I shook my head. “I wish I did.”
He pinched his nose and looked at me. “Look, your kind are illegal, and the fervor against cracking down on them may become more than I can withhold.”
“Would you really try to stop them from coming for us?” In the past, I’d thought Darcy wouldn’t stand up for my kind. But the fact that he hadn’t had me arrested when he discovered I was a vampire, and that he’d talked to the dignitaries about changing laws concerning werewolves and vampires, had me second guessing my original assessment of him. It seemed as if my childhood friend had changed recently. I wondered what could have brought that about.
Darcy released a slow breath. “If I did, it might end up turning the council against me entirely. I might be forced to abdicate and allow someone else to take my place.”
“Who would it be? Georgiana is next in line, but she wouldn’t be much different from you in your stance.”
“I don’t think Georgiana would want or take it. But the point is, things may only get more dangerous for your kind. Are you going to force Lydia into a life of danger and hiding? Don’t you think her family has already been through enough?”
“Her family?” I narrowed my eyes, trying to pin down what was really going on. “Since when do you care about a family of half-fae, half-witches?”
“This isn’t about me, Wickham—”
“No, but it is about one of the sisters, isn’t it? Has Darcy fallen for a Bennet sister?” I leaned back in my chair in delight, tapping my chin. “Let’s see which one could it be? Not Lydia, she isn’t your style. Then who?” I tilted my head in consideration.
“Wickham.”
“Jane? No, she’s too docile for you. You enjoy a challenge.”
“Wickham.”
“Mary and Kitty have boyfriends, so good luck there… that only leaves…” My eyebrows shot up. Of course, why hadn’t I seen it before? “You care about Lizzy, don’t you?” I laughed. “She’d be perfect for you.”
Darcy’s shoulders slumped. “It doesn’t matter. Someone spent a lot of time abusing me to her, and now she hates my very presence.” He cast a dirty glance at me.
“She turned you down? Surely it wasn’t over me. If so, I’m pretty sure I’m her least favorite person since I ran off and married her younger sister.”
Darcy shook his head. “It’s irrelevant now. She can’t stand me.”
“Then why are you so worried about her family and how they’re treated?”
“I came upon Lizzy when she found out that you two had left town after your manager was murdered. Lizzy thought that if Lydia was suspected of murder, not only could it hurt Lydia, but it would reflect poorly on her entire family. Lizzy worried about losing her job at the paper since her employer has been uncertain about keeping her on. Especially after what happened with their mom and that girl’s death several months ago.” Darcy ran a hand through his hair, concern flashing in his eyes. “Lizzy has been giving extra money from her paycheck to help pay for Cupid’s Confections and to help pay her father’s medical bills.”
“If Lizzy lost her job, the Bennets could end up homeless, and who knows what shape the father might be in,” I surmised.
Darcy nodded. “Lizzy hates me, and she’d be too proud to accept my direct help. Besides, she loves her job at the paper.”
Suddenly the reasoning behind Darcy’s actions became clearer. “So you convinced me to marry Lydia to deflect suspicion and gave us money as a wedding gift to pay off my debts,” I said. “But if Lizzy hates you, why are you still so insistent on helping her?”
Darcy adjusted in his chair, a look of misery on his face. “Despite her loathing, I can’t help but want to assist her in any way I can.”
I leaned forward, watching him. “You don’t justlikeher, you’re in love, aren’t you?”
He pressed his lips together in a grim line. “And what of Lydia? Is she another one of your little games? If so, then it’s time to let her go.”
I sat back, now the one on the defensive. “And if she’s not?”
“Even more reason to let her go. Can you see Lydia in hiding? Having to lie to those around her? Her family? And if you’re ever discovered—”
“The body was dropped on my doorstep.”
“What?”
“Lydia and I came home and found the dead fae on my doorstep. I didn’t know what else to do. I panicked, took Lydia home, and moved the body behind the police station.”
Darcy paled. “Then the danger is even greater than I imagined. If you care for her at all, you have to annul the marriage to Lydia before it’s too late.”
