Tempt You to Accept Me by Cassandra B. Leigh

Author:Cassandra B. Leigh [Leigh, Cassandra B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 27831490
Published: 2015-11-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The ride back to Cheapside was not at all what Darcy had hoped. Mrs. Gardiner appeared dismal and Elizabeth grim; even Mrs. Bennet seemed downcast. “Oh Mr. Darcy, your uncle is quite intimidating,” she said with a sigh. “I had not expected his displeasure upon meeting my Lizzy.”

“I would not say that the earl was displeased,” he replied, though without much confidence. He could not precisely describe the earl’s reaction; impatience, discontent, annoyance, intolerance, or prejudice? Any or all of those might well be true and if he was being honest, he might as well include displeasure among them.

“Well, I shall defer to your judgment, Mr. Darcy; however, I saw little reason for optimism, to be sure,” she said, sounding quite defeated.

How Darcy wished he had his cousin’s gift of humour; Richard would know just how to turn this picture of gloom into a cause for hilarity. But Darcy did see one silver cloud amongst the grey; Elizabeth had expressed her pleasure with him outright. Until today, she had been mostly silent on her regard but today her admiration was open. Despite her gloomy countenance, he could not help but smile affectionately at her.

When his carriage arrived at Gracechurch Street, they entered the house in silence. Mrs. Bennet excused herself to go to her guest chamber and Mrs. Gardiner left to check on the children, leaving Darcy alone with Elizabeth for a moment.

She sat next to the fireplace and gazed at him with sad eyes. “I believe I may safely conclude that the earl was not impressed with me, Mr. Darcy,” she said after a lengthy silence.

Darcy had no wish to deceive her but assured her that the earl’s opinion had not diminished his own. “He will not oppose you, Miss Elizabeth,” he said, grateful at least that his uncle had made that concession.

“Not opposing me does not carry the same weight as gaining his approval,” she replied, and Darcy silently acknowledged the simple truth of her statement.

They were interrupted by a servant bringing in a tea tray, followed soon after by Mrs. Gardiner. “Let us revive ourselves with tea, Lizzy,” she said.

Miss Bennet then joined the group and greeted Darcy with a small curtsy. “How was your visit with the earl, Lizzy?” she asked, accepting a cup of tea from her aunt.

“It was quite interesting, to be sure.”

Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, offering her a supportive smile. “I am rather convinced that my uncle’s absence from his morning club cast him into poor spirits,” he said, explaining a possible cause for his behaviour.

“He did seem to place quite a good deal of importance on the club,” Mrs. Gardiner agreed as she served tea to her guests.

Elizabeth smirked and gave Darcy sideways look. “Indeed he did and the very idea that he was forced to forego that preferred pastime to meet with an unruly girl from Hertfordshire annoyed him beyond all measure!”

He was greatly relieved that she saw some humour in the disastrous visit and hoped that she had not been discouraged.

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