Page 15 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

Darcy sipped his tea, grateful that the chatter of the others at the breakfast table made it largely unnecessary for him to speak. He had slept poorly, his rest invaded by strange dreams. Each one was haunted by a pair of brilliant, sparkling eyes that seemed to have a smile in them.

It had not been unpleasant by any means.

Only rather unnerving, for Darcy was afraid he knew exactly to whom the eyes belonged.

Suppressing a sigh, he resolved to think of it no more — to think of nothing, if he could find no more suitable thought to occupy himself, and simply enjoy his tea.

The Scottish tea was stronger, darker, and maltier than Darcy was accustomed to.

Though initially hesitant, he found he enjoyed it immensely, every bit as much as its weaker English cousin.

Breakfast was every bit as hearty, being composed of bacon, eggs, and tattie scones.

The scones, made with potatoes, were also heartier than the daintier, sweeter English scones they were used to.

Everything in Scotland seemed to be geared toward the harshness of the weather and extreme landscapes, good fuel for cold days and strong winds.

As breakfast came to a close, Mr Campbell wiped his mouth and leant forward. “Well, I hope you are all well-rested and that your minds are ready to be engaged. I have the first riddle prepared for you.”

Darcy drew in a quick breath, glancing around the table. Mr Bennet was nodding in satisfaction, a keen look in his eyes. Georgiana and Miss Bennet had both leant forward in anticipation of the riddle.

Mr Campbell looked around the table, eyeing each of them in turn. Privately a little amused, Darcy thought that Mr Campbell must have a turn for the dramatic, for he let the silence stretch out into a long, tense pause before speaking. “Here it is: Adam Smith’s animal that does not make bargains.”

Everyone glanced around the table for a moment. Darcy was dumbfounded, unable to see what the riddle might mean.

“I see!” Mr Bennet said suddenly, and got up from the table, walking out of the dining room in a great hurry.

Georgiana gave an excited squeal and excused herself, following behind him to watch.

Mr Campbell frowned, but followed as well, no doubt curious to see if Mr Bennet really could have solved his riddle so quickly.

Darcy rose more slowly, unable to decipher what the riddle could mean. Miss Bennet stood up from the table as well, but did not follow the others. “Well, it seems we are off to the races,” she said with a small smile.

“It does, at that. I confess, I have no idea where to begin.”

She smoothed her skirts down and approached his side of the table. “Nor I. But…I wonder if I might take a moment of your time, Mr Darcy? I understand if you need to go and deal with the riddle now, but perhaps over the course of the day?”

“Of course,” he replied. “Now would suit me, if you wish. I will need some time to think about the riddle before I can even try to solve it. Mr Campbell chose a difficult one for our first riddle.”

“I suppose it had to be that way,” Miss Bennet said. She shifted nervously, seeming hesitant to meet his gaze. “What I wish to discuss is Miss Darcy. Did she inform you that she has asked for my help with her wardrobe and the art of conversation?”

“Yes, she has told me. I am very pleased she has come to someone who can offer her some help. I confess I am not apprised of the current women’s fashions.”

“No, indeed. And I do not mean to make it sound as though I do not want to help. However, she had asked if I would accompany her to town to place an order for some new dresses.” She took a breath and smiled knowingly.

“I have three younger sisters, Mr Darcy, and if given the chance, I know they would certainly order more gowns than our father could readily pay for. I thought perhaps you might like me to discourage Miss Darcy from the idea, or to assist her in limiting herself to a single new gown.”

Darcy nodded, suddenly realising that she had no idea just how wealthy the Darcy family was.

It was refreshing, for he was all too accustomed to fending off advances from young women after his fortune — or their mothers, who were equally greedy to find a suitable match for their daughters among the social elite.

“I thank you for your concern, Miss Bennet, but my sister need not worry about overextending her order. She may order whatever gowns she requires and that you consider appropriate.”

Miss Bennet smiled. “That is very generous of you. I shall try to help her in any way I can,” she said and started to turn away.

Darcy was not ready for their semi-private moment to end.

He glanced at the footmen clearing the breakfast dishes and motioned to the hall so they might talk out of the way of their work.

