Lizzy left the dress shop and ran down the street, ignoring the curious glances of passersby, until, red-faced, teary-eyed, and out of breath, she slowed to a walk. She found herself heading down the hill that led to the beach.
The smell of fish frying and the distinctive, briny scent coming off the bay assailed her nose as she neared the shoreline. Bunting, gaily coloured pennants of red and white and blue nautical stripes, snapped over her head in the breeze, and gulls wheeled and circled over the water.
She spotted an abandoned rowboat, its bottom turned towards the sky, and dropped down on the weathered hull to catch her breath and collect her thoughts.
Her anger at Charlotte, while still strong, had lost its sting. Lizzy shaded her eyes against the sun and scowled. Her younger sister was thoughtless and petty and even, occasionally, cruel; but in this instance, she’d also been right.
Lizzy loved Hugh Darcy. She always had; she knew she always would. The fact that he was marrying Holly, and not her, was tearing her heart in two.
And there was not a thing she could do about it.
It was true his judgemental attitude infuriated her. He could be stuffy and stubborn and beyond aggravating. But he was also honest and kind and fair-minded, and more than willing to admit when he was wrong.
Which, maddeningly, he seldom was.
She sighed. Her anger with Hugh at the garden party had gone. Although she’d resented him taking her to task for her part in Holly’s riding accident, she knew he’d only acted out of concern for his fiancée. He couldn’t stand by, knowing of Lizzy’s involvement, without holding her to account for her actions.
And she really couldn’t blame him.
I won’t stay, Lizzy decided as she tucked one leg beneath the other. It was time to find herself another job, a better job, in London, and it was past time to leave Litchfield Manor, and Hugh Darcy, behind.
Her father loved her and her sisters dearly, she knew he did; but even Daddy needed his privacy and a chance to build a new life of his own now that Mum was gone. And he’d never be able to do that with herself and Emma and Charlotte still at home and underfoot.
All of them needed to fly the nest.
Lizzy felt a fresh rise of tears threaten and blinked them impatiently away. She’d honestly thought she’d spend the rest of her life here in South Devon, married to Hugh, having a family together, the two of them managing and running Cleremont, planning summer festivals and hosting weddings and film crews, perhaps even producing and selling their own cider or cheese.
She saw it all so clearly, if only in her imagination.
‘Lizzy? Hey! Up here!’
Startled out of her thoughts, she looked up to see Harry standing at the top of the hill, waving at her. In his other hand was an ice cream and next to him, also clutching a cone, was Holly James.
She scrambled off the boat and waved back. ‘Where’d you get those?’ she called back. ‘I’m dying for a Magnum.’
‘Mr Whippy.’ Harry gestured behind them. ‘Come and join us. My treat.’
A few minutes later she was devouring a chocolate-coated ice cream bar in greedy haste. ‘Thanks,’ she said as Harry handed her some napkins. ‘I didn’t realise how hungry I’d got. This is lovely. Messy.’ She laughed and licked a bit of melting vanilla from her hand. ‘Perfect.’
‘It’s a bit warm out here today,’ Holly agreed. ‘Just the thing for a cone. Are you here on your own?’
Lizzy finished her ice cream and tossed the stick and napkins in a bin. ‘No, my sisters and I were shopping for swimsuits. I needed some fresh air. I hate shopping,’ she confessed.
‘What?’ Holly feigned shock. ‘A girl who doesn’t like to shop? I didn’t think such a thing were possible.’
‘Oh, I can spend hours in a bookstore,’ Lizzy confided, ‘or a sweet shop. But when it comes to clothes, or shoes…? They just don’t interest me.’
‘You and Hugh have a lot in common, then. He only goes shopping with me under duress.’ Holly laughed. ‘But he’ll spend an entire afternoon in Waterstones.’
‘It’s a much nicer way to spend one’s time than browsing through racks of clearance dresses and shelves of shoes,’ Lizzy said. ‘At least, to me it is.’ She glanced over her shoulder towards the high street with a sigh. ‘Speaking of which – I’d better go and track down my sisters. They’ll be wondering where I’ve gone off to.’
‘It was good to see you,’ Holly said.
‘Will you be at the regatta on Saturday?’ Harry asked her. ‘I’m counting on you and your sisters to root for the Pemberley and cheer when we cross the finish line.’
‘We’ll be there. We wouldn’t miss it.’ She thought it best not to mention Ciaran’s invitation to join him for what he already termed his “victory cruise” on the Meryton on Sunday. ‘I’d best be going.’
‘Wait,’ he said, and excused himself from Holly to follow her. ‘Are you going to the regatta ball on Sunday night?’
‘No,’ she admitted. ‘I wasn’t planning to.’
‘Nor was I. But I’ve changed my mind. I think it might be fun. Would you like to go? As my guest?’ he added. ‘Hugh and Holly are going, and Mum’s been on at me to go, too… I know it’s all a bit last minute, but…’
‘I’d like that.’ She smiled. ‘I don’t really have anything to wear to a ball, but I’m sure I could borrow something from Emma.’
‘Okay.’ He grinned, pleased. ‘Okay, I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock on Sunday night, then.’
