Page 18 of The Heir and Spare
“Pardon me.” He tipped his head to the side.
“You have done more than enough already.” She could barely be civil, her words coming out as near whispers. All the emotion suddenly caught in her throat and the sharpness of knives dug into the large lump that formed. “We shall be far better off alone.” She reached for Mary but the girl did not know how to make a quick exit and seemed frozen in confusion at Elizabeth’s rapid change of loyalty. Lizzie couldn’t blame her, but now was the time for haste.
Mr. Darcy seemed oblivious to the severity of her distress or her disinclination to allow him to be involved at all. “Come, Miss Elizabeth. Allow me to be of assistance. If I might even know the nature of your distress, I could perhaps come to your aid?”
Lizzie stood taller, words forming and exiting her mouth without thought. “You who have been the means of destroying Jane’s happiness? You? No. I don’t need anything from you. Though it shall all come out at some point. I might as well say it here, so as to avoid further spread of falsehood. The facts as we know them are thus. My sister Lydia has run off with a soldier who was stationed in Meryton.”
Mary gasped and clutched Lizzie’s arm. She immediately regretted the callous nature in which she was blurting out the news, but she trudged on.
“She is as silly as any, I admit, but this is very unlike her. We fear the worst. She can have nothing to offer him and no enticements for them to actually marry.” There, she’d said it. Her chest heaved in her breaths as though each one painful. “And so I must return home to support Jane who is also suffering from her own broken heart.”
“What? Oh dear!” Mary’s eyes were full of sadness, and Lizzie could only nod.
But Mr. Darcy seemed confused and deeply troubled. “I am most distressed on your behalf and on the loss of your company. I will do what I can.” He waved a hand. “Please summon a carriage and alert Lord Shackley of their immediate need to depart.” He started to pace. “Distressing news indeed. What is to be done?” He paused. “Has anyone gone after them?”
“Yes of course. And I don’t have further news.” She pulled Mary firmly with her and headed for the house. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Mr. Darcy bowed. “Of course.”
Lizzie paused, watching his face before turning from him, half hoping despite her hurt at his actions that he might give some semblance of hope, some inkling that all was not lost for her family. But those were all the words he had left for her. His own silence, his mouth pressed into a thin line, his inability to look her in the face, was enough to tell Elizabeth all she needed about her potential reception in any polite homes or with any well-to-do families. Her family’s fate was secure. They’d all best be looking carefully and quickly for employment. Even a governess position would be a stretch if news of their defamation were to reach many ears. She didn’t look back even though she knew it was the last she was ever going to see of Mr. Darcy. He was probably counting himself and his friend lucky that he’d separated Jane from Bingley. Tears stung her eyes, but she didn’t raise a hand to wipe them. Mary said nothing as they hurried as quickly as they could out of the gardens and out of sight of Mr. Darcy.
Chapter 10
Arthur Darcy
Darcy’s heart sank as Miss Elizabeth hurried from him, acting as though he was the last person she wanted to witness her pain. Her circumstances were dire indeed. Women rarely recovered from such a scandal were it to ever be known. Well did he know, having just saved his own sister from an almost scandal. The evil smirk on Mr. Wickham’s face, her would-be elopement fiancé, came to his mind and brought such distaste he could scarce hide his expression.
Lord Perceval stepped closer. “They’ll not be welcome in most circles as soon as this gets out. It’s a shame we’re at the same party; perhaps tarnished ourselves.” Lord Perceval sneered.
Darcy whipped around to face him. “Do not mistake my silence for any lack of support for the Bennet sisters. You would do best to never repeat a word of Miss Elizabeth’s plight to another soul.” He stared at the pompous lord until he nodded, once.
“It is not our business, nor should it be the topic of anyone else’s.” He waited until Lord Perceval nodded again. “With any luck this will blow over with no one the wiser.”
The man snorted, but when Darcy paused again, he shrugged. “You can be certain I won’t forget. Miss Mary and her smiles will have to find company elsewhere.”
“Then you will miss the company of one of the truly special ladies of our acquaintance.”
Lord Perceval sniffed but drifted away slowly until Darcy heard him call out to one of the other ladies of the party.
Darcy himself had no desire to linger any more at this house party. His mind was whirling with thoughts and his heart was in anguish for Miss Elizabeth’s situation. How could he be of assistance? What was being done? These things were handled with money and influence—both of which he had. And if he could do something, anything to erase the anguish from Miss Elizabeth’s face or the nervous clenching of her hands, he would do it, without question.
He hung his head as he made his way back to the house. A part of him feared, dreaded, that his involvement would distance him so far from Miss Elizabeth’s good graces, that the feeling of being beholden to him would negate any chances he could ever have to further a romance with the woman. By assisting her and aiding her reputation, he would be sealing his fate to never be in her life.
Her expression as she hurried from him, her distaste in his presence, her reluctance to explain all or to accept his help were all evidence that Darcy could well have lost her forever. Her words replayed themselves. And the part about him destroying the happiness of her sister made no sense to him. He could not imagine their source, but assumed them to be spoken in a jumble, perhaps in error. He would have to explore that issue later.
His instructions to the valet were clipped but the good servant moved forward, packing his things without question. His explanations to Lord Shackley were also vague.
He clapped Darcy on the back. “We will miss you, old friend. But perhaps the assistance has been made? I understand the Misses Bennet have also left this afternoon.” He watched Darcy’s face, but he kept a blank expression.
“Your party has been a lovely opportunity to meet so many wonderful new faces, the people from the country who I have long wanted to know. I thank you for that.”
Lord Shackley nodded, clapped him on the back again, but his eyes took on a hint of sorrow. “I did so hope that you and Miss Elizabeth would be able to come to some kind of arrangement.” He shook his head. “Two finer people I have never met.” He leaned back against his desk. “When I see you together, there is such a?—”
“Yes, thank you. You have given us an excellent start, certainly. I have greatly enjoyed her attention.”
Lord Shackley hesitated and then simply nodded in response.
Back in his room, Darcy regretted his abrupt tone to a good friend of his father, but there was no sense in raising the man’s hopes or in encouraging his chatter to others about he and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
