Chapter 12 Supreme Temptation #2
Naturally, Kitty was up for the challenge, but even if she had a broken leg, she would have hobbled along in order to flirt with the dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Mary gave no thought to flirting, but she did enjoy nature, so it wasn’t too difficult to entice her away from her books.
Furthermore, although it had been less than twenty-four hours since meeting Miss Darcy, the younger Bennet sisters and the shy Georgiana were getting along nicely.
There were dozens of footpaths, of course, but one trail was the shortest, most direct route between Longbourn and Netherfield.
More out of habit than any other reason, the walkers set their feet upon this frequently trod course, Charles and Jane in the lead purely by chance.
With no destination in mind or time limit as part of the plan, the group of ten strolled at a casual pace, with conversation gay and laughter flowing.
The trail, like all unmaintained, naturally formed tracks, was not level or uniform in width.
Some segments were wide enough for four adults to walk shoulder to shoulder, but on average two bodies side by side was the comfortable pattern to avoid a pitfall unseen underneath the tall grass.
Due to this reality, the varied paces set by the walkers, the conversation topics, and unconscious choices primarily on the part of the engaged couples, the space between smaller clusters of people began to lengthen.
“I see my cousin has bypassed Bingley and Jane to assume the lead. Not sure when that happened,” Darcy noted in a tone of surprise. With his focus captured by Elizabeth’s beautiful face, Darcy was amazed he hadn’t stumbled into a mud puddle or sink hole in his inattentiveness.
“It must be the military-command attitude taking over. He is used to being a leader.”
“Ha! That would be his claim, with a wink and a grin, but I know him too well. It is to be in the center of his female cheering squad, as they hang on his every word.”
“You are right!” Lizzy laughed aloud. “Even Mary is smiling and blushing. Goodness, but I never thought I would see the day! The Colonel better watch himself or Mama will never let him leave.”
“She would not be the first mother to attempt it, I am sure. Fortunately, Richard can charm anyone, so he is safe. What I wonder is how my dear sister will take the competition. She has been Richard’s ‘little mouse’ all her life and grown accustomed to the devotion. ” He chuckled, a sly glint in his eyes.
“You are a little devil at times, Mr. Darcy. I am shocked to the core.”
He turned to her and winked, clearly unrepentant. “By the way, Georgiana wanted me to reiterate how thoroughly she enjoyed the outing to Meryton yesterday afternoon.”
“As if she did not express her delight and appreciation profusely enough already. I kept looking around to make sure we had not been magically transported to Venice or Paris. I am quite certain that never has a living soul been so utterly delighted by the charms of Meryton. If I had not seen Lambton myself, I might presume it no more than a crude village with mud huts and pigs wandering freely in the streets based on Georgiana’s response to our humble town. ”
“She can be overly dramatic at times. I have no idea where that trait came from,” he said in a bland tone and with a perfectly straight face.
After regaining control of her hilarity, Lizzy confided, “I must say, William, that while I am abundantly thankful for Lord and Lady Matlock’s willingness to entertain Georgiana so we can have time alone at Pemberley, I tremendously look forward to having her home with us.
She is an absolute dear, and, well, Christmas would not be the same without a sister. ”
Darcy covered her hand with his and tugged her closer to his side, but said nothing.
He knew how difficult the changes would be for her, but of course, that was how life was.
She was practical, he also knew, and not for a second regretful of the decision to marry him, even though it meant taking her a long way away.
All he could do—what he would do—was make her happy.
So deliriously happy that the moments of sadness and homesickness would be brief and rapidly assuaged.
“So, seriously, where does this propensity for drama come from? One of your parents? You have spoken of their humor. Or better yet, is it a familial connection with a famed stage actor? One of those eccentric Darcys you speak of? How exciting and potentially scandalous that would be!”
Darcy met her impish expression with a teasing grin. “I deem it best to wait until after our wedding before revealing the skeletons hidden in our closets, my dear. Allow me another day of being perfection in your sight.”
Lizzy rolled her eyes, harrumphing and jabbing her elbow into his side. “Arrogant man! Must I again chronicle your numerous faults?”
“There is no need. I now have them memorized.” He leaned to kiss her cheek.
