Page 56

O sborne inclined his head as Darcy bowed, watching him carefully.

The man seemed his usual grave and reserved self.

Osborne had expected nothing else. For such a young man, he acted as if he was older and much more cautious than most young men.

But it was likely the result of being pursued by every young woman and match-making mama in society for so many years.

Osborne had felt that himself, although he had met and loved his Althea from his second season, and thus removed himself — with much relief — from the marriage mart.

Darcy had been enduring it for nigh on a decade, although until this year, he had rarely attended the season’s events. Osborne did not blame him him the slightest.

He smiled slightly, because this year Darcy had undoubtedly only attended these events to meet and dance with Elizabeth.

He watched, sitting slightly apart from the others, as Darcy was offered the chair opposite the sofa where Cecilia sat with Elizabeth.

Osborne was indebted to his sister-in-law for agreeing to act as hostess for him, despite the fact he’d kept her and her family at arms length for so many years.

But it was painful for him. It could be his own Althea sitting there, if he looked over.

It should have been. She would have been proud of their daughter.

He swallowed and looked away. What would their lives have been like if she had lived?

It was likely the Osbornes would have been close friends with the Darcy family, as she had been so intimate with Lady Anne.

He glanced over at the sound of Elizabeth’s clear laugh. He had to admit she and Darcy seemed well-matched. Althea would have approved of a marriage between her daughter and the son of her closest friend. But how could he ever change his opinions enough to allow it?

Dinner was announced, and Osborne rose to his feet. He would have to escort his hostess, leaving Darcy to take Elizabeth’s arm and follow them. He must swallow his antipathy for the Darcy name — but it was not easy. Had he wasted the last decades with his bitterness?

Elizabeth would have had a very different life.

But would that be true? She was so like Althea, how could he have remained near her in the throes of grief?

He forced his attention to the conversation at dinner or his silence might make things difficult for Elizabeth. Cecilia sat at the foot of the table as hostess, which placed Darcy and Elizabeth opposite each other.

He observed that it made things more taxing for his daughter.

Although she would not have found it hard to look at Darcy as they carried the conversation, she seemed to be trying to keep her gaze away from him as much as she could.

He smiled slightly; it was obviously in deference to him, as she knew of his reluctance to invite Darcy.

She must have little idea of what he would speak to Darcy about after the ladies had withdrawn. And, to be honest with himself, he had very little idea of how to begin such a conversation.

Darcy would not have considered what was coming, and Osborne’s lips twitched. He was certain the man had spent all day trying to think of conversational topics that would not offend his host. He wondered what Darcy had decided on.

The dinner was satisfactory. Elizabeth could keep a conversation in any company from congealing, and Osborne was surprised and pleased to see that Darcy was less distant, less reserved as he assisted her to keep the conversation light and cheerful.

Cecilia joined in occasionally, and it seemed Darcy appreciated it, talking of Consall Hall from the position of a nearby landholder.

Thus the talk ranged widely, and Osborne was pleased. He thought Elizabeth would wish the occasion to be repeated.

Soon enough, the ladies rose to withdraw, and his butler placed the port by his right hand, and the servants all withdrew, silently closing the great door behind them.

The silence seemed thick as he poured the port and handed the decanter to Darcy, who solemnly poured his own glass, but declined the cigar indicated by Osborne.

Darcy would be waiting for him to speak first, as host, but Osborne hesitated. It would not do to plunge straight into the reasons for their conversation.

“Thank you for attending tonight. Elizabeth has been looking forward to the occasion.”

“I am honoured at the invitation, Your Grace.” Darcy dipped his head. “I am delighted to find Lady Elizabeth appears to have recovered quite well from the ordeal she endured in Hertfordshire.”

Osborne’s lips tightened. It was a good introduction to the topic he wanted to raise. But he was still reluctant. Although he acknowledged to himself it was due solely to his own stubbornness.

He smiled slightly. “Mr. Darcy, I was happy that Elizabeth wished you to dine here. There is a matter of which I wish to speak and this gives us the opportunity.”

“I am at your service.” Darcy hid his curiosity well.

“Yes.” Osborne gathered his courage. It would take that courage to admit his faults — to a Darcy, no less. “I am a stubborn man, and I have seen that I am perhaps too set in my ways to give up my opinions lightly.”

Darcy stayed silent, looking at the glass in his hand. It seemed he thought it might be easier if Osborne was not under his regard.

Osborne sighed. “But my stubbornness has put Elizabeth in terrible danger, and I have had to confront the fact it is my continuing refusal to change my opinions that caused it.”

