Page 38

“So the horse piece is called a knight, and it moves in an L shape pattern? Like this?” Elizabeth questioned. She picked up the white knight, and slid it forward one and over two, taking his pawn.

Darcy smiled at her and moved one of his pieces, curious to see what her response would be. “You are picking this up faster than I expected. It took me much longer to decipher things.”

Tapping her bishop in thought, she contemplated her options. She blocked out the sound of Jane and Mr. Bingley chatting with Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam and concentrated on taking his rook. “You probably learned chess from your father as a child. It can be a confusing game for an child.”

“Yes, I was seven when I learned, but my father always said that it was no excuse to show a lack of understanding.” He grimaced at the memory but concentrated on dangling his rook in front of her.

“At least you can say you are a better teacher than your father. I am enjoying what I am learning.” Confident, she took his rook with her bishop.

“I think almost anyone would be a better teacher than my father. I am glad you are enjoying yourself, though you still have much to learn. Checkmate.” His queen made a quick capture of her king, which was left defenseless when she shifted her bishop.

Elizabeth laughed, taking her loss in stride. Her clever mind took in the layers of the game and where she had left herself open. “Oh, I see what you did there. That is clever. I think I am going to enjoy this game.”

“One thing to always remember is that your queen is your most important piece.” He reached out and picked up the white queen, the ivory color standing out against the dark wood of the chessboard.

He slowly placed it in her palm and gently guided her fingers around it.

Holding her hand in his, he could not help but gaze into the emerald pools that were her eyes.

Her eyes were so expressive, sometimes they said more than her words did.

At this moment, they spoke of something new and exciting and yet tender.

It was a conversation he wanted to be a part of.

She breathed and then looked away, a becoming pink creeping across her unmarred cheek. “I will keep that in mind.” Something was happening, but she was uncertain of what it was.

Darcy slowly withdrew his hand from hers, allowing the moment to pass.

“Do you think you would be up for a walk in the garden tomorrow morning? I know you are used to more time out of doors. I would not want you to fall into a decline because of a lack of nature’s beauty.

” They would have the next day, he reminded himself.

There was no need to rush, even if his heart wanted to beat out of his chest and join hers across the table.

“I would love to join you for a walk in the morning. I would hate to miss my daily need for fresh air. I…” A tremendous yawn broke off her continued thought and elicited a warm chuckle from Darcy.

“I believe you may need to stop for the night so you can get your beauty sleep.” Darcy loved the way she scrunched her nose at his remark. Now that he had realized what this elusive emotion was, he was free to treasure the little things that now meant so much.

“With the way my face looks, I will need to sleep for a month to reach beautiful. It will take at least that long to heal, I think,” Elizabeth sighed.

“The bruise leaving your face will not make you beautiful,” Darcy spoke but then felt that he had misspoken. He frowned and thought back, trying to figure out why that sounded wrong.

Elizabeth reminded herself not to get angry at the insult. The poor man could not seem to help but say the wrong thing. “I am sure that you did not mean to say that I am not capable of being beautiful, Mr. Darcy.”

“No, that is not what I was trying to say. What I meant is I think you are beautiful right now, even with the bruise. I apologize that I cannot seem to say things properly.” Darcy was upset that he just insulted the woman he loved.

“Well, I accept the sentiment and the attempt that you made to express it, even if it did not come out right the first time,” Elizabeth reassured him. “I will bid you goodnight, Mr. Darcy. I will see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight to you, Elizabeth.” Darcy stood to watch her walk away, soon to be followed by Miss Bennet and the other ladies.

“So have you discerned the why, cousin?” Theodore spoke to Darcy as they all settled in with their port in Bingley’s sitting room.

Darcy smiled begrudgingly at his cousin. That he was not the first person to know was disconcerting, but he was too happy to be upset. “I have realized that I am in love with Elizabeth. It took me a while to pin down what the emotion was. Now I want to know how you spotted it before I did.”

Theodore looked at the grin on his cousin’s face.

