“What despicable lies!” she cried.
“Leave us,” Lord Matlock bellowed, scowling at Elizabeth.
Darcy said nothing; he did not even look at her. Her breath left her in a rush, and she hastened out of the study.
“Is it true?” Elizabeth heard the earl ask her husband. She could not help but listen to what his reply might be and halted behind the door she had just closed. Darcy spoke not a word.
“I see,” the earl growled. “How could you allow that reprobate of a steward’s son within a mile of your sister? You are a great disappointment to this family and should consider renouncing your claim to Pemberley.”
“They have the wrong sister,” Darcy replied with his usual calm.
“I cannot believe it of Miss Bennet.”
“No, it is the youngest, Miss Lydia. Rest assured that I have the situation under control. The first banns will be read this coming Sunday. The wedding will be held the Monday following the last reading.”
It was then that Elizabeth realised Darcy would never agree to forgo Lydia’s wedding to Mr Wickham and that time was running out. It was already Friday.
“Miss Lydia was in Ramsgate too? Was that how you became acquainted with Mrs Darcy?”
“No. The paper has its facts confused. Lydia was in Brighton, not Ramsgate, and it was this year, not last year.”
“Idiots! I can readily believe it. One might think they were illiterate, the whole lot of them,” Lord Matlock scoffed.
Elizabeth hastened to her room. Poor Georgiana! It was not so strange that the girl had turned inwards with such a family. To risk facing the enraged earl must be daunting for any young woman; with Georgiana’s shy nature, it must be even more intimidating. Of course, this was the reason why Darcy so eagerly forwarded a marriage between Lydia and Wickham. He had to, to deflect the quidnuncs from his sister’s folly.
She and Darcy were so alike…
Elizabeth did not see her husband before breakfast the next morning.
“You look tired, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth almost choked on her morning toast.
Both Georgiana’s and Mary’s eyes widened at this impolitic declaration from Darcy.
“I am,” she readily admitted. “Would you mind if I begged off Lady Castlereagh’s ball tonight?”
Her husband did not look pleased. It was unwise to risk offending a peer when their position in society was so precarious. It was a miracle they had received an invitation, but she already knew what it would be like. It was exhausting, fending off barbs, pretending not to notice the askance looks and derogatory remarks. There was no strength left in her to force an expression of complacency to her face or bite her tongue at the rude utterances.
“But you should attend,” Elizabeth added. “I dare say Lord Downshire quite depends upon your presence.”
She immediately questioned the merit of her own assertion. Thebeau mondehad so far been unforgiving in regard to their unequal marriage, but Mr Darcy might be more welcomed if his plebeian wife did not accompany him. Lord Downshire was the exception in London’s society, but his station was secure, so he might not be concerned about being associated with the Darcy pariahs.
“If you do not mind? I would like to attend to investigate whether the latest rumours are generally believed.”
She was not truly indisposed, only tired. “Not at all. I do not relish the thought of ruining your plans just because I am not inclined to attend.”
Her husband’s look of relief grated on her, but she smiled, as always, and retired early for once.
After hours of peaceful slumber, though not sufficient to fully restore her strength, she was awakened by someone stumbling through the door. Her immediate fright was mollified when a thump was followed by her husband’s low curse.
“Blasted chair! Why cannot the furniture stay in its designated place?”
He had sanctioned the refurbishing of her private quarters.
Darcy struggled to remove his fitted coat. Why had he not rung for his valet? Elizabeth glanced at the window and discovered the morning reds were conquering the sky. It must be late or rather early in the morning, depending upon your perspective.
She could help him, but he managed it before she had decided whether the offer would be welcome.
