Page 22 of The Wager
“You require watching, I think,” Papa mused out loud. “Do you play chess, Mr. Darcy?”
“I do.”
“Come tomorrow and we shall enjoy a game of strategy.”
“Shall we also play chess?”
Papa laughed outright.
“Oh yes, you definitely require watching.” Papa turned to Mary. “Will you ask Hill to bring in some more tea? I am certain Mr. Bingley and his guests would enjoy that new blend your uncle from town sent us last week.”
Chapter Six
Upontheirentryintothe spacious parlor, Darcy had witnessed Mrs. Bennet give an almost imperceptible nod toward the far corner of the room to Miss Hamilton, and her obliging daughter skillfully guided the Bingley siblings to a grouping of chairs, soon joined by Miss Lucas. By this time, Ash had entered the room and was brought forward to the lady of the house by her smiling husband.
“Mrs. Bennet, I do not believe you made the acquaintance of Mr. Darcy’s cousin. He arrived late at the assembly and skillfully hid himself on the dance floor for most of the evening.” Mrs. Bennet smiled at her husband’s brand of teasing and waited expectantly. “May I present to you Edmund Fitzwilliam, Viscount Ashton of the House of Matlock in London and Wyndhaven in Derbyshire.”
Darcy and his cousin froze in place over the fact Bennet knew Ashton had been at the assembly and who he was. His cousin recovered quickly and gave Mrs. Bennet an elegant bow.
“Mrs. Bennet.”
“My Lord Ashton,” she replied. “How is your mother and father? I have not been in their company since…” She glanced at her husband and frowned slightly. “When would I have last seen Lord and Lady Matlock, Mr. Bennet?”
“Not since ‘91, my love. They attended Elizabeth and Trenton’s baptismal service. You told me Lady Matlock gave you beautiful silk buntings for their christening.”
“She did indeed.” Mrs. Bennet sighed and looked at her good friend, Lady Lucas. “Do you remember, Martha? They were the perfect shades of pink and blue. I have preserved them in their memory boxes.”
“I do remember. Lady Matlock and I have enjoyed a healthy correspondence for many years and the earl hosted Sir William and I when we were in Town for his investiture,” Lady Lucas offered, letting the cousins know she was aware of everything.
Darcy absorbed these little details as information about the family fell into place. Trenton, the current earl, was Elizabeth’s twin.
“May I ask about your son, Mrs. Bennet?”
He was rewarded with a wide smile from that lady.
“My dear Trenton is at Cambridge but will be home for Christmas. As a family, we always celebrate our Lord’s birth together.” Mrs. Bennet held his gaze. “You look so much like your cousin, my late husband. The resemblance is remarkable.”
Her hand shook as she brought her fingers to her lips and Mr. Bennet immediately laid a comforting hand upon her shoulder.
“There, there, Franny. Be thankful your memories are happy ones. Also, how blessed are we in that the men in your family are all handsome fellows?”
“Iamblessed, Thomas.” She placed her hand over his, still on her shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”
Darcy canted his head to one side and let his gaze move about the room, noting with satisfaction that Miss Hamilton’s earlier subtle maneuverings ensured the Bingley siblings did not hear anything the family did not wish to disclose – at this time. Her finesse in the operation was natural, something that had been practiced often and, if he were to hazard a guess, the closing of ranks by their neighbors gave a hint they were just as protective.
“Gentlemen, would you care to join me for stronger refreshments while the ladies discuss last night’s assembly?” Mr. Bennet offered to the room in general.
Before leaving the room, Darcy cast one last glance in the direction of Miss Elizabeth, noting her furrowed brow. He would like to think she had accepted his apologies – he suppressed a wry grin at an errant thought. No one in the rarefied sphere of theBeau Mondewould ever entertain the idea of Fitzwilliam Darcy apologizing not once, but twice to a woman, nor dare to lay a wager for such an occurrence. A man would walk on the moon before anyone took up those odds.
Soon, the gentlemen found themselves in a spacious room Mr. Bennet liked to call his study. Decorated in masculine colors of rich browns and greens, the room was inviting and warm. Comfortable couches and chairs, made for a person to sink into and relax with a glass of port brandy, called to Darcy’s inner man.
He spied two chess tables. One already in play, and the other waiting for opponents to begin a game. The far wall, behind a sturdy desk, held four intricately carved bookcases, filled to almost overflowing with books of all shapes and sizes. His fingers itched to trace the bindings and discover what held the master of Longbourn’s interest. What reading material did his Elizabeth enjoy?
HisElizabeth?
He nearly groaned out loud. He loved her. How had this happened? He had always sworn he’dneverfall in love. Also, there was a very wide chasm of hurt feelings to bridge after his gargantuanfaux pasat Lady Montrose’s ball. A good start on the foundation was made at the assembly, but she still was not comfortable in his presence and one dance and supper did not constitute a courtship. At this rate, he would exceed Bingley’s record for being rash and undisciplined.
Mindful of the fact he was in the presence of her stepfather, who had proved himself to be alert and canny, Darcy shelved his wayward thoughts. When he was finally alone, he would make plans on how to change the young lady’s image of his character. Slow and steady would become his mantra.
