Page 8 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
Grandmother Bennet was hastening towards them, and by the expression on her countenance, Elizabeth surmised something was amiss. Once their gazes met, her grandmother slowed her pace and appeared to compose herself.
“Dear Eilís,I am exceedingly sorry, but Henry is unwell, and we have to return home rather urgently.”
“Pray, what is the matter? Is it his heart?” Uncle Henry’s health was a cause for concern. He suffered palpations of the heart, and his advanced years did nothing to alleviate her worries.
“I am not certain,” her grandmother prevaricated, which only made Elizabeth’s apprehension grow.
“Think nothing of it. I have had a splendid evening, and we must not tarry to return Uncle Henry to the comforts of Limerick House. Have you sent for his physician?” Elizabeth asked.
Grandmother Bennet nodded absentmindedly and turned away. Elizabeth supposed the gesture was to allow her to say her farewells to Mr Darcy with a modicum of privacy.
“Mr Darcy, it has been a pleasure.” Elizabeth dipped into a deep curtsey. Her heel shook, but she avoided disgrace by sheer strength.
“May I call upon you?”
The desperation in Mr Darcy’s voice pleased her deeply and matched the sentiments she felt in the pit of her stomach.
“I would like that very much,” Elizabeth admitted, unabashed, holding his gaze for longer than was strictly proper.
Her grandmother cleared her throat, and Elizabeth hastened after her. She led her on a convoluted route to the entrance, where Uncle Henry waited with their shawls and the carriage stood ready at the bottom of the steps. He looked pale and drawn but, to Elizabeth’s relief, not terribly ill.
Yet he slumped after he had seated himself and appeared to have aged a decade.
“Is there anything I can do for your present relief?” Elizabeth enquired.
“No, thank you, my dear. I have had a shock, but I shall revive soon.”
Elizabeth itched to enquire but dared not lest it upset her uncle further. Her grandmother held no such qualms.
“The nerve of the Campbells…” she hissed.
Uncle Henry shook his head. “The baronet must have died given that the family has returned to town.”
“It has been twenty-two blissful years with their absence from society. I suppose I believed they would never be welcomed in London, but no one seems to remember. Let us pray it will be of short duration and that they will soon return to the North.”
Uncle Henry pressed his lips together in a combination of displeasure and disbelief.
Her grandmother continued. “We should take precautions while we gather our wits. Meanwhile, I shall have the knocker removed. I cannot allow them to call until I have decided whether to acknowledge them or give them the cut direct.”
Elizabeth was shocked. To give someone the cut direct was hardly ever done and must be proof that those Campbells were utterly corrupt.
“As much as I would like you to cut them,” Uncle Henry murmured tiredly, “to do so may cause undesirable attention.”
“You are right. I would rather avoid the acquaintance without stirring old grievances.
Chapter 3 Mr Darcy’s Struggles
Darcy
Darcy was discouraged as he stood on the pavement outside the corner house on Berkeley Square. The knocker was down. He scratched his head and blinked, but that did not change the fact that Limerick House was not receiving visitors. His lordship had fallen ill at the ball the previous night, which had cut their evening short. The ailment must be serious since not even the ladies were accepting callers.
It was to be hoped that the marquess would soon recover and allow him to gaze upon the face of the most intriguing lady he had ever met. The fact that he was infatuated with a woman he had not even seen was proof of how captivated he had been. He was not concerned about her suitability; the company she kept proved she was of elevated rank, and that his dear mother had invited her to tea confirmed her excellent connections. She was a graceful and elegant dancer, though she had mis-stepped when he had accidentallyor notbumped into her back. He could not fault her for that, and the long look she had given him upon her departure convinced him that she had been as affected as he. They had been standing right beneath a chandelier that had allowed him to study the emerald-green eyes that were scorched into his memory as the most striking, irresistible, enchanting…
Darcy sighed deeply and turned towards his uncle’s house. Richard was an early riser and would not mind the intrusion. He walked the few yards and was admitted by Matlock’s butler and escorted to the library, where his cousin was sipping his coffee whilst perusing the morning gazette.
“God! You look awful.” Richard flinched in an exaggerated fashion as he tried to keep a straight face.
“Thank you.” Darcy bowed and accepted both the chair and the cup of coffee his cousin offered.
