by Head, Gail
“Your aunt has talked with Dr. Lawrence,” Georgiana quietly broke into her thoughts. “She said that you may be ready to leave us in the next day or two.”
“Yes. I have disrupted your household long enough. Your brother will be glad to have his house to himself once again, I think.”
“Oh, I do not think so! He often talked of you, you know, even before you came to Burnham House; and he does not say it, but I believe he is very happy to have you here – as am I. It was so wonderful to have finally made your acquaintance.”
A tiny thrill of pleasure raced through Elizabeth. “I hope you were not too disappointed.”
“Not at all! Fitzwilliam always spoke so highly of you, and now I understand why. Can you not stay with us a little longer?”
Elizabeth smiled ruefully at her new friend. “I thank you, but my family is anxious to see me and I them. My aunt visited again today and is quite impatient for Dr. Lawrence to pronounce me able to travel to Gracechurch Street.”
The murky recollections of her aunt and uncle's worried expressions during the first few days of her convalescence came to mind. Tears had fallen all around when she was finally well enough for a visit that included news of home and her father's progress. He had wanted to come, but his improvement was not so much as would allow the long journey into town. More news of home came every day with Aunt Gardiner's visits and Lydia's letters had not been mentioned once. Perhaps there was still time to find a way to retrieve them.
“I like your aunt very much,” offered Georgiana, bringing her back to the conversation. “Your uncle seems a good man as well. I cannot blame him for being so cross at first. You were so ill and he had only Fitzwilliam's urgent note, which said very little.”
“Yes, my uncle was beside himself with worry; but once Mr. Darcy had the opportunity to explain everything in full, he was very understanding.” Elizabeth paused as a new thought sprang to her mind. “As a matter of fact, it seems my uncle is much more accepting of the situation than I expected. He has not said one word to me on the subject of Lord Grissholm's behavior. Very strange for my uncle, which makes me wonder exactly what was told him.”
“Oh, I am certain Fitzwilliam explained it fully.” Georgiana's assurance was marked with an odd, half-hearted smile. “I suppose men know best how to deal with these kinds of things.”
“Georgiana, is something wrong?”
“Why, no – nothing at all!” Her reassuring expression was not at all convincing.
“Yes, there is. What is it?” Elizabeth waited while Georgiana fidgeted and then she noticed Molly's sudden attentiveness to the articles on the dressing table. “Molly? There is something the two of you are not telling me. What is it?”
The maid hurriedly scooped up the small pile of linens at her feet and started toward the dressing room.
“Oh, no. You stay right there!”
The girl stopped in her tracks, but did not turn. “I really must get these things downstairs. They'll be waitin' for them.”
“They shall just have to wait. You are not leaving until I find out what it going on here.”
Molly turned to face Elizabeth, her expression torn by worry and fear. “I can't, Miss. I promised.”
The thrill rippled through her again, this time motivated by a rising panic. “Georgiana?”
“Please do not excite yourself, Elizabeth. The doctor said you must stay calm. It is nothing, really.”
“Tell me what it is and I will decide if it is nothing or not.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, please do not ask. Fitzwilliam made me promise not to say a word. Tomorrow, if…when he returns, I am certain he will tell you himself.”
“IF he returns?! From where? Surely you can tell me that.”
“No, I cannot. I am sorry, truly I am, but you must put it out of your mind. Let us finish our tea, shall we? You will want all your strength for the doctor's visit this evening.”
“No, I think not,” Elizabeth answered tenaciously, sitting back from her tray and folding her arms. “I shall not do another thing until you tell me what is going on here. Judging from the looks on your faces, it has something to do with me, and I intend to find out what it is.”
Georgiana avoided Elizabeth's piercing gaze, looking to Molly for help.
“I am waiting.”
“Miss Bennet, you wouldn't want Miss Darcy to disappoint her brother, would you? It's hard enough without you forcing her to break her promise.”
