“I would wish you to be my teacher once again and revisit one of yesterday’s topics. I find I have more questions and no answers.”

He put out his hand, escorting her back to the blanket. “Please, ask anything you wish.”

Now that she had begun, she was unsure how to proceed. How did one phrase such a question when one knew so little to begin with about the subject?

“I do not know how much you are aware of a woman's education, but I can tell you that in certain areas it is very limited in many aspects. I suspect that men are told much more than we are, but of this I cannot be sure. For us, some topics are not spoken of openly except by unknowing and speculative girls, and so I find I do not even know what to ask you.”

She looked away from him and examined the river for a few moments before turning back.

“Yesterday you talked of attraction and men's needs. Can you tell me more about what those needs are?”

Darcy blushed. He knew something like this would be coming soon, only it somehow still caught him by surprise. His future wife had that effect on him all too often. He turned his face from her for a moment to collect his thoughts. He looked back a bit guiltily, trying to formulate his response.

“Well, those needs are of... touching and… kissing a woman… in a more passionate way.”

He paused, waiting for her reply, although he knew that his answer could hardly have satisfied her curiosity.

“Kissing you has been very pleasant so far. I cannot think that I would not like it still if it were more passionate, but I think it must be something I cannot imagine. Could you explain it in more detail... or perhaps...” she blushed and looked down at her lap and then back at him helplessly.

Darcy thought his reaction might have made her uncomfortable, and that was certainly not what he had wished for. He reached for her hand.

“You see, when a man meets a woman whom he really likes, he has an urgent need of...” he stopped to find the proper words, while his hands unconsciously cradled hers in his own, his fingertips slowly drawing circles on her palm, “...of touching and kissing the woman in a very special way, which will bring pleasure to her and help to fulfil his needs.”

“So she likes it as well, and it is not just for him? Is it awkward or difficult? Is this why you have not touched or kissed me like that? You are trying to save me from the trouble of it... or you do not feel this need while you are with me?”

Darcy kept drawing circles on her palm while attempting to hide his smile.

“It is for her too. I believe you will like it very much. I will do my best to make certain of it.

“I do have the need while I am with you, an exceedingly strong one. But it is very intimate, and I think you might wish to know me better before I am more forward. I am rather trying to save you from me. I would be loath to do something you might not welcome only to satisfy my own desires.”

“You need not fear your touch ever being unwelcome. I feel very safe with you. I know I could tell you if I were not comfortable with something and you would understand. But if this is something you would rather not attempt with me for now, I respect your wishes. However, I would have you know that I am not afraid of you.”

He found her words provoking and was not sure he would be able to refrain from testing exactly how comfortable she felt with him much longer, but he was also afraid of taking the next step. No matter how truthful he was in his responses, he knew that she still could have no clue as to what he was talking about.

“I thank you for your trust. I could not wish for anything more. When the time is right I shall be your teacher once again.”

The looked they shared was meaningful, conveying feelings both spoken and left unsaid.

“Well, I remember when we first met. I am sure you were not yet attracted to me at the assembly in Meryton. You were in no humour then to give consequence to young ladies who were slighted by other men,” she teased. “As I recall it, I was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you.”

Darcy blushed slightly and kept his eyes on her palm rather than looking directly at her, smiling repentantly.

“Elizabeth... I am all astonishment that you want someone with such bad judgement for a teacher. I am also surprised that you agreed to marry such a fool.” His gaze moved to her face. “But I will attribute it to the fact that your judgement can be as bad as my own sometimes.”

He looked away again. “I suspected that you overheard that remark. I thought that showing you my attention would be some kind of an apology, not understanding then that your pride might be as strong as my own. I should have apologised to you a long time ago and let you know how sorry I was. How sorry I am.”

She put her palm to his cheek, the action causing his hand to cup hers and his eyes to seek hers out.

