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G uilt ate into him. If only he had known she would return to the country, he could have had Wickham apprehended before he could attempt to abduct her. He could have saved her all this torment.

But she had accepted his assistance, allowed him to place his coat around her shoulders, permitted him to comfort her, and taken his handkerchief.

His heart swelled with love. She was a rare woman, going to the aid of an injured servant, undeterred by the sight of blood.

She had been fighting off her assailant when they came upon them.

And all this after the sound of the rifle shot.

The mere sound often incapacitated those who were not prepared for it, and a gentlewoman would not have been prepared; so shockingly close, as well.

He looked up. Where was the assistance? Elizabeth was beginning to shiver uncontrollably, and he crossed to the two prone young militia men.

“Give me your coats!” he barked at them, and soon he was draping one over her shoulders, on top of his own, and the second over her lap. The shock must be immense, and he wanted nothing else but to enfold her in his embrace and warm her.

But he dare not. As he looked at her, he saw her lips twitch, and he crouched down again. “Lady Elizabeth?”

“It is inconvenient, is it not,” she murmured. “My father would not like it.”

Darcy frowned slightly. “What would he object to?”

She sighed. “Any more assistance than is strictly necessary, sir.” But she met his gaze.

“I must thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have saved me from a dreadful fate.” She frowned slightly, obviously trying not to think of the body of the man lying behind her. “Why were you here, riding this way?”

He took her hand. “We were trying to avoid the town on the way to Colonel Forster. I brought with me evidence of the debts Wickham has so that I could have him arrested. But I was too late to prevent you having to endure this. I am sorry.”

“Why were you going to have him arrested?”

“I began to be concerned he was a danger to you, my lady. Not only to your sisters, but to you.” He could not prevent himself taking her hand again. “I am so sorry I did not come sooner.”

Her smile was watery. “I expect you thought I was still in town for last night’s ball.”

“I did.”

She shook her head. “I was just so tired. I hadn’t realised a season could be so exhausting, so Father permitted me to leave town early.

” She looked down. “But this is my fault. I snubbed Wickham rather, at Longbourn yesterday, and now Papa has banned all officers from the house, so I think he became desperate.”

“Do not think on it again. You are safe now, and that is what matters.” He heard the sound of many people approaching. “I think assistance is arriving. I will be pleased once you are home and resting safely.”

He rose to his feet as Bennet and several servants hurried into the clearing. The man’s eyes swept the area, and he crossed at once to Lady Elizabeth.

“My little Lizzy, are you badly hurt?”

She pushed herself to her feet. “No, Papa. I am well, but he — Mr. Wickham — killed Dawlish. He was trying to protect me, Papa, and …” her voice sounded a little shrill, and Darcy wanted nothing more than to comfort her again.

But it was no longer his place. He turned away at the sound of horse and harness.

How could they have got the coach up here?

But it was a small cart. Mrs. Bingley jumped from it and hurried to her sister.

Darcy found Bennet beside him. “I’m not certain yet what happened, Mr. Darcy, but I believe I have you to thank for saving Elizabeth from a terrible fate.”

“I am sorry I was not in time to prevent it completely. But I think Lady Elizabeth is far more shaken than she professes. I believe you ought to hasten to get her home and call the apothecary.”

“I agree. She can go with Jane on the cart, since there was no way to get the coach here. Mr. Jones ought to be waiting at Longbourn by the time she gets there.” Bennet looked at him.

“Might you escort the ladies, sir? I need to find out what has happened here and wait for Colonel Forster and Sir William to arrive. They have been sent for.”

“Sir William?” Darcy was puzzled.

“He is the local magistrate.”

“Ah. That explains it.” Darcy crossed to where the two sisters stood in a silent embrace.

“Mrs. Bingley,” he greeted her. “Your father agrees we ought to make haste to Longbourn so Lady Elizabeth is in a warm place.”

Mrs. Bingley looked over the top of Elizabeth’s head at him. “I agree. Mr. Jones will be there by now.” She bent her head and spoke to her sister.

“Come, Lizzy, let’s go to the cart.” She smiled. “It’s a long time since we rode together in one of those.”

Elizabeth crossed the clearing to the coach, but she hesitated by the footman’s body, even though Darcy had placed himself between it and her.

“Come, madam. I will ensure someone remains with him until the cart can return to bear him home.” He kept his voice very gentle, and she raised her tear-streaked face to his. His breath caught; she was most unbelievably beautiful, despite it all. How much he loved her.

At the cart, he assisted her up onto the bench beside her sister, wanting nothing more than to lift her himself. But he dare not. And she was an independent lady, too. She would not have welcomed it.

Once the cart was ready, Darcy swung himself into the saddle, nodded at Bennet and Richard, and turned to ride as closely as he could beside her.

It seemed to take a long time to reach the house, and he was reminded of how prodigious a walker she was.

As soon as she was assisted into the house, he sent the driver back with the cart, knowing she would soon ask him whether Dawlish had been properly recovered.

He followed the ladies into the house, steeling himself for the cacophony of sound that was Mrs. Bennet.

But that lady was surprisingly quiet, her face pale, as she grasped her daughter’s hand. “Oh, my Lizzy; my darling Lizzy, you are safe! I could not have abided it if we had lost you.”

Darcy felt mortified. He had derided the family when he first came to Hertfordshire, had disdained them.

But the love between them shamed him, showed him the family was closer than many in the first circles.