Page 40 of He Taught Me to Hope (Darcy and the Young Knight’s Quest #1)

“I am used to making my opinions known, young woman. Heaven only knows what my nephew must be thinking in allowing you to share his sister’s home.

Perhaps it is a part of his body, other than his head, with which he is thinking, madam.

You are as beautiful as any other woman with whom I have ever known him to associate.

The one thing you lack and all the women before you possessed, is a fortune.

“Even so, should you possess all the wealth in the world, I would not condone a marriage between my nephew and you. He is intended for my niece!”

“I am afraid you are greatly misinformed if you believe that to be true. Perhaps it is your nephew with whom you should be speaking.”

At that moment, the subject of their discussion walked into the room. Completely ignoring his uncle, Darcy strolled directly to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Carlton, how delighted I am to see you this evening.”

Elizabeth stood to return his greeting. “Indeed, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Darcy.” In a bold show of defiance towards Lord Matlock, Elizabeth offered Darcy her hand. He bowed before her and bestowed a warm kiss.

“I see you have met my illustrious uncle. I apologise I was not here, as I might have had the honour of introducing you, myself. I trust he has been a gracious host,” Darcy said in a mocking tone, intended to vex his dear uncle .

Lord Matlock raised himself from his chair and baulked at his nephew’s impudence. “Now, now, Darcy!” he exclaimed. “How would you expect me to comport myself towards a guest in my home?”

Darcy ignored his uncle’s rebuke. With all his attentions focused on Elizabeth, he said, “If you will grant me the privilege, I look forward to escorting you to dinner.”

“You are very kind, sir,” she responded. “If the two of you will pardon me, I find myself in need of refreshment. Shall I see you in the drawing room, Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes, madam, I shall be there shortly.”

Upon Elizabeth’s quitting the room, Darcy and Lord Matlock wasted no time at all in speaking their minds.

“Your behaviour was uncalled for, Darcy,” the earl raged bitterly.

“The look on Mrs. Carlton’s face upon my entering the room told me otherwise, my lord.”

“I am the head of this family, young man! I have every right to know more of the young woman who has taken up residence with my niece!”

“As long as you regard Mrs. Carlton with respect, I shall have no cause for concern that you might wish to know her better. However, I will not allow you to demean her in any way, as you are so wont to do.”

“Respect, you say!” He spat the words. “Does the fact that you appear to have your mistress residing under the same roof as your sister not constitute blatant disrespect towards Georgiana and the rest of the Fitzwilliam family?”

“I will not be accountable for any misapprehensions you needlessly suffer regarding the nature of my affiliation with Mrs. Carlton. My intentions are honourable. I would marry her today, if she would but say yes.”

“I am not the only one who suffers this ‘misapprehension,’ and you would do well to know that, regardless of whether or not your intentions are honourable! You very well may intend to marry the woman; however, you are not yet married—nor will you ever be if I have any say in the matter.

“How fortunate it is then, for all concerned, you do not have a say!”

Darcy and Elizabeth were not seated close enough to each other at dinner as to make it possible for them to converse, nor were they close enough that he might catch any of her conversations with those around her.

The ease with which she engaged her dinner companions and the spark that shone brightly in her fine eyes, gave him to know she was enjoying the evening.

He was pleased. If only Caroline had not been seated directly across from him, he might have enjoyed the evening too.

Would his aunt ever cease in punishing him?

Mindful of his wish that Georgiana not remain in society any longer than was warranted, Darcy saw to it she returned home almost immediately after the meal, along with Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley.

He had remained long enough to enjoy port with the gentlemen, departing his uncle’s home shortly thereafter.

Soon after his arrival at Georgiana’s residence, she excused herself for the evening, thereby affording Darcy and Elizabeth time alone.

Darcy and Elizabeth sat opposite each other on facing couches.

More space was between them than either of the two would have wished, but warranted if they were to keep up their tacit agreement of a chaste relationship.

Elizabeth spoke to him of her pleasure at having been received favourably by so many, including his aunt, Lady Matlock, on the one hand, and her general displeasure with the scrutiny she had received from his uncle, on the other.

“Elizabeth, I apologise for my uncle’s deplorable treatment. I assure you that I will make certain he is on his best behaviour when next you two meet.”

“It is not solely your uncle, I am afraid. Others uttered thinly veiled, snide remarks regarding my association with you and your sister; Miss Bingley amongst them. ”

“What is your greatest concern? People will think what they want, will they not? You know the truth. What concerns have you of what others so wholly unconnected with you might think?”

“If only it were so. My dearest sister Jane has been keeping company with Mr. Collins. Can you imagine that? It seems he is courting her. He may very well ask for her hand in marriage. From all indications, she is quite prepared to accept.”

“I can think of worse things than that,” he mumbled, nonchalantly.

“Can you Mr. Darcy? What do you suppose might be worse than my sister marrying Mr. Collins?” Elizabeth challenged.

“He might have married you !”

Elizabeth was not amused. She rested her head in her hands.

