The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview

Author:Monica Fairview
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2011-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Caroline had occasion to mention the losses to Robert Darcy the next morning, when she met him at breakfast.

“I am surprised to see you down so early,” said Caroline. “I expected you to have a late night of it, since you were well and truly trounced when I left. Did you not attempt to win back your money?” she asked.

His mouth twisted wryly. “I was unlucky with my cards.”

“It is more likely that you were too distracted by the lady.” She had meant it as a joke, but when she spoke there was a touch of pique in her voice. “I am glad I did not play,” she added quickly, before he noticed, “you were not the only one to lose.”

“It is the nature of wagering,” said Robert. “You can only win some of the time.”

“Which means you are certain to lose most of the time.”

He grinned. “Now there, I don’t agree. It depends on your luck.”

“I see you have the soul of a gambler.”

He shook his head. “You are mistaken. At any rate, I am not devoted to betting and card games. I generally dislike gambling. And with business matters I never take a chance.” He spoke earnestly.

Caroline smiled. “I am relieved to hear it,” she said.

“Come, Miss Bingley, you need not look so worried. I will not be dragged off to debtor’s prison for losing to Mrs Miles.”

She was at the point of asking if it was worth it, simply to gain Mrs Miles’s attention, but she held back. She did not want to appear peevish, and such a question might be misinterpreted.

“My cousin has proposed that we go trout fishing this morning,” said Robert Darcy, “since the weather has been holding well, though it is late in the season. Perhaps we shall have fish for dinner.”

“I am certain we will. For if anyone is bound to catch a fish, it will be you,” she said. “Did I not hear that you are considered a Corinthian? Surely fishing well would be part of such a distinguished title?”

“You must not roast me, Miss Bingley,” he said with a laugh. “My friend Mr Pole is attached to me and has an exaggerated sense of my sporting abilities.”

“Well, in any case, one of the five of you at least should be able to catch something, so I can predict with every certainty that we will have fish for dinner.”

“There are only four of us, I regret to say, which diminishes the chances. Captain Trewson has a dislike of getting wet. Or maybe he prefers to spend his time with the ladies.”

Caroline smiled. “He can be assured of a welcome,” she said, as an image manifested before her of all the young ladies—and Louisa—swarming around him.

“Surely you are not one of his admirers as well?” said Robert Darcy.

She threw him a saucy look and raised her brow. “You cannot really expect me to own up to such a thing. Experience has taught me that I ought not to reveal my most guarded secrets.

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