What Would Lizzy Bennet Do? (28 page)

‘No, I’d love it.’ She smiled. ‘My only plans this afternoon involve washing my hair and giving myself an egg-white facial.’

‘Now there’s a visual,’ he said, and laughed. ‘Okay, then. Sailing it is.’

As she took a last sip of her wine, Holly became aware of Lady Darcy’s eyes on her. Her expression was thoughtful.

Holly couldn’t help but wonder, as she laid her napkin aside and stood up when lunch was over, if Hugh’s mother was merely anxious to be rid of the two of them… or if she was deliberately throwing them together.

But she dismissed the idea even as it occurred.
You’re imagining things
, she told herself firmly.
Lady Sarah isn’t doing any such thing
.

At any rate, Holly mused as she climbed into the Jaguar next to Harry, it was plain enough that Hugh’s mother didn’t want her to marry her son…

…
either
of them.

***

Twenty minutes later Holly and Harry were making their way down the wharf towards the
Rosings
when a tow-headed boy suddenly dropped down in front of them. Holly let out a gasp of fright.

‘Billy! Come ‘ere, you little scoundrel,’ Mac shouted from aboard the ship. ‘Get back on this boat right now, or I’ll skin yer arse, so I will.’

With a snort of laughter, the boy dodged out of Harry’s reach and ran back up the gangplank and onto Lady de Byrne’s yacht.

‘Sorry, Miss Holly,’ the man called down as he peered over the bow. ‘Pardon my language. Hope the little bugger didn’t scare you too bad.’

‘No, he just startled me, that’s all.’ She smiled up at him and waved. ‘How are things?’

‘Good, no complaints… except for that ‘un.’ He jerked his head in the direction of the boy. ‘Good strong winds today. Are you and young Darcy off for a sail?’

Harry nodded. ‘Just a quick tack across the bay and back. I want to make sure everything’s ready for the race.’

‘Oh, aye. Well, here’s hopin’ you beat that film star and his crew on Saturday.’ He spat. ‘Nasty lot.’

‘What do you mean?’ Holly asked.

‘I don’t trust ‘em, is all.’ He glanced at Harry. ‘You tell Cap’n Kearns to watch his arse – I mean, his hindquarters – where that lot’s concerned. Wouldn’t put it past ‘em to break the rules to win. Wouldn’t be the first time, neither, from what I hear.’

‘I’ll relay the message,’ Harry promised, and put his hand on Holly’s back. ‘Good luck with your passenger,’ he added, and grinned.

‘What…?’ Mac turned away to see Billy attempting to climb, monkey-fashion, up the ship’s masthead, and chased after him with a roar.

‘I wonder whose he is,’ Holly said as they made their way to the
Pemberley
.

‘Who?’

‘Billy. I wonder why he’s aboard the
Rosings
and not at home with his own family.’

Harry shrugged. ‘Maybe Mac is his family.’

She shook her head. ‘He told me he’s babysitting for someone. I wonder who?’

‘His son or daughter, probably. Billy must be his grandson.’

‘Probably,’ she agreed.

They’d reached the gangplank for the
Pemberley
. As she took Harry’s hand and followed him up the ramp, her excitement overshadowed her curiosity about the little boy, and she climbed aboard the Darcy yacht.

***

The sails billowed out as the
Pemberley
got underway, ropes creaking and canvas snapping, and Holly caught her breath at the beauty of it all. With its sails unfurled, the yacht skimmed along at a good clip, and she rested her arms against the railing, loving the breeze against her face and breathing in the briny, sharp scent of the sea.

‘Nice brisk wind today,’ Harry called out.

She smiled and nodded. She didn’t want to talk, she only wanted to gaze out at the coast slipping by and savour the slap of the waves against the hull.

As if he understood, Harry busied himself coiling a towrope and stashed it inside one of the storage benches, then straightened.

Holly couldn’t help but notice the muscled definition of his arms and chest or the rugged planes of his face behind the aviator sunglasses thrust over his eyes. He looked at home here on the yacht. He was in his element with the sea and the wind and the snap of the sails.

He came to stand beside her at the rail. ‘Having fun?’

‘I love it. It’s like flying over the waves.’

‘Just don’t try and pull a Rose and climb up on the bow,’ he said, and grinned. ‘I won’t be responsible if you fall.’

‘As if I’d ever do something so silly,’ she scoffed, and grinned back at him.

Although she noticed a couple of the crew darting around the deck as they adjusted the spinnaker sail, Holly barely paid attention. She couldn’t take her eyes from Harry.

The wind ruffled his hair as he leaned forward, and the sun turned it into a gorgeous, coppery-blond shade. She had a sudden yearning to reach out and touch it. Holly blushed. What was
wrong
with her?

For some reason, she was distractingly conscious of Harry’s nearness, not to mention the warmth of his shoulder against hers, and it sent her thoughts cartwheeling out of control like a piece of paper buffeted by the wind.

