Page 10 of Losing Lizzy
“Naturally, Emerson and Tobias require a mother. I have observed you with your daughter. Your kindness would prove a boon for my sons, who miss their mother desperately.”
As the former Mrs. Townsend supposedly passed less than a year prior, in Elizabeth’s opinion, it was too soon for Townsend’s children to accept another woman’s touch or her rules. Because her daughter had never known her father, the child might easily connect to Mr. Townsend; however, Elizabeth was not certain she wanted Lizzy to desire the attention of any man beyond Mr. Sheffield and Lizzy’s real father.
She said with as much delicacy as she could muster, “I am honored by your interest in me and my daughter, sir, but, for now, I do not expect, in the near future, to be in a place where I shall wish the protection of another. In truth, I still grieve the passing of my daughter’s dear father. It would be a disservice to another gentleman to accept a man I did not affect.”
“It has more than three years, Mrs. Dartmore,” Townsend reminded her.
“And it may be three more years or even thirty before I am prepared to commit myself to another. I shall know when I am capable of accepting the attentions of another,” she said in firm tones.
The gentleman accepted the wrapped book she handed him. “For the time being, I will abide by your denials, but I have not thrown away my hopes.” He presented her a curt bow. “Until we meet again, Mrs. Dartmore.”
When the door closed between her and the gentleman, Elizabeth expelled a heavy sigh of resignation. “Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered. “What havoc your actions have brought to my life. If you could do it all again, would you have left me in Hertfordshire to address an issue on one of Lord Matlock’s ships?” She sat heavily upon the stool and rested her head on her arms upon the counter. “Again, I am the odd bird in a familyof doves. I had a brief taste of perfection before it was snatched away. At least, you left a bit of yourself behind. The only fault, of which I may complain, is Elizabeth Anne will never know what having you as her father could have meant to her future.”
* * *
Over the next three weeks, Darcy had systematically worked his way through the disaster that proved to be his financial situation. There had been a steady flow of bankers and investors through his door, and, with each, he had threatened to sue them for allowing others to touch his fortune. Most were visibly shaken when they had exited his home, each promising to recover what they could of the money lost at their hands. He had insisted that Fitzwilliam join him as Darcy had shifted through the chaos left behind by Matlock and Darcy’s former man of business.
“I am grieved,” Fitzwilliam said over and over again. “I should have realized what was going on.”
“It is as much my fault as it was yours,” Darcy had assured. “Considering you were Georgiana’s guardian, I should have insisted you be made aware of the workings of the Darcy wealth. My only excuse is you were so involved with your military career, I did not think to add to your responsibilities.”
“I have always known I would inherit Yadkin Hall when mother passes. I simply assumed I possessed the time to learn all that would be required of me.” His cousin saluted Darcy with a raised glass of brandy. “I do blame you, Cousin,” Fitzwilliam said, “you made it appear so easily accomplished.”
Darcy smiled weakly. “I assume you mean, if you had emulated me, your charms in the ballroom would have suffered.” It felt good to return to the customary banter between them. Since returning home, Darcy had recognized the strain in their relationship. It was not only his father’s legacy he must rebuild: It was trusting the man who shared his house and his sister. Although the colonel had proven his worth, Darcy felt betrayed by the world on many levels.
“I am a married man,” Fitzwilliam protested with an equalfear of the world, and Darcy knew that fear would bond them in time. “If I shamed your sister, I would be forced to defend myself on Putney Heath.”
“Exactly.” Darcy allowed himself a smile. “And never forget I am better with a sword than you.”
“Then I will choose pistols.” They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes. At length, his cousin asked the question Darcy had been expecting for days. “What will you do regarding Miss Elizabeth?”
He swallowed hard against the pain that predictably filled his chest whenever he thought of what Elizabeth must have endured because of his shortsightedness. He explained, “I have contacted Bingley, who will call at Darcy House later today.” Darcy had yet to go about in London, avoiding the myriad of questions that were sure to torment him until he had control of his holdings again. “I will ask what Bingley knows of the Bennets’ situation and, specifically, where Elizabeth might be.”
“You still mean to seek her out?” Fitzwilliam asked in cautious tones. They had exchanged more than one round of volleys regarding Darcy’s wish to know of Elizabeth’s whereabouts.
“If she is not pledged to another, I wish to speak to her again.”
“Just speak?” Fitzwilliam questioned.
Darcy silently counted to ten before he responded: More than enough heated words had been spoken between them of late. He realized his cousin only meant to protect him, but no one understood Darcy’s complete dependence upon Elizabeth’s goodwill. “If the lady is not involved with another, it would be my desire to make her my wife.”
“Even though it appears you were targeted upon the docks because of your pledge to Miss Elizabeth?”
They had yet to determine who had paid to have Darcy abducted, but from what they had discovered of the movement of funds from one account to another and from several uponThe Lost Sparrow, Darcy had been specifically “chosen” to be a part ofthe crew.
“Whoever dared to cross me would not be so foolish again.” He had his suspicions, but did not, yet, have enough proof to see the culprits to justice. “If the lady will have me after all she has suffered, I will count myself the most fortunate of men.”
“Is this venture why you met with Mr. Cowan earlier today?” Fitzwilliam demanded.
“I have employed the former Bow Street Runner to learn what he might of this mysterious man who likely offered Elizabeth solace. If Mr. Cowan can discover nothing of merit, I will call upon Mr. Bennet and demand to know of Elizabeth’s current situation.”
Fitzwilliam warned, “Bennet was less than cordial to me. It is likely, after nearly four years, he will drive you from the estate with a whip in one hand and a gun in the other.”
“Even so, I must find her. My heart will never be whole without Elizabeth Bennet in my life.”
* * *
Elizabeth led her daughter across the street when she spotted Mr. Townsend approaching in the distance.