“I am sorry to be the cause of so much distress, but this obviously concerns me as well. Do you not think I have a right to know?” Tears were beginning to pool in Georgiana's eyes, and Elizabeth reached out to gently touch the girl's hand. “I should like to share your burden, if you will let me. Please, Georgiana, will you tell me?”
She had finally breached the girl's defenses. Huge, glistening tears welled up and cascaded down Georgiana's cheeks. “Oh, Elizabeth! It is as I feared after I heard Fitzwilliam and your uncle talking. He is going to fight Lord Grissholm! Richard says he will be all right, but I am so afraid. The law forbids it, and even if they are not discovered, there is always a chance that something may go wrong.”
“A duel!?” Elizabeth was stunned. In a matter of seconds, her astonishment turned to worry and then to anger. “I will not allow it! What is he thinking? And Uncle Gardiner! This is ridiculous! Molly, get my clothes!” Elizabeth drew back the covers and began climbing out of bed, biting back a gasp at her too-sudden movement.
A look of surprised horror hit Georgiana and Molly at the same time. “No!” Georgiana cried. “You cannot! Please lie down. Elizabeth, you are not well enough!”
“I am well enough to stop this madness. Your brother will not endanger his life and ruin yours because of me. Molly, my clothes – now!”
“Oh, please, Elizabeth! Get back into bed. Fitzwilliam will never forgive me if you are hurt!”
“And I will never forgive myself if he is!”
* * * *
“Grissholm's choice of swords was expected. I have seen him at work,” Darcy said grimly. “It may not be the fashion these days, but he ranks expert with the small sword at Angelo's.”
“Have you had occasion to face him before?” The worry on Richard's face was not helping matters.
“Not since our Cambridge days.”
“And were you able to best him?”
Darcy hesitated, taking another sip from his glass. “On occasion,” he said at last. Seeing Richard wince, he quickly added, “but that is not to say I cannot do better now. I doubt he has maintained his former level of mastery.”
“He chose swords instead of pistols. He must still be confident that he can defeat you. How can you be sure he has not kept in practice?”
“I cannot, but we can hope. I am glad of the choice in any case. A bullet is too quick for him. I intend to see that he suffers for what he has done.”
“You will not be satisfied if you take first blood, then?”
“No. No matter which of us takes the advantage, I will not be satisfied until he draws his last breath.”
“Have you considered the consequences if you are discovered or if it should not go well?”
“I do not plan on that happening, but if it does then you shall have full responsibility for Georgiana. I have made arrangements that will allow you a comfortable living outside the service for as long as she needs you.”
“That will be little comfort to Georgie, and you know it.”
“It is the best I can do.”
Darcy's love for both Elizabeth and Georgiana tore at his heart. He could not satisfy his duty to one without sacrificing the other; but the agony of his choice was tempered by the knowledge that Georgiana would one day find a man to love as much as he did Elizabeth. He had faith that she would someday understand.
The heavy silence that rose between the two cousins was suddenly broken by a light knock on the door.
“Come!” Darcy commanded as he took up his glass and finished off the contents,
swallowing hard when he saw Elizabeth slowly enter the room. She was alarmingly pale and had a firm grip on Georgiana's arm, looking in every way a contradiction to the doctor's reports of her steady improvement.
In spite of her appearance, however, the determined lift of her chin warned of coming trouble. Whatever it was, she was in no condition to be downstairs, and he took a determined stance of his own.
“Miss Bennet! You should be in your bed! Georgiana, what are you doing?”
“Do not blame your sister, sir. I would have come with or without her help. I have just heard the most alarming report and would not rest until I had the truth.”
“Hello, Georgie,” Richard bowed to the ladies. He sensed the coming battle as well and tried his best to lighten the mood. “You must forgive my cousin's appalling manners, Miss Bennet. I do hope you are feeling better.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I am feeling well enough. Mr. Darcy, I have come to hear you contradict the report of an illegal duel between you and Lord Grissholm.”
