He wished very much to tell her that if she truly wished to see “mounts,” she should come to Pemberley, for mountains were very much part of Derbyshire’s countryside. But he did not, as somehow he sensed that she needed to be wooed slowly, carefully. She liked him, that much he could tell. But could she come to care for him enough to tie her fate to his own, tainted as he was?
Mr. Darcy’s thoughts were entirely centered on Miss Elizabeth as he journeyed with the Bingleys to Lucas Lodge for the card party. The more time he spent with her, the more he was – well, he thoughtenthralledwas the only correct term. She was everything lovely and kind, but also intelligent and thoughtful. That she would be a perfect mistress for Pemberley as well as the perfect sister for Georgiana could not be doubted. He felt, deep in his soul, that she was the wife he had longed for.
“You are serious tonight, Darcy.”
Mr. Darcy shook off his preoccupation and turned to his friend. “I am, I suppose, which is hardly the right attitude for a card party.”
Mr. Bingley chuckled. “You do not fool me for a minute, Darcy. You are thinking about Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Darcy opened his mouth to deny it, but Mr. Bingley beat him to it.
“No point in denying it, old man! I have seen your face when you look at her. I am delighted for both of you as well as for myself; we will be brothers!”
“Have you proposed to Miss Bennet, then, Bingley? I have been waiting for an announcement.”
“Well, there has just been one thing after another hasn’t there?” Mr. Bingley’s irritation could not be concealed. “The nonsensewith Caroline, and then that idiot Mr. Collins! But I hope that this week will be calmer, and I will be able to pay a necessary visit to Mr. Bennet.”
The carriage stopped; they were at Lucas Lodge. The two gentlemen climbed out of the carriage and went inside to find the ladies. The house was quite full, it seemed, not just with the local gentry, but also with members of the militia. Mr. Darcy followed Mr. Bingley inside, prepared to be introduced to a good number of captains and lieutenants, when his eye fell on a familiar face.
“Bingley!” he hissed.
Mr. Bingley evidently had not heard him, for he continued on.
Mr. Darcy grabbed his friend and whirled him around.
“Darcy, what the devil –“
“I cannot go in there.” Mr. Darcy’s face was white.
“Why not?”
“Because the man who attempted to seduce Georgiana is there.”
“What?!”
“Yes; see the blond man speaking now with Miss Lydia?”
“That is him? I can scarce credit it!”
“If he sees me, he will run. I must tell the Colonel that he is here before he can escape.”
Mr. Bingley nodded, and followed Mr. Darcy out of the house.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Matlock House
Colonel Fitzwilliam dragged himself into his parents’ house and then upstairs to his room. His batman helped him to wash and dress, and the Colonel finally made his way downstairs, the very picture of misery.
The Countess exclaimed, “Heavens, Richard! You look as if you lost your best friend!”
The Colonel groaned.
“Ah. You have given up the search?”
The Colonel banged his fist on the arm of his chair. “Not a word, not a peep, not the merest hint of the man, after all these weeks! How is it possible? No, do not tell me again that London is a big city. I know that, of course.”
“Then I know not what to say to you, son. You will have to let this go, or you will drive yourself into a state from which you will not easily recover.”
