Page 34 of The Slipper Scandal
Arabella hesitated. "Father has never expressed any particular preference regarding my future husband, beyond the usualexpectations of character and conduct. But Mother would not like an officer for me. Too great a chance of becoming a widow."
They fell silent for a time.
“Well, it is early yet,” Elizabeth said at last. “I think you have time to discover whether his company is always as agreeable to you before you must discuss him with your mother.”
“That is true,” Arabella said. “But perhaps I ought to speak to my mother before you are forced to speak to yours.”
“True. I must make haste to ruin this engagement before my mother sets her heart on it,” Elizabeth replied, half in jest and half in dread.
Arabella patted the bench beside her. “Come. Let us practice our duet.”
Elizabeth complied. “Yes,” she said wryly. “Let us have a little music before the storm arrives.”
Chapter Ten
"Do hurry, Lizzy," Arabella called over her shoulder, her eyes bright with excitement. “The crocodile is not to be missed!"
Elizabeth quickened her pace, lifting her skirts slightly to navigate the narrow passage between glass cases filled with exotic curiosities.
They had come to Bullock’s exhibition at the invitation of Miss Grayson, the daughter of the Abernathys’ friends, whose fascination with natural curiosities had secured them admission to an early viewing before the museum opened to the public at ten. The rooms were less crowded than they would be later in the day but were still filled with an assortment of society's more intellectually inclined members, their voices creating a pleasant hum of conversation that echoed off the high ceilings.
"I cannot believe you convinced your mother to allow us to visit such an unconventional exhibition," Elizabeth remarked as they entered the Cabinet Room, where the most prized specimens were displayed.
Arabella's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Papa intervened on our behalf. He said it was educational."
"And your mother acquiesced?"
"She did once young Mr. Grayson expressed interest in meeting us here." Arabella nodded towards a tall gentleman with fashionably dishevelled hair who stood conversing with Miss Harper near a case of brilliantly coloured butterflies. "Mamma has high hopes for that particular connection, though I find him rather—"
"Self-satisfied?" Elizabeth suggested, noting the way Mr. Grayson gestured expansively, clearly holding forth on some topic that required his listeners' rapt attention.
"Precisely." Arabella sighed. "Though I cannot deny the man has excellent taste in cravats."
Elizabeth laughed, then abruptly fell silent as they rounded a corner and came face to face with the centrepiece of the Cabinet Room: a massive crocodile suspended from the ceiling. It was preserved with remarkable skill, its scaled hide gleaming in the early morning light. The creature's jaws were parted to reveal rows of fearsome teeth, and its glass eyes seemed to follow them with ancient, reptilian cunning.
"Good heavens," Elizabeth murmured, unable to look away from the magnificent beast. "One almost expects it to snap its jaws shut."
"I assure you, it shall remain quite still," said a familiar voice from behind them.
Elizabeth turned, her heart giving an odd little leap as she found herself looking up into the face of Mr. Darcy. He stood a few paces away, as inscrutable as ever.
“I did not know you would be here, Mr. Darcy,” Arabella said.
“Mr. Grayson invited me, as I am Miss Bennet’s intended. Alas, he left the invitation rather late.”
“How lovely,” Arabella said.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, dropping into a neat curtsy. "What a pleasant surprise."
It was not entirely a surprise, of course. London society, especially during the season, operated within a relatively small circle. One could reasonably expect to encounter the same faces at most events of note, and once the word of their engagement had made the rounds of the gossips, people would be throwing them together whenever possible. Still, she had not anticipated seeing him here, among the stuffed birds and ancient artifacts. She would not have thought it would be of interest to him.
"Miss Bennet. Miss Abernathy." Mr. Darcy bowed to each in turn. "I trust you are enjoying the exhibition?"
Before either could respond, Colonel Fitzwilliam emerged from behind a giant rhinoceros, his countenance brightening considerably at the sight of Arabella. Elizabeth turned her head to watch Arabella’s reaction, and it was an excellent match for her suitor’s.
"Miss Abernathy! What a delightful coincidence," he exclaimed, though Elizabeth somehow suspected it was no coincidence at all. "And Miss Bennet, of course. I had no idea you ladies had an interest in natural history."
This final claim of innocence rang a little false, but Elizabeth could not blame him for it.
