Page 130 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Elizabeth saw Fitzwilliam at church and rushed to speak with him after the service before her uncle could forbid her. She tearfully informed him she was required to remain at Longbourn, which did not seem to surprise him. He reminded her to be careful and to stay close to Matthew. She told him of the arrangements she had made with her aunt, and he held her hand tightly while promising to write often. All too soon, they were made to part.

Although Elizabeth no longer had any doubts about Fitzwilliam’s love or his intentions, her heart had never hurt as much as it did when she watched from an upstairs window the next morning to see the Gardiners enter his carriage and drive away. Uncle Bennet had not permitted her downstairs, so she had been able to do no more than wave to him from the window. He had placed his hand on his heart as he bowed to her before entering his carriage.

Chapter Fifty-Five

Darcy had been in London for three days, delaying taking Georgiana to Pemberley in hopes he would receive favorable news from Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner had agreed to write a letter to Mr. Bennet promoting his suit, and Darcy had written to the man himself. Although he was prepared to wait as long as necessary to wed his beloved, he was feeling the present rather hopeless when his cousin arrived.

“Richard! I have been trying to contact you since the summer. Have you only recently returned to England?”

“You could say that.”

Darcy rolled his eyes but clapped his cousin on the back as he ushered him into his study. “I cannot tell you how relieved I am to lay eyes on you at last. I hope you will remain for a time, perhaps accompany Georgiana and me to Pemberley?”

The colonel settled into a comfortable chair and accepted a drink from his cousin. “My schedule is open at present, and Christmas in the north sounds like a balm I could accept.”

“Good, good. Once you are settled, I will tell you all the news. I am anxious to hear about your past few months, as well, if you are at liberty to share.”

Richard chuckled. “Always trying to weasel out my secrets. I think you have something significant to tell me, though, based on the number of cryptic messages I found when I got to London yesterday. I had a good night’s sleep, so please tell me what has you so agitated.”

Darcy hated to ruin the congenial mood, but as Georgiana’s co-guardian, his cousin needed to know about Ramsgate.

“I will kill him!” Richard’s reaction was expected.

“I may be willing to join you. If his crimes against my sister were not enough, I might have more against him than you know.”

“I am aware he tried to seduce Miss Elizabeth nearly a year ago. What else has he done since I last saw you in April?”

Darcy clenched his fists and released them three times before speaking. “Someone may be trying to kill Elizabeth.”

“Wickham? Why? For that matter, why would anyone wish to harm her?”

“I have no idea. I see no motive for anyone besides Wickham always trying to ruin my life, but it makes no sense. No proof condemns him. I would not mind questioning him about it, though.”

“Tell me everything.”

After Darcy had explained the entirety of his time in Hertfordshire, including the state of his engagement, Richard asked if they could go to Pemberley the following day or if he had more bad news he must share first.

“By all means, we should go. Georgiana has been patient long enough.”

“Excellent. I am also in need of respite. I will send some additional men to this Meryton place to keep an eye on Miss Elizabeth. It sounds like her uncle took both threats seriously, though?”

“That is the only way in which Mr. Bennet has satisfied me recently.”

“There, there, Darce. My men will investigate and protect her. When they find out what is going on, Mr. Bennet will likely relent.”

“Thank you. That is sound. I will go visit the Gardiners this afternoon if we are to leave town tomorrow. Would you like to inform Georgiana of the good news that you will join us, and introduce yourself to Mrs. Annesley before you make your own arrangements?”

“Certainly. I wish to see for myself how Georgiana is getting on. Then I will arrange for Miss Elizabeth’s protection and call on my parents. I will see you bright and early on the morrow.”

Elizabeth was reading a letter from Fitzwilliam when Lydia and Kitty burst into her bedchamber. She hastily hid the pages beneath her pillow, but she was not quick enough.

“Ooh! Is that a love letter from Mr. Darcy? Will you let us see it, Lizzy?”

“Close the door, Kitty, and keep your voice down, please.”

Her cousin did as requested before both girls plopped on her bed beside her, eyes wide in anticipation.

“He writes that he will be on his way to his estate by now. His cousin—a colonel in the regulars—travels with him and his sister.”