Chapter 7 Sensational Revelation #6
Lizzy could not stay the involuntary shudder or make her numbed lips lift into a neutral smile. Confused, a bit alarmed, and prickled with pangs of unaccountable mortification, she stared at the duo blankly.
This reaction seemed to increase Miss Pratt’s perverse pleasure.
“You are famous, Miss Bennet,” she sneered.
“Or is infamous the proper term for a woman from a scandalous family? Either way, I am somewhat disappointed. Based on the story Lady Starkley conveyed, I presumed your physical appearance to be remarkable at the very least.”
Lady Westingcote sniffed. “Nothing of worth has ever come out of Hertfordshire. Indeed, a fine family is to be polluted by inferior stock, just as Lady Catherine de Bourgh claimed. It is a travesty!”
“True, Mama. Still, I thought sure there would be some glimmer of a reason as to how she ensnared a gentleman of Mr. Darcy’s prestige. Alas, her wits are as dull and unattractive as her figure, increasing the mystery.”
“I suspect she has talents of a particular, unmentionable nature. Even the best of men fall victim to a skilled temptress,” the viscountess spat as her gaze pointedly dropped to Lizzy’s pelvic region.
Lizzy stood, paralyzed, the thudding in her ears so loud and painful that she truly believed she might faint. The insults slammed into her one after another, registering brutally even though the internal chaos prevented effective assimilation.
Whether it was Georgiana’s gasp of shock, the mention of his name, or something else which alerted Mr. Darcy, she had no idea.
She feared she might have fallen if not for his strong arm suddenly clenched tightly around her waist. Dimly she felt the rigid tension hardening his muscles and heard him harshly snap a vicious rebuke.
As William drew her closer into his protective embrace before steering her away, she caught a glimpse of Miss Pratt’s gaping mouth and blanched face.
This was followed by a swift view of Lord Westingcote’s red cheeks and furious eyes as he grabbed his daughter and wife by the arm. Their squeaks of pain were audible.
A sensation of fervent satisfaction rippled through Lizzy’s gut, but she was too distraught to relish the moment.
Focusing on not collapsing as she mechanically placed one foot in front of the other took all her energy.
Not quite sure how he managed it without raising a fuss or drawing attention from the groups of churchgoers still socializing on the walkway, Darcy had them safely inside the carriage in what seemed like a matter of seconds.
No one said a word on the short ride back to Darcy House. Lizzy stared out the window, vaguely aware of Georgiana soothingly holding her hand and William’s steady gaze. She could not bear to look at him, however, fearing she would detect traces of the same disgust shown by the women in his eyes.
Once at the townhouse, he proved once again his remarkable ability to take command and act calmly under the most distressing circumstances.
Speaking in a normal tone, he politely ordered the housekeeper, Mrs. Smyth, to fetch hot, strong tea from the kitchen and then turned to instruct Mr. Travers to escort Miss Bennet to the library.
Touching Lizzy gently on the arm, he leaned close to her ear. “I shall join you there momentarily, my dear. I need to speak with Georgiana for just a moment.” He planted a tender kiss on her cheek before pulling away.
Glancing up, she met his eyes for the first time since the debacle at the church. The rush of relief in only seeing intense love and concern was immense. Smiling, wanly but still a smile, she nodded.
Darcy’s combined office and library were organized, plushly appointed, clean, and spacious.
It was the exact opposite of her father’s office and library at Longbourn.
Nevertheless, she felt the same sensations of comfort now that she had felt in her father’s office since her earliest memory.
It was being surrounded by books, which she adored passionately, but instinctively she knew the solace, then and now, came from being in the sanctuary of a man who loved her wholeheartedly.
Strolling along the aisles of varnished oak cases stuffed with dust-free books, the turmoil in her mind began to ease.
She remained confused by what had happened after the service and cringed contemplating the meaning of the spewed slurs, but the fog was clearing and the feeling of shame was disappearing.
Then why do I want to scream and cry at the same time?
The door opened, William entering with Mrs. Smyth carrying a tea tray close behind.
“Set it on my desk, Mrs. Smyth. That will be all.” He gave the command curtly, his eyes darting around the room until finally spying Lizzy where she stood at the far end, between two tall bookcases.
