Darcy Sails After Her by Kendig Laraba

Author:Kendig, Laraba
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

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“Would you care for some ragout, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy inquired.

Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled in amusement at this, as she was quite certain that he remembered ragout being offered at Netherfield Hall almost a year ago. She had declined it at the time, to Mr. Hurst’s astonishment and disdain.

“Yes, please,” she answered demurely, taking the dish from Mr. Darcy’s hand and placing a small portion on her plate.

“Which county are you from, Miss Bennet?” asked the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Bowyer. The governor and his wife were both in their fifties, finely dressed, and had thus far been welcoming and kind. Somewhat to Elizabeth’s surprise, she had been placed next to the governor’s wife with Mr. Darcy on her other side. It was a rather prestigious position at the table for a simple girl from Hertfordshire, but no doubt she was elevated because she was the guest of Mr. Darcy, who was very highly connected indeed.

“I am from Hertfordshire, Madam.”

“Ah, yes!” the lady replied. “I have driven through that county several times, as Colonel Bowyer’s family estate is in Cambridgeshire. The views are lovely in your home county.”

“They are indeed,” Elizabeth exclaimed warmly. “When I was a girl, my favorite walk was to the top of Oakham Mount, just a short distance from my family home. One could see miles from the summit of the hill, and whether it was spring or summer or autumn or winter, it was lovely.”

“I must tell you, Mrs. Bowyer, that Miss Bennet is an inveterate walker,” Darcy commented fondly. “What to you or me might be a very long trek is a gentle stroll to Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth chuckled, “I have always been very fond of walking. One of the pleasures of my journey here to St. Croix is that I have been able to see such new and exciting scenes while I amble.”

Mrs. Bowyer then asked, “Do you find the streets of Christiansted attractive?”

Elizabeth smiled. “I do, very much, though I confess it is the ocean itself which truly delights me. I adore the waves breaking on the rocks and trickling across the sands, the birds wheeling overhead and diving in search of a meal, and the tiny sea creatures in the small pools surrounded by rocks. It is remarkable.”

“I agree completely! The excess heat often makes me disinclined to walk the beaches of this fair island, but perhaps I will make more of an effort when the weather grows a little cooler. It is always very warm, of course, but in January and February, it is not quite as warm. I also prefer the cooler months as there is minimal chance of a major storm.”

“Are there often serious storms?” Darcy asked in concern.

Mrs. Bowyer shook her head and took a drink of tea, “Not often, certainly, though every decade or two, a hurricane makes landfall with extremely high winds. I have never experienced one and do not anticipate that I will.”

“That is good,” Darcy said in relief. “Miss Bennet, would you care for some pineapple?”

“Thank you, Mr.

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