“Already you read me well,” he said with a small smile; the cloud of his thoughts unsettling. “I only wonder if Mr. Gardiner will agree to our marrying. You recall I admitted the rumours of my family are not exaggerated, save those regarding my loyalties to the Crown and those my sisters hold. Those rumours of our disloyalty are unfounded, for we are loyal. Still, the rumours do exist, and I therefore hold little position in the society to which I was born. It is possible your uncle will see that and disavow my request and yours.”
“Then we would go to Gretna Green,” she laughed, a sad shake of her head following as his expression failed to alter. “You are a gentleman. Intelligent. Honourable. Kind. Wealthy even. But more than that, I love you. Once he knows I love you, that will be enough. My love and your character speak louder than whatever rumours have or may come.”
“Do you have any objection to my telling Fitz of your acceptance?”
Wrapping her arms around him, she nestled her head into his chest. “Only if you do not object to my telling my sisters?”
“I would be surprised if you did not; I know Fitz, Bingley, and I have confided in one another often enough.”
“Will you tell him? About us, I mean.”
“After the way he defended me against his sister’s wrath, and the likelihood of his becoming a part of your family, I should like to,” he admitted, his arms pulling her closer still.
“Then do,” she said, her head lifting to view him, “Wait, do you mean you think he means to propose to my sister?”
Chuckling, he nodded. “I think he would have asked her the day after they met if he thought she might have accepted. He is besotted! Though I suspect she has nearly as strong feelings for him. Am I wrong?”
“She has not excelled at hiding that fact, has she? A few years ago, I do not think even you could have seen that. Before Mamma died and we sisters took over the running of Longbourn, she seemed well on her way to being the quintessential refined young lady–soft spoken, feelings tucked away. Not that she is anything but a proper young lady; but she has become educated, skilled, and not nearly as timid. We all have.” Standing on tip-toe to kiss his cheek, she smiled before pushing back. “Shall we see where this door leads?”
“Of course, my darling.”
Bending to pick up the candle, Darcy gave the passage one last look.
The dusty, cobweb ridden space had a certain hominess about it. Or perhaps it being witness to his proposal and her acceptance gave it a welcome charm. Indeed, if their engagement remained hidden too long, he may be tempted to steal in here for a kiss.
An ear to the door as he listened for the sound of anyone outside, he held his breath.No voices. No footfalls or noise of any kind. It was time to leave.
Stealing one quick kiss from his intended, he pulled the lever, the brightness compared to the passageway near blinding. A second or more passing as his eyes adjusted, Darcy’s brows raised as the guest wing appeared, the long hall, usually seeming so dark, stretching out before them.
Slipping out, he extinguished the candle and turned to assist Elizabeth.
“Thank you,” she smiled, her eyes dancing over his form as his did her. “I fear we both appear a mess.”
“That we do–I mean, that I do. You look beautiful, covered in dirt and cobwebs or not. I… Close the door,” he hurried, voices sounding from downstairs. “We ought to go change before questions are asked; I love you!”
“I love you,” she whispered, a hand touching his cheek before she scurried toward her room, the voices growing louder as he rushed to his.
Breath coming quick and fast as he closed his door behind him, Darcy grinned.She agreed… She loved him!
Chapter 22
Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 11
Hand reaching toward her door, Elizabeth hoped to retreat inside before anyone might see her–the dust and cobwebs wrapped in her hair and around her mussed dress bound to raise questions.
Exiting her room two doors down, Mary’s eyes raked over her sister. “Lizzy? How?”
The voices which had caused her to seek refuge growing louder, Elizabeth gave her sister one quick look before placing a hand over Mary’s mouth and pulling her into her room, the muffled cries of exasperation coming from her sister growing as she did.
“What do you think you are doing?” Mary ground out as Elizabeth’s hand came away, her eyes fiery until her gaze traveled over her sister’s form once more. Brow raising, she huffed, “You do realize you are covered in filth? I cannot imagine what you have been up to.”
“I can explain,” Elizabeth said, her cheeks warming as she recalled how her hair and dress had been mussed–the dust and cobwebs were only partially responsible.
Head tilting, Mary crossed her arms, “I would not doubt it, I only hope you tell me the whole story, and not just the bits you think I will approve of. Because you have definitely been up to some mischief, I have seen that guilty look before.”
Pulling Mary to the window seat, Elizabeth rushed, “I found the passageway. Well, Mr. Darcy and I found the passageway. We got in through the library, just as we expected! We did not open it, but the first door inside ought to go into the study. Then another went into the hall between the two rooms. Not only that, but one passage led to this winding stairway, the door coming out near the main staircase and looking down the dark hall of the guest wing. It is how Lady Charmane made her escape each time.”
“Are you certain?” Mary teased, her eyes flicking toward her sister. “With all of the cobwebs and dust you are wearing, one might suppose it had not been used in centuries.”
