Page 103 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“Of course.”

She seemed different, paler, with dark circles around her eyes.

She led him to a corner of the room, inviting him to sit face-to-face with her.

“What is the matter?” he whispered. “You look very ill. May I help you in any way? Are you unwell?”

“I am well, thank you for asking. Only tired. I heard more distressing news last night, that cannot be shared and is not related to this meeting.”

“You look very ill, Miss Bennet.”

“I know,” she said. “Sir, during the meeting, would you sit next to my uncle, please?”

“Of course.”

“And I beg you to not intervene unless I ask you to. Anything that happens, anything you hear, please allow me to handle it. If I need support, I will address you directly.”

“Very well,” he accepted, his concern increasing with every moment.

There was something worrisome in her voice, in her eyes, in her expression that had appeared in only one night. The lightness in her voice, the smiles, the sparkle in her eyes that had been restored during her stay at Longbourn, had vanished again.

He noticed the ring on her finger and smiled affectionately. “It suits you very well. And it is a powerful statement,” he said.

“I hope it will bring me luck,” she replied.

“Have you been informed about the subject of this meeting?”

“No. Apparently Lady Augusta and the two rascals have requested something that needs legal intervention.”

Her voice betrayed her anger and fear at the same time.

Her gaze locked with his, ignoring the presence of the others; she confessed in whispers, biting her lips.

“I fear they have found some scheme to deny me my inheritance. I believe them capable of anything. I could not care less about the money, but I have made promises to the children and many other people. They are all depending on me. If something happens and I cannot keep my promise, what will happen to them all?”

Oblivious to the impropriety of his gesture, Darcy took her hands in his. She did not oppose it.

“It is impossible,” he spoke firmly. “We have all studied the documents carefully. The only option would be to take the case to court, which I doubt they would do. Even then, they cannot possibly win. The situation is actually quite clear, I assure you.”

She nodded, silently.

“But regardless of what happens, you will keep your promise. I promise you that,” he said.

Her hands were in his and she slowly withdrew them. Minutes before the highly stressful meeting, with her family in the room, pretending they were not watching, Elizabeth caressed his face with hesitant fingers. He frowned, stopped breathing and his heart skipped a beat.

“Lizzy, the trustees have arrived,” Mr. Gardiner called her. She startled and hurried to join the others, followed by Darcy, who immediately sat next to Mr. Gardiner, as agreed.

The trustees—Mr. Reeves and Mr. Thorn—as well as Mr. Hoskins—the solicitor—entered. Elizabeth invited them to sit at the head of the table. She did not miss their disapproving expression when they saw Cece, but no comments were made.

“Would you like any drinks, gentlemen?”

“Only water, thank you. When are the other parties arriving, Lady Barrington?”

“Soon, I assume. We will not wait for more than a quarter of an hour.”

At the established time, Lady Augusta and her solicitor, Mr. Wood, together with Lambert and St. Claire, were introduced. Elizabeth invited them to sit at the opposite side of the table. No greetings or niceties were exchanged.

They glanced around the table and immediately observed Cece. Lady Augusta’s face coloured and she said spitefully, averting her eyes, “You! I heard you had returned to town! Why are you in the same room as me?”