I took a quick glance at the waiting coach. A powerful desire to assure him of my love caused my chest to clench. Yet that conversation merited a better time and place. “Whenever I do go to London, I shall be pleased to see you there.”
Mr. Darcy beamed at me and raised my hand to bestow a kiss, providing an ethereal jolt of sensation. “Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
You need not thank me.My throat closed up, though, so rather than attempt to voice the sentiment, I settled for a nod.
Sunday, 27 October
Springvale
Elizabeth
I moved my hands to my sides, then returned them to my lap and glanced out of the window at the familiar meadow. We should arrive at Springvale within ten minutes, and soon thereafter, everything might change. My uncle may blame me for my part in this contrivance. And what about Noah and Cassie? Would they come away from this full of resentment? How should I bear it if they became lost to me?
“Lizzy, are you well?” Noah sat forwards, espying me. “I asked whether you wanted to accompany me to Salisbury tomorrow. I imagine you are ready to return the book you borrowed last week.” My uncle Barton, seated beside Noah, raised his brows at me.
“Yes, I am quite well. Forgive me for not attending to you.” I bit the inside of my cheek. How I hated lying to my cousin! Yet I had little alternative at the moment; I had already agreed to spend most of Monday at Springvale, which would be Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s last full day before they departed. “Inactuality, I am not ready to return the volume quite yet, so you had better go without me.”
“Why is that?” A knot formed on Noah’s forehead. “It is rare for you to take this long to finish reading a book.”
“Yes, but of late I have not been reading as much as usual.”
“Perhaps the book is not to your liking. What is it?”
Fie!Could we not dispense with this topic? “It is a collection of poetry by an obscure writer. I cannot recall the title or the author’s name at present.”
Cassie turned towards me. “How odd it is for you to not have the answer upon the tip of your tongue.”
I forced out a laugh. “Anyone may be absent-minded once in a while.” To my relief, my companions allowed that discussion to end. For the remainder of the ride, Noah and Uncle discussed the successes from the previous day, when they had gone shooting with Mr. Ware and Mr. Rowe. Meanwhile, Cassie pondered aloud, listing possible dates in January for her wedding, which she wanted to have in town. Her betrothed preferred to wed after he completed the Michaelmas term, and Cassie had decided to push the nuptials to after Christmas.
The Haywards greeted us near the entrance to the drawing-room. Mr. Darcy strode to me, offering his arm, which I took. A few steps later, I leaned upon his limb as my uncle Gardiner and his wife came into view; they sat with their backs to us.
Mr. Hayward beckoned Uncle Barton to follow him. “I have guests tonight, one who is known to you and one who is not.” Aunt and Uncle Gardiner rose and turned in our direction.
I followed my uncle Barton’s progress and noted the moment he recognised Uncle Gardiner: his facial muscles tensed, and his eyes grew steely.
“Have you lost your senses, Hayward?” Uncle Barton’s words came out as harsh and low as a hound’s growl. “Why is this man in your house?”
Uncle Gardiner came forwards in a controlled gait, his expression impassive. He maintained an erect, commanding posture as he accosted UncleBarton. “It has been many years, Mr. Barton. I am glad to find you in a more lucid state than when we last met.”
“How dare you!” Uncle Barton bared his teeth in an inimical sneer, warping his face to resemble a dreadful mask.
In a subtle lateral move, Mr. Darcy placed himself as a physical shield between me and my two uncles.
“Easy there, Barton.” Mr. Hayward put a hand on Uncle Barton’s shoulder. “There are ladies present, and I expect this to be a peaceful meeting. The Gardiners are my guests, and they merit your civility.” He regarded Noah and Cassie, both of whom gaped at the scene. “For those of you who may not remember, this is Miss Bennet’s uncle, Mr. Edward Gardiner, and the lovely lady beside him is his wife, Mrs. Gardiner.”
“You must be mad, Hayward!” Uncle Barton glared at his friend. “What do you hope to achieve by this spectacle? You are aware of the pains I have taken to protect Lizzy from him.”
At this last statement, a momentary scowl broke Uncle Gardiner’s outward show of calm.
“I want to uncover the truth.” Mr. Hayward glanced at Mr. Darcy. “On our most recent trip to London, my friend and I met Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and we discovered that the aspersions you have cast upon Mr. Gardiner’s character are incorrect.”
Uncle Barton shook his head. His breath came in heaves, his mouth gnarling. “So, you have taken his word over mine?”
“There is more at hand than opposing statements. Yet I know you to be an honourable man, so I expect there must be a reason for these…inconsistencies.”
“I shall not endure another minute of this nonsense!” Uncle Barton spun round. “Noah, Cassie, Lizzy, we are leaving.”
“Wait one moment, if you please.” At Mrs. Hayward’s request, my uncle Barton halted, and his frown softened. “I should be obliged if you would stay.” She met my gaze. “Over the past five days, Miss Bennet has becomeacquainted with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. As you may imagine, she has many questions for you, and I dare say Mr. Gardiner deserves an explanation as well.”
