Page 70 of A Matter of Murder

He raked his fingers through his hair. “She didn’t tell you?”

“Apparently not,” Charlotte remarked.

Jane appeared shocked. “She really doesn’t want to marry you?”

“Well, I hope that’s not the case.” He coughed. Gods, this was mortifying! “I told her... I told her I cared for her and... I’d follow her to the ends of the earth. There was a metaphor in there about sailing—”

“Sailing?” Jane asked, baffled.

“We were rather exhausted and somewhat traumatized at the time. But yes, I gave her a speech about how I wanted to be there for her, forever. And she told me she wasn’t ready.”

A pause followed. Then Jane asked, “And when did she say she’d be ready?”

“I don’t know. We didn’t discuss timelines.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake! I’ll talk to her.”

“Please don’t,” he begged.

“I have to. I have to talk to her and explain that she cannot drag her feet on this for the rest of time—”

“I’ll wait,” Darcy said simply. With those two words, he felt more sure than he’d had about anything in his entire life. “For as long as it takes, I’ll wait.”

“Jane,” Charlotte said.

Jane took a deep breath and seemed to collect herself. “I’m sorry, Darcy—forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said, although he was still rather perplexed and embarrassed.

“It’s just that... I thought the reason you hadn’t proposed was that you didn’t think she’d say yes. Or because she’d givenyou an indication that it wasn’t what she wanted. When I know that she loves you very much.”

His embarrassment was a well—a deep, bottomless well, but hearing from Jane that Lizzie returned his affections... well, it was like finding the most magnificent treasure in those murky depths. “Oh, well... ahem. You have no idea how much I would love to propose. But I won’t until she’s ready.”

“How very noble of you,” Jane said somewhat begrudgingly. “And exactly how long ago did she say she wasn’t ready?”

“All right, Jane,” Charlotte said, taking her arm. “Let it rest! You know Lizzie. Everything will be done in her own time.”

Jane looked unabashedly at Darcy. “It’s just... she’s my sister.”

“I, too, have a sister.”

“Then you understand that I’d do anything for her. I just want her to be happy.”

He nodded. He did understand. And Jane’s words brought to mind Georgiana, unhappily stuck at Pemberley for nearly a year. He hadn’t visited her, first because he had been too busy at the firm, keeping up with the work his father expected of him. Then because he’d been too afraid to stray from Lizzie because of the threat of Lady Catherine. Guilt gnawed at him. At least Georgiana was safe, far away from this madness, but seeing how fiercely protective Jane was of Lizzie left Darcy feeling as though he hadn’t done enough for her.

“I don’t suppose there’s any chance that we can keep thislittle conversation among the three of us?” Jane asked. “I feel a bit foolish, assuming the worst.”

“It’s understandable,” Darcy said. “If a gentleman were as close to Georgiana as I am to Lizzie, well... I would be expecting a proposal as well.”

“She’s worked hard for her position,” Jane said. “I want her to be happy. Preferably, with you.”

It wasn’t as though Jane’s words didn’t make him glad, but... “Why me?”

“Because you see her for who she is,” Jane said simply. “Capable and smart. And you let her be her own person. She doesn’t have to prove herself with you, and it’s when she’s trying to prove herself that she takes the most risks.”

Darcy couldn’t respond, for he was suddenly overcome with emotion. “I... thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, leaning against the wall. “That said, if Papa finds out about this...”