“Then it’s as Mrs. Joseph asserts? Yours is a love match?” Joseph added smugly.
Darcy walked on in silence for a few minutes. “I would’ve assumed, Sir, that you, too, cared deeply for your wife. Was I mistaken?”
“You’ve not erred. My wife holds my highest regard.”
“Yet, you refuse to admit to loving your wife,” Darcy observed.
Joseph countered, “I do not hear your professions, Sir.”
Darcy chuckled. “I see how it is. If I’m man enough to admit to loving Mrs. Darcy, you could follow suit. If that’s what it takes, Joseph, I confirm that I’m hopelessly in love with my wife. You now have my permission to admit your own weakness.”
The man reddened. “I assure you, Mr. Darcy, that I do not require nor seek your permission for anything.”
Darcy’s smile widened. “And that’s how it should be, Joseph. My affection for my wife — my decisions regarding my estate — my sister’s guardianship — are all mine. They’re none of your concern unless I choose to share them, as your life belongs to you until you care to speak of it. Do not mimic another man’s actions, Joseph. Do what’s best for you. That’s a lesson which I learned from Mrs. Darcy.”
Only the crunch of their boots on the frosty lane broke the silence for several minutes. “I didn’t mean to offend, Mr. Darcy.”
“You didn’t offend, Joseph. I spoke because I observed in you my own tentative nature. We men are not free to express our thoughts. Women strike up instant relationships. Look at our wives as proof. It is how Society deems our roles so we must develop confidence in our choices, and, more importantly, we must guard against accepting outside examples as the norm. The true north is what works for us — what makes us personally satisfied with our lives.”
“What do you think of Mr. Manneville and the lieutenant?” Mrs. Bennet asked Kitty as they laced the threads of a matted waistcoat they repaired for Mr. Bennet.
Kitty had taken refuge in her mother’s room. She had accepted responsibility for monitoring Mrs. Bennet’s activities. Kitty, who loved creating fashionable designs, concentrated on the looped stitches forming a monogram. “They’re fine-looking gentlemen,” she mumbled.
“I’d imagine that one or both would be considering marriage,” Mrs. Bennet hinted as she fluttered about the room.
Still involved in the stitching, Kitty absentmindedly responded, “Mr. Manneville said as much earlier today.”
“Did he now?” Mrs. Bennet asked with delight. “That’s a fine situation.”
Kitty’s head snapped up in full attention. “Mama, don’t even think it! Mr. Manneville will return to America.”
“But the man is very rich, is he not?” Mrs. Bennet’s tone conveyed the direction of her thoughts.
“If he’s to be believed,” Kitty confirmed.
Picking up her embroidery hoop, Mrs. Bennet returned to her stitching. “I suppose one might corroborate the man’s worth through the colonel or Lieutenant Southland.”
Kitty recognized her mother’s manipulations. “I’ve no desire to live in America,” she asserted.
“Who says the man cannot be convinced to stay in England?”
Kitty’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Mr. Manneville despises English tea!”
Mrs. Bennet chortled. “What does that have to do with anything? I’ll speak to him myself to determine his true intentions.”
“Southland, I’ve been looking for you.” Colonel Fitzwilliam cornered his aide in the library.
The lieutenant scrambled to his feet. “I apologize, Sir. I was unaware of your return to the house.”
“Some thirty minutes ago,” the colonel offered a mild reprimand.
The lieutenant remained at attention. “Again, I apologize, Colonel. While I was reading, I evidently lost track of time, Sir.”
“Relax, Lieutenant.” Edward reeled in his temper.
Southland lowered his shoulders. “How may I serve you, Sir?”
“You can tell me what you’re about. What’s this I hear of your having an intimate conversation with my cousin?”
The lieutenant’s glance was so brief that Edward couldn’t read the man’s true motive. “I assume, Sir, that you refer to my speaking to Miss De Bourgh.”
“You had better not have spoken intimately to Miss Darcy,” Edward growled.
“As Miss Darcy is so much younger than Miss De Bourgh?” Southland asked uncertainly.
Edward jerked his head up in surprise. “As Miss Darcy is an innocent.” Warning rang in Edward’s tone.
“And Miss De Bourgh is not?”
That was the wrong thing to say. “I’ll not tolerant insolence, Lieutenant!” Edward swallowed his initial anger. “Damn it, Roman! You know that wasn’t what I meant. Miss De Bourgh is equally as innocent, but she has a companion with her at all times. At Pemberley, Miss Darcy’s companion allows her charge some freedom. I’d not approve of your approaching either cousin.”
“Did I say something to offend Miss De Bourgh? If so, I’ll apologize immediately, Sir.”
“Miss De Bourgh didn’t appear offended by your conversation,” Edward conceded.
The man appeared puzzled. “Then what brings your ire, Sir?”
“I’ll not have my cousin made an object of scorn, Southland.”
“Scorn, Sir? Why would you believe I meant to
Edward’s gaze locked on his aide’s countenance. “Miss De Bourgh isn’t the type men seek out for simple conversation.”
“I don’t understand why not, Sir. Miss De Bourgh is quite handsome and very literate. She may be a bit shy, but in small gatherings, I imagine the lady shows very well.”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “Are we both speaking of the same Anne De Bourgh?”
The lieutenant frowned. “I speak of Lady Catherine’s daughter.” He paused briefly. “You do recall my brief connection to Rosings Park, do you not, Sir?”
Edward stammered, “Of… of course, Southland.” The colonel’s brow rose in curiosity. “Then you truly enjoyed your time with my cousin?”
“Absolutely, Colonel, and I’d be honored to join Miss De Bourgh again.”The man’s honesty rang true, but Edward still questioned whether any man could give Anne his attentions without first considering her dowry. She had cowered under Lady Catherine’s reign so long that he was certain that Anne had lost the vibrancy she once possessed. It would probably become his father’s province to find Anne a suitable marriage of convenience, one of which his aunt would approve — possibly to a widower who needed a mother for his children. “And I’ll avoid Miss Darcy unless her companion is present.” Southland’s words brought Edward from his thoughts.
The colonel’s voice was hesitant. “Allow me to caution you, Lieutenant. I didn’t bring you to Pemberley to feather your social connections.You’re Mr. Darcy’s guest, and you’re my assistant. I expect you to perform under those guidelines. I appreciate your earlier kindness to Miss De Bourgh; yet, I cannot condone your laying a liaison’s foundation with any of the females under Mr. Darcy’s protection. If that’s your purpose, you’ll know the Earl of Matlock’s full power, as well as your commanding officer’s, in response.”
“I understand, Sir.”
“Our husbands should be on their way back,” Mrs. Joseph remarked. “And the other gentlemen are coming down to breakfast.”
