Love Never Fails by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy [Joy, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-04-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

By the time the last course was served, Elizabeth felt confident that Mr. Darcy no longer saw sitting beside her as a duty. Though his expression remained guarded, something she credited to the ever-glaring Miss Bingley from across the table as well as his natural demeanor, there were several times when she knew him to be smiling. His lips had not budged, but she saw it in his eyes. It was enough to satisfy her.

Her humor in high spirits and her stomach full of delicious fare, she decided that she would tell Mr. Bingley about the events of the park before the evening ended.

Lady Rutledge stood, signaling for the ladies to accompany her into the drawing room.

Mr. Darcy caught Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam's attention from across the table and motioned for them to move toward Lady Rutledge. Apparently, he saw no need for her to delay in telling the rest of the story. Her suspicion was confirmed when he looked at her to follow them. Of course, Miss Bingley joined their group at the head of the table.

"What is this?" asked Lady Rutledge in a hushed voice.

Mr. Darcy nodded at Elizabeth, and she stepped forward, knowing what she was expected to do. "Aunt Lavinia, apparently Mr. Bingley knows nothing of why you ran over the officer in the park. He ought to understand your motives, as should Colonel Fitzwilliam, do you not agree?" She spoke quietly and quickly, so the other guests would not hear.

Lady Rutledge raised her chin up in the air. "It pains me to be doubted in the first place. Let us not discuss this now. I must lead the way to the drawing room." She moved her skirt to the side and took a step away from the group.

Mr. Darcy said in a low, commanding tone, "Is it true that you merely sought to protect a young lady from the unwanted advances of the officer?"

She stopped mid-step and turned to face the group. "Why else would I dare run over an officer of His Majesty's Army in a public place?"

Colonel Fitzwilliam stood rigid. "You replaced his boots, Lady Rutledge. Why in heaven's name would you replace his boots when he proved by his actions that he deserved to trudge in the mud in his bare feet? I shall have a word with him as soon as I return to the barracks. He will learn that he cannot get away with such improper conduct."

With an impish smile, Lady Rutledge said, "Oh, my dear colonel, I do believe he already has learned that. Every step he takes in his new boots will serve as reminder enough."

Mr. Bingley asked, “You did not have them made too small, did you?”

Chuckles followed her as she started toward the door, shrugging off her nephew’s question.

As she stepped by Miss Bingley, who smiled as heartily as the rest and arched her neck to flatter her bejeweled throat, that young lady reached out to her aunt and said sweetly, "How horrible of us to have doubted you, dear Aunt.

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