“I only meant to tease you just now, but I am quite ashamed to admit I allowed my vanity and pride to rule and guide me after that. It was quite easy for me to believe anything that would appease it. So I will allow that your apology may have helped, but also that I might not have been receptive to it. It is impossible to say now which it would have been, but I am inclined to think there was very little you could have done back then to change the path my pride would lead me on.”

She took his hand in hers and began making the same circles on his palm that he had made on hers.

“Yet you did teach me in the end. You made me see some things in a clearer light, and for that reason you shall always be my teacher of choice... and I should never wish to take my decision back.

“Besides,” she gently laughed as she added, “you are stuck with me now. Let us just hope you can learn to live with me. I can be a great deal of trouble you know. I will tease you mercilessly and you shall have no place to hide from me!”

Darcy looked down at her fingers caressing his palm.

“I have no wish to hide from you, especially since you appear to be such an eager pupil. In fact, you will probably find me to be a most diligent teacher. Once I start I will not be content until you know everything. I cannot think of a more tempting subject of study nor its object.”

He smiled and looked at her sheepishly. “You are absolutely irresistible, Elizabeth, and unless you stop the demonstration of your learning skills this instant, you will be in great danger of learning much more.”

Her smile grew devilish and she did not stop what she did to his hand.

“I rise to every challenge, Sir. I am not easily daunted. You should know that.”

Darcy’s voice grew huskier. “I am rather inclined to think you love putting yourself in danger. I have taken on the role of your protector, but who will save you from me?”

“Perhaps I do not need protecting then, or perhaps I simply do not wish to be saved from you,” she whispered.

Darcy’s eyes focused on her lips and he leaned slowly forward so that his were nearly touching hers.

“Then consider yourself lost, my love, for I certainly do not wish you safe from me.”

The rain that had been threatening to fall suddenly poured heavily from the sky causing them both to hastily gather their things. Darcy quickly led Elizabeth under the same wide-branching tree that had protected them from the sun yesterday as thunder sounded in the distance. The leaves presented an adequate shelter from the downpour, and she leaned against the trunk while he moved near and watched her closely. Her hair was drenched, her face wet with the water that dripped from it. He took out his handkerchief and began to dry her cheeks. He soon dropped it, however, opting to wrap her body in the lapels of his great coat, leaning in to kiss the drops from her face instead. Her hands slipped under his coat and wandered along his back as his lips slowly made their way to hers. Darcy gazed into eyes that mirrored a yearning equal to his own. His embrace tightened around her and the kiss they shared had nothing of the restraint he had used before. They gradually lost themselves in mutual passion as Elizabeth’s senses awoke to the powerful excitement that had been a stranger to her before this moment.

Darcy ceased their kiss and looked into eyes filled with anticipation. “Elizabeth.” His voice was strained with the passion he could barely contain.

“Mr. Darcy.” Hers was equally husky and mixed with uncertainty as to his thoughts.

He struggled with them before finally coming to a decision. “Will you call me by my Christian name?”

“Fitzwilliam.” She had barely uttered the word when his eyes were drawn to her lips again.

The sweet curve they formed as his name left them was inviting, urging him to accept the invitation. His tongue parted her lips, and slipped inside to tease the tip of hers. Although surprised, her response was immediate and playful, as she welcomed him there and reciprocated every caress he brought in. He wished to be toyed with no longer, and his tongue pushed with an urge and insistence to freely explore her mouth. The liberties he took were soon punished as she sucked on his tongue, reciprocating his actions of a moment ago, and followed the ardent need of pressing her body against his before forging her own assault on his mouth. At the strength of her embrace of him, Darcy’s hand on the small of her back tightened, pulling her even closer. He was of no mind to allow her conquest of him to last long, and soon engaged her tongue in a violent duel against his own. They sparred, thrust and sheathed, each conquered by the shared passion that built up within them.

Both were breathing heavily now. Darcy finally ended their long kissing session and she did not ask why. She knew. If this was only a part of the passion she could expect between them, she was sure it could eventually get out of hand, testing even his powers of self-control. She certainly did not feel any inclination to stop it herself.

