Page 28

Elizabeth was thinking about the past week as she walked along the path. Cresting the rise, she saw the man she had just been thinking about leaning with his back against a tree, just off the path. Upon seeing her, Darcy sprang from his position approaching with long strides, he quickly closed the distance between them..

“Miss Elizabeth, I have been waiting, hoping you would be out for a walk today,” he said.

“And if I had not?” She asked in amusement.

“Then I would have been here tomorrow. You told me you took almost daily walks this way when the weather permitted.”

“Considering the state you were in that night, I’m surprised you remember.”

“Not one of my better nights,” he admitted sheepishly.

“I think it was understandable. So we can overlook it,” she replied with a slight shrug.

“Perhaps, but inexcusable as a guest.”

“I assume you were waiting here with a purpose in mind. Although, it would have been easier to find me during proper visiting hours at home.”

“True,” he replied, looking down the path behind her.

“Are you expecting someone else?” She teased.

“No. I was making sure we were alone.”

She was taken aback by the comment.

“My sisters only enjoy long walks when it is going in the direction of town for shopping and visiting my aunt.”

While they had been alone several times, not to mention Friday night, he had never been as nervous as he was now. He was so agitated that he could not keep still and avoided looking directly at her as he continually rubbed his thumb across his fingers.

“Are Georgiana and Ann well?” she asked, trying to jog his memory or resolve him to say whatever he had come to tell her.

“Yes, yes. Perfectly fine, at least as of last night when I saw them last.”

“I should be heading back now if you care to accompany me,” she replied, thinking that perhaps not standing in front of her might make it easier for him to say whatever was on his mind. He agreed, and they set off at a slow pace towards Longbourn.

“You were waiting for me, so I assume there must be a reason.” She doubted that he sought her out to spend time with her. Regardless of her casual reply, her heart pounded as she suspected why but did not want to ask.

“Miss Elizabeth, I thought this would be an easy task, but I find myself unsure how to inform you even though I have repeatedly gone over it in my head.”

“I am a grown woman. I think my constitution can handle whatever it may be. I promise not to swoon.” She put her hand to her breast, wishing she had not thrown the stick away that she had been using earlier to swat stray blades of grass. Her heart beat hard and fast under her hand.

Darcy halted and stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“I regret to inform you that we were seen in the early morning when...”

“When we were sleeping?”

He nodded. “Naturally, word of it spread amongst the lower house. This does not look good for you.”

“For me?” She cried, pulling her arm from his grasp. “Why for me?”

“Of course not you alone. That is not what I meant, but you will bear the brunt of it.”

“Why, because you are an earl?”

He shook his head. “No, because this is where you live, and... well…”

“Because you are a man and an earl?”

“Yes, as much as you might not like it. Nor I,” he added quickly. “I did not make the rules of how society views these, um, things.”

“The rules say I am the one that will be looked down upon. The law says we shall lose our family home to some distant cousin. All because I am a woman.”

“If not for the law and basic rules of society, there would be anarchy. I do not know what else to tell you. Hear me out, though. There is a way out of this predicament,” he said hesitantly.

Elizabeth wished more than ever that she had not discarded that stick, as she needed something to vent her anger on.

“To entrap me in marriage,” she snapped.

Darcy was taken by surprise by the accusation. He had expected her to readily agree to a marriage. What woman would not want to marry him, he was wealthy, and she would become a countess?

“It is the best for both of us.”

“Ooh, Mr Darcy, please explain that one to me,” she said mockingly. “Or should I say Your Lordship, or do you prefer Your Grace?” She folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his reply.

Darcy was unsure what to say now. By the look on her face, she was angry. He was not sure why, as any other woman would be delighted. He grabbed his hat from his head to give his hands a task and began rotating the brim.

“It would give your family security upon the sad event of your father’s passing, and the entail takes effect.”

Elizabeth pursed her lips and squinted as she gazed up at him.

“That might be ten or twenty years from now. Perhaps my father will outlive my cousin, and the point will be moot.”

“I thought you would be happy with my offer.”

“Offer? I heard no offer, just a vague implication of how to resolve the issue of a rumor amongst the servants at Netherfield.”

