Tears spilled out over her cheeks.
Mr. Darcy seemed to understand, all the stern purpose in him softening without disappearing. He drew her closer, not into the wild happiness of before, but into something warm and steady. His arms closed around her, and she rested against his chest for one breath, then two.
“I thought you would wish to be free,” she whispered.
“No.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I should neverbefree, were I not with you.”
It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her.
Elizabeth lifted her face, and he brushed a kiss to her lips. Then once more. When he drew back, purpose had returned. “I must go.”
“I know.”
“I shall write you the moment there is anything to tell.”
“And if there is nothing?”
He smiled. “Then I shall write to tell you so.”
His carriage arrived more quickly than she had expected—apparently, he had asked Hannah to send a man to Pemberley for it.
“There is no sense in losing the daylight. I mean to be in London by tomorrow night if I can manage it.”
Elizabeth walked out with him to the inn yard.
“Promise me you will not worry more than you must,” he said.
“That is a great deal to promise.”
“I know.” He took her hand. “Then promise me only that you will eat when your aunt tells you to eat, and sleep when she suggests it. The worst of the work will be out of your sight for a little while, but it will not be neglected.”
“I shall do as you ask,” said Elizabeth.
He looked at her with frank suspicion.
This cheered her immensely. “You need not look so astonished. I spent an entire day watching you manage twenty guests, a lightning storm, and Miss Bingley—who was, I must say, less governable than either of the Atherton children.” She put her hand on his arm, relishing being allowed to do so. “I have reached the conclusion that you are the most alarmingly competent person of my acquaintance. If you tell me to eat and sleep, the sensible course is probably to eat and sleep.” She smiled. “I ought to warn you, however, that this easy agreement shall not last, and I advise you to enjoy the novelty.”
His answering smile was fond and knowing. “I will, however, hold you to it in this case,” he said softly.
Because the carriage stood ready and there were people everywhere, he took her hand and bowed over it. It was formal enough for the yard. Nothing an ostler could gossip over. Buthis mouth touched the back of her glove and remained there a fraction longer than courtesy required. It was nothing to anyone watching, but Elizabeth felt the warmth of his breath through the thin kid and had to remind herself, quite firmly, that she was standing in an inn yard in full view of half of Lambton.
He straightened but did not release her hand.
“You are certain Miss Darcy will not be distressed by your leaving so suddenly?” Elizabeth asked, mostly to have something to say.
“My sister will understand. Mrs. Annesley will help her to host Bingley and his family until they leave for Yorkshire on Monday. In fact, Bingley may be heading south as well. There will not be much for Georgiana to manage.”
“South?”
“I told him that you believed your sister was truly in love with him, and he seems to still be in love with her. What he does now is up to him, but I should be surprised if he did not open Netherfield.”
“And the colonel?” she asked.
Mr. Darcy turned with a little nod at the carriage, and Elizabeth saw, through the open door, that the gentleman in question was inside, one boot propped on the opposite seat and his hat tilted over his eyes.
“My cousin has no idea what is happening yet,” Mr. Darcy said. “But he will have heard that I called for a travelling carriage from Lambton, and has undoubtedly decided that I cannot be trusted to meet whatever adventure awaits without his supervision.”
Despite everything, Elizabeth almost smiled. “I am glad you will have his assistance.”