Page 43 of Losing Lizzy
“Yes. As neither of us can claim such aspirations, another means was required.” She presented him a smile. “Mr. Sheffield has learned both about investments and manipulation at your hands. He meant to protect our child, especially if I had carried the heir to Pemberley. He said you would want your son to have Pemberley and without proof of marriage before his birth, our child could have no claim on his proper inheritance. Moreover, if our child had been a boy, then I could remain with him in your home, as his guardian, and no one could displace either him orme. Mr. Sheffield and I agreed we would only place a claim on Pemberley if the child was a boy. What we executed in your name, Fitzwilliam, was to protect your son, if we had been so blessed. Instead, we—you and I—can use it to protect our daughter.”
* * *
When they stepped down before Rosings Park, he was still a bit dumbfounded by what Elizabeth had shared, but as Elizabeth had essentially agreed to spend her life with him when she chose to share the documents with him, his heart had been properly fortified by the idea. He was quite proud of how she had gone to great lengths to protect the child they had created.
“I am certain Miss Lizzy would enjoy a bit of exercise. If you would not mind, Sheffield, mayhap Elizabeth Anne would enjoy the garden,” he suggested. “If it becomes too cold, you could probably beg a cup of tea from Lady Catherine’s cook. She will recognize you as my valet.”
“I believe I would also enjoy a stretch of the leg. Come along, Lizzy Anne.”
Darcy watched them walk away. “Into the lion’s den,” he said as he offered Elizabeth his arm.
“As long as we are not to be the sacrifice,” Elizabeth said with a weak smile, but he could tell by the tightness of her features, she was not so brave as she would like.
Darcy released the knocker and waited for Lady Catherine’s butler to respond.
“Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet,” the man said. “I was unaware of your expected arrival, sir.” He glanced to the two carriages. “Should I send someone to unload your trunks and prepare rooms?”
“That will not be necessary,” Darcy said, as he stepped past the man. “We shan’t be staying. I simply require a few moments with my aunt.”
“Her ladyship is in her favorite drawing room. Should I announce you?”
Darcy smiled. He knew Lady Catherine’s butler would likely lose his position if he did not provide her ladyship withsome form of warning, but Darcy wished the element of surprise. “The most I can offer you, Mr. Charles, is to follow a few steps behind you down the hall. If she asks, which I doubt she will after our business is done, tell her ladyship I refused to wait.”
Mr. Charles swallowed hard. “As you wish, sir.”
Darcy kept Elizabeth close as they followed the butler up the stairs and down the hall. “Breathe,” he whispered in her ear. “Within the hour all will be well.”
“An hour?” she questioned nervously just as Mr. Charles opened the door to the drawing room and announced them.
Darcy tugged her through the door so Mr. Charles could close it behind them and make his quick exit. Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson rose to their feet, but Lady Catherine simply glared at him where she sat in her favorite chair, lording her will over the room.
“How dare you bring that woman into my house!” her ladyship accused. “And after what you still owe your cousin!”
Darcy’s eyes settled on Anne. “I apologize, Cousin,” he said blandly. “I did not realize you still held hopes of an offer of my hand. After all, I have been from England for nearly four years.”
Anne shot a quick glance to her mother before responding, “I am simply happy for your return, Darcy.” His cousin seemed to sense something had changed, for she presented a look filled with unspoken questions. If he had his way, she would be free of Lady Catherine’s autocratic rule soon. “We all thought you dead, especially after your footman was found in the Thames. It is most joyous to discover otherwise. We were pleased to hear the news from Uncle Matlock.”
“I am glad you welcome my return, but your mother could have told you years ago that I remained alive. After all, she paid my captors to keep me from England,” he accused.
Anne gasped, “Mother, tell me this is not true!”
“Naturally, it is not true,” Lady Catherine declared with her customary authority. “Just a twitch of Darcy’s mind, likely an assumption learned from Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy tightened his hand resting upon Elizabeth’s, warning her not to respond. “Odd that,” he said with more calm than he felt. Before this time, he had never considered striking a woman, but, if his aunt were a man, he would gladly challenge her ladyship to a duel, or, at least, a round of bare-knuckle sport, just for the pleasure of seeing her suffer. Or, better yet, permit the same degradation as he had suffered on the pirate ship. “Moreover, I have forwarded the confessions of both Mr. Harwood and Mr. Townsend to my agent in London. Both men are likely secured and imprisoned in the Capital by now. Each man has implicated you in the abduction of my daughter.” He had sent word to Tunbridge Wells to inform the magistrate there of Harwood’s part in Elizabeth Anne’s kidnapping and had asked that Harwood be transported to London for necessary confinement. Although he had not personally spoken his threats to Harwood, he was certain the man, like Townsend, would see the benefit of transportation as punishment over hanging for his crimes.
“You have a daughter, Darcy?” Anne asked in continued bewilderment.
He brought Elizabeth’s gloved hand to his lips for a brief show of affection. “Elizabeth has presented me a replica of my paternal grandmother, Emilia Darcy. My daughter’s ancestry cannot be denied.” It was very important to him to claim Elizabeth Anne publicly before family.
“Your bastard!” Lady Catherine hissed.
He leveled a deathly glare on his aunt. “Beware, your ladyship. The last person who used that term in reference to my child is missing several teeth.”
“You would not strike a woman!” Lady Catherine declared in confidence.
“Would I not?” he asked with a tilt of his head as if considering doing just that. “Amusing, only a moment ago I was wondering how well you would do with a cat-o’-nine-tails. Would you care to view how the scars appear when they are healed?”
“Do not be vacuous, Darcy,” she warned.
