Page 81 of Courting Elizabeth

“I possess eyes.”

I did not answer.

At Darcy House, Elizabeth was waiting in the entrance hall. She descended the steps before the servant had even closed the door.

“You found them.”

It was not a question. She had read the answer on my face.

“Yes.”

“Lydia?”

“She is well. The marriage will take place in two days, as soon as the formalities are completed.”

Her legs gave way. I caught her in my arms.

She buried her face against my chest and began to cry.

I carried her to the small sitting room and held her on my lap while she clung to me. Her tears soaked through my shirt. I stroked her back, her hair, murmuring what comfort I could: Lydia was safe, the marriage would take place, Jane and the others would not be ruined.

When her tears subsided, she lifted a devastated face to mine.

“How can I ever thank you?”

The question pained me.

“Don’t.”

“Fitzwilliam…”

“Especially not with what I desire most.”

She froze.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t say anything out of gratitude.”

Pain replaced the relief in her eyes.

“So you believe everything I might give you can be bought?”

“I believe you are vulnerable today, and I will not take advantage of this moment.”

She rose abruptly from my lap.

“You have decided not to govern my thoughts, but you reserve the right to interpret them for me.”

“Elizabeth.”

“No. You are right about one thing: this is not the moment.”

She left the room.

I stayed where I was, too exhausted to follow her.

I went up to my study and opened the estate ledger to its last page.