Page 25 of Losing Lizzy
Darcy knew, other than the anticipation of their vows, the sin was not on their part. Even that, awful as the realization must have been for Elizabeth when she came to know of her condition, he could not think upon their actions as a sin. They had conceived the child in love, and he would not think otherwise. God is all about love and family. He reached for her and edged her down beside him once more. “We cannot change our past,” he said as he soothed the hair from about her face. “All we can do is bring Elizabeth Anne home and consider a future together.”
Chapter Nine
A firm knocking belowwoke Darcy, but by the time he eased Elizabeth from his embrace so she might continue to rest upon their daughter’s mattress and pulled a shirt on to descend the steps into the shop below, the messenger had departed, leaving Mr. Sheffield holding a sealed, folded-over piece of paper.
“A message for you, sir.” He extended the note in Darcy’s direction with a grin. “I paid the fellow the shilling you offered.”
Darcy smiled upon his former servant. “I will see you reimbursed fully.”
“I had no doubt, sir. Is Elizabeth well this morning?”
Irrational as the feeling was, Darcy knew a bit of jealousy, for Sheffield had been granted a familiarity with Elizabeth that Darcy had been denied. “She was still asleep when I came below, but I am certain she will rise soon, despite being awake half the night.” Not wishing to answer questions on where he and she had slept, he asked, “How is your health?”
“Still a bit weak, but the fever has been gone for more than a day. I am prepared to assist you as required, sir.”
Darcy accepted the man’s continued loyalty with a gracious nod of his head. “You have proven yourself time and time again in a manner even those with titles felt below them. You protected my family when I could not. I am forever in your debt.”
Sheffield bowed stiffly. “It was what you would haveexpected of me, and Elizabeth and the child have provided me a family, something an upper servant in a fine house does not consider possible.”
“What of Mrs. Harris?” Darcy asked. “I understand you two are courting. You could still claim a wife and familial connections, if that is your wish.”
Sheffield shrugged. “I would not call our sharing the occasional meal courting, although I am certain others would.” His former valet paused in that manner that always told Darcy a decision had been made by the gentleman. “Two things are apparent: Mrs. Harris is not much of a reader, and I wish to continue owning a bookstore and enjoying a variety of books. Secondly, I would never have placed Lizzy Anne with the lady. She never had children of her own and has often expressed the opinion that children should never be heard, nor rarely seen.”
Although he did not comment on Mr. Sheffield’s admission, Darcy easily recognized Mr. Sheffield’s objections. Darcy had fallen in love with Elizabeth because she was well read and could converse on a variety of subjects. As to his former valet, Darcy suspected Mr. Sheffield had read half, if not more, of Pemberley’s extensive library. “A woman with a mind for more than tea service and house calls is difficult to discover.”
“But worth the search,” Sheffield said. “Such is something I learned from serving you, sir. Thank you for demonstrating what was important in these trying times and for bringing Miss Elizabeth Bennet into my life at a time when I most required such an enchanting creature to make sense of my world.”
Darcy was uncertain how to respond to Sheffield’s declaration. He cleared his throat to say, “I should see to this message.” He was certain of one thing: If he could convince Elizabeth to marry him, it would be essential to keep Albert Sheffield in Elizabeth’s and Elizabeth Anne’s lives. It would be a crime to separate the trio completely, and, moreover, Darcy would admit he, too, had missed Sheffield’s ready advice. “By the way, I asked Mr. Farrin to bring breakfast to us from the inn. I did not want Elizabeth thinking she should tend to our needs.Come join us when you are dressed.”
When Darcy returned to the rooms above, Elizabeth was just coming out of their daughter’s room. God help him! Despite the dark circles marking the area under her eyes, she was absolutely stunning. “Was there news?” she asked in hopeful tones.
“Yes, a message.” He sat in a nearby chair and broke the crude dab of wax and unfolded the single page.
“What does it say?” Elizabeth demanded.
Darcy was not certain he could resist slamming his fist into the nearest wall. “Read it for yourself.”
Elizabeth snatched the paper from his fingers. She read aloud,“Dont knows if it heps, but Townsend speak of’en of returnin’ soon to Kent. Say his benafactor live there.”She turned to him. “Kent, as in where Lady Catherine resides.”
Elizabeth swayed in place, and Darcy scrambled to assist her to a seat. Shakily, she said, “Her ladyship warned me against pursuing a relationship with you when she called on me at Longbourn. She said I should never expect her to recede, going so far as to say she would not make herself scarce—would never go away—until I gave her the assurances she required.” Her lips trembled and tears filled her eyes. “Lady Catherine declared my ambitions would never be gratified. She said I would depend upon her carrying her point. Oh, William, could it be so?”
Darcy would not tell her of his suspicions that his aunt had been involved in his abduction. “We must figure this out together. We already know Lady Catherine has again called upon Longbourn.” He suggested, “We should dress before Mr. Farrin brings us breakfast.” He placed a finger against her lips when she thought to object to eating in such a time. “Thenwecan decide how to proceed.”
She nodded crisply, rose, and started around him, but he caught her arm to pull her into his body. Lifting her chin with two fingers where he might look down into the eyes that had enchanted him long before he knew up from down, he said, “I made you a promise last evening, and my resolve has not altered.Elizabeth Anne will soon be in your arms again.”
Tears spilled out of her eyes. “I pray so.”
He released her then but did not move until she closed the door behind her. “If my aunt is at fault in this matter, there is nowhere she can flee where I will not hunt her down and have my justice.”
* * *
Elizabeth stood looking about her room, feeling more vulnerable than she could remember since discovering she was carrying William’s child. The room, which had been her private haven for the last three years, now felt as if she stood upon foreign soil.
Tucked away in William’s arms last night, she had purchased the idea that at dawn Lizzy would be returned to her, but her worst fears had again reared its head. It had been so easy to believe all would be well, for she had hungered for someone to step in and right her world. Although she wished him well, the knowledge Mr. Sheffield would likely marry Mrs. Harris had had her, of late, wondering what the future held for her and Lizzy.
There was always something about Fitzwilliam Darcy that had spoken of his surety. Even when she did not approve of him, Elizabeth would have named him the most capable—most confident—man of her acquaintance. Naturally, he had filled her with a certainty that he would bring about her dearest prayer.
Heaving a deep sigh of regret, she dashed away her tears with the heels of her hands. “Whatever it takes, Elizabeth Anne, your mother is coming after you. I shall not rest until you are safe.”
