Page 37 of Desired By Mr Darcy
“I see. May I join you?”
“Of course.”
She took her seat as the servant fussed over her, ensuring she had all she would need before withdrawing to see to more tea.
“Are you well?” he asked.
“Quite well. And you?”
“Quite well, thank you. And you?”
“Quite well, as I have established,” she said with a wry smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
“As did I.”
Their eyes met; the secret they shared burning between them. He noticed, to his horror, a tiny bruise on her neck. Had he been so rough last night as to leave a mark? She caught his staring, and raised her hand to cover it.
“I believe we will depart for Hertfordshire tomorrow,” she continued innocently. “Will you join us?”
“I have a few more things I must see to, but I will return in good time for the wedding.”
“I am glad; it would not be much of a wedding without the groom.”
They sat in silence, neither knowing quite what to say. Just as the quiet stretched on for so long that it became unpleasant, his cousin burst into the room. Dressed for morning, he had clearly not been expecting to find Darcy and Elizabeth alone in the room. He bowed to Elizabeth in greeting, and directed an irritatingly knowing smirk towards Darcy.
“Good morning! Dear Miss Elizabeth, I see you are an early riser like my cousin. Good, good. Are you well?”
“Quite well, thank you, Colonel. I trust you slept well?”
“Like a log. Though, Darcy, I’d have the place checked for mice. I’m sure I could hear something scurrying around.”
“How so, if you slept as soundly as you say?” Darcy asked, though he felt his heart race.
Elizabeth busied herself stirring sugar into her tea, the morning light doing nothing to hide the distinct blush on her cheeks.
“A dream, then. I say, Miss Elizabeth, are you hot? You’ve turned quite pink.”
“Yes, yes, I am rather hot. I believe I will go for a walk after we have eaten.”
“Good, good. Nothing like fresh air to cool one’s blood.”
The three of them ate in silence, though his cousin’s glances to try and catch his attention did not escape Darcy’s notice. Fitzwilliam had never been subtle, and today was no exception. It continued when Mrs and Miss Bennet joined them, as well as Georgiana, and Darcy quite lost his patience when he felt his cousin’s boot connect with his shin.
“I will leave you all,” Darcy said, standing up abruptly and interrupting the ladies’ conversation. “I will see you for tea. A good day.”
“I’ll come with you, Darcy. We need to discuss that…that thing.”
Darcy tried his very hardest not to roll his eyes, merely gesturing for his cousin to follow him. He walked, Fitzwilliam trailing along as his shadow, to his study.
“What is the matter with you?” Darcy barked. “I am sure I shall be quite bruised.”
“What happened last night? I know it was no dream, and the pair of you were behaving as though you had been caught stealing the silver. Tell me, Darcy.”
“It is none of your concern.”
“Perhaps not, but I wish to know all the same. Did the two of you anticipate your vows last night? Lord, Darcy, that was not what I meant when I said you ought to be a bit more passionate. And in the library! The girl deserved a bed.”
