Elizabeth could not suppose that Darcy would mention again what they had spoken of earlier. He seemed determined to keep the matter of Carew’s death from his guests.If I was not his friend’s sister-in-law but rather his betrothed or his wife, he might confide his fears and anxieties.
Did he have any idea how much she had fixed her heart on him still loving her? She had thought it possible yesterday, when he had charged into the library to find her, still shaking with fear that she had died, that Darcy might have then asked her again to marry him. But what a mode of attachment would there be if it was the murder of his servant that spurred him to speak? It would be unlike him to be dying to kiss her whilst a murder victim lay in his house, whilst people under his care were suffering.
Whilst she wondered what could she do to engage his attentions at so trying a time, and whether she even should, the door to the breakfast room opened. Looking as though he had just alighted his horse, Colonel Fitzwilliam strode into the room.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Darcy’s forced composure and cheerfulness for the sake of his guests’ feelings had been near to the breaking point when his cousin suddenly appeared in his breakfast room, coming right up to his side of the table saying, “Darcy, how are you?”
He rose, astounded. “How d’ye do, Fitzwilliam?”
His cousin gripped his hand, concealing in that handshake his friendship to such a degree that it might have convinced his guests of their indifference. Darcy knew, however, that it held all the closeness that would have led either cousin to do anything for the good of the other.
“I did not expect you to come all this way when I—” Darcy narrowed his eyes. “But I only wrote to you Wednesday evening! There is no way you could have received my letter, let alone come here by Friday.”
Fitzwilliam gave him a surprised look. “I read of the storms and floods in Derbyshire in Tuesday evening’s newspapers. They said the area near Bakewell and Matlock were underwater and that the Derwent rose three feet. I left London first thing Wednesday morning to see of what use I might be, long before you ever put pen to paper.”
Proof of his cousin’s genuine attachment moved him, and Darcyturned away to hide a grateful smile. He quickly gestured to his friends, saying, “You know everyone here, of course.”
Fitzwilliam had by this time kissed Georgiana’s cheek and greeted Balfour and Utterson.
“I am glad you are here, Fitzwilliam,” Balfour added. “I need another cheerful friend to help me force Darcy into taking a respite from his concerns now and then.”
“Have you had any luck so far?” his cousin asked kindly.
“Not at all, but perhaps together we can influence him. I worry for his peace of mind.”
Darcy heard Fitzwilliam give an audible swallow before addressing Balfour’s sister. “Mrs Lanyon, always a pleasure to see you.” Mrs Lanyon bowed her head. He then turned to Elizabeth with a bemused smile. “And I trust you will not misunderstand me when I ask howyoucame to be here.”
“My friends abandoned me here to go to Scarborough without me.” She gave a little laugh. “In truth, I chose to remain in Mrs Lanyon’s care until she and her brother see fit to return me to them.”
Fitzwilliam gave Mrs Lanyon a smile that she did not see since she was staring into her lap. “You could not be left with a better companion than Mrs Lanyon.”
Balfour then said, “Miss Bennet has kindly glossed over how she would rather spend her time with Hester instead of with Bingley’s haughty sisters.”
“Miss Bennet’s good manners are to her credit,” he said, “and I agree that anyone of sense would prefer Mrs Lanyon’s company to Miss Bingley’s or Mrs Hurst’s, but if you tell Bingley I said that I shall deny it.” Everyone laughed good-naturedly. “How came you to be travelling with Bingley’s family, Miss Bennet?”
“I am nowinBingley’s family; in fact, I live with them. My eldest sister resumed her acquaintance with Bingley this spring, and they married this summer. We all travelled north together, and I will reunite with them when Mrs Lanyon, Mr Balfour, and Mr Utterson go to Scarborough in September. For the present, I have the pleasure of Mrs Lanyon’s company and the chance to further my acquaintance with her and Miss Darcy.”
“Did you say that Bingley resumed an earlier acquaintance with your sister?” Fitzwilliam asked.
Elizabeth nodded, but her attention was gained by Mrs Lanyon who asked to hear all about her sister’s romance. Georgiana, under Mrs Annesley’s prompting, brought Fitzwilliam a plate and encouraged him to sit. As Fitzwilliam took his seat and other conversations began, his cousin lowered his voice and leant towards Darcy. “Was her sister the woman you had strong objections to last winter?”
The look on his own face must have been answer enough. Fitzwilliam’s eyes widened, and he whispered, “I think I accidentally told her about your efforts to separate them.”
There was another reason for Elizabeth to be furious with me during my proposal in April.Of course, it would have ended about the same even if he had not nearly ruined her sister’s happiness.
“I confessed to Bingley after we left Kent. He has forgiven me,” Darcy murmured, “and so has Miss Bennet.”
“There must be a story there,” Fitzwilliam said, quietly laughing.
“I have plenty to tell you when we are alone,” he said. Bingley’s marriage was the least important thing he had to tell Fitzwilliam. Perhaps he could help him make sense of the missing candlestick and the death of Molly Carew.I hardly know what to make of it, and my mind revolts at the idea that anyone in this house is capable of murder.
Soon, Mrs Lanyon set aside her napkin and stood. “Miss Darcy, did you not say that you wished to ride before it grew late? Are you and Mrs Annesley ready to leave?”
Fitzwilliam opened his mouth, but Mrs Lanyon was not done. “I suspect Colonel Fitzwilliam shall be too tired to join us, since he has travelled so far today.” Darcy looked at his cousin to see how he bore being dismissed, and he thought that his polite nod hid disappointment. “Another time,” she added, linking an arm through Georgiana’s. “It shall be just us ladies today.”
“Then what about Miss Bennet?” Georgiana asked. “She is not a horsewoman, you know.”