Darcy looked up. “You must not blame yourself. It was Wickham who caused it, and he is no longer a danger to her.”

“I thank you for your words. But it has brought home to me that Elizabeth is a tempting target to those who wish to access not only her dowry, but the entirety of the Lancaster estates and fortune.”

Darcy nodded silently, looking down again.

Osborne bowed his head. “I had hoped to have her with me longer, but she is as cognisant as I am of the fact that, to be safe, she will need to marry much earlier than either of us would have wanted.”

Darcy’s gaze was bleak. “I hope you will forgive me for expressing the hope that she will be happy with the man you choose for her.”

Osborne sighed again. “And therein lies my difficulty.”

Several minutes passed while he tried to think of how to say what he must.

Eventually Darcy spoke. His voice was quiet with no appearance of judgement. “Would it relieve your mind to share what your difficulty is? Might I assist you?”

Osborne glanced up at him. “Of course I share your hope that Elizabeth will be happy. As my daughter, it is my duty to secure her safety, but above all, her happiness.” He looked up and into the distance.

“However, I have been dissatisfied with the current choices available, despite considering all those I have met and those whom I have researched in Who’s Who .

” He laughed, unamused. “It has been an interesting study. I had not considered such would be the case until I looked more closely.”

“I had thought her uncle was proposing his son, Lord Robert.” Darcy’s voice was quiet. “Surely you cannot think him unsuitable?”

Osborne grimaced. “He is not unsuitable, of course. In the eyes of society, that is.”

He saw Darcy’s eyes narrow slightly, and hastened to explain. “Of course, if I thought Elizabeth favoured him, then I would do my best to mitigate what I feel is the issue.”

“Which is?”

“Lord Robert seems not to take life too seriously.” Osborne smiled.

“I know it makes for a cheerful and untroubled life — like your friend Bingley — but you and I know that he is unlikely to take his duties as the master of Consall Hall and his associated estates seriously enough to manage them easily. It means he could not possibly manage the Lancaster holdings as well. And Elizabeth will inherit them all.”

“Any peer or suitable gentleman will have extensive estate duties already,” Darcy said flatly.

“I know that,” Osborne was irritated. “But the size of your own holdings makes you well aware that you must employ the best of men as stewards in all areas of the country where you have properties. And you are also aware that such men, even if able to run your affairs, must find you approachable, interested and knowledgeable!” He glared at Darcy.

“Do you find Lord Robert able to undertake such?”

“I think that is not a fair question, Your Grace.” Darcy’s voice was measured. “He is cousin to Lady Elizabeth, and your nephew. As well, I barely know the Viscount.”

Osborne smiled. “You are an honourable man, Darcy. I am now sorry my antipathy to the name of Darcy has prevented me from knowing you before this.”

He drew a deep breath. “Elizabeth has asked me for the opportunity to get to know you. I think she is unsure of her feelings. Much as it is mortifying to have to admit to my stubbornness being, perhaps, unfounded, I have to put it aside.”

Darcy said nothing, his expression unfathomable.

Osborne waited a moment. “I have heard that you called on Bennet after Elizabeth had left for town, and before you knew who she was. He said he thought you were interested in her.”

Darcy winced.

Osborne’s eyebrows rose. “Was he wrong? Or have you changed your mind?”

Darcy shook his head.

“Well, say something, then!”

“I am unsure what you wish, Your Grace.” Darcy’s voice was merely a murmur. “I would not want to override any choice on the part of Lady Elizabeth, although I would welcome the opportunity to be free to call upon her.”

“Then we seem to be in agreement.” Osborne frowned. “What did you think I was suggesting?”

Darcy finally smiled. “I had thought you might wish for an immediate engagement.”

“Don’t you want that?”

“No. I would not agree an engagement to any lady who would not also wish it herself.”

Osborne drained his glass. “All right. We had better join the ladies. Perhaps you will tell her that I have said you may call upon her — if it is agreeable to you.”

Darcy nodded. “I would like that.” He smiled faintly. “I am unsure if I can quite believe it. This was not how I imagined the evening.”

Osborne allowed an answering smile. “I had thought you might have spent the day thinking about inoffensive topics of conversation!”

Darcy’s chuckle was as surprising as it was heart-warming. Suddenly Osborne felt he might come to like this man, and not just because Elizabeth wanted it so.

But it seemed Darcy still had something else to say. “Does Lady Elizabeth know what we have been discussing?”

“No,” Osborne shook his head. “You must tell her. I will keep her aunt in conversation.”