Page 15

"Nonsense, Mrs Darcy. I am still a fine, vigorous gentleman, if you recall."

Chapter Seven

Kate sat cross-legged in the armchair beside the window in Mina's room. Most of the walls were, as ever, adorned with all sorts of sketches and half-finished studies, along with some more complete pieces that had been framed. There was scarcely an inch of wallpaper visible in places, and Kate wondered whether her sister intended to cover the ceiling next.

"Well, I, for one, am glad the crush has gone," she said to her sisters.

Mina was lying on her stomach on the rug in front of the fire, sketchpad in hand, while Bella lay inelegantly across the bed, baby William trying at intervals to escape from his mother by crawling away and giggling.

"I thought it was all quite jolly," said Bella with a grin. "It is nice to have so many people in the house. It is such a big place for just the family." She paused, turning her attention to Kate. "Although, darling sister, I noticed that you managed to squirrel yourself away for many of the festivities."

"You know I do not do well with crowds, Bell."

"Mr Briar is still here," said Mina, lifting her head and entering the conversation.

"You are right, Min," said Bella. "Mr Briar is still here. Have you noticed that Mr Briar is still here, Kate?"

"Of course I have. He is to oversee the excavation of the potential burial mound, and I do not know why you should ask me particularly." She felt her face redden.

"Well, it is just that I have noticed Mr Briar looking at you in a particular way."

"No more particularly than anyone else, I should think," said Kate, rather too quickly.

"Oh!" said Mina, suddenly catching up with the conversation. "Do you like him, Kate? Like him, like him? He has got very good hair. I should like to draw him, although when I shall get the opportunity, I do not know. Papa says he will be very busy overseeing the works."

"His hair is ordinary hair," said Kate, wafting her hand as though to bat away the comments. "And the scientific and historical inquiry he is undertaking is very interesting. That is where my interest in Mr Briar begins and ends."

"Do you not think he has very finely shaped legs?" said Bella wickedly.

"Bella Harwood! You are a married woman!" said Kate, horrified.

"I am, and I love my George to distraction, but I still have eyes. He may dress a little brightly, but he is a very fine-looking man. A very fine-looking man who spends much of his time looking upon you. I have noticed that, on occasion, you look upon him too."

"He is a guest in our house. Where else am I supposed to look, Bella? This is nonsense."

It was rare now for the three sisters to sit together and talk idly as they had throughout their childhood. Bella's responsibilities at Pemberley and as a wife and mother often prohibited these relaxed mornings, and Kate had frequently found herself missing them. Right now, however, she thought she would not mind if they never enjoyed another one again in their lives.

"Isn't there some estate business that should have your attention?" she asked peevishly.

"No," said Bella with annoying brightness. "I am as free as a bird, and this topic of conversation has quite caught my attention. Hasn't it, Will?" She tickled her son on his belly, causing him to laugh uproariously.

"Well, I think he is handsome," Mina announced, returning to her sketchbook. "And he is very clever. I like him."

"Thank you, Mina," Kate said drily. "I shall be sure to inform Mr Briar that he has received your personal seal of approval."

Bella burst out laughing, and Kate closed her eyes. There were times when her family really was too much to be borne.

Before Bella could continue her inquiry, the door opened and their mother walked in. "There you are, girls. I could not find you anywhere."

"We are staying out of the way while everyone departs," said Mina. "It is a crush of carriages and trunks downstairs."

"Well, I suppose I cannot blame you for that." Elizabeth looked around at her daughters and smiled. "How lovely to see you all together. Although I do wonder whether there is any room left in here for poor Mina alongside all these pictures."

"There is plenty of room, Mama," said Mina. "I have only just begun the east wall."

"Good heavens. Well, Kate, your father would like to see you in his study."

"Really?" Kate was surprised. It was usual for her father to be attending to business matters at this time, but he rarely summoned her unless they had arranged to discuss a particular scientific paper or some matter of interest.