“Miss Bennet, have you found it yet?” Emily called out from behind one of the rows of books.
“No, no,” Elizabeth replied, pocketing her handkerchief.
“Do you ladies need some assistance?”
At Mr. Darcy’s voice, Elizabeth’s heart lurched. She was grateful when Emily answered.
“We are looking for the book on birds you told us about.”
“Ahh! It is over here, quite close to where Miss Bennet is.”
The two walked over to her, and she watched him peruse the bookshelves. He stood so close to her that she felt as though her heart would burst from beating so violently.
Emily, so enthusiastic for the prospect of this book, leaned into him, which in turn caused him to bump into Elizabeth, sending her slightly off-balance.
“Pardon me, Miss Bennet,” he said as he quickly reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders to set her aright. Her eyes met and held his for the short duration he kept his hands there, steadying her.
Elizabeth tried to appear calm, indifferent even, as his eyes searched hers, but she felt he could see all that she wished to hide from him. He finally released her shoulders and turned his attention back to the shelf, knowing exactly where to locate the book.
He cleared his throat and said, “Here it is, Miss Willstone. I daresay you will not find a book with finer drawings.”
She opened the book, and after looking at some of the drawings said, “May I show my mother?”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Certainly. I believe she is in the drawing room.”
Emily began to skip out of the library, and Elizabeth gave her a soft reminder. “Emily, remember to walk inside the house, and take care with that book.”
She stopped and turned around. “Yes, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy watched Emily disappear from the library. He turned slightly toward her, and then looked away, as if wishing to say something but sensing her unease. He absently reached up to a row of books and straightened them. His eyes remained straight ahead on the bookshelf in front of him.
“I understand Hamilton apologized to you earlier for his remarks.”
Elizabeth’s mouth suddenly felt very dry. In vain, she licked her lips before answering. “Yes, he did. I accepted his apology and forgave him.”
Darcy nodded, still fingering the books on the shelf. “He had no right to press you as he did!”
Elizabeth lowered her head and said softly, “He had no way of knowing…” Her voice trailed off.
Darcy dropped his hands to his side. “He is young and often speaks without thinking. He has much to learn.”
Elizabeth nodded silently.
Darcy turned his head and looked down at Elizabeth. Her head was still lowered away from him. “Please excuse me. My steward is waiting to see me in my study.”
As he began to walk away, Elizabeth put a hand on his arm. He stopped and looked down at her hand, prompting her to quickly pull it away.
“I would like to thank you, Mr. Darcy, for a very enjoyable afternoon.” The smile on her face conveyed a hope that she could be in his presence with a degree of equanimity.
“I am pleased you enjoyed it.”
Elizabeth let out a breathy chuckle. “I would not have supposed you interested in planning such a thing as a treasure hunt.”
He raised an eyebrow, and he allowed a very slight smile to grace his face. “My father often used a treasure hunt to help me in my studies. The enticement of finding a treasure prompted me on more than one occasion to learn my lessons well. Truth be told, many of the clues we used today were ones that my father used.”
“I believe your father must have been very wise.” Elizabeth let out a genial laugh.
Darcy’s eyes met hers. “Yes, he was. I can only hope to be half as wise as he was.”
Emily suddenly appeared at the door. “Miss Bennet, may we go for a walk and take this book? I want to see if I can find some of these birds.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow at Elizabeth. “It sounds as if someone desires your presence.”
“Hmm, yes. Duty calls.” She turned to her charge. “Emily, that sounds like a splendid idea!”
They walked toward the door, Emily holding protectively on to the book, and Elizabeth hearing Darcy let out a sharp breath.
They returned to the house after spending a good hour out on the grounds discovering the names of several birds. Elizabeth told Emily she would keep the book in her room for safe keeping and to let her know when she wished to look through it.
They were met in the hall by one of the servants, who held a letter in his hand. “A letter was just delivered for you, Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied as she looked at the unfamiliar handwriting. She quickly tore it open, discovering it to be from her aunt’s friend, Mrs. Ketterling.
Her eyes skimmed the brief missive.
Dear Miss Bennet,
We were overjoyed to hear that the niece of my good friend is so close—and staying at Pemberley, at that! We would be delighted to have you join us on Sunday afternoon. I look with great anticipation to showing you around our pleasant village, pointing out places that were so special to your aunt and me in our younger years.
Please plan to stay for dinner, as I am inviting some others who were acquainted with Madeline, as well. My husband and I would be pleased to come for you in our carriage. Look for us to be at Pemberley around one o’clock.
Yours,
Mrs. Adele Ketterling
Elizabeth folded the letter. It appeared her plans for Sunday were settled.
There was just as much joyous reflection on the treasure hunt that night at dinner as there had been the eager expectation of it the previous night. Everyone laughed at their attempts to decipher the clues and how Mr. Goldsmith’s team, on more than one occasion, erred greatly in their conjectures and lost precious time making up for it.
Mr. Darcy received much praise for his excellent scheme, receiving it humbly. It appeared to Elizabeth, noticing his pinched brow and tightly pursed lips, that he felt awkward receiving such accolades. She brought her napkin up to her lips to cover an appreciative smile that appeared, realizing he was not a man who did things for the admiration of others, but because he wanted to do them.
Chapter 13
The next morning, Elizabeth awoke with the sun already sending forth its dawning rays. She sat up in bed and stretched, surprised that she had slept in as late as she had. She stood up and went to the window. It was too late to set out for the ridge now. She wondered whether Mr. Darcy had been up there this morning, watching the sunrise.
Later, when she and Emily joined the others in the morning room for breakfast, she masked her disappointment when she learned that the men had already set out for a day of hunting. Rosalyn, however, gave Elizabeth a very pointed look of distress upon hearing the news.
Elizabeth was grateful that she had the excuse of needing time with Emily to go over her lessons, so she was not so much in Rosalyn’s company that day. With every word her friend uttered about Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth had to fight thoughts of corresponding denial—either of her own feelings toward him or of what Rosalyn was expecting of him. She was gradually being worn down by it.
Miss Darcy had given them permission to play the pianoforte in the music room, and Emily enjoyed the benefit of receiving lessons along with Gladys and Harriet. By the end of the day, Elizabeth believed they had accomplished much.
The men returned in late afternoon; Elizabeth heard their jovial boasting as they entered through the back courtyard. Their hunt must have been successful and enjoyable, judging by their thunderous banter.