Page 61

E lizabeth watched the town recede behind them and countryside begin to replace the houses and shops.

She smiled at her father. “I’m still sorry we seem to be running away.”

He sighed. “I’m also angry that you have been placed in this position. But there is no blame attached to you at all. However, it is better that I not be in town while the Speaker deals with Monmouth and his family, and I will not be seen to be influencing that decision in any way.”

“I understand, Father. But I am sorry to have to miss Mr. Darcy’s calls.” He would have been arriving very shortly if they were still in town, and now she didn’t know when she would see him again. Pemberley was a hundred miles from Lancaster, far too distant for easy calls.

Father glanced at her. “Would you be inclined to accept his suit, my dear?”

Elizabeth looked away. “I don’t even know if he will offer it, so I don’t like to think about it.”

“Do you really think he won’t?”

She knew she blushed. “I suppose not.” She sighed.

“It all seems so mundane, really, as if it’s all foreordained and arranged.

” She looked up rather desperately at him.

“Of course, I know he cares for me and it won’t be a cold arrangement.

But I always dreamed of being swept off my feet with passion as we got to know each other. ”

Father smiled at her. “Young dreams are sad to lose, I suppose.” He had a faraway look in his eye. “I remember how your mother was happy during the time before our marriage and the places we visited.”

She leaned forward. “If he comes to the north and calls, might you permit us to go on excursions and walks? I would of course have my maid with me, so it would all be proper.”

“I would not have you miss that sort of joy, although I think you are not yet safe enough. I must wait and see what sort of rumours and gossip are spreading first, Elizabeth, before I can consider this.”

“I understand.” Perhaps it was the best she could hope for. “Do you think the scandal will spread, Father?”

“I don’t know. I think it is likely that Monmouth will be suspended from the Chamber for failing to keep his wife and son in check — though it will be a hard thing to do, because he obviously didn’t have any sort of hand in the plan.

It must have been a poorly conceived impulse of the moment between the countess and their son.

” He looked at her. “If the suspension is a significant one, then the blame will all be apportioned to his family, and none to you.” He sighed heavily.

“I am not sure how Darcy will react if there is any implication against you. He has a young sister who would be damaged at her come-out if he paid you suit after any gossip seems to blame you.”

“If he did such a thing, then he would not be worth marrying!” Elizabeth said hotly.

“Indeed not,” Father said equably. “We will have to wait and see.”

Elizabeth nodded, and gazed out of the window as the coach made its stately way along the Great North Road. She’d only been this far north once before, when travelling to Consall Hall, but she knew Lancaster was a full day’s travel further on. It would be a long journey.

That afternoon, she climbed back into the coach after lunch, determined not to dwell on the dark-haired gentleman with the intense, unfathomable gaze left behind in London.

“Will you tell me of Lancaster, Father? What is the castle like as a place to live?”

He smiled. “I will tell you, but I confess it was a good lunch, and we might wish to rest and sleep for a little while, and talk about the castle later this afternoon, and more tomorrow.”

“Of course.” Elizabeth subsided, supposing there was little else to do, other than watch the scenery and think.

Her lips tightened as she remembered her feeling of unease before the reception, and the feel of the viscount’s strong grip on her arm.

Was her life to be like this, right up until she was wed?

Would Father rather push her to marry quickly, so her inheritance and dowry would become the property of her husband?

She shook her head and forced her attention on the passing landscape. Of course he would want her to marry quickly. But how could she ever trust a man enough to allow her the freedom to help choose the way they lived their lives?

She focussed her gaze on a blowsy woman hanging washing on a line, her body swollen with child. At least Elizabeth was never likely to have to live in that way, without servants and the comfort of adequate security.

And, of course, Mr. Darcy had wealth and lands enough. He wouldn’t be pursuing her because she was heir to such wealth.

In fact, she wasn’t even sure what had drawn Father to permit Mr. Darcy to call on her.

No, that was wrong. It had been after he had saved her from Wickham’s attempted abduction, and she shook herself.

How silly of her to forget that — the knowledge that such evil was in the world ought to be forefront of her mind when considering Mr. Darcy’s suit.

But she would ask Father why he he seemed to have dismissed all other options, even Lord Robert.

She smiled secretly as her reflection appeared in the window as they passed a dark wood. Not that it would make any difference to who she would choose — if she was permitted the choice.