Chapter 49

49

E lizabeth glanced at the clock. She hadn't expected Mr. Darcy and his sister to be late this morning. At least, not this late.

She tried to keep her eyes demurely on her needlework, knowing Aunt Gardiner was glancing her way, although every few minutes Elizabeth could not resist glancing again at the clock.

She had always considered Mr. Darcy to be the sort of gentleman who was never late; who never inconvenienced other people. But it was now fifteen minutes past the hour. Elizabeth began to seethe. Was he not the man she had thought? Was he like other men, thoughtlessly expecting ladies to just wait around, as if their time was unimportant?

If he was not going to arrive, she could have been in the music parlour, playing or composing. That was certainly more important than sitting here, pretending to be serene and have nothing better to do!

Jane leaned towards her. "Be calm, Lizzy. I know you wish you could be anywhere else rather than wait upon someone's convenience. But something unexpected could have happened, and in the meantime I am enjoying your company."

Elizabeth's ire began to slip away. It was true, and the reason she had insisted on staying with her sister for this last full week they would be together.

"Thank you, Jane. I have been remiss, and selfish."

"Of course not." Jane concentrated on her stitching. "But Mr. Bingley is not due in town until tomorrow, and I will take the opportunity today to intrude on all my dearest sister's concerns!"

Elizabeth huffed a laugh. "Perhaps I will not tell you, but ask instead about your wedding tour. I do not expect you to write to me, but if I know what you are planning to do, I can be thinking of you."

As they chatted, her annoyance eased, although she could not prevent herself looking at the clock more frequently than she would like. As she registered forty minutes after the hour, she could not avoid a snort of disdain.

"Lizzy …" but as Jane began to draw her attention, they all heard the sound of the doorbell and glanced up.

Elizabeth wondered how Mr. Darcy might try to explain away his tardiness. But a man she did not recognise was escorted into the room.

"Mr. Leigh, Mrs. Gardiner." The housekeeper bobbed a curtsy, and quietly left the room.

Aunt met the man's gaze. "How may I help you, Mr. Leigh?"

The man bowed. He seemed comfortable in strange company; imperturbable. "I am sorry to intrude, Mrs. Gardiner. I am Mr. Darcy's London steward, and he asked me to attend here as soon as I was able, to tender his regrets at being unable to call this morning, and explain why."

Aunt glanced at Elizabeth and then back at their caller. "Please thank Mr. Darcy for his consideration. I was concerned that something untoward had occurred. I hope Mr. and Miss Darcy are well?"

The man hesitated, and Elizabeth's heart stopped. "I believe Mr. Darcy is unharmed, and I thought Miss Darcy was, too, although I heard he was summoning the physician for her." The man looked uncomfortable. "I am unsure how much of the situation you know and how much I am authorised to tell you, madam, although I believe Mr. Darcy will call here as soon as he is assured of his sister's safety."

"I understand, and ask that you convey our appreciation to Mr. Darcy for his thoughts of us, and to you for taking the time to call. Please tell him that we send our best wishes to him and his sister, and will welcome him here whenever he is able to resume his calls."

Mr. Leigh bowed, and withdrew.

Elizabeth felt the eyes of her family upon her and kept her head bowed as she blinked away the tears of mortification at her hubris. As soon as she was assured of her composure, she rose and turned to her aunt.

"Excuse me, Aunt, I wish to retire for a few moments."

Then she was running up the stairs to the room she was sharing with Jane and Mary. How she hoped that neither of them would follow her, as she threw herself on her bed.

How could she? How could she think that he was being thoughtless of her feelings when something had happened that had put both him and his sister in danger? How selfish she was!

What had his steward said? He believed Mr. Darcy was unharmed? That must mean he had been in harm's way. What on earth could have befallen them? And Georgiana. The steward believed she was unharmed, although the physician had been called — so she was not unharmed. Was she?

