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  Darcy listened to his cousin with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner. Sensing she was in no danger from her cousin, she continued her taunting unabated. Still, Darcy pondered his behavior of late. Have my attentions toward Lady Elizabeth been so unguarded as to leave others to suspect my partiality to her? He really believed that were it not for her family’s staunch determination that Lady Elizabeth was destined to marry Lord Robert Frawley, he would be in some danger.

  When the dancing recommenced, Darcy approached Elizabeth to claim her hand, paying no attention to his mind’s cautioning whispers. Truth be told, I have never been so bewitched by any woman as I am by her. Along with the start of the dance, came Elizabeth’s questions or rather her suppositions regarding Lady Victoria. “Am I soon to be wishing you joy, Mr. Darcy?”

  Darcy’s countenance clouded. Wishing me joy? “What is that supposed to mean, Lady Elizabeth?”

  “Forgive me, but I could not help noticing the closeness that you and your cousin Lady Victoria share, and I must say what a striking couple you are.”

  They were then separated by the dance, giving Darcy time to reflect on the irony. First, my cousin was insinuating more of a relationship with Lady Elizabeth than I have the right to boast of, and now Lady Elizabeth is insinuating something more between Lady Victoria and me. Ironic indeed. Will I ever truly understand the workings of the female mind?

  Reunited by the dance once again, Elizabeth said, “And all this time, I was given to believe you were engaged to be married to Miss Anne de Bourgh.”

  “May I ask what led to your belief?”

  “People talk, Mr. Darcy, and all the talk has you paired with your cousin.”

  “There’s a reason for the saying that one should not believe everything one hears.”

  “Indeed. I know the saying well. Perhaps you care to enlighten me with the truth.”

  “I will make you a promise, Lady Elizabeth. When the time comes for me to proclaim my love for the one woman on earth with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life, you shall be the first to know.”

  Flabbergasted, she knew not what to say or even how to look, and they went down the rest of the dance in silence.

  Chapter 8 ~ Such a Courtesy

  Avery and Elizabeth sat across from each other in the breakfast parlor, embroiled in debate. He thought quite a lot of Miss Margaret Hamilton; she might even be his wife one day. Alas, his sister Elizabeth’s mind seemed to be poisoned against the lady, and he meant to find out why. “It is not like you to be so careless as regards the feelings of others.”

  “I do not believe I was careless at all. I afforded Miss Hamilton all the consideration she was due—which is more than I can say for the manner in which she regards me.”

  “Miss Hamilton is one of the kindest, most considerate people of all my acquaintance. You would do far better to embrace her than those two you were standing with last evening.”

  “I was with any number of people last evening, Brother. Perhaps you ought to be more precise.”

  “In this case, I am referring to those Bingley sisters. Since when have they been included among your favorites?”

  “Mrs. Louisa Hurst and her pernicious sister, Miss Bingley, are hardly among my favorites.”

  Wanting to change the subject in the direction more suited to his purpose, Avery said, “Elizabeth, I was counting on you to like Miss Hamilton, for if you liked her I know it would go a long way in swaying Grandfather’s opinion of her. At the very least, our mother might be persuaded to like her too.”

  “I am not sure how I can make a difference. Our grandfather and our mother have their own minds.”

  “Yes, but as your good opinion is so rarely bestowed, surely it will count for something. At least that is what I suspect.”

  “Dear Brother, you make me sound so unthinking, so unfeeling, as though I am the harshest person in the world when that is nothing at all like I view myself. Rather than think of myself as one who is judgmental, I prefer to think of myself as fair and open-minded.”

  “Yet, you will not extend such a courtesy to Miss Hamilton.”

  “If you knew her character as I do, then you would not insist I do as you ask. In fact, you would not wish for me to do it. Instead, you would want me to stay as far away from the lady in question as I possibly can, which is why I want the exact same thing for you. I want you to stay as far away from said lady as you possibly can.”

