Page 38 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“I must return, William. The sun is high enough in the sky to worry my mother.”
“Bingley and I will come to Longbourn, my love.” Darcy lowered the glove to expose Elizabeth’s wrist, pressing a kiss to it as he had done the first time they met in this exact spot.
She cupped his cheek and said, “Have a pleasant walk back to Netherfield Park.” They had just determined they would soon take all future paths together, and the thought buoyed her.
Chapter 15
A Discussion of Circumstances
“Ana, I understand Miss Lucas has aided you in your hostess duties?” Lady Matlock asked of her niece though her eyes remained fixed on her son.
“Oh, I adore her, Aunt,” Georgiana said with enthusiasm, sitting close to that very lady on the settee. “She demands I make decisions and guides me in things I would not otherwise dare to try. We discuss the events in the paper, read yesterday’s news from London, novels, and literary works. We practice Italian together and, on occasion, Latin. She has me lead nearly every conversation, and we practice what I will say when confronted with those who might discompose me in a ballroom, at the theatre, and on Bond Street. Moreover, we made our own tea blends at Longbourn with Miss Mary.”
“Yet you are neither betrothed nor married? Please tell me you are not a widow, Miss Lucas,” the countess inquired with directness.
“Thank you, Lady Matlock. I am not a widow. Three men in Hertfordshire are considered eligible. Two are my brother and the new apothecary, Mr. Jars.”
“I would have liked to make a tea blend. But I will not arrive unexpectedly to make such a request of someone I am not acquainted with. With that out of our reach, what shall we do today?” Anne glanced at her cousin, then continued to read of society’son-dits. The broadsheets were the sole means available to her for learning about the current activities of their society during her enforced sequestering in Kent.
“Aunt, did you see the lines about that duke of a rogue Carpeersworth and the shrew Lady Swatherson. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when said lady learnt he had only been paying her court because of a bet in White’s book.”
“Oh, he went through with the asking for her hand because of a wager? I suspect his cheek bore the mark of her hand, for she has known of it some days.”
Everyone stared at her, and she laughed. “You are correct, for here is the mention of his unnatural blush.” Wordlessly, Anne handed the page to her aunt, indicating the one she found amusing. The countess’s lilting laugh filled the room, and she excused herself to share the news with her husband.
Lady Matlock cast a look over her shoulder to observe Miss Lucas and her son before walking out of the room. Anne did the same, seeing her cousin neither avoid nor stare at Miss Lucas, but the lady blushed every time she glanced toward the colonel. She would not hold that against her new friend. Any lady would do the same.
The silence after the countess departed the breakfast parlor did not last. Georgiana said, “I am glad to see both you and our aunt, Anne. I am certain you will enjoy the company and friendship of Miss Lucas. She has encouraged me in every possible way.”
“Forgive my bringing up an indelicate topic, Ana, but you seem to have no lasting effects from what occurred yesterday,” Darcy said. “Are you indeed well?”
Anne was pleased to witness the gentleness in her older cousin’s demeanor when speaking with his sister. All previous conversations she had observed were between a guardian and a father-like figure above that of a brother. She was of a mind to believe that Miss Elizabeth had an excellent influence over the cousin closest to her in age.
“I would, had I not spent the night with Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet. I explained my history with that man, and Miss Elizabeth diverted me by asking about how I had learned to shoot. I also told them of my initial inability to hit a target ten feet away with consistency, and how Richard did not want anyone who intended to harm me to gain closer proximity. It was hours and hours of work to gain such skill. Richard had me shoot with our gamekeeper. He makes certain I stay in practice, and I know he reports to Richard on my progress.”
“I will give him some coin for his assistance every visit to Pemberley,” Fitzwilliam said without looking up from the paper, the section he held including the current news on the war.
“Miss Elizabeth made me recite, ‘I protected myself as I was taught to do,’ until IfeltI was confident in the words. Had I spent the night alone, I would be a fright. But he intended to harm me, said to me things I will never repeat again. Iwasprotecting myself from a beast.”
“I am heartily glad of it,” Darcy said, moving to Georgiana and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “It is a wonder I thought you too grown to do this but not old enough to choose your own horse. I am proud of the young woman you have become, Ana.”
“Shall we invite the Miss Bennets to tea that you and Mr. Bingley can enjoy more private conversation, Darcy?” Anne spared her cousin a knowing smile.
“Please do. I find meals with you all far more enjoyable than any shared with my own family,” Mr. Bingley exclaimed.
“We will need our friends, for my mother is bound to cause a scandal in her anger. And I am certain it is time I caused one, for I never have. What sort of mischief can one get up to in Meryton?” Anne asked.
“My sister is quite capable of creating scandal,” the earl said, having just joined them. “I am heartily glad to know you want to cause one, Anne.”
When Fitzwilliam moved to speak, Anne shook her head. She cast a look in Darcy’s direction so her other cousin recognized that all awaitedhisreply.
“Thank you, Anne, but I hope Bingley might join me when I visit Longbourn. I must speak to Mr. Bennet today.”
“Oh, I knewjusthow it would be. When did you have a chance to ask her for a courtship? Was it here, or did you encounter Miss Elizabeth on your walk this morning? She is very fond of a morning stroll, she calls it.” Georgiana’s joyous satisfaction was palpable.
“I did happen upon her this morning. I hope to have her father’s blessing so that we can marry before Christmas. Then we shall take her home to Pemberley.”
“Please tell Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth I shall send an invitation to tea on the morrow,” Georgiana said.
