Page 65 of Penned By Mr Darcy
“Good day to you both!” Bingley exclaimed, entering with his usual warmth. “This truly is a most pleasant surprise.”
Elizabeth rose and curtsied.
“Good afternoon, Mr Bingley. Do forgive us for our visit; it was quite my idea. Ah, just the man I was looking for.”
Darcy entered behind him. At once, she felt the air shift. His posture was rigid, his expression unreadable, but his gaze flicked to her and lingered—on her hands, on her face. And perhaps, she thought wildly, on the secret she carried beneath her coat.
“May I have a moment of your time, Mr Darcy? Jane, would you accompany us?”
“Of course,” he replied instantly, and turned to lead her out.
Jane followed, silent and steady. When they reached the library, Darcy moved to close the door behind them. Elizabeth stepped forward.
“The door may remain open, and my sister will stand outside. Jane knows what I must say,” she said. “I had to tell her. Please, she will not tell a soul.”
“You needed someone to trust,” he said. “I understand.”
He gestured toward the hearth, and she stepped further into the room. The air was cooler here. Quieter.
“I have something for you,” she said softly, and removed the diary from beneath her coat. “I meant to return it long ago.”
He stared at it as if it were a dangerous animal, not a worn leather book. She held it out towards him, but he did not move to take it.
“I read it,” she continued. “I resisted for some time, and when I first read it, I tried to stop. I failed. You may hate me for it. I know I have no right to expect anything else.”
Darcy took the diary, his fingertips brushing hers. A silent pause passed between them.
“I do not hate you,” he said at last. “How could I?”
“You should.”
“No. I should have kept it more securely. I was careless. With my thoughts, with my words, and with you. That is what I regret.”
A silence fell.
“I have sent a letter to Mr Wickham,” Elizabeth said. “Well, Lydia sent it to him. He believes he will be meeting her tonight. I intend to speak with him and solve this once and for all.”
He cursed under his breath.
“Forgive me. But you leave yourself exposed. Meeting a man like that, and at night…You have put yourself in terrible danger.”
“I know. But he’s dangerous no matter what I do. If I had ignored him, he might have gone to my father and asked him for money, or something else I do not wish to think about. This way, at least I control the terms.”
Darcy exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair.
“I fear Mr Wickham will have the upper hand.”
“Which is why I came to you. To ask for your help.”
He looked up, startled.
“I do not mean to ask for protection,” she said quickly. “But I cannot fight him alone. I know so little of him, but he threatens my good name. Well, I suppose it is not so good anymore. I admit to what I have done, Mr Darcy,”
“To what we have done,” he corrected her. “Continue.”
She felt her cheeks heat.
“My sisters have too much to lose. I know... I know you were once well acquainted with him.”
