‘Lady Darcy. This is a surprise.’
So saying, Lady Georgina entered Rosings’ drawing room and eyed her visitor, sitting on a Sheraton loveseat with her legs crossed and a teacup balanced on one knee.
‘A pleasant one, I hope?’ Sarah Darcy replied.
‘As pleasant as it is unexpected.’ Hugh’s godmother sat down across from her. ‘To what do I owe the honour of your visit?’
‘I wondered if you’re attending the regatta ball on Sunday night.’
‘Yes, of course I am,’ she retorted. ‘I’m one of the sponsors, after all. I could hardly fail to show up.’
‘And have you an escort to the ball?’
‘Ralph Knightley’s asked me. I haven’t yet accepted.’
‘Why on earth not? The ball’s only three days away.’
‘I haven’t accepted,’ Lady de Byrne replied, ‘because I’m hoping for another invitation. If I don’t hear from the other gentleman by noon tomorrow, I shall go with the major.’
Lady Sarah’s lips curved into an amused smile. ‘You do like to play it fast and loose, don’t you?’ Her smile faded, replaced by a frown as she set her teacup aside. ‘Speaking of which…’
‘Ah, yes. Now we get to the real reason for your visit.’
‘It’s Harry,’ Lady Darcy said, her expression troubled. ‘I fear he’s developed an attraction for Hugh’s fiancée, Holly James.’
‘Has he, indeed?’ Lady Georgina’s brow shot skyward. ‘Are you quite sure?’
‘Positive. The pheromones practically crackle between them. I almost felt a need to ground myself before standing near them.’ She looked up sharply. ‘You’ve seen it, too, have you?’
‘I have indeed,’ Georgina agreed cautiously. ‘I noticed a certain… something between them when Harry visited Miss James here at Rosings after she sprained her ankle. He was quite concerned about her comfort; and Holly’s behaviour towards him indicated that she felt something a bit more than friendship in return.’
‘I knew it. I knew I was right.’
‘Perhaps you should be more concerned,’ Lady de Byrne said shrewdly, ‘by the attraction between Elizabeth Bennet and Hugh. There’s something there as well, or I very much miss my guess.’
‘Concerned?’ Lady Darcy echoed, and leaned forward, her face set in determination. ‘On the contrary, Georgina, I’m not concerned in the least. As a matter of fact, I think that perhaps you and I should fan the flames of love – true love, that is. Please do hear me out…’
***
‘I’m glad you and Harry had a good time sailing this afternoon,’ Hugh said.
Holly was silent.
He shrugged on his dinner jacket and regarded her reflection in the mirror. ‘You did have a good time, I hope?’
She looked up sharply. ‘Yes. Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I?’
‘No reason. I suppose I felt a bit guilty, leaving you to fend for yourself with my mother this morning.’ His smile was apologetic. ‘I know what she can be like.’
‘We managed to get on fairly well, all things considered.’ Holly shrugged. ‘What about you and Lizzy? Looked like you two were having a brilliant time.’
‘I was just about to ride out to the pasture this morning when she showed up, looking for me. She wanted to see the new sheep.’
Holly blinked. ‘This morning? So you spent the entire day together, then?’
‘We did.’ His hands paused as he adjusted the Windsor knot in his tie. ‘Surely you’re not upset…?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said truthfully. ‘I suppose I am, a bit. I mean, you couldn’t wait to shove me and your mother out the door; then the moment we left, you’re off riding with Lizzy Bennet?’
‘Oh, for…’ He broke off with an exclamation of irritation. ‘Now you’re being ridiculous. It wasn’t planned, Holly, believe me. It was purely happenstance.’
‘Purely happenstance?’ Holly echoed. ‘How can you say that, when Lizzy showed up bright and early in her bloody riding boots, ready to “tally ho” with the love of her life the minute his inconvenient fiancée was out the door?’
‘That’s absurd! She didn’t know you were gone.’
