Darcy's Temptation by Regina Jeffers Page A

again.” She stood and made her curtsy, but the woman emerging in her never took her eyes from Harrison’s countenance.
    Harrison made her the proper bow. “Miss Darcy, you are looking well. I have not seen them yet, but I assume your family is in health.” Georgiana shot the captain a furtive glance. All those present at last night’s fiasco pretended no such confrontation occurred. The captain, the only other person in the room at the time of Lady Catherine’s attack on her family members, chose to ignore the issue in deference to his allegiance to Lord and Lady Pennington.
    â€œThey are, Sir. My family wishes to renew its acquaintance with you.” Georgiana offered Mr. Harrison an endearing smile. Turning to the officer she added, “May I introduce Captain James Rutherford.”
    â€œCaptain Rutherford.” Harrison made the man an obligatory bow.“I am pleased to meet any friend of Miss Darcy’s.”
    â€œMr. Harrison,” the captain acknowledged the man with a like bow. Sensing Georgiana wished to speak to Mr. Harrison
privately, the captain excused himself. “Miss Darcy, I hope you do me the honor of a dance set this evening.”
    Georgiana felt uncomfortable. For the past several days, she accepted the captain’s attention, but now with Mr. Harrison in the room, she no longer wanted the captain’s regard, but she saw no way out. If she refused the captain his dance, Georgiana would have to sit out the rest of the evening, and Georgiana wanted to dance with Chadwick Harrison. “It would be my pleasure.” She smiled briefly at Rutherford before he exited.
    Georgiana moved from the instrument bench to a settee, and Harrison followed her there.“Has your time at Hines Park been productive, Sir?” Georgiana asked politely once they were seated.
    â€œIt has, Miss Darcy. I am anxious to speak to your brother during the evening; I have questions to which I hope he has answers. Plus, I wish to extend a dinner invitation to your family while you are in the area.”
    â€œI would enjoy seeing your estate, Mr. Harrison.” Georgiana dropped her eyes before they met his.
    â€œMy estate is progressing. I would like your opinion of it. I value your opinion, Miss Darcy.” Harrison hoped to say more, but his promise to Mrs. Darcy prevented that.The sexual tension made them uncomfortable, and they fought valiantly against the emotions trying to surface. When Harrison first met Georgiana Darcy there was an instant attraction, but in his first estimation, he considered her to be naïve. His weeks at Pemberley proved his initial opinion to be in error. Miss Darcy possessed an independent spirit hidden by the beauty of her face. Harrison found during those weeks with Georgiana he could socialize without the pressure of mating or remain silent without censure.This contradiction confused him at first; now he welcomed it.
    Noticing they were actually alone, the couple fell silent. Finally, Harrison said, “I missed my conversations with your
family, Miss Darcy. Hines Park is sadly without the fulfillment I found at Pemberley.” Harrison looked around to make sure no one could observe or hear him. “Miss Darcy.” she turned to look at him as he lowered his voice.“Please excuse my impropriety when I tell you I missed you.”
    â€œMr. Harrison,” Georgiana said, blushing deeply, “although I cannot accept your lack of proper manners, I do accept your words most willingly.”
    Harrison said nothing else; he wanted to tell Georgiana he loved her, but he made progress; therefore, he turned his attention to other matters. When the time came, Harrison knew Georgiana Darcy would, at least, listen to his plea. “How long have you known the captain?”
    â€œOnly about a week—he is an acquaintance of my guardian Colonel Fitzwilliam; the captain is a guest in the house of my mother’s cousins, Lord and