Elizabeth's thoughts went round and round in her head and she could not imagine what could have happened. Mr. Leigh had said he wasn't sure of how much of the situation they knew — what did he mean by it? How could it have been the situation in Hertfordshire? Why did it affect Mr. Darcy in particular? If the deserter had come to town to escape being arrested, it would not have meant the Darcys being involved. Or had Mr. Darcy been searching for him? But he would not have chosen to put his sister in harm's way, so it could not be that.

Her head was aching with all the changes in her thoughts — her anger at Mr. Darcy not arriving at the start of the calling hour, and then her mortification at finding out it was not his intention to dismiss her in that way — and now trying to puzzle out what his steward had said … or not said. She could not make sense of it all.

She must have dozed off, for the next thing she knew was Jane gently patting her shoulder. "Come, Lizzy. Refresh yourself and join us for lunch. Aunt seems to think Mr. Darcy may call this afternoon, and you ought to have something to eat."

Elizabeth stretched. "I did not think I would go to sleep, but thank you, Jane. I am better for it." She sat up and fished for her indoor slippers under the bed. "Why does Aunt think he will come this afternoon?"

Jane's brow furrowed. "Well, you heard his steward say that he believed Mr. Darcy would come as soon as he was able, and Aunt said that he was welcome at any time; so unless it's a very complicated incident that has occurred, I think he will come."

Elizabeth nodded. "I remember now." She screwed her eyes up. "But I do have a bit of a headache; perhaps I'll go in the garden for breath of fresh air after lunch. Just for a few minutes."

She would then sit in the parlour all day if it meant she would get news that he was unharmed.

But her vow was unnecessary.

As she strolled in the garden, breathing deeply, she pondered on the strength of her concern for him. Was her father correct, in that sometimes strong antipathy could mask attraction? She huffed amusement under her breath. But she must not show her feelings until she was certain he was not merely pretending his interest in order to possess her music.

As she reached the end of the garden and turned back towards the house, she saw Mr. Darcy approaching her slowly, cautiously, and her heart thumped erratically.

"Mr. Darcy!"

He bowed. "Miss Elizabeth. I hope you do not mind me joining you out here. Your aunt has said she will sit by the window and chaperone us from there."

Elizabeth's gaze flickered to the drawing room window, where she could see her aunt sitting at her writing desk. "I am happy to see you, Mr. Darcy, although if you wish, we can return to the house."

"What would be your preference, madam? Your aunt implied you had a headache, which might be better in the quiet of the garden."

She smiled at him. "It is already a little easier, sir. I hope you can assure me that your sister is well. Mr. Leigh said you had summoned the physician."

He nodded. "I thank you for your concern. She was unharmed in the actual incident, although is now very shocked and shaken, but she also twisted her knee as she fell, so will be unable to call here for a few days."

"I am sorry to hear it," Elizabeth murmured, and then looked up at him. "And what of you, sir? You look … as if you are under some strain."

He grimaced. "You are observant, madam. But I am well enough, although as I am not a soldier like my cousin, I am unused to violence."

He offered her his arm, and she tucked her hand in, and they turned and began to stroll along the path. She was bursting with questions, but she thought he may not wish to talk about it just yet. However, she could say one thing.

"I must thank you, sir, for sending Mr. Leigh this morning. It was helpful to see him, and he was able to allay our anxiety."

He glanced at her. "I did not wish you to believe that I would be an inconstant caller, Miss Elizabeth. I am not the sort of man who would expect a lady to wait around for my convenience."

He seemed surprised at her laughter. "I had not expected you were, sir. Which is why I was gratified at you sending him to prevent me having to change my mind."

"Then I am glad of it," he said gravely. A few moments later, he spoke again. "I am grateful that you are not peppering me with questions — although I am sure you have many. It is still a little soon for me to be able to answer with equanimity. But you do need to know, and I promise I will tell you everything within the next few days." He ran his hand through his hair.

"However, you can be assured that the situation is now safe. If your family wishes to return home, they may do so. I have been informed the last of the militia will have been removed from the town by this afternoon; and the deserter is now accounted for." He hesitated. "After you have returned to Hertfordshire, I will return to Netherfield as soon as I am able to, although it may be a few days until Georgiana is able to travel comfortably. I would not leave her alone in the house."