Mr Darcy's Seaside Romance by Violet King

Author:Violet King [King, Violet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pemberley Playground Press
Published: 2019-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

It was rude to stare and ruder to glare, but Mr. Darcy did both as he watched Mr. Dunham lead Miss Elizabeth to the dance floor. As they spoke, Elizabeth's expression moved through consideration and laughter to rest on amiability belied by the focus of her gaze.

What was their topic of conversation?

Was he flirting with Miss Elizabeth?

Darcy fantasized a moment of taking Mr. Dunham outside and engaging in fisticuffs, to defend Miss Bingley's honor, of course. He had no further interest in Miss Elizabeth.

Miss Elizabeth smiled again, and Darcy’s hands clenched.

Darcy would do better to determine where Mr. Wickham had run off to. With his father passed, Darcy had no reason to pretend conciliation with the man. Darcy tore his eyes away from the dancers and let his gaze pass over the rest of the room.

Mr. Wickham was not in the room.

The worst of it was, beyond the suspicious exchange of words between the two men, Darcy had no reason to dislike Mr. Dunham. He and Miss Elizabeth’s hands clasped again, and once more she smiled.

Little reason then.

When the dance ended, Darcy, though it strained propriety, approached the couple. He was not alone. Miss Bingley crossed from the opposite side. Miss Elizabeth curtsied, turned and stumbled. Darcy reached out, steadying her.

Miss Elizabeth smelled of lavender. She gave a nervous laugh. "I did not see you."

"I had not expected you to turn."

"Have you seen my sister?"

"I believe Mrs. Forster was dancing with her husband, but as to your sister,” Darcy pressed his lips together, as he thought. "She was dancing, and I suppose she went with the young man for punch."

But Mr. Darcy had not seen them. Mr. Darcy had not given a whit of his attention to Miss Lydia, and would not have noticed unless the young lady addressed him, his gaze his gaze being so fixed upon Miss Elizabeth. Darcy looked out over the group. He spotted Mrs. Forster and Miss Hurst, caught in what seemed like an animated discussion. Miss Lydia was missing.

Darcy said, "I am certain she is well. This is an assembly."

"Yes, of course." Elizabeth shrugged, displacing his hands and gave him a curtsy. "I apologize again."

"Take my arm. I will walk you to Mrs. Forster."

Darcy extended his arm, and to his surprise, Elizabeth took it without protest. They walked together.

Mr. Darcy asked, "It seems you and Mr. Dunham had a pleasant dance. He is one for conversation."

"Much of it about you."

"You did not find him amiable?"

"I found him amiable and inquisitive." The emphasis on ‘inquisitive’ and the irritation in her tone gratified Darcy.

Darcy asked, "Inquisitive?"

"He wished to know the history between you and Mr. Wickham. I said nothing directly but intimated Mr. Wickham had a fondness for cards and a propensity not to pay back the monies he owed."

Darcy's lips quirked. "You are clever."

"I told him the truth, if not all of it."

"And how would you judge his character?" Darcy had meant it at first as a quip, but he found himself interested in Miss Elizabeth's perspective.

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