Finally, Lizzy spoke. “In situations like this I’m probably supposed to say thank you, even if I don’t feel the same way about you. But I can’t. I’ve never asked for you to care about me, and it’s clear you don’t even want to, so I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you. It definitely wasn’t on purpose, but I’m sure that the reasons you gave for not wanting to like me will soon help you get over your feelings.”
I frowned and had to resist the urge to go to Darcy’s defense. Yes, he was terrible with women, but didn’t she remember what I’d told her about how once he was loyal to someone, nothing could shake Darcy’s friendship?
“That’s all you’re going to say?” Darcy’s tone grew sharp. “Should I even bother asking why you’ve turned me down so rudely?”
“Only if you want me to ask why you thought it was a good idea to tell me that you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your better judgement. How else was I supposed to take that except as an insult?” Lizzy’s tone matched his, her heavy breathing evident from where I stood. “But if that wasn’t enough of a reason for me to be rude, I’ve got plenty of other reasons.”
“Do tell?” His voice dropped.
I chewed on my lip. We really shouldn’t be listening to this, but there was no way to escape without drawing their attention.
“Do you really think I could ever care for the person who destroyed Jane’s chance at happiness?”
For a moment, the only noise was the sound of their frustrated breathing and the pouring rain, but Neto’s comforting hand on my back helped ease the ice spreading through me at Lizzy’s words. Oh no, did she mean…
“Do you deny it?” Lizzy asked.
“Why should I?” Darcy crossed his arms over his chest. “I did everything in my power to keep Charles away from Jane, and I don’t regret it. No matter how it makes me look, protecting him comes first. I’ve been kinder to him on that point than I have to myself.”
I shivered as the realization hit me fully. Lizzy’s sister was the one Darcy had warned Charles away from, and I’d told Lizzy about it. Without even meaning to, I’d ruined Darcy’s chance with the girl he seemed to be in love with.
Neto wrapped his arms around me, warming me.
“That’s not my only reason for not liking you,” Lizzy continued.
Darcy winced but quickly covered it up with his political mask.
“I heard about what you did to Wickham all those years ago. How could you have done something so cruel to him?”
Darcy’s eyes flared, and he took a single step closer to her. “Why are you so interested in Wickham?”
“Who wouldn’t be interested in a terrible story like his? He’s been through so much.”
Darcy snorted. “Whatever he’s been through, it was his fault.”
“How could you say that when you’re the one who severed ties with him, basically cutting him off from the only family he knew? And now you’re mocking him. I can’t believe you.”
“So that’s how you see me? No wonder you don’t like me.” Darcy leaned forward until they were close enough that they could’ve kissed. There were enough sparks flying between them, but these seemed more likely to start a fire that would burn them both. “Maybe you could have overlooked my shortcomings if I hadn’t revealed my hesitations about our relationship. Yes, I could’ve hidden it or flattered you instead, but I thought you were a woman who appreciated the truth. I should’ve known that it would be too much for your pride to handle—”
I inhaled sharply, but there was nothing to be done but let the trainwreck play out in front of us.
“Mypride? That’s rich coming from you after you called out my family for beingsofar beneath you.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “But it doesn’t matter. At least your terrible confession means I don’t have to feel guilty about refusing you.”
Darcy blinked, paling slightly as if struck into silence.
“But even if you had said all the right things in all the right ways,” Lizzy continued, her voice heated with rage, “you are the last male on earth I’d ever want to marry.”
The two stood together, locked in a battle of wills for a long moment while the rain poured around them. I held my breath, afraid to somehow breathe wrong and affect the situation any more than I already had.
“I understand your feelings perfectly,” Darcy’s voice was closer to a whisper now and he leaned forward as if he was fighting the urge to kiss Elizabeth even now. “Forgive me for wasting your time.” He spun on his heel and walked off, leaving Elizabeth standing there in the cold for a few more long moments.
She eventually left, and I turned back to Neto, heart pounding.
“That was painful to witness,” he said.
“It was.”
He took my hand and we walked together back to his car. “I didn’t know about Wickham’s history with the prince,” Neto said. “He never talks about it.”
