Pemberley Ranch - Jack Caldwell [48]
Darcy sighed. “What’s gotten into your mother, anyway? Having a Fourth of July party, for heaven’s sake! The only reason folks will turn up is for the free vittles and beer.”
“Is that why you’re coming?” Anne said with a small smile.
“You know why,” Darcy responded. “Well?”
“You were right. The blue dress looks beautiful on her.”
“Does she suspect?”
“No. Will, are you sure about surprising her?”
Will nodded. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I don’t know. Are you certain that she likes you? I mean, I think she does, but I can’t tell if she likes you in, well, that way.”
Will grinned at his innocent little cousin. “Anne, Anne, Anne. Just look at the way she talks to me. She’s always teasing—it’s obvious she’s flirting with me. Time I gave her back a little of her own. It’ll work out, just watch.” At her doubtful expression, he leaned over his saddle horn. “Aren’t I always right?”
Anne grinned slightly. “I suppose you are.” As the smile slid off her face, Darcy grew concerned.
“Annie, is everything all right? You’ve been awful quiet lately.”
Anne wouldn’t meet her cousin’s eye. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Will.”
“How are things at home? Cate’s not mistreating you, is she?”
“Mother’s the same as she always is. I’m fine, really.”
“Annie, look at me.” The girl raised her face. “You can talk to me. You can trust me, you know that.”
“I do,” she said quietly.
“We’ve got a place for you at Pemberley if you want it.”
Anne’s eyes flew open wide. “No! I’m… I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” She glanced at the rising sun. “I’d better get back to the house. I promised to go riding with Beth, and I better get back, or she’ll think I left without her. Bertha’s been keeping her busy, but she can’t do that much longer, or Beth’ll think something’s wrong. See you tomorrow, Will.”
Anne turned Princess’s head around and headed back to the house. Darcy watched her go for a few moments, still uneasy over his cousin’s demeanor. Finally, he could remain no longer, or he chanced discovery by Miss Bennet.
“C’mon, Caesar, let’s get back to the barn, huh?” He put spurs to horse, and the great, black beast shot forward, racing over the plains. Will exulted in the ride, his mind moving from concern over his cousin to anticipation about the entrance of another lady—a very pretty, curly-haired lady in blue.
July 4
“AH, WILLIAM, GABRIELLE,” WELCOMED Mrs. Burroughs from the foyer after Bartholomew opened the front door. “Good morning. You’re prompt—very good. Gabrielle, you look lovely today.”
Darcy hardly heard his cousin’s monologue, for he was too busy scanning the people already assembled in the B&R ranch house for a woman in a blue dress. Mrs. Burroughs noticed his preoccupation and thought she knew the reason.
“William, Anne is still upstairs. She will be coming down… Why, here she is now.”
Darcy’s head jerked around, his gaze steady upon the two ladies descending the staircase. Anne appeared quite pretty in her attractive pink and white dress, and Gaby was delighted for her. But Darcy dismissed his cousin with a nod of the head, his attention captured by the vision behind her.
Darcy was aware that the domineering Cate stood beside him, and he schooled his features to appear as disinterested as possible. Yet, his eyes were locked on Miss Bennet, splendid in a blue and silver gown, her hair up and away from her face. The lady must have felt his stare, for her eyes locked on his and opened wide.
She knows! Darcy thought. His initial impulse was to damn propriety and approach her, but with Cate in attendance, that would never do. He knew he had a part to play in front of his cousin. He would have to wait to enjoy the pleasure of Miss Bennet’s undivided attention.
He stepped forward and correctly took Anne’s hand. “Good morning, Cousin. You look very well today. And, you too, Miss Bennet,” he said as he turned to her.
“Th… thank you, sir.”
Cate began speaking again, drawing Darcy’s notice, so he did not see the confused look in Beth