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“From all I know of the gentleman and even by your own account, Mr. Darcy is a rich and powerful man. Have you allowed for the possibility that he has obligations and responsibilities that make it impossible for him to return to Hertfordshire at this time?”
“For once, I have decided against rushing to judgment, hence my presence in Town. If I could see him, then I would be able to judge for myself if he still holds me in esteem or if the promises he made were nothing more than words—words erased by the brush of scandal.”
“My dear, if you have come to London as a means of putting yourself in Mr. Darcy’s path, then I am afraid I will not be of much service to you. We live in very different parts of town. All our connections are so different. As you well know, we go out so little that it is very improbable that you should meet at all, unless it is made known to him that you are in Town, and he comes to see you.”
“Actually, I have taken matters into my own hands in that regard. I have written the young lady I met in Bosley when I was staying with my aunt Lady Vanessa Barrett. She and Mr. Darcy have connections which are very much the same. She remains in Town. I shall call on her tomorrow.”
The next day found Elizabeth in a fashionable Mayfair establishment visiting her friend. Elizabeth and Lucy sat upon the latter’s canopied bed, just as had been their wont in Bosley. Months had passed since they last saw each other, but time had done nothing to diminish their affection for each other, likely a consequence of their frequent letters as well as the ladies’ understanding of the inner workings of each other’s heart.
Elizabeth said, “I always supposed Lord Holland and you would make an excellent match, Lucy. You are so much alike in temperament.”
“I could not agree more. Alas, my parents have deigned I am to marry Mr. Franklin Lloyd. I am obliged to honour their wishes.” Lucy took both of Elizabeth’s hands in hers. “I envy you in being free from such restrictions. I truly do.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Surely you are no stranger to the fact that Lady Vanessa and Lady Clarissa intended you for Lord Holland.”
“Close to the end of my stay in Bosley, I suspected as much, but I began to consider it rather a fond wish rather than anything more compelling.”
“Nevertheless, you follow your own counsel when it comes to matters of the heart. Otherwise, we might never have met. You would be known as Mrs. Elizabeth Collins, and you would be residing in Kent as the wife of a parson.”
Elizabeth laughed at this image of herself. “Perish the thought, dear Lucy.” She could not believe she had confided in Lucy the awkward embarrassment she endured in rejecting her ridiculous cousin’s hand in marriage.
“I wish very much that Mr. Darcy had not been so obtuse. The two of you might have—” Lucy sucked in a quick breath. “Oh, Elizabeth, I am so sorry to touch upon what must surely be a sore subject. I am not unaware of his being the reason you went away from Bosley.”
“Lucy, you need not worry ever much over me. I suppose I should have mentioned before that I have since seen Mr. Darcy.”
“You have? Well, that is wonderful news. Is it not?”
“I suppose that depends. You will recall meeting his friend Charles Bingley.”
“Yes, he was a delightful man and so very handsome. But his sister—” Lucy turned up her nose in a manner eerily reminiscent of Caroline Bingley herself. “Wherever did she come from?”
“Caroline Bingley does leave much to be desired. She is nothing compared to her brother, for he is one hundred times her worth. However, I mentioned Mr. Bingley because his estate in Hertfordshire is next to my father’s estate. Mr. Darcy was recently in residence there.”
“That is wonderful. Surely he came all that way to see you. What other purpose would he have in Hertfordshire? Did the two of you reach an understanding?”
“I am afraid we did not. There was hardly any time. He left Hertfordshire rather hastily for matters I have come to learn were of grave importance.”
“Oh! I have a wonderful idea! I understand Mr. Darcy is in Town, both he and Lord Holland, and you know his lordship rarely ventures to London if he can help it. I expect the two of them will be at the Langley’s garden party tomorrow. You should accompany me. My mother shall have no problem securing an extra invitation. Lord Holland, Mr. Darcy, you, and I will be together again just as we were in Bosley. We shall have a gay reunion.”
CHAPTER 17
HALF AGONY, HALF HOPE
The prospect of Mr. Darcy standing there, bestowing his undivided attention on another filled Elizabeth with unrest. She lowered her voice and leaned closer to her friend. “Who is that striking young woman in Mr. Darcy’s company?” Indeed, Mr. Darcy’s companion was tall, and her appearance was womanly and graceful. She had Elizabeth seeing green.
Lucy turned to command a better view of the couple. “I have no idea of who she might be. While it is true this is my first Season, this is the first I have ever seen her. She is lovely.”
“Indeed, she is. Is there any wonder that he hangs upon that woman’s every word?”
Still studying the couple, Lucy tapped her fingers against her chin. “However, she is rather young for a gentleman of his discerning taste, do you not agree?”
Elizabeth’s mind wandered to her own sister. The disparity in Lydia and Mr. Wickham’s age did not serve as a deterrent to the lieutenant. She shook her head to ward off her musings. Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy are leagues apart. Still, she could not help being concerned. Regardless of her age, the young woman is completely enamoured of Mr. Darcy.
“Elizabeth, what are we waiting for? Let us go over and ascertain who she is.”
“Heaven forbid, Lucy! I shall do no such thing.”
