Sam raised his brows and then looked between the gentlemen before they all burst out in laughter. Elizabeth blushed in embarrassment.
“Never mind us, Miss Elizabeth,” Will said when they had calmed. “We see a different side of your brother than perhaps you do, but I would hope one day my own sister may say the same of me.”
“Surely she will,” Mr. Darcy cut in. “Fitzwilliam knows the Darcy legacy he must live up to. He has always made me proud, and I know he will never disappoint me.”
As the older man spoke, Elizabeth thought she saw Will’s previous amusement fade. Such words ought to inspire well-deserved pride and affection. Instead, Will looked a bit like a man trying not to choke.
“Well, what are the plans for the morning?” Mr. Bingley asked.
“I invited Fitzwilliam and his friends to the club, but he has declined. I suppose the young people would prefer to find other forms of amusement.”
Sam nodded. “Yesterday, Charles said his sisters wanted to walk in the park during the fashionable hour and then visit a few shops.”
“Very good,” Mr. Darcy smiled at his guest. “I expect you and Fitzwilliam will accompany the ladies.”
Elizabeth saw the nearly imperceptible set of Will’s jaw tighten. Meeting his father’s eyes, he nodded. Next, he met Elizabeth’s gaze. Her breath stole as she thought she could read the young man’s feelings and found they reflected her own. Fitzwilliam Darcy was a puzzle she seemed in no danger of solving anytime soon.
Chapter Three
Following breakfast, the young people gathered in the drawing room. Jane came downstairs just before the Bingleys arrived. Despite Caroline and Louisa suggesting the day before they meet for their outing at eleven, they did not reach Darcy House until half past the hour. Will rolled his eyes. They claimed they did not want to seem too eager and miss the greatest of personages to be seen during the fashionable hour in Hyde Park. Fortunately, the Bennet sisters seemed entirely unaffected by the notion.
Charles seized the first opportunity to speak with Jane and offered himself as an escort. Although Elizabeth had been down the entire time, Will had finally screwed up enough courage to ask to be her escort. Before he could ask, however, Charles’ detested sisters plastered themselves to Will’s side. Once again, Elizabeth was left with Sam as company. As much as she appeared to like her brother, Will would guess most young ladies would want more attention from other males.
Caroline and Louisa chirped nonsense in his ear all the while he attempted to listen to Sam and Elizabeth’s conversation behind him. They greeted many acquaintances on the path and Will was pleased to see the pride in which Sam introduced his sisters. They appeared welcoming but modest, whereas Charles’ sisters always acted as though they expected more praise from their brother and instant fawning from whoever they met. It was no different when Lord Harcourt approached them.
Harcourt had attended Eton and Cambridge the same years as Will and Sam but their careers as students diverted there. Harcourt embraced the tyrannical lifestyle favoured by some boys as a way of exerting some semblance of power and authority over others. Wickham soon became acquainted with Harcourt and his ilk. Will barely contained his surprise when the young earl stopped Sam by name.
“Bennet, we are overdue a conversation, are we not?” Harcourt drawled, stopping their entire party.
Will raised his brows at his friend, who did not signal back he needed assistance.
“And who do we have here?” the Lord smiled at Elizabeth and then examined her head to toe the way he would his nightly courtesan.
Will watched as Sam pulled Elizabeth slightly closer and covered her hand with his. “My sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Lizzy, meet Lord Harcourt.”
“My lord,” Elizabeth curtseyed.
“You have not been in London before, have you? I would recall you.”
His words were beyond impertinent and Will noted he did not confine himself to a more acceptable, although still too forward in his imagination, compliment of saying he would recall her face.
“I have only been to visit my aunt and uncle, my lord.”
“Yes, this is Eliza’s first time out in Society,” Caroline pushed forward then cleared her throat.
Bingley sighed. “My younger sister Caroline and my elder sister Louisa. Girls, as you heard, Lord Harcourt.”
“That would be the Seventh Earl of Harcourt, correct?” Caroline asked.
