Page 66 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“No, I do not believe so,” Elizabeth admitted, abashed, having forgotten that she was not alone.
“I am ashamed of you,” Lady Glentworth admonished. “You could at least have thanked the gentleman for his assistance.”
I did!Elizabeth wanted to say, but to her consternation, she had not thanked him for his timely rescue but rather for putting her down afterwards.
“You owe him an apology for your clumsiness and should express a modicum of gratitude for not allowing you to fall to a certain death.”
“I hardly believe I was in mortal danger,” Elizabeth protested.
Lady Glentworth huffed.
“Good gracious,” her mother whispered. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! Heaven forfend. I did not recognise him…” She turned to Elizabeth. “He was the one who rescued you from the wild beast in Lambton.”
“He was,” Elizabeth confirmed and turned her gaze out of the window.
“He has rescued you twice!”
Elizabeth chose not to answer. It did not matter—nothing mattered any longer. Whatever feelings Mr Darcy had once expressed to his cousin must have sailed away on theHMS Family Scandal. A scandal that would not be contained to the guests at Darcy House. It would spread through the drawing rooms as the latest on-dit. She would not be surprised if it already were. A lady had turned away from her when she was out riding. In a retrospective light, it may not have been a coincidence.
If Mr Darcy had wavered before, which had often seemed likely, all doubt must now have been settled in her disfavour. If he were determined to be as happy as an unblemished family name would allow, he would return no more to Limerick House.
Should he not return in a sennight, or a fortnight at the most, she would understand and give up every expectation, every wish to be the subject of his admiration. Most likely, he was congratulating himself on his lucky escape, and she was the only one who harboured any regrets…
Chapter 21 Thick as Thieves
Jane had donned a warm dress, and Elizabeth watched her pace restlessly in the parlour. Elizabeth sat in the window seat, watching for Mr Bingley, who should have arrived quarter of an hour ago. Finally, the butler entered, but instead of announcing the expected gentleman, he brought Jane a missive on a silver salver.
“Mr Bingley has sent me a message,” Jane informed her evenly. “He is not coming. Unexpected business has prohibited him from fulfilling his obligation.”
Elizabeth could not help but think he had heard the rumours and was deliberately avoiding the acquaintance. Perhaps Mr Bingley and his sister were more alike than she had initially thought.Parvenus, desperately seeking acceptance in superior society. It was certainly a fitting description of Miss Bingley.
“Stop frowning, Lizzy. I am uninjured. My only motive for the day’s excursion was to discourage Mr Bingley from continuing his pursuit of me.”
“You have decided upon a gentleman amongst your plethora of suitors, then?” Elizabeth kept her tone light.
“Yes.” Jane’s tone was firm, but her expression softened as she looked directly at Elizabeth. “I know not what kind of arts and allurements Colonel Fitzwilliam has wielded. He is not the most handsome, nor the most agreeable man I have ever encountered. Yet, he has drawn me in and left me defenceless against his charms. I yearn for him, Lizzy!” Jane revealed in a rare moment of earnest feeling. She immediately blushed crimson and bowed her head. “Pardon me. I am uncommonly silly today…”
“No, you are not,” Elizabeth disagreed. “I understand more than you know.”
Jane’s head snapped up. “You do?”
“Yes.” Elizabeth kept her voice as neutral as possible and turned her gaze out of the window. “There is no rationality to attraction.” She had said all she wanted upon the topic, and dearest Jane knew her well enough not to enquire about what she did not divulge voluntarily. Her feelings were familiar yet new—definitely confusing, and never in accord with Mr Darcy’s. She could have said more and told her sister of the exact repercussions of being the victim of one of cupid’s arrows…
The square lay mostly empty and deserted but for one lone rider. The only joy on this dreary day—Colonel Fitzwilliam, who arrived moments later.
“Lady Jane! I had not expected to see you,” the colonel exclaimed in obvious pleasure.
“Mr Bingley is detained by some business and cancelled our ride.” Jane smiled, belying any displeasure she might have felt at the aforementioned gentleman’s abandonment. She touched her ringlets to ascertain they were in perfect order and smoothed her skirt. Jane’s unusual fidgeting with her appearance was quite telling.
“What a fool,” Colonel Fitzwilliam muttered. “Pardon me,” he immediately corrected himself. “I should not have called Mr Bingley a fool. Especially when it is to my advantage to find you at home and delight in your unexpected company.”
It spoke well of his manners that he recovered so quickly.
“I came to assure Lord Glentworth and Lord Limerick of my continuing support, and to offer my services. If I can be of aid, do not hesitate to ask,” he implored, looking directly into Jane’s eyes with a steady gaze.
Jane clutched her heart with the fervour of her emotions displayed on her countenance. The contrast to how she acted with Mr Bingley was clear to Elizabeth, as was the extent of her sentiments. Jane liked Mr Bingley, but she loved Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“I am certain my father and uncle will be pleased to hear it, as am I,” Jane boldly admitted. “There is one service I may beg of you.”
