Page 36 of An Accidental Meeting
Chapter Ten
Darcy motioned over to the small chess table near the window.
“How clever,” Elizabeth said with admiration, touching the table’s surface where a chess board was inlaid with alternating pearl and Derbyshire Blue-John squares.
He reached into a compartment hidden beneath the table and produced a small box that held the chess pieces.
“My father has a beautiful chess set,” Elizabeth informed him. “But this table is unlike any I have ever seen. It will be a pleasure to use it.” She smiled and waggled her brows comically. “And even more to win with it.”
“You think yourself assured of a victory, then?” he asked.
“Of course. For while I cannot upset this board from the table when I spy defeat, I can certainly dispose of the pieces.”
Darcy could not help but be entranced with the thought of a naughty Elizabeth Bennet.
Almost desperately, he waved her to a chair. “We must begin, for Bingley will not take long. He will soon be at your heels asking about your sister, I am afraid.”
Elizabeth’s lips turned down into a frown, but she soon recovered. “White or black?” she asked as she sat, her movements elegant and refined.
Darcy slid into his own chair with some haste, nearly missing the seat altogether. Elizabeth cocked her head to one side like an inquisitive bird. “Are you well, sir?”
He nodded. “Quite. I shall play black, Miss Bennet.”
“Very well.” They set up the pieces and Elizabeth immediately moved her king’s pawn forward two spaces.
It was an aggressive move, not at all his own style. He preferred to move more subtly along the sides of the board, to set traps. It was how most of his opponents played. For a moment, he was unsure how to respond. But he had faith in his game, and carefully moved his queenside bishop’s pawn forward to meet hers.
Though the game that followed was perhaps not the most cerebral he had ever played, it was one of the most exciting. Elizabeth did not play defensively. For every one of his quiet gambits, she was brave, risky, quick.
At last, he smiled. Two moves to check.
“Checkmate,” her sweet voice said as her hand left her piece.
He dropped his eyes to the board.
There was no escape for him. She had fooled him into watching the wrong part of the board while her knight snuck in from the other side.
He would like to salve his pride by telling himself that it was his distraction that had led to his defeat, but he could not. She had bested him with her unusual game. He smiled, then sighed and tipped his king over. “Neatly caught, madam.”
Her expression, he was surprised to see, bore some uncertainty, but when he spoke, the harsher lines resolved into a small smile. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. My opponents often lose to me at first, but then become wise to my ploys. It is more difficult for me to win a second.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, noticing the slip in his address only when it was already out of his mouth, “I do not require placating. You had the superior strategy, and you won the game. I do, however, expect to be rewarded with another while you are in residence. Your approach is fascinating.”
“Consider this game a warning, Mr. Darcy,” she said impishly.
“A warning for what?”
She smiled. “It was my uncle who taught me how to play.”
Darcy nodded. “I must prepare my armour, I think.”
“That might be best.”
“Good heavens, Darcy!” came another voice. “Have youlost?”
Bingley was finished dressing.
Darcy would have preferred to avoid having Bingley witness his defeat and even more to avoid his loudly announcing it, but as an honourable man he was required to respond honestly. “I have.”
