Chapter Five #3
Near to dozing off, she startled when a knock fell on the heavy wooden door.
With haste, she answered it to find her obviously irritated bridegroom on the threshold.
Offering a smile of peace did not work; his scowl did not disappear.
How was she to speak to him when he was always in a foul disposition?
“Pray, come in.”
He brushed past her and whirled on her as she closed the door.
“What is all this about? I was speaking with one of the farmers.”
“We need to talk.”
Clearly frustrated, Lord Darcy threw his hands in the air. “Bloody hell! Another lecture could not wait until breakfast tomorrow? Are you going to feel the need to abuse me hourly?”
“I truly upset you this morning, did I not?”
“I awoke in a foul temper.”
Remembering she awoke the same way, she nodded. “Somehow, I cannot doubt that but pay it no mind. I did not ask ye here to lecture ye or to argue with ye.”
“Wonders never cease,” he mumbled, taking a seat with his long legs pointed towards the fire, crossed at the ankles. His black plait draped over his shoulder while his steely eyes watched her, wary and suspicious.
Elizabeth’s stomach tightened. He was so male. He seemed to take up the whole of the sitting room. She swallowed and pushed on. “We cannot live like this, my lord.”
“My parents did. My mother birthed me and lived separately from my father for most of the rest of their marriage.”
“I cannot say that I am capable of living the same way. I want to learn about thy lands and thy people. Jane will help me with the basics, but ye must aid me as well. I want to learn governance and I want to help. I refuse to be useless.”
“You are asking to rule?” Shock weighed heavy in his words.
“Nay. I am asking to assist. If I am to be thy princess, then can we agree that I should not have that title in name only?”
He tilted his head and rested his chin on his hand as he studied her. “What has made you so suddenly agreeable?”
Shrugging, Elizabeth took the seat across from his. “Lady Jane said some interesting things this afternoon.”
“Jane always has an interesting comment even when she should not say so. Would you care to tell me what she spoke of?”
“Not particularly, but I shall say she gave me many things on which to ponder.” She leaned forward. “I want to call a truce between us, my lord.”
“Do you?”
“I do. Despite how it appears, I am not made to be angry every moment of the day, and ye cannot appreciate my foul mood, as ye well demonstrated upon entry into my rooms. We are to be married, and nothing can change that now.”
“Indeed.”
“Are we agreed? Is there a truce?”
He nodded, straightening up and lifting a finger. “On one condition.”
“Which is?”
“You do not leap towards a conclusion without sufficient facts to support your claims. Do not assume the worst of me. Perhaps I am not a good man, but at the very least, I am fair.”
Her eyebrow climbed up and she bit her lip, trying not to argue about his definition of “fair.” She had seen snakes fairer to the rats they devoured, but that was beside the point. Now she was making an effort and, apparently, he planned to follow suit and do the same.
“I shall not make assumptions,” she promised, offering her hand.
They shook, and he stood. “Forgive me, Elizabeth. I must return to that farmer. He believes he has a problem with foxes in his henhouse.”
“Will I see ye at dinner?”
“Do you want to see me at dinner?”
“I would look rather pathetic eating alone, would I not?”
“Most likely.”
“Then, yes, pray, eat dinner with me.”
He smirked. “I shall be home then.”
“My lord?”
He sighed then paused, clearly trying to maintain his limited patience. “Yes?”
“Does the farmer have a dog?”
“No. His wife, who died last year, did not care for the animal.”
“Then he should get a large dog. That would keep the foxes at bay.”
“Brilliant idea, Elizabeth!” He kissed her on the cheek and rushed for the door. “I shall credit you to Mr. Bentley.”
“I need no credit. Ye would have thought of it on thy own.”
He gave her a stern look. “You shall have your credit. The people need to know that their future princess is minding them.”
“Ye have not yet announced our engagement.”
“My sweet, this is a small community. How many people do you think it takes for news to spread? I shall indeed make an official announcement, but Mr. Bentley already knows a Princess Intended is within these walls.”
“Oh. Then, pray, give him my regards.”
“He will love that.”
They stared at each other a moment. Sweat beaded against her skin as warmth seeped over her, drowning her. His gaze was so intense that she suspected she might melt beneath it. Her cheeks burned, and she turned away to hide her blush, putting the back of her hand to her mouth.
“I shall see you at dinner, my lady.” His voice was strained, and he shifted on his feet. “I apologise for my earlier curtness.”
“I forgive ye as long as ye accept my regrets for my wretched behaviour these past weeks.”
He nodded and disappeared, leaving Elizabeth with the unwelcome idea that she was affected in some way by her future husband. Ruffled at the thought, she summoned Heather and began preparations to dress for dinner.