Page 105 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“What happened, Darce?”

“It was Vauxhall all over again, Richard. I wanted to box the gentlemen and call out the ladies’ fathers. I cannot seem to control my rage when they speak of her like that.”

“Yet you did control it. Unless…we are not going back so you can challenge them, I hope?”

Darcy huffed out a humorless laugh. “She did not wish it at Vauxhall, so I assume she would not appreciate it here, either.”

“She can handle herself, Darce. You know what she said that so impressed my mother.”

As soon as Elizabeth’s aunt had called her to walk with her when they had first arrived today, Darcy had asked Richard for the full story. He had been in such awe of Elizabeth, and a touch embarrassed, that he had barely known what to speak about when he finally had a chance to walk beside her. That she would defend his honor in such a way was astonishing. And he had not been able to say anything in the face of the indecent words directed at her.

“How can I protect her if I only freeze when people abuse her?”

“You removed her from the situation. That was not freezing; that was intelligence. Violence is not the answer and would solve nothing.”

“I must act more quickly next time. I assumed the people would keep moving, so we stood still, but I should have gotten her away immediately.”

“Darce, are you certain this is what you want? You speak as though you know this will happen again. Yet, your reputation is not truly tarnished yet. If you withdraw now⁠—”

“It is too late. I have come too far.”

“Nobody will remember a brief infatuation. You could still marry well.”

Darcy stopped. They were almost back to where he had stood with Elizabeth, and the faces were all different now. He turned and glared at his cousin.

“Have you changed your mind about supporting me? I have no wish to lose you, Richard, but I will not give her up. Not even for you.”

“Very well, then. I only wished to be sure. I told you I would support you, and I will. Most fights do not end in love, but love is the greatest victory to be achieved in any battle.”

Darcy continued to look at his cousin for a few more seconds.

“What?” His cousin returned his look with a challenge.

“I am trying to work out whether that was really profound or really terrible poetry.”

“Such ingratitude. I offer my support and you ridicule my wisdom.”

“Forgive me, master. You know all. I appreciate your reinforcements.” Darcy clapped his cousin’s shoulder, and they both chuckled.

Just ahead, they saw the rest of their party.

When they all returned to Darcy House less than half an hour later, Darcy was gratified to see Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle had made themselves comfortable in his drawing room. He was unable to speak privately with her beyond a few words for the rest of the evening, however. She still appeared to be affected by the incident in the park, quieter and more withdrawn than usual. He chided himself again for not having acted quickly enough. The ladies all agreed to entertain them with music after dinner, but Elizabeth did not sing. She played while Miss Bennet sang, so Darcy did not even have the opportunity to stand beside her to turn her pages.

He knew Miss Bennet would leave London at the end of the week, and he wondered how that would curtail his time with Elizabeth. If he was not ready to openly court her, he could not take her into society without her friends.

“Bingley. What do you say to taking the ladies to Gunter’s, perhaps Wednesday afternoon?” Darcy knew Elizabeth did not go to the Foundling Hospital on Wednesdays or Fridays.

“A fine idea. And Henry IV Part 1 is being performed this week. Is your box free on Thursday or Friday?”

“Yes. Invite everyone and inform me of the chosen day.”

Elizabeth had sampled Gunter’s ices once with her aunt and uncle when she was sixteen, but she had always thought it would be quite a different experience with a suitor. She had sat in the tea shop to eat her treat, and she had looked out the window to see carriages standing in the street. Waiters carried ices and sorbets through the traffic to ladies waiting in their seats and gentlemen standing on the foot-pavement below them, their backs to the trees and grass of Berkeley Square.

Today, Elizabeth still did not have a suitor, but she was gratified she would have the experience she had longed for years earlier. She and Jane traveled in their uncle’s carriage with Dinah, and Matthew was with the coachman. They stopped not far from Gunter’s, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley approached their carriage from where they had been waiting nearby. Mr. Bingley opened the door, and Elizabeth opened the window, affording both gentlemen access to the ladies within. Other carriages were open, but this would do, as well.

Elizabeth knew it was a simple thing to sit in a carriage across the street from a tea shop, but her childish memory had made her excited for the afternoon, and she could not restrain her smile.

“Are you having an agreeable day, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy sounded surprised.