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Pushing a hand through his dark, wavy hair, William paced over to the sink, turned, and leaned against it. “Why the bloody hell would you invite him here?” he said straining against a whisper. His face reddened, and his pursed lips moved again even though Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak. “The man’s a snake, Lizzy.” He threw an arm in the air, gesturing to the other room. “And it’s obvious to me he’s got his sights on you.”
His jealousy almost appealed to her, but she didn’t dare crack a smile during his rant. She was confident she could make him understand if only she could get a word in.
“Clearly, you didn’t take my warning seriously.” He drew in a breath and rasped so low she almost didn’t hear him, “Between you and Georgina...I just...”
That statement caused an uptick in her pulse and her mind to spin. Threatening her independence was not a smart move on his part. “Are you quite through, Mr. Darcy?”
He folded his arms and clicked his head to the side. “That depends.”
“On what?”
He pushed away from the sink, commanding his full height. “On what you have to say for yourself.”
Elizabeth coughed out a laugh. She’d become adept at disarming his high socialite attitude and his often archaic outlook on relationships, but this time he stepped too far over the line. She took a step in his direction, never breaking eye contact. “Now I will have my say.” She glared for effect, and he stayed silent. “First, I did not invite Mr. Ackerman over tonight. That was my mother’s doing. She’s after Patrick, and it appears he’s not up to the challenge of courting Mary on his own. Second, I don’t care if he’s Count Dracula; I’m not a damsel in distress who needs rescuing.” Elizabeth caught the stunned and defeated expression on his face. But he needed to hear her words. “The way you acted out there, William. That’s not a side of you I’d like to see again.” The potential ultimatum had her heart pounding. Hurting him was not her intention.
“Are you quite, through,” he said with a mocking tone.
She returned a copy of his reply. “That depends.”
“On what?” he asked, his face turning more red by the minute.
“On what you have to say for yourself. You could have told me you knew Granville. What is this business you two had?”
William pulled his lips under his teeth and appeared to be collecting his thoughts. Taking her hand, he shook his head. His demeanor softened. “Lizzy, the past is not what’s important here. I’d like you to trust me on this. He’s not someone you—”
She delivered a glare powerful enough to halt his words. “I see. You’d like me to trust you and yet you didn’t tell me you knew Granville. So yes, I do believe it is important. I’d like an answer, please.”
He touched her face gently. “It’s complicated, Lizzy,” he said in a sweet voice.
She sighed, and his eyes seemed to realize his mistake.
“Let’s just say he interfered with a development project I was working on. A rather large one, which Claude had been behind until his grandson bent his ear in the wrong direction. Our company lost a lot of money.”
Shaking her head, she pulled her hands from his. “This...business deal gone bad...from years ago, is why you’ve labeled him public enemy number one?” She took a few steps away and then turned back to him. “I’ve heard you tell John repeatedly that business is business and not to take it personally.”
“It was the way it happened. And as I told you before, his reputation is reprehensible—especially with women.”
She sensed continuing the conversation would not improve the situation or her relationship with William, but she couldn’t stop. The one piece of advice she’d ever heeded from her mother was that a woman who holds her tongue releases her opportunities. “You know as well as anyone that reputation is not always a true representation. Maybe he’s changed. His grandfather is a sweet old man who may have had an impact on him.”
William’s jaw clenched. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing. You’re defending him now? I’d like to think you’d concede to my judgement on this. This is the world I’ve lived in...the men I’ve dealt with. Why does it even matter? He should be of no consequence to either of us. Does he mean anything to you? You act as though he’s got some sort of hold on you.” He paced to the door and stared at it as though he were seeing right through it. “This discussion serves no purpose as Granville has no place in our lives.” He turned back to her, waiting with anticipation for her solemn agreement.
She’d never lied to him before. Would he think the internship constituted a hold over her? She hesitated to mention it with Granville in the next room. If only she had more time to consider the situation, she’d come to a more clear decision. He strode over to her, closing the distance and leaving her no place to look but his eyes.
