have not had the opportunity to speak to you alone. You have not told anyone about what you saw, have you?”
She straightened up. “Not really.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? Explain yourself.”
“Mrs. Burke knows about the tramp, but she doesn’t know about what you did to him. I did not tell her.”
“It is imperative you do not. Obedience is something I expect in a woman.”
“I have said nothing, so as not to worry my grandmother, and I fear if I say anything on the matter, you might have your ruffians injure that man in a worse way if he should come here again.”
“Let us hope he does not. I have no tolerance for vagrants.”
Darcy pressed her brows together. “I do not understand the aversion I have met here in England toward the less fortunate. The Lord instructs us to help those in need, especially the poor. Please, Mr. Langbourne, have compassion on the man.”
He watched her in silence. Then the corner of his mouth lifted. “You are without a doubt Eliza through and through. Your grandfather was a fiery preacher, and charity was something he pounded into her. Perhaps if she had been less sympathetic she would have been wiser.”
Darcy longed to escape his cruel eyes, and each time he spoke the name Eliza she cringed inwardly. “I wish to go now,” she said, and stood.
Langbourne leaned forward. “You are expected to accept the Brightons’ invitation to Bentmoor.” He handed her an invitation. She took it in hand and opened it. “We have certain social mores here. I detest them, but in this case they are necessary.”
“I should be happy to attend.” She folded the invitation and turned to go.
“On your own? You have apprehension of very little, don’t you, Darcy?”
“There is no reason for me to be uneasy. Mrs. Brighton was kind to me.”
“You are not concerned who you might meet at this affair?”
“No, sir. Should I be?”
“It is wise to be cautious, for you will have a swarm of men around you. If anything, they will be enamored by the fact that you are an American girl. I will not be going with you to protect you.”
It sounded silly to Darcy. Why should she be guarded of the people Mrs. Brighton would invite to her home? She watched Langbourne stand up from the chair and pour brandy into a glass. Rarely did the Breeses have even a barrel of ale in their home. They were not given to it or any other kind of strong drink. Darcy could see a change come over Langbourne even after one glass. His face grew haggard, his eyes glassy, and his disposition more forceful. She would avoid him.
“I will be gone for a few days on private business,” he went on to say.
Suspicion rose in Darcy, and she wondered what Langbourne did when away. “Charlotte must get lonely without you.”
“Never mind what I do, or what she feels,” he said, turning. “I suppose you will wear your best gown tomorrow night?”
She tried to douse the tension between them by smiling. “I doubt my best gown shall meet with approval.”
“Does it matter?” His eyes darkened as the fire in the grate weakened. “Who is it you wish to please?” He swallowed down the amber liquid, went to her, and lifted a lock of her hair from off her shoulder. “So unfortunate you were not born with your mother’s hair. It was as dark and very long.”
Darcy felt a certain fear of him rise and moved away. Without hesitation, she turned out of the room and ascended the stairs—uneasy at his words, at his touch, and how he made demands on her. At least a visit to Bentmoor would distract her from the weary darkness that permeated Havendale. And upon her return, Langbourne would be gone.
18
Alone in her room, Darcy stared at the gown that lay across her bed, doubting it would stand up to the other ladies’ dresses in beauty and fashion. With a sigh, she picked it up, held it out in front of her, and smoothed down the folds and creases. The waning light of day caressed the deep ivory color and dark emerald trim. The fabric felt smooth against her palm, and she recalled the day that she and Martha had finished the last bit of stitching on the hem. How she missed her cousin and hoped she would receive a letter from her soon. Had the expectation of a proposal from Dr. Emerson become a reality for Martha?