While staring into his eyes, she wondered briefly at how it could be possible to feel such sensations throughout her entire body. Holly’s impression had been so wrong. She found a great deal of pleasure in this type of kissing and was thankful that he had not held back this time. If impertinent questions to him could lead to such pleasure, she vowed to herself to always ask them from this moment on, and without a second thought she did just that.

“That was lovely,” she breathed, and her darkened eyes sparkled when she added, “Pray, when can I expect further lessons in your private schoolroom?”

His eyes, still heavy with passion, narrowed purposefully, and the teasing smile she had expected did not appear when he answered seriously with a question of his own. “How does my lady feel?”

“Very fine indeed. I find such personal coaching very exciting, and I could not yearn for my tutor more.”

“I have suspected that you would be a most eager student, my love,” he whispered, bringing his lips to her ear, “but now I am afraid I find my pupil also naughty and in need of detention to correct her behaviour.”

She smiled at his reply as his lips nuzzled her earlobe. Soon, however, with no little satisfaction, he heard her gasp as his audacious tongue began to explore the curves of her sensitive flesh. She clung to him and he heard her utter his name when his tongue took a hold of her senses and mercilessly kept them in his reign while she writhed in his arms. He slowly moved his lips to the responsive spot below her ear, and after toying with it licked his way with the tip of his tongue to the collar of her dress. He heard her breath catch when his fingers began to unbutton the top of her gown. He pulled away from her a little to allow his brazen eyes to admire her bosom, its cleavage bared to him, before moving them up to hers.

His brow rose. “Low neckline undergarments? Under a walking dress?”

She blushed under his scrutinising gaze. “I was in a hurry this morning, and just snatched the things I had on last evening.”

“I very much approve, Elizabeth.” He put his hands on the lower part of her breasts. “Do you enjoy your detention so far?”

“I find the headmaster’s treatment of me cruelly pleasurable,” she whispered.

He brushed his lips against hers before moving them to her ear again. “I aim to please, my love.”

The curtain of heavy rain still enclosed them, and Darcy chose to promote their intimacy in the humid air. His thumbs detected the buds peaking up under her attire, and when he felt her body respond to his touch, he again assaulted her ear with the moist caresses of his tongue and mouth. Ever so slowly, he trailed down the veins of her neck and slipped his tongue under the neckline of her chemise to trace its way down to the upper part of her breast. His mouth caressed the soft flesh of her bosom, but his greedy tongue followed the insistent urge to replace the caresses of his thumb with master strokes of its own.

She entwined her fingers in his hair and arched her body in silent exposure to his bidding. He placed his determined hand on the shapely bottom he had merely dreamed of touching just last night. He squeezed it, pressing her against his hips, allowing the heat of her thighs to mingle with his own, while his other hand and his mouth lost themselves in the fondling of her ample breast.

“Fitzwilliam,” she whispered between heavy breaths, pressing his head to her bosom, abandoning herself to the pleasure and grasping his shoulder to support her weakened knees.

“Fitzwilliam.” He heard her breathe again, and he reluctantly eased his hold on her, realising that he already awoke sensations in her he would not be able to satiate. Not yet.

He stroked her flushed cheek and caressed her with his gaze. “Did I go too far?”

She shook her head. “You did not. I feel well.” She touched her glowing cheek. “It is just that I am unaccustomed to these new sensations. It is most overwhelming. But it does not follow that I would not like you to take me there again.”

“I so love you, Elizabeth.”

She reached her hand to his face. “I love you too, Fitzwilliam. And now I also know how much I desire you.”

He bent down for a delicate kiss and smiled. “It is the utmost force of passion I cannot help but feel for you. I am totally lost with you, and I can only hope you will be willing to lose yourself with me.”

“Judging from today’s instructions you will not leave me much choice.”

“I shall make sure not to leave you any.”

She blushed, and as charming as the sight was he decided to stop the flirtatious banter before it would lead to another detention. He looked around and noted that it still rained, although the heavy downpour had changed into a gentle shower. “Pray, are you not cold? I would not want you to become ill.”

