Pemberley Ranch - Jack Caldwell [68]
Beth turned to him warily, an unfamiliar expression on her face. “Yes?”
Darcy removed his hat and steeled himself. “I’m sorry for the unease our meeting must give you. I’m very aware that my presence is a trial to you. But I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to apologize for my reprehensible behavior during our last meeting. I’m heartily ashamed of myself, and I offer no excuse. I don’t ask for your forgiveness—indeed, I don’t deserve it. This charade,” he waved his hand, “wouldn’t be necessary and I’d never presume to disturb you again if not for the sake of my sister and cousin. I beg you—do not end your friendship with them because of me.”
He watched with anxious eyes as Beth stood before him, blinking. She seemed astonished, but Darcy would not trust his observations. Too many times in their acquaintance had his instincts been very wrong about this girl.
“Mr. Darcy, I… I thank you. I would never throw off Miss Darcy or Miss Burroughs, even though we’ve had our… disagreements.”
“Then, may I tell them that you still welcome their company?”
“Oh, yes, indeed! I’m… I’m only surprised.”
“Surprised about what?”
She glanced away. “Surprised that you still think me a suitable companion for your sister and cousin, given my mistaken opinions about you.”
“Miss Bennet, I can think of few people I would entrust my sister to, other than you.” Beth blushed, and Darcy cursed himself for being too forward.
“I’ll accept your apology only if you’ll accept mine. I’ve been blind and ignorant about many things, especially about you—”
“Misled, I would say!”
Beth allowed a small smile. “Perhaps, but I thought myself to be a good judge of character. I now know I’m not. Thank you for teaching me that lesson. I shouldn’t have said the things I did.”
“I don’t think you need to apologize to me, but I’ll accept it, if that means you’ll remain friends with Gaby and Anne.”
She nodded. “You mentioned a charade. Do you mean that Miss Gaby wasn’t as interested in Miss Bingley’s company as she appeared?”
“No.” An embarrassed Darcy allowed himself a smile. “I figured you might be coming to the meeting together, and I had to find a way of speaking to you privately. This,” he gestured as before, “was Gaby’s idea.”
Beth giggled a bit, and then looked around. “Is Anne here? I didn’t see her with you.”
The rancher grew serious. “No. She was unsure of her reception. She’s afraid you wouldn’t want her company anymore.”
He saw Beth become distressed. “Oh, no! That’s not true. Please tell her she’s still my friend.”
“I will.”
Beth looked down. “I hope Miss Darcy still thinks kindly of me, as little as I deserve it.”
“She likes you very much.”
“As I do her.” She sighed. “I wish I could be friends with her brother.”
At that, Darcy’s heart sank even lower than it had been.
Beth continued, “But how can I, when it’s apparent I don’t even know him? I’ve been very foolish.”
For the first time since the party, Darcy dared to hope. Carefully he said, “Perhaps you could get to know him. Start over.”
She glanced up at him. “Will he be willing to give me that chance?”
“He seems to be a nice enough fellow. I’m sure he will, if it was welcome.”
Beth blushed again. “Thank you,” she whispered. Darcy nodded and the two stood in awkward silence for a moment.
“Excuse me,” Beth said. “I must be going inside. The meeting’s about to start.”
Darcy put his hat back on. “And I have a meeting as well— at the bank. Good day, Miss Bennet.”
“You, too, Mr. Darcy.”
He watched Beth enter the church before turning and crossing the street to the Darcy Bank in a better frame of mind than he had expected a half-hour before. He waved at the teller, Mr. Rushworth, in his cage before knocking on the manager’s door.
“Bertram, got a few minutes?”
Edmund Bertram got up from his desk. “Certainly, Mr. Darcy. Have a seat. Can I get you some coffee?” Two mugs were quickly prepared, and Bertram returned to his desk, facing his employer. “What brings you to town, sir? It’s been a long time.”
“Too long, Bertram. I’ve been away too long.” Darcy took a sip