Chapter 12

The next morning Darcy had a very difficult conversation with his friend. He had always felt that Bingley was too conciliatory with his sisters, but last night Caroline had gone too far. She had even issued a threat, which Darcy was forced to take seriously. His brother-in-law, Lord Dunmore, came with him to speak to Bingley, and they both impressed on him the seriousness of the situation.

"She has been sent away this morning and will never be recognized by either of us again," said Darcy. "But it is your responsibility to make sure she makes no more trouble. If she tries to do Miss Elizabeth harm, or spreads rumours about her, I will hold you accountable."

"You know I have no control over Caroline, Darcy! She has never listened to me," Bingley protested. He had been incredulous that his sister would have done such a thing when Darcy explained what had happened last night. It had taken some time to convince him.

"Then I will be forced to cut you and your wife in public as well, and my entire family will be instructed to do the same."

It pained Darcy to give this ultimatum. The thought of cutting his friend hurt him; but Elizabeth's safety and reputation were more important. His love for her was overcoming all else.

Bingley sighed and nodded. "Very well, Darcy. I will do my best. I do not want to lose your friendship."

Darcy had to be content with that answer.

Elizabeth was feeling a bit better the next morning. Last night had been horrible, but she remembered the tender care Mr. Darcy had taken with her, the way he had defended her against Mr. Althorpe, and felt something flutter inside her. Her courage always rose at any attempt to intimidate her, and she knew Mr. Althorpe would not frighten her again.

She called for a tray instead of going down to breakfast. She had slept rather later than usual after having trouble falling asleep the night before. Jane insisted on staying with her, and they helped each other get dressed as they waited for the food to come.

To her surprise, with the tray came Lady Dunmore. After the maid had laid down the food, Lady Dunmore dismissed her, and then came forward and took Elizabeth's hands in hers.

"My dear Miss Elizabeth, I am so sorry for what you have suffered, and under my own roof! That one of my own guests should so impose on you –"

"Lady Dunmore," Elizabeth interrupted her apologies, "it is not your fault in the least. I could tell from my first day here that Mr. Althorpe was a base scoundrel. I should not have put myself in a position of being alone with him."

"Do not blame yourself, Miss Elizabeth. The blame is entirely his," insisted Lady Dunmore. "You should feel safe enough in my home that you would not have to fear being alone."

"What has happened to Mr. Althorpe?" asked Jane.

"He has been dismissed from the house. He left last night," said Lady Dunmore. "You will not see him again."

Elizabeth felt better, despite telling herself that she could face Mr. Althorpe again with equanimity. She was glad she would not have to.

"I never thanked Mr. Darcy properly last night," Elizabeth said. "He was so gallant and kind. Has he left the house with the other gentlemen yet?"

"He decided not to go out with them today," said Lady Dunmore with a twinkle in her eye. "I am sure he would be glad to speak with you, Miss Elizabeth. Perhaps he could meet you in the garden?"

Elizabeth was pleased. "I should be glad to. Maybe in an hour?"

"I will tell him to meet you in an hour," Lady Dunmore said.

"Thank you."

"I suppose I should leave you ladies to enjoy your breakfast. Please forgive me once again for not safeguarding your safety better."

"Lady Dunmore, let us have no more of that. None of this is your fault."

"You are very gracious, Miss Elizabeth."

With that, Lady Dunmore left the sisters to eat, and Jane looked at her sister curiously.

"What is it, Jane?"

"I was just wondering … have you developed feelings for Mr. Darcy, Lizzy?"

There was silence as Elizabeth pondered how to answer. At last, she decided simply to tell the truth. "I believe I have. He is the most estimable man I have ever known. He is honourable, kind, gentle, and a wonderful father. I am dreadfully afraid that I am in love with him, Jane."

"Why should you be afraid of such a thing?" asked Jane in surprise. "It seems to me that it would be something to celebrate."

"Because, how could he possibly return my love?"

"Very easily," responded the loyal Jane.

"Jane, think about it," said Elizabeth patiently. "Mr. Darcy is a mature man of the world, who has lived many years more than I have on this earth. He has a lifetime of experience behind him. I must seem little more than a girl to him."

"No, certainly not!" cried Jane. "You are very wise and mature for your age; I have always said so. Besides, you are a woman full grown. You will come of age this winter."

"Mr. Darcy is twice my age, Jane!"

Jane looked concerned. "Does that bother you, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth thought about it. "At first I thought it was not possible for us to become involved romantically because of our age difference, but now I realize that if we love each other, age does not matter. But how could he love me, Jane?"

"You are circling back to the same problem, Lizzy," said Jane patiently. "I have seen how Mr. Darcy's eyes light up when he sees you, the smiles he gives you, and I know you have been meeting him for walks almost every morning. Would a man of the world give so much time to a mere girl who is not mature enough for him?"

Elizabeth fell silent as she thought about this.

"Perhaps he also feels unsure," Jane continued.

Elizabeth looked up in surprise. "He unsure? How could he be unsure?"