“Indeed.” Harcourt looked bored as the sisters attempted to rein in their enthusiasm. His interest returned to Elizabeth, and he eyed her with unconcealed lust.
“And on Bingley’s arm is one of my other sisters, Jane,” Sam said.
Harcourt barely spared her a glance and Elizabeth began to shrink from his gaze. Her cheeks were red, and she stared at her feet.
“Come, no need to be shy,” Harcourt said and moved forward.
Primal jealousy stirred in Will’s chest, and he had to contain a growl.
“We will soon be excellent friends, I am sure.”
“My lord?” Elizabeth lifted her face, confusion in her eyes.
“I believe you wished to speak with me, my lord,” Sam said. “Darcy and Bingley, would you continue to escort the ladies?”
Caroline stammered out that she wished to remain and Louisa echoed her.
“Perhaps we might wait while you discuss whatever your business is a few steps away,” Charles suggested.
Harcourt shrugged, and Sam led him several feet away.
Will shook his head. He did not like how Harcourt continued to eye Elizabeth. “Come, Miss Elizabeth. I believe you would enjoy continuing forward,” he offered his arm.
Elizabeth hesitated but placed her hand around his arm. Will thought he felt a slight tremor.
“Are you well?” he asked once they were away from the others.
“That man…I do not trust him.” A shudder racked her frame.
“You are correct not to trust him.”
“What has he done?”
“I should not say,” Will answered. “I wish I could warn every man and woman in creation.”
“Is he so wicked?”
“He is among the worst of men, but I do not wish to speak of such things.”
“Do you think it distresses me?” Elizabeth let go of Darcy’s arm and paused to look at a specific visage.
“I would not do you the dishonour. I am merely loathe to talk about such a reprobate before a beautiful young lady.”
Elizabeth smirked. “Oh, you have charming words when alone with a young lady, but before your peers, you must malign the same lady sight unseen.”
“Based on your behaviour last night, I had thought you heard. Pray, forgive me and allow me to thank you for not displaying my shame to my friends and father.”
Elizabeth turned to face him, her head cocked to one side, as she considered his request. “Very well, I do forgive you. Only flattery is not necessary. Thank you for relieving me of the discomfort of Lord Harcourt’s company.”
Elizabeth returned to Will’s side but did not take his arm, he noted with irrational longing. They resumed walking. “No thanks is necessary, nor did I flatter you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, I know I am not the beautiful sister. Fortunately, my vanity has never taken that turn. I would much rather be thought clever and allow my dear Jane to have all the admiring beaus.”
Will lightly gripped Elizabeth’s wrist, staying her movements. “Your sister is lovely, but it was your eyes that captivated me last night.”
Elizabeth’s mouth hung open in an O. She looked so adorable Will felt the need to continue.
“Your smile sets my heart racing, and your voice enthralls me. Your wit and sharp mind have my admiration while making me inwardly chuckle. Your face or figure alone might not meet Society’s definition of beauty but you are beautiful, and I am pleased to have your individual attention.”
Elizabeth blushed flame red, but she did not look uncomfortable as she did under Harcour
t’s gaze. She met Will’s eyes, as though attempting to assess if he meant his words. She seemed at a loss of what to say.
“Shall we continue?” Will again offered his arm and this time, Elizabeth took it.
They ambled along for some time comparing the differences between Hertfordshire and Derbyshire countryside. Suddenly, Elizabeth recognized their surroundings. They had long left the fashionable path and scarcely met a passerby.
“I know this area,” Elizabeth grinned. “I come here with my aunt and uncle and their children. The little ones delight in feeding the ducks.”
Another bend in the path displayed a small brook and a few children gathered near with a governess or nursemaid. Elizabeth approached one. “Can you share with my friend and me?”
The child held out a sack and Elizabeth reached her hands, pulling pulled out fistfuls of breadcrumbs. “Here,” she thrust some into Will’s hands.
“What am I supposed to do?” He asked, loving the amusement in Elizabeth’s eyes. Caroline was right in a way. There was a sort of youthful exuberance around Elizabeth, but she was not child-like.
