And Richard… well, if she could marry no other, at least she would know where he was in the world. Her fingers knotted. What she would have given for the freedom to stumble intohisarms yesterday, just as this Elizabeth had surely done with her love! That familiar burning choked her throat, and she started rapidly blinking to conceal the sting of her eyes.
Mrs Gardiner was still looking at music when Amália saw her hands fly to her breast. The sheets fluttered to the ground, forgotten. “Oh!” Mrs Gardiner rose from the piano seat, her face awash in surprised pleasure. “Oh, dear me, Lizzy! Mr Darcy! Oh, sir!”
Amália glanced up in confusion to see her genteel hostess nearly dash across the room and into the arms of a young woman with dark hair, merry eyes, and a plum-coloured traveling dress. Beside her stood a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman, who greeted Mrs Gardiner’s happy tears with warm grace. He bowed to her, then immediately looked to Amália.
Nothing about his appearance would have induced her to recognise him, until she saw those soft, brown eyes—so like Richard’s! —and heard the rich, familiar timbre of his voice. She rose, unsteadily, and he came to take her trembling hands in his own.
“My dear lady,” he bowed, pointedly addressing her without using her husband’s name. “It is a very great pleasure to meet you again.”
She must have answered, though if she did, she doubted her words were coherent. She was trembling too violently, as the memories of her fear and the awe of that horrible place—her former home—rushed back upon her. He did not seem to require her answer. Instead, he brought the young woman to his side.
“May I introduce you to my betrothed, Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
Amália began a stiff curtsey, but the other lady stopped her. “Oh, no, this will never do!” She grasped Amália’s hands and held her gaze. “The pleasure is entirely mine.”
Amália tried to smile and blubbered some gratitude, feeling utterly foolish. Her best efforts to contain herself were for naught, for she broke into helpless tears. Overwhelmed by the confusing swirl of emotions, she felt the mortifying drops slipping down her face as her voice shook. And then, the other lady did something that startled her completely.
Elizabeth Bennet wrapped her in a warm, sisterly embrace, and held her tightly as she trembled. “Welcome to London,” she spoke softly. “You are safe here, my friend.”
The great tide of all she had pushed back swept over her. Amália clung desperately to the English lady and wept in earnest.
Chapter sixty-three
“MrDarcy,Ithankyou for your thorough explanation of matters. And might I say, sir,” Gardiner paused as they neared the door, “I am blessed to see you alive and well.”
“Thank you, Gardiner,” Darcy bowed. “My apologies again for coming to you with no warning as I have done, but I appreciate your forbearance. I am grateful for your blessing, sir, and I will speak to Mr Bennet in person at my earliest opportunity.”
“I daresay you have other matters to attend first. Do, please tell me if I can be of any assistance, Mr Darcy.”
“Indeed. I regret that I cannot stay longer, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was to meet me. I am afraid I must bid you a good-day, sir, but with your permission I would ask to call on Miss Bennet again this evening.”
“Naturally, sir, naturally. We shall look forward to your call.”
Darcy replaced his hat at the door and hesitated, listening for just a heartbeat for Elizabeth’s voice in the sitting room. He had just left her, but already he felt a little cooler, a little more brittle. A merry laugh rang out, and he allowed himself an inward smile.Thatwas the voice that would soon grace his own home forever. He need but wait a little longer. He offered Mr Gardiner one last courtesy and left the house.
Half an hour later, his carriage stopped for Richard at Brook’s. His cousin mounted the coach without a word, his face looking almost as red as his coat.
“Well?” Darcy asked. “You look as though someone just insulted the Countess. What troubles you?”
“Bloody urchins,” Richard grumbled. “No use whatsoever! And Broderick still has turned up nothing against my brother.”
“Are you certain that is all?”
Richard looked up quickly. “No.” He crossed his arms and fell silent, staring out of the window.
Darcy watched him carefully, then offered “She looked well today.”
Richard’s gaze returned, but he did not speak. He simply grunted an acknowledgment, then peered out the window again. The carriage drove on in silence for three full blocks.
“I think,” Richard mused after a moment, “we are at the point of speaking to my father. Our favourite liar claims that the earl was not involved, but that does not mean he will take the news with good humour, nor that he would not find some way to protect Reginald. I see nothing else for it, though. The longer you remain in town, the more people will see your face. The rumours have already begun at the club, and Miss Bingley alone will have half of London at your door by the morrow with calling cards. We must act.”
“In what way? We cannot simply accuse the viscount without evidence. It was not he who held me, and no court in England would hear the case.”
“Then where do you suggest we begin?”
Darcy gave a short nod, indicating their direction of travel. “Where everything began. Brook Street.”
“Brook Street?” Richard gave a short laugh. “I dug up every roach on the entire street six months ago. I do not see what that will buy you.”
