The three of them moved to the desk, and, with efficiency, planned Elizabeth’s flight. Once her family was asleep, she would pack her belongings and position her trunk below her bedroom window, where Darcy’s valet would be waiting to carry it to the waiting carriage.
“Take only what you need,” Darcy advised. “We can purchase anything you lack once we reach London.”
“London?” Elizabeth asked.
“I will leave Netherfield in the morning, telling Bingley that I have urgent business. He will not question this since he leaves the day after for the same reason.”
“Where in London shall we go?”
“I will take you to my aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Matlock,” Darcy explained. “You will be safe there, hidden away from anyone who might come looking for you. When will you reach your majority?”
“In three weeks.”
“Perfect. We shall wait until then to marry, to ensure no one can claim you were coerced or taken against your will. In the meantime, you will remain with my family, protected and cared for.”
“This sounds well and good. However, how can we prevent my father from intercepting me?” Elizabeth asked.
“I shall provide a distraction,” Miss Mary interjected. Both Darcy and Elizabeth turned to her in surprise.
“What kind of distraction?” Elizabeth asked warily.
“I shall take your favorite walking dress, coat, and bonnet,” Miss Mary explained, her eyes bright with an intelligence Darcy had not previously noticed. “Tomorrow morning, several hours after you have departed, I shall wear them and walk past the windows where the servants might see me. They will report that you went out for your morning constitutional. By the time anyone realizes you are missing, you will be well away.”
“Mary, you could get in trouble—” Elizabeth began.
“I am willing to take that risk,” Miss Mary said firmly. “For you, Lizzy. And for myself as well. This is for the best.”
Elizabeth pulled her sister into a fierce embrace. “You are far cleverer than anyone gives you credit.”
“I know,” Miss Mary replied with a small smile. “I find it advantageous to let people underestimate me.”
Darcy realized there was more to the middle Bennet sister than he had first judged.
“Elizabeth,” he said. “You should also leave a note that will prevent your family from assuming the worst—that you have been abducted or met with some accident.”
She nodded and moved to the desk, taking up a piece of paper and pen. She wrote quickly, then showed him the result:
I will not marry him.
“Short and to the point,” Darcy said. “Though perhaps a bit ambiguous?”
“I think it says exactly what needs to be said,” Elizabeth replied. “My father will understand.”
“And he will make little effort to look for her,” said Miss Mary, “since it would mean leaving his books for more than an evening.”
There was nothing more to discuss. The plan was set. In a few hours, Elizabeth would leave behind everythingshe had ever known—her family, her home, her entire world—and place her trust in a man she barely knew.
And Darcy would have the woman he had come to admire more than he had thought possible.
“We should return to the ball,” Miss Mary said. “We have been gone too long already. People will notice.”
“One more thing,” Darcy said, reaching into his coat pocket. He withdrew a handkerchief—fine linen with his initials embroidered in the corner—and handed it to Elizabeth. “For your tears.”
She took it, her fingers brushing against his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”
“Thank me when we are safely in London. Until then, we must be careful. Ladies, you should return to the ball. I must speak with my valet to have him begin packing and arrange for the carriage to be ready. I shall return within a quarter of an hour.”
Elizabeth nodded and moved toward the door, then looked back. “Mr. Darcy? I hope you do not come to regret this.”
