The Intriguing Mr. Darcy by Belmont Audrey

Author:Belmont, Audrey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

The next morning at breakfast, Caroline Bingley was all smiles. They dined a little later, recovering from the exertions of the ball.

“What a beautiful morning it is,” Caroline Bingley told them as she spread a piece of toast with strawberry jam. “Miss Bennet, I’m sure Mr. Harlow would love to see the garden. Why don’t you show it to him?”

“Mr. Harlow has gone riding with Darcy,” Mr. Bingley told his sister. “In fact, I promised Miss Harlow I’d show her the grounds. I’m sure she’d love it if you accompany us, Miss Bennet.” He looked hopefully at Jane.

Lizzy noticed her sister blush.

“I would like that, sir,” she replied, glancing from little Miss Harlow to Mr. Bingley.

“Goody.” Miss Harlow clapped her hands. “I love exploring outside. Hurry and finish your breakfast, cousin Charles.”

Mr. Bingley chuckled. “I’m eating as fast as I can.”

“Mind you don’t get indigestion,” Caroline Bingley said sourly.

Lizzy wondered what their hostess’s motive had been for encouraging Jane to spend time with Mr. Harlow. Could she not see that Jane and Mr. Bingley seemed to be a good match? Or was that what she was afraid of?

The Connington brothers had not come down to breakfast yet. Lizzy wondered if they had, would Caroline Bingley try to push Lizzy toward one of them?

Why did not Caroline Bingley seem interested in them herself? Either of the brothers seemed to be a good match for her, since Darcy had indicated that Miss Bingley did not see her cousin Mr. Harlow as a marriage prospect, however indulgent she seemed toward his daughter.

Lizzy escaped the breakfast room after finishing her meal, saying she had some letters to write. She wanted to give her sister and Mr. Bingley plenty of time on their own – albeit with Miss Harlow as chaperone.

Kitty and Lydia were still abed, and she heard the stumbling strains of Haydn drifting down the hall as Mary played the piano.

After she penned a dutiful letter to her mother, a more lively one to her aunt Gardiner, and then a missive to Charlotte Lucas, she looked outside the window. Miss Harlow laughed and ran ahead of Jane and Mr. Bingley.

Jane looked happy, and so did Mr. Bingley. They looked like a family – except that Miss Harlow belonged to Mr. Bingley’s cousin. Would Jane and Bingley have children of their own one day?

Lizzy was about to withdraw from the window when she saw two riders head toward the stable – Mr. Darcy and Mr. Harlow. She remembered Darcy’s promise that he would inform her if he had found out anything last night. She suddenly burned with curiosity.

When she returned to bed last night, she had not heard any more strange noises. She’d surprised herself by dropping off to sleep quickly. Was it because she’d been reassured by Mr. Darcy’s presence outside in the hallway?

Lizzy turned away from the window. She did not want Darcy to think she spied on him.

Perhaps she should check on her younger sisters and make sure they were out of bed.

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