She hugged herself closer to him.

“I do not feel the cold at all.”

He pulled her head to his chest and kissed her hair gently, the action reminding him of something.

“Elizabeth, would you be very angry if you knew that I had stolen a kiss from you?”

She smiled. “I would not be angry, but I would be surprised. When could you have done that, Sir, without my having been aware of it?”

“On the day we rode on my horse together. I could not help myself and kissed your hair. I know it was not conduct expected from a gentleman, but it felt so good to hold you in my arms. Actually, all of my behaviour on that day was very foolish, so you are free to laugh at my expense.”

“I must admit I am shocked, but not in the way you might think. If only I had known then.” Her voice was wistful. “You see, I shamelessly leaned against you during that ride, even though it was not necessary to my balance, because I could do so safely using the horse’s motions as my excuse. I was just as guilty as you were, doing some stealing of my own.

“It is one of my most cherished days; being so close to you. You did nothing foolish in my eyes.”

“I am happy then to have your love, because I am certain you would not be so charitable with me otherwise.”

He sighed, “Well, if you are not cold, and since the rain has let up somewhat, I believe we should go back.”

He parted from her and allowed his eyes to linger on her exposed breasts for the last time before helping her restore order to her costume.

“Come, I will take you back on my horse. I do not want your petticoat to be six inches in mud.”

She took his offered hand and let him lead her. As he seated her on the horse in front of him, she said, “You know a muddy petticoat would not bother me. I do believe you have spied me in such a condition before at Netherfield. As long as the reason for it becoming that way is a good one, I am not afraid of a little mud.”

Darcy smiled and put his arms around her.

“I did notice, of course, as did Mrs. Hurst and her sister, although we were in disagreement as to our estimation of your fine eyes.”

She laughed at this revelation, and leaned against his chest.

“I am not surprised that they noticed, but I am astounded that you would discuss my eyes with Mr. Bingley's sisters. I assume I do not need to venture a guess as to who found them fine and who did not? Pray tell me, were you already thinking of using me as a shield against husband hunting women then?” She turned and flashed him a grin as he began to direct the horse towards Rosefarm.

Darcy pondered her question seriously before responding. “Yes and no. I did use you as a shield against Miss Bingley once. That is why she teased me about your fine eyes. But I wanted to shield myself from you as well. It took me some time before I realised you were the very woman I did not wish to live without.”

She was curious now. “I do remember several heated discussions, and then you seemed to avoid me altogether after that. Was your plan to keep me from being willing to speak to you without wishing to debate you, therefore making it impossible to approach me without some degree of trepidation? Or did that only make you want to speak to me all the more because of my amazing verbal skills, so you then decided to ignore me?”

He grinned. “I did want to know you better. I did not mean to argue with you, but no matter what I would say you always chose to take an opposing view. However, your verbal skills and the liveliness of your mind proved amazing indeed, and I wished to avoid you after so as not to let you know how much you had captivated me.”

“I am touched by your words, and I feel very fortunate, especially now that I find myself engaged to you, because I will admit that I was more than unfair to you then. I might not have spoken at all in response to things you had said if I had not been so irritated by your person. I think, looking back on it, I must have been attracted to you also at the time, but it was really my own prejudice and my own pride that drove me to be so contradictory to whatever you might have uttered. I never really gave you your fair due until much later.

“Considering all the confusing misunderstanding that marked our path, it is a wonder that we ended up together at all, Fitzwilliam. Any other man would have given up long ago, and rightly so. I am grateful for your persistent nature.”

“On the contrary, you only heightened my interest. It was a pleasure observing you while you were so passionately defending your cause. I did believe, however, that you were attracted to me even then. I would never have proposed otherwise.”

She laughed once again. “I was sure I was letting you know that I disliked you, and yet you seemed to receive the opposite message. I think I do not know how to communicate at all if that was the case!”

