An apology was all very well, but he owed her more than that. He owed her an explanation.
“I really had no choice but to join the Council, but I should have spoken to you about it before I made my decision.”
For some reason, saying the words made him feel better. He ran his hands through his dark curls, trying to work out what he should say next, how he could justify his choice.
“There was an opening— the position vacated by Lady Alice. I would have said no, but I believe that what happened earlier—the way Lady Alice treated you— could have been prevented if I had a voice on the Council. My uncle also convinced me that it was important to have someone who was not under Lady Alice’s influence. They had already suggested someone I did not respect. I could not abdicate my responsibility and allow him to have sway over the others, not when there are so many crucial decisions to be made. The fate of the Kingdom could rest on what we do in the next few weeks.”
He hesitated. He was still not telling her the real reason. He owed her the truth.
“And I had another motive, a selfish one. I believe joining the Council is the only way I can defend you against people like Mr. Westwood and those who cast doubt on your abilities. I did it for you.”
She shut her eyes and was silent for a long moment. He waited anxiously for her verdict.
“If you had just told me this earlier, I would not have objected so strongly.” She shook her head. “Why did you have to come up with that ridiculous explanation about balancing the families and power?”
“Possibly because it is easier to utter words you have heard a thousand times than look into yourself and find the answer. You will have to be patient with me, Elizabeth. I am not accustomed to baring my soul, and I have so many concerns at the moment. I am so worried about Bingley—”
Elizabeth put her hand to his cheek and looked at him with eyes full of love.
“It is time for you to realize that you are no longer alone— that you have someone you can share your burdens with. I know you do not have much time to think of me, but I want you to know that you can feel free to talk to me— if nothing else.”
“Not much time to think of you?” He laughed at the irony of her statement. “If only you knew how often I think of you! How much I long to toss everything aside and spend every moment of the day with you. But I cannot allow myself to indulge in my emotions. You must understand this. I know this sounds like a platitude again, but—"
“—the fate of the Kingdom rests on your shoulders. Yes I know.”
Her eyes were dancing. She gave him a little push.
“Go, then. Hurry up. You must not miss your Council meeting.”
She kissed him lightly on the lips, and he took it as a sign that he was forgiven.
Chapter 9
Three days passed,and nothing had changed in Bingley’s condition. Netherfield, however, continued to improve, thanks to the combined efforts of all the Academy members. Maidens’ Hall had been set up in the East Wing, which was an intense relief. Mrs. Granger, who was the official Chaperone in Founder’s Hall, was put in charge of the young ladies. The thorny issue was finding someone to replace Lady Alice as Mistress. There were only eleven unmarried young ladies currently in residence, and for the moment it was not justifiable to drag someone away from their duties to live out here in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, the Council would have to address the issue, but until they brought in new apprentices, there was no particular urgency to do this.
By the end of the day, Deans’ Hall would also be completed on the East side. All the members of the Council already had bedchambers of their own. Darcy already had his own, but he was still waiting for the carpenters to make him a cupboard. Darcy expected that in another three days, the bulk of the work of preparing Netherfield to be inhabited should be completed.
