Her conversation with Mr. Darcy came to mind. Did he feel like he had little control over his future when he was young? That his father viewed him as a servant without a will or desires of his own? That the expectations of the parent were all that mattered?
She wished Colonel Fitzwilliam had spoken with her the day prior. Even though he had no authority to improve the Bennet family’s situation, he was a strong presence that made Elizabeth feel like, for the first time in a long time, she could let down her guard and allow someone else to take the lead. Even Mr. Darcy claimed that the colonel was a natural leader.
Richard.What a fine-sounding name. A kingly name.
As she pushed herself away from the tree, Elizabeth scanned the horizon for a horseman who rode tall in the saddle, comfortable with himself and others. How she wished Richard Fitzwilliam was there.
She blushed at thinking of his name. Never had she been as familiar with another male who was new to her acquaintance. That his personality put her at ease was telling.
Again, her eyes went from the tall oaks to the distant mountains. There were no horsemen, no colonels seeking her company, only evidence of the intermittent wind’s destructive nature. Branches of her favorite oak were splintered and cracked, leaning precariously over the stile. She would need to petition her father to have it removed.
She hurried up the pathway to Oakham Mount. Perhaps from that vantage, she might catch a glimpse of him, should he happen to ride her way.
Such fanciful thoughts!
He was on his way north to Derbyshire with his mother and Miss Darcy. No heroes would appear. If she were to be saved, shewould need to determine how to do it herself. In the meantime, she had just enough time for a brisk climb up to her place of refuge and back before the family left for Sunday services. She would need to hurry, which was a relief. Focusing on her steps left little time to worry.
With one lastlook in the mirror, Darcy descended the stairs to the breakfast room, hoping that only Bingley would be there. He was.
“Only two more days until the ball, my friend.” Bingley grinned as he heaped his plate with slices of ham, bread, fruit, and cheese. “I hope the colonel returns in time. I expect the ladies would appreciate having another man to stand up with them since the numbers are uneven. This war with Napoleon depleted the ballrooms of fine gentlemen. It is good the officers from the militia will be attending.”
“The officers?” Darcy asked, concerned about Wickham’s presence. “You invited them all?”
“I explained to Colonel Forster that all those intending to dance are welcome. I suppose that means that they will all come.”
Bile rose from Darcy’s stomach, leaving a bad taste in his mouth. What his brother would do with him in the room was anyone’s guess. It would be imperative for Darcy not to give any indication that Miss Elizabeth unsettled him or Wickham would notice. Immediately, his nemesis would view her as a target, one whom he would delight in ruining just to see Darcy react.Although it was possible that George would be less antagonistic toward him now that he knew their truerelationship, Darcy was not confident that a leopard could change its spots.
Lord, but he despised the secret he possessed!If anyone knew, Wickham’s attempted elopement with Georgiana would have been even more deplorable. Had he never found out, there would have been nothing to stop Richard from ridding the world of the rat.
Closing his eyes briefly, he wondered how he could protect Miss Elizabeth without making a scene. He would need to exercise caution. No, he could leave her to Richard’s care. Then, she would be safe. But what if his cousin did not return in time? Perhaps at church, he could arrange a private moment with her to give her a warning.
“Bingley, will we be attending services in Meryton or at Longbourn chapel?”
His friend’s attention was immediately captured. “Longbourn has a chapel? Well, of course, they do. I had thought about going to Meryton since I assumed the Bennets, well, you know. I mean, I know that others of our acquaintance will be at the church in Meryton, but I thought…well, I guess I thought I would go wherever Miss Bennet was attending. Do you think they will be at Longbourn? Does anyone hold the living there?”
Sipping his coffee, hoping to find it piping hot, Darcy mused, “I do not know.”
Bingley jumped from his chair. “I must find out. Pardon me. I shall ask my housekeeper. Surely, she knows since she has lived here all her life.” He hurried from the room, returning moments later. “You will be happy to know that the Bennets no longer use Longbourn chapel. They attend at Meryton, so to Meryton, we shall go.”
Grateful for the information, Darcy had a plan. He would maneuver matters until he could speak with Miss Elizabeth, warning her directly about the danger of George Wickham.Perhaps his speaking up would avert a catastrophe. The simpler thing to do would be to show her no attention or favor, leaving Wickham ignorant of his interest. Indeed, that would also please Richard.
A fire in Darcy’s stomach raged unrestrainedly. He could no longer lie to himself. Elizabeth Bennet held a piece of his heart in her hands. What she would do with it and what he would do about it was the question. Richard was attracted but he admitted he was not yet in love with her. It was not too late, should Darcy want to pursue her.
He had two hours until they were due at the chapel and an hour to consider exactly what he intended to say to her. Excusing himself, he went to Bingley’s library, where he would be undisturbed. Like Richard strategizing over a campaign, he needed to think things through, determine his intentions, and then act.
CHAPTER 9
The service felt never-ending. Darcy barely refrained from frequently checking the timepiece he carried in his waistcoat pocket.
Miss Elizabeth sat with her family in the second pew from the front. He sat in Bingley’s box where three ostrich feathers sticking up from Miss Bingley’s hat obstructed his view. If he leaned back, he could see her. Twice, he caught her silently correcting her younger sister when Miss Lydia peered over her shoulder to wave at the officers sitting in the back rows.Poor Miss Elizabeth!Miss Lydia was an officious little imbecile. It would have been better for the older Bennet girls if the younger ones were still in the nursery. It was obvious that they suffered from a lack of proper training.
How had Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth turned out so well? Personalities of siblings often differed. Richard’s older brother, the viscount, was a self-absorbed, debauched wastrel who would likely bankrupt Matlock within a decade or less. He was indulged as heir since his birth. By the time he reached adulthood, when his parents recognized their error, it was too late. They were far stricter with their younger son.
Darcy’s father had always been unyielding with him. There were twelve years between him and Georgiana. She was in the beginning of her second year when he went away to Eton. By the time he left Cambridge, he barely knew the girl. Raised by governesses, she was everything proper…well, until Wickham at Ramsgate.
Barely keeping from shuddering, Darcy forced himself to think of something else. He sought her again, this time catching Miss Elizabeth looking over her shoulder directly at him. Glancing away quickly, he pondered his next step.
Bingley leaned into him, whispering, “I think it providential that the lesson today is about loving our neighbor. For I believe I am already well on my way to doing just that.” Tilting his forehead in the direction of Miss Bennet,
