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He strolled around the perimeter of the building and approached the back courtyard. She might not want him to see her in the kitchen, but he could hardly conceive a better plan. He needed to speak with her at once.
Hearing feminine laughter and a male voice, Darcy had slowed his pace and finally halted before he reached the courtyard. Perhaps eavesdropping was beneath him, but Longbourn was full of intrigue these days. Darcy did not want to inadvertently encounter Elizabeth in a secret meeting with her co-conspirators.
Concealing his presence behind a tall shrub, Darcy stood by the corner of the house and peered into the courtyard.
Elizabeth was not conspiring with anyone. Wearing a stained apron over her plain dress, she was exiting the house, carrying a laundry basket, beside a man who was too well-dressed to be a servant. The next moment Darcy glimpsed enough of his profile to recognize Weston. Fortunately, he was too far away for them to notice his hiss of indrawn breath.
Nor could he hear the words they exchanged. Elizabeth smiled openly at the man and spoke with great animation. Her hips swayed provocatively as she walked. Darcy’s heart pounded, and his mouth grew dry. This was behavior he had never seen Elizabeth exhibit.
She directed Weston to pin some of the clothes to the higher end of the line while she hung some on the lower end, chatting the whole time. No wonder she had bristled over his warning about Weston! She believed herself to be in no danger from the man.
Darcy had not guessed Elizabeth possessed such a capacity for flirtation; certainly she had never exercised it on him. His heart twisted in his chest. Perhaps she had no amorous feelings for Darcy. Perhaps Weston was the sort of man who intrigued her. Unhappily he recalled that she had once seemed infatuated with Wickham. Did he know Elizabeth at all? Apparently, he was completely mistaken in her character.
Weston had pinned a few sheets at the highest point of the clothesline, but something Elizabeth said had caused him to swiftly close the distance between them. Had she suggested she was available for something beyond a flirtation? The predatory gleam in Weston’s eye signaled his plan to grab Elizabeth for a kiss.
Unwilling to watch, he stumbled away from the shrub and quickly stole his way to the front of the house, taking care not to be heard or seen. It was imperative not to be discovered now. Fortunately, the front of the house was still unpopulated, so he need not account for his sudden departure. It was the work of a moment to untie his horse by the side of the drive and mount it. Soon he was on the road back to Netherfield.
Chapter Fifteen
Even as he raged against Elizabeth in his mind, Darcy sought to explain her behavior away. She had made him no promises and might not even recognize his interest, but he nonetheless felt that she had betrayed him. He had believed her to have better discernment and superior judgment than to be swayed by a man like Weston. It sickened him to think how wrong he had been.
Why had he thought he could win her heart? If she desired a man like Weston, she was not the woman Darcy believed her to be.
He found himself wondering how quickly he could have his bags packed and his horse pointed toward London. But it was too late in the day to start such a journey. He would depart at first light tomorrow; there was no reason to spend another minute in Hertfordshire. He would ride to London tomorrow and start for Derbyshire the day after, putting as much distance between himself and Elizabeth Bennet as possible.
***
In the light of a new day, Darcy was no less disgusted with Elizabeth, but he was less interested in slinking off to London as if he should be ashamed of his behavior. His hand shook as he stirred his coffee, and after a long moment he realized the trembling resulted from anger. Instantly, he determined his next move.
He would find Elizabeth and inform her how thoroughly she had fallen in his estimation. If she wished to throw herself into Weston’s lascivious grasp, it was her prerogative, but Darcy would no longer feel any obligation to her.
Although he would continue to seek Lydia Bennet—for her family’s sake.
After choking down a piece of toast, Darcy set off on foot for Longbourn. His horse would be required to bear him to London that day and should be well-rested. The morning was warm and sunny, but overnight rain had created copious mud puddles along the side of the road. By the time Darcy passed through the Longbourn estate gates, Darcy was perspiring miserably into his jacket and wondering if the trek was a fool’s errand.
As he neared the manor, he spied Elizabeth sitting on a short row of steps leading to the door. With a basket by her side, she was shelling peas. Weston was just entering the manor, swaggering up the steps with a smirk for Elizabeth. She did not respond with a smile but the barest of nods; however, that was enough for Darcy. Today he would wash his hands of Elizabeth Bennet, and she would know why!
By the time Darcy reached the steps, Weston had entered the house. Elizabeth’s eyes went wide, but she gave him the smile she had denied the steward. “Mr. Darcy! It is early for a morning visit.”
Darcy knew a scowl was fixed on his face, but he could not manage a more agreeable aspect. Elizabeth started at his expression, spilling peas from her basket.
“What are you about, Elizabeth, accepting the attentions of that man?” he growled.
Her head shot upward. “Mr. Darcy?”
“I cannot believe—I saw you yesterday in the courtyard with him and then just now—” Darcy spat out the words.
Elizabeth carefully set the basket on the steps and stood. Despite the height advantage given her by the steps, she seemed small and delicate. “I do not have the pleasure of understanding you.”
“Y-Yesterday!” Anger tangled Darcy’s tongue. “Y-You w-were f-flirting with that man in the back courtyard!”
Her eyes widened with comprehension, but then she lifted her chin. “I do not believe that is any business of yours.”
“The man is the worst kind of blackguard!” Darcy knew his voice was rising but could not moderate it. “He will dally with you and destroy your reputation! He has nothing to offer but ruination and lies.”
Her lips were drawn into a thin line. “And I repeat, what business is it of yours, sir? I believe I am free to accept the attentions of anyone I wish.”
Darcy gave a hard shake of his head, closing the distance between them until he stood on the step below hers. “Not him! I forbid it.”