"As you said, he is twice your age. Perhaps he thinks himself too old for you."

"That is nonsense," Elizabeth dismissed it immediately. "He looks younger than he is and he is still quite handsome."

"Still, maybe he needs some encouragement from you just as you need it from him," Jane said wisely.

Elizabeth pondered that. Could she give Mr. Darcy encouragement? How was she to give encouragement without appearing crass or flirtatious? It was not appropriate for a gently bred lady to be brazen with a man. What if he thought her ridiculous?

"How did you encourage Mr. Cranfield?" she asked her sister.

Jane blushed. "I did not have to do much, to be honest. Nicholas has always been an ardent lover. He knew what he wanted, and he went to get it."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "You are not helping me, Jane."

Jane gave her an apologetic look. "Go on your walk with Mr. Darcy, and observe him. Perhaps you will see a sign of his regard."

"I know he sees me as a friend, I just do not know if there is any more."

"As I said, perhaps he is unsure of you."

"And I do not know how to encourage him!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

It seemed they had reached a stalemate.

"Then just go enjoy his company," said Jane. "I am sure things will work themselves out."

Elizabeth was not so sure of that, but she decided not to argue with Jane further and finished her breakfast.

A half an hour later, she was making her way down the garden paths of Dunmore Manor. She headed for the narcissus patch, where she guessed Mr. Darcy would be. She knew it was his favourite spot.

She found him pacing back in forth in front of the white and yellow flowers. When he saw her approach, he started forward, reaching out his hands. Instinctively she raised her own so that he could capture them in his, as his sister had done.

"Miss Elizabeth, are you well this morning?" he asked, and she melted a bit at the concern she saw in his eyes.

"I am very well, Mr. Darcy. Thank you so much for your invaluable assistance last night."

"I only wish it had been unnecessary." He let go of her hands and turned to offer her his arm. "Thank you for agreeing to walk with me. Shall we find a bench to sit? I have some good news for you."

"You have heard from your friend in London?" she asked, taking his arm to walk beside him.

"Yes, Mr. Pritchard. I will show you his letter." They came to a bench and sat down close enough that their thighs were touching. Elizabeth did not pull away. Instead she felt a thrill to be so close to him.

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment. "I will let you read it yourself," he said.

She took the letter and read.

Dear Mr. Darcy,

I do not know how you have come across such extraordinary talent, but I am certainly interested in purchasing rights to the artwork and stories. Your friend could make a thousand pounds a year on royalties alone. Will you introduce me to him when you come to London? I would like to meet him firsthand and work out some sort of deal. Perhaps he can bring an example of one of the books he has completed.

Yours, etc.,

Josiah Pritchard

"He does not know I am a woman?" Elizabeth asked, even as her heart leapt with excitement.

"I did not tell him who you were. I only said it was the work of a friend of mine. You would have to publish under a different name, of course, but all royalties would still go to you."

"I am not concerned about royalties," Elizabeth waved that off. "But he truly thinks this is worthy of publication?"

"Read the letter again if you do not believe me," Mr. Darcy said with a smile.

Elizabeth did indeed read the letter again. "He wants to meet me in London?" she asked.

"I do believe you should meet him yourself, Miss Elizabeth. You are old and wise enough to deal with him yourself. It would be better than using me as an intermediary."

Maybe he does see me as more than simply a girl, Elizabeth thought, and the thought filled her with joy. She turned her mind back to the matter at hand.

"I shall have to tell my father about this. I would need his permission, of course."

"Do you think he would withhold it?" Darcy asked in concern.

"No, I do not believe so. But even if he does, I reach my majority in December. He cannot stop me then," she said with a winsome smile. Darcy smiled back, appearing to relax.

"I will work on a new story to show him," she decided. "We ladies have so much free time during the day, and there are still two more weeks of the house party."

"I hope you will spare some time for me, Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy softly.

She looked up into his face and saw a light in his eyes that she had only ever seen when he was with her. Could it be…? "Of course I will, Mr. Darcy. I would not want to miss our talks. And Melody would miss me if I did not spend time with her, too."

Mr. Darcy smiled. "Melody does seem to love you. You have become her new favourite person. I might find myself becoming jealous," he teased gently.

Elizabeth laughed. "She is a darling girl," she said, "but I don't think she could love me more than she loves her beloved Papa."

Darcy smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling in that attractive manner. "Would you like to go on another picnic with us today?" he asked. "I know she enjoyed the one on her birthday."

"Certainly!" Elizabeth replied.

"Perhaps this time you can keep from decking me with flowers," he teased again.

She laughed. "But you looked so handsome that way!" she teased back. "I thought I was gazing upon Oberon!"

"Oberon is only handsome when he has his Titania with him," he said softly. There was a look in his eyes that she could not decipher, but she blushed. Was he referring to her?

He cleared his throat and stood, appearing a bit embarrassed. "Shall we return to the house? We can tell Melody about our picnic."

"Of course." She stood and took his arm, and they walked back to the house in silence. But it was a comfortable silence.