Page 180 of The Mistress of All & Torn

Surely there must have been reasons why their plans had changed.

Just as had happened with Anne and Richard.

The rumours and gossip aroused by his broken engagement and the shocking marriage of his two cousins had become the talk of the ton. Fortunately, most of their common acquaintances were spending the summer outside of London, so the scandal was kept to reasonable proportions and was likely to fade before the Season began. The union between Anne and Richard had easily been accepted by the Matlocks. Lady Catherine, however, had been driven to the edge of her sanity.

After many heated arguments, the wedding had taken place. Much to Lady Catherine’s despair, her influence over her daughter was finished the moment Mrs Anne Fitzwilliam claimed full ownership of her legacy, in which she had never shown an interest before.

Darcy assisted with a complete lack of interest, content to be only a spectator and to support his cousins when needed. He did not, however, escape Lady Catherine’s accusations of causing the entire scandal by refusing to marry Anne sooner, but he had the liberty to ignore such a foolish statement.

Darcy was determined to leave London as soon as he was certain Georgiana felt self-possessed enough to remain alone in her townhouse with Mrs Annesley. His sister had grown in confidence lately. There was only a slight resemblance to the shy girl who had suffered from a broken heart two years before. Her close bond with Anne, as well as the friendship with Jane Bingley and even with Elizabeth, allowed him to hope that she would not feel alone or abandoned without him.

He was uncertain whether he would go and stay at Pemberley or one of his other estates, or simply travel from one to another. He would return to town occasionally but was determined to avoid the Season and any chance of meeting Elizabeth again.

He had counted the days, hours, and minutes since he had last seen her. His recollections were so powerful, so alive, so painful that he could not trust his reaction if he happened to meet her again. Her taste was still on his lips, her scent still intoxicated him, his skin was still grieving the loss of her caresses. But more than anything, the longing to hold her, to feel her heartbeat near his, was unbearable.

He blamed himself for everything, more with every passing day. He would never forgive himself for ruining their chance of sharing a lifetime of love and happiness.

And, as Elizabeth begged him, he could not wait and wonder if or when she might be alone again, or how her feelings for him would change with time. Of his feelings, he had no doubts. Nothing would ever diminish his love for her, as she had become part of his mind and his body. She had become part of him. And since she already belonged to another, he would leave.

“Sir, you have received a letter.” The butler entered, holding out the silver tray. Darcy glanced at it and recognised the writing.

“Have the trunks been brought down?”

“Of course, sir. All is prepared for the journey.”

He nodded, then read through the letter, rolling his eyes in exasperation. He hesitated only a moment before writing one of his own and sending it express.

And then all was done. He was ready to travel wherever his torment would take him.

Chapter 21

A couple of days after her wedding, Elizabeth paid a visit to her parents to settle their plans for leaving Brighton. Summer was close to an end, and, as lovely as it has been, everybody was anxious to return home. She found her father in the library, as usual.

“Lizzy dearest, how lovely that you have come. I wished to speak to you as I received a rather strange letter from Mr Darcy. I assume you know what he is speaking of.”

Elizabeth blushed and a shiver of panic slid down her spine. Why would he possibly write to her father?

“A letter from Mr Darcy? What does he say?”

Mr Bennet handed her the paper.

“It seems he wished to inform me that, according to some reports delivered to him, your sisters Lydia and Kitty still met that Wickham fellow several times. It seems Mr Darcy is supervising his old friend, for some reasons that he does not disclose.”

A sigh of relief escaped Elizabeth as she read, delighted to recognise his handwriting and thrilled to hold a letter that had been in his hands only a short while ago.

“Lizzy, why do you think Mr Darcy is still having Wickham watched? And what should I do with this intelligence?”

“Papa, to my knowledge, Mr Darcy has sound motives to mistrust Mr Wickham. And if he took the trouble to write to you, it seems he considers the report to be alarming. You should not allow Lydia and Kitty to wander around Brighton by themselves, or anywhere else, at least until you return home.”

“I confess I find this rather diverting. I still believe Mr Darcy is too diligent in his endeavours. He tends to take himself and others too seriously.”

“I beg to differ, Papa. We should appreciate Mr Darcy’s regard for our family and treat his warning earnestly. The mere fact that two young ladies are meeting with officers, unchaperoned, is enough danger to our name and reputation. Papa, please promise me you will have a care.”

“I promise you, my dear. Besides, we shall return home soon, and your youngest sisters can make fools of themselves in front of our old acquaintances.”

Elizabeth shook her head in disapproval. His inclination to make sport of everything was worrisome.

“I shall write to Darcy immediately and thank him for his concern. I understand he will leave London soon, so I hope my letter will find him still at home.”