“Oh, I don’t know if he—”
“I would like that very much,” Darcy said. “Thank you. But, should not Lady Catherine issue the invitation? Should she disabuse your presumption?”
Wickham’s laugh chilled Darcy. “No, Lady Catherine will do as I wish.” At the sound of the front door scraping open, he said, “Oh, there is Mrs. Collins and my wife.”
What does he mean Lady Catherine will do his bidding? Did he marry…? No! Did he marry Anne? Is that why he resides at Rosings? Where is my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam?
The door opened to admit Jane, Mr. Collins, and Mrs. Wickham.
He did not think he could speak for the bile in his throat. Slowly, Darcy stood and bowed, pulling from the depths of all his years of training to remain master under good regulation.
“Mr. Fitzroy. Might I present, Mrs. Wickham of Pemberley? Mrs. Wickham, our guest, Mr. Fitzroy.”
And then, he heard his voice:
“How do you do?” as he looked into the face of his sister, Georgiana.
Day 2
Solitude was in short supply at the parsonage, her new brother believing silence leads to an idle mind, and an idle mind leads to sin of the greatest kind. So, Elizabeth often walked out as the servants were rising, to seek a respite from her sister’s new circumstances, and the anticipated months of Mr. Collins’s company. She had a particular path which gave her great pleasure, and when she came around a bend was surprised to discover Mr. Fitzroy.
Standing on the pathway not far from where she had found him only twenty-four hours previous, he seemed to have rallied overnight, his appearance markedly improved.Well, that is not entirely true. He is very handsome. That hasn’t changed.
“Good morning, sir. I did not expect to come across anyone on my morning ramble, let alone you. Should you be out so soon after your injury?”
He started at the sound of her voice, seeming to have been lost in thought. “Good morning. Yes, I feel almostmyself, save for a slight headache. I have always believed the best form of medicine is brisk exercise in the fresh air.”
She smiled up at him. “Then we are in accord, as that is my belief as well.”
“I am not one to sit by as the world moves around me. And you? It is quite early to be taking a turn in the park…alone.”
“I suppose. But, I find the early morning is the only time I am able to hear my own thoughts.”
They strolled along in silence, Elizabeth glancing at him occasionally. His dark hair, perfectly in place, save an errant curl falling across his brow; his fine form filling out his expensive attire in a most admirable way. She wondered at this handsome man. Where did he reside? Had he contacted his people? Maybe even hiswife?She felt herself blush when his words interrupted her musings.
“I am grateful for your sister and Mr. Collins offering me refuge. It is a kindness I will repay when I am able.”
“Jane is all that is kind and good. She cannot stand to see harm come to anything, let alone anyone.”
“I believe it is a family trait then. For I would be remiss to not acknowledge you as my preserver.” He made a quick bow. “I offer my thanks and gratitude, Miss Bennet.”
“Please, pay no mind. It was nothing.”
“Nothing? Miss Elizabeth, I am certain you had not ventured out in hopes of finding an unconscious man in the woods. A lesser woman would have called for her salts and fallen in the path beside me.”
A peel of laughter echoed through the woods as they continued on, only to come upon the spot of discovery.
“This is where I found you.”
He stopped, inspecting the area for any sign of the cause. “And you saw nothing out of place? Heard no one?”
“None. Nothing looked suspect—other than, of course, a man prostrate and bleeding. There were hoof prints nearby, but no horse.”
“Where is Ulysses?”
“The groom from Rosings reported a saddled horse had been found roaming the back pasture. We determined he was yours.”
“And he is still there?”
