“I had hoped Miss Elizabeth Bennet might be willing to accompany me on a walk?I saw a pretty little park not far from here.”
The party looked at each other, eyes darting from person to person, until Elizabeth stood and said, “I’ll just get my things.”
Darcy was uncomfortable, Colonel Fitzwilliam was suspicious, and Lady Blackburn was self-satisfied.Jane looked worried and Mrs.Gardiner pursed her lips in disapproval.
Elizabeth had a spirit that could not bear to be crushed at the will of others, and she relied on it now.She accompanied Lady Blackburn outside, and once they had entered the little park, the older woman said, “My son holds you in high esteem, Miss Elizabeth.”
“As I hold him, my lady.”
“He spoke of you in such a way that I thought for a moment that he had an interest in you himself, and only the barrier of fortune had kept him from declaring himself.”
Elizabeth had expected many things from Lady Blackburn, but not that.
“Do not be alarmed, Miss Elizabeth.My son does not view you in that light.I must say I am glad of it.He and Darcy have always been close.It would have torn them apart to be in love with the same woman.”
“I can imagine,” said Elizabeth weakly.
“I am sure you can.After further conversation, I realized Richard looked on you as another sister.I imagine you remind him of someone.”
“Of Olivia?”
The countess turned to her sharply.“He told you of my daughter?”
“Yes.I am very sorry for your loss, my lady.I cannot imagine how difficult that was.”
Lady Blackburn looked away, swallowing thickly.“It was many years ago now.”She straightened her shoulders and looked ahead.“Richard has told me enough about you that I see no reason to question you further.I only wish to know one thing.Do you care for my nephew?”
Elizabeth studied her shoes for a moment.“Yes.Though sometimes I wish I did not.”
Lady Blackburn smiled wryly.“I can imagine.Darcy is not an easy man to come to know.I would imagine he is not easy to fall in love with either.”
“Easier than I would have thought,” said Elizabeth without thinking.Her eyes widened and she looked at Lady Blackburn with her mouth agape.
That lady smirked back at her.“Just so.”She walked on, causing Elizabeth to rush to catch up to her.“Regardless of the difficulty involved in having a relationship with a man such as my nephew, I believe it is worth the effort in the end.He is fiercely loyal, and there is nothing he would not do for those he cares for.”
Elizabeth looked intrigued, so the lady continued.
“You should have heard him this morning warning me off you.He insisted I not meet you at all if I could not be kind.”She chortled.“I would have been insulted had it not been so amusing.”
Elizabeth flushed and looked toward the meadow where children were running with a hoop.It was gratifying to know Mr.Darcy had fought so hard for her; that her equanimity was valuable to him.
“I am not displeased to hear it,” she said quietly.
“No, I imagine you are not.”
Elizabeth refused to blush further under the lady’s scrutiny.
“I will support you as best I can, Miss Bennet.”
“You will?”
“Of course.Darcy is very dear to me, and Richard values you.And he is right—you do have Olivia’s way about you.”She gave Elizabeth a wistful smile and the younger woman returned it.
“I am grateful for your support, my lady.”
“You are welcome to it.And it will drive Lady Hopewell mad, which can only be an added inducement.”
Elizabeth laughed.
