Page 58

D arcy had driven home with a lighter heart than he had had for many weeks — than at any time since he had discovered that she was the daughter of the Darcy’s sworn enemy.

He leaned back against the comfortable leather library chair, the one that had been his father’s before him, and relived in his mind the conversation they’d had, the feeling of comfort and acceptance she gave him.

And in the morning, he would return to Osborne House. His heart was alive with hope. It had been clear from the duke’s words that if Elizabeth was agreeable to an offer, then her father would welcome their marriage to make her safe.

He smiled wryly. Lady Catherine had long wanted him to marry Cousin Anne ‘ to unite the great estates of Rosings and Pemberley .’ Darcy had continually told her that he had wealth enough, that he would not be able to do justice to both estates.

But now? The Lancaster holdings were much more extensive than Rosings, and Lancaster Castle was a large and important building on the city centre hilltop.

But he found he was less concerned about managing the combined estates. And it was because of Elizabeth. If he had to take this on in order to secure her, then he would.

In any event, the duke seemed to manage all right, and he had significant duties in the House of Lords which Darcy wouldn’t have.

He smiled and sipped his drink. Lady Catherine would be furious.

He was at the door of Osborne House at the start of the calling hour the next morning, his anticipation slightly muted at the thought of the possibility of the duke being in the room as well as Lady Elizabeth.

Perhaps a maid would sit in with them. One thing was certain, they’d not be free to converse in privacy.

He was led into a smaller drawing room, and his heart lightened. Lady Cecilia was present, along with a woman in drab companion garb. His gaze turned at once to Elizabeth, and he bowed.

“Good morning, Lady Elizabeth. I hope you are well?”

“Very well, thank you,” she dipped her head in acknowledgement, and he turned to the aunt. “I hope you are also well, Lady Cecilia.”

She nodded at him. “I am well, Mr. Darcy. It is a pleasure to see you this morning.”

They sat together for a few minutes while trays of tea and pastries were brought in. But before too long, Lady Cecilia rose to her feet. “I will sit by the other fire, Elizabeth.” She and her companion moved away, and Darcy’s eyes followed them.

He found himself with Elizabeth, and she smiled at him. “I am pleased you have called this morning, Mr. Darcy. I have been looking forward to it.”

His heart bounded, but he still felt rather embarrassed. “I, too, have been anticipating this call with much pleasure, madam.”

Her eyes were dancing. “But I think you feel the embarrassment as much as I do. Rather as if we have been put into a cage together and are being watched to see if we suit.”

He laughed. “You have the right of it.” But then he sobered. “But you must know how I feel about you, Lady Elizabeth.” He stopped, confused, as her eyebrows rose.

“Mr. Darcy, I would remind you. ‘She is tolerable, I grant you, but not handsome enough to tempt me’ ,” and she laughed lightly. “Come now, admit that when you first got to know the Bennet family, you disdained us all.”

He knew he flushed. “I did,” he admitted. “I am ashamed of how I felt then.” He allowed himself to smile. “I was trying to convince myself that I was not in any danger from you.”

“Danger!” Her eyes danced, and he smiled reluctantly.

“You knew, even then, Lady Elizabeth, how much power you had over young men, how easily they could love your manner, your joy in life, and your lovely appearance.”

“You flatter me now, Mr. Darcy.” She looked at him calculatingly. “If Jane hadn’t written to me and told me of your manner after you had called on my father the day before the Netherfield ball, then I might have been forced to think you only pursued me now because I am no longer a Bennet.”

He hesitated. “I confess it took me a long time to realise I could not make myself walk away, despite who I thought you were.” He spoke quietly, relieved she had heard from her sister of his call on Mr. Bennet.

Her voice teased him. “And, of course, I know you are not in need of my fortune!”

He failed in his attempt not to smile. “Do you not think I am determined to get the castle?”

“The castle?” She pretended a frown. “I have heard you love Pemberley, sir. What would make you wish to live in a draughty, cold castle a hundred miles further north?”

“You have discovered me, Lady Elizabeth. Perhaps you ought to visit Pemberley and consider whether you’d wish to make it one of your homes before you accept your father’s suggestion of my suit.”

She tipped her head on one side. “Would it be your principal home when not in town?”

He nodded; would this be the rock on which this joy foundered?

“I would like it so. However, I usually travel often to my other estates and holdings. Although I have good stewards, I believe they are better and more loyal because I take an interest in their work and praise them for it.”

“I am not used to such considerations, Mr. Darcy. But, I would not think I would wish to be left behind too often when my husband was travelling.”

“Of one thing I have always been determined. That at any point when considering marriage, each person has something to say, some preference that must be considered and discussed. Agreement ought to be reached that satisfied both sides.”

She was leaning forward, appearing to weigh his words carefully. He swallowed.

“I have wealth enough, Miss Elizabeth, that we may travel together whenever you wish it so, with no additional discomfort.”

“Would that also apply after the arrival of children?”

He was surprised at the depth this conversation was going — until he saw the glint in her eye, when he laughed.

“I have not yet considered such a deep conversation, madam. Though I have had little to do with children, I cannot imagine that if they were yours, you or I would wish to leave them behind.”

“I ought to see Pemberley, I suppose,” she said artlessly. “Although it has the benefit of being close to my aunt and uncle, so it commends itself to me already.”

He was not aware she was on such good terms with the earl and his wife so soon after meeting them. “Indeed. Consall Hall is but twenty miles away.”

“Oh, yes. But I had not meant them, it was Peak House … oh!” she seemed flustered. “You might not know.”

“Peak House?” Darcy frowned. “That has been empty for a number of years. I do not know who owns it.”

She laughed. “Peak House belongs to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. I did not know about it until a few days ago, when Aunt wrote to me to tell me that they were giving over their house in Gracechurch Street to a managing partner in the business and moving to the estate they’ve owned for many years.”

Darcy hoped his eyes did not show his shock. “Why would they have given the pretence of being in trade if they were not?”

“It was arranged by them with Father when I was placed with the Bennets soon after I was born — Uncle is Mama’s brother, you see.

So they lived in Gracechurch Street, as if Aunt were not related to the Bailey family, and I used to stay with them often, so Father, pretending to be a friend of the family, could call and see me. ”

Darcy swallowed. He had made dreadful mistakes in considering those around her.

“I am mortified, Lady Elizabeth, that I did not properly consider those in your life then.”

“And why should you have?” she asked him solemnly. “No one did, and that is as my father wanted. It kept me safe for twenty years.”

“It was a very complicated arrangement,” he observed carefully. “Do you know the reason why he did not just keep you with him?”

“I look too much like my mother,” she said sadly. “Aunt Cecilia does, too. I can see how much it pains him to look at us. But he is trying so hard to see me as a separate person, and to forgive you for being a Darcy.”

Darcy had further questions, but Lady Cecilia was coming towards them. He rose to his feet. It seemed his call was over.