Elizabeth nodded.“Yes, that would work. She would think she had won.”
Mr Darcy took another sip of tea, turning pensive.“Do you really believe she has done anything?”
She hated to even think it.“I think not. No — I must not say that. I can only say that I hope not. It is possible. Perhaps it is even probable. Who else would want us to end up together? We have not thought of a single other suspect. I cannot think of anyone else who would imagine that they were helping me by such an action, nor anyone who would wish to hurt me. And why would an enemy of yours do such a thing? It does not make sense.” Elizabeth shook her head and sighed.“While you are gone to London, I shall try to make my mother confess.”
“And you are sure you want to go through with it? If your mother is innocent, she will surely be terribly hurt by your suspicions.”
Elizabeth gave a sad smile. It was not that she and her mother were particularly close as it was. Not as she was with her father, that is. She loved her mother, though.“I will try to be as delicate as possible. But I must know the truth, Mr Darcy.”
Their planning done, Elizabeth found herself increasingly weary. The intensity of their conversation had taken its toll, and she felt badly in need of a little time alone. It was not long before she made her excuses and said that she would go, excuses so gracefully received that she suspected Mr Darcy was not much less in need of a little relaxation.
Yet the encounter had gone better than Elizabeth could have imagined. She had not been certain that Mr Darcy would even receive her. The idea of receiving so handsome an apology had been entirely out of the question.
“Shall I see you home in the carriage?” Mr Darcy asked as they walked toward the foyer.
Elizabeth shook her head.“No, that will not be necessary. I walked here, and I should like some time to think on my way back. You know how fond I am of a good walk.”
“Yes, I am aware. I suppose you shall have many long walks when we are settled at Pemberley,” Mr Darcy said. There was a tenderness in his voice, almost as if he were looking forward to such an eventuality.
“Well, good day, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said, dipping into a curtsy. Her voice sounded too bright in her ears, but he did not seem to notice.
“Good day, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy whispered, offering her his hand.
She was unsure what he meant to do, but placed her small one in his large hand all the same. Warmth immediately flooded her cheeks at his touch. To her surprise, he bowed and kissed her hand. He lingered for a moment longer than was necessary, sending shivers up her arm and down her back. When he straightened, his eyes had darkened. She hardly knew how to interpret the look in his eyes. Her heart beat so wildly that she was sure he could hear it.“Thank you for coming,” he rumbled.
Elizabeth could hardly find her tongue.“Ah, yes, of course. Thank you for listening to me,” she replied, barely above a whisper. She knew she should not be scandalized. He was, after all, her fiancé. When they were married, he would have the freedom to do much more than kiss her hand.
She swallowed hard and started toward the open door, past the butler, and out onto the front steps. She looked over her shoulder to see Mr Darcy standing on the front stoop, watching her departure. Did her eyes deceive her, or did he look almost sad to see her go?
∞∞∞
It was a strange end to three days of painful worry. As she made her way home that afternoon, she was relieved that Mr Darcy had received her apology with such grace. Indeed, he had not made her feel as if he were lording it over her, or that he even wanted to break things off with her. Quite on the contrary. They were still bound together. And she could not say she was entirely sorry for it.
When Elizabeth arrived at the archway leading into the yard at the rear of Longbourn, Jane was there to greet her.“How did it go with Mr Darcy?”
“Surprisingly well,” Elizabeth said.
“And?” Jane pressed her.
“He wants to find out for sure that Mama had nothing to do with the plot. Now, I only have to find a way to make Mama tell me the truth.” Elizabeth’s brows drew into a frown.“Do you think me very wicked for trying to catch her out?”
Jane had to think for a moment.“I would not say wicked. But even if she confesses, what good will it do, Lizzy? Your reputation will still be in jeopardy in the eyes of the community — perhaps more so — if people find out that Mama had anything to do with the incident.”
“I know,” Elizabeth said, feeling as though the words scraped her throat. “You are right, Jane. It would not help — it would make everything far worse. But I cannot do otherwise. I cannot entrap Mr Darcy with a lie.”
Jane bit her lower lip, looking rather sorry, before at last nodding. Elizabeth could well understand her sister’s hesitation. If their mother was guilty, it could cost all five sisters — everything. Yet Jane was too honourable to deny that they must find out the truth. She led the way into the house and up the stairs to their room. Once inside the safety of the bedroom, Jane made her sit on the edge of the bed and tell her everything about her conversation with Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth obliged her, then sighed as she came to the end.“I do not understand him, Jane. He is unlike any man I have ever known — or heard of.”
“I agree. He has shown himself to be above board in every way. And he said nothing about ending the engagement?”
“No, nothing at all.” Elizabeth remembered how he had looked sad to see her go. And she found she had also been sad at her departure. The more time she spent around him, the more drawn to him she felt. It was a confusing feeling, to say the least.
Elizabeth shook her head and changed the subject.“Mr Bingley came in and said hello before I spoke with Mr Darcy. He wanted me to send along his greetings to the family, but I think he was especially disappointed that you did not join me.” She smiled at her sister.“He seems very much in love with you, Jane.”
Jane only looked away.“I am glad that things went well with Mr Darcy,” she said, effectively changing the subject.“If it is true that Mama hatched the plot, do you really think you would go through with breaking the engagement? He is so gentlemanly and honourable. And I think you have come to feel something for him over the last few weeks. Am I wrong?” she asked softly.
Elizabeth could not hide how flustered she felt at the question. She stammered for a moment, then looked Jane in the eyes, forcing herself to not look away, as a coward would do.“I respect him,” Elizabeth said.“I think there have been many marriages built on less.” To her own ears, it sounded little different from what Mr Darcy had said in the drawing room that afternoon.“But it will not be up to me, Jane. Surely so proud a man as Mr Darcy could not go through with our marriage in such a case, even if he thinks otherwise now. It would be more than he could bear. If Mama is guilty, he will be the one to end it.”
