“I am summoned to Kent.”
“So soon? Is she…?”
“Not yet, but the physicians do not believe it will be long, and Montgomery writes to beg my assistance in the preceding days.” In answer to her puzzled look, he added, “He respectfully alludes to my experience in matters of probate.”
“In other words, he does not know what he is doing and needs your help making all the arrangements.”
Darcy smiled at her turn of phrase and inclined his head. “One wonders what his attorney is doing to earn his pay.”
“Even the best attorney is no substitute for the counsel of a trusted and experienced friend.”
“Then I am grateful that he has so many others to call upon.”
She pulled an odd face, half frown half question. He could not fathom her confusion. “You cannot think I mean to go.”
“I cannot imagine why you would not.”
“Why do you suppose?” He spread a hand over her stomach. “I will not have you make the journey again after last time.”
She smiled ruefully. “Much though I know you love my obstinacy, I am afraid I cannot argue with that. But that does not mean?—”
“And I shall not go without you. Thus, we shall both remain.”
She gave him a pitying look. “I beg you would pardon me for putting this so bluntly, but it did not sound as though you would be gone more than a few weeks.” She laid her hand atop his. “I believe this little one and I might look after ourselves for that long.”
It was true; he did love her obstinacy, particularly when it was unconsciously done, and she believed she was being complying. Still, he shook his head, unwilling to countenance any length of time apart while she was in so delicate a condition.
“Consider what you would be denying yourself, Fitzwilliam,” she pressed softly. “One is not always blessed with the opportunity to pay one’s final respects.”
“I have made my peace with Lady Catherine. I will not go to Rosings without you.” He did not like the way in which she regardedhim and said peevishly, “Anybody would think you were attempting to get rid of me.”
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. “I know you will regret it if you do not go.”
Of course she knew—she comprehended him perfectly—just as he knew she grew anxious despite her endeavours to conceal it. Yet, still, she encouraged him to go. She was, without doubt, the most selfless person he had ever known. “Loveliest Elizabeth.” He held her face and ran his thumb along her jaw. “I swore to myself I would never leave you again.”
“I shall detest every moment you are gone, yet it is for but a few weeks, and it is not as though I shall be alone. Georgiana will be here for most of that time, Tabitha arrives on Saturday, and Mr Bingley has promised not to rush off. I am sure, if you ask, he will agree to stay until you return.”
The notion of Bingley being Elizabeth’s protector in his absence sat exceedingly ill with Darcy, yet he could not deny the wisdom of it. Indeed, the enforced delay might give the man time to come to his senses and eschew his absurd plan to emigrate. He conceded with a sigh and a lingering kiss, after which she nestled against him with her head upon his shoulder.
“I shall be back in good time, whether or not she succumbs rapidly,” he said. “If I miss the funeral, so be it. I refuse to be farther from you than this room whilst you are confined.”
“I did not expect otherwise, but at least you will have said your goodbyes and helped Mr Montgomery. Though, if you did happen to be there as long as three weeks, you could bring Mrs Gardiner back with you. I am sure she would vastly enjoy three days in a carriage alone with you.”
He rolled his eyes and nudged her to stand up. “What have I been missing in the library?”
“Nothing of consequence. Georgiana has given up waiting for you and gone to practice the pianoforte. And when I left, Mr Bingley was brooding, as he is disposed to do these days.”
“Good,” he replied, taking her by the hand and leading her from the study and directly past the library door to the stairs. “In that case, our absence will not be noted by either of them.” There was much he would need to arrange if he were to travel to Kent, but if he must go,he meant for them to take full advantage of what time they had remaining before he departed.
Sunday 28 February 1813, Derbyshire
The heavens were the purest indigo blue, bedizened with myriad stars and buttressed on all sides by the even darker silhouettes of the surrounding peaks. Moonlight bounced off the frozen lake, flooding the snow-frosted lawn with eerie blue light. There could not have been a more enchanting scene to behold or a more perfect vantage from which to view it.
Darcy’s arms tightened about her. “Are you cold, love? You shivered.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “How I shall miss you,” she sighed, her breath frosting the window.
“You delight in torturing me, woman. It is objectionable enough that I must leave you tomorrow without pronouncements of that nature.”
