“You have trespassed on my property, stolen from my household, manipulated my youngest daughter, and attempted to trick Lady Elizabeth and compel her into marriage, that is quite enough,” Lord Hartford replied coldly. “James, Thomas—apprehend him.”
The footmen moved forward, but Wickham turned desperately to Lady Lydia, then to Elizabeth, his voice growing frantic.
“Lady Elizabeth! Surely you will tell them this is all a misunderstanding? What happened between us was nothing more than a moment of misplaced affection. Tell them how you encouraged my attentions, how you welcomed my—”
But Elizabeth found herself unable to speak, unable to tear her gaze away from Darcy. He was standing right there, close enough to touch, and she had heard everything he said to Wickham. Every word of love, every confession of suffering, every admission of the torment he had endured. This was the second time she had overheard a conversation not meant for her ears, but while the first had closed her heart, this one had opened it completely.
He loves me, she thought, the knowledge flooding through her like warmth after a bitter winter.He truly loves me.
Lydia’s voice cracked as she spoke. “You used me for money and shelter while you spoke of me as nothing more than a convenient fool?” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I heard what you said about me, George. Every cruel word.”
Wickham’s face went white. “Lady Lydia, I did not mean—”
“You meant every word,” she said. “You never cared for me at all. I was simply useful to you.”
As the footmen seized Wickham’s arms, he looked wildly between the assembled group. “This is madness! I am not some common criminal—I am the son of a respectable steward!”
“You are a wastrel and a scoundrel,” Lord Hartford replied. “The constables are already on their way to Netherfield to collect you. You will answer for your crimes.”
As Wickham was dragged from the cabin, still protesting his innocence, Lord Hartford turned to his daughters. “Lydia, you will return to the house with James. We shall discuss your part in this matter later.”
Lydia nodded miserably and stopped at her side.
“I beg your pardon, Lizzy. I was horrid to you but seeing your reaction earlier opened my eyes and made me confront thoughts I already harboured. I hope you can forgive me.”
Eliabeth squeezed her arm and then Lydia followed one of the footmen into the night. Lord Hartford’s gaze moved between Elizabeth and Darcy.
“I believe you two have much to discuss,” he said quietly. “I shall await you at Netherfield when you are ready.”
And then they were alone.
The silence stretched between them, heavy with all the words that had been spoken and those that had yet to be said. Elizabeth stepped further into the cabin, her eyes never leaving Darcy’s face, her heart still racing from what she had overheard.
“I heard what you said to him,” she said finally. “Is it true? Do you… do you love me?”
Darcy’s throat worked as he struggled to find his voice. “Yes,” he said hoarsely. “God help me, yes. But I do not expect you to ever forgive me, Elizabeth. Not after the lies I told you. Not after what I’ve put you through.”
Elizabeth’s heart clenched at the pain in his voice, the way he held himself as though braced for a blow.
“I was very hurt by you,” she said slowly. “Heartbroken, even. The deception cut deeper than I thought possible.”
Darcy closed his eyes, his shoulders sagging. “I know. I have no excuse—”
“But,” Elizabeth continued, stepping closer, “I am not entirely certain I would not have done the same thing in your position. To protect my father, I might have made similar choices.”
“No,” Darcy said firmly, opening his eyes to meet hers. “You would not have, because you have integrity. True integrity, not the hollow pretence I have been living with.”
Elizabeth took another step forward, close enough now that she could see the exhaustion etched in every line of his face, the guilt that had been eating at him for months.
“You speak of integrity,” she said softly, reaching out to take his hand. He started at the contact but did not pull away. “What you did for old Mr Wickham, protecting him from the knowledge of his son’s true nature—that was not without honour, Fitzwilliam.”
“Lying is not honourable—”
“You showed loyalty to a man who raised you, who loved you as a son. You protected him from heartbreak in his final years. That speaks to your character, not against it.”
Darcy shook his head. “I deceived you. I made you believe—”
“You lied, yes,” Elizabeth interrupted, her grip on his hand tightening. “That cannot be undone. But after hearing what you said to Wickham just now, I know the cost this deception has exacted from you.”