Darcy so often struggled. It was nice to see him joyful.

“I am happy for you. She is a remarkable lady, a veritable Boudica. Forester had no chance trying to go up against her logic.” He knew that life had many obstacles and to have someone to help you over those hurdles was a genuine gift.

Bingley would not allow himself to be left out of the conversation.

“You have some time while she is staying at Netherfield to make some progress with the lady. Darcy, do you have a plan in place?” Bingley knew his friend was very logical and would most likely have that carry over into his love life.

“I have asked her to walk with me in the morning, just in the garden. I have a feeling she would walk further, but I don’t want to put too much strain on her healing body.”

Theodore’s mischievous grin was visible from across the room. “Will you be asking the lady a question? And if so, which question will you be asking?” he prompted.

“I think I will ask for a courtship. She deserves time to get to know me and the life she would lead should she join her lot with mine. What of you, Bingley, are you considering asking Miss Bennet anything?” Darcy was happy to turn the tables on his friend.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations, and she makes me want to be a better man. I think of the world around me more and how I can improve the lot of other people. My only question is what would I bring to the match? Is it fair to her if she helps me be a better person, but I offer nothing in return?” Bingley contemplated his hopes and some of the new concepts Miss Bennet had introduced him to.

Darcy paused for a moment, trying to think of ways to cheer up his dejected friend.

“It may not be the way you want to help her, but you offer the stability that she does not have at home. I know she has the entailment hanging over her head. You have the finances to ensure that her mother and sisters would not suffer should something horrible come to pass.”

“What I want to know is how things are going with your plan for your sister,” Theodore interjected.

“My aunt in Scotland has agreed to help with my sister’s behavior if I grant her control of Caroline’s dowry.

She married a landed gentleman and has been the mistress of his estate for some fifteen years and can teach Caroline how to run an estate.

My aunt said that she would like to come to collect Caroline herself.

She said something about wanting to make sure she packed everything she needed and nothing she did not.

Since my aunt is in London right now, she will be here sooner rather than later.

” He wished there was another way to restore the generous and loving girl Caroline had been before her father sent her to that finishing school.

Theodore shuddered to think of spending an extended length of time with his Aunt Catherine.

He was a battle-hardened soldier, but there were still things he would not do if he had his druthers.

“I would never send Georgiana or anyone to my aunt to learn how to be a better person. You said your aunt had a good heart, right?”

“Yes, Aunt Guthrie is a dear. I spent some of my favorite summers staying with her and her husband, Callum McDougal. She treats everyone on her land, from field workers to maids to visiting dignitaries, the same. In fact, she demands that everyone else do the same, including the visiting dignitaries. I can only hope she reaches Caroline’s heart.

” Bingley smiled, remembering his times with his aunt.

“I hope she helps her. That cannot be a comfortable way to live that your sister has chosen,” Darcy said.

Bingley’s grin grew at a sudden thought.

“You know, Darcy, I have often wondered if we locked my aunt in a room with your aunt, who would come out on top. They are similar in disposition but diametrically opposed in worldview.” When his comment made Theodore spit out his port and start choking, Bingley wondered if he had ever laughed so hard in his life.

Elizabeth watched the tranquil mist float along the ground, adorning the garden paths with pale gossamer grace.

She could feel the beauty of nature to her very core.

Bird songs played mysterious chords from their hidden retreats as they readied themselves for winter.

Elizabeth stood still, absorbing it all.

She was grateful that her injuries did not prevent her from witnessing this.

“I hope it is not too cold for you, Elizabeth,” Darcy spoke up, concerned that the brisk weather would adversely affect her recovery.

She shook her head in mirth, loving the way her breath came out in puffs of white. “I rarely complain of the cold, and I would not miss this sight for anything.”

He looked around the courtyard, and his eyes settled on Mrs. Ansley inside the morning room, her gaze surveying their actions discreetly.

“It is lovely. I have rarely seen such a view, but please tell me if you feel the need to go inside. I thought maybe others would have joined us, but I see the chill has kept them away.”