“As all but a few are local to this area and being new to Bingley’s employ, they hold no loyalty to him and know you and your family. If the gossip reaches town, it will get worse. With Meryton being a stopping point towards London, it is only a matter of time before word reaches there. Then the cat will truly be out of the bag.”

Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief. “This cannot be happening.” She turned away and started pacing. “I find myself in an absurd situation, and my life turned topsy-turvy.”

Darcy let out an exasperated sigh. “Miss Elizabeth. I have been summoned to appear by Saturday at Carlton House. It would be best to resolve this between us now. Once in town, I fear every eligible lady looking to throw themselves at me, hoping to secure a proposal.”

She stopped pacing and walked directly in front of him. “So now you brag to me about your options to make me feel grateful for the offer or force my hand?”

“No! I am merely stating a fact. One I have dealt with my entire adult life, and now it will only get worse. I fear much worse.”

“If they are going to fling themselves in your direction. As far as I am concerned, you are free to accept any offer you might enjoy.”

“You must see reason,” he implored. “You will not be the only one to suffer. Your sisters will be affected by this as well.”

“My sisters are young enough that this will all be forgotten by the time they are ready to marry.”

“And Miss Jane?”

“You believe your friend will stop showing his interest in my sister, even if informed of the truth?”

“I do not think so… I am not sure. Bingley is different; he has been infatuated before and is easily influenced by his sisters.”

“So he toys with my sister’s affection?”

“I did not say that.”

“If he is easily swayed in his affections, perhaps he is not the right match for Jane. Are you going to tell him the truth?”

“I already have, but gossip of a scandalous nature will overcome the truth. Especially when the truth is far less tawdry. Despite Bingley’s fortune, he is marrying up as far as society is concerned.”

“His family will move up as well as mine. All by marriage and not merit. Perhaps the colonies had it right.”

“This is not the time for a philosophical discussion, but action.”

She flushed in anger. “So you think you can just take what you want?”

“That is not what I mean, and you know it.”

“Why are you so persistent in this? You do not love me. I do not love you. So both of us are equal in not wanting this marriage.”

“What does love have to do with marriage?”

“Everything for me,” she cried

“Twice now, in the short time I have known you, you have given me words of encouragement. Some semblance of sanity in this insane position I find myself. You might not want marriage; I did not want an Earldom. The sacrifice I had to endure is far worse than your ruined reputation.”

Elizabeth stepped back aghast. “Yes, your family has suffered greatly, and for that, I am truly sorry, but you do not have the right to play the victim when I am the one who will be forced into a marriage I do not want or desire.”

“You have a penchant for seeing in my words what is not there.”

“You think me a silly ignorant girl.” She declared, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

At the same time Darcy threw his up in frustration, causing his hat to fly from his grasp.

“There see, you did it again. I said no such thing, nor did I think it. I can only believe it is a defense mechanism. One that might work with most of your acquaintances. You are far too intelligent that your frequent misunderstandings have to be deliberate. And to put it bluntly, a silly girl would have agreed to this arrangement by now.”

She glared at him, examining his countenance. It seemed as pained as she felt, both trapped by circumstances, beginning with a moment of comfort at a time when it was sorely needed.

“I do not want to be forced into a marriage,” Elizabeth declared, folding her arms across her chest and giving him a defiant glare. “Let alone be a countess.”

Darcy let out a long sigh. “The weight of it all falls heavy on me. It is a burden I did not seek nor want. I would give up my fortune to have my cousin back.”

She watched as his tall, dignified posture sagged as if his words brought a physical weight down upon his broad shoulders. It was only a moment before he regained his natural stance.

“I can see you need more time to contemplate the matter. It would be foolish for you to rush into an agreement.”

“At least on that, I do agree with you.”

“I will call upon you tomorrow morning.”

“I cannot stop you,” she replied, biting her tongue, knowing a day would not change her mind.

“I bid you a good day.” He did not wait for a reply but pivoted and retrieved his hat. After brushing it off, he put it on his head and strode off.

Elizabeth watched him go, her mind in turmoil as her thoughts threatened to overwhelm her sensibilities. She headed home, where she could have some peace and quiet while she digested her plight.