Coming to her rescue, a grinning Mary swung open the door and strolled in with a pep in her step. “Time for dessert.” Her gaze went right to William, and she skipped over to him. Elizabeth found her sister’s fondness for William endearing. It was the only time she’d seen Mary behave like other young women her age. “Oh, William, so glad I found you. You must meet Patrick.” She looped her arm through his and stared up at him. “Did Lizzy tell you about him?”
He nodded, and any tension in his face fell away. Elizabeth liked to believe that Mary was the little sister he wished he’d had. Or maybe he just wanted Georgina to be a little more like Mary, because she made him feel like the big brother he wanted to be. “Yes, she told me.”
Her eyes lit. “I’ve finally met a man who’s intelligent enough for me, sophisticated like you, and handsome to boot.”
Elizabeth snickered under her breath, but Mary didn’t notice. Her eyes dropped from William’s face. “I don’t know if he fancies me, though. He’s not the easiest person to read.”
Elizabeth raised her brows to William as if to say, “You think so?” An attempt to add some levity between the two.
He patted her arm and looked at her with such an endearing expression, Elizabeth’s heart melted. “He’d be an utter fool not to fancy you,” he said and winked. “Give him some time. Often a man can be as stubborn as an arse.” He peeked over at Elizabeth who grinned in response.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Mary said with confidence. “He’s intelligent enough to figure it out.”
Elizabeth doubted Mary’s reaction would be the same had she been the one to deliver those words. And how would Patrick react to her sister’s way of seeing herself and the world? She prayed they’d be compatible if that was what Mary truly wanted.
William didn’t flinch at Mary’s turnaround as he was used to her social awkwardness and unique way of seeing things. “Shall we go eat dessert then? You can introduce me to this young man, so I can make sure he’s good enough for my Mary.”
“Yes, please,” Mary said straightening up and leaning into him.
Though William appeared ready to move on, Elizabeth hesitated to relax into relief. Guarded, she followed behind the two heading for the door.
“And Patrick can tell you all about the music festival he and Granville are taking Elizabeth and me to.”
William’s head snapped back in Elizabeth’s direction. His eyes tapered into slits. She drew in a breath just as they were stepping into the other room.
“There you are,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Let’s have a seat at the table, shall we?” She sped walked over to Elizabeth and said from the side of her mouth, “Dear, your father needs looking after. He and William may have been hitting the brandy in the study. He’s running off at the mouth.”
Elizabeth shot her a look that told her mother that was not news. Her father used his tongue like a whip, often unleashing it on innocent bystanders. Bearing witness to it was one of Elizabeth’s favorite pastimes. Though there may not be a speck of innocence in that room except for Mary.
“Do something,” her mother prodded.
If the subject were not her father, Elizabeth wouldn’t have been able to summon the energy to contain another fire. But doing her best to keep her parents from each other’s throats ranked high on her priority list.
Everyone sauntered toward the table and picked up small white plates to fill with goodies. Elizabeth headed toward her father with William on her trail. Mary stopped him with a tap of the shoulder to introduce him to Patrick. Elizabeth hoped the respite would last at least through dessert.
“Father,” she whispered in his ear as they each picked up a scone. “Mum says you’re acting a bit saucy. Have you been nipping at the Brandy?” She smiled through the last words avoiding Granville’s curious stare. Georgina had returned and stood an inch away from him filling his ear though he seemed to not notice anything but Elizabeth as he picked up a fork and napkin.
“Your mother wouldn’t know saucy if it bit her on her flat arse.”
Conceding, she gave him one nod. “So you haven’t been running off at the mouth?”
“Of course I have, but no more than usual.” He winked and gave her an elbow tap.”
“Behave, will you? Or mother will have your arse.”
“I see no reason for your mother’s concern. If anyone’s going to sour this utterly festive bunch it’s your fiancé. William is shooting Granville daggers with his eyes.” His mouth flipped up to a satisfied grin. “I hope one of them connects.”