  “So, when are you going to share with me the nature of this heinous offence Miss Hamilton has committed that has you so strongly opposed to any manner of association or mutual camaraderie that you will not allow that it will ever be possible.” He leaned closer to his sister. “Did she say or do something that you are reluctant to confide? Perhaps you saw her teasing one of your favorite admirers. You know she is a shameless flirt — a beautiful one, no doubt, but on the whole I would say she is quite harmless.”

  “It is not so much what she said as it is what I espied her doing. Indeed, she did not expect me to be studying her so intently as I was. In a moment of unguardedness, which I confess does not often happen with the likes of Miss Hamilton. She allowed her guard to fall, and I saw what she did.”

  “Pray, do not keep me in suspense.”

  “Why should I even bother to enlighten you on the actual nature of the lady’s character? It is not as though anything I can say or do will make a difference.”

  “Well, we shall never know if you do not tell me. And as best I can surmise, you have no intention of telling me anything, which leads me to suspect that perhaps there is nothing at all to tell.”

  Avery was indeed quite taken with Miss Margaret Hamilton. Her father, who was a gentleman, had married a woman whose family had amassed their fortune in trade—a fortune he was firmly in control of by virtue of his marriage and one that provided him with five thousand pounds a year.

  Elizabeth, at first, did not know what to make of the upstart. As she was not designed to disparage anyone solely based upon the circumstances of birth that marked one as part of the elite or not, depending upon who was one’s mother or father, she preferred to think her distaste for Miss Hamilton had to do with the way she put on pretenses with Elizabeth in order to impress Avery. What else could it be? Certainly, she could not be described as mercenary, not according to the usual definition of the word. The woman was an heiress. Of course, all the money in the world meant nothing if Miss Hamilton did not possess the one thing which Elizabeth was certain she was after— to bear the title of Duchess.

  What was her brother even thinking of in allowing such a woman to turn his head? Surely he was not thinking with his head. Then again, what Miss Hamilton lacked in good breeding and refinement, she more than made up for in beauty. What a stunning creature she was. Her skin was smooth and creamy and her hair, the rich color of midnight. In addition, her height and her gracious air combined to make all eyes turn towards her whenever she waltzed into the room.

  To say Avery was smitten did not begin to describe the way he sniffed around after her. Still in all the years of admiring her, he had not proposed marriage and Elizabeth always suspected it was because their grandfather was opposed to the match. Thank heavens for that. And while Avery could boast that the duke had never deigned to arrange for his future marital felicity as he had done with Elizabeth, it did not go to say that the duke did not make his sentiments known. He encouraged his only grandson and heir to marry where he would, as long as he would marry a woman of aristocratic breeding and in possession of a substantial fortune.

  Chapter 9 ~ His Stolen Liberty

  Elizabeth entered the ballroom at Matlock House with the thought of but one gentleman in mind—Mr. Darcy. She had dressed with more than usual care, and indulged herself in the pleasing prospect that she would spend the better part of the evening with him. Any manner of intercourse with him would do, be it dancing together or merely debating the latest books. The best part of it all was that their being togethe
r would not give rise to speculation of an attachment, for everyone who thought they knew anything knew that he was tacitly engaged to marry his cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh and she was tacitly engaged to marry the wayfaring Lord Robert Frawley.

  Elizabeth could remember being at Matlock House, the Fitzwilliam family’s London home, but one time before that night. She and her family had dined with Lord and Lady Matlock, Mr. Darcy’s noble uncle and aunt. This was long before Elizabeth’s coming out and, hence, was a rather informal affair. Lady Victoria Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock’s only daughter, was older than Elizabeth by several years and was away at school at the time. Thus, the two ladies had not made each other’s acquaintance until Mr. Darcy introduced them.

  Elizabeth had not yet met the earl’s second eldest son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. However, she had a very favorable impression of his character based upon Mr. Darcy’s commendations. She looked forward to meeting him, and she could not help hoping that he would be among the guests.

