A sudden slamming door from above stairs alerted him to another fact.Oh, no. Caroline knows too. Swallowing hard, he braced himself for the explanation she was surely about to demand. Suddenly, inspiration struck. He had taken one wild risk but was not yet equal to a second. As he watched her clambering distractedly down the stairs, her face red and seething, he snatched his hat from a footman and slipped back out the front door.
Elizabethfledthehousewhen her mother returned home. She could not bear the boisterous gushing of her mother’s every maternal feeling. Try as she might, she could not dissuade her mother from attempting to begin the wedding plans. She sought refuge again in her solitary retreat by the stream. Even there, Mr Darcy would intrude.
His indignant anger returned to her memory. She felt at least satisfied that she had discomposed him as greatly as he had her. Helpless frustration burned at her. Would she really be forced to marry that arrogant man? Not if he had given credit to any of her words by the stream! Darcy, however, was trapped as neatly as she by the entire town’s gossip.At least,she thought grimly,if my name is to be linked with a man’s, the man has some attractions and is not repugnant like Mr Collins!
She had to admit that he was very easy to look at. Had he refrained from insulting her at every turn, she felt she could have once found him devastatingly handsome. He was tall and strongly built, as an active man full of vigour ought to be. He owned dark rich hair that had just a hint of curl, which she knew to fall low and unruly over his brow when he was just returned from riding—not that she had noticed or anything. His eyes were also soft and dark and kindled with fine intelligence. That was another mercy, she supposed. Though she did not like him, at least she could respect his intellect and discourse. He was far less annoying to talk to than her cousin—when hedidspeak.
Elizabeth was not an avaricious woman, but an income such as Mr Darcy claimedwouldallow his wife many luxuries. Perhaps Mr Darcy’s estate was even large enough to allow her to avoid him for days at a time. A rueful smirk curled her mouth.That is hardly likely, as we would undoubtedly squabble over exclusive rights to the famous Pemberley Library!Despite herself, she gave a short little chuckle. Perhaps she and Mr Darcy did have one thing in common, after all.
Soft footsteps behind her and a comforting hand on her shoulder turned her bitterness to a relieved smile. “Hello, Charlotte.”
Her friend greeted her warmly. “Dear Lizzy, I heard the news. I am so sorry.”
Elizabeth gave a broken little laugh, then sniffed back her tears. “Pray, what news have you heard? We have an abundance of it this morning.”
Charlotte’s face broke into an easy grin. “Everything, I believe. Maria stopped by the house on her way toward Meryton. I came as soon as I could get away. Oh, Lizzy… are you well? It must have come as such a shock to you!”
“Indeed!” Elizabeth wiped her cheeks—belatedly, she realized she was still using Darcy’s handkerchief. She shoved it down the inside of her sleeve, hoping Charlotte had not had a chance to inspect its initials. “I am recovering from the shock now. It has been a very trying day! First, poor Papa…” She choked back a sob, then reached again for the unfortunate handkerchief.
Charlotte was the kindest and wisest of friends, next only to Jane in Elizabeth’s heart. She wrapped an arm around her dear friend without requiring more words of explanation. Elizabeth wept shamelessly on her shoulder.
After a short time, Elizabeth calmed herself again. “I still cannot believe that both Mr CollinsandMr Darcy would speak so; without warning and in front of so many!” Elizabeth tried to lighten her mood with a forced laugh.
Charlotte pursed her lips, deep in thought. “How do matters stand now? I assume you have accepted Mr Darcy in lieu of Mr Collins?”
“Heavens, no!” Elizabeth retorted. “You know how ill I think of him, and I know he truly feels the same for me. Surely, he will want nothing to do with me after this morning. Besides, I do not believe I could be happy with such a man, Charlotte.”
“Why ever not, Lizzy? In one day, you’ve had two eligible men, one of themveryeligible, offer you a respectable home, security and protection. You should be thankful. Many are not so fortunate.” Charlotte finished with a soft wistfulness
Immediately Elizabeth felt guilty. As justified as she felt she was in her anger, before her was her friend who would have been most appreciative of either of the two offers Elizabeth had spurned. Well, perhaps not Mr Collins’ offer, but Charlotte would be too practical to turn down any other eligible match. Charlotte was not romantic, which was fortunate, for neither was she beautiful. Charlotte was a warm, caring woman of sense who deserved a wonderful husband, but at the age of seven and twenty, her odds of finding such were slim to none.
