Mr. Collins rose from his squeaky chair, looking positively green. “I must return to Her Ladyship. I must warn her. This is dreadful.”
Mr. Darcy snapped, “If you truly wish to be helpful, convince her to return to Rosings.”
More to make a point of voicing her opinion than in slandering the esteemed lady’s name, Elizabeth said, “Maybe it is for the best that Her Ladyship remains nearby. I do not believe her evil, only sorely entitled. She might know something.”
Mr. Darcy did not look happy, but neither did he contradict Elizabeth.
Mr. Collins stumbled over his own chair, departing from the room with exceptional expeditiousness.
CHAPTER 20
As soon as Hill closed the door behind Mr. Collins, Elizabeth turned to Darcy. “Are you going to Meryton?”
Her eagerness made Darcy hesitant. “Yes,” he drawled.
“I should like to go with you. If Wickham is in Meryton, we must find him.”
Darcy was painfully aware that Elizabeth believed him overly cautious, but he would never forget the blank expression on his bride’s face the day of their wedding.
He was at an impasse. He did not wish for her to involve herself in an investigation. However, he had little desire to leave her alone without protection. Would she be safer at Longbourn, surrounded by her family, or with him?
A carriage clattered and crunched down the lane, growing louder until it stopped.
Mrs. Bennet appeared in the drawing room. Darcy could not recall when she had left him alone with Elizabeth. For being so loud, she had an unnatural ability to vacate a room when it suited her purpose.
“It is Mr. Bingley’s carriage,” said the matron. “My dear Jane is so considerate. I just knew she would call today.”
Elizabeth bit her lips and wrinkled her nose the way she did when she had to resign herself to something she would rather not. Darcy loved how expressive she was, how transparent. Leaning closer to her and lowering his voice, he said, “I am sorry to leave, but you are right. If Wickham is in the village, we must find him.”
She bunched her cheeks. “I cannot disregard my sister’s call when it is made out of concern for me.”
“I promise to inform you the moment I learn anything new.”
Taking his leave from his beloved before Bingley could hand his wife and Miss Bingley from the carriage, Darcy exchanged a few pleasantries with them while he waited for his horse.
Bingley pulled him aside. “I will look after Elizabeth’s welfare as though she were my own sister.”
“Sheisyour sister.”
“You know what I mean. Mr. Bennet told me about the carriage. I have not burdened Jane with thisinformation, but I hope you know that I am ready to offer my assistance however I might be of use.”
Darcy clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Thank you, Bingley.” As he rode into Meryton, he marveled at the contrast between his true friends and his worst enemies when the sickening realization smacked him with all of its ugly, brunt force.
Elizabeth had not possessed any enemies before she had agreed to marry him.
Elizabeth peeredat her visitors through the window, groaning when she saw Miss Bingley. Was not the lady supposed to return to town with her sister today?
Her mood threatened to sour. Their timing was abominable, and while Elizabeth would always be kind to Jane and Bingley, knowing their motives to be selfless, she could not say the same for Miss Bingley.
She would simply have to mind her tongue lest she distress her sister needlessly.
Miss Bingley flounced in behind Jane, her face pinched in an expression Elizabeth had never seen before. Not scorn. Not disgust. Not boredom.
Rushing over to her side, Miss Bingley patted Elizabeth’s arm. “Oh, you poor thing. You must be terribly distressed at this turn of events.” She examined Elizabeth’s face as though searching for proof of Elizabeth’sdisappointments. “Oh, yes, you are quite altered. I am so sorry for you.”
False sympathy. That was the look. It did not flatter Miss Bingley.
Arching an eyebrow, Elizabeth tilted her chin toward her consoler. “I assure you I am quite well.”
