She made a careful search of his face.
His gaze was earnest. Neither Lord Dunwich nor Lady Isabella had turned him away from her.
“If you have not washed your hands of me, sir, then I shall be content to return with my sister and brother. But should you need to speak with me about anything, I will travel in your carriage.”
“I shall never wash my hands of you, Elizabeth. It is not possible.”
She reached instinctively for his hand.
“I am glad, sir. After this dreadful ball, I should scarcely have been surprised had a reserved gentleman such as yourself…”
“Do not say it. I shall not hear such doubts from you, Elizabeth.”
Sir Gareth approached the table then, grinning broadly.
“I would have returned sooner, but the lady could not cease denigrating your character, manners, and rakish habits, Darcy. At last, I was forced to extricate myself lest I laugh outright in her face. You are exceedingly fortunate to have escaped that snare, my man.”
Lady Helen’s brows arched comically high.
“I owe you an apology, nephew. Had I not introduced you…”
“Do not distress yourself, Aunt Helen. You merely did what any respectable mother would do for her sons. You sought to help me find a wife. Fortunately, I happened quite accidentally upon the very woman who is best suited to me.”
Chapter 41: Matlock House
Elizabeth surveyed the dining room. It was nearly empty now, save for a small group of young people gathered at the far end.
She turned fully toward Lady Helen.
“Aunt Helen, about Lord Dunwich. He is not respectable, am I correct?”
“No, Elizabeth, he is not. He is a notorious rake who has left ruin in his wake. Debutantes and ladies of quality alike. Once he fixes his attention upon a woman, he pursues her relentlessly until she succumbs to his allure. Some he has left with child and then turned his back upon them without the slightest remorse.”
Lady Helen’s voice sharpened.
“You must keep well away from him, for if you permit it, he will ruin you.”
Mr. Darcy took her hand.
“Elizabeth, are you unwell? You have lost your color.”
Darcy offered a glass of punch.
“Drink a little, darling. It shall help calm your nerves.”
She took a small sip.
“Lizzy, drink it all, for you look exceedingly unwell,” Jane insisted. Then she reached into her reticule and withdrew a small vial of smelling salts.
She handed it to Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth took up the cup once more and drained its contents.
All of them watched her now, waiting.
“I do not know what to think. Lord Dunwich said he means to call upon me tomorrow and promised to become my most ardent cicisbeo. He said that once he had sufficient time to court me, his addresses could not fail of gaining my acceptance.”
She hesitated, then added, “And he said that when he marries, it shall be to an innocent and respectable woman possessed of spirit. He said that with me, he would proceed with the strictest propriety.”
