Carefully, he set her on the ground, where she leaned her head against the trunk of the tree, her eyes closed.
“Can you hear the ringing, sir?”
“I cannot.”
She covered her ears only to let her hands fall to her lap.
“Mr. Darcy, I wonder how you came upon me, sir. You are dressed in riding clothes, yet you have no horse.”
“What do you recall, Miss Elizabeth?” He had just decided not to ask when it blurted out of his mouth. He rolled his eyes at his stupidity.Why bring this up now?
She seemed to stare at him for a long while, and he felt uncomfortable that she did. He wondered if his constant gaze had made her feel the same.
“We were at the assembly in Meryton. After being introduced, Mr. Bingley asked Jane for a set.” She paused. “I believe you walked to the fireplace and stood as you are doing now.”
He held his breath. She had lost a whole month. The assembly was held exactly one month prior. “And this is all you can remember? You recall nothing else from that evening?”
Miss Elizabeth closed her eyes, furrowing her brows for several seconds until she shook her head slightly, making her flinch. “No, sir, I remember nothing else until the moment I woke up here.”
Darcy wanted to click up his heels. She did not remember the insult! He wanted to hug her close. He was relieved. And distressed.
“Did we dance, Mr. Darcy?”
He wished to tell her that they had. He wished he could fabricate a tale of the way heshouldhave acted rather than the way he did. His honor would not allow it.
“No, we did not.”
She opened her eyes and lifted one brow in a move that captivated him.
“Do you mind if I close my eyes?” she asked. “But please, talk to me, sir. I desperately need the distraction. I care not which subject you choose.”
“Then, please make yourself as comfortable as possible.”
“Mr. Darcy, perhaps the better choice would be for you to go for assistance now that I am settled?”
“Absolutely not!” While it may have been more practical for him to have done so, he could not leave her unprotected.
“We cannot be found here alone, sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth, is your father a reasonable man?”
“He is.”
“Then, as soon as you are safely at Netherfield, I will go to him to explain the circumstances. He is a gentleman and will understand that I could not abandon you. I will not do so.”
“You must be terribly cold.”
“The exercise was quite invigorating. Do not be concerned.”
“Telling me not to be concerned will not remove my worry, sir.”
“Truly. I am well.”
“But, Miss Bingley, sir.”
“Miss Bingley? Why do you speak of her?”
Again, her brow wrinkled, closing her eyes as if it made it easier to remember or the pain of movement was too much to endure.
