Page 29 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
He glanced at the book and then smiled, and Elizabeth had to concede he appeared entirely different when smiling.
“I must confess, I do not relish losing as much as I did, and I am unaccustomed to it,” he said.
“I see. So, you have not sneaked away to avoid playing billiards with Thomas, but rather to perfect your card skills, that you might triumph over them next time.”
His expression grew serious again. “It is true I was fatigued. However, I found that when I attempted to sleep, I could not. Much has been weighing upon my mind.”
“Beyond card games and unforeseen company?”
“Indeed, beyond that. And the company was not unwelcome. My sister is very fond of you and yours,” he said, omitting to mention that Georgiana was also quite taken with Thomas. But perhaps he did not notice.
“Miss Darcy is a complete delight. After you departed, she joined our game along with Miss Bingley. Mr Bingley and my sister vacated their seats as well, leaving me quite alone with Thomas. Were it not for your sister and Miss Bingley, I would not have had a chance to win against Thomas thrice in a row.”
Mr Darcy shifted slightly, and she wondered if he felt uncomfortable with the notion of Thomas participating in the game.
“I see. Well, I am certain my sister will recount all particulars in the morning when we take breakfast.”
“She is a joy to be around,” Elizabeth admitted, stepping closer and resting a hand on the back of the armchair before Mr Darcy. He nodded once, indicating for her to sit, and she obliged. Just why she had chosen to remain in the library to converse with him was a mystery; something about him compelled her to stay. He seemed so serene, so unlike the Darcy she had come to know, that she wished to discover if there indeed lay more to him than met the eye.
“Georgiana has always been a delightful child and is now blossoming into a charming young woman. A trifle too quickly for my liking.”
“That is what my father always says regarding my sisters. Although I daresay my younger sister is far less sophisticated than yours.”
“It must be a difficult situation for him, a father with five daughters.”
“I believe it was more arduous for him when we were all young. When Thomas joined us, at least he had one other gentleman in the house to provide him comfort.”
“Not as much comfort as a son would have, I am sure.”
“Neither my father nor Thomas can help it that a lad is not regarded as a natural born son. Even though he ought to be. My father undoubtedly considers Thomas his son, and so do I consider him my brother, as do my sisters. As for Thomas, he feels the same way about us.”
He paused for a moment, looking down at his hands before raising his gaze to meet hers. “I should thank you for your intervention with Wickham at Lucas Lodge.”
“I did nothing,” she replied. “It was Thomas who was keen to assist.”
He nodded once. “And I shall thank him. He does regard you as family, does he not?” Mr Darcy asked, and Elizabeth pursed her lips, pondering her response.
“He does. He is family. He is my cousin. But more than that, he is like a brother to us, and he would never let any harm befall us. He’d do anything for us.”
Mr Darcy nodded. “Indeed. He is the sort of man who would always look out for you, doing whatever necessary to ensure you are all well-protected. Both now and in the future.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed as he said these words for she knew their meaning. He implied that Thomas somehow arranged for their carriage to break down to throw Mr Bingley and Jane together.
“Mr Darcy, I do not know what it is you wish to imply,” she said, though she knew perfectly well. He raised a hand.
“I imply nothing. I merely feel it is fortunate that you have someone who wishes to look after you. That is all, Miss Bennet. Now. I shall bid you a good night,” he said but Elizabeth could not allow herself to let him depart first. Not after his unsolicited comment.
She took the first book she could off the shelf and turned. “No, Mr Darcy. I ought to leave you to your card studies. You shall need it, if tonight is any indication.” With that, she turned, anger burning in her stomach along with some disappointment over the turn their conversation had taken. At last she thought she’d found common ground with Mr Darcy, only for his ill-manners to flare up and dash it all once more.
And what bothered her more than anything was the fact that while they had conversed, she’d enjoyed herself. Indeed, she found that, for the first time, she genuinely looked forward to continuing her conversation with Mr Darcy. But that thought was now gone, along with the old family feeling of contempt for the man who thought himself above all others.
Chapter Fifteen
Elizabeth
Morning came swiftly as the entire party rose early to partake of breakfast before riding out. To Elizabeth’s relief, Mr Darcy appeared an especially early riser and had dressed, eaten, and set out for the stable before Elizabeth’s party even arrived. Miss Darcy, or Georgiana as she preferred to be called, looked utterly elated to be riding out, though Elizabeth suspected this was linked to Thomas, with whom she had already conversed whilst buttering her morning roll.
The way she gazed at him, with her eyes wide and a smile upon her lips, made Elizabeth feel both pleased and alarmed; for nothing could come of such an infatuation. Fortunately, Thomas was well aware of this and did his utmost to dissuade the young lady by engaging instead in rather stilted conversation with Mrs Hurst and her husband.