“I can easily believe it. You did not like me back then, and I do not have any doubts about it now. Still, you seemed to be always interested in my opinion. It sounded like everything that you were saying was meant for me to hear. I was under the assumption that you wished to provoke and impress me each and every time.”

“I may have been trying to impress you, but not for the reasons you might have thought. You obviously had such a low opinion of me when we first met; I only meant to raise it a little. I suppose that is what drove me - to prove you wrong in your initial assumption. But it was not because I was interested in your opinion, it was more out of spite, I assure you.” She shook her head in amazement.

When they reached the main road she asked, “Pray, are you not afraid someone will see us riding together again?”

“I would love for someone to see us. Your aunt would call me a scoundrel and I would have no choice but marry you today.”

“I wish you had done exactly that the last time.”

“You refused me then.”

“I am sorry, Fitzwilliam.”

“You should not be. At that time I would have worried that you might be miserable with an unwanted husband, while today I would focus my entire attention on your muddy petticoat.”

“Would a muddy petticoat on Mrs. Darcy be such an offensive item in Mr. Darcy’s eyes?”

“Only as long as it adorned her.”

She turned in his lap to look at him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Did it visit your improper thoughts back then?”

He blushed and looked down into her eyes. “I am quite certain that all the other layers of your undergarments were covered with mud as well.”

Now her blush matched his, but she would not be easily diverted. She moved her lips to his ear, and nuzzling its lobe, whispered, “Would you like me to list them for you, so that your proper thoughts can envision the correct picture?”

He groaned. “Madam, please behave!”

She giggled at her success, and turned to sit with her back to him once more.

He bent to her ear and whispered, “I would love for you to do that if, and only if, we were not on a public road and you did not whirl in my lap in a most provoking manner, or I will be prevailed upon to take you directly to Clyne.”

“And what would Lord Brougham say to something like that?”

“I would not be interested in his opinion in the least. Does that mean though, that you approve of my thoughts? I would wish to have your consent for that.”

“If, and only if, you promise to reveal them all to me one day.”

He sighed. “It is in fact the purpose of them: to share the essence of them with you. One day you will be able to guess all of my fantasies.”

“I might still desire your narration. I like the sound of your voice.”

“You will have it then,” he whispered, his breath caressing her neck.

He left her on a path in the woods near Rosefarm Cottage where they shared one last kiss behind a very large tree. She grew serious again before they parted, assuring him she would refuse to nurse Monsieur Vian if her aunt did not accept his help. The drops, which still drizzled from the sky, prevented him from following the longer way to Clyne he had got into the habit of taking after his meetings with Elizabeth. Still, his thoughts were full of her on his return ride. He was torn. He loved their morning meetings, but he also wanted so much more. He wanted a wife.

When he entered Clyne Cottage, Mrs. McLaughlin paid him a stern look upon seeing his wet attire. He had just begun to wonder if he should have avoided taking the back way through the kitchen when she handed him a letter. It was a short missive from his solicitor, who reported that he was settled in the nearest inn and was awaiting orders. Darcy asked Mrs. McLaughlin to send for his carriage and went to his chambers to change.

Mr. Hinchcliffe had asked for a private room at the inn where Mr. Darcy and he could discuss matters undisturbed. The inn’s surroundings left much to be desired. The circumstances could most certainly be blamed on that Lord Brougham, whom Mr. Darcy persisted in being friends with, who, in Mr. Hinchcliffe’s private opinion, was not the most reasonable young gentleman. But far more disturbing was the fact that his client would find a wife in a place like this. It seemed extremely improbable. Mr. Hinchcliffe had not seen Mr. Darcy for a couple of months now, and although they had been keeping regular correspondence, he never mentioned such a possibility before, and the situation seemed worrisome. Mr. Hinchcliffe never doubted Mr. Darcy’s good judgement, and his only hope was that his client’s normal clear-headed thinking had not been clouded.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Hinchcliffe.” Darcy took a chair near the fireplace and enquired after the man’s family before coming to the case at hand. “Thank you for coming so promptly. Pray, what do you have for me?”

