Page 89 of Pride, Prejudice & Wicked Pleasure

A new thought came to her. “What brings you to Derbyshire?”

He coloured. “I had business to attend.”

“Are you spending the night here at this cottage?”

“No.”

“Will you be here to-morrow?”

He paused. “Only if you desire it.”

Her earlier agitation seemed to return, for she finished her wine rather hastily and rose to her feet. She looked about the room.

“Have you mentored a great many students before?”

“What do you consider ‘a great many’?”

“Have you ever…known any of them—beforehand or perhaps by accident you discovered their true identity?”

His pulse quickened. “Abby would take the identity of her students to the grave.”

His response seemed to give her some comfort.

“The odds of any one teacher and student being acquainted are extremely small,” he added.

“But the whimsy of Fate is not unheard of.”

“No,” he murmured. “But even if a pair were acquainted, they would not themselves know it. We have taken every precaution to ensure our anonymity, which is in the interest of both student and mentor. Are you worried of discovery?”

“Yes, of course. Are you not?”

“I accepted the risks when I agreed to become an instructor for Abby. As with you, discovery would lead to unsavoury consequences for myself and my family. I have responsibility for one member in particular. And in that light, I have been considering an end to my tenure as an instructor at Trenwith House.”

He rose from his chair and went to stand opposite her. “I am convinced this will be my last and final lesson.”

*****

“Indeed?” she replied after clearing her throat.

“A change in circumstances have led me to the appropriateness of ending my involvement in this profession.”

Her heart thumped wildly. A change in circumstances. Could he possibly mean his feelings for her? Might he still hold her in affection? She felt torn. She had not come with any intention of pursuing a fourth lesson but to confirm the identity of her mentor. She was more certain but lacked proof still of his being Mr. Darcy. If he was ending his stint as a Trenwith instructor, this might be her last opportunity for a lesson. Abby would no doubt find her a replacement if requested, but Lizzy had no toleration to continue with anyone else. What if Mr. Darcy, despite his altered behaviour to her, had no intention of renewing his hand? Suddenly, she desired the fourth lesson beyond anything.

“I remember the safety word,” she blurted.

“Pardon?”

“Montreal.”

He simply stared at her. Had he forgotten it?

“The safety word,” she reminded him.

“Yes, of course.”

But he remained immobile.

“I have but an hour to spare, I think,” she said. “I had revealed the location of my meeting so that it should not sound too mysterious to my aunt, and she had expressed a desire to meet Mrs. Trenwith.”