Page 28 of Charlotte's Story
“You think you know me so well.”
“I said that I know you well enough, not that I know you well,” he said. “Although I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better.”
Her fingers slipped on the keys, blending a few notes before she regained her composure. “We both know how good you are at getting to know people.” She raised an eyebrow. “I seem to recall a very memorable first impression at Club Meryton.”
His smile flickered out. “Despite my position, I’m not always the best at talking to people, especially those I’ve never met.”
“Maybe you should take your aunt’s advice and practice.”
Darcy tilted his head toward a chess board in the corner that probably cost as much as my car. “I’d love to practice over a game.”
Lizzy flushed slightly at the mention of the chess board, although I wasn’t sure why.
I moved closer in case Lizzy wanted me to jump in and break it up. Plus, I needed to tell her about what I’d seen.
“What are you talking about over there, Darcy?” Lady Catherine called.
Darcy’s shoulders stiffened, and he pulled back. “It’s nothing.”
“Come over here. I hate it when the conversations are split.”
He walked over to where William and Lady Catherine sat in the armchairs without another backward glance, and I made my way to Lizzy.
“Are you okay?” I murmured, keeping my voice low so the others wouldn’t hear from across the room. Although I was pretty sure Lady Catherine didn’t hate split conversations so much as she hated having her nephew’s attention focused on Elizabeth.
She blew out a breath and waved a hand through the air. “I’m fine.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked when her gaze continued to follow him. He stood in front of the flames, chatting with his aunt as she sat in her chair.
“No.” She shook her head and turned to me. “Let’s talk about you. That’s why we’re here after all. Were you able to find anything out?”
I chewed on my lower lip. “I don’t know. Lady Catherine is definitely hiding something, but I’m not sure what.” I recounted our conversation for Lizzy, then told her about the vision I’d seen from the ornament.
She frowned. “It definitely sounds mysterious, and she needs looking into. I’ll see if I can find anything. In the meantime, I’m glad you were able to get out of staying here. You guys are welcome to come back home if you want. Jane and I could even stay at our parents’ house to give you two a night alone if you’d like.”
My cheeks warmed. “You know that’s not what this is about, Lizzy.”
She held up her hands in surrender. “You might have gotten married for convenience, but it sure seems to me like Mr. Collins got married out of love. Have you seen the way he looks at you?”
My flush darkened. “That’s just because he thinks he loves me. He doesn’t really. He said it himself before the ceremony that ours was a marriage without love.”
Lizzy’s eyes widened. “Wait… he said that? And you haven’t told him the truth about your marriage?”
“Between trying to solve a murder and him being with the police there hasn’t been a lot of time.”
“You should tell him. Tonight, probably.”
“I suppose.” I ran my finger over the piano keys, avoiding her gaze. Telling him the truth would change everything, and I didn’t totally hate the way things were now.
Lizzy put her hand over mine, stopping my fidgeting. “I never thought I’d say this, but there’s nothing wrong if you’re falling for him too, Charlotte. You know that, right?”
“Don’t be silly. I don’t like William,” I said. “We’re just together so I can get my shop.”
“Maybe.” She gave me a long look. “Or maybe it’s time you stopped using your shop as a shield.”
“What do you mean?” I sat beside her, the strength leaving my legs.
“I mean that it’s good to have a dream and a passion, but succeeding in business isn’t the same as succeeding in love. You can’t wall off your heart forever.”