“I have brought everything you asked for, and the articles are prepared.”

“Good,” Darcy took the papers and began to study them. “You have filled in the place as Scotland. Miss Bennet is English.”

“I did not know. Should I rewrite it?”

“Not necessarily, if it refers only to the place of the signing of the documents. In the ecclesiastical matters the place of residence counts anyway.”

“But you have become engaged in Scotland?”

“Yes, but Miss Bennet is not one and twenty.”

“It does not matter here.”

“I know, but it does not mean I should take advantage of that fact.”

Darcy resumed his reading, but Mr. Hinchcliffe was unsettled.

“Mr. Darcy, if I may offer a suggestion...”

“Yes.”

“It is about the money you are intending for your wife.”

“Hmm, what about it? Is it not good enough?”

“On the contrary, Sir. The sum seems extremely high.”

“I would say appropriate.”

“Sir, but even the sum that your father assigned to his wife’s disposal, and as her dower from his own money, was much lower.”

“My mother also had a large dowry from her family.”

“Sir, how high will your wife’s dowry be?”

“I do not know. But it is of no consequence to me.”

“Very well, Sir, but might I point out one more thing?” At Mr. Darcy’s nod, he continued, although not without feeling some trepidation. “The total amount still seems higher than Lady Anne’s.”

“ You forget about inflation.” Darcy gave Hinchcliffe a piercing look, which let him know that the topic was at an end.

Mr. Hinchcliffe fell silent, carefully considering what more he might say. His family had worked for the Darcys for generations, and like an honoured tradition, the responsibilities had passed to him with the senior Mr. Darcy’s blessings when his own father had passed away. It had been a privilege to serve them, and he took his role seriously, knowing full well that he would not have kept the position had he not proven his capabilities, his loyalty, and his trustworthiness. He wanted his own son to take his place when it came time. It was a good, honest and dependable living. He could not idly sit by without at least attempting to caution this man before it was too late. Whoever the lady of Mr. Darcy’s heart was, he could only hope that she had an inherent sense of goodness and kindness because not only Mr. Darcy, but the whole of Pemberley would be in danger from a mercenary mistress. That Mr. Darcy, of all men, could be so bewitched seemed incomprehensible! That he himself would not say something more for the sake of his client, doubly so.

He cleared his throat. “Mr. Darcy, I am certain you do not need to be reminded of your obligations towards Pemberley, but I hope that your wife will be equal to them.”

Darcy raised his eyes up from the papers and paid his solicitor a stern look. “Mr. Hinchcliffe, my betrothed outshines me in every sense of the word, and I am honoured that she has consented to become my wife. I only hope that Pemberley will live up to her expectations.”

Both gentlemen fell silent again and all Hinchcliffe could do was wait for Mr. Darcy to speak. Eventually, the latter finished reading the documents, and satisfied that everything was prepared to his liking, he addressed his solicitor again.

“Mr. Hinchcliffe, I need to speak to Miss Bennet before my plans are fixed, but very likely I will be going to Hertfordshire the day after tomorrow to meet her father. I should return in two weeks. I would like you to stay here during that time and take care of another matter.”

“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” Hinchcliffe replied. Although he was not exactly content with the prospect of spending so much time at this inn, he was also aware of the fact that he had given Mr. Darcy reason enough to be displeased with him. He had no intention of adding to it. “Might I also take this opportunity to express my best wishes to you and your future wife? Miss Bennet must be an extraordinary lady.”

“Thank you. She is.”

A soft knock on the door drew their attention.

“Yes,” Darcy bid the newcomer entry.

“Mr. Darcy. Sir.” Nichols nodded to both men. “Mr. Darcy, I have found two women who can tend to the Frenchman.

“Very well. May I have a piece of paper, Mr. Hinchcliffe?”

Darcy received writing implements and wrote a note:

Mrs. Tournier,
Rosefarm.