“In truth, neither of my parents was particularly gifted in dramatics. They possessed excellent humor and loved to laugh and jest as you do. Minimal acting skills, however. Of the relatives I know, the tendency runs deepest with my uncle George, particularly, and also my great-aunt Beryl. I long for the day when you can meet them both.”
“You have spoken of your uncle, the famed traveling physician. I do not recall an Aunt Beryl. Was the ‘great’ an adjective or part of the relationship?”
“Both to be honest. Ah, I do not know where to begin with my Aunt Beryl. She is my grandfather’s much younger sister, and if it is an exciting scandal you want, then the thrice-married Marchioness of Warrow is as close as the Darcys come—in living relations, that is.
Goodness only knows what skeletons exist that I am unaware of.
Very soon we shall be at Pemberley, together as a family.
I shall happily let you loose in the archival library to read any of the journals you want.
As led, you can acquaint yourself with my ancestry and feel the strength of our relations. ”
“Our relations,” she repeated in a whisper, pausing on the trail to stare into his tender eyes. An affectionate, slow smile spread. “I like the sound of that.”
Darcy matched her wide smile with one equally as brilliant and filled with love. A generous allotment of raw passion infused his eyes as well, sending pleasant shivers racing up Lizzy’s spine. The wild flutters attacking her insides were exhilarating.
Breaking away from the mesmerizing pull of his gaze, her intention to gauge if she could safely steal a kiss, Lizzy’s eyes darted up and down the trail.
As she had hoped, the colonel and his female retinue were smudges in the distance.
Bingley and Jane had paused under a tree off to the left on a secondary trail, Lizzy and Darcy obviously having passed them without ever realizing it.
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, as the slowest walkers, had fallen far behind.
Marvelous. Then, noting the surrounding landscape and recognizing where they were, a stupendously brilliant idea flashed through her brain.
Lizzy jerked her head to indicate the narrow trail veering off to the right. “This is the trail that leads to Willow Bench.”
“Is it? I’ve never come from this direction. It is a reasonable distance from Longbourn, so I can see why it was a frequent destination for you.”
Lizzy nodded, smiling at her fiancé archly. “Shall we?”
Darcy grinned and stepped onto the track. “I cannot think of a reason not to.”
* * *
“Where are they going?” Caroline Bingley asked shrilly. “Should we follow? It is quite unseemly for them to be unchaperoned!”
“They will be married tomorrow, Caroline.” Louisa’s sigh was long-suffering, and she rolled her eyes. “If they haven’t managed a few unchaperoned interludes by now, I would be amazed.”
Caroline sniffed. “I am quite sure you are right. With a woman like her, inappropriate behavior is to be expected.”
“Oh, Sister. You are so amusing in your ridiculousness. I have delighted in the spectacle, truly I have. Now, however, it is past time for you to cease your obsession.”
“Obsession? Over Mr. Darcy? Absurd! I care not one whit for the man!”
“Indeed,” Louisa drawled. “How could I possibly believe otherwise?”
Caroline stopped walking, an expression of complete exasperation on her face as she stared at her older sister. “Louisa, how many times must I remind you that it is our brother who will suffer from this disgrace?”
“And, Caroline,” Louisa snapped the name, “how many times must I then ridicule you for such stupidity? If Charles should suffer in his marriage, it is his choice nevertheless and not our place to interfere. But, as I have kindly said a million times now, hoping you would come to understand the truth yourself, there is no disgrace to be had. Jane Bennet is a lovely lady, and they will have a marriage as fine as one can find in this world.”
Even though the harsher spoken admonition did not appear to have had the slightest effect on Caroline, whose face was stiff and cold, Louisa softened her tone and touched her sister lightly on the arm.
“You, on the other hand, will never have a marriage at all, fine or disgraceful, if you keep to the course you are on. That is my advice to take or leave. For the present, we shall continue walking. For the remaining time we are here”—Louisa hardened her tone—“you, dear Sister, will smile and be graciousness itself. Do you understand?”
Caroline lifted her chin, her cool eyes narrowing. “If I do not?”
“Then the next time Charles sends you out of his sight, Mr. Hurst and I shall be unavailable and will suggest Aunt Agatha on the Isle of Arran. Perhaps Scotland will be far enough away to free you from the distress of witnessing our brother and Mr. Darcy suffering in their marriages.”
Caroline blanched whiter than a ghost.
Evidently, there was a possible fate worse than losing Mr. Darcy.
* * *