His face softened. “Then may I submit to you that you are incorrect in one regard? For often, the gentlemen have equally small choice in the matter. Family interests can, and often do, take precedence over the gentleman’s desires.”
“I am perfectly aware of that. Are you, then, the unwitting victim of such an attempt upon your affections?”
“Not my affections, but my honour. Without burdening your conscience by naming those who have compromised their own characters, I may tell you that time is of the essence and the consequences do not bear thinking of, should I fail in proving my innocence. Pray tell me, would my host and hostess of last evening be willing to testify to my presence in their home?”
A faint shadow crossed her features, and her gaze became distant for a moment. “I believe I can safely introduce you to my aunt. Surely… yes, I believe her caller will have gone by now, and she will happily receive you. I think she will be pleased to send their manservant to show you to my uncle.”
Darcy stood and offered her his assistance to rise. “I thank you, madam.”
Chapter eleven
“Oh, Lizzy, you have a caller,” came Kitty’s sing-song voice from the parlour.
Elizabeth froze, her neck prickling with dread. “Tell me it is not…”
Kitty merely smirked suggestively over the edge of the book she held… a hand-embossed copy of Fordyce’s sermons. “He has proven most entertaining and considerate,” Kitty sniggered. “He thought that I would profit from borrowing one of his books, as apparently ‘the young ladies of our family must want instruction in all matters moral.’ It was easier than listening to him speak, and so I have been reading for the last half hour. What do you think, Lizzy? Are you not proud of me?”
“He does not intend to remain as a guest, does he? Why, he and my uncle were scarcely introduced. He could not dare impose!”
“I believe his room is two doors down from yours.”
Elizabeth groaned. “And I thought I would be safe here in London from him! I never imagined he would follow us here.”
“He did not followme,” corrected Kitty. “I am only here as your ‘companion,’ and a laughable employment that is, since I never know where you are. Lizzy, where have you been? The children said you came back with them earlier and disappeared before even entering the house.”
“I saw our cousin just coming up the steps as I was far down the street, and so I brought the girls to the door and left again before he saw me approaching the house. I imagined that he wouldlearn I was out and go away, but I see his intentions were more determined than that. How ever am I to be rid of him?”
“Mama says the simplest way to manage a man you cannot abide is to marry him, then you may direct his life and send him wherever you wish.”
Elizabeth shuddered. “Good heavens, no. Kitty, if anyone asks, I have taken violently ill and am retiring to my room.”
“That is no good. He will insist on ministering to you, and perhaps reading you your rites if you act convincingly ill. Then you shall be obliged to die or risk the disappointment of Mr Collins and that silly patroness of his.”
Elizabeth felt herself pouting. “Yes, I suppose you are right. I will simply have to be out all day… every day…. Oh, how could he imagine staying here? Surely his acquaintance with our uncle is so slight that he will not dare impose more than a day or two.”
“I believe he mentioned as long as a fortnight, depending upon some other business he claimed while here in Town,” Kitty turned the page neutrally. “Our aunt was at once taken ill with a coughing fit, and I have not seen her since. I wish I had thought of that!”
“And Mr Collins himself?”
No reply was necessary, for that moment a man’s voice was heard in the upper passage, and some ponderous shape moving about upstairs caused the floorboards to squeak.
“It is no good hiding behind the drapes,” Kitty observed, after noting the sudden direction of Elizabeth’s frantic gaze. “He is bound to look out the windows while he waits for you to return.”
“Then I must away at once! Kitty, you have not seen me.”
Kitty flipped another page. “Mmm-hmm… what was your name again?”
Elizabeth gasped with feverish relief. “Thank you, Kitty! I will be at our uncle’s warehouse if Aunt should be concerned.” She lashed her bonnet once again under her chin, just as she heard the first footsteps creaking on the stair. In another half a moment, he would be down, and her attempt at escape all for nought. Themain passage, therefore, was no use, so she hastened to complete her preparations in the front foyer.
Her footman was awaiting her… or gentleman… whatever he was. He opened his mouth to speak something of indebtedness or gratitude for her troubles to introduce him, but she firmly grasped him by the elbow. “Come quickly!” she hissed. “Now, not an instant to lose!”
He gaped slightly, his mouth still open as if he wished to speak but could not find any words.
“Come away at once, or I shall abandon you in this house in the company of the most insufferable man you have ever encountered!”
“Forgive me for asking, but was I not a candidate for that title not half an hour ago?”
She turned to survey him with a new appreciation and would have laughed outright, had she not been in such a hurry. “You have lost the contest. Now, come quickly if you will, or you shall be forced to spend your day listening to a fool raving about boiled potatoes and chimney pieces!”
