Page 93 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Mr. Darcy turned her down a path to escape them more quickly. When they slowed enough that she could glance at his face, she was almost frightened. She had seen him angry before but not like this.

“Are you well?”

They stopped walking, and the four stood facing each other.

“Am I—am I well? Miss Elizabeth, I am livid that you should be subjected to such insults. But my concern is for you. I am tempted to go back and speak with them if Matthew and Dinah will return you⁠—”

“No!”

He looked at her fiercely, and she could see he was breathing heavily.

“What good could it do?”

“I would defend your honor and insist they cease their insults.”

“How, sir?” She almost whispered, though only a few couples walked near them in this darker path. “Would you challenge them all to a duel to get them to drop their claim that I am the daughter of a tenant farmer?”

The anger in his eyes softened into something more akin to defeat. He must know she was correct that such an effort would be fruitless.

“I am not your mistress, so you could certainly clear up the misconception that you have any romantic interest in me, but would they believe we are friends? I struggle with the idea still, confused as to why a man so much above me socially would condescend to befriend me. I am happy to be your friend, but if even I do not understand your reasoning, how can anyone else?”

Mr. Darcy opened and closed his mouth several times, but no explanation was forthcoming.

“As for their claim that I am one of your tenants, they are not far enough off to make your argument meaningful. Whether my father was a tenant farmer in Derbyshire or Hertfordshire or some other shire makes no material difference.”

“Miss Elizabeth…”

She realized Matthew and Dinah had at some point taken several steps back to give their conversation some privacy, and he appeared to scan the area for danger while she kept her eyes on Elizabeth.

“We should return to my uncle, Mr. Darcy.”

He nodded and again secured her arm in his, pulling her close to him in a protective gesture. She looked to Matthew to ensure he followed, and they were back with their party in time for the fireworks. She had never seen anything like the blasting lights over the river, but she found her enthusiasm for the evening had soured. She had parted that night without any further conversation of significance with Mr. Darcy.

And soon, only two days later, she must sit with him at her birthday dinner.

“What am I supposed to tell her, Richard? She has been suspicious of my motives for befriending her since she dined here a fortnight ago. After what happened at Vauxhall, she is more confused than ever.”

Darcy paced before his desk, glancing at Richard, who looked thoughtful.

“I like her, Darce. She is witty, clever, beautiful—Do not look at me like that. I know she is your one true love. I am saying I understand why. From what you have told me of her behavior toward you at that cursed dance Wickham attended and then how she handled the Vauxhall situation, I believe she has the mettle required for your plan to work.”

Darcy stopped before his window but saw in his mind’s eye her compassion toward him when he had been too angry to think Monday night and then the blazing defiance she had shown when he had suggested he return to the slanderous group. He was grateful her head had been clearer than his had been. Would he really have challenged someone to a duel? He was not even sure who had spoken, although clearly some of them had known him and perhaps been his friends. He shook his head.

“I am gratified to have your support, but I am still unsure what I should do now.”

“It seems rather simple to me.”

“Then perhaps you would be so good as to share your superior knowledge?”

“Tell her how you feel. Propose a marriage full of undying love. She will accept that your love is blind to her social inferiority, and she will fall into your arms.”

Darcy sighed. “Why did I think you had a good idea?”

“It is a good idea! She does not understand why a man of your wealth, station, and general good looks would glance twice at her. She is not what anyone would consider a proper friend to you.”

“Because she is a woman or because of her station?”

“Her station, obviously. But it is a little beyond belief that the two of you, a handsome woman and you, would go about town together, walking and riding and whatnot, only the two of you, if you are nothing but friends. If you were to be in a group, it may pass without comment, but if it appears from the outside that you are courting, imagine what she must think. She must assume you would never court her, so either she thinks the prattlers are correct, that you are wishing to make her your mistress—” Richard held up his hands in surrender at Darcy’s dark look. “Or she is greatly confused.”