Turning to Mary, Elizabeth appealed, “It is up to us to hide Lydia from her husband lest he make another attempt, a more successful one. Would you rather have the life of your sister on your hands?”
Mary shook her head. “You mistake my meaning, Lizzy. I did not mean to imply an unwillingness to participate. I merely meant to make it known that I would not purposefully lie if it could be avoided. Of all sins, taking the life of another, depriving another of their God-given gift, is a sin far worse than keeping silent or … misdirecting … the villain from his evil scheme.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Elizabeth turned to Lydia. “Your role is the most important of all. You will not be able to leave the house nor make yourself visible or heard until Wickham is caught. Are you willing to see this through?”
Lydia’s face hardened and her eyes watered.
Darcy prepared himself for wails and tears and excuses for the behavior of her husband.
Her voice was blade sharp. “That no-good blackguard abandoned me when he believed me to be with his child. And now, I find out that not only did he merely wish to leave me, he wished to be completely free of me. I am so angry, I could … I could spit!”
“Not on the carpet, dear,” Mrs. Bennet mumbled.
Finally, Elizabeth turned to Darcy. “You are too honest to submit to disguise. If you know of a better alternative, I know I am not the only one here who would be glad to hear of it. But, if this truly is our best … or only … recourse, I hope you will not think less of me for suggesting it.”
Not only did she know his character, she sought hisgood opinion. He could not disappoint her, and since Elizabeth’s plan was sounder than anything he had thought up, he conceded. “My honor or your loyalty to your sister?” If she remembered anything about Georgiana at all, she would know Darcy could never make her choose between them. “Both values which must not be compromised. Therefore, on my honor, I will go along with your plan.”
Mrs. Bennet turned to her youngest daughter. “You will have to stay indoors. I will instruct the servants to keep the curtains drawn. Kitty, Mary, you will walk with me into Meryton to purchase black ribbon and fabric for gowns. We will stop by Mrs. Philips’ on the way.”
Mr. Bennet mumbled, “That will take care of the gossip.”
Mrs. Bingley added, “We will make a show of leaving.” She rubbed her face, her skin reddening. “I will ask Mrs. Nicholls to secure mourning black for us.” Pulling out a handkerchief, she dabbed her eyes and sniffed as she and Bingley supported each other out to their carriage.
The occupants trickled out of the parlor, and Darcy soon found himself alone with Elizabeth, Lydia, and Mr. Bennet, who promptly excused himself to check on his bees.
Lydia huffed. “I suppose you two will abandon me to stroll together in the garden.” Her face hardened. “I will scratch his eyes out.”
Darcy tried to imagine how she must feel, and just as quickly renounced any attempt to understand her. He did, however, feel he owed her an apology. “I never should have made him marry you.”
Another huff. “What else could you have done? Come, Mr. Darcy, I am not an ignorant child. Not anymore. You saved my sisters from ruin and my family from scandal.” Lowering her head and her voice, she added, “Wickham was my choice. You merely helped it to be an honest one.”
“All the same, I am sorry it has come to this.”
“You know, Mr. Darcy,” she said, tilting her chin to the side, her expression sincere, “you are not as taciturn and stodgy as I thought.”
Elizabeth laughed, and Darcy struggled to know how to reply. He had never sought Lydia’s good opinion, but he found that he was happy to receive it. “Thank you,” he said with a bow.
Tugging on his arm, Elizabeth said, “It has been an exciting day. I would like very much to sit by the pond.”
Finally! Time alone to court Elizabeth was just the thing to remedy this topsy-turvy day. Tucking her hand at his side, Darcy smiled down at her, getting lost in her warm, chocolate eyes when Lydia’s sharp voice interrupted. “The willow does not give as much privacy as you think.”
Darcy thought his face would melt.
Elizabeth recovered quicker than he did. Turning toher sister, she said in an admirably controlled tone, “Thank you, Lydia. We will keep that in mind.”
The day kept getting better and better, Darcy thought bitterly. At long last, he had a few minutes with his Elizabeth, and he would not be able to kiss her after Lydia’s revelation. The day’s frustrations kept multiplying.
CHAPTER 32
Elizabeth loved how Fitzwilliam nestled her fingers between his, their arms swaying in unison. The sun warmed her, the breeze caressed her cheeks, and Fitzwilliam’s touch kept her feet on the ground. It was as close to perfect as Elizabeth could expect, and she seized it. “I love you.”
He pulled her behind the boughs of the willow, circling his arms around her.
She gasped. “Lydia will see us!”
“Would you have me release you to spare your sister’s sensibility?”
“Hardly!” She snuggled against him, the silk of his cravat deliciously smooth against her skin.
