Lizzy made a surprise appearance later that afternoon. “Oh, dear Lydia, do not cry!” she exclaimed as soon as she took note of my swollen red eyes.
“I cannot help it.” I slumped into a stuffed parlor chair.
“I am overcome with guilt,” she said. “I never intended to upset you by disclosing Darcy’s agreement with Wickham. It was my natural instinct to protect my husband. People always misjudge Darcy. Please say you’ll forgive me.”
I waved a miserable hand. “I haven’t a care about that. Oh, Lizzy, I am wretchedly unhappy.”
She frowned. “If this is not about Darcy and Wickham, then what is upsetting you so?”
“The vicar.”
“Mr. Haddad? What has he done?”
“He has made me a proposal of marriage.”
“The vicar wants to marryyou?”
“You needn’t look so surprised,” I said scornfully. “I understand you think I cannot do better than to marry a pensioner.”
She clapped her hands together. “This is the most marvelous news! Mr. Haddad is very appealing. When will you wed?”
“We won’t. The squire here in Castleberry forbids it.”
“Can he do that?”
“He is Michael’s employer, the biggest landowner and the wealthiest gentleman in the county. And yes, the richest among us have tremendous power over other people’s lives. As you, of all people, should be aware, Mrs.Darcy.”
Lizzie wore a contemplative look on her face. “That power can also be a force for good.”
“If you are referring to Darcy paying off Wickham to wed me, I am no longer angry about that. I recognize that Darcy was tryingto do the right thing. Just as you both try to do the right thing by helping me financially.”
“Thank you for saying that.” She paused. “I thought you said you’d never remarry.”
“I believed no gentleman of good character, who wasn’t decrepit, would ever offer for me. Michael’s integrity made me reconsider.”
Lizzy raised a pointy brow. “His integrity or his handsome looks?”
“Both, I suppose. But it is of no matter now. I turned down his offer.”
Lizzy looked at me sharply. “And does it end there? People do change their minds.”
“He said he wasn’t giving up.”
Lizzy grinned. “Commendable.”
“Or foolish. The squire pointed out that if I am not respectable enough to be received in my own sister’s house, why would the village of Castleberry accept me as the wife of their vicar?”
Lizzy’s face dropped. “Oh, Lydia.”
“Women like me are not meant to live happily ever after.”
“That is not true.” She reached for her wrap. “I must go.”
“So quickly? You just arrived.”
“I have a matter that needs to be urgently attended to.”
“What is it?” It was unlike Lizzy to leave so abruptly when she knew I was feeling low.
