Page 4 of Darcy's Disguise (The Bennet and Darcy Chronicles #3)

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L izzie attempted to explain Mr. Dawson to her sister. "Jane, you would have laughed to see it," Elizabeth said, linking her arm through her sister’s as they walked toward Meryton’s market square. "I do not believe I have ever seen a tutor quite like him."

Jane smiled, her expression warm as always. "No? And what, pray, makes this Mr. Dawson so unique?"

“Truthfully, we don’t know many tutors, do we?” Elizabeth sighed, at a loss. "Everything about him isunexpected. He knows more than a simple tutor should—he speaks like a gentleman. He has themind of a scholar, but he claims to be the son of a stable master. And," she added, narrowing her eyes slightly, "he debates as though it ishis greatest pleasure."

Jane let out asoft laugh. "Then he sounds like a man you would find mostagreeable."

Elizabeth scoffed, shaking her head. "I saidpuzzling,Jane, not agreeable."

Jane squeezed her sister’s arm. "And yet, youenjoyedhis company."

Elizabeth hesitated. Should she admit such a thing? Mr. Dawson wascertainly an enigma; but enigma or not,he had intrigued her. She hadwatched him teach, watched him challenge, watched him smile when he thought no one was looking.

And, most unsettlingly of all—she hadwanted to know more. "I find himcurious, that is all," she said lightly. “And you know we’ve never had a tutor ourselves, or a governess or anyone to bother themselves with our education. Perhaps I’m simply hoping to learn from the man.”

Jane gave hera knowing look. "Then we must have him to dinner."

Elizabeth winced.

Janelaughed."Oh, come now, Lizzy. The reverend and his children will surely come as well. It will be pleasant."

Elizabeth walked a few steps before responding. "I suppose it could be amusing to see him match wits with Father."

Jane smiledat her victory. "I shall extend the invitation when next I see the reverend," She turned to laugh at her sister. "And you may deliver it to Mr. Dawson yourself."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Oh, how generous of you, dearest sister."

They reached themilliner’s shop, where Lydia and Kitty often spentmore time than was entirely necessary.

Jane selecteda lovely pale blue ribbon, while Elizabeth absently fingered a green silk one.

They were about to make their purchases when they heard two women giggling behind a bonnet display. "Did you see him, Clara? The new tutor?"

"Mr. Dawson?" the second woman said.

"Yes! My brother’s boys have lessons with him, and I happened upon them in the square yesterday.Tall, dark, quite handsome."

Elizabeth’s lips twitched.

The second woman fanned herselfdramatically. "Oh, I do love a man who reads. And did you notice his hands?"

Elizabeth and Janeboth froze.

"His hands?" the first woman asked.

"Large, but elegant," the second said withabsolute reverence. "Scholarly, but strong—like a man whothinks deeply but could also rescue you should you happen to swoon."

“You shouldn’t say such things!” One of them placed a hand over her mouth. “Are we permitted to swoon over tutors?”

“Mama says it depends how well bred he is. Perhaps he is a well-connected tutor.”

“I don’t care at all about his connections if I can just sit and listen to him speak! Have you heard his voice. I get shivers and gooseflesh.”

They giggled together and moved out of earshot.

Elizabethpressed her lips together, determined not to laugh.

Jane’s eyesdanced with amusement.

The women continuedtheir quiet swooning, and Elizabeth quickly paid for her ribbon before she lost all composure.

Once outside, Jane let out asoft giggle.

"You did not mention his large but elegant hands," she teased.

Elizabeth groaned. "Oh, do not start, Jane."

"You must admit." Jane leaned closer. "It is amusing to hear the ladies of Merytonfawn over a tutor."

Elizabeth folded her arms. "I supposehe does stand out.”

Janearched a brow."You have obviously noticed."

A familiar voice sounded behind them.

"Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth turned and coughed. “William Dawson.” She felt her face heat and desperately attempted to calm her expression. “Jane, this is my um friend I was telling you about.”

Tall, composed,dark-haired and far too put-together for a man of supposed humble origins. His lipstwitched slightly, as if he had overheard something amusing.

"Mr. Dawson," Jane greeted, ever polite.

“And this is my sister Jane.” Elizabeth noddedcarefully, still replaying the conversation about his hands and wondering which bits he’d overheard. What on earth was she supposed to do with that?

"Are you heading home?" Dawson asked.

"Yes," Jane said warmly. "Would you care to walk with us?"

Elizabeth threw hera sharp look, but Jane merely smiledinnocently.

Mr. Dawson nodded. "I would be delighted."

They fell intoeasy conversation, Darcy listening attentively as Jane spoke ofthe families in the area, the ways in which Meryton differed from the surrounding towns, and the upcoming harvest festival.

A group of women passed, all ogling Dr. Dawson most obviously. They spoke of the upcoming assembly dance in Meryton.

"Are you much for dancing, Mr. Dawson?" Jane asked.

Elizabeth sawa flicker of something in his gaze. "I have been known to dance." His face revealed nothing more than his vague answer.

Elizabethnarrowed her eyes. That was a very avoidant response. "You do surprise me, sir," she said lightly. "I would have thought a man of your quiet disposition would find dancing tiresome."

His lipscurved slightly. "Perhaps I find it a necessary challenge.”

Elizabeth arched a brow. "A challenge?"

He turned all of his attention to her. “A dance is a conversation," he said easily. "And I have always found a well-matched partner to be rather… exhilarating."

Elizabethcleared her throat, determined not to be affected. "Well, I shall look forward to seeing if you live up to your own expectations, Mr. Dawson."

His mouth curled in a slow deliberate smile. "As shall I, Miss Bennet." He offered her his arm and placed his hand over the top of hers. “Though, I do not know if my participation will be needed. I find that tutors are invited to assemblies such as these, dinners and other social gatherings to round out numbers.” He shrugged. “If such is the case here, then I’d like to dance a set with you two sisters if I may.”

Lizzie smiled. “Of course. And perhaps you should consider yourself invited by the two of us and attend.”

Jane nodded. “Of course. With a family of sisters, we are always hoping for more rounded out numbers so to speak.”

He dipped his head. “I shall be happy to oblige.”

They continuedonward, Jane engaging Mr. Dawson in easy conversation.

Elizabeth, meanwhile,found herself watching him more closely than before.

The way he carried himself.

The way he spoke with suchcarefully measured words.

The way henever quite gave too much away.

And she thought, not for the first time, who exactly are you, Mr. Dawson?