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“Fetch my coat,” William said to Adams. Whilst Adams was assisting his master into his coat, William asked Lydia, “How do you propose to slip me into her bedroom without anyone taking notice?”
“Everyone is occupied at present. I have just taken Mrs. Annesley’s place, and she has retired to her room. Mrs. Reynolds is busy arranging for dinner, so if you come now, no one will know that you are with her.”
William nodded. “Then let us hurry before someone decides to check on her.”
Elizabeth’s bedroom
As he entered the room, the first thing William noticed was that Elizabeth was propped upon numerous pillows, allowing her to sit almost upright. Her dark hair was loose and spread amongst the white sheets and pillows, making her look even paler than when he had last seen her.
Instantly, his heart began racing. He could barely catch his breath before Elizabeth caught sight of him and stretched out a hand towards him. That gesture proved a balm to his soul, and he hurried towards her to take it. Once he had, she pulled him forward.
“Sit close, please,” she murmured, almost in a whisper. “My throat is scratchy, and it hurts when I try to speak louder.”
Noting a glass of water on the bedside table just out of her reach, William picked it up and brought it to her lips. “Take some water. It should help.”
She took several gulps of the liquid. “Thank you.”
As though suddenly recalling her appearance, Elizabeth began trying to smooth her hair, though her riotous curls refused to submit, and she had to give up. Suddenly, she stopped fidgeting and began to speak. “I wanted to thank you personally for risking your life to save Lydia and me. Had you arrived barely an hour earlier, I have no doubt you would have been killed in the gunfire between those fighting to keep us captive.”
“Though I am pleased that Lydia is safe, I confess that your safety was my primary concern.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears as she began to shake her head. “I cannot imagine why you would even care. Richard told me how Anne de Bourgh made your life a living hell after I refused you at Kent. It was my hateful, misguided refusal that left you vulnerable to her scheme to trap you in a miserable marriage.”
“Richard talks too much.”
“That may be so, but he only wishes you to be happy.”
William looked away. “I know, but some things are better kept secret; else others blame themselves for things for which they are not responsible. For instance, you were not to blame for what happened at Kent. I made you an insulting offer, and you rightly refused me. Then I decided the least I could do to redeem myself was to grant Anne’s request to die a married woman.”
“My refusal was based on Wickham’s lies and a long-standing prejudice against you because you had broken my heart.”
“I had broken your heart ... before Kent?”
Biting her bottom lip, Elizabeth nodded. “I realise now that I fell in love with you at first sight the night we met at the Meryton assembly. When you said I was ‘tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt you,’ I was devastated.”
William reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss thereon. “I am so very sorry, my love. I did not even bother to study your face for I was merely trying to fend off Bingley. He was adamant that I must dance, and I was upset over a matter concerning my sister, so I was not of a mind to acquiesce.”
Elizabeth smiled wanly. “Nonetheless, the only way to mend my heart, in my opinion, was to pretend you were not worthy of my love. From then on, anyone who was willing to disparage you instantly became a friend.”
“Which explains your defence of Wickham.”
Elizabeth’s expression grew even sadder. “His lies made disliking you easier.”
“I do not blame you for thinking badly of me. My behaviour in Meryton was not that of a gentleman.”
“In hindsight, you were no different than any other gentleman blessed with a fortune large enough to create envy.” Elizabeth’s eyes suddenly brightened. “Oh! I almost forgot the other reason I wanted to thank you. Lydia told me how you quelled the gossip that could have arisen because we spent the night together by having your servants spread the word that they were the ones who found me at the cottage the morning I was returned to Pemberley.”
Thoroughly disheartened at the extent of her joy at not being forced to marry him, William managed to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat before replying, “I-I knew you would never marry against your will; therefore, rumours of a compromise were easily taken off the table.”
“You cannot imagine how relieved I was that you would not have to break your engagement to Jane in order to save my reputation.”
Overwhelmed by disappointment, William grew silent, which Elizabeth noticed. “Surely, you must be glad that your engagement is still intact.”
“If Richard told you about our engagement, he must have explained that it was merely a ruse to fool the court, and it would end as soon as a verdict was rendered.”
Instantly, Elizabeth recalled what Richard had said: Obviously, his kind-heartedness may once again force Darcy into an alliance he does not want. In fact, I believe that only the hope of another chance with you could induce him to tell Lady Morgan the truth.
After the night she had spent in Fitzwilliam’s arms, she now knew how violently she loved him. Still, she could not abide being the source of another heartache for Jane. How to make him understand?
