“A week.” Darcy turned toward the window, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. “What is Wickham’s plan, Richard? It has to be blackmail. Despite my threats,he knows I would pay handsomely to keep Ramsgate quiet.”
“Or he might approach Georgiana directly. In one of the shops or at church. Convince her to run away again, this time successfully. Her thirty thousand pounds would solve all his problems.”
“Over my dead body.”
“It may come to that if he grows desperate enough.” Richard moved to stand beside his cousin. “We must be vigilant. Georgiana does not leave Netherfield without both of us. No trips to Meryton, no morning calls, nothing until he is gone. Neither should you go anywhere alone.”
“I agree. He will not hurt Georgiana again. And he will not touch anyone else I care for.”
The emphasis on the last words was not lost on Richard. He raised an eyebrow. “Anyone else?”
“Do not start, Richard.”
“I am not starting anything. Merely observing that you seem particularly concerned about a young lady at Longbourn. One who happens to love horses as much as you do.”
“This is not the time.”
“There is never a good time with you, cousin.” But Richard’s tone softened. “We will sort out Wickham together, as we always do.”
Darcy gripped his cousin’s shoulder briefly. “Thank you.”
“What are cousins for, if not to clean up after scoundrels and point out when you are falling in love?”
“Richard—”
“Go! Tell Georgiana our restrictions.” Richard wavedhim off with a grin that did not quite reach his eyes. “Before I say something else you will pretend not to hear.”
The next morning,Elizabeth joined her father, who was already ensconced in the breakfast room with his coffee, absorbed in the morning’s news.
“Good morning, Papa.”
“Lizzy.” He lowered the paper enough to peer at her over the top. “You look as cheerful as the weather. Disappointed about your riding lesson, I suppose?”
“The rain will eventually pass.”
“Eventually is not today, however.” He raised the paper again. “Your mother lamented the loss of Mr. Bingley until late. I thought it prudent to seek refuge before she began cataloguing every manner in which you have ruined Jane’s prospects.”
Elizabeth sighed and poured tea. “She blames me entirely, I suppose.”
“Naturally. Though I confess I am more interested in what Miss Bingley said to prompt your hasty departure. Your mother’s account is so colored by hysteria that I cannot extract the truth of it.”
The sound of a carriage on the drive made them both look toward the window. Through the glass, she saw the Darcy crest on the door.
“Well,” Mr. Bennet said mildly. “It seems your gentleman caller is undeterred by inclement weather. How very devoted.”
“He is not…” Elizabeth began, but her father’s knowing look silenced her protest.
Hill appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Miss Darcy have arrived. They are proceeding directly to the stables. Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy asked if you might wear the riding habit and join them there?”
Elizabeth was already rising, her breakfast forgotten. “Tell them I shall be there immediately.”
“Lizzy,” her father called as she hurried to her chambers. “Take a cloak. You will catch your death running about in this weather, and then your mother will blame me for that as well.”
The stable felt like a sanctuary.Outside, rain poured in sheets, but inside all was dry and warm. Atlas stood with his head over the door, ears pricked forward with interest at the unusual activity.
Mr. Darcy spoke with Jacob. Colonel Fitzwilliam leant against a post, looking remarkably cheerful for a man who had ridden three miles in a downpour. And Miss Darcy sat on an overturned bucket, her riding habit damp but her expression bright.
“Miss Elizabeth!” Miss Darcy rose when Elizabeth entered. “We were beginning to think youmight not brave the weather.”
