Page 30 of A Letter in the Wind (Mayhem and Scandal Collection #1)

Once home, Darcy demanded refreshments be brought to their sitting room so they would not be disturbed. Later, they availed themselves of the tray in their sitting room. After sating their appetites, Darcy collected Elizabeth’s hand in his.

“I am sorry about the treatment you received this morning, my love. Then, after the confrontation with Ingalls, all I could think about was how much I needed comfort only you could provide.”

Elizabeth could feel his desperation. He needed reassurance, and she searched for something to soothe him. She wanted him to know that she accepted every side of him, even this side that could not speak and could only feel .

“I have no objections, sir.” She blushed. “Unfortunately, I believe we must talk about Mr Ingalls at some point. It does not have to be now.”

She rested her head against his shoulder and focused on the sound of his heart and the gentle rhythm of his breathing, noting that it calmed the longer they sat in silence.

At last, Darcy spoke. “Do you understand all that he insinuated?”

“I think so,” Elizabeth answered hesitantly. “He perpetuates the rumours that led to our marriage and thinks I sought a well-connected husband.” Her brow furrowed. “But he made it sound as though I were already tainted by immodesty or scandal before I allegedly seduced you.”

“I fear he referenced Lydia, my dear.”

She started with the information. “How could he know?”

“He keeps a wide variety of acquaintances. I already intended to meet with my solicitor tomorrow to see what could be done about finding your sister. As disturbing as that confrontation was, it is, in some ways, a good sign that he knows about her. It means she cannot be so hidden that it is impossible to find her.”

“Do you think he will share his information?”

“Probably not,” Darcy answered darkly. “He hates me too much.”

“Why does he loath you?”

“I am not certain, but the animosity goes back to our boyhood. I have never done anything to provoke him or earn his ire.” Darcy shrugged. “As much as some people desired to be my friend simply due to my wealth or connections, others were jealous and despised me.”

“Today, he relished in your anger. He wanted to increase it. Would you have called him out?” Elizabeth’s heart clenched at the thought of her husband in a duel. Once considered a common way for gentlemen to settle disputes and questions of honour, they were now illegal. Although few cases were ever prosecuted, it did not make them any less dangerous or potentially fatal.

“I do not know what I would have done if you had not intervened.” He raised her hand and kissed her fingers. “I only know that I saw red and had never been so furious. I can put up with a great deal, Elizabeth, but not regarding you.”

“I admire your chivalry, but I am no shrinking violet. I hate the staring and rude comments, but they do not wound me. They are not worth being so disconcerted.” She did not add that she had been used to insults all her life.

“You should never have to endure such things, especially with me present.” Darcy squeezed her tightly. “I know you are not fragile and can defend yourself, but you cannot fault me for wishing to protect you. You are very precious to me.” He gulped. “I did not know love before…” His voice dropped. “You are everything to me.”

As she knew by now that nothing was so eloquent to him as her kisses, she fluently communicated her reciprocated adoration.

Darcy had business to attend the following morning before they left for Pemberley. They emerged from their chambers and began a new routine. As such, they ate in the breakfast room for the first time. Still, Elizabeth could not quite bear to sit opposite Darcy at the table. She chose to sit to his right, earning a broad smile and many touches of affection from her husband. As he was left-handed, he joined their hands together.

Inwardly, Elizabeth giggled. They would not be alone forever. Soon, Georgiana would be with them, and she might hate such displays of love and tenderness. Elizabeth would enjoy every contact while she could.

When it was time for him to depart, she clung to him. They did not say farewell at the door lest the servants see. Instead, they cuddled on the couch in the drawing room. Eventually, he released her from his embrace and stood. She could not resist pouting.

He laughed. “Dearest, I will only be gone for a few hours. We must endure short separations.” He helped her stand and then spoke softly in her ear. “It makes the reunion all the sweeter.” He kissed her hands with an amorous promise twinkling in his eyes.

After he left, Elizabeth amused herself on the pianoforte and then perused the library. Although they decided she would not begin mistress duties until they reached Pemberley, she spoke with the housekeeper. She required certainty that Georgiana’s room was ready and that things were in hand for their imminent departure. The girl would arrive on the morrow, and they would leave for Pemberley the following day. Elizabeth marvelled that it would mark one week since her wedding, yet it seemed long ago.

After about two hours, Elizabeth heard a sound at the front door. She flew down the stairs to greet her husband but was instead accosted by Lord Fitzwilliam's strident tones.

“How dare you refuse me admittance!” his lordship declared. “I demand that you allow me in. I must speak with my nephew.”

