Page 37 of Shields and Roses

"Yes, often we must place duty before pleasure. When you have the opportunity to enjoy the estate, what is your preference?"

He smiled, "Ah, that is when I get on my horse and take a good, long gallop. I have trail I particularly enjoy riding along. It takes me through the woods and around the park, along the river and by the lake. I get a little bit of everything. Usually, though, I am confined to after-dinner walks in the formal gardens with my sister. We amble down the paths for fifteen or twenty minutes, enjoying the evening air."

"How old is your sister?"

"Just fourteen, although sometimes she seems younger as she is very shy. She has been at school but is not very happy there. I decided to bring her home and provide her with a governess again. I know from my own experience how difficult school can be."

They parted again. The next time they came together marked the final measures of the dance. As they finished and prepared to move off the floor, Darcy was about to request an introduction to her party so he could invite them to come visit Pemberley, allowing her to meet his sister and enjoy the grounds. Before he could speak, his attention was caught by the sight of Sir Barnaby and Miss Jane Bennet finishing the dance together in another set of dancers.

This must be the second time they had partnered in a dance, which meant Sir Barnaby was definitely serious about pursuing her. All his aunt's warnings about the Bennets rang through Darcy's mind. Should he say something?

His preoccupation must have shown in his expression, for Miss Elizabeth asked, "Has something disturbed you, Mr. Darcy? You have gone very silent and seem to be glaring at something across the room."

He shook his head almost imperceptibly but could not shake his unease. "I saw something that made me wonder if I have a duty to step in or speak up. The gentleman in the primrose waistcoat who is escorting the blonde woman in the periwinkle gown to the chairs off to the left is an acquaintance of mine." He gestured in the correct direction with his head and glance.

"Of what would you have to speak?" she asked. Darcy thought he might have heard a touch of sharpness in her voice, but he could not be certain.

"I believe that is the second time he has danced this evening with that particular woman, who I have learned is Miss Jane Bennet. Her next younger sister is goddaughter to my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. My aunt has said that the Bennet sisters are fortune-hunters of the worst kind, whose brash behavior precludes any man of their neighborhood from offering for them. She is ashamed of her own link to the family and believes the connection would bring any man's consequence down. Of course, Sir Barnaby is his own man, and I am sure he knows what to watch out for. However, he is also a kind gentleman who might be blinded by a pretty face. I would hate to see him taken in by an artful schemer if a word from me could have alerted him to danger."

Miss Elizabeth's lovely eyes had gone cold, and Darcy saw shock in her expression. Of course, someone as well-bred as she would be upset at the thought of a good man being preyed upon. She would never act in such a manner, he was sure. Thinking he had her support decided him on the matter. Oblivious to all the people moving around him, he stared at the couple by the chairs, considering how he might broach the subject with Sir Barnaby. Resolving that the direct approach would be best, he turned back to offer his arm to Miss Elizabeth and escort her to the side. To his surprise, she was gone.

Darcy looked frantically around but saw no sign of her. Men and women of all description moved around the room, but one lovely woman was nowhere to be seen.

He had lost her again!

Chapter 22: Insulted

"How dare he!" Lizzy thought to herself as Darcy blithely insulted her family and spoke of separating her sister from Sir Barnaby Linton in the name of service to his acquaintance. Only the years of training from Miss Stanton kept her silent and still as befit a gentlewoman. How could he say such things to her about her own family? He spoke as if he thought she was not a Bennet, as if he did not know her family name. All the same, how dare he?

Afraid she would give in to the impulse to slap the man or take him to task right there on the dance floor, Lizzy slipped away, hiding herself in the crowd. She needed to find Lord Sheldon or some other member of the party and hoped someone would take her away from here before she burst. Above all, she did not want to see or speak to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy again that evening, if ever.

It was too bad, really. They had been getting along so very well after her initial unease at his knowledge of her choice of reading material for the trip had worn off. Suddenly, she realized what must have happened. It seemed he made a habit of eavesdropping on her conversations. He must have overheard the teasing conversation with Lord Sheldon earlier as he insisted she deserved a place in their family, not just because of the relationship with Aunt Madeline, but because of her name, Elizabeth Rose Bennet. There had been all the commotion at the refreshment table when she was introduced. If he already thought her family name was Rose and did not hear the introduction properly, that might be why he was unaware she was a Bennet.

That still did not excuse his interference with Jane's happiness, however. How could he think it gentlemanly to pass on unsubstantiated gossip about someone he had never met, even if that gossip came from a relative? Lizzy had given him a chance and agreed to dance with him because Richard thought well of his cousin. Of course, Richard had also told her and her father that he had not revealed the whole of their campaign to Darcy because he had shown a tendency to sympathize with Lady Catherine in the past. Richard did not want him to inadvertently reveal their plans. It seemed that reticence was justified.

She could not think of all that right now. She had to get away from here. Lizzy wove quickly through the crowd, heading to where she had left Lord Sheldon. Fortunately, he was still there by the refreshment table, speaking with Lord Sattler along with Lady Sheldon, who must have joined the two men during the dance.

"Lizzy, dear. Whatever is the matter?" Lady Sheldon asked. Like her sister, she insisted on calling Lizzy and Jane by name.

"I suddenly have the most frightful headache," she explained urgently. "I was wondering if you might be willing to take me home right away."

"Young Darcy did not misbehave or insult you somehow, did he?" Lord Sattler asked.

"Well, yes, he did insult me," Elizabeth explained. "He did not, however realize it was I that he was insulting. I do not think he heard my name properly during the introduction. He thinks I am part of the Rose family, and I would rather he not learn that I am a Bennet or where I am staying. Truly, I would just like to leave before he finds me. I will explain the whole of it later." She looked around hoping he had not thought to search for her here yet.

"Of course," Lord Sheldon said. "Maria and I will take you back to Rosehaven. I will just call for the carriage and let Honoria and the others know where we have gone."

"He will not hear anything of your name or location from me, Miss Bennet," Lord Sattler assured her with a courtly bow.

"I shall wait in the ladies' retiring room," Lizzy said, already heading in that direction. "I truly do have a headache and need to get out of this crowd."

"And I shall come with you, dear," Lady Sheldon said.

Lizzy turned back and curtsied to Lord Sattler before she and Lady Sheldon quickly made their way through the adjoining rooms towards the one designated for the ladies. Lady Sheldon had wrapped an arm around her shoulder, giving Lizzy a bit of cover and making it less likely she would be spotted by Mr. Darcy if was searching for her. They slipped behind the screen that hid the door and into the small room, which seemed an oasis of quiet after the noise of the crowds in the rest of the hall.

They waited in silence, aware of the other women moving in and out of the room or using the screened areas at the back of the room to refresh themselves. Lizzy was still almost shaking with rage and her head throbbed with the effort of remaining outwardly calm.

Honoria stepped into the room, carrying two cloaks draped over her arm. "I am sorry you are not feeling well, Lizzy. I hate to have the evening ruined for you. The rest of us will finish out the evening here with Jane while you three go ahead to the house," she said. "The carriage is ready now. I brought your wraps."