William spoke a word to the man, and for some while longer, the balloon held its stately position in the air. No longer was she clenching his hands for dear life—now her fingers had twined through his, sharing with him her newfound delight and sense of… liberty. Yes, that was it.
She lifted her hands with his, spreading them like the wings of a bird, and heard a low rumble of laughter behind her. Once, only once, she glanced over her shoulder to smile at him, and then he slowly began to turn them about the basket together, so she could see the whole world lying below.
She had never felt so free.
Chapter twenty-five
“My Lady,” Collins bowed, sweating and panting. “I am come as you directed, My Lady, and I pray most earnestly that I may be of service. I am not too late?”
Lady Catherine ceased her pacing, just long enough to curl her lip faintly. “You are two hours early. I did not summon you to arrive until later in the evening.”
“Oh, My Lady, I must beseech you—”
She spun and marched to the window. “You may as well be of service while you are here. My daughter’s spirits are distressed, and I will have you read to her. Smith!” she summoned.
A maid appeared shortly and bobbed her curtsy. “Yes, My Lady?”
“Is Miss de Bourgh well enough to receive a caller?”
The maid bowed her head. “Miss de Bourgh is asleep, My Lady. I may rouse her if your ladyship desires.”
“No! Foolish girl, nothing but her wedding should rouse Miss de Bourgh. Never mind, Collins, I have no need of you at present.” With a flick of her hand, she dismissed both servant and toady and resumed her pacing.
“My Lady,” he protested, “may I not offer some comfort during this uncertain time?”
“Comfort! I want no comfort but my daughter’s security.”
“Indeed, My Lady, you are the most beneficent, wise, loving mother a young lady could desire. Would that all young ladies were so well guarded and provided for! Why, my own dear betrothed could not even claim the comfort of a proper governess, but hermanifold charms and natural intellect will surely be found pleasing when tempered by your ladyship’s kind condescension.”
“No governess! Are there not five of them? A sordid lot they must be if all else you have told me of them is to be believed. Their father ought to be publicly disgraced, and their mother does not deserve any thought at all!”
He bowed. “Your ladyship honours me with her excellent memory! But I assure you, most wholeheartedly, that I have selected the noblest, the most intelligent among them, and her family’s gratitude for my forbearance regarding other matters—”
He was never able to complete his speech, for the butler appeared behind him and nearly startled him out of his wits. He jumped, his hands patting his own chest in consolation for the fright incurred upon him.
“Forgive me, My Lady,” the butler bowed, “but the gentleman has called again. He says his object is most urgent. Does your ladyship wish that he be sent away?”
“I have no cause to quail at his pleasure. Have him shown in, and my parson shall remain as a witness of his cruel intent.”
A moment later a short, sharp-looking man entered. He was balding slightly, but his frame was lithe and graceful. He cast a disdainful eye in Collins’ direction and addressed himself directly to the lady without preamble. “Have you considered my offer?”
“Consider! What is to consider? I am in no position to negotiate with a criminal.”
“I am hardly a criminal! I offer you a perfectly respectable solution to your difficulties, My Lady.”
“Respectable!” she snorted. “You ask for nothing less than nobility, and in exchange for what? A pretty song, a bit of tainted gold? You may as well ask for the crown jewels in exchange for a jig.”
His face heated. “I offer you an alternative to abject penury, My Lady. You shall not prevail against the gentleman you have selected; his obstinacy is well known by all. Think you that idle threats and deception will work upon a man such as Mr Darcy?If that were possible, why has it not already produced the desired marriage? You have had all day, and still, he eludes you.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy will do his duty and redeem his cousin, have no doubts on that point,” she snapped. “I know his precise whereabouts and have already dispatched a carriage to retrieve him. Moreover, I have all the inducement I require to see that he performs as expected.”
The man shook his head. “Very well. You know where to reach me when your scheme fails, but I shall not wait upon you forever. My offer can only extend as far as your creditors will permit.”
“Mr Barrett!” she whirled on him, her tone scathing, “our conversation is finished! Your name is abhorrent to me, and your family’s connections so far beneath the de Bourgh heritage that your words are vile. Remove your disgraceful presence from this house at once!”
He frowned, cast one more look toward Collins, and departed without another word.
The lady was less easily silenced. “The lecherous slanderer! To think that I must give audience to one such as he, whose money has been made in such a manner! I shall have my satisfaction of Darcy. He has done this with intent to insult and wound! How could he have known to go there, of all places?”
