A quarter of an hour passed. She did not return.
He went in search of her. The maid who served the women’s retiring room reported she was not within. Neither the library, the drawing room, nor the salon where cards were being played afforded any sign. He was standing in the great hall, debating where next to look, when Darcy approached.
“Richard, Miss Elizabeth was with you not twenty minutes ago. I had hoped to ask for another dance, but you were both gone. Where is she?”
Richard was angry. “Darcy, I could take you outside and throw a few punches.”
Darcy stared. “What can you mean? Why are you angry with me?”
“Miss Elizabeth overheard you denigrating her mother, and the sister formed in her image. I am only thankful you did not add the Gardiners, for we both owe them a debt for sheltering Georgiana.”
Darcy flushed. “She heard me? How is that possible? I spoke privately with Pembroke.”
“Your voice carries. And this is a ball, not a private club. I dare say more than Miss Elizabeth heard you. Perhaps half the room has heard your opinion by now.” Richard’s frown deepened. “Why would such a subject arise at supper?”
Darcy’s color heightened. “Where is she? I must apologize.”
“If I knew, I should be with her. She did not return to the table, nor to the retiring room. I have searched all the principal rooms.”
Darcy glanced toward the terrace. “The balcony may be open, she wouldn’t have left on foot, would she?”
“You check with the footman at the front. She would have to pass that way,” Richard said. “I shall check the balcony.”
Darcy strode to the entrance. “Have you seen Miss Elizabeth Bennet within the past half hour?” he asked the footman.
“Yes, sir,” Michael replied. “Miss Elizabeth requested her cloak and left about twenty minutes since. She left a message for her father.”
“Have you delivered it?”
“No, sir. She said to give it when the family prepared to leave.”
“What was the message?”
“That she had a headache and would walk home for the air. I offered the gig and groom, but she refused. She said she would be perfectly safe.”
“Which way did she go?”
“She said she would take the Gladstone path along the creek, sir.” He gestured. “It lies that way. The servants use it to walkinto Meryton. It is well kept and free of bramble, but it’s only a footpath.”
Darcy considered. A horse would be of little use. He could not carry her before him home, and the path would not take a gig. “Thank you. Tell Colonel Fitzwilliam I have gone by the creek path to escort Miss Bennet. Tell him at once. He is also searching for her.”
With that, he left the house and walked into the night. His stride was long, and he covered ground quickly; at times, he ran. The path was narrow, and his dance shoes were ill-suited; he thought with a flicker of humor of his valet’s dismay. The sky above seemed pricked with an uncommon number of stars.
After what felt like an age, though it was scarcely half an hour, he saw her at last. She stood in the center of the path, head tipped back, looking up at the heavens. In the starlight, her skin had the sheen of pearls. He halted, struck for a moment by the sight, then shook himself to purpose.
What could he say to her now?
Chapter 10: An Apology
Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth started. She had believed herself entirely alone. She turned quickly. “Oh, Mr. Darcy, you startled me.”
“The stars are beautiful tonight, are they not?”
She studied his face. The very man who thought so poorly of her family that he had warned his friend against her, lest Sir Lawrence fall into her web, now chose to speak to her of stars.
“Sir,” she said, her voice steady though her heart beat wildly, “you did not walk all this distance to speak of stars. I am perfectly safe. I require no escort or protection. There are no wild beasts, or vagabonds in this place. I prefer solitude.”
