Hidden Hearts by Fairbanks Rose

Author:Fairbanks, Rose
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rose Fairbanks
Published: 2022-03-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Elizabeth forced herself to stare ahead. If she looked at her feet as she wished, Darcy would rightfully interpret her feelings of longing and inadequacy. Why had she even asked the question?

“I cannot say what others will think, Elizabeth,” Darcy said gently at her side. “They will hear the rumours, and there is no getting around them. However, as we have agreed to act as though this were a normal engagement, you will meet my family and friends. I know they will leave the encounters believing that I am a fortunate man to have circumstance give him a woman who suits both me and Pemberley.”

Elizabeth almost believed he admired her when he spoke like that, and he was not merely pretending for honour’s sake.

“Unless you wish to end the deceit,” Darcy said. “Would you rather me cry off now? Then, your father could bring a suit, and you would look blameless.”

His voice had changed, but Elizabeth had no presence of mind to decipher it. He was always so quick to offer to break the engagement. It was as though he hoped she would, and he could be free of her. He had already suggested it twice during this walk. They had slowed too much, and the footsteps behind them came closer. She quickly dashed away a tear that had slipped out. She must not give any sign that her heart was breaking in two. Nay, not just two, but a million pieces that could never be righted again. Just as the grotto was forever altered, so too was her heart.

“Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam called. “I must speak with you on a matter. Might we allow the ladies to go ahead of us?”

Elizabeth let go of Darcy’s arm rather than allow him to look at her face. “Certainly,” she said with a smile and waited for Mary to reach her side. They left arm in arm, with Mary practically dragging Elizabeth away from the two cousins.

“What is this?” Elizabeth asked.

“I merely wish to put as much distance as possible between the good colonel and me,” Mary said. “Impertinent man!”

“Oh, dear. What happened?”

“After I left the drawing room, he came and found me. I assume you know about that and even directed him to me!”

“Yes,” Elizabeth answered. “He said he wished to apologise. Did he not?”

“Some might call it that.”

“And what would you call it?”

“False flattery!”

“Mary, what did he say? Should I talk to Mr. Darcy about him?”

“Oh, no,” her sister answered. “I believe we understand each other very well now.”

“What is that you understand about each other?” Elizabeth asked while glancing back at the gentlemen. They appeared to be having an animated conversation.

“He knows that I am not to be trifled with or subjected to his flirting, and I know not to believe a word he says.”

“My goodness! That is quite the conclusion, but Mr. Darcy says that his cousin is not dishonourable.”

“Oh, I never said that.”

“If you believe he is incapable of telling the truth, then I think that speaks to his lack of honour.

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