Mr. Darcy's Fault by Regina Jeffers

Author:Regina Jeffers [Jeffers, Regina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hewlett-Packard
Published: 2015-04-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy bowed to the attractive brunette flirtatiously twirling her parasol. He returned to his coach to retrieve Elizabeth’s parasol, but the woman intercepted him. Elizabeth noted his glance in her direction, but good manners would require Mr. Darcy to be polite to the woman, who boldly caught his hand to drag him a few steps to the left to stand under the shade of a large elm before closing the parasol to stare up at him.

Darcy and Bingley sent notes early to inform her and Jane that they meant to escort “their ladies” to a May Day picnic in Richmond, being hosted by the Countess of Stratown. When they arrived, Elizabeth took such delight in the magnificent greens that she forgot her parasol. Now, she rued her joyful response to being away from the City: The unknown woman stroked Mr. Darcy’s arm with her fan, and Elizabeth noted how his shoulders stiffened. It was a stance she observed on multiple occasions, one she misinterpreted as the gentleman’s prideful disdain. Now, she knew it nothing more than his societal awkwardness.

Earlier, their foursome feasted upon trout, cold meats, strawberries, hard cheese, dark bread, delicious cakes, and chilled champagne, and Elizabeth enjoyed how the dappled sunlight provided Mr. Darcy a more youthful appearance. He relaxed into a conversation with Bingley regarding textiles and politics, and Elizabeth glimpsed the man of which everyone spoke so fondly. It was the best day of their acquaintance; that is, until the brunette blocked Mr. Darcy’s return. Something Elizabeth would not call jealousy crept into her chest.

“Who is the lady with Mr. Darcy?” The words slipped out before Elizabeth thought to give voice to her anxiousness.

Mr. Bingley rolled to his side to look in the direction Elizabeth stared.

“Lady Cecilia Longacre.” He stretched out again, draping his forearm across his eyes, but Elizabeth noticed the wry twist of Mr. Bingley’s lips.

Elizabeth claimed another strawberry to nibble upon its flesh. She would not permit Mr. Bingley’s amusement to know of the tightening of her chest. When the woman stroked Mr. Darcy’s arm a second time, Elizabeth could bear it no longer.

“Wipe the smile from your lips, Mr. Bingley, and speak to me of Lady Cecilia,” Elizabeth said testily.

“As you wish, my dear.” Bingley shoved to a seated position. “Lady Cecilia is the second daughter of our host, the Earl of Stratown. His Lordship, James Longacre, is an intimate acquaintance of Darcy’s uncle, the Earl of Matlock. The families long thought Darcy and Lady Cecilia a good match, a fact which once drove my sister Caroline to Bedlam.”

“You think I know the green-eyed monster?” Elizabeth accused.

“Your hazel eyes are a bit green today, Lizzy,” Jane teased.

Elizabeth ignored her sister’s taunt.

“Why would a woman of a titled family choose a mere ‘Mister’?” Elizabeth knew instant regret at her loose tongue, but with grace, Mr. Bingley ignored her unintended insult.

“Lady Cecilia is a second daughter, as was Darcy’s mother, Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, who married a plain ‘mister,’” Bingley chastised.

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