Page 147

Immediately, other men came forward to help the first, and they lifted the body and carried Wickham from the house. A maid immediately appeared with a bucket and began to scour the floor. Elizabeth had felt faint at the sight of so much blood, but forced herself not to succumb to the threatening darkness.

The count continued to address Cecile, as he motioned to a maid who immediately came down the stairs behind her. “Go with Maria. She will show you to your room. Do not unpack more than necessary, as we shall leave early in the morning. You both shall eat in your rooms tonight.”

As Cecile meekly followed the maid up the stairs, Stefano focused his attention on Elizabeth. His mouth curled into a pretentious smile, the sight of which brought bile into Elizabeth’s throat.

“Welcome back, my dear.”

Slowly he descended to the foyer, his eyes never leaving hers as he steadily advanced until they stood face-to-face. She lifted her chin in a show of boldness, the glint in her brown eyes reminiscent of the Elizabeth he had met in Meryton—the one who had treated him with such contempt.

Irritated that after all this time she was still not subservient, he grabbed her arm and began to pull her down a long hallway. Finally, he came to a door and pushed it open to reveal a library stocked with numerous volumes, though the room hardly seemed used. He flung Elizabeth inside, followed and turned to slam the door closed. Then grasping her arm again, Stefano dragged her to a chair and pushed her into it, leaning over her menacingly.

“I am delighted that you could join me as I return to Italy forever. I am sure my family will be pleased to meet you at last, Elizabeth, especially my mother. She has often mentioned that she would like me to settle in Italy with my wife. Can you imagine how surprised she will be?”

Elizabeth stiffened, but refused to show any fear, instead gathering her strength for the confrontation ahead. “Surprised? I imagine she will be shocked! You forget that you already have a wife in Italy, and she will expect you to return to her!”

“How do you know of Livia?” His face darkened as he considered her barb. Then he remembered and smiled slightly, his brows rising in disdain. “Yes, of course! You must have found the letter from the countess when you discovered the marriage certificates.”

“Yes. I read the letter from your wife, Countess Livia Canossa Ridolfi. She even mentioned your son, Eduardo.”

Stefano’s hands clenched into fists. “Do not say that! You were my ONLY wife—the only one I truly loved. All the others were just whores—a means to an end!”

“You lie! I was never your wife! We were never married and besides you were never ... capable!”

His breath was laboured as he slapped her across the face. “It has never been that way with any other woman. I have a son! It was merely the circumstances—the stress! Once we are away from this turmoil, everything will be as it should. You shall see! We soon will determine my capability.”

Elizabeth rubbed her smarting cheek. “And what of your son? Do you deny him as well?”

Stefano’s face softened, and he looked almost pensive. “My son is almost of age. He no longer has need of me, and his mother and I have been estranged for years. He will understand.”

“Regardless of the circumstances, whoever you have married is nothing to me. I despise you, and I am not leaving with you.”

The count’s voice was low and full of fury. “Of course, you are going, Elizabeth. Do you not remember what happened the last time you defied me?”

“There is one important difference! There is no one here that I care for, thus there is no one you can murder to compel me to go with you!” Elizabeth laughed mirthlessly. “And let me warn you! You had best be on your way before those who do care for me realise where I am!”

The smile faded from Stefano’s face. “I imagine you speak of that love-sick fool, Darcy. I doubt he will find out you are missing before we are well under way on our voyage. In fact, he is probably still in London, unaware that you are no longer at Pemberley.”

“Fitzwilliam Darcy is no fool! You have no idea of the calibre of man you have pitted yourself against. He has a brilliant intellect, as well as being honourable and decent.”

He began to pace in front of her. “While in Meryton, there were rumours that you despised him. What good did his honour and decency do him then in winning your favour?”

Elizabeth voice rose in anger and regret. “I admit to being foolish when I was young! But now I know his true worth as a man without equal.”

He pulled her from the chair, clasping her forearms as he brought her to his chest. “If you cared anything about that man, you would never have come with Mrs. Preston.”

“That is where you are wrong,” she said through clenched teeth. “You know absolutely nothing of caring—of love. He is the only man I have ever loved! If I cannot be with him, then I do not care to live. You may force me to go with you, but you cannot force me to live.”

“Oh, you shall live, Elizabeth. I shall see to that, even if I must have you watched day and night! You are mine, and I shall never again give you up!” He kissed her then, trying to hold her as her head wrenched back and forth. Finally, she succeeded in breaking the kiss, and he shoved her back down into the chair.

“I was never yours, and I shall never be yours!” she proclaimed vehemently. “My heart was his before I ever met you, and after falling in love with a real man, I could never have cared for the likes of you,” she retorted.

Though still furious, Stefano looked truly confused as he shouted, “Then why did you leave the protection of Pemberley? I hear that no one could have torn you from there had you not wanted to leave!”

“To spare the man I love! I was convinced I could be rid of you forever by departing for Americas, and Fitzwilliam would be set free from the burden and responsibility he has assumed on my account. But, know this—he is not afraid of you!”

“If he dares to come after you, he will die!” Furious, Stefano turned over a table sending china figurines flying. “ENOUGH! We sail in the morning! And you will find that your paramour is nowhere to be found when we do!”

~~~*~~~