Page 8 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

I summoned up a soft tone for Miss Darcy. “How did you occupy yourself whilst Mr. Darcy stayed in Kent?”

“I had my companion…um…Mrs. Annesley, with me. She kept me busy with lessons in music, literature, and…um…Italian. Yesterday, she left to visit her sister, who is expected to enter confinement soon.”

“Speaking of music, I have heard your skill at the pianoforte praised by several people now. Which composers do you most favour?”

Miss Darcy’s eyes brightened. “I admire so many. Of late, though, I have most often played Herr Beethoven’s work.”

Ah, this subject held promise. We discussed our most beloved musical compositions and styles. Miss Darcy’s speech grew more conversational until we formed a tentative rapport. I sneaked glances at Mr. Darcy, who carried on a discussion with my uncle. At one point, he caught me looking and smiled, disrupting my train of thought; I repeated myself before regaining my composure.

When the Darcys prepared to depart, my aunt engaged Miss Darcy in the vestibule, allowing me a moment of relative privacy with Mr. Darcy. I offered my hand, and his palm enveloped mine.

“I appreciate your gracious attention to my sister today.”

“The pleasure is mine. I like her very much.”

“Good day, Miss Elizabeth.” He lifted my hand and bestowed a kiss.

A spark moved up my arm. I savoured his masculine redolence—which on this occasion included tangs of mint and lemon—and swallowed against a sudden denseness in my throat. “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”

When the door closed behind them, Aunt Gardiner bade me to enter the sitting room and sit beside her.

My aunt reclined against the cushions. “I find it significant that Mr. Darcy brought his sister to our home. In my mind, this action signifies his intent to have a lasting connexion with us.” She clasped her hands. “It is apparent you have abandoned your former antipathy for him.”

“Yes, I know him better now.”

“Furthermore, I believe you have withheld information. Is there an understanding between you and Mr. Darcy?”

I fidgeted under her undisguised scrutiny. “No. We are not engaged, but I have every reason to believe his intentions towards me are honourable.”

With an open-mouthed smile, she bent forwards to squeeze my hand. “Well, that is splendid! I could not be more pleased for you. He is a man of great consequence and would be an extraordinary match.” She released my hand, searching my countenance. “Although, this would mean nothing if you did not care for him. How do you feel towards him now?”

“I like him, respect him, and enjoy his company. He is confident we should make a good match, but I need more time to be certain.”

“For whatever it may be worth, I believe your dispositions complement each other well. He has a tendency to be reserved. But once past that initial awkwardness one may experience with a new acquaintance, he is articulate and personable.”

“Hemightbe ideal for me. But I cannot forget his churlishness in Hertfordshire. What if I married him based upon his improved behaviour, and the proud, arrogant side of him returned? Even worse, what if he came to regret binding himself to a lady without wealth and connexions?”

Aunt Gardiner’s forehead crimped. “No doubt if you married Mr. Darcy, you would see glimpses of the person he had been in Hertfordshire. Be mindful, though, that he is a powerful man with many people under his care. To maintain the respect of hisservants and tenants, he may need to appear severe at times. Your uncle is a fierce man of business when the need arises at his warehouse.”

“That is a valid point.”

“I fancy Mr. Darcy has learnt to be restrained in public because, as an eligible, wealthy, and handsome gentleman, he does not want to attract any more attention than he does already. Imagine how the unmarried ladies of London would flock to Mr. Darcy if he had the urbane, open nature of Mr. Bingley.”

“Upon my word, yes! When Jane and I stayed at Netherfield, Miss Bingley made every effort to gain Mr. Darcy’s notice. She brought to mind a persistent, buzzing gnat.”

My aunt’s lips curled, falling just short of a smirk. “I met Miss Bingley when she and her sister called on Jane, and your description has prompted me to picture her in a most humorous light.” She and I shared a giggle. “I do not imagine Mr. Darcy appreciated her efforts.”

“He responded to her overt attention with coldness.”

“Do you fault him for that?”

“No, even a saint would have found her annoying.”

She took a slow breath. “Your fear that Mr. Darcy might regret marrying you is understandable, but I hope the anxiety will dissipate as time goes on. He does not strike me as the sort who makes impulsive decisions.”

“You may be right.” Indeed, Mr. Darcy seemed to have given much thought to the matter of our marriage before he proposed.

“Although you and Jane are due to return home in a few days, you may prefer to remain with us for a while longer. It might be more…convenient for you to see Mr. Darcy here rather than in Hertfordshire.”

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