“Would that I could get away from it all,” she uttered wearily.

Not wishing to minimise all he had done on her behalf, she raised her eyes to meet his.

“Not that I do not enjoy it here, mind you. I am very grateful Georgiana has extended such hospitality. It is just that I feel so much a prisoner here—having to be ever cognizant of society’s rigid expectations.

I can scarcely step out of doors for a solitary breath of fresh air without giving rise to a scandal. ”

Darcy wanted desperately to offer Elizabeth solace.

Giving up all pretence of not wishing to be near her, he abandoned his seat and moved to her side.

Faint traces of lavender flooded his senses.

He took her soft hand in his and placed his free hand lovingly on her cheek.

“There is a matter I have been putting off discussing with you. In fact, I have been putting it off, not wanting to leave you and Ben so soon after you settled in with my sister. Now seems an apt time. I have been summoned back to Pemberley by my steward, to resolve an escalating dispute amongst my tenants.”

He gently caressed her tiny hand. “What say you we all travel to Pemberley? I am sure Georgiana will be agreeable since we had planned to spend the summer there. We will simply arrive a little ahead of schedule. This way, you can take your time in deciding your next step, away from prying eyes, wagging tongues, and interfering uncles. You and Ben will have a chance to enjoy the freedom of Pemberley, and Ben will have leeway to roam a bit farther than I am comfortable with here in town.”

Elizabeth looked deeply into his eyes. Her eyes then fell to his lips and remained there for as long as it took to remember herself. She then gazed at his beautiful face. Say what she would for the benefit of everyone else, she was in his power, completely. Elizabeth would deny him nothing.

Darcy traced his fingers along her cheek. Speaking in a deeper, more seductive tone, he continued, “Please, say you will accompany me. You are sure to enjoy yourself—I promise.”

Between Darcy and Bingley, there had always been a very steady friendship.

On the strength of Darcy’s regard, Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion.

Therefore, when Bingley became aware of the talk circulating amongst the ton that Darcy was often seen around town in the company of an unknown country beauty, he sought to know what his old friend was about.

Try as he might to call on Darcy at his town-house, he had yet been unable to accomplish that feat with any success. Bingley, being a single man, was not apt to call upon Miss Darcy, a young woman not yet out amongst society.

His sister Caroline’s account that Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton of Hertfordshire was the mystery woman rumoured to be his friend’s mistress, he regarded as complete nonsense—as clear a sign as any his sister continued to delude herself where Darcy was concerned.

Elizabeth’s presence at the Matlock’s dinner party had solved the mystery of the woman’s identity for Bingley, even if it had not lent credence to his sister’s theory.

The last he had heard, Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton was engaged to be married to her cousin.

His late arrival to the Matlock home along with Elizabeth’s early departure provided little by means of satisfying his curiosity. With his friend’s eagerness to leave early as well, the best he could secure from his friend had been a promise to meet him at White’s for drinks the next day.

Bingley greeted his friend with warmth and enthusiasm, but uncharacteristically wasted little time with pleasantries, preferring instead to get straight to the point.

The drink orders had not been placed when he asked, “How in the world did Mrs. Elizabeth Carlton become a guest in your sister’s home? If my memory serves me correctly, you two were not the best of friends whilst in Hertfordshire. How is she now rumoured to be regularly in your company about town?”

Darcy responded, “The answer is simple—I am in love with her. I believe I have been in love with her since the day I first laid eyes upon her. She is indeed a guest in Georgiana’s home.

In but a few days, we shall all travel to Pemberley.

There, I hope to persuade her to accept my hand in marriage. ”

“What of your objections to her family, or does your intolerance of the Bennets and their lack of connections only apply to my situation?”

“Bingley, if this indeed has anything to do with your regard for Miss Bennet, I shall not accept the blame for your decision to leave Netherfield Park in such a precipitous manner. Certainly, I am not responsible for your decision not to act upon your regard for the lady.”

“Yet, you hardly encouraged me to stay. You even suggested Miss Bennet was indifferent towards me—you said her smiles were as likely to be bestowed upon me as any other man.”

“You asked for my opinion and I offered it in good conscience. I neither encouraged nor discouraged your decision to pursue Miss Bennet.”

“I will grant you that, Darcy. With such being the case, is there anything you might tell me of Miss Bennet? Seeing as how her sister is residing in your own sister’s home, surely you must have knowledge of the particulars of her situation.”

Darcy had always enjoyed an easy manner of directing his friend. This time would prove no different. Perhaps if Bingley should arrive in Cheapside in time to interrupt Collins’s pursuit, then so much the better. Indeed, Elizabeth would be pleased , Darcy considered.

“She resides in Cheapside with her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. However, I must forewarn you, my friend; I have it on good authority she is admired by another man.”

“In Cheapside—and admired by another,” Bingley pondered aloud. “I appreciate this information, my friend. Indeed, I shall seek out Miss Bennet and determine what I must as regards this other man.”

“May the better man win,” Darcy said.

“Indeed, may the better man win,” Bingley reiterated with confidence.