‘I’ll look forward to it. Well – bye. And thanks for the ice cream.’ She smiled, and with a quick wave to Holly, turned back to the high street in search of her sisters.
You and Hugh have a lot in common.
Holly’s words echoed in her thoughts as Lizzy made her way back to the dress shop.
It was true, she thought glumly as she pushed the door open and heard the shop’s bell tinkle overhead. They had loads in common, she and Hugh – a love of books, an appreciation of silence and a dislike of pointless chatter, as well as a love of galloping across the fields, jumping the hedgerows and low stone walls that stitched their property together.
But in the end, it didn’t matter how much they shared in common. Because Hugh loved Holly, and he’d made his choice.
And there was not one bloody thing she could do about it.
***
When Holly and Harry returned to Cleremont late that afternoon, Lady Darcy was just coming down the stairs.
‘You’re back,’ she said. She eyed Harry. ‘You’re sunburnt,’ she scolded. ‘He’s always loved the outdoors,’ she told Holly. ‘When he was little he was always covered with scratches and plasters, while Hugh preferred to stay inside and read.’
‘So not much has changed,’ Holly observed.
‘No. Hard to believe my boys are all grown up. Where has the time gone?’
‘Right, that’s my cue to go upstairs,’ Harry said, and kissed Lady Darcy’s cheek. ‘Love you, Mum, but please don’t bore Holly senseless with stories about me and Hugh and our days in nappies and rompers, if you don’t mind.’
‘Oh, please do,’ Holly protested. ‘I’d love to hear every single embarrassing story you’ve got, Lady Darcy.’
‘Really?’ She looked surprised but pleased. ‘And do call me Lady Sarah… Holly. Surely there’s no need for us to be so formal?’
She longed to point out that it was Lady Darcy who’d insisted on the formality from the first instant they’d met, but refrained.
‘Come into the drawing room,’ Hugh’s mother went on, and drew her arm through Holly’s. ‘I’ll tell you about the time Hugh tied palm fronds to his arms, and tried to fly off the stable roof…’
***
Emma was just turning onto Litchfield Road to take them home when Lizzy spotted a dusty green Range Rover, a trailer full of sheep hitched behind it, coming towards them.
She leaned forward in the front seat. ‘Isn’t that Lord Darcy?’
‘It is,’ Emma agreed, and slowed the Mini. ‘Hugh’s with him. And a trailer filled with sheep.’
‘Eew.’ Charli wrinkled her nose. ‘I can smell them. The sheep,’ she added with a giggle, ‘not the Darcys.’
Lizzy wound down the window – Mr Bennet’s Mini was not equipped with power windows, alas – as the two vehicles drew alongside each other. ‘Hello. Bought some sheep, did you?’
Hugh nodded. ‘A dozen Derbyshire Gritstones. We’re just on the way home to unload them.’
‘They’re a much-needed addition to the herd,’ Lord Darcy added. ‘Now if you’ll excuse us, we’d best get back to Cleremont and unload these animals before dinner.’
‘We won’t keep you, then.’ Lizzy gave Hugh a tentative smile. ‘We’ll see you later, I hope?’
‘I expect I’ll see you at the regatta on Saturday,’ he said, and smiled back. ‘All of you,’ he added. ‘Goodbye Lizzy, ladies.’
‘Goodbye,’ they chorused and, with a wave, Emma put the car in gear and drove forward.
‘Bye, Hugh.’ With another smile, Lizzy wound her window up and sank back against her seat, and wished fervently that Saturday would hurry up and arrive.
***
‘We just got back.’
Holly looked up from her dressing table to see Hugh standing in her bedroom doorway with a weekend bag in his hand. Despite the weariness etched on his face, the sight of his thick, dark hair and his tentative but endearing smile swamped her with happiness.
‘Hugh!’ she exclaimed, and launched herself at him. ‘I missed you, so much.’
Laughing, he dropped his bag and wrapped his arms around her. ‘Not half so much as I missed you, believe me. It’s been a very long day.’
She kissed him, beyond hungry to feel his lips on hers, then drew back after a moment and wrinkled her nose. ‘You smell like sheep.’
‘The hazards of four hours spent travelling with a trailer full of Gritstones, I’m afraid.’
‘Well, dinner’s soon. You’d best go and take a shower. Unless,’ Holly added, and lifted her brow suggestively, ‘you’d rather take one here, with me…?’
‘You know how much I’d love that.’ His smile held regret. ‘But there’s no time, unfortunately. Perhaps tomorrow?’
She nodded, and held his face in both hands as she kissed him once again. ‘And don’t think I’ll forget. I won’t.’
He picked up his bag and turned to go, then paused. ‘Oh – wait. I brought you something back. A present.’
‘Ooh, how exciting! What is it?’
‘Well, I can’t tell you, can I, or it won’t be a surprise. Hold on, let me just find it.’
Holly all but danced with impatience. ‘Do hurry. You know how I hate to wait.’
Hugh bent down and rummaged in the side pouches of his travel bag until he unearthed a small package wrapped in silver foil and tied with a length of curly lavender ribbon, then straightened and held it out. ‘For you.’
