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“No.” He put a finger to her lips. “Now is not the time or place for such a discussion.”
“I suppose an unconscious attacker is not conducive to a romantic atmosphere,” she conceded.
William laughed.
“Mr. Darcy!” her father barked. “Release my daughter at once.”
“Not again,” William muttered. Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Turning her head, she could see both Gardiners as well as her father marching toward them from the house.
“Release her this minute!” her father demanded, stopping a few feet from them.
“No,” William replied calmly.
“I beg your pardon?” Her father’s mouth fell open.
“Elizabeth is recovering from a shocking experience,” William explained. “The man you believed she should wed attacked her and imposed an unwanted kiss upon her.”
The newcomers looked past William, gaping at Mr. Wickham lying unconscious in the dirt. “Is this true, Lizzy?” her uncle asked.
Elizabeth nodded, pulling away from William, although she did not release him completely. “He might have hurt me if Mr. Darcy had not arrived when he did.”
Her father stared at Mr. Wickham and then at William. “I owe you an apology, Mr. Darcy.”
William shook the hand her father offered. “Thank you, sir.”
Her father regarded William seriously. Perhaps he was not yet ready to give his blessing for their engagement, but he was closer.
“Perhaps Miss Bennet could use a cup of tea?” William suggested. Elizabeth smiled gratefully at him.
Everything was quickly arranged. Beckett was set to the task of rousing Mr. Wickham and throwing him out on the street. As they strolled back toward the house—Elizabeth on William’s arm—Uncle Gardiner asked how William had happened to be in their garden.
“I had arrived for a visit, and Shaw showed me to the drawing room, which was empty,” William explained. “As you know, it has a rather nice view of the back garden—and I could see Elizabeth with Wickham. I did not know he would try to kiss her, but I did know she should not be alone with him.”
Her father had the grace to look guilty.
William continued, “By the time I arrived out here, she was struggling with him, and…well, I struck him.”
“Were you calling to visit Lizzy?” Aunt Gardiner inquired, still white-faced over the events of the day.
“Yes, and to extend an invitation,” William said. “Georgiana and I were hoping you would all join us for festivities and dinner on Christmas Day.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up at this exciting prospect, but she said nothing; it was not for her to accept or decline the invitation. Her aunt looked regretful. “I thank you, Mr. Darcy. That is quite a generous offer, but I do not like to leave my children on Christmas.”
“I had hoped they would accompany you,” William said. “Children make the holidays more festive, and Georgiana would love to see your little ones again.”
Aunt Gardiner’s expression brightened, and she exchanged looks with her husband, who nodded. “Then it would be our pleasure,” she exclaimed.
“Will you be having other guests?” Uncle Gardiner asked.
William shook his head. “Colonel Fitzwilliam will be there, of course, but nobody else. I had originally invited the Bingley family, but Bingley left town on business and is not expected back until after the holiday.”
Her uncle nodded, glancing sidelong at her father. “I would be pleased to accept,” Mr. Bennet said, “upon one condition.” William raised an eyebrow in inquiry. “If you would show me your library. I have heard it is very fine.”
William smiled. “It would be my pleasure.”
With one hand on William’s arm, Elizabeth settled her other hand on her father’s arm. “Then it is all settled. We shall celebrate Christmas at Darcy House.”
Chapter Thirteen
