Page 44 of One Night with Mr. Darcy
Elizabeth froze, turning to glare at Charlotte.
Charlotte gave her a positively wicked smile.
Elizabeth went back to the door, her voice tight. “Do come in, Mr. Darcy, of course.”
“No, I couldn’t,” said Mr. Darcy. “I wouldn’t wish to intrude.”
Willie pointed at Mr. Darcy. “Fitzwillie!” he said, bursting into peals of laughter.
Mr. Darcy’s face broke into an uncontrollable smile at the sound of the boy’s laughter. “Hello there, little Willie.”
Willie fought out of Charlotte’s arms to toddle over to Mr. Darcy, reaching up chubby arms.
Mr. Darcy came into the room and swept him up, swinging the boy around, and Willie squealed in delight.
Charlotte was on her feet. “Well, then, how interesting.”
Elizabeth winced, staring down at the carpet. Lord.Oh, Lord.
“Miss Lucas,” said Mr. Darcy, settling Willie on his hip. “So good to see you. I hope your family is well.”
“Oh, indeed, Mr. Darcy. It is good to see you as well. And so wonderful that you are so well acquainted with little William.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Darcy, “I don’t suppose I’ll make a secret of it, at this point.” He turned to Elizabeth. “My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam presents himself as a charmer, but I’m afraid he’s a bit of a wastrel. So, I’m here to declare my own intention to court you, and to stop him from what he plans for you. His intentions are only to get Rosings, you know. He has no true regard for you. You and I, however, have known each other for a number of years. We’re a much better match.”
Charlotte let out a guffaw. “Oh, Lord in heaven, this cannot be happening.”
“Court me?” said Elizabeth in a very confused voice. “I am a married woman.”
“Yes,” said Mr. Darcy. “For now. Anyway, naturally, I wish to show you that I’d be the better choice, and one does that by showing just how well he’d get on with your child. I doubt the colonel has done any such thing?”
Elizabeth’s lips parted. What was he playing at?
Charlotte was still laughing.
Elizabeth rounded on her, shaking her head.
Charlotte attempted to stifle her giggles.
“I hardly think my husband would be pleased at this news,” said Elizabeth.
“Well, I’m sure he’d wish you well taken care of in the event of his death,” said Mr. Darcy, turning to little Willie. “And after that unfortunate circumstance, I shall be happy to be a proper papa to this one.”
“Proper papa, proper papa, proper papa!” crowed Willie.
Elizabeth had to admit that was well done. It was only a matter of time before that particular turn of phrase made it out of Willie’s mouth in mixed company. Mr. Darcy had gotten ahead of it rather handily. But this plan of his, it was madness.
She could not becourted.
“I forbid you from courting me,” said Elizabeth.
“Me?” said Mr. Darcy. “Or does this edict extend to my cousin as well?”
“Both of you, obviously,” said Elizabeth.
“Very well, we’ll call it something else,” said Mr. Darcy, tickling Willie under his chin. “What shall we call it, little man? Shall we simply say we are staying on to help your mother settle in to her new position at Rosings?”
Charlotte shook her head, no longer laughing, but with a huge smile stretching out her face. “I suppose you’re quite eager to get Rosings back into the family fold.”
