feel I would learn much about you if I were to meet Georgiana.” She smiled. “Are you similar?”
“We are, in many ways. But she views me more as a guardian than a sibling, I’m afraid.”
“Are your parents not available?”
“Oh, no. They have both passed, unfortunately. She looks to me for that kind of direction now.” He paused before bringing up his brother. There was no need to explain the difference in their personalities in this instance as it might only disparage his name, which Arthur was unwilling to do. Fitz was a good person, just not ever considered the responsible one. But Miss Elizabeth could make her own opinions of his brother were they to ever meet. “She is the sweetest, most lovely person, and I have delayed her entrance in Society because I’m not certain I can help her in the ways needed. No one will be good enough, I’m afraid.” He shrugged.
But Miss Elizabeth smiled. “Oh, to have a brother like you. Though I’m not sure you’d survive all five of us Bennets out in Society at the same time.” She shook her head. “And Father seems to be avoiding the immensity of that challenge. I can see why it would be too much for any person.” She looked to Miss Mary. “This is so good for her. I’m afraid if not for moments like this, Mary is quite ignored.”
Miss Elizabeth and Darcy walked together, closer than was necessary. Her shoulder brushed against his arm more often than not. After a moment, she brought her other hand to his arm. “This is nice. I much prefer being outside in almost any weather.”
He nodded. “In that, we are in complete agreement. The last walk I took at home was in fact during a rainfall.”
She laughed. “No! I have done the same.”
“The servants.” He shook his head.
But she laughed. “Oh, I heard about it for days, everyone thinking I’d catch my death from cold.” She shrugged. “And here I am, as healthy as ever.”
“Glowing.” He reached over and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “You are lovely. Outside suits you.”
She did not dip her head in modesty at the compliment but looked him full in the face. “Thank you. I must admit you surprise me. You are so different here, and so caring, attentive.” She looked as though she might say more, and Darcy would like to hear it. Why would it be a surprise? But he’d met enough of the men in theTonto know that he was not always a fair example of his sex.
“Perhaps outside suits me as well.”
