Page 94 of Her Whole Heart
Darcy stood. “I would like to go with you.”
“I am not precisely certain what has happened,” Miss Bennet said, her voice low, “but you must give her time to come to terms with whatever it is that has distressed her.”
His attention was caught by Lady Penelope, who was exiting the room as well.
“I shall,” Darcy said hurriedly. “But I must say a few things first so that she can think on them.”
Elizabeth’s sister studied him. “Very well,” she said. “But you will not stay for long.”
He shook his head. “No. I will not impose.” No matter how much he wished to take Miss Elizabeth in his arms and explain to her just how much she meant to him, he knew to do so might mean losing her forever. But neither could he let her leave the ball without knowing that his love was true. He had seen a glimpse of what their future could be. He was not about to allow it to fade away.
Elizabeth’s mind raced as she tried to piece together the implications of the earl’s words. When had this happened? How long had it lasted? She could not believe that Mr. Darcy would go so far as to court her as a sort of penance he owed the earl, but then a courtship was not binding in any way, and London was not Meryton. A failed courtship might have diminished her chances in the country, but was it the same in town or would the factthat she had inspired a courtship at all give her a bit of town bronze? Make her more desirable? Was that the earl’s game?
She slipped out of the supper room into the hall and swallowed back a sob. Solitude. She required solitude, she needed a few moments alone to collect her thoughts.
“Miss Elizabeth!”
Elizabeth groaned. The woman she least wished to face.
Lady Penelope caught up to her. “Oh, my dear Miss Elizabeth, I am so sorry you were humiliated in that way. It must be terrible to discover that Mr. Darcy was only paying you any attention because he was forced to it.” She smiled in what Elizabeth supposed was meant to feign sympathy, but she could not help but be reminded of a crocodile. “May I be of assistance in any way?”
Was the woman actually attempting to pretend that they were friends?
Two could play this game. “I am not certain what you mean?” Elizabeth asked.
This was clearly not what Lady Penelope had anticipated. “I heard Lord Carlisle say that he insisted Mr. Darcy befriend you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“My goodness. You truly do hear only what you wish, do you not?”
Lady Penelope’s thin brows lifted nearly to her hairline. “I beg your pardon?”
Elizabeth sighed. A dull ache was beginning behind her eyes. “Lady Penelope, I do not wish to stand in the hall and argue with you, so allow me to be direct. You think you have a story to tell about me. Very well. I have heard some rather interesting things about you that would be every bit as delicious to the ton. If you hold your tongue, I shall hold mine.”
“You would not dare.”
She was probably right, but Lady Penelope did not need to know that. “Are you willing to take such a risk? Think on it, Lady Penelope. Good evening.”
Elizabeth left the infuriating woman standing in the hall just outside the ballroom, gaping in astonishment. She walked farther away until she was out of the woman’s sight and discovered a door nearly hidden by the grand staircase. It was perfect. She turned the brass knob and slipped inside, finding herself in an unlit, unused room, the silence a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the ball. She sighed with relief. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, however, she noticed a figure standing by the window, silhouetted against the faint glow of moonlight.
She would know that silhouette anywhere. It was Lady Henrietta. Instinctively, she reached for the knob, intending to make her escape and find another room, but her movements must have alerted Lady Henrietta to the presence of another person.
“Who is there?” she called.
Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly and opened them again. “It is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Henrietta,” she said softly. “Are you well?”
Lady Henrietta sighed. “I did not expect anyone to find me here.”
“I apologise for intruding. I was simply seeking a moment of peace myself. If you wish to be alone, I shall take my leave.”
Lady Henrietta shook her head. “No, please stay.”
This was unexpected, but Elizabeth nodded and stepped further into the room. Once her eyes adjusted to the dark, the two women stared at one another for an uncomfortable moment before Lady Henrietta spoke.
“You have always been a mystery to me, Miss Elizabeth. You showed up at Mrs. Buxton’s and were thrilled to be there. You never paid proper deference to me or anyone with a title. You never seemed to care what otherpeople thought of you, even when the other girls would not befriend you because they were afraid of me and Pen.”
“There is no mystery,” Elizabeth said with a sardonic little laugh. “I truly didnotcare what you thought of me.”
“You still do not.”