“I am grateful to you for being willing to help my sister. I know that I have not always done right by her in that way. When my mother died and my father did not remarry, I was glad. But of late, I have realised it may have damaged Georgiana’s chances of preparing herself for the social arena and making a good match in her later life.

A woman’s influence would have helped her along, whereas I cannot offer such support or advice. ”

“I was surprised that Miss Darcy does not have a companion,” Miss Bennet said mildly. “She mentioned something about a Mrs Younge.”

The sting was more than he would have previously thought possible.

In that area, he had failed as well, thinking that Mrs Younge was someone he could trust. “She had a companion for a little while last year. But I am afraid Mrs Younge turned out to be more of a harm and hindrance than a help. I fear Georgiana is still dealing with some of the consequences of that woman’s influence. ”

“I am sorry to hear it.” Miss Bennet said. “Your sister is a very dear and sweet girl, from all that I have seen during our brief acquaintance, Mr Darcy. I shall do my best to help her along.”

He halted as they came to the drawing room, and he opened the door for her. “Do you intend to go out and see if your father has solved the riddle? Or shall I accompany you in to the drawing room?”

“There is no need to accompany me, sir,” she said, but not unkindly. “I know you must be eager to begin your search for the riddle’s answer.”

Darcy let out a breath and shook his head. “I do not even know where to begin. And I would not dream of asking you —”

He halted as the sound of voices raised in excitement came from down the hall. He stepped aside so Miss Bennet could see as well. Her father and Mr Campbell were coming toward them, Georgiana following close behind.

“I have found it, Lizzy!” Mr Bennet announced as they drew near. Darcy’s heart sank. It had taken him only a matter of minutes to solve the riddle.

“Yes, it was a triumph,” Mr Campbell said. “Shall we all go into the drawing room for a moment?”

They all entered, and Miss Bennet clasped her father’s hand, eagerly congratulating him on his quick wits.

“However did you find it so quickly?” Darcy asked, more intrigued than bitter. He was not a man to pout when he was fairly beaten.

Mr Bennet cleared his throat and lifted his chin in triumph.

“It is quite simple, really. Adam Smith is a Scottish economist and philosopher. I have several of his books, you know. Anyway, in his economic philosophy, he states that ‘Man is an animal that makes bargains: no other animal does this — no dog exchanges bones with another.’ Or something to that effect — likely my quotation is not exact.” Mr Bennet smiled broadly at his daughter.

“Adam Smith’s animal that does not make bargains, therefore, was a dog.

I found the key fastened to Bruce’s collar. ”

Darcy was impressed by how quickly his competitor had solved the mystery. But he could not be upset about it. Obviously, Mr Bennet had a keen intellect that had been honed with extensive reading.

Mr Campbell went to stand by the hearth, placing his hand on the mantel. “I underestimated you, Mr Bennet. In the future, I will not make the same mistake again. I shall have to work harder to make the next clues more challenging.”

Darcy shook his head, feeling utterly done for. If he could not even solve a riddle that was deemed too easy for Mr Bennet, how could he possibly solve the next two puzzles before his rival? He would undoubtedly have to try harder next time.

“Give me the remainder of the day to come up with the next clue, if you will,” Mr Campbell said.

He held out his hand for the cellar key, which Mr Bennet had found on Bruce’s collar, and stuck it in his pocket.

“I shall give the next clue at teatime tomorrow.” He excused himself and was soon gone, no doubt to cook up the next riddle.

Darcy glanced at the window and, seeing the sunshine flowing over the distant mountains, suggested that they take a walk outside to enjoy the fresh air.

“I will not go, I think. I have some letters that need my attention,” Mr Bennet said. He kissed his daughter on the cheek and departed.

“Will you join us, Miss Bennet?” Georgiana asked.

Her voice was filled with such hope that Darcy smiled.

It did his heart good to see her opening up to someone other than himself.

It had been difficult to see her withdraw into shyness and self-doubt.

Much of the light and passion for life had gone out of her since the disillusionment of Ramsgate.

Perhaps there was hope that she could once again be the spirited and lovely young woman he had grown up with.

Thankfully, Miss Bennet accepted the offer. “Yes, I would appreciate some fresh air, not to mention the chance to see more of the grounds.”