Elizabeth looked beyond Mr. Bennet to find her father was correct. Patrick was speaking to William, but William’s eyes kept darting over to Granville and Georgina. One problem at a time. “Father, please.”
With sweets and tea in hand, Elizabeth took the seat next to Mr. Bennet; William swooped in to snag the one on the other side of her. Granville and Georgina sat across from them adding yet another awkward distraction. Georgina sat sideways in her chair, unable to take her eyes off of Granville and ignoring the fact that his were glued to Elizabeth.
Mary attempted to serve Patrick the berry trifle, but he pushed it away politely.
“I’m lactose intolerant,” he said, taking his seat.
The scone Mary held was rejected next. “I try to stay away from processed sugars.”
She looked defeated as she sat down next to him; Mr. Bennet noticed. “Not to worry, young man, Mrs. Bennet’s scones are ninety percent cement.”
Patrick showed no reaction, though Mary looked stunned.
Elizabeth giggled, but her mother’s glare halted it. She stomped on her father’s foot under the table. With Granville staring and William watching him, the pressure gave way. She delivered a blow much harder than she’d intended.
“Bugger! That hurt,” Mr. Bennet yelled.
All eyes turned their way; Elizabeth adjusted in her seat. “Sorry, father. My chair must have snagged on the carpet.”
His brows pulled together, and he pushed out a whoosh of air. Her head heated under the pressure of the night. Would it never end? She swiped at her forehead, collecting a bit of dampness on her fingers. Turning from her father’s scolding gaze, she found Granville’s soft blue eyes. “Wonderful trifle, Mrs. Bennet.” He smiled at Elizabeth and then her mother. “What a treat.”
“Yes,” Georgina agreed. “Simply delish.”
Elizabeth took the moment to breathe and check William’s demeanor. He dug around in the fluffy cream as if a diamond were hidden at the bottom. She touched his wrist to slow him and hopefully put him at ease. When he turned to her, she smiled and leaned in closer, touching her head to his shoulder.
Unaffected, William set his spoon down. “So, Patrick. Tell me about this music festival. Georgina has a great love of music. I’m sure she’d enjoy attending.”
For the first time, Georgina removed her focus from Granville. After a brief narrowing of the eyes at her brother, she gave a single nod indicating mutual agreement and gratification. “Grand idea, brother.”
Mary leaned over to look at Granville. “That would be lovely,” she said, surprising Elizabeth.
Granville pulled his lips in and then made a tsk sound. “Unfortunately tickets are sold out. Have been for some time now.”
Elizabeth didn’t know what to make of all of this except that she wanted it to end. She turned to apologize to William with her expression, expecting to see anger on his face. Instead she saw the same look she’d seen when he would talk about business. A look of determination that told Elizabeth he was ready for a fight.
The moment passed and conversations started around the table. Granville and Georgina talked about Italy and this time, to Elizabeth’s surprise, he seemed genuinely interested in Georgina. Mrs. Bennet boasted to Patrick about how Mary would be graduating from college at the top of her class.
“That’s because I don’t waste my time on any of the campus buffoonery that goes on.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Patrick said. “My time in college was spent as it was intended to be—enriching my mind and furthering my education, so I could take my place in the family business.”
“No buffoonery going on there,” Mr. Bennet said low enough that only Elizabeth heard. She didn’t react as she sipped her tea and watched her mother, wondering just how far she’d be willing to go to push Patrick and Mary together.
Her work done, Mrs. Bennet took to her dessert and let the two youngest at the table talk. Elizabeth enjoyed seeing them interact. She turned to William with a smile and a head gesture. “Have you ever seen Mary look like that before?”
He shook his head lightly. “It would be wonderful for her, wouldn’t it?”
Elizabeth simply nodded, preferring to leave it at that and hope their mutual agreement meant William would concede and trust Elizabeth knew what she was doing. And yet, she felt the smile slip from her lips. Was she so different from her Mother if she upset William with her part in this whole thing? In her defense, she wasn’t scheming like her mother. Somehow, the carousel just kept going round and round, never giving her a chance to step off.