His Uncle's Favorite by Lory Lilian Read Free Book Online Page B

Hertfordshire watching her and silently studying every small gesture as she read, played, talked to others or danced. He always watched from afar, and now, suddenly, he was inches away and felt suddenly warm. He needed a glass of cold water, too, he thought, glancing at her again. Her lips were still wet and red and apparently very soft, and he could not look away.
    “So, Miss Elizabeth, what have you done these last couple of days? Have you enjoyed London?” asked the colonel, and Darcy suddenly turned his attention to him.
    “We have done little, sir. I spend most of the time at home or walking in the park with my little cousins; Lord Matlock and Lady Selina’s visit a few days ago was the only special event since we arrived in London. Oh, and yes—my aunt and sister called on Miss Bingley a couple of days ago, but I did not join them.”
    “Do you have some specific plans for your stay in London, Miss Elizabeth? And Miss Bennet?” The viscount’s direct question took both sisters by surprise, and for a moment, they looked at each other, uncertain who should answer.
    “No, nothing of the sort,” Jane finally replied. “We intend to spend as much time as possible with our aunt and cousins. We have few acquaintances in London.”
    “Oh, you must not worry about that, Miss Bennet,” Lady Selina spoke up. “After the ball next week, a lack of acquaintances in London will be your last worry.”
    “A ball? I do not think that… We did not…”
    “We were not aware there is a ball next week to which we are invited,” Elizabeth said, her pleased voice covering Jane’s small whisper. “May I ask who will host this ball? Not Mr. Darcy, certainly, as I know he is not fond of dancing.”She knew it was impolite to address such a comment to Mr. Darcy, but Jane’s sad countenance compelled her to punish a certain person for her sister’s distress.
    “Miss Elizabeth, I am curious to know how you can be so sure of what my nephew is fond! May I dare ask how well you came to know each other during his stay in Hertfordshire?”
    The viscount coughed, Lady Selina and her husband chuckled, and the colonel laughed and added, “I would like to ask the same question if I may be so bold.”
    “Uncle, we all know you well enough to appreciate your humour, but I do not believe it is fair to expose Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to such a conversation. Besides, the answer is quite simple. I had the pleasure of first meeting them during an assembly, and I am sure there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was not my favourite pastime. More so, if I remember correctly, Miss Elizabeth heard me declare openly to Bingley that I do not enjoy dancing.”
    Mr. Darcy’s intervention and his veiled scolding of his uncle took the others by surprise. Even Elizabeth, who bore the earl’s behaviour and questions easily, was startled by Darcy’s long speech, clearly meant to protect her sensibility. Before he ended, her attention and her eyes were fixed on his face, and she could see he was, indeed, solemn. At his last words, he turned his eyes to her, and his gaze locked on hers.
    “And to Sir William, if I remember correctly,” Elizabeth added, and to her shock, she saw him puzzle a moment before a tentative smile lit his face.
    “You do remember correctly,” he answered.
    “I thank you for clarifying my dilemma, Nephew. I am also grateful that you brought the impropriety of my question to my attention. It is providential to have such a detached mind among us, always attentive to propriety and decorum. I have often wondered whether it is not tiresome to be a man without fault.”
    The earl’s reply sounded offensive, and Miss Darcy, together with Jane, stared at him in shock. Elizabeth did not know what to expect next; she looked worriedly at her aunt, but a moment later, the earl and the colonel began to laugh loudly.
    With no little wonder, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Darcy himself shaking his head in disapproval before smiling and