‘Thanks. I can hardly wait to unwrap it.’ She took the present and tore it open. ‘Oh, Hugh… it’s adorable!’ She held up a silver bracelet with a single charm dangling from it – a tiny, black-faced sheep. ‘I love it!’
‘I thought it might go some way to making you a little less cross with me for leaving so suddenly.’
‘I was cross,’ she agreed, and slid her arms around his neck. ‘Really cross. But I’m not, now.’
His dark eyes studied hers. ‘And am I forgiven?’
In answer, she kissed him again, with an enthusiasm that left no doubt as to her feelings or her capacity for forgiveness. ‘You’re completely forgiven.’
As he left to go and get ready for dinner, Holly decided her questions about Jacinta, and his former engagement to the famous model, could wait until later.
***
‘Did you girls find yourselves some swimsuits in Longbourne?’ Mr Bennet enquired that night at dinner.
Emma nodded and handed him a plate of sliced roast chicken with a generous helping of peas and roasted potatoes. ‘We did. And I can honestly say that I think even you won’t find fault with our choices.’ She glanced at Charlotte with an upraised brow. ‘Of course, Charli wanted to buy an orange bikini.’
‘You’re such a tattletale,’ her sister shot back. ‘I didn’t buy it, did I?’
‘Only because I said you mightn’t.’
‘Whatever.’ Charli glared at her.
‘Now, girls,’ Mr Bennet interjected, ‘enough of that. Tell me, Charlotte – what sort of a swimsuit did you end up getting in lieu of the…’ he reddened slightly. ‘In lieu of the orange bikini?’
‘A red tank with a racerback,’ she answered, and pursed her lips. ‘It’s not half bad. But it wasn’t what I wanted.’
‘If it were up to you,’ Lizzy observed, ‘you’d wear a thong and pasties.’
‘No,’ Charli said sweetly. ‘That’d be you, Lizzy, dressing – or undressing, should I say – for the love of your life, Hugh Darcy.’ She feigned swooning.
Lizzy scowled and dropped her fork with a clatter. ‘Do shut up, Charli.’
‘Or what?’ her sister challenged, spoiling for an argument.
‘Or I’ll tell Daddy what you’ve been doing.’
A sudden silence descended on the table. The clink of forks and knives, the rise and fall of conversation, the muted jangle of Emma’s charm bracelet – all came to an abrupt stop at Lizzy’s words.
‘What do you mean?’ Charli locked eyes with her sister.
‘Yes,’ Mr Bennet said, his words measured as he regarded his middle daughter. ‘What, exactly, do you mean, Elizabeth? What has Charlotte been up to that I don’t know about?’
‘Oh, it’s nothing, really,’ Lizzy said, letting the moment stretch out long enough to cause her youngest sister the maximum amount of panic. ‘Only, she buys up every one of those trashy tabloids whenever we’re at the newsagent’s in Longbourne – the ones you don’t like her to read. She spends every bit of her allowance on gossip, and fold-out posters of boy bands with no shirts and staples in their navels.’
Charlotte cast her a slit-eyed glare.
‘Well,’ their father said, and reached for the basket of roll, ‘I can think of worse things. You liked the very same things when you were Charli’s age. I seem to remember posters of footballers papering your own walls.’
Lizzy shrugged. ‘Yes, it’s true. However,’ she added with a pointed glance at her sister, ‘then I grew up, and put all of that childish stuff behind me.’
‘Not all of it.’ Charli cut into her chicken. ‘You still have a poster of Beckham in your closet. I’ve seen it.’
‘Guilty as charged. Pass the peas, please.’
As Emma handed her the bowl and Lizzy helped herself to more peas, Mr Bennet pushed his plate away. ‘I’m finished. That was an excellent dinner, Emma. Thank you.’ He thrust his chair back and stood. ‘Now, if you girls will excuse me, I have a phone call to make.’
‘To Araminta?’ Lizzy enquired.
‘Possibly. I’ll see you all later.’
And with that, Mr Bennet look his leave and went into his study to make his call in private, shutting the door.
‘Well, I need to go and soak the roasting pan,’ Emma said, and stood up as well. ‘Or it’ll never come clean. When you’re finished, come and help clean up. It’s the least you can do since neither of you offered to help with dinner.’
‘Okay.’ Lizzy finished her milk. ‘We’ll be in soon.’
The minute Emma left, Charlotte leaned forward and hissed, ‘You little snitch! You nearly told Daddy everything, didn’t you?’
‘I did.’ She regarded her sister calmly. ‘Say one more word about Darcy,’ Lizzy promised, ‘and he’ll know about more than just your trashy reading habits. I’ll make sure he knows you’ve been sneaking out to see Ciaran Duncan, too.’
‘I’m not sneaking out to see him any more. And that’s blackmail!’
‘Call it whatever you like.’ Lizzy threw her napkin down. ‘If it means I don’t have to listen to any more of your taunts or teasing about my feelings for Hugh Darcy, it’s well worth a bit of blackmail.’
They glared at each other until Charlotte scraped her chair back and stood to leave.
‘Do you want to wash, or rinse?’ Lizzy asked.
‘Rinse,’ Charli snapped, and flounced out of the dining room.