He had been a fool.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he fumed, arms firm at his side as he looked down upon her. “Whatever insult I gave at theassembly may not have been either true or kind, yet it is hardly consequential, save that your pride was hurt. For that, I do apologize, though only just, for after you and your mother decided to seek a compromise or to capture me as a match, your indignation is preposterous. Indeed, it does nothing but confirm my words and limit yours.”
“Marriage?” she scoffed, her face a cruel mix of laughter and scorn. “You are much to be pitied if you thought for one moment I, or even my mother, had hopes regarding you. No. After your insulting words last evening, which I assure you my family is fully aware of, that you were even allowed into our home was a courtesy to your friend. You are a man for pity, I fear, for to you the world is a place I cannot even begin to imagine–one where you think everyone is out for your fortune, one where you think everyone is beneath you, and one where, I fear, you may find yourself one day alone. Good day, Mr. Darcy.”
Tied by his own shock to where he stood, Darcy watched as Miss Elizabeth Bennet made her way toward Meryton’s edge, her words racing through his mind.
He had assumed she had designs on him given the artful way in which she had sent her sisters away, but had there been another reason for her actions? He may never know for certain, yet her words in connection to him seemed in all ways sincere.Looking back over the minutes spent within Longourn’s walls, the truth of her words landed in full force.The way in which they had turned to Bingley first. The way in which Bingley had been placed nearer Mrs. Bennet. The offhanded way in which Mrs. Bennet pressed not only him but ALL of her daughters to go for a walk, save one. Surely, if he had been the target of Mrs. Bennet’s matchmaking, she would have sentone daughter at most with him and Miss Elizabeth. And Miss Elizabeth would not have suggested he go his own way.
No. He had misread the entire situation, insulted Miss Elizabeth not only at the assembly, but this very day… and had shown himself a fool. Prideful and rather vain at that.
Would the tale spread about Meryton?he wondered for half a moment before shaking his head.That was not the correct question, instead it ought to be, what might he do to apologize to Miss Elizabeth? If his reputation in Meryton or even beyond became tainted because of his pride, that was his own folly, but this. This mistake he had made. The pain it had caused, that he could at least attempt to see right. Though how, only God knew.
∞∞∞
Returning to Netherfield without so much as entering the doors of Longbourn to tell anyone, Darcy made his way to the library, one of the few places he might enjoy enough solitude to consider all that had occurred.
An apology would be required, he had behaved abominably, but how did one find the proper words? And how might she react to them even if he found them?Muscles tensing as the inevitable humiliation passed through his mind, Darcy pressed on in spite of it.Flawed as he was, Darcys never shied away from their duty, and his was to make amends.
“Hmm,” Darcy hummed as he considered what he might say if she were there. “Miss Elizabeth… it would seem I may have been in error when I said you were not handsome enough to tempt me. You are! Yes, quite handsome, particularly your eyes–theytell of your wit, kindness, even the way you find amusement in the unspoken. Umm. That is to say…” sighing he leaned against a nearby bookshelf. “Too? Simply too much. I need to apologize for being in bad humour, tell her she is actually a handsome woman–without going into detail–and admit I was wrong in my assumptions regarding her and her mother. Yes?”
“That may well do sir,” the voice of the butler, Mr. Innings remarked, Darcy’s heart jumping to his throat as he turned toward the man. “In the meantime, your post has arrived.”
“Thank you, Mr. Innings,” Darcy hurried as he accepted two letters from the proffered tray.
Dipping his head, Mr. Innings allowed a small smile to form as he turned, Darcy’s face burning as he watched the man depart.
Hertfordshire hoped to see him die of embarrassment it would seem.
Ripping open the first letter addressed in the hand of his aunt, Lady Eloise, Darcy prepared to lose himself in the fine handwriting;a welcome distraction.
Dear Fitzwilliam,
Your uncle and I are worried about your cousin Richard. His regiment has been in London these past two weeks, and he has been staying with us as usual, but something is wrong. He has not returned here for a week, and, worse still, he has not been seen by his regiment! Not one of his men has seen him, nor any of his friends that we know to contact. I know there are a few he has chosen not to confide in us about for fear we would worry, though he may have to you given how close you are. Still, I fear even they would not have seen him if his own regiment has not; he has never been one to shirk his duty, he adores his work andtakes pride in his men, and his superiors know this and are as concerned as we if I read them well enough.
Please, if you hear anything or can in any way help in finding him, we will be forever grateful!
With all my love,
Aunt Eloise
“Fitz. Missing?” Darcy breathed, his mind racing to any possible place his cousin might be, only to return again and again to the truth–his cousin would not desert his men, not without leave or a fight.
Gaze drifting to the unfamiliar hand of the other letter, he set his aunt’s missive down.He had let his steward and family know of his whereabouts, but no one else.Gulping as he ripped back the unadorned seal, his eyes raced over the contents.
Kidnapped.
Fitz had been kidnapped.
Chapter 4
Miss Mary Bennet in Hertfordshire
The Bennet family, though not as wealthy as some of the landowning families they knew, nor, indeed, as close-knit, had one therefore curious habit: that of celebrating birthdays. Further, they did not limit their celebrations to those of special merit, but instead chose to observe each and every one. That habit lent no small amount of raised brows considering that most families did not. At least not in the grand manner of the Bennets, for rather than having a familial gathering with small tokens of esteem, some special gift from the entire family would be procured and a party of significant size held.
The gift Mary could accept with easy smiles and thanks, for that they always chose to be given in private, but the party, that had been a learned thing. One which, when she considered how few of the guests actually enjoyed her company and she theirs, proved a strange atmosphere.
If only we merely did gifts,Mary thought as she made her way through Meryton, Lydia stopping at every shop window they passed.It is not as if parties hold no interest, but Mamma will insist on inviting everyone. If it were a party where there were at least friendly relations amongst all the guests rather thanstrained acceptance or worse still, animosity, it would not be so horrid.
