Page 65 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

Berkeley plucked a piece of lint from his coat sleeve. “Yesterday afternoon, I went to your house with the intent of asking whether your sister or cousin had a letter for you that I could bring today. When I entered your street, I observed Miss Bennet pass by in her uncle’s carriage. At the entryway, I commented to Slade that Georgiana must have been delighted to receive her friend. He informed me that Georgiana had the headache and had not met with Miss Bennet.”

“That does not mean anything.”

“There is more.” His trunk shifted upright. “I spoke to Miles in the sitting room that serves as his workshop. I related my conversation with Slade, adding that it was a shame Miss Bennet had come all this way for no reason. He hummed and hawed before finally admittinghehad received Miss Bennet. I askedwhether she had anything of note to impart, and he demurred, declaring they discussed generalities. But you ought to have seen him—he appeared to be quite ill at ease. I have seldom observed a more convincing manifestation of a guilty conscience.”

I almost uttered another protest, but Berkeley lifted a finger to signal he had not finished.

“When I took my leave, I called your coachman over to me. I asked him what time Miss Bennet had arrived at the house. She had been there forthree hours.”

I slumped against the chair. Why would she have remained there with Miles for so long? Had she spent that entire time with him? Could they have fallen in love? I could not deny his many desirable attributes, nor their apparent compatibility. A crushing weight hindered my chest as I scrambled for reasons, even one reason, why they should not suit as a couple, but nothing came to me.

“If my conjecture is correct, it is better for you to discover this now. You can be grateful Mr. Bennet imposed a waiting period upon you and Miss Bennet.” Berkeley sat at the edge of his seat. “Think of how dreadful it would have been if you had married her and later learnt she loved Miles.”

Nothingwould be worse than that.

“In all honesty, I always considered Miss Bennet to be an odd choice for you—aside from her lack of wealth and connexions. She is the sort who loves balls and parties, whereas you prefer a quiet evening at home, so either you would have spent many evenings apart or one of you would have acceded to the other’s preference against their own. She and Miles have much more in common—you must see that.”

But I love her so very much. I braced my spine. Wait—I should not make a hasty judgment based on such scant evidence. Several benign possibilities could account for Elizabeth spending a few hours at my house. “Miss Bennet mayhave walked in the garden or browsed the books in the library. She may have had a conversation with Mrs. Annesley, my housekeeper, or one of the servants.”

My cousin’s mouth wrested to one side. “Yes, those are conceivable explanations, but none of them account for Miles’s odd conduct.”

“He may have been cognisant that the situation could have appeared suspicious to you. That could explain his nervousness.”

“I suppose that is a possibility.” He lifted his hands in a gesture of uncertainty. “Maybe I erred in broaching the subject. I debated with myself whether to reveal my suspicion to you. In the end, I decided you had the right to know what I observed—in your place, I should want to be forewarned.”

I pursed my lips and nodded. Berkeley was mistaken—but he harboured no ill intent. I should refrain from drawing any assumptions before I spoke to Miles and Elizabeth.

Friday, 26 June

Darcy House

Darcy

“Welcome home, sir, and please accept my condolences for the loss of your cousin.” Slade took my coat and hat.

“Thank you, Slade. Where is Miles?”

“Your cousin departed this morning for Canterbury. He left a letter for you. I placed it a-top the stack in your study.”

Zounds, I could not speak to Miles today. With a nod to Slade, I strode down the hall. Regardless of Miles’s absence, I should see Elizabeth as soon as may be. God willing, I should never endure another separation of this length from her again. I entered my study and took Miles’s epistle from the salver on my desk, tearing it open.

26 June

Dear Fitzwilliam,

I apologise for not being here to welcome you back today. With your expected arrival, I took the opportunity to leave for Canterbury. I had put the trip off due to my reluctance to leave Georgiana alone. (Even though she has the amiable and capable Mrs. Annesley for company, the lady is not family.) I have personal business to address there, and I hope to resolve the matter within a few days.

Georgiana and I were saddened to receive your notification of Miss de Bourgh’s death. We decided to spend the week at the house with the knocker down as a show of respect for her premature loss of life.

I have momentous tidings to share with you, and it is a topic that must be discussed in person. I am both anxious and eager to relate this news. We have both remarked in the past how quickly our fraternal bond has formed. For my part, it feels as though I have known you for years rather than mere weeks. Consequently, your opinion and approval are vital to me. I hope you will keepthis in mind and attempt to reserve judgment for what I shall tell you until I have explained the particulars.

Yours truly, MD

I folded the letter and placed it in the top drawer of my desk. What could Miles have to tell me that would make him nervous for my response? His news could not have anything to do with Elizabeth—could it?

No, of course not. Although…he had seen Elizabeth several times these past few weeks, yet he had not mentioned her in the letter. Was that not odd?

“Fitzwilliam.” My sister stood in the doorway with Mrs. Annesley behind her.

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