“No doubt.” Elizabeth strove for a nonchalance she did not feel.
The butler entered carrying a silver salver to Eversleigh, distracting the uncomfortable attention on Elizabeth.
Eversleigh looked at the calling card. “Show him in.”
The butler disappeared. On his return, he announced, “Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth’s head snapped around. Yes, it was him, with Pepper in raven form riding on his shoulder. But it did not matter. After the sleepless nights and long hours without him, not knowing if she would ever see him again, he was here.
“Darcy, this is an unexpected pleasure,” said Eversleigh. “We are in the midst of a certain amount of upheaval, but you are already aware of some of it.”
Darcy frowned. “I do not know what is happening, but Pepper seemed to feel I needed to be here. She appeared on my windowsill, pecking and scratching at the glass until I let her in. She insisted I follow her if I did not want my ear ripped off. This is where she led me.”
Pepper cawed.
“Really?” Eversleigh asked the raven in surprise.
Pepper responded with more cawing.
“If you say so, I will believe you,” said Eversleigh dubiously.
Darcy asked, “You speak the language of ravens as well as cats, Eversleigh?”
“No, it is only the language of phoukas,” said Eversleigh absently. “Have you met Mr. Gardiner? He is Miss Elizabeth’s uncle.”
“I have had that honor.” Darcy shook Mr. Gardiner’s hand. “He helped to heal my injured arm.”
“Healing powers?” Eversleigh eyed Mr. Gardiner speculatively. “Interesting. He came here with Miss Elizabeth’s mother. I removed the spells on her, and she is now in the drawing room becoming reacquainted with Aelfric. The rest of us are as you see us.”
Elizabeth turned her face towards the window. Would he be able to tell she had been crying?
Darcy greeted Frederica, and now he was coming towards her. Surely she could keep her composure for a few minutes.
Even without looking at him, she could tell when he noticed the traces of tears.
“Elizabeth, what is the matter?”
His concern was her undoing. The tears started to pour out uncontrollably. Her shoulders shook as she choked back silent sobs.
The cushion on the window seat shifted as he sat beside her, and warm hands surrounded hers. “What is the matter? Is it your mother? Did Aelfric upset you?”
She could not get the words out, but Mr. Gardiner spoke for her. “Her mother is much changed, and the mother she knew is gone.”
Darcy’s arm came around her. “I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do for your comfort, anything at all?”
All she wanted was to be in his embrace, but how could she when she should not be allowing even this much in the first place? His love could never be a safe haven for her. One by one everything she haddepended on had disappeared – her father, her idea of her family, her own past, and now even her mother – and she could not have Darcy without ruining them both. It was hopeless, and she was all alone. She stole the opportunity to rest her forehead on his shoulder and his arm held her more tightly.
“Forgive me,” she managed to choke out, her words muffled by the handkerchief pressed against her face.
“Shh. There is nothing to forgive.” In a voice only she would be able to hear, he added, “I want to be here when you need comfort.”
If only she could allow herself to depend on that! But his words reminded her of where they were, and that Frederica, Eversleigh, and Mr. Gardiner were all witnessing her improper behavior. She had to find the strength to compose herself.
Slowly she straightened and took her hand from Darcy’s. Missing its warmth already, she scrubbed the remaining tears from her face. “Lord Eversleigh, is there perchance a room nearby where I could retire briefly?” Her voice hardly quavered.
“Of course,” Eversleigh said gently. “Just up the stairs and to the left. Perhaps Lady Frederica can accompany you.”
Elizabeth hurried from the room without a word, not looking back at anyone. How mortifying to have lost her composure so badly, and to have allowed Mr. Darcy to take liberties in front of the others!