“You toss the crumbs out like so.” Elizabeth scattered a few pieces on the ground and ducks waddled over, quacking along the way. The children clapped and giggled.
“This is entertaining?” Will frowned and repeated her motions.
“I suppose you would rather be shooting at them with a gun,” Elizabeth murmured.
“I do enjoy hunting,” Will confessed, “but less for the sport than for the opportunity to be outdoors.”
“And such this is for children,” Elizabeth nodded.
“And young ladies?”
“Some ladies, of all ages, I imagine,” Elizabeth blushed.
“My mother used to put bird feeders up around the gardens of Pemberley,” Will confessed. “I did not mean to criticise.”
“It is not so different,” Elizabeth agreed. “My sisters and I do the same at Longbourn. When in London, I am often inside and find it so stifling. A long walk in the park is just what I need. This corner is rather distant from the rest of the park, and so it is a favourite.”
Will looked around. It was rather distant from where they began. “We should return. The others will be wondering where we are and they had wanted to go shopping.”
“Oh, by the time we meet them it will be too late to go shopping at any rate. We may as well enjoy ourselves here and allow them to go without us.”
“How sly you are, Miss Elizabeth!” Will chuckled. She had neatly placed them in a position where they had the perfect excuse for missing the tedious part of the morning. “You do not wish to go shopping?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I certainly do not want to go shopping with the Miss Bingleys.”
“What shall we do instead?” Will asked as he guided her to a nearby bench.
“Tell me about Scotland and Ireland. Have you visited your estates there before?”
“Yes, a few times when my mother was alive but not since. I fear my memories would be through the eyes of a child.”
“And does that make them less valuable? Do you think a child recognizes the fields as any less green or the seaside as less magnificent?”
“The opposite, I am sure,” Will said with a growing smile. “Very well.”
As Will launched into descriptions from his childhood memories of far-flung places, several more families with children came and went. Some of them fearlessly approached Elizabeth. A few she seemed to be on friendly terms with, complimenting them on how much they had grown since last year and speaking with whoever chaperoned them. They all invited her to play with them. She encouraged the fearful ones and cautioned the adventurous ones. She chased and laughed as the children squealed with joy.
Will watched with a growing warmth spreading in his chest. Hours ago, they had left the high society of London behind, and he had never been happier. He did not care for the balls of the haute ton and the matchmaking mamas or money hungry debutantes. When he considered what he desired in the future, it was what these families had. A brood of happy children, living far away from the harshness of city life. Of course, a man did not make such a blissful family on his own, and he began to think he had met the companion he desired by his side.
*****
“Where did you get to, Lizzy?” Jane asked when Elizabeth arrived in at Darcy House with windblown hair and rosy cheeks.
Elizabeth rushed to her chamber and asked for Jane’s help in dressing for the theatre. “We walked too far and lost track of time. When we realised how long we had been gone, we also noted you all would have already left for shopping. Did you enjoy yourselves?”
Jane beamed. “We did! Mr. Charles talked with me the entire time. We chatted about the weather and the condition of the roads. He is so amiable! The Miss Bingleys—Caroline and Louisa as they have asked me to call them—were kind enough to show me the most fashionable jewellery. I had thought they were too expensive, but Sam said no. In the end, he chose a surprise for both of us.”
Elizabeth’s head popped up at Jane’s last words. She had been attempting to conceal sly smiles at her sister’s description of the day. Of course, Jane limited herself to discourse with Charles about the most inane topics, but they both found the other charming. Equally predictable was his sisters’ suggestion of ostentatious accessories. What Elizabeth could not credit was Sam buying them fine jewellery. A knock on the door interrupted her musings.
“Tie me up, Jane,” Elizabeth came to her sister’s side. “Just a moment!” she called out to the person on the other side of the door.
“It is I, your anonymous gift-bearer,” Sam said theatrically from the other side of the wood panel.
“You may enter,” Elizabeth grinned when Jane had finished lacing the back of her gown.