  However, she had met the viscount, Lord Robert Fitzwilliam. He was Elizabeth’s senior by over a decade and a half, perhaps more, Elizabeth surmised. She would be lying if she supposed she knew the gentleman, for their limited exchange was confined to those pleasantries one might expect of two people whose age differences left them very little to entertain.

  After looking about the room, Elizabeth began to suspect that Mr. Darcy might not be there that evening. This is his family’s home. Surely he will be here. Where else would he be?

  Elizabeth then considered that her brother Avery had a habit of eschewing social obligations as well. Yes, there were times when he would make brief appearances, but rarely did he stay in place for very long. She knew enough of her brother’s propensities to know exactly what was afoot. Anyone truly wanting to ascertain his whereabouts needed to look no farther than Cheapside. Undoubtedly his courtship with Miss Margaret Hamilton had given rise to the expectation of marriage among those who knew them best. On the other hand, any such scheme would have met with the staunchest opposition from the duke.

  Being of a mind to take in the fresh air, Elizabeth stepped outside onto one of the balconies. She had not been there for very long when she was joined by the one person she wished most to see.

  “Lady Elizabeth,” he said, his voice deep and melodic.

  She extended her hand, “Mr. Darcy.”

  Unabashedly removing her glove, Darcy then raised her hand to his lips. Her fingers trembling, she suffered an intoxicating mixture of nervousness and excitement with the soft touch of his lips against her skin. This man took her breath away. Protesting his stolen liberty was the proper thing to do. Elizabeth knew it to be true, but what would have been the point? He had to know the effect he had on her and that she loved it.

  The reality of their situation prevailed, and Elizabeth retrieved her glove and slipped it back on. “I was beginning to think you would not come this evening, sir.”

  “And leave you with an unclaimed spot on your dance card? Never,” he said, with a devastatingly handsome smile.

  “If I am not careful, sir, I shall grow accustomed to such preferential treatment from you. Then where would we be?”

  “Between you and me, Lady Elizabeth, I am rather confident we would sort things out to our mutual satisfaction.”

  Elizabeth’s joy in their playful banter halted when a third party joined them.

  “Dearest Cousin, I did not know you had arrived. How long have you been here?”

  Darcy bowed. “Lady Victoria, I only arrived a short while ago. You will remember meeting Lady Elizabeth.”

  Clasping her hands to Mr. Darcy’s arm, she said, “But of course. We spoke earlier, did we not, Lady Elizabeth?”

  Before Elizabeth could respond, the other woman said, “It was very kind of you to entertain my cousin, but I hope you will pardon my stealing him away. It has been far too long since he and I last spoke, and I have so much that I wish to discuss with him.”

  Darcy gave his cousin a puzzled look. “I believe you and I spent the better part of the morning together, your ladyship, or did you forget?”

  She laughed coquettishly. “No, silly man, I did not forget. However, that was this morning, and so much has happened since then.”

  “Perhaps you will give me leave to speak with you later this evening. Lady Elizabeth and I were in the middle of our conversation.”

  “Surely Lady Elizabeth won’t mind,” she said. She glanced at Elizabeth. “You don’t mind at all,” she said rather than asked.

  Darcy’s annoyance grew. “Lady Victoria—”

  Elizabeth reached out her hand. “I have no objections to our deferring our discussion, sir.”

  “There, you see,” said Lady Victoria, coaxing Darcy to walk beside her.

  His eyes filled with an unspoken apology for his cousin’s rudeness, Darcy said, “I shall meet you on the dance floor.”

  When they were gone, Elizabeth merely shook her head. She did not know whether to be amused or astonished by what passed between Mr. Darcy and his cousin. Elizabeth, however, was not formed for ill humor, and she would not dwell on the oddities of Mr. Darcy’s cousin. The evening was young, and she had every reason to suppose her prospect for gaiety was not threatened in the least bit.

  Elizabeth soon joined her mother inside.

  “Elizabeth,” Lady Sophia began, “where on earth have you been all this time? Your grandfather has been asking about you.”

