Page 4 of The Briar Bargain
An awkward silence fell between them.
"I was heading upstairs to inform Jane of our extended visit," she said at last.
"Ah. Yes. Most unfortunate."
Her hands squeezed into fists at her side. She would not be impolite. She would not. "Indeed. Though I am confident we shall all survive the ordeal."
His brow furrowed slightly. "I hope you do not consider Netherfield's hospitality an ordeal, Miss Bennet."
"Not at all," she assured him, though she believed he could hear the lack of conviction in her voice. "I merely meant thecircumstancesare . . .” She paused to remind him of his own words. “Unfortunate."
"Yes. Quite." He hesitated, as though about to say more, then inclined his head and stepped aside to let her pass.
With a nod, she continued on her way, feeling strangely unsettled by the encounter. By the time she reached Jane’s chamber, she had pushed such thoughts aside. She had more important concerns than the mysterious moods of Mr. Darcy.
Chapter Two
Darcy stared out at the gathering storm clouds from the sanctuary of the library and cursed his own weakness. The flood had made travel to Longbourn impossible, and now there would be no relief from the danger that lurked beneath Netherfield's roof.
Not the rising waters. Those posed no threat to the house itself, situated as it was more than a mile from the river and on higher ground. The true danger was far more insidious: she had appeared at Netherfield looking like a particularly vexing woodland sprite, pink-cheeked, bright-eyed, with tousled hair.
It was now how she appeared nightly in his dreams. Even in his sleep he found her insufferably alluring.
He had very nearly smiled at her in the hall this morning. Very nearly allowed himself the luxury of genuine conversation. It was precisely this sort of carelessness that had brought him to his current predicament.
Ridiculous, he told himself firmly. Utterly ridiculous.
The library door opened, and Darcy straightened, prepared to greet whoever entered with cool civility. When he saw that it was only Bingley, he permitted his shoulders to relax marginally.
"There you are, Darcy," said Bingley, his voice cheerful. "I have just dispatched a rider to Longbourn so the Bennets need not worry.”
“The northern bridge is passable?”
“Just.”
"Good," Darcy replied. If only the northern bridge was wide enough to allow for a carriage, his problem would be solved. But it was not.
Outside, a heavy rain continued to fall. No, the Bennet sisters would not be leaving Netherfield today. "How did Miss Bennet receive the news?"
"Miss Bennet is exceedingly gracious, as always," Bingley enthused, coming to stand beside him with the sort of dreamy expression that suggested he was mentally composing poetry about his latest love. "Her sister told me that Miss Bennet wished only to convey her gratitude for our care of her. Of course, Miss Elizabeth took on the most difficult burden.”
Of course she had. Miss Elizabeth seemed devoted to those she loved. It was one of her many admirable qualities that he absolutely refused to admire.
"I was thinking," Bingley continued, oblivious to Darcy's inner turmoil, "that we might organise some amusements during our confinement. Caroline is already lamenting the lack of society, and Louisa has taken to her room with a headache. Perhaps cards this evening? Or music?"
Naturally Bingley's idea of happiness involved everyone being together every moment. For Darcy, it would be torture to sit in the same room as Miss Elizabeth while pretending not to notice how her fine eyes lit up when she was amused.
She had found much to amuse her during her stay. Not that he had been watching.
"If you wish," Darcy replied, his tone carefully neutral and betraying none of his internal struggle.
"Come now, Darcy, do not be so dour. This is a splendid opportunity!" Bingley leaned closer, lowering his voice with all the subtlety of a man who had never kept a secret in his life. "And Miss Bennet has agreed to join us for dinner. She is feeling well enough to come downstairs."
"I see" was all Darcy said, which was probably for the best as what he was thinking was significantly less gentlemanly.
"Miss Elizabeth, as well," Bingley added with what could only be described as a smirk.
Darcy made no reply, though his jaw tightened.