“I am sorry, Charlotte,” Elizabeth answered miserably. “You must think me the most wretchedly ungrateful woman alive!”
“Indeed, I do not, Lizzy! I understand why you were upset. As things are though… what do you intend to do? You cannot refuse to marry Mr Darcy now!”
Elizabeth sighed hopelessly. “I believe I already have! As for what is to come next... I do not know, Charlotte. I just do not know. Would it be very much talked of, do you think?”
Charlotte gave a short chuckle. “Oh, no more than usual, considering the richest, most eligible bachelor around has engaged himself to the most celebrated beauty in Hertfordshire! What do you think, Lizzy?” Charlotte’s eyes twinkled teasingly.
Elizabeth groaned and dropped her head back onto her friend’s shoulder. “I feared it would be so.” She sniffed into her handkerchief again. “You are wrong about one thing, though, you know. Jane is so much more beautiful than I,” she teased back half-heartedly.
Charlotte became serious. “Lizzy, you say so because your mother tells you that. Jane is striking, but anyone looking twice would prefer you. Do not underrate yourself so. I say this as Jane’s friend as well. She is everything wonderful, but you have such beautiful eyes, and your hair is so lovely the way it curls over your forehead! You are not a conventional beauty perhaps, but you are so lively and endearing, you are the one I would pick, were I a gentleman,” she finished with a wink.
Elizabeth smiled with genuine gratitude at her dear friend. “What a pity for us both that you are not, then! Such a handsome gentleman you would make, and with such a genial address!” Charlotte laughed, and Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “What would I do without you, dearest Charlotte? You always know exactly how to cheer me up!”
“What would you do? Oh, let me see… well, certainly you would offend a good many more gentlemen. Also, how would you ever determine how to make over your bonnets after Lydia has torn them apart? You certainly would never have learned my trick for tying herbs or the best way to get the mud out of your hems to avoid angering Mrs Hill….” Charlotte’s list was cut short when Lizzy playfully jabbed her in the ribs, giggling.
The two sat companionably for a bit. After a while, Charlotte began to make her excuses, as she was wanted at home. “Lizzy, before I go, I must implore you—consider carefully what you must do. Do not let your opinions of Mr Darcy sway you away from a most prudent match. To refuse now could ruin your reputation, to say nothing of your family! Do try to find out the facts and be certain of him before taking such a drastic step. Mr Wickham is amiable enough, and he seems to have been very wronged by Mr Darcy but remember, we do not know all the particulars. Please, Lizzy. I do not want to see you hurt for no good reason.”
Elizabeth blew out a frustrated breath. “You begin to sound like Jane! But for you, Charlotte, I will try to act prudently. I have difficulty believing I could be wrong about Mr Darcy. His actions have always led me to a single conclusion about his character, but if the damage to myself is potentially as serious as you say, I will take care that I act with discretion. Let it not be said that I was foolhardy. I expect you will find, however,” here Elizabeth heaved a weary sigh, “that after the way I spoke to him, Mr Darcy will not return, and all such worry will be for nought.”
Charlotte pursed her lips, studying her friend. “Perhaps,” she murmured slowly. They squeezed hands chummily, and Charlotte turned to go. Remembering something, she turned back. “Oh, Lizzy? Do you think I ought to invite Mr Collins to our house for dinner? It would get him out of your way for a while.”
Elizabeth nodded vigorously, her eyes widening in recognition of her friend’s genius. “Do, please! With my thanks!” Charlotte left her friend in a much better mood than she had found her. Elizabeth put her arms stiffly out behind her and reclined on her rock, her attitude reflective. She blew deliberate little puffs of steamy breath into the air, finding the pursuit calming to her nerves.
After a time, the din of cheerful giggles slowly approached. Elizabeth tried to ignore it for as long as was possible. Lydia and Kitty had returned. She was not insensitive to the fact that had they not run off to Meryton, the entire affair of the morning might yet have been hushed up. Irked that her sisters’ uncontrolled gossip and dissolute ways had worsened her situation, she resolved to disregard them until she felt she could confront them coolly.
A smooth masculine voice caused her to jump. “May I join you, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr Wickham’s welcome tones inquired.
