Page 84 of Shields and Roses

"We offered a practical demonstration," Darcy said. "He asked straight out if we had interrupted and misinterpreted a situation that you had consented to."

"Why that..." Lizzy began but subsided as Darcy gestured with his free hand for her to calm down.

"I know. I was furious at the implications as well, but Richard knew how to handle the question. He asked me to play your part while he played Wickham's in a little demonstration. He put me in a choke hold very similar to what Wickham used on you, although being gentler about it, and threatened the rest of the room with the pistol. Sir William stepped in and approximated his daughter's actions, with Richard pretending to strike him and knock him aside with the pistol. Then Richard let me go and simply asked Colonel Forster if he really thought that was something to which you had consented."

Darcy saw that Lizzy was shivering enough to cause her drink to slosh in the cup. The memory of the previous day's events was obviously difficult for her. He gently placed his free hand on the wrist of her left hand, which held the drink.

"It was frightening," he said softly. "Even though I knew Richard would not hurt me and we were only acting a part, I could not breathe and it was frightening."

"I tried to get away," she said with a slight sob in her voice. "He held me too tightly and I just could not get any purchase to free myself. Everything was turning gray and I could not breathe."

"I understand," he said. "I think that is why your father wanted me to tell you. I understand you did everything you could, but he put you at a disadvantage. I understand what it felt like to struggle for air and balance and freedom. You cannot know how glad I am that I arrived in time to help you."

He left his hand placed comfortingly on her arm as she lowered her cup to rest on her lap. Lizzy took a few deep breaths and soon the shaking stopped. "I am glad you arrived just then as well," she said. "How did you?"

His coffee and pastry forgotten, Darcy told her about the express from Anne, the trip to Rosings Park and the ruse they had played to sneak Anne to her wedding. He described the zig zag path they took, heading south to go north, and the delay at the downed bridge. Finally, he told her of arriving at Longbourn, talking with her father and learning that she and Miss Lucas had gone for a walk.

"Richard and I were already rushing to meet you when we heard Miss Lucas cry out," he said. "Richard seemed very intent on catching up with you before you and Miss Lucas parted ways."

"Oh, I hope he is finally going to say something to her," Lizzy wished aloud.

"I cannot tell his secrets," Darcy replied, then prompted a smile from her as he added, "mainly because he has not fully entrusted them to me. I can say that he is in the process of resigning his commission. Soon he will just be Mr. Fitzwilliam, owner of whatever estate he and his father decide is a good purchase for him."

"That is the best of news," Lizzy said excitedly. "I have been very worried about him."

"As have I," Darcy admitted. "He is the nearest thing I have to a brother."

"I feel the same about him," she told him, smiling. "He once told me that having Lady Catherine as godmother to both of us and my father as his godfather made us siblings of a sort. I have always looked on him as the older brother I never had."

"That sounds like him," he paused and then added, "Miss Elizabeth, I know our acquaintance did not have the best beginning. Even so, there are so many events and people that are drawing us together, entwining the future course of our lives, and I would hope we can, at least, be friends. In fact, I hope for more, but friendship is a start. Do you think we can forget the foolishness of last autumn and try to build a friendship based on common interests and goodwill?"

She looked at him seriously. "I think I would be a fool not to try," she said. She looked down at his hand, which had rested lightly on her wrist during the whole conversation and remained there comforting her, then she looked over at his left hand, with the nearly untouched drink in the cup he held.

"Mr. Darcy, I think your coffee must be cold."

"I think yours is as well," he replied. "Did you want to go in for a fresh cup?"

She smiled at him. "No, I think there is plenty of morning left for us to enjoy out here. We can always refresh our drinks later."

They lapsed back into silence, feeling the warmth of the sun on their faces as they listened to the singing of the birds and the light hiss of the breeze in the leaves of the rose bushes. Both thought it was a perfect morning.

Chapter 42: Interrupted

Their peaceful morning was shattered by a cry from Mrs. Bennet. "Lizzy Bennet! What are you doing out of your room? Have you been talking?"

Darcy's hand slipped unobtrusively from Lizzy's wrist as he turned to face Lizzy's irate mother, who was speaking through an open pane in one of the side windows behind them. "Good morning, Mrs. Bennet," he said pleasantly. "I woke early, and Mr. Bennet suggested I might keep Miss Elizabeth company as she sat quietly here in the garden."

"Oh," said Mrs. Bennet, taken aback by the response. "Oh. Well, you both ought to come in and have your breakfast. Everyone else is in the breakfast room, and if you do not get inside soon, there will be nothing left."

She pulled her head back in and was gone as suddenly as she had arrived.

"May I escort you to breakfast, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy asked, standing.

Lizzy grinned at him as she stood. She poured out what was left of her drink on a nearby plant, then pulled the remains of her pastry to bits, scattering it around for the birds. Darcy copied her actions, which then enabled them both to balance their cups on their now-empty plates in order to hold both in one hand. Lizzy took Darcy's free arm, and they went in together. Mrs. Hill passed by them in the hall and collected the used dishes, so their hands were completely free as they entered the breakfast room.

The two found that Mr. Bennet had already retired to his study, but everyone else was there, just as Mrs. Bennet had said. Richard sat next to Miss Lucas, and the two were quietly conversing. Darcy could see the large bruise on the side of her face where Wickham had hit her. It looked painful, and he was a little surprised she had chosen to come downstairs, especially given the noise that continually surrounded Mrs. Bennet. Then, he noticed the way she and Richard looked at each other, and his surprise lessened. Now the main question was whether Richard had already asked her to marry him.

After they filled new cups of coffee and chose a few items to eat from those provided on the sideboard, Darcy followed a subtle head gesture from Miss Elizabeth to sit closer to her mother and sisters, leaving Richard and Miss Lucas a little apart from the rest. Mrs. Bennet either fully approved of the quiet conference at the far end of her table or was completely oblivious to it. She directed her comments to her daughters and Darcy.