“Mrs Cooper, what have you done?” she said, looking from her to Darcy with reproach.
He was the one man in the world from whom she had wished to conceal this dreadful disgrace.
“Elizabeth, be reasonable, please. Only Mr Darcy can help your family now,” replied Mrs Cooper calmly.
Darcy rose and approached her. Without a word, he kissed her hand and helped her into a chair not far from his own.
“Elizabeth,” he said, no longer caring for convention, “please listen to Mrs Cooper. Forget everything that has passed between us and think of me as the closest friend you possess. And the only person capable of finding this scoundrel, if they are indeed in London.”
“What a disgrace!” she murmured, pressing her burning cheeks in her hands. “Good heavens, how could she do such a thing now, when we had only just begun to hope again?”
“And this must not end,” said Mrs Cooper firmly.
“How? Do you think this dishonour will not affect my sisters’ suitors?”
Darcy shook his head, “Of Bingley I am certain. He wrote to me as well about his engagement, and there was a firmness in his words that did not exist before. He has gone to London, but his good intentions are not enough. Only the colonel and I can find them.”
“How can you undertake such a thing?” she murmured, still uncertain about accepting his help.
“How can I not?” replied Darcy. “You told me yourself that you had begun to know me. Do you believe I could remain quietly here while such a tragedy unfolds beside me? Even if I were not your friend, I should already be riding to find that wretch. He is my greatest enemy, and once again he is spreading misery wherever he goes.”
Elizabeth sighed heavily and, for the first time since entering the room, looked directly at him.
“I am so ashamed,” she whispered, almost as though the words were meant for him alone.
“Please do not be. Remember that you know his other villainies as well. He knows exactly how to obtain what he wants.”
“He can gain nothing from Lydia.”
“Unfortunately, he can,” said Mrs Cooper.
Elizabeth blushed once more, understanding immediately what she meant.
“I am leaving for London at once,” said Darcy. “The carriage has most likely arrived already, and I shall write a note for my valet to follow me.”
“I have packed my things as well. I intended to go to London,” said Elizabeth, perhaps hoping they might travel together.
“There is no purpose in that,” said Darcy firmly, though gently. “Nor do I wish to lose time by taking you to Meryton myself. You must go to your family and help calm the ladies, whilst I shall travel directly to London. There are already enough of us searching for them. I shall send Bingley back as well. He should be with the ladies and calm them. One thing is certain: no one must know anything.”
He looked directly at Elizabeth as he spoke, evidently thinking of Mrs Bennet and the society of Meryton.
“No. My mother only spreads good news concerning our family. Not a word will leave that house until we know the truth.”
“Whatever the truth may be, the longer it remains secret, the better it will be for all of you.”
“Poor Kitty,” said Elizabeth.
Tears began to run silently down her cheeks, though her face remained unchanged. She resembled a marble statue down which tears slowly fell, her despair deeper than if she had given way to lamentation.
“It breaks my heart to see you thus,” said Darcy.
For the first time that morning, Mrs Cooper smiled faintly. The devotion of this gentleman was rooted in something deeper than friendship for Elizabeth or hatred of Wickham.
“My father’s death affected us all,” said Elizabeth, as though seeking some excuse for Lydia. “But whilst the rest of us became more responsible, Lydia…”
She could not continue.
Darcy quickly wrote a note for his valet. Then, looking at her one last time, he said,
