Page 65 of Cousin Conundrum

“May I be of assistance?”

At the rumble of that voice, warmth surged into Elizabeth’s cheeks. Willing it away, she turned to Mr. Darcy.

He moved down the hallway with long strides, the impeccable cut of his dark coat emphasizing his fine physique. His even features were arranged in a look of concern that must be feigned, for men who kissed young misses to whom they were not engaged undoubtedly didn’t feel any finer emotions.

And why was it that rogues like Mr. Darcy always appeared so devilishly handsome?

She longed to treat him with the coolness he deserved, but she’d also had the story of how he pulled her from the pond, something she could neither recall nor ignore. She tipped up her chin. “Mr. Darcy, while I have no real recollection of what took place, it is my understanding that I have you to thank for my life. You have my gratitude, sir.”

He came to a halt before her and Jane. “You do not recall what transpired?”

“I do not. Mr. Jones says that is not uncommon and that my memories may return in time.”

He frowned, nodding.

How unlike a rake to be so serious. Did he miss the praise he’d expected her to heap upon him? Would more gratitude mollify him? “I am assured I would have drowned if you had not dived in after me. I am in your debt.”

He shook his head at that. “May I assist you down the steps?” To Jane he added, “Meaning no disparagement of your abilities, Miss Bennet.”

Jane slipped her arm free of Elizabeth’s. “Oh no, I would never think you do. Please, it would reassure me for you to descend with Elizabeth. I am not certain, should we stumble, that I would prove strong enough to save us.”

Elizabeth resisted the urge to cast Jane a scowl for abandoning her to Mr. Darcy and forced something akin to a smile onto her face. “Thank you. I imagine you have quite a great deal of strength, Mr. Darcy, as I am told you carried me a fair distance.”

“You truly recall nothing?”

She recalled well-muscled arms and a broad chest, but refused to put those fleeting glimpses into words, even if her lack of memory obviously troubled him. She couldn’t fathom why it would. She’d already twice thanked him. How much gratitude did he require? “I am afraid I do not.”

His gaze locked with hers. “How far into the past does this loss of recollection reach?”

Worry knotted in her gut. Did he know she was the short, dark-haired Bennet sister who kissed him outside the assembly hall? Did he live in fear that she might accuse him?

Uncertain of his motives, she finally replied, “I remember being on the terrace with Jane, but nothing after that is clear.”

His gaze dropped to her lips.

Perhaps he hoped that if she recalled kissing him once, she would do so again? She suppressed a shiver of anticipation, vowing not to permit that to happen. She would not be so foolish twice.

“I am pleased to hear you suffer no more loss of memory than that,” Mr. Darcy murmured, and offered his arm.

Elizabeth took it, unsurprised by the strength there, and permitted him to start them down the steps. He matched his stride to hers, and as they descended, a vague feeling of safety came over her. A memory of being cradled. Protected. Wrapped in the warmth of Mr. Darcy’s coat and carried in his arms.

She kept her face angled away from him, for surely if she caught his gaze while memories of him holding her tumbled back, she would turn as red as a beet. Redder, if such a shade existed.

By the time they reached the base of the staircase her legs shook and the world tilted about her, but Elizabeth kept her chin up and her expression bland. She would not spend another day in her chamber staring at striped walls. For one thing, even for meals, Jane refused to leave her side, when she should be spending time with Mr. Bingley. For another, no matter how entertaining Jane and Kitty tried to be, lounging about in bed made Elizabeth miserable. Especially when she could not read, a worry that clawed its way back into the forefront of her mind.

“Where would you care to go?”

A quick glance showed Mr. Darcy’s expression held a blandness to match her own. Did he hide something as well, or was he that indifferent to her? To be certain, a rake would be. To him, such a kiss as they’d shared would be quickly forgotten.

For her, the memory would last a lifetime.

Elizabeth drew in a steadying breath, fighting that memory off. “If it is not too cold, I would like to sit on the terrace. I crave open space and fresh air.”

“I doubt you will find it too cold, especially if we situate you in the sun, and blankets can always be brought, or even a brazier.”

“I would not want anyone to go to the trouble of a brazier,” Elizabeth protested as he started them down the home’s central hallway.

“I doubt you will wish for one, but if you do, I am certain it is no trouble.”