“You know Mr. Bingley well, then?”
“Quite well, yes.”
Yet, he had obviously not known he would find his cousin, Mr. Darcy, in Mr. Bingley’s company. Was that the source of the awkwardness and consternation she’d witnessed yesterday? That Mr. Darcy had imposed upon Mr. Bingley, via his friendship with the tall colonel? Someone who was as careful with his mount as Colonel Fitzwilliam would not approve of Mr. Darcy putting the Bingleys and Hursts in any sort of danger.
But even she was not so bold as to broach that. Still, his gaze slid away from her face, once more scanning the countryside about them. If she did not think of something more to say soon he would leave, and do so thinking her relentlessly dull. That, Elizabeth could not bear.
“I could not help but overhear that Mr. Darcy’s sister travels with you.” Elizabeth tried not to wince at the speed with which those words left her mouth.
“Yes. That is why our arrival was somewhat abrupt and unplanned.” His attention refocused on her, those dark eyes sending warmth through Elizabeth. “My s—that is, Georgiana, suffered a broken heart last year, and we have been unable to draw her from her misery. I decided a spur of the moment trip might shock her from her sorrow.”
Sympathy welled in Elizabeth. “Oh, your poor cousin. May I ask how old she is?” she added, reordering her assumptions about a child-like Miss Darcy sleeping in the carriage.
“She is sixteen now.”
“A difficult age for heartbreak,” Elizabeth allowed. “She was quite taken with the gentleman, then?”
“She sincerely believed they had a future together.” Cold anger made Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words brittle. “He deliberately caused her to believe they did.”
“How dastardly.” True feeling colored Elizabeth’s tone, for she knew how furious she would be if anyone treated one of her sisters thusly. “What sort of gentleman would lead a woman to believe they have a future and then turn from her?”
“No sort at all.” Colonel Fitzwilliam grimaced. “But let us not speak of him. Would that I never have to see, speak to, or even think on the villain again.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Well, you will find the society here quite lively, Mr.… that is, Fitzwilliam.” Heat filled her cheeks. Even though he’d bid her to address him as such, doing so felt quitebrazen. “I am certain that we can distract Miss Darcy from her sorrow. I will make it my personal mission to do so.”
He smiled, and though a small smile, it was the first full one she’d seen from him. Her pulse took up a quicker throb, a strange weakness seeping into her legs, as if she might sway forward.
“I would take that very kindly, Miss Elizabeth,” he rumbled, causing that weakness to spread. “I have been doing my best to comfort her, but it is not my forte.”
Mute, Elizabeth nodded, her mind flailing for more words. “Is her mother of no help?” As someone with a mother who would only make such heartbreak worse, Elizabeth could sympathize.
“Georgiana lost her mother when she was quite young, and her father is gone now as well.” He spoke quietly, the words weighed down with sorrow. “Her brother is the only immediate relation she retains.”
“That is terrible.” For all the aggravation her relations caused her, Elizabeth couldn’t imagine being without them. “I cannot picture life with any brother, let alone with only a brother. One might think he would take greater interest in her.”
“You do not believe Mr. Darcy cares for his sister?” Sharpness replaced sorrow, giving his words an angry clip.
Whatever was wrong with her, blurting out such thoughts to a man who obviously put great stock in family? Normally a witty conversationalist, Elizabeth flushed. “I am sorry. I spoke out of turn, and falsely. I did not consider the threat Mr. Darcy is under. My only excuse is that I did not know of the matter until yesterday.”
“Did you?” His gaze narrowed, assessing her. “And for you, that excuses his neglect?”
“Yes, I did learn of the threat to Mr. Darcy yesterday. Miss Bingley informed me, and Miss Lucas.” Elizabeth sought about for a way to mend the breach she’d rent between them. “Andnow that I consider Mr. Darcy’s behavior more fully, I can only assume that Miss Darcy is with you rather than her brother in order to keep her safe from the danger of abduction surrounding him.”
“The danger of abduction.” Colonel Fitzwilliam grimaced.
Elizabeth nodded. Had she now put Miss Bingley in his bad graces as well, for revealing that secret? That had not been her intention.
Still studying her, the colonel asked, “If that were the case, why, then, would I bring Georgiana here?”
“Because you were not aware of Mr. Darcy’s presence.”
“I was not?” He smiled slightly, but there was no humor in the expression. “More evidence of your study of such things, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, though no true insight was required.” Why did he seem angry with her? Was he always so brooding, as in her dreams? “It was quite obvious when you arrived that because you know of the danger to Mr. Darcy, finding him in Meryton with Mr. Bingley both surprised and dismayed you.”
“I cannot deny that finding Mr. Darcy here with Bingley was, indeed, an unpleasant surprise,” he concurred grimly.
Tightness gripped her chest. She had managed to ruin all conviviality between them. “Will you depart soon, then?” Had he come charging into her life, suffused her thoughts, suffered the anger she’d inadvertently evoked, and would now depart, leaving her no chance to make amends?
