“Lord Granfield?” he repeated.
Denny gave a brief nod. “It has become known in Meryton over the past day that Mr Grant is, in truth, Lord Granfield. I cannotsay how widely the knowledge has spread, but it will not stay contained for long.”
For the smallest fraction of a second, Darcy felt the ground shift beneath the implications. If Wickham had understood the connexion—if he perceived Elizabeth’s proximity to such influence?—
Darcy’s hand closed instinctively around the back of the nearest chair, his grip tightening before he consciously released it.
“Then it is of even greater importance that Wickham is securely confined,” he said, his voice steady and firmer than before. “He must not be given the slightest opportunity to exploit this knowledge or to disturb Miss Bennet or any other ladies in the village further.”
“That he shall not,” Denny replied.
Whatever else was still uncertain, Darcy knew this much: Wickham would not escape. Every precaution would be taken, and those charged with guarding him would be chosen carefully, lest charm or persuasion succeed where force had failed.
Neither Darcy nor Fitzwilliam felt any necessity to linger at Longbourn. Mr Bennet had said all that was required for the present, and the management of his household was properly his concern. Mr Collins, however, did not appear inclined to release them so readily and intercepted them in the passage as they made their way towards the front door.
“You will, I trust, gentlemen,” Collins began with officious gravity, “lend your support to my most honourable intention of securing Miss Bennet’s reputation by immediate declaration?—”
“That will not be necessary,” Darcy interrupted coolly.
Fitzwilliam’s silence was less composed. His shoulders had drawn taut, and his hand, once more, curled tightly at his side.
Mr Collins did not relent. “As a man of consequence in the parish, I feel it my duty?—”
“That will suffice,” Fitzwilliam said sharply.
He leant forward slightly, the movement restrained but unmistakable.
“Miss Bennet is not ruined. Her reputation remains entirely intact, and you will not presume to coerce her into marriage under the pretence of defending it. She has attained her majority and possesses sufficient sense to determine for herself whom she shall marry and on what terms.”
The edge in his tone left no room for misunderstanding.
Darcy laid a steadying hand upon his cousin’s arm before the exchange could advance further. It was evident how near Richard stood to abandoning patience, and Collins, oblivious as ever, seemed resolved to press him to the brink.
“It would be prudent,” Darcy said evenly, guiding the moment back towards civility, “to leave such concerns to Mr Bennet and the ladies themselves. My cousin and I have no wish to intrude upon what is plainly a family matter.”
He did not add that, in a short while, he would stand among that family himself. The declaration would come soon enough; there was no advantage in announcing it here.
Collins drew breath to continue, but Mr Bennet’s expression—cool, unmistakably final, and fixed in a pointed glare towards his cousin—compelled him to silence. The complete lack of encouragement from her ladyship’s nephews did littleto embolden him. He subsided for the moment, but his countenance made it plain that he did not consider the matter concluded.
As they took their leave, Darcy could not fail to observe how tightly drawn his cousin had become.
Richard spoke little as they rode towards Netherfield. Only when the manor came into view did he at last break the silence.
“Will Bennet yield to that man’s absurdity and permit him to declare himself engaged to Miss Bennet?” Richard asked quietly.
“No,” Darcy replied. “He appeared entirely resolute on that point. Her reputation has suffered no injury from today’s events, even should the matter become the subject of idle talk. She and Miss Mary were together throughout and were rescued before that scoundrel could detain them overnight.”
After a moment, he added, “My only concern is that Mrs Bennet may redirect his ambitions elsewhere—such as towards Miss Mary. I can scarcely imagine that man proving a tolerable husband to anyone.”
Richard released a sharp breath.
“There is, however,” Darcy continued more deliberately, “another development which may render such manoeuvring unnecessary. News has emerged that may well eclipse any speculation concerning the ladies.”
Richard glanced towards him.
“Lord Granfield has been unmasked,” Darcy said evenly. “Denny informed me that the knowledge is already circulating in Meryton. Servants from Netherfield appear to have spoken of it amongst themselves, and the tale has begun to spread throughthe village. It may not yet have reached Longbourn, but it will do so by tomorrow—or the next day at most.”
They entered Netherfield in comparatively good spirits, despite the long day’s riding. Dust clung stubbornly to their coats and boots, and even their brief stop at Longbourn had done little to improve their appearance.
