Elizabeth started. Had she said or done something to injure him? She reached out and touched his arm. “Mr. Darcy, what is it? Have I said something that offends you, sir?”
He placed his hand over hers, where it rested on his arm. “Elizabeth, I do not know why, but seeing you weep has opened a well of emotions. I once spoke to you of a woman I courted. We were not betrothed, though I intended that we should be, and then she chose another without any sign to warn me that her heart had turned. I have long wondered whether I missed some look or phrase that might have revealed her change of heart; perhaps the signs were there, and I was blind. Perhaps I do not understand women as I ought. Hearing you speak and seeing how deeply you feel has brought back old memories…and old pain.”
He paused, then continued with calm determination. “Elizabeth, if you are willing to face whatever this threatened exposure might bring upon us, I will stand with you. I am promised to you. We are betrothed, and I would be married tomorrow morning as planned, but only if you wish it as well. We both have much to lose.”
“I am willing.” She took his hand in her own.
“One more thing I must know. Did Collins harm you, Elizabeth? Has he ever laid a hand upon you?”
She shook her head. “No, sir. He has never touched me in that manner. He has danced with me and, when he thought to comfort me, he placed his hands on my arms. I was surprised that he showed a measure of kindness that night. I did not think him capable of any degree of decency before.”
“Then why do you hate him?” he asked.
“I do not hate him, sir. I fear him. There is something wild and ungovernable in his eyes; I do not believe I would be safe with him. I cannot explain more, except that I sense in him evil propensities, and when I look into his eyes, I see it there. He once told me I must learn to hide my feelings because my eyes betray me. I think that is how I know he has these dark inclinations. His eyes betray him.”
Darcy considered her words and her expression and was convinced that Collins had not injured her or taken liberties. Had he learned otherwise, he would make the man answer for it. If, God forbid, Collins had forced himself upon her, Darcy knew that he would resort to deadly violence. He knew with absolute certainty that he would call the man out and they would settle it on the field of honor.
Chapter 19: I Do
July 10, 1811
Elizabeth sat up suddenly. Morning light streamed through the open window, and a young woman stood in the room with two buckets of hot water, one in each hand. Elizabeth drew the sheet up to her chin.
“Can I help you, miss?”
The young woman curtsied. “I am Hannah Ellis, personal maid to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“I am Elizabeth. You are my personal maid?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Darcy hired me in London. He allowed me to take supper with my family before I came. They gave me a farewell dinner and sent me on the late coach. I arrived here last night at ten o’clock.”
Elizabeth blinked in surprise. “I see. I am pleased to meet you, Miss Ellis. This is my younger sister, Mary.”
Hannah bobbed another curtsy. “Mr. Darcy said I am to assist you and your sisters in dressing for the wedding, and on the journey to Derbyshire. He said that once we arrive at Pemberley, you will assign one of the housemaids to wait on your sisters. It is too much work for one maid to attend three ladies, miss.”
Elizabeth threw back the bedcovers and stood. “I quite agree. It will be one of my first tasks when we arrive. We also help one another, so the work should not be too burdensome for you.”
“Very good, miss. I will fill the hip bath for you, and I have another bucket for the young lady next door.”
“Yes, thank you. That is my sister Jane. I will bathe first, and then you can change the water for Mary.”
Miss Ellis pulled the screen into place, and Elizabeth hid behind it and began to unbutton her nightdress. She called out to her sister. “It is my wedding day, Mary. I do not know whether I am happy or afraid.”
“Mr. Darcy appears to be a good man, Lizzy. He does not look at you in that wild way our cousin does. But he does look at you. I think he might love you.”
Elizabeth was curious. “Truly? What makes you think so?”
“Well, his eyes are often on you, and he always has that half-smile, as though he finds you pleasing.”
“Really? I had not noticed, but I shall be sure to watch for it now. I hope he comes to love me, and I hope to love him too. I do not wish for a marriage such as our parents have.”
Mary shuddered. “Nor I.”
Elizabeth stepped into the water. “What sort of man do you wish for, Mary?”
Her sister giggled. “Not one of your heroes from a romantic novel, no Sir Lancelot for me.”
“No? Who then?”
