Page 34 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

D arcy hurried back up to his chambers. Had he been too forward with Miss Bennet this morning?

She hadn’t seemed too discomposed, although surprised at his teasing.

And he had never thought he might be able to think quickly enough to ever find the right words to tease someone.

He felt ridiculously pleased with himself — and she had been amused by it.

But he must be careful. She had repeated several times that she was not in the market for a husband, although he could hardly believe it, since she had come here to experience society.

However, it did mean that he must not seem to be riding roughshod over her wishes; perhaps she did not really know her own mind.

Every lady he had encountered seemed to want to marry well, have the opportunity of a comfortable life and the joy of children.

He frowned; he could not recall her ever explaining why she did not wish to wed.

How could he ask her such a question? He groaned, of course he could not, and he flung himself into the armchair beside the leaping flames in the great fireplace.

He glanced around, his chambers were very fine — he hadn’t considered why before this moment.

Perhaps the Bedfords were trying to attract his attention to one of their daughters? He shuddered, and was grateful when Maunder entered with fresh coffee. Darcy breathed the aroma with pleasure. “Thank you, Mr. Maunder. I am grateful for it.”

“Sir.” The man nodded. “None of the other gentlemen have even arrived in the breakfast room as of now. I suspect you might have some peace for an hour, perhaps.”

Darcy nodded. It would be very helpful. He leaned back, the coffee steaming gently on the table beside him and closed his eyes.

Miss Bennet moved into his mind’s eye. She was striding beside him along the pathway, talking of travel and the coast. He, too, loved the wild coasts of north Wales, the gusting wind and the screaming gulls around the fishing vessels as the sailors clawed their way into harbour.

He would like to be the one to show her that.

Then she was opposite him at the breakfast table, her eyes alight with amusement as her great aunt chastised her for being too busy.

But that was certainly not a fault. Especially philanthropic work; orphanages could do with ladies who really went to help the children, not merely to be seen doing good works.

His lip curled; those ladies talked about their generosity endlessly; he was not sure Miss Bennet — Elizabeth — would ever have mentioned attending there if Lady Palmer had not spoken of it.

And she had moved on from the topic as quickly as she could.

He smiled slowly; he liked thinking about her. But perhaps he ought to consider more carefully his earlier thought about the Bedfords’ thoughts in placing him here in this, the best of the guest chambers.

He resolved to observe Lady Bedford more carefully and attempt not to watch Miss Bennet so openly.

Later in the morning, he sat in the drawing room with Talbot, Cunningham and Mr. French, making idle conversation over more tea, and watching Lady Talbot busy arranging the ladies into different activities.

He listened to the men idly as he watched her expertly separate Miss Bennet from Lady Mildred, organising them into different circles, and her poorly hidden look of dislike at her guest.

He was able to keep his part of the idle conversation going while he considered what he had seen, and then he excused himself and crossed to Lady Palmer. “Might I have the honour of a few words with you, my lady?”

“Certainly. Perhaps you could refresh my cup before you take a chair.” The lady’s gaze was still on the groups of ladies.

Darcy did as he was bid, and then took the same chair as the previous day. “I expect you have seen the expression on our hostess’s face when she observes your niece, Lady Palmer.”

“I have,” she said briefly and waited for him to continue. He drew a deep breath.

“I had not considered it until this morning, but I finally noticed properly that I am in the main guest suite, and have suddenly wondered if she intends me for her daughter.” He grimaced. “Will she direct her ill-humour toward Miss Bennet, given that they may have observed us in conversation?”

Lady Palmer switched her gaze to Darcy and observed him in silence for a few minutes.

“I believe you may be correct, Mr. Darcy, and I now wonder whether I have done Elizabeth any favours by bringing her here — I believe Lady Bedford did not realise that Elizabeth attracts attention wherever she goes, nor that her youngest daughter would like her. But …” her eyes narrowed.

“I must ask what your intentions are to my great niece?”

He had not expected her to be quite so open about it, and felt heat creep round the back of his neck.

He deeply hoped he was not blushing, and took a deep breath after gathering his thoughts.

“I know Miss Bennet says she is not seeking a husband. However, I would like to know her better.” There, was that the right thing to say?

She lifted a brow slightly. “And what do you feel about Lady Bedford’s apparent plan for you?”

He smiled tightly. “I can only think of it as opportunistic, my lady. My uncle only asked me to attend last week.” He huffed. “I was planning on finding an urgent matter requiring me at Pemberley, but the presence of Miss Bennet has stayed my hand.”

Perhaps he could ask a question. “Do you … do you think that Miss Bennet is determined on her course? I had believed that all young ladies wished for — needed — to make a good match.”

Lady Palmer laughed. Her eyes were a piercing blue, lively and young at heart, despite the age upon her face. “Elizabeth is very young yet. While I am sure she is determined, I am not sure she truly understands what she actually wants, and that may yet change. Everything is new to her.”

Darcy’s heart lifted. There was hope for him. “And … do you think she is not against my company?”

She regarded him. “You need to move forward very slowly and carefully, Mr. Darcy, although I do not profess to know her mind. She does seem to keep a great deal to herself. And I have, of course, only discovered our connection very recently.” Her gaze left him and crossed the room to where Miss Bennet was listening to another young lady with an expression of pleased attention.

“She is an admirable young woman. I could not ask for better.”

Darcy fervently agreed with her.