‘Obviously she did, or she wouldn’t have come looking for you. Your mother must’ve told her, or Harry.’
‘Holly,’ he said firmly, and came to her to take her hands in his, ‘you’re overreacting. We rode out to the pasture and back, Lizzy and I, and looked at the bloody sheep. That’s all. You don’t see me getting upset because you went sailing with Harry this afternoon, do you?’
Instantly, guilt assailed her. If he only knew how very close she’d come to kissing his brother…
‘You’re right. I’m sorry.’ She sighed and leaned forward to brush her mouth against his. ‘I’m being completely ridiculous, aren’t I?’
‘Completely,’ he agreed, and his lips curved into a smile. ‘But I like it that you’re so possessive. It shows how much you love me.’
‘I do love you,’ she murmured, just before his lips claimed hers. ‘I love you madly, Mr Darcy.’
And she did love him, she thought dazedly as she lost herself in his kiss. She did.
***
‘Don’t forget to take a few umbrellas along,’ Mr Bennet cautioned as he and his daughters loaded the Mini on Saturday morning. ‘The forecast says there’s a possibility of rain later today.’
Emma, her arms filled with a stack of folded beach towels, glanced up at the sky with a sceptical expression. ‘Well, it’s sunny and perfect at the moment. There’s not a cloud to be seen. I do hope the weather holds during the regatta.’
‘So do I,’ Mr Bennet agreed, and hoisted a picnic basket loaded with every sort of food imaginable into the tiny boot. ‘I should be disappointed to have to dine al fresco under an umbrella in the pouring rain.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Lizzy said thoughtfully. ‘Sharing a picnic lunch under an umbrella in the rain sounds pretty romantic.’
‘Not if the sandwiches get soggy,’ Emma, ever the realist, pointed out. ‘Crikey,’ she added in dismay as Mr Bennet went back into the house, ‘where’ll I put these towels? With this massive picnic basket in here, there’s no room for anything else.’
‘I know where you can put them,’ Charli retorted, and stalked past her and climbed into the back seat of the car.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ Emma asked.
‘She doesn’t want to go to the regatta,’ Lizzy answered. ‘She’s over her obsession with Ciaran Duncan – so she says – and wants to stay home and brood, but Daddy won’t let her.’ She lowered her voice. ‘He doesn’t trust her just yet.’
‘I don’t blame him.’ Emma sniffed. ‘Charlotte isn’t worthy of anyone’s trust. I hope he doesn’t expect us to keep an eye on her…?’
‘I do indeed,’ Mr Bennet said as he returned with a jug of iced tea and a portable radio in his hands. ‘I expect you all to stay out of trouble.’ He frowned and began to rummage through the packed boot. ‘Now, then, I’m certain I packed a bottle-opener somewhere in here…’
***
‘Is everyone ready to go?’ Lady Darcy called up the stairs. ‘It’s half past. We really should be on our way if we expect to find a proper spot to watch the regatta race.’
Holly and Hugh came downstairs. ‘We’re ready,’ Holly said, and glanced up at her fiancé. ‘Aren’t we, darling?’
‘Ready,’ he confirmed. ‘Where’s Harry?’
‘Oh, he left ages ago,’ his mother said, and turned towards the door. ‘He had to make sure the Pemberley’s ready to go.’
Holly busied herself checking that she had everything she needed in her tote bag – sunglasses, sun cream, a floppy hat – to hide the telltale flush that rose on her cheeks at the mention of the Darcy yacht.
‘Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve got a tiny cut, just there.’
Harry had reached out to touch her face, and Holly had known the instant his fingers brushed against her cheek that he’d wanted to kiss her. His lips had come dangerously close to hers.
And she’d wanted him to kiss her.
‘Coming, darling?’ Hugh enquired, and held out his arm to her.
She smiled and slid her tote bag into the crook of her elbow. ‘I’m ready,’ she said, and took his arm. ‘Let’s go and watch Harry win that regatta cup.’