Georgiana looked crestfallen, unable to meet her brother's eyes. “Georgie, dear,” Richard continued as if Elizabeth had done nothing more than comment on the weather. “Did you not promise to play that new composition for me before I left? I think now would be the perfect time. I shall say my good-byes, Miss Bennet. I am very happy to see you much improved.”
Darcy stared at his cousin's blatant desertion and groaned inwardly when his sister joined in the mutiny by gently depositing Elizabeth in a chair near the fire.
“Will you be all right, Elizabeth? I can stay if you would like.”
“Thank you, no, Georgiana. I would not keep you from the Colonel. I can manage until your return.”
Briefly meeting her brother's narrow look, Georgiana took Richard's outstretched arm and hurried out of the room. Darcy followed every step of their traitorous departure with the feel of Elizabeth's expectant gaze on his back. When the door shut solidly behind them, he drew a deep breath in anticipation of the coming battle. He knew she was determined, but he was even more so and would not be deterred from vindicating her honor. Straightening to his full height, he turned to face her.
“Miss Bennet, it is unfortunate that you have learned of this affair. It was my express wish that you not know.”
“You cannot blame Georgiana. She did her best to conceal it, but when I realized there was something wrong, I insisted on knowing. I was quite determined.”
“I can well imagine. Poor Georgiana. Still, she should not have broken her promise.”
“You should not have imposed it upon her. You placed a very great burden on her young shoulders. She is terribly worried for you, as well she should be. That is why I cannot allow you to risk your future and hers for my sake.”
“I appreciate your concern, Miss Bennet, but it is now a matter of honor between Grissholm and myself.”
“Mr. Darcy,” she drew a shaky breath. “I wish now that I had never involved you in my troubles. Whatever Lord Grissholm did…whatever happened to me…was a result of my own folly. Do not be so reckless as to add your own to it.”
“This is unbelievable! How can you consider any of this to be your fault! If anything, it is mine! I knew what kind of a man Grissholm was and I failed to act accordingly. If I had done something sooner, you would not have suffered as you did. Society will not hold him accountable for his atrocities against you, but I shall – I must!”
Elizabeth struggled unsuccessfully to keep the blush from her cheeks. “I have been told of his dishonorable conduct, and mercifully my memories are not entirely clear. My physical wounds will heal soon enough and I shall return to Hertfordshire and my family. What will happen to your sister if you do not return tomorrow? She is sixteen and has already suffered the loss of a mother and father. I cannot be responsible for the loss of her brother as well. That is a wound that would never heal.”
“Do not mourn me just yet, Miss Bennet. There is a very good chance I may defeat Grissholm, you know.”
“Do not jest with me, sir!” she cried, angrily. “You are risking everything for something I cannot even remember!”
“But I do!” he answered fiercely. “I shall never forget what he did as long as I live!”
“Which may not be long if you persist in this madness!”
“Nevertheless, I will persist!”
“You cannot! He was wrong to do what he did; but it was I who provoked him. He was angry and intoxicated, and I should not have been there. I would never have gone back to get Lydia's letters if I had any idea he would be there at that hour of the night. Fortunately you and the colonel arrived in time, and that must be the end of it.”
“You cannot be serious! He was not so drunk that he did not know what he was doing. Do you honestly blame yourself for his contemptible behavior?”
“If that is what it takes. I am resolved to stop this duel. You cannot place yourself in danger for my sake. I will not allow it! I should never forgive myself if you were injured or worse. To be in this world without you is unthinkable, and if I were to be the cause of it –”
“What did you say?” Darcy started in surprise.
“I said I will not allow you to place yourself in danger for my sake.”
“After that!”
“I said if I were to be the cause of it.”
“No, you said 'To be in this world without you is unthinkable'.”
“Well, yes, I, ah…what I meant was that Georgiana would be inconsolable should you be injured or killed,” Elizabeth stammered. “You are all she has! I cannot allow you to jeopardize your sister's happiness.”