When the butler continued to resist, his lordship cried, “Do you know who I am? I am almost the most powerful man in the country! You will rue the day you did not obey me.” Then, he snapped his fingers. “Jones! Do what you must.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as a broad and solid “coachman” approached the door with a menacing glare. The ageing butler trembled.

“I will handle this, Mr Harris,” Elizabeth said from the stairway. “Please escort Mr Darcy’s family to the drawing room and send for refreshments.”

“I will not meet the hussy and pretend this is a social call. The study!” His lordship walked in that direction.

Elizabeth belatedly noticed that his wife and eldest son were with him. She could not force them into another room, and whatever insults they hurled at her would be just as terrible regardless of which chamber. Therefore, she followed them to her husband’s study.

“Well!” the earl harrumphed when they had all entered the room. He sat before she could even invite him to do so. His wife and son followed his example. “Did we not tell you that you would be a reproach to Darcy, girl?”

“We heard about the brawl on the street,” Lady Fitzwilliam said in a shrill voice. “At church! And all because of you.”

“My lady,” Elizabeth said. “I fear you have heard a misrepresentation. There was no fight. Mr Darcy conducted himself very honourably despite provocation.”

“Do not contradict me!” The older lady snapped. “How dare you insinuate that I am incorrect or listen to gossip.”

The viscount rolled his eyes. “Mama do not hate her for stating the truth. You should despise her for what she has done to our family.”

The earl sneered at Elizabeth. “Despite your arrogant defence in Hertfordshire, you neglected to state that one of your sisters has come upon the town.”

“That is not true!” Elizabeth stood in indignation. At their looks of pleasure, she realised she had miscalculated.

“Your reaction proves the truth—or at least enough of it,” the earl said in a calm, pleased voice. “Now, we have many means of ending this farce of a union. We have come to be generous and allow you to choose which route to take. If you cannot behave, we will take matters into our own hands.” He glowered at her. “As my deceased sister could tell you.”

Elizabeth’s heart was in her throat. No longer were Darcy’s relatives merely unkind or cruel. They were dangerous and potentially lethal. They had something to do with the removal of Darcy’s mother. Elizabeth looked from one menacing glare to the next. Even Lady Fitzwilliam currently appeared capable of violence and maliciousness. Elizabeth’s head swirled. She began to wonder if all of the ton were heartless monsters.

It had all been too good to be true. The wealthy and handsome suitor who came to rescue her from a life of oppression at Longbourn was nothing but a fantasy. Elizabeth knew she could never deserve it, and it could never last. Even more than that, she realised that she could not harm Darcy. She loved him far too much. Tears dripped from her eyes. “What do you want me to do?”

The earl’s terrifying visage did not alter, but he said, “I will allow my son to explain.”

The viscount gave Elizabeth a sickening grin. “The first step is to leave him. We will make arrangements for you to abscond at night. You must give him no reason to think anything is amiss.” He looked Elizabeth up and down before adding, “Continue your wifely duties.”

It took every bit of Elizabeth’s courage to ask, “What if I refuse?”

The viscount stood and slowly walked toward her. “I sense reputation is not of the most importance to you, but it is so delightful to ruin someone.” He cast a look at his parents, who nodded. “Telling the world about the youngest Bennet may not matter very much to you, but you have three other sisters and are by all accounts extremely fond of them.”

His eyes were beady and dark, boring into her. He leaned forward, closing the gap between them and making Elizabeth’s heart race.

“Your father does little to protect them, and we know why your greatest fear is failing to protect a sibling.” He glanced at her lower belly. “I am surprised you even married, given your history. Do you imagine Darcy will be pleased once he learns that you cannot bear him a son?”

A tear streaked down her cheek, and the viscount laughed before stepping back.

“We have connections in the church and a man ready to prove that you were previously married to him. Or would you prefer that your father’s sanity be put into question? Your mother would jump at the chance for ten thousand pounds.”

“This is madness,” Elizabeth whispered to herself. “Can you hate me this much?” she asked audibly to the others.

Lady Fitzwilliam’s attention turned to her. “Darcy should have warned you how cutthroat the ton is. You are but a flea to be smashed.”

Elizabeth’s mind whirled through the fog of intimidation. She must think quickly. No, she had all the time to think after they left. She must merely pretend to go along with their desires. Surely, they could not immediately follow through on their threats.

Trembling, she allowed tears to sting her eyes. They must believe that their tactics had worked. “What shall I do? What is your plan?”

The viscount’s eyes gleamed as he explained the next steps. The longer he talked, the more Elizabeth vowed in her heart that she would do whatever it took to free her husband of his vicious relatives and their intent on controlling him. First, she needed to be as far away from them as possible.