She had written to Jane immediately upon her arrival, desperately needing her sister’s gentle counsel, but the letter had gone to Bingley’s family estate where Jane was visiting with her betrothed and his sister. No reply had yet arrived.
“How is Mama?”
“Still taking to the vapours, though I suspect she enjoys the drama more than she is willing to admit.” Her father’s dry observation drew a wan smile from Elizabeth. “She has taken to her bed with smelling salts and declares herself quite overcome by the scandal of it all.”
They sat in silence for several moments before Lord Hartford spoke again. “You must feel some relief, knowing you were right about Wickham all along. That you did not imagine it was him—that it truly was him.”
“I do feel vindicated in that respect,” Elizabeth admitted. “But I am dismayed that Darcy would lie to me about such a thing, that he would keep the truth from me whilst I tormented myself with doubt.”
“Perhaps you should speak with him, learn more about his motives.”
“I know his motives. He claimed he was protecting the elder Mr Wickham, that the shock might kill him.”
“Given that the gentleman’s health has taken a turn for the worse, perhaps that consideration was not entirely misguided.”
Elizabeth studied her father’s face with surprise. “Are you defending him?”
“Not defending, precisely. What he did was wrong—there can be no question of that. But I believe he acted from love for Mr Wickham rather than malicious intent.”
“Regardless, my life is ruined,” Elizabeth said. “I am forever shackled to a man who has lied to me from the very beginning. There is no way out, I shall be trapped.”
“No, you are not.”
The firmness in her father’s voice made her look up sharply.
“These circumstances would allow for an annulment,” he continued. “Darcy committed fraud by withholding material facts about your marriage. I have already consulted with our solicitor on the matter. If that is what you want, it can be arranged.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught. “Truly?”
“Moreover, now that we know Wickham was indeed your attacker, he can still be charged and tried. Your name would be cleared, the truth established beyond question.”
“But I would still be a woman who had sought an annulment. No respectable man would marry someone with such a history.”
“That is likely true,” her father acknowledged. “But at least you would be free. We would reclaim Longbourn from Darcy and send him away. You need never see him again.”
Elizabeth studied his face, noting the lack of enthusiasm in his voice. “It sounds as though you do not truly wish for such an outcome.”
“I think the two of you need to speak and sort this matter out between yourselves before any irreversible decisions are made.”
“I cannot do that. He has not returned from Matlock—”
“Actually, that is what I came to tell you.” Her father’s expression grew more serious. “Darcy is back. He arrived at Longbourn not an hour ago.”
Elizabeth’s book tumbled to the floor as she started in her chair. “What?”
“A note came from Longbourn. Mr Darcy requests the opportunity to speak with you.”
“No.” The word came out sharper than she intended. “Absolutely not. I have nothing to say to him.”
“Very well.” Lord Hartford rose from his chair with the same careful movements. “I shall send word that you decline to see him.”
As her father moved towards the door, Elizabeth felt panic flutter in her chest. The thought of seeing Darcy again, of hearing whatever justifications he might offer, terrified her. Yet the knowledge that he was so close, that he had returned seeking her forgiveness, stirred emotions she was not prepared to examine.
“Papa?”
He paused at the threshold. “Yes?”
“What… what did he say in his note? Precisely?”