Madam,

Since I have not received word from you, I hope it means that your nephew is on his way towards recovery. I realise that a patient in such a serious condition requires constant attention. Therefore, I consider it my duty to do what I hope Monsieur Vian would do for me in similar circumstances. I have hired two women, skilled at nursing, to attend him night and day for as long as their services are needed to aid you in bringing your nephew back to good health.

I have decided I should leave Scotland, but before I do I would like to at least do that much for the man who saved my life.

Sincerely,

Darcy.

Darcy sealed the letter and passed it to Nichols. “Give the letter to the women and have them report immediately to Rosefarm.”

“Yes, Sir.” Nichols turned to the door.

“Also,” Darcy stopped him. “We will be leaving in a few days. You may want to tell the women that they will be paid upon our return in about two weeks.”

The door closed behind Nichols, and Darcy turned to Hinchcliffe again. “I would like to return here for my honeymoon, but I want to see the place before I leave for Hertfordshire with my betrothed. I will give you a list of my requirements and your task will be to find one equal to them.”

The gentlemen discussed the particulars, and as each was revealed Mr. Hinchcliffe’s amazement and wariness grew.

“Darcy, at last!” Brougham greeted him in the hallway. “It seems days since I saw you. Come, you must join me for a drink.”

Darcy followed Brougham to the library, and leaned back in his friend’s favourite chair.

“I hear that you returned in the middle of the night. Or should I say in the wee hours of the morning? I hope I am in for a bawdy tale.” Brougham waggled his brows.

“If it were bawdy you would hear none of it.”

Brougham’s mouth twitched in mock disappointment, but then he brightened again, warming himself for the tale. “Good, so it is not bawdy and I am to hear it.” He passed a glass to Darcy and sat down on the settee. “I am all ears.”

As Darcy related the events of the previous day, Brougham’s thoughts swayed from amusement to concern and anguish. He enquired after Tidwell’s fate and Vian’s health, and then both gentlemen fell silent.

Finally, Brougham sighed and approached the tray with drinks again. “Can I ask you something, Darcy?”

“Naturally.” Darcy accepted his brandy and sipped it, allowing the events of the previous night and day to come to a rest in his mind.

Brougham was unusually silent and grave. He sank onto the settee again, wordlessly, tasting his drink.

Darcy observed his friend with genuine concern, but said nothing, aware of the fact that nothing he could say at the moment would help Brougham begin.

At last Brougham said, “Darcy, I know I have been an ass lately, and I know that I have not yet had the opportunity to improve myself in Miss Bennet’s eyes, but I intend to do my best, of course. I gather that I will never have your forgiveness until I am able to obtain hers.

“But, my question is this: how much have I lost really? I know that one does not come twice to the same river. What has happened cannot be changed. And I know that as loyal as you must be towards Miss Bennet, my harming her must have been worse than bringing harm to yourself in your eyes.

“You can accuse me of many things. Of misconduct, ill judgement, foolishness, thoughtlessness, and carelessness of the feelings of the woman you love. But you cannot accuse me of disloyalty. Whatever I did, it was done out of my loyalty to you.”

“I am well aware of that, Brougham.”

“Then why?! Why in the hell did you take Vian on such a risky mission where your very life was in danger? You chose a man whom you despise and mistrust over your tried and true friend, who has never once failed you when protecting your noble arse was required!”

“Calm down, Brougham. It was about Vian’s family. It was the man’s right to be there.”

“Ha! I am not disputing that. I did not necessarily mean in Vian’s place. I meant you did not take me at all.”

“Brougham, you were the first one whose help was asked for with this case, and you were content to relinquish it to Vian.”

“This has nothing to do with that. Miss Tournier is practically a stranger to me. She never mentioned being bothered by the man again. Vian is a member of her family, and it was more than natural to let him deal with it as he wished. But you are an entirely different story. You are my best friend, and whenever you are in danger it is my right and duty to be there with you.”

“It was something I had to do with Vian alone.”

“Really? At what cost? Would it flatter her if you died as a hero?”

“It had nothing to do with Miss Bennet.”