  “I was outside on the balcony.”

  “Alone, my dear?”

  “Well, I was alone … and then I wasn’t … and then, I was alone again.”

  “You’re being awfully cryptic, young lady. You are no stranger to the fact that your grandfather would rather you did not run off without letting anyone know where you are going.”

  For as long as she could recall, her grandfather, under the guise of protecting her as well as familial obligation, had sought to dictate every aspect of her life, going even so far as to decree whom she could or could not befriend. No one was good enough for his granddaughter, he always decried. In truth, no one was quite good enough for him.

  Was there any wonder she gravitated towards Mr. Darcy? Owing to his friendship with her brother, Avery, as well as the duke’s decades-long friendship with the gentleman’s late father, Darcy was one of the few people allowed inside her family’s tight-knit circle.

  Elizabeth released a frustrated breath. “I do wish Grandfather would not be so fiercely overprotective in that regard. It is not as though there are conspirators lurking in every corner with grand schemes to abduct me.”

  Lady Sophia shook her head. “Your grandfather merely worries about your safety. Is that a crime, my dear?”

  “Oh, Mother. Of course, there is no crime in worrying. It is, however, a shame to worry when no worry is warranted. Who would wish to harm me?”

  “You are wasting your breath on me in that regard, but I am sure His Grace has a different view of things.” She placed her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Now, let us speak of other matters. We are at a ball, for heaven sakes. Pray tell me at once, who were you with when you were not alone on the balcony?” Lady Sophia looked at Elizabeth knowingly. “Or do I even need to ask?”

  Elizabeth could not help smiling. “You know how much I adore Mr. Darcy. What can be the harm in our spending time in each other’s company? It is not as though anything will come of it.” Even if I do wish the opposite were true, Elizabeth thought, but did not dare voice aloud.

  “Elizabeth, my dear, we are all excessively fond of the young man. However, you know how your grandfather feels.”

  Elizabeth espied her dance partner coming to claim his set. He wasn’t Mr. Darcy, but he still offered Elizabeth a much-desired reprieve from her mother’s admonishment. Elizabeth could hardly wait for the gentleman’s approach. Soon enough, the one she actually preferred would return. At least, she hoped. It had been a while since she had seen any sign of the gentleman and she could only suppose tha
t his cousin had cloistered him in another part of the house.

  In due time, Darcy stood opposite Elizabeth on the dance floor just as he had said he would.

  “I was beginning to think I might not have the pleasure of dancing with you after the manner in which your cousin absconded with you.”

  “And break my promise to you? Never.”

  “I believe this is where we left off earlier, sir.”

  Darcy spoke not a word in response, but his eyes spoke volumes. After moving through the dance for some time under the weight of his stare, Elizabeth said, “Come now, Mr. Darcy, it is unpardonable that we should go through the dance with no further conversation between us.”

  Darcy smiled. “I am always eager to oblige you, Lady Elizabeth. Tell me whatever you wish me to say, and it will be said.”

  This was encouragement enough. Unable to resist the temptation, Elizabeth said, “Pray, were you sufficiently entertained by your cousin’s eager account of all that took place from the time you parted with her earlier today until your long-awaited reunion this evening?”

  “Take care, your ladyship; else I might suppose you were a bit more aggrieved by my cousin’s behavior than you let on earlier.”

  He knew her too well, she supposed. Besides, what had she expected him to say? Whatever the nature of his relationship with his cousin, it could have nothing to do with her. Desirous of changing the subject, Elizabeth said, “What of your cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam? I had hoped to make his acquaintance this evening.”

  “I am afraid my cousin is out of town. I am sure you will have ample opportunity to meet him in the future.”

  Knowing that the colonel was in active service, she said, “I do hope your cousin is not in harm’s way.”

  “You need not worry about his safety. I believe he is currently in Bath, but enough about my cousins. Let us spend our time speaking of topics we both find mutually pleasurable.”