“How dare you come into my house and tell my housekeeper such fabrications as she has just told me?”
Elizabeth swung around to see Mr Darcy glaring at her from the corridor that led to the rest of the lavishly appointed townhouse. She pressed her lips firmly together as he strode toward her and motioned toward the door. Whatever happened, she must keep her temper long enough to make him believe her. “Do you really think I would lie to gain entry to your home? I have come in good faith, Mr Darcy.”
“Good faith?” he scoffed. “I wonder if you even know what that phrase means.” He stepped closer, scowling at her. “If you have any dignity or decency at all, you will leave this house and never return.”
Elizabeth refused to back down. No doubt it would be difficult to get Mr Darcy to believe her story, but she had to try. If she had said nothing and something happened to Miss Darcy, she could never forgive herself. “I dare to come here because Miss Darcy is about to make the biggest mistake of her life.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“I am speaking of your sister, whom you left in a den of wolves back in Meryton. She is planning to elope with a young man, and she is being goaded on by that woman who has the audacity to call herself a companion. She does not have Miss Darcy’s best interests at heart. Indeed, I wonder if she has ever had anyone’s interests at heart, except for her own.”
“I cannot fathom what you are saying, Miss Bennet, and still less what you are doing here. You may go now. I have not the least interest in listening to your ravings.”
He turned on his heel and was about to leave, but Elizabeth stepped quickly forward. With a daring she had not known she possessed, she gripped his arm. “Please, you must listen to me, Mr Darcy.”
She let go of his arm, but he did not try to leave again. Elizabeth took a deep breath and started to explain. “A man by the name of Mr Wickham came into town shortly after you’d gone —”
“Mr Wickham?” Mr Darcy snapped. “Mr George Wickham?” he asked.
“I believe so. Apparently, the young man has known your family for some time.” Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying to master her anger. She had hoped for better — had hoped that he would recognise the risk she was running for love of Georgiana and honour it. Instead, he was all but snarling at her with contempt.
It did not matter, in the end. If he would only save Georgiana, he could be as rude to her as he pleased.
∞∞∞
George Wickham.
Darcy instantly stilled when he heard the name. “Yes, George Wickham has been connected to our family,” Darcy replied, narrowing his eyes. He ought to have known that Wickham would not simply accept the money he requested in exchange for the living of Kympton and leave them in peace. Some part of him hadknown it could not be so simple.
He had not imagined anything like this. Wickhamdaredinvolve Georgiana in his schemes — it was past imagining, and he had not the least doubt that it was true. Darcy cursed his foolishness in entrusting Georgiana’s safety to anyone but himself.
Elizabeth frowned, looking concerned. “Are you well, Mr Darcy?” she asked. “Your cheeks are white as a shroud.”
Darcy shook his head, trying to breathe and think before he made any rash decisions.
She must have mistaken his silence for a further gesture of contempt. Elizabeth turned to leave. “I will go now. I only wanted to come and warn you. Please be assured that I would not have taken such drastic measures if there were any other way. A letter would have been too late in reaching you.” She hung her head. “And I feared you would not open it if you saw my name written on the front. I am truly sorry if I have caused you any trouble. Good day.”
She had nearly reached the door when Darcy came to his senses. “Wait!” He walked toward her, stopping a few feet from her. She seemed surprised that he had spoken. “Where will you go?”
“I have said everything I needed to say, Mr Darcy. I will not bore you with my presence, which I know is so odious to you. You need not concern yourself about me. I have plans to stay with my aunt and uncle this evening and return home by the morning stage.”
“Do not do that.”
“Why ever not?” she asked.
“Come back to Meryton with me. If what you have said about Mrs Younge is true — and I am beginning to believe that I trusted in the wrong woman all along — I would have your support when I confront Georgiana. She could use a friendly face. A genuine one.” He held his breath as she seemed to war within herself, weighing out which was the correct decision to make.
“I came alone, Mr Darcy. It would not be proper for me to go back to Meryton with you in your private coach.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
She was right, of course. He thought for a moment. “I will enlist one of my maids to come along as an escort. That way, your reputation will be protected.”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip, seeming to hesitate. No wonder, after how rudely he had treated her. Darcy bit his lip, wondering how he might convince her. The idea of Elizabeth riding back in the public stage alone and unprotected seemed almost unbearable.
“It will be more comfortable to ride home in my coach, and that way you will not have to return without protection, as you would on the public stage.” He let out a breath. “Indeed, I am surprised beyond measure that your father allowed you to travel here on your own.”
“My father did not know. At least, he learned of it when he awakened and read my note this morning, but by then it was too late for him to stop me, as I was halfway to London by that time.” She raked her teeth over her lower lip again. “I assure you I would not have risked so much, but I knew my haste was imperative if Miss Darcy was to be saved from ruining her life with that man.”
Suddenly, Darcy felt like a fool. How had he misjudged Elizabeth so completely all this time? No doubt, his dislike of the young lady had been spurred on by Mrs Younge’s lies, and none of them had any foundation in the least. For the first time since they had met, he allowed himself to really see her. There was surely nothing of perfect symmetry in her face, nor of extraordinary beauty.
