Page 64 of Mr. Darcy's Folly
“My aunt,” Elizabeth said softly. “I shall introduce you.”
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Darcy’s world felt right.
Unfortunately, his cousin’s voice shattered the moment.
“There you are!” Fitz’s voice rang out from the terrace above. “Hurry it along, cousin—Lady Catherine has discovered you are not in your chamber. If we do not return now, she may very well order a full search party, complete with hounds.”
Darcy groaned.
Elizabeth bit her lip to suppress a laugh. “Well, we cannot have that.” She tugged gently on his hand. “Come, Mr. Darcy. Let us deliver the news before your aunt declares me an ‘incomparable nuisance’ who sneaks you out of your chamber and has me forcibly removed from the premises.”
Darcy smirked as they started back toward the house, side by side. “I regret to inform you, Miss Elizabeth, that she already refers to you as such.”
Elizabeth only laughed.
Above them, the sky stretched vast and blue, unmarred by even the faintest wisp of cloud. A soft breeze stirred the branches, carrying with it the hum of bees and the distant trill of a songbird. Everything—every colour, every scent, every sound—felt sharper, brighter, as though Darcy was seeing it all for the very first time.
Chapter Nineteen
“Dashing,”Fitzdeclaredwitha frown, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall next to the glass. “The wind is surely atyourback. Most men appear fearsome when they are scarred—villainous, even. But you? You take a blow to the head, and it only serves to make you more distinguished. Women will throw themselves at your feet.”
Darcy rolled his eyes as he turned to peer into the mirror. “I am only interested in one woman, and fortunately, she is not the throwing type.” The scar just above his right eyebrow was still pink and rather vivid. Hehadbeen a little concerned about his appearance, but Elizabeth must not mind it, for she had accepted his hand when it—and he—had looked a good deal worse.
Fitz grunted, gesturing vaguely at Darcy’s face. “I daresay Miss Elizabeth finds it quite compelling.”
He smirked. “Are you jealous, Fitz?”
“Of you?” his cousin exclaimed. “OfcourseI am.” His smile was lopsided and mischievous, his next words spoken in an imitation of their aunt. “If you were not so generous with me, I would be quite put out.”
Darcy gave him a withering look and stepped back, holding out his arms as his valet slipped his travelling coat on over his shoulders. “You speak an inordinate amount of nonsense for so early an hour.”
“You are the one who insisted we leave for town at the first sign of light,” Fitz replied calmly.
He wished to be in London in time to visit Elizabeth, who had departed Kent a week ago to reside with the Gardiners. “And the first sign of light is here, so it is time to depart,” he replied.
They took the stairs with alacrity, but as they stepped out onto the floor and he took his gloves and hat from the butler, Darcy stopped short.
Lady Catherine was waiting for them. She surveyed him with an exacting gaze, her eyes raking over him as he stood before her. Darcy endured her scrutiny without comment, his hat in one hand, his gloves in the other, his coat buttoned without causing him any discomfort. He was, at long last, wholly recovered.
“Well,” she said, pursing her lips. “I suppose you have done a tolerable job of not dying.”
Fitz, standing just beyond Darcy’s shoulder, made a strangled noise that was either a cough or a laugh. Darcy did not deign to acknowledge it.
“I believe I have managed,” he replied.
Lady Catherine lifted her chin, surveying him with narrowed eyes. “Would you join me in the drawing room?”
Darcy glanced at the front doors. He truly wished to be in London early. There was something he needed to do.
“It will not take long,” his aunt said.
He followed her in, and Fitz followed him. As they entered, he saw Anne sitting in a chair near the window. She nodded at him as they entered but turned her attention back to the book in her hands.
She must have risen early to be sure her mother would not make things between them any worse than they already were.
Lady Catherine moved to her favourite chair but did not sit. “I had my doubts. You were quite insensible when they brought you back.” Her gaze flickered down to his boots and back up again, as if to confirm that he was still standing. “Youaretruly recovered?”
“Fully.”
