Page 38 of The Heir and Spare
“Yes, I’m well.”
“Well, indeed.”
Fitz moved forward, returning to their previous pace. Lizzie fell in step with Arthur so that now she was walking between the twins.
The heat burning off of him almost jumped out to her.
Twice, their hands brushed and even through her gloves, she found it tingly and exhilarating and full of yearning. More. She wanted more of him, more brushing, more nearness, more of him.
She knew he might not be hers. She knew he might not care for her, and he’d have every reason to think her quite the harpy, if she were being honest. But she could in no way shield her heart anymore from this man. He was truly all that she’d wanted. Now that the previous concerns were put to rest, she felt free to love him. But steady on, she would need to pace herself.
Ridiculous, desperate craving was not something she thought she’d ever feel. But at the moment that’s all she could feel. She needed to overcome this or else she’d make a bumbling fool of herself for the rest of the day.
Fitz hummed to himself a moment and then stopped. “I met you in Meryton.”
She and Arthur both paused as well, Arthur pressing his lips together.
She nodded. “Yes, that was you.” She laughed and turned to Arthur. “And it was you at the house party.”
“House party?” Fitz tilted his head.
“Lord Shackley invited us both, with Miss Mary as well.”
“And that is where you two met.” Fitz rubbed his chin with his hand. “But you thought I was him?”
“I thought you were both the same person this whole time.”
“That must have been a bit of a turmoil.” Fitz nodded.
“Yes, to say the least. You two did not treat me the same way…”
“Then I can only blame myself for my behavior in Meryton not to immediately notice the diamond in that small town and do all in my power to be more impressive of a catch.” He winked. Before she could respond, he pointed toward the barn. “Shall we be off, then?”
“Yes, we shall.” Arthur softened his tone with a gentle smile to them both. “Though I, too, am very intrigued in all that happened between the two of you while she thought it was I.”
“Or she thought you were I.” Fitz pointed.
She laughed. “This is quite a story. And I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more often.”
“Well, most often, we are near people who already know us or at least know of us. Meryton is not somewhere we have ever been.”
As they approached the barn, servants opened the doors and stood at attention. She’d never experienced anything like the fineness of Pemberley.
Arthur glanced in her direction once more and then stepped forward. “We are going to need as many as can possibly bespared to assist on Periwinkle Lane. The flood has trapped many, and I don’t know the situations of others. Our home is open. The vicarage, I’m assuming, is as well. Perhaps we will need the barn. Please grab warm blankets and carts and make your way to assist.”
They immediately sprang into action. Arthur himself opened the stores and grabbed a handful of blankets.
Fitzwilliam turned to her. “And someone needs to take care of you.” He called to a passing servant. “Could we get a pair of boots for the lady?”
“Yes, very good, sir.”
“Thank you. I do hope to be of use. I can’t imagine being flooded in my own home.”
“Nor I.” He shuddered. “But they are more used to it than we, I would assume. Don’t allow yourself to be overcome. They will be well.”
“Yes, thanks to your family. It’s wonderful how you treat them.” She remembered his recklessness in town. “I only feel sorry that you felt the need to entertain us while so many suffered. We would have understood had you needed to cancel or leave us, or anything at all.” She watched him.
His face remained blank. But he toyed with his timepiece for a moment. “My brother and I see things differently. I, of course, knew that the tenants were in trouble. The vicar is working. The tenants themselves are working. I alerted Arthur. And I had important guests at my table. All in good time, everything can be taken care of.” He held her gaze a moment longer. “I don’t think anything is more important than your time at my table or that of your family.”
