Page 42 of A Matter of Murder

“I know that,” Darcy protested. “He’s just worried about you. Lady Catherine—”

“This isn’t about her!”

Darcy reached out to gently grab Lizzie’s arm. “Lizzie. Talk to me. What’s the matter?”

“Is this how it’s always going to be?” she asked. “And I don’t just mean in regard to Lady Catherine, but every time there’s danger or concern, will you always default to my father? Override my wishes?”

Darcy was perplexed. “You know I respect you,” he said. “And anything I do, I do because I care about you, and I want to ensure that you’re safe.”

“I don’t need you to protect me,” she said, glowering. “I need you to listen to me.”

Darcy opened his mouth to say that he was listening, and besides, he could listen to her and protect her at the same time. But something in her look stilled his tongue, and he closed his mouth. “All right,” he said. “I’m listening.”

Lizzie exhaled. “Do you trust me?”

He looked into her eyes. What he wanted to say was thathe never distrusted her, even when her plans appeared reckless in the moment. Agreeing with her father that they all ought to depart London had never been about distrusting Lizzie but about fearing Lady Catherine and her threats.

“Yes,” he said.

She nodded, then pulled him around to the east side of the manor, Guy trotting alongside them. When they were far enough away from where any passersby might happen upon them, Lizzie withdrew something from her pocket. “I need you to promise you won’t overreact,” she said.

Darcy had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he reached for the letter in her hand. He knew before seeing the address whom it must be from, but when he opened the letter, the confirmation sent his world spinning.

My dear Miss Bennet,

I confess, I did not take you for a lady who runs away from a challenge. You disappoint me. Were my threats against your family a step too far? I truly do not wish to go to such lengths. I don’t enjoy hurting others, and I find it very difficult.

Darcy scoffed.Try telling that to Wickham, he thought.

But you see, Elizabeth—I can call you Elizabeth, can’t I? I feel as though after all we’ve been through, we are intimately acquainted—I’ll be direct. You owe me. My insurance dealings as they pertained to Netherfield Shipping were quite valuable,and when you interrupted them, it left me in a very vulnerable position. And I believe I have you to thank for the Royal Navy’s sudden fixation on me. My plans to reestablish business interests in England have been yet again thwarted by you, and I am vexed—do you think it is easy to smuggle goods between England and France? I find my freedom threatened by a myriad of legal issues, and you, Elizabeth, are to blame. Just know that I won’t hesitate to call in my debt, whether you’re in London or Hertfordshire or Ireland or the Americas.

I will send further instructions.

Cordially,

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

“Well?” Lizzie asked after he’d finished.

He swallowed and found his mouth was completely dry. “I think you’ve made her very mad.”

Lizzie actually laughed as she took the letter back. “Is that all you have to say?”

“I think we ought to tell your—”

“Absolutely not.” The look she gave him was severe. “If my father were to see this, he’d have us all in carriages before luncheon. No. We cannot keep retreating—you saw what she wrote.”

Darcy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “How did this letter arrive?”

“The maid said it came via the post—I also received a letter from the Dashwoods.”

“How did she know we’re here? And so quickly—she must have known the day we left London. But who—”

“I don’t know!”

Darcy tried to collect his thoughts. “Whatdowe know?”

“She’s good at recruiting allies,” Lizzie said. “Think of Collins, Wickham, Tomlinson... She always has someone working for her.”