“Darcy will not have you.”
She flinched at his direct tone, the color draining from her face.
“I am sorry to be so blunt, but even before your truly appalling behavior towards the Bennets these last few days, he would not have ever asked for your hand in marriage. He tolerated you only for my sake; he told me as much, on more than one occasion.”
She remained silent, pressing her lips together so tightly that they nearly blended in with her bloodless face.
“I will leave you to think on this decision. No matter which choice you make, you will be leaving in my carriage tomorrow at first light.”
When there was still no response, he turned and walked out the door, closing it behind him.
The clicking latch was immediately followed by a thud behind him, then the sound of shattering glass, and a high-pitched scream of fury that caused the hairs at the nape of his neck to stand on end.
It would be good to have her gone; morning could not come soon enough.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth made her way down the stairs towards the breakfast room at Netherfield Hall. The sun was just beginning to peek over Oakham Mount in the distance, and she hoped she had risen sufficiently early to avoid seeing any of the other inhabitants.
As she walked past the hallway that led towards the front entrance, she was a bit surprised to see a carriage being loaded with several trunks. The thought that perhaps Darcy had decided to leave Netherfield in favor of London caused a small smile to cross her face, and it was with that expression of cheer that she entered the breakfast room.
To her dismay, the only other occupant—aside from the servants, of course—was the very object of her thoughts. Darcy immediately stood upon her entrance and bowed in greeting. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said in his usual grave tone.
Elizabeth gave a curtsy. “Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”
He returned to his seat, and she moved over to the sideboard, which held an array of breakfast options. After choosing a delicate china plate from the sideboard, Elizabeth used a silver fork to pick up a slice of bread before turning her attention to the offerings of preserves. She settled on strawberry and dippeda silver spoon into the jar, scooping a generous amount onto her plate.
Elizabeth then selected a few slices of cold meats and a boiled egg from the serving dishes. The meats included ham and thin slices of smoked salmon. She seasoned her meal with a bit of salt and pepper from matching silver shakers.
Elizabeth’s attentiveness to the details of her meal continued as she perused the assortment of breakfast pastries. With a pair of silver tongs, she carefully lifted a buttery croissant, its golden crust inviting her to savor its flaky layers. The croissant joined the other items on her plate.
A porcelain teapot, accompanied by a cup and saucer, was positioned nearby. Momentarily setting her plate down, she carefully poured the steaming liquid into her cup and added a dash of milk from a small porcelain jug.
With her plate and saucer in hand, Elizabeth made her way to one of the beautifully upholstered chairs around the dining table. She hadn’t managed more than a few bites of her meal when Darcy surprised her by remarking on her early morning rising.
“I am just taking a small meal before I go to Longbourn to speak with my father. And yourself? I understood those in London often kept town hours and were rarely awake this early in the morning.”
With a meager grimace, Darcy replied, “Not I. I spend most of my time at Pemberley, my estate. It was only recently that I went to London, and I am still accustomed to rising early with the tenants and servants.”
Forestalling further conversation in that direction, Darcy hastily changed the subject. As he gestured down at her bandaged feet peeking out from beneath her dress, he asked, “How were you planning to return to Longbourn? I’m afraidBingley’s carriage is being used today to convey his sister to London.”
“Oh?” Elizabeth did her best to keep her tone of voice mildly interested and to not betray the relief she felt at the news. “I am assuming you mean Miss Bingley, as Mrs. Hurst did not say anything of the matter to me last night when we spoke.”
“Yes, Miss Bingley has chosen to return to London for the time being.”
Although she was eager to know what exactly had occurred to make Miss Bingley leave the house in which Darcy was residing, Elizabeth knew she would rather eat her bonnet than reveal such curiosity to a condescending gentleman.
“It is no trouble; I shall walk to Longbourn.”
“Walk?” Darcy exclaimed, his eyebrows raising high on his head. “But what about your injured feet?”
“They are almost entirely healed, thank you.” Elizabeth hesitated briefly, then grudgingly admitted, “I believe I owe some of that to the ointment you provided. I offer you my gratitude.”
Darcy looked as though he were going to reply, but the grandfather clock in the corner of the room chimed the hour, putting a premature end to the conversation. Elizabeth quickly finished the few bites of food that remained on her plate before excusing herself from the table.
∞∞∞
The walk to Longbourn was more painful than Elizabeth had anticipated, and her feet were throbbing quite fiercely by the time her home rose into view behind a small hill. She entered the house through the kitchen door and sank gratefully onto a chair by the fireplace.
