Page 5 of The Gossip War
Lizzy shocked both of us with her reply. “I am not! Who knows what would have happened if that man kept courting Jane, or we were not there to interrupt their plans? What if Jane married the cretin? You were not the only one in danger of a misalliance, sir. I am more than satisfied with this result.”
I was far from satisfied but would not say that aloud. “I am sorry to learn of the Bingleys’ duplicity, but I agree with Lizzy—better late than never. May I ask, was this a family affair as it appears?”
Mr Darcy walked back to the door and locked it, then dragged a table before it for good measure, and asked politely, “Pray have a seat, ladies.”
Lizzy said, “We should not linger. Jane and I need to get to Longbourn. It is a clear night and a three-quarter moon. We can easily walk there before four.”
Mr Darcy just laughed. “I am sure you could, but just as certain that neither my pride nor my sense of duty can allow that. I will escort you. If nothing else, my desire to escape this house is at least as strong as yours.”
Lizzy did not argue. “We should delay the Bingleys’ knowledge of our departure as long as possible to preserve the element of surprise.”
Mr Darcy looked at me thoughtfully. “You obviously ride, Miss Bennet. Do you, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth, for the first time in her life, looked like she wished for a different answer but gave hers honestly.
“No, sir. I had a bad fall when I was young and never got over it. If you escort Jane, I can walk easily enough. You will be lucky to beat me by a quarter-hour.”
I quite enjoyed the look of consternation on Mr Darcy’s face, and decided to save him some bother, since arguing with Lizzy is worse than with a rock (or our mother).
“Be sensible, Lizzy! You can ride with Mr Darcy. You have seen his horse. It could carry all three of us while pulling a carriage.”
The joke had the necessary effect, and Mr Darcy chuckled.
“That is entirely true… my horse is a beast. I also find the idea of taking Miss Bingley’s horse and saddle for you satisfying, if you have no objections. Yours returned to Longbourn days ago. Naturally, I will take Miss Elizabeth on mine and deliver her safely to Longbourn.”
Elizabeth looked dubious, but I smiled. “I like the idea. Our most trustworthy groom can return it before five, and I doubt anybody at Netherfield will even know we are gone before noon—which will give us an enormous advantage. Ordinarily, I would agree with Lizzy’s desire to walk, but I am not feeling up to a three-mile walk at two in the morning.”
Lizzy nodded. “Yes, Jane, stealth is part of my plan. We need to begin our retaliation early. Beyond the defensive nature of leaving this house of ill repute, I have an offensive strategy in mind. For that, we need our parents’ advice and aid.”
Mr Darcy looked dubious about the idea of using either of our parents for advice, but I knew better. There was no time to argue the matter, though, so I decided to move to another topic. “We have a few minutes. Tell me your plan.”
She looked intently at Mr Darcy. “May I presume you are happy to have any potential engagement between you and Miss Bingley stopped, or at least deferred?”
He spoke gravely. “Happier than you can imagine, but I worry about the effect on your family. What you did was exceedingly brave, and more than a little bit dangerous to your own reputations.”
Elizabeth sighed. “True! I am certain it came as quite a shock, since the two of us have never gotten along at all, but that is because you do not really know me. I could never let such a crime occur right under my nose if I could prevent it with minimal risk. I am happy you trusted me.”
Mr Darcy looked poleaxed by that assertion and spoke in some shock. “Do not get along? I fail to comprehend.”
Elizabeth sighed. I could tell she regretted stating the obvious, particularly when Mr Darcy seemed as oblivious as usual for his sex.
I wondered if my sister had bitten off more than she could chew, but she continued resolutely, looking embarrassed but determined as she explained.
“I do not mean to be critical but—well, sir—you would be better off kicking a puppy than publicly calling a lady not handsome enough to even tempt you to dance!”
She gave him a minute for his memory to recall the event and continued.
“I have never liked you, sir. Hardly anybody here does except Jane and Sir William, and they liked everybody until a half-hour ago. I was being polite all this time for Jane’s sake!”
I do not know if it is possible to blush all the way to the tips of your hair, but if it were, Mr Darcy would have done so. I have seen very naughty boys, recently thrashed within an inch of their lives by their fathers, who looked half as contrite. I thought if he had a belt handy and could work out the mechanics, he would flog himself right then and there.
Mr Darcy bowed quite deeply and whispered. “I must humbly apologise for that remark, Miss Elizabeth. It was unkind, untrue, and very ungentlemanly. I will not make excuses for my stupidity. I simply ask for forgiveness and hope to earn it in time. I am exceedingly sorry—sorrier than I can express.”
Lizzy nodded and said exactly what I expected. “It is the past, Mr Darcy. You are forgiven. I would not have brought it up at all if it were not germane to the explanation.”
He sighed deeply and sadly.
“Thank you. I will do my best to make it up to you. By the bye, I am now doubly, nay, triply, surprised you stood up as the sacrificial lamb. What could possibly cause you to volunteer to marry a man you dislike, regardless of how unjust the situation? I never got the impression you were just looking for a rich husband—or if so, your strategies are beyond me.”