“Ah, just as I thought. Jane in the blue and Lizzy in the yellow. I believe you will find the following pieces go with your attire.” Sam held out two boxes.
Jane and Elizabeth shared a smile before opening their treasures. Elizabeth gasped at hers. Sam had given her a necklace, bracelet, and earring set of amber and pearls. The necklace had a heavy amber pendant at the centre then alternated with small ambers and larger pearls. The bracelet was silver around amber and mother of pearl, both in ovals. Simple earrings of round amber and teardrop pearls finished the set. Looking at Jane’s, Elizabeth marvelled again. A unique necklace of sapphires arranged like feathers with silver filigree made the collection unique and stunning. Sapphires and diamonds adorned the bracelet and earrings.
“Sam, how ever did you afford this?” Elizabeth gasped. “Two sets of jewellery en suite!”
“I have saved wisely, my dear sister,” Sam tweaked Elizabeth’s nose before assisting her with the necklace clasp. “Additionally, I have made wise investments.”
“You have?” Elizabeth had never heard him mention them before. She swiftly rearranged her hair with some jewelled combs.
“Come, would you not rather enjoy an evening at the theatre and in one of the best boxes than listen to your older brother go on about boring investments?” He held out his arms for his sisters to grasp.
Elizabeth nodded and joined his side. They left the chamber, and she hesitated just before they descended the stairs. “I was so rushed; I worry I will look a disgrace.”
“You are lovely, Lizzy,” Sam said and kissed her on the cheek.
Elizabeth smoothed her gloved hand over her gown of amber crape over white sarsenet. Trimmed with pearls, it created a belt around her natural waist, and an added ruffle gave her hips more dimension. Elizabeth was of the mind that she should not fight her natural shape for the sake of fashion. She did not have Jane’s willowy figure. Instead, she chose gowns which could emphasize her curves. About halfway down the stairs, others gathered in the entry. Among them, Will. He looked up, and Elizabeth saw his jaw drop before his eyes scanned her body. They met hers, and although a smile did not form on his lips, Elizabeth saw one in his eyes all the same. They shined in ad
miration, causing Elizabeth’s heart to pound.
They had no time to converse. The Bennets loaded into their carriage, the Bingleys and Darcys in their own conveyances. At the theatre, Mr. Bennet escorted Jane, and Elizabeth entered on Sam’s arm. Arriving with the Darcys drew the notice of most of the crowd, and it amused Elizabeth how so many scowled in her direction. She smiled back. Of course, Caroline Bingley matched the nasty looks. Caroline had also worn an amber gown with a natural waist, and she fumed in Elizabeth’s direction every chance she got. When Elizabeth had seen the strange oblong cutouts across Caroline’s bosom, exposing the white satin slip, she broke into laughter and feigned a coughing fit to conceal it.
Now, she followed as Sam led them to the Darcy theatre box. She sat on the end, next to her brother, and soon her attention was captured by the actors on stage. During the break, an unwelcome figure emerged from the shadows outside the box.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I thought I saw you,” Lord Harcourt said and bowed over her hand, bringing it to his lips.
“My lord,” Elizabeth mumbled and attempted to pry her hand from him.
“Harcourt,” Sam said with a frown. Mr. Bennet called out to him. “Pardon me, I will be but a moment.”
After Sam had left, Harcourt grinned at Elizabeth. “What lovely jewels you wear this evening, madam,” Harcourt ran his fingers below the line of Elizabeth’s necklace.
Bile rose in her throat, and she held her breath until he removed his digits.
“I believe you asked for refreshment,” Will said from over Elizabeth’s shoulder. “If you will excuse us, Harcourt.” He held out his hand for Elizabeth to take.
“Harcourt, is that you, man?” Mr. Darcy asked and held a small quizzing glass to his eye.
“Good sir,” Harcourt nodded then returned his eyes to Sam as he returned to them.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Will said and tugged on her hand.
Elizabeth stood to leave with Will but just before going heard Harcourt speak with her brother.
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 22