What was it about Harry Darcy that affected her so powerfully…?

Just then, a speedboat raced by, its surge rippling across the water, and the yacht rolled slightly.

‘Watch the boom!’ someone called out. ‘It’s coming about!’

The next few seconds passed in a confusing blur as Holly glanced back and saw the ship’s boom swinging directly at them, and her eyes widened in shock. She froze, unable to move.

‘Holly – get down!’ Harry shouted.

Suddenly he tackled her, grabbing her around the waist and throwing her down onto the deck. The boom swung overhead seconds later, just missing them both, then swung back again as one of the crewmen regained control.

Holly stared up at Harry. He was sprawled atop her, his chest pressed against hers and his arms braced on either side of her, and his face was inches away. If she weren’t pinned beneath him, she thought dazedly, she could reach out and touch that reddish stubble on his jaw…

‘Are you all right, Holly?’ he asked her, his blue eyes dark with concern.

‘I’m fine.’ She blushed at his proximity. Her breasts were mashed up against his muscled chest, and it was incredibly embarrassing. ‘What – what happened?’

‘The boom happened.’ Grimly, he pushed himself away from her and helped her up. ‘It’s one of the hazards of sailing, unfortunately. Usually I’m more aware of my surroundings and I see it coming about. It caught me off guard today.’

‘I guess I’m not much of a sailor,’ she admitted, still shaken, ‘added to the fact that I can’t ride, or hunt, or do much of anything that’s useful for a future Lady Darcy…’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ he said gruffly, his hand still steadying her. ‘That stuff’s overrated, anyway. Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve got a tiny cut, just there.’

He reached out to touch her face, and Holly saw herself reflected back in his sunglasses as he did. She felt a little flip in her stomach as his fingers grazed her cheek, and she tilted her face back, loving the brush of his skin – however brief – against hers.

And before either of them realised it, he’d lowered his head, and his lips hovered close to hers.

He was going to kiss her.

Holly felt a cauldron of emotions simmering inside – joy, desire, elation, anticipation – but also a tiny prickling of guilt.

You’re engaged to Hugh Darcy. Yet you’re about to kiss his
brother
.

It was wrong to want Harry the way she did, Holly reminded herself, wrong to crave the warmth of his lips on hers and the feel of his arms around her. She loved Hugh. She really did…

Then why did she long for his brother’s kiss?

‘Sorry.’ Harry pulled abruptly back. He lifted his eyes and met her gaze, then looked away. ‘I’ll go and get you some antibacterial cream, and a plaster for that cut. Don’t want it getting infected, do we?’

Holly thought he might say something more, something to make her feel a little less confused and guilty than she did.

But, ‘Be right back,’ he said, and left.

***

When Harry and Holly arrived back at Cleremont, Lady Darcy still hadn’t returned. Relief washed over Holly.

She knew Hugh’s mother would’ve instantly seen the guilt on their faces and pounced, grilling them until they confessed their attraction.

Then she’d march straight upstairs and tell Hugh. Then she’d instruct the printers to change the bride’s name on the wedding invitations from ‘Holly James’ to ‘Elizabeth Bennet’.

Then she’d boot Holly right out of the Jacobean door.

‘What’s wrong?’ Harry asked as they got out of the car and went up the front steps together. ‘You’re scowling.’

‘Am I?’ she said. She attempted a smile. ‘Sorry, I was just lost in thought. You know how it is.’

His eyes collided with hers. ‘Holly, about what happened aboard the
Pemberley
this afternoon, I…’

But whatever he’d intended to say remained unspoken as Hugh and Lizzy cantered up the drive astride Thor and Lady, their faces flushed with exertion and laughter.

‘Holly!’ Hugh called out, and drew his mount to a halt. ‘You’re back.’

Her smile remained firmly in place as she glanced first at him, then at Lizzy. ‘So are you two, I see. Did you have a good ride?’

‘The best,’ Lizzy confirmed, drawing up beside Hugh. ‘We rode out to the pasture to look at the new sheep. Have you seen them yet?’

‘No, I haven’t had that pleasure.’

‘They’re darlings. You
must
have Hugh take you out to see them.’

‘Did you find a gown?’ Hugh asked.

Holly nodded. ‘It’s beautiful. Your mother insisted on buying it for me as a “pre-wedding present”. She isn’t home yet or I’d show it to you; it’s in her car. I came back with Harry.’

‘We went for a cruise on the
Pemberley
,’ Harry explained. ‘It was Mum’s suggestion.’

‘Ah. And did you enjoy it?’ Hugh asked Holly.

‘We had a wonderful time.’ She didn’t elaborate any further. ‘Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I need to go upstairs and change for dinner.’

‘Me, too.’ Harry nodded briefly at Lizzy and his brother, and disappeared inside the house…

…for all the world, Holly thought, as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.

Chapter 34

‘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?’