Page 43 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy
Darcy hesitated. “Very well. Is there anything I can assist you with? Any interest you wish to pursue? I could make an introduction at the circulating library, if you would like.”
She shook her head and set her knife down. “You need not fret, Mr Darcy. It is as I said. I simply prefer privacy at this moment, that is all.”
He nodded, knowing that to press further might only unsettle her, and he had no desire to intrude. Instead, he pickedup his newspaper once more, and they completed the remainder of breakfast in silence.
***
Later that afternoon, as Darcy strolled along the lake, he spotted Elizabeth and Kitty seated on a bench nearby.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth called out, a wide, warm smile gracing her features. “Will you not join us?”
He did not need to be asked twice. Quickly, he took a seat beside them.
“What a lovely day,” Elizabeth remarked. “Do you not agree? Josephine and Maxwell have returned.”
Darcy chuckled. “Indeed, they have. I saw the geese this morning as well. I already set out to feed them.”
Kitty laughed. “They will be the plumpest in all of Derbyshire at this rate. I have noticed the two of you together by the lake nearly every morning.”
Darcy caught the way she winked at her sister as she said the word together and noticed Elizabeth’s slight flush.
“I would not sayeverymorning,” Elizabeth replied, looking away as if caught out.
Kitty turned to Darcy. “Have you seen Mary?”
“This morning at breakfast, but not since. I believe she took the carriage into town.”
“She has been quieter of late,” Elizabeth mused. “It is rather odd that she has retreated.”
Darcy leaned back, considering. “Do you think she might be homesick? Ought we consider sending her back, at least for a visit?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Mary has never shown fondness for Meryton. Indeed, she has often spoken of how uninspiring she finds it.”
“That is true,” Kitty added. “She always said she wished to live somewhere else—in Scotland, London, or somewhere with more to see and do.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Then perhaps we ought to make a greater effort to engage her. She may enjoy a change of scenery, Matlock, perhaps? Your sisters could accompany Georgiana.”
Elizabeth smiled at him, warmth in her gaze. “An excellent idea. But will they be willing to host them, so soon after Lady Catherine’s visit?”
Lady Catherine had travelled to Matlock directly from Pemberley and informed her brother of Anne’s confession. This he had learned from his uncle, who had been rather exasperated by the whole affair. He’d written to Richard and requested his presence at Matlock at his earliest convenience, something Richard intended to accomplish soon, if his own letter was anything to go by.
Darcy felt rather like a spectator to these proceedings, at once helpless to assist his cousins and glad he was no longer a central player in this particular game.
“I should think they will be happy to see Georgiana, she always brings them much joy. And what is better than one young lady? Why, three of course!” He smiled, and Kitty brightened.
“Oh, a visit to Matlock would be most agreeable! What is Lady Matlock like? Pray, tell me she bears no resemblance to Lady Catherine.”
Darcy chuckled. “Not in the slightest, Lady Matlock is a gracious hostess—you would like her.”
Elizabeth turned to him with a knowing smile. “Such a considerate proposal, Mr Darcy. Or is it that you wish for a quieter house?”
His faint smile betrayed him. “I cannot deny that the thought is appealing.”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened, amusement flickering in her eyes. The idea of having the house to themselves was indeed thrilling. And if he judged her reaction correctly, she too felt this way. And that in and of itself made the suggestion worthwhile.
“Then it is settled,” he announced then. “I will write to my uncle post haste.”
And with that, Darcy felt something settle within himself as well.