Brougham looked sincerely perplexed. “Since when is there anything between you and Vian that does not go by the name Miss Bennet?”

“I did not do it to impress her, Brougham. It was something I had to do. But it is of no consequence here.”

“Is it not?” he huffed.

“Brougham, obviously something is bothering you. I doubt it is Miss Bennet.”

“You are twisting my words!”

Darcy smiled guiltily.

“Very well, Darcy. I like frank answers. Where do the two of us stand?”

Darcy stretched his legs and leaned forward, supporting his elbows on his knees. “Brougham, you are right when you say that Miss Bennet’s well-being takes precedence over my own. I do understand your motives, although I do not always approve of your methods, but I know you, and I know you have learnt a lesson. Also, I do not think you will have any problem obtaining her forgiveness, nor do I think she would want there to be strife between you and me. Although you do still need to remedy things in that quarter. If I doubted any of that I would have moved to the inn by now. Instead, I decided to impose upon your hospitality a little longer.”

“Do not even mention it, Darcy. You are welcome here as long as you wish.”

“So I have thought.” Darcy leaned back in his chair. “And thank you by the way.”

Brougham smiled, and Darcy returned the gesture.

“We have been friends for years now, Brougham. I believe it needs more than one misjudgement on your or my part to lose it. Had I known the case with Tidwell would become that complicated I would have asked for your help. Call it a misjudgement of mine.

“If you do not mind though, I would ask a favour of you.”

“Anything. Name it!”

“I believe I will be leaving for England soon. I should be back in two weeks time, but I would request that you take care of Miss Bennet while I am gone.

“The situation at Rosefarm is quite uncomfortable for her. I briefly spoke to Mrs. Tournier last night and gave her to understand that I plan to marry her niece, but the woman is strongly against the idea.”

“Good God, why?!”

Darcy shrugged. “She obviously does not hold me in high esteem.”

Brougham was dumbstruck. “I had an inkling that you were not her favourite person, but…, and forgive me for saying so because I do not mean to discredit Miss Bennet’s merits in any way, but surely Mrs. Tournier must realise that you are a great match for her niece.”

Darcy smirked. “Obviously not as great as her nephew would be.

“This is all of no consequence, Brougham, and it is all quite ridiculous as well. She has no say in the matter. But I am worried about Miss Bennet, who will have to bear the unpleasantness of the situation for some time still. If you are so inclined, I would ask you to watch over her during my absence.”

“Of course. What would you have me do?”

“Anything that is required. I will let her know she can approach you with any request just as she would approach me were I present. And then, well, be creative. If she needs money, this should not be a problem for you, but if she feels she cannot live at Rosefarm anymore you would need to hire a companion for her and bring her here.”

“Is it that unbearable at Rosefarm?”

“I let Mrs. Tournier know that I am leaving. It should help ease the tension there, and I would ask you to not reveal to her that you know about my planned return. Miss Bennet knows of course, and do not even dare suggest anything else to her.”

“Of course not.” Brougham looked offended at the mere suggestion that he would be so foolish again, and then looked at Darcy curiously. “Should I offer my congratulations?”

“Not yet.”

“But you want me to treat her as your wife already.”

“One day she will be. And know that trusting you with her well-being means much more to me than trusting you with my life.”

“I will not fail you, Darcy.”

“Thank you.”

Darcy rose to go and change for dinner, but Brougham stopped him.

“I have to ask. You want me to take care of her in a way that will throw me constantly into her company. Not to mention the fact that you have even suggested she might need to move in here. I want to know, if that were to happen, am I risking a place next to Vian on your list of enemies.”

“I do not think it will ever come to her staying here. I only gave it as an example of an extreme situation. But no, as long as you remain a gentleman there is nothing for you to worry about.”

“Good! Then you trust me at least.”

Darcy smiled, suddenly realising how ridiculous the idea was that any man might sway Elizabeth. “No. I trust her.”

This story is written by Laura and Sylwia, and they own full © copyrights to it.

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