Bennet, Pride Before the Fall (Love Austen 3)

“The only thing this room is missing is a large portrait in oils.”

Georgie laughed. “We got a photo of Dad posing once. We enlarged it and hung it up as a joke and the whole house trembled with his horror when he saw it. He prefers photos of us kids.”

Bennet had seen the study and its memory-filled walls. “You must be happy, having him back.”

“Absolutely. Ever since his retreat to the farm, he’s been in a better mood.”

Bennet smiled for her, but . . . Darcy wasn’t even a little miserable, like Bennet? “Better mood, huh?”

“More open, somehow. More motivated. He offered to help Henry and Cameron move, gave them the armchairs from the library even though they remind him of mum. And the case he took pro bono . . .” She shook her head, incredulous.

“What case?”

“I don’t know the particulars, but a gay man’s partner died and it was the deceased’s request to be buried at St. Agarthan’s next to his mother, but the church refuses to allow it. The partner is claiming discrimination, and Dad’s representing him.”

Bennet’s ears rang and his throat swelled. This was the case Darcy needed to take?

“I’m so proud of him,” Georgie said. “He’s the most generous, caring person.”

Bennet swallowed the thick lump in his throat. His voice came out husky. “I’m beginning to grasp that.”

She cocked her head. “He deserves more love in his life. I hope he meets someone . . .”

Bennet pivoted to the stained-glass windows, hiding his shaky hands. “These are incredible.”

Georgie rolled to the other window, the chaise dividing them. “Aren’t they?”

Bennet admired the delicate glass roses. The blues and reds and golds. “Your dad is lucky to have a daughter who cares so much for him. Who sticks with him through thick and thin.”

“The day I fell down the stairs and broke my spine, he feathered my hair back the entire way to the hospital. He stayed at my side the entire time. When the doctors told him I wouldn’t walk again, his eyes grew moist but he didn’t cry. He turned to me and said, ‘You are a beautiful girl with a strong heart, and there is nothing I won’t do to give you the world.’ And he’s never failed me on that. I lived in the UK, travelled Europe, the States. Anywhere a chair couldn’t go, he carried me. I’ve known a million adventures, I drive, I work my dream job, I’m happy. But I was curious, so I asked him and he answered.”

Georgie turned to him. “He’s never once cried because he’s never once seen me as broken.”

Bennet struggled to hold back the heat in his eyes.

“You’re lucky to have such a dad.”

“Yes. I doubt there’s a better one.”

Bennet rubbed his chest.

“I know he’s struggled to be proud of who he is. Hell, he only told us he’s attracted to men three weeks ago.”

“He what?” Bennet said, startled.

“He took us to his favorite restaurant, extended the invite to Cameron, and just . . . told us. Very businesslike and matter of fact. Then he picked up his menu and decided on dinner.”

“He told you.”

Georgie smiled softly, nodding. “The menu was shaking though, so I know it took more out of him than he let on. It might have taken him a long time to be proud of himself, but he’s always been proud of me, always loved showing me off. He always asks me as his date to business functions.”

A phone chimed. “Oh, my brother,” Georgie exclaimed and answered the call. They chatted for a few moments, and Georgie hummed. “I don’t know. Lemme take a quick check. Call you back.” Georgie looked at him as she rolled toward the door. “Stay here a sec? I gotta take a picture of some drapes they’re taking to their new house.”

She left the room, and Bennet was thankful for the chance to sift through his emotions.

He touched a bed post and recalled Darcy tending to him in his own bed while he was sick. He’d been too modest, too shy, to admit he’d done it because he cared.

And Bennet had cast him only doubt.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the room.

The door shifted. Bennet looked over to Georgie and froze. Not Georgie. Darcy. Stepping into the room and taking off his navy suit jacket.

He stopped abruptly when he caught sight of Bennet gripping the bed post. The air was alive with confusion and tortuous embarrassment. Their eyes met, and Darcy flushed, but it was nothing to Bennet, whose whole body burned.

Darcy collected himself and crossed the rug toward him with a small nod.

Bennet wanted to leap from the windows, but couldn’t make his legs obey.

“Bennet—”

“I’m so sorry. I never should have intruded. Excuse me.”

Bennet hurried out into the hall and turned right instead of left and half a hallway later found himself facing a dead end. He laughed in shame and frustration. He never should have given in to this curiosity, especially when he was aware of Darcy’s past with Will. How Darcy had hated Will turning up out of the blue. Christ. He was stalking.