Collins chuckled. “No one to rescue you, cousin?”
“Grayson?” she called again, raising her voice.
Collins stepped forward, closing the space between them. She retreated and struck the small table that held a silver platter stacked with the post. He advanced another step, his gaze fixed upon her.
“You are so beautiful,” he said softly. “Captivating. Any man who sees you must be drawn to you.”
She edged away until her back met the wall. He followed, lifting his arms and placing a hand on the wall at either side of her, looming close and hemming her in.
“Cousin, I have wondered what it would be like to kiss you. I have thought of it since the day I first saw you.”
Elizabeth pushed her hands against his chest, but he stood firm. He was too large and too strong for her to resist. Frantically glancing about, she thrust the silver platter away with all her strength. It crashed upon the floor, scattering the post. He paused, listening, but no one came. Thinking they were alone, he pressed in. She was straining away from him, turning her face aside to avoid his kiss. Then she heard footsteps. She knew that tread.
“Fitzwilliam!” she cried, her voice breaking.
Collins straightened, stepping back, but Darcy had seen everything. He moved forward at once.
“Collins, I warned you I was well known at Jackson's.”
He struck the man squarely on the jaw, and because he had been caught off guard, he fell heavily. Elizabeth threw herselfinto Darcy’s arms, then turned and looked at the man who was rubbing his jaw and struggling to his feet.
“I did not touch your wife, Darcy.”
“Because I arrived in time to stop you.”
“She was mine before she was yours.”
“You may have seen her first, but she was never yours.”
Darcy’s voice hardened. “Since you are family, I shall not call you out. But you must leave at once. If ever I find you troubling my wife again, I shall call you out on the field of honor. Do not approach her or think of speaking to her at the Wedding Breakfast. Keep your distance, and all will be well.”
Grayson appeared from the cellar and stared at the mess.
“Oh my, what happened here?”
“My mistake, Grayson,” Darcy said. “I stumbled into the table and overset it. Allow me to assist you.”
Collins let himself out while Elizabeth and Darcy helped gather the scattered post. When they finished, Elizabeth drew her husband into the drawing room and shut the door. “I had come down to order the carriage. I wished to take my friend to Harpenden, and Georgiana asked to go with us. But after what just passed...”
“Did he hurt you?”
She shook her head, though she had been unnerved. “Only shaken.”
“I have letters of business I must finish and send out, but I can dispatch the Miller boys with you. I believe the outing will provide a beneficial distraction.”
“What was he doing here?” she asked.
“He is exceedingly intelligent,” Darcy replied. “We spoke last night about weather patterns and how the crops may be affected. He asked many insightful questions. I offered to prepare a list of figures for him. All would have been well if he had not found you alone, but it was an opportunity he could not resist. I ought to have warned you. I know how greatly you dislike him, and now I understand why. This was entirely my fault. I was searching for a journal that would help him. Are you well, Elizabeth?”
“Yes. He did not touch me, though he intended to. Thankfully, you arrived in time. There was no footman, Grayson was not within calling distance, so I pushed the platter to the floor, hoping someone would hear the noise and come.”
“If this should ever happen again, a knee to the groin will disable a man long enough for you to escape. I will teach you when you have time. But you should go to your friend. Being with her and Georgiana will do you good.”
He kissed her forehead. “I asked him to come because he must learn how to manage an estate. Your mother will most likely outlive your father, for he is ten years her senior. A well-managed estate will support both the Collins family and the widow. Yet I regret that I invited him here. I ought to have gone to Longbourn instead.”
He kissed her then, a lingering, gentle kiss. “Go up, darling. I shall wait here for the carriage. I will make certain he does not return.”
Chapter 49: Jane and Bingley are Married
