Prince Darcy by Allison Smith

Author:Allison Smith [Smith, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A Longbourn Lady
Published: 2019-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

“You have been stalking me, Miss Elizabeth,” Wickham said in her ear.

A presence at her back had warned her a moment before he spoke. Elizabeth turned. “Hardly,” she said, keeping her voice cool but not chilly.

She had considered and discarded aping Lydia’s flirtatious manner, but that would only make him suspicious. No, the best course of action was to let him believe she was keeping an eye on his behaviour with her sisters and somehow convince him to think her disapproval was due to jealousy. What man did not love the idea of a woman jealous over him?

“I am simply monitoring my sisters to ensure they do not disgrace themselves with their behaviour tonight. You encourage them, sir.”

“I thought you too preoccupied with Mr Williams to pay any mind to the younger Miss Bennets.”

Ah! Perhaps this would be easier than she had thought. Was Darcy paying attention? Glancing around as if she was only observing the room at large, she found him standing near the entrance between the dining room and the drawing room. Watching. She turned back to Wickham.

“Fortunately, I am not preoccupied.” Elizabeth paused. Time for the first volley. “You pay an inordinate amount of attention to them while neglecting other gentlewomen in the room.”

A thin golden brow inched upwards, then collapsed. “And who am I ignoring, Miss Elizabeth?”

She turned away, presenting him with a shoulder, and looked at Lydia and Kitty. Kitty shrieked, throwing down a card. “They really are silly young women. I would think a soldier far too serious to entertain them.”

“Beggars cannot be choosers, Miss Elizabeth.” His voice deepened. “When serious gentlewomen disdain me their company, what am I to do? I am only a man.”

He was only a slug. The sacrifices she must make for her family. She shifted her body towards him and touched his arm briefly.

“I suppose you enjoy Lydia’s company. Her nature is fiery, like your own.” She shrugged. “I always preferred a more reserved kind of companion, but lately I believe I am changing my mind.”

“The prerogative of women, of course. What has caused this change?”

He was not stupid, no matter how she might like to think him so. “Experience, I suppose. I am finding that the effort of cultivating certain personalities not worth the meager reward.”

“Such personalities enjoy nothing more than the flattery of cultivation. It is a waste of your time, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Perhaps. There are few alternatives for amusement at my age.”

“You are not old yet.” He smiled at her, eyes glittering under heavy lids.

Elizabeth scanned the room again. Darcy was gone. “You may be correct, Mr Wickham. I suppose we should join my sisters at their game. It seems so diverting.”

“Let them enjoy themselves. Let you and I get to know each other a little more.”

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