Page 95 of Near Pemberley

A painful disappointment settled in her chest. Of course. What else had she expected?

“That you took care of her when none of us could…” she finished quietly.

For an instant, she thought she saw something soften in his expression. Then it was gone.

Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet,” he said gently, “there is no need to thank me.”

“Of course there is. God bless you, God bless you for what you have done. On behalf of my family, I thank you. My sister… For taking this upon yourself. My father… he had given up all hope.”

Their eyes met. The room seemed very still.

She held his gaze. “You have done more for my family than I can adequately express.”

Darcy swallowed.

He looked away briefly, as though gratitude embarrassed him far more than criticism ever had.

“I understand what devastation it must have been for you-your family.” He hesitated almost imperceptibly. “I am glad I could be of service.”

Only courtesy, only kindness. Only the behaviour of a gentleman determined to do what was right. Elizabeth lowered her eyes. This must be enough. Whatever thoughts she had once permitted herself, however briefly, belonged to the past.

Darcy felt a tightening somewhere in his chest. He had imagined this meeting more than once. Gratitude had never been part of it. He hated with all his might the circumstance that made Miss Bennet desperate for her sister. It was not her gratitude he wanted.

As he looked at her, Fitzwilliam Darcy found himself wishing there were fewer people present, nonetheless.

Fortunately for him, Mrs. Gardiner chose that moment to recover her composure. “My dear, I think Mr. Darcy has already endured a great deal of gratitude from your uncle and me.”

A faint smile touched Elizabeth’s lips.

The tension eased at once. And Darcy found himself absurdly grateful to Mrs. Gardiner.

Mr. Bennet shifted in his chair. “I confess, Mr. Darcy, that I am still attempting to understand the situation.”

The room grew quieter.

“Perhaps the gentlemen ought to retire to the study,” Darcy offered.

“Ordinarily, yes,” said Gardiner. “However, I expect the ladies will not be complacent about being excluded.”

“Mr. Darcy, I will just make my husband tell all, and our niece is very worried about her sister’s prospects.”

Darcy inclined his head.

Mrs. Gardiner invited all to sit.

Then, Mr. Bennet looked directly at Darcy. “When my brother informed me that Lydia had been found, I naturally assumed he had located her.”

Gardiner sighed inwardly.

Mr. Bennet continued. “Instead, I discover that the gentleman who found my daughter is one whom I had no reason to expect to be involved at all.”

Darcy met his gaze calmly. “I understand your surprise, sir.”

“I am not certain surprise is the word.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together. “Papa.”

“No, Lizzy. It is a reasonable question.”