Page 41 of The Heir and Spare
Her face warmed so much she felt feverish. “And now we shall have to pretend once again to be at odds.”
“Why would we do that?” He frowned.
“So we can accomplish something this evening.” She laughed. “I would certainly like to be of use.”
“And we shall.” He waved to a servant who stepped forward. “Our conveyance awaits.” They rounded a corner, and a cart full of supplies was loaded and ready with a donkey to pull it.
“Most excellent.” She circled around to climb in, but Mr. Darcy called out.
“Now wait. I must help you up like a gentleman should.”
“Ah, very true.” She placed her hand in his and the thrill of any attention from him raced through her. “I don’t suppose I shall get used to that too quickly.”
“Did you enjoy that as much as I?”
“I might have.” She grinned. “Now stop. We are not to flirt so shamelessly.”
“Ah, success! If you noticed I’m flirting, I’m at last doing it correctly.”
She laughed, with abandon. “You are too self-deprecating. I’m certain there are many women half in love with you and your charms.”
He shook his head gravely. “I have not wished to know many women in such a manner. I’m generally much more reserved. Some call me proud.”
She studied him for a few minutes and just nodded. “But I’d think it was a good kind of pride. I cannot imagine the arrogance on the faces of so many on you. It wouldn’t fit.”
His eyes twinkled, and he took the reins. “And now we are off.”
They moved out down the lane. “Where are we headed?”
“We are in search of the vicar. First stop, the vicarage. I do believe he is hosting many there, and he will have news on the rest, I hope.”
“And Fitz?”
Darcy’s eyes clouded a moment, but he smiled. “My brother will assist those who have been left or trapped or unreachable from the vicarage but more accessible from our side of the dirt trails.”
“Is that where you found the others?”
“Yes, it was. And a sad state they were in.”
She nodded. “We shall do all we can. I admit to being anxious to arrive.”
“I, too. But I will not begrudge a moment or two with you. Of all the pursuits today, even though some are, indeed, very pressing, my pursuit of you is the most important to me. I hope you know that. Even though things will get drastically busy and I may leave or be distracted, this right here is where I long to be.”
She nodded. “I would not want you to stay too close if it meant others could not be helped, though my heart might wish otherwise.” Her face flamed. She was so bold. She had never been this bold. But he seemed to listen with supreme contentment as though she brought him great balms of comfort.
“We will make a good pair this night then, I suspect.”
Chapter 23
Arthur
They arrived at the vicarage, and things were much worse than he expected. Everyone was in good spirits, more or less, but they were overtaking the vicarage with nowhere else to rest. And more kept coming. Families were sitting about on the lawn. And the night air had grown more chill.
Miss Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “This is so much. These poor people.”
“Yes, we must bring them to the great house.”
“You are so good, so generous.”