She could hear his sigh of relief, and immediately he marched toward her.
“Stop!” She held her hand out, palm forward. “Wait. I need you to hold me, William, but not yet. If you do, I will cry, and I must talk through it first. Please.”
He slowed but did not stop until within touching distance.
Troubled eyes searched her face, the war to disregard her request visibly fought as she pleaded silently for him not to.
Finally, after a second sigh, he spread his hands open at his sides.
“As you wish, Elizabeth. Can we sit at least? A cup of tea will do us both good.”
She hesitated; then, remembering the last time they sat on the library sofa, she shook her head. “No. Standing is better. For now. I…I presume Georgiana told you what…they said?”
He clamped his lips into a thin line, grim expression growing angrier by the second, and bobbed his head once.
Glancing away from his evident fury, she blindly peered at the nearest shelf. Inhaling, she stammered, “I’m not sure where to start. Apparently, I’m famous…or infamous. Me, a woman of scandal! Who would have thought?” A harsh, humorless laugh burst from her dry throat.
Darcy impulsively leaned toward her, but she again halted him with a hand gesture.
“Lady Catherine was mentioned,” she murmured, still staring at the row of book spines, “and someone named Lady Starkley.”
“The Countess of Starkley is related to Lady Westingcote. She is a notorious gossip and one of my aunt’s oldest friends.
I should have known she was the one sent to do Lady Catherine’s dirty work.
I’m surprised Richard didn’t figure that out, not that it mattered after the deed was done.
No doubt she enjoyed every minute of telling fabricated falsehoods to her captive audiences.
The old crone! I could happily wring both their necks! ”
It was neither the vehemence in his voice nor statement of violence that caused Lizzy to swing her eyes to his face. Frowning, she stepped back a pace. “Wait a minute. Did you… Are you saying that you knew these things were being said about me?”
“Richard heard the whispers before we arrived in Town. He has a certain talent for collecting information.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it to me?” Ejected shrilly, it wasn’t a question as much as a condemnation.
Darcy, to her amazement, cocked his head and furrowed his brows in honest confusion.
“Whyever would I do that? My fervent hope was for you to never learn of it. My duty is to protect you, Elizabeth, above all else. I shall always avoid telling you something that I know would cause you pain unless it is necessary. This was inconsequential.”
“Inconsequential? You call this inconsequential?” This was definitely shrieked louder than warranted, but she was swiftly losing control.
“Maybe if I was aware such tales of my infamy were being bandied about I could have prepared for a confrontation! Did you consider that, Mr. Darcy, when you were imperiously deciding what is best for me? I can make my own decisions, you know! I do not need some hulking, domineering…man—”
“If it helps to unleash your frustration upon me, Elizabeth, then shout away. This hulking, domineering man is strong enough to withstand the tirade. When you finish, perhaps we can then discuss this nonsense calmly, rather than irrationally.” He hadn’t moved an inch, yet somehow loomed larger in the space between the bookshelves.
His eyes were dark and nostrils flared with each rough inhale.
“Nonsense, is it?” Lizzy was still lashing out, although her words lacked the same vigor as before. “The same ‘nonsense’ that had you ready to strangle two old women with your bare hands? It does not sound inconsequential to me.”
“Anger directed at the source is warranted and justified. Even so, I would not literally strangle either of them—at least I don’t think I would.
Perhaps a good horsewhipping is a better compromise.
” He grunted a half laugh. Closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose between two fingers, he breathed deeply for a minute or so.
Lizzy watched him in silence. Rational thought, usually one of her greatest virtues, had eluded her. William was right in that accusation. Was he right about the rest?
“Elizabeth, listen to me.”
The gentleness in his voice matched the tender way he encircled her cold hands with his. Tears prickled the insides of her eyelids, but she blinked them away. It was past time to regain her senses, and blubbering like an infant was counterproductive.
“Perhaps you are correct that a warning may have prepared you,” he continued in the same soothing tone.
“However, in my judgment, it is more likely that you would have been on edge this whole week if you had known of my aunt’s lies.
Despite what happened today, I stand by my decision not to tell you.
Your time in London, our time together, would have been tainted, and for what?
Gossip. Mean spirited and ugly, yes, but gossip just the same. ”