“And what of your happiness? Last April, I was the last man in the world with whom you wished to be acquainted. May I hope that your feelings have changed in some small degree?”
“If I told you they had, would you call off this absurd duel?”
“No,” snapped Darcy. “There is much more to this than you are aware.”
“Then enlighten me, please!”
“Some things are better left alone.”
“Perhaps, but this is not one of them! If you choose not to explain yourself, I insist you abandon this quest for my honor.”
“I cannot do that.”
“This is ridiculous!” Elizabeth rose angrily, swaying slightly as she stood, and Darcy was instantly at her side. Gently holding her by the arm, he gazed steadily into her eyes, which did nothing to help the weakness in her knees.
“You have not answered me. Have your feelings changed?”
“Does it matter?” Elizabeth retorted.
His frustration flared. “Your answer will not alter the certainty of a duel in the morning, but I should like to know all the same.”
“You had best accustom yourself to disappointment, sir, for it will make no difference to tell you anything when you are so eager to get yourself pointlessly killed!” she cried, jerking her arm away from him and turning her back.
Elizabeth was trembling visibly, although whether from fatigue or fury Darcy could not say. He stepped closer, and was just in time to see tears on her face before her eyes suddenly rolled back. He barely had time to catch her as she crumpled. Sweeping her up in his arms, he hurried towards the stairs, calling for a footman to fetch the doctor. In another moment he was joined by an anxious Georgiana and Richard.
“Fitzwilliam, what happened? Oh, I was afraid of this. I knew she was not strong enough. Careful! Do not go too fast, you will jar her.”
Glancing down at Elizabeth's expressionless face, Darcy thought of her passionate words regarding his appointment with Grissholm. She had argued fiercely for Georgiana's sake, but there had been something more in her fervent pleas. Would she mourn him if things turned out badly? Had her feelings changed? She had stubbornly refused to admit it, but she had not denied it either; and his past experience with her frankness told him she would not have hesitated if that had been the case.
Elizabeth stirred in his arms, her eyes fluttering open. Then a sudden bloom of cri
mson on her face warmed his heart. Unlike the last time he had carried her up these stairs, he knew she would be alright.
“Mr. Darcy! Put me down at once! I am sure I can manage on my own.”
“I beg to differ, madam,” Darcy replied evenly, ignoring her struggles. After a moment, she gave up and submitted with as much grace as she could muster. Darcy's mouth pressed into a tiny smile at her acute embarrassment. The smile remained as he continued up the stairs, obediently heeding Georgiana's constant stream of directions to slow down and be very careful. For the moment, any concerns he might have for the coming confrontation with Grissholm were forgotten. Elizabeth cared what happened to him – whether she was willing to admit it or not – and she was alive and safe within his arms.
Chapter 26
Richard stood silently in the early morning mist as Darcy sliced the cold air with short, rapid strokes, measuring the weight of his sword and warming his muscles to the exercise. Across the clearing Grissholm flicked his own sword impatiently and spoke quietly to the man Richard recognized as the viscount's second. In the next moment, both Darcy and Grissholm looked up, locking eyes across the distance. Grissholm gave a single curt nod to signal his readiness and Darcy's chin lifted in answer. The anticipation on both men's faces plainly showed the coming conflict would not be swift, and it would not be over until one of them was dead.
“Gentlemen.” Dr. Lawrence's voice echoed loud in the little glade and Darcy's grip tightened on the elegant short sword; a gesture that did not escape Richard's notice as he moved away from his cousin.
Coming to a halt in front of Dr. Lawrence, he bowed curtly to Grissholm's second. Jamison Bonham was as proud and disagreeable as he had been at their first meeting.
“Rule 21 of The Code requires me to attempt reconciliation.” Bonham's mouth twitched in mocking contempt. “Does the challenger wish to compose the quarrel without bloodshed?”