Elizabeth sat with her father in the library and read to him as many hours passed marked by the chiming of the clock upon the mantel. The library was decorated in masculine decor; antlers, leather, and brass fixtures. It smelled of cigar smoke as her father seemed most at ease sampling the selection Mr. Darcy kept in a wooden humidor by a large window that looked out onto the windswept moors.
Cook had made a lovely rabbit stew for luncheon and Elizabeth felt herself grow more and more drowsy with each page she read. After a second great yawn escaped her, Mr. Bennet let out a loud snore and Elizabeth giggled. It was the perfect place for a nap.
Rising lest she fall prey to the sandman, Elizabeth went to the great window and looked out upon the now barren landscape. It would be lovely come spring covered in the purple of heather, but now only the wind played there.
She thought of a short, brisk walk but not knowing the place and recalling the bandits of the night before, she shivered and went to stand before the fireplace. Perhaps when Mr. Darcy returned, he might take her out in the carriage to see the grounds.
When she thought of him, she smiled. After breakfast, when they had all risen to leave the room, he had lingered to be the last one out so that he might speak with her for a moment. Mr. Bennet had hurried to the library and Captain Denny to the stables.
He touched her elbow to gain her attention and when she turned, there was a tenderness in his expression. His eyes sought hers and the compassion there nearly unsettled her already tenuous grasp on her nerves. She had chastised herself silently for resembling her poor mother in her demeanor.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he had said as they stood there, “I am unable to express my sorrow in words for what you witnessed last evening. A young lady should never see such violence, but the footman and your father have said how very brave you were.”
She swallowed hard to keep the tears at bay and merely shook her head in agreement. It was then he lifted a hand and traced the line of her jaw with one finger before cradling her chin in his hand. “You are an amazing young lady. One I am most honored to know.”
The butler had cleared his throat and broken the spell between them leaving Elizabeth certain there would be gossip of whether she had come so far from home to marry Mr. Darcy after all. The fact that her father was present would not still the servants tongues. No doubt they had seen many a couple wed over the anvil. Surely they must know Mr. Darcy would never settle for such a ceremony.
She laughed at her thoughts and began to wander the library. Elizabeth had completed a search of two bookshelves when the door opened and Mr. Darcy entered with Lydia declaring loudly that she was in love with Lieutenant Wickham and that she was his bride.
Mr. Bennet was startled awake as Captain Denny hauled Lieutenant Wickham into the room and slammed the door. He apologized to Mr. Darcy who had not noticed the sound since Lydia was now screeching for her husband and fighting against Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Bennet rose from his seat so quickly and crossed the room that Lydia was silenced by his sudden appearance at her side. His voice thundered through the room. “See here, you will cease with that stupid noise this instance!”
Lydia broke into tears as Mr. Bennet grabbed her by the arm and hauled her from the room. Elizabeth did not know whether to follow them or remain standing in the rows of bookshelves nearly hidden from sight.
Lieutenant Wickham decided for her. “Mr. Darcy, I have married the little wench. I see the Bennets have come to Scotland with you to find her. You may provide my wife with a handsome dowry, if you wish, in order to keep me from leaving her.”
Elizabeth stepped away from the shelves and pointed a finger at him, her anger overflowing. “You were engaged to Miss King last we heard.”
Wickham laughed. “Her uncle, unlike your father, was suspicious and banned me from his home. Your father would have gladly accepted my offer for your hand had I given it. My new wife has been most accommodating of my carnal desires even before we left Hertfordshire. Once Miss Jane married, I was certain Mr. Bingley would pay to keep us in a manner befitting his station in life.”
Mr. Darcy went to Elizabeth and led her from the room. “It is best you hear no more of his lies. Your sister will need your aid and comfort once your father has finished with her.”
Elizabeth protested, but he stood with her in the hallway preventing her return to the library. His look of pity pierced her heart and she turned away to flee upstairs. Mr. Darcy caught her arm. “Miss Elizabeth, I will not see him ruin your family. I care too much for you to let him get away with this, surely you must know that by now?”
Elizabeth had known he was truly her friend, but she had not expected he would care for her beyond that. “Mr. Darcy, I do not know what to say. Ruin is all the lieutenant will bring to my family. Gossip is unchecked in Hertfordshire and certainly some have learned of the elopement by now. Kitty could not keep it herself as we stood before you in our own parlor. Think of that before your feelings for me become a burden rather than a blessing.”