Amanda Grange & Jacqueline Webb Read Online Free PDF Page B

enquired.
    She had left the two gentlemen to their port after dinner in hopes that Darcy might be able to impart some words of wisdom to their young guest. Despite managing to keep his mood from the children, Edward was still alternating between tremendous excitement at his forthcoming trip and bitter resentment at his father’s disapproval of his chosen path.
    â€œYes, he has, although from the number of candles alight, I suspect he has little intention of sleeping straightaway.”
    â€œIt is natural at his age to be so exuberant,” she said, beginning to brush her hair.
    Darcy crossed the room and stood behind her, taking the brush from her hands. She willingly relinquished it, for if there was one thing she enjoyed more than brushing her own hair, it was having Darcy brush it for her. But after a few minutes, she put her hand on his to stop him, for she could tell by his frown that something was worrying him.
    â€œWhat is it?” she asked.
    â€œNothing,” he said.
    But she was not to be put off.
    â€œThere is something; I can tell. You are worried about Edward. You are not happy about this trip of his.”
    â€œIt is none of my business. He is of age and free to do as he likes. Besides, travel broadens the mind and I think every young man should experience it at least once in his life. I admire his enthusiasm, but sometimes I feel that, for Edward, Egypt has not simply been an interest but an obsession.”
    â€œAre you worried that he will be disappointed?”
    â€œI think it is more that I am worried he is too inexperienced to take care of himself abroad. He is very trusting, and there are plenty of people in the world who will be only too happy to take advantage of his generous nature, and his generous allowance. His father and mine were older when they undertook their trip to Egypt, and even they found themselves out of their depth. I am not sure you should be encouraging him.”
    â€œI cannot help encouraging him to follow his heart. You, above all, should know the importance of that. After all, would we be here now if we had followed the advice of older, wiser heads?”
    â€œPerhaps not. Though I am not convinced the heads in our case were wiser.”
    Elizabeth laughed. “No, it was not very wise of Lady Catherine to visit me and attempt to bully me into saying that I would never marry you.”
    â€œOr to tell me that you had wilfully refused to assure her that there was no truth in the rumours, for that is what gave me reason to hope. I knew that, if you had really been set against me, you would have told her so.”
    â€œThen since things turned out so well for us, will you not agree with me that Edward should not be prevented from pursuing his passion? For who knows where it might lead?”
    Darcy was thoughtful. “Perhaps…”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œPerhaps we should go with him.”
    â€œDarcy, do you mean it?” asked Elizabeth, with a sparkle in her eye.
    â€œI do,” he said, smiling to see her so happy.
    â€œBut what about the boys’ schooling?”
    â€œWe will be gone for less than a year and the trip will be educational. It will give them a chance to travel, and although it would perhaps be better for them to wait until they are older, such a trip might not be possible when they come of age. Europe has just emerged from a long period of warfare. Who knows when there might be another?”
    â€œOh, this is so exciting! Just think of it. Egypt! With its pyramids and palm trees and golden sand dunes. What an adventure it will be. We must start to make plans immediately—”
    â€œHowever,” Darcy interrupted as she got up, her eyes sparkling with pleasure, and ran to her escritoire. “Once we return, we will send Laurence to school.”
    Elizabeth stopped. “He is still so young.”
    â€œI was at school already by his age. He needs more society than his family circle can give him.