“I did not request this!” He stopped and faced Clarence. “This,” he said, indicating himself, “is what I have always been. You took my world away from me!”
The older man looked at him askance as he continued onward, Darcy lagging behind. “You may make claims as you see fit, sir, but you beckoned this. You remember your letter. Take responsibility for what you have done.”
Darcy inhaled and slowly exhaled, his jaw tightening. “I assure you,sir,” he began icily, “Ialwaystake responsibility for my actions, unlike someone who is ruining everything I hold dear. If I am to amend these circumstances back to what I wish them to be, I must understand my limitations.”
“We shall see.”
“We shall see?” Darcy asked, his customarily controlled demeanor failing. His hands were clasped firmly behind his back as he strode forward. “We shall see? My sister’s life is in peril, those I love are in misery, and he replies with ‘We shall see.’”
“All you hold dear?”
Darcy spun on him. “Yes!AllI hold dear!”
“Even Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“What is the meaning of that?”
Clarence shrugged as they both walked, passing a gypsy encampment on the outer edge of Hunsford village. He fished in his pocket, retrieving a coin, then tossed it to one of the numerous children who had clamored at the gentlemen. “I only mean that in a different situation, a different life, you might not have had as many pleasant interactions with Miss Bennet as you have had. Is that something you would wish to lose?”
“I do not comprehend your meaning.”
The men passed servants heading toward Rosings and country folk walking toward the village. Clarence lowered his voice as the area became more populated. “I am sure you remember her response to your request from less than a week ago?” Darcy stiffened at the reference. “Can you detect any similar hostility? She seems much more receptive to your company.”
Darcy thought of the previous night in the kitchen and bowed his head, studying the path before him. “Whether she is receptive or not, my life seems lost to me. I must regain it, then win her back.”
“Have you considered that may not be an option? What if you must choose between the two? Either your previous life or Elizabeth?” The older man did not wait for a reply as he walked briskly through the door of the mercantile shop.
Still puzzling out the meaning of his companion’s latest revelation, Darcy followed him. The room was filled with the ordinary wares one would expect from a village the size of Hunsford: some general goods, along with top hats, women’s gloves, and a few odd bobs and bits. The humbleness of the room did not match the overall cheer of the establishment, and Darcy found himself quite comfortable.
“Mr. Fitzroy,” Clarence said when they walked toward the counter, “I have calls to make but will come to you again at the parsonage.”
“Our conversation is not yet over, sir.”
“Of course. Good day.” With that, he left the store.
Darcy stood at the front counter, unsure of what to do at the sudden departure of his companion. He only waited a moment until a familiar voice arrested his attention.
“Can I help you, sir?”
Attempting to control his mouth from going slack, he turned at once toward the man at the counter.
“Charles?”
The young man started at the familiarity before an easy grin spread across his countenance. “My nameisCharles, but I am afraid I do not know yours, sir.”
Darcy looked into the eyes of one of his oldest friends. “Forgive my boldness. We have not been in company for years. Charles Bingley, correct?”
“Yes. And you are?”
“William Fitzroy.”
“I apologize, but your name is not familiar to me. Did we attend school together?”
“Cambridge?” Darcy questioned.
“Yes, Cambridge,” Bingley said with a distant look but a lopsided grin. “That seems so long ago. If we were acquaintances at Cambridge, you are most likely surprised with my current surroundings.”
“If I remember correctly, you studied business, and your father was in trade.”
