Indeed, once they had arrived at a small inn where they had determined to stop and water the horses, it had taken all of Elizabeth’s powers of persuasion to convince Darcy that demanding a room for a mere hour would very likely give rise to talk, to say nothing of the reactions they would receive from their impressionable, young traveling companions.
“I hardly care what anyone will say,” he whispered urgently as he leaned in close. His hot breath against her neck caused her to stumble as they followed Georgiana and Lydia while the innkeeper’s wife led them to a private parlor abovestairs. He placed his hand upon the small of her back to steady her and stroked his thumb in a lazy, circular motion. “I daresay our sisters shall think only that you need to rest. Elizabeth, I am begging you! I will never survive this torturous ride to Hertfordshire without first burying myself within you, teasing woman.”
Elizabeth blushed at his uttering such words in public and shook her head, causing the curls framing her face to bob. A slight smile of satisfaction quirked her lips. “I am afraid you will just have to wait, Mr. Darcy, but,” she murmured seductively, “I can safely promise you that the reward you will receive for your patience shall be well worth the effort of your restraint.”
They entered a modestly furnished but pleasant private dining parlor and took a seat at the table. The proximity of their two sisters restricted their continuing with such a topic, but the master and mistress of Pemberley were now seated close enough for Darcy to place his hand upon Elizabeth’s leg—quite unnoticed—and caress the length of her thigh with his fingertips. If, in the course of conversation, she happened to falter somewhat or drop her fork during the meal, wisely, no one ventured any comment.
True to her word, after their arrival at Netherfield Park, Elizabeth did indeed reward the master of Pemberley most handsomely for his saintly patience. After exchanging the required pleasantries with their host and hostess, Elizabeth led Darcy upstairs to what they had now come affectionately to think of as their own room in Bingley’s house. The following hour or so was spent expressing their fervent passion for each other—several times—and, though Darcy and Elizabeth tried to be discreet about their chosen activity, they found it difficult not to voice at least some of the pleasure they were giving—and receiving—from each other’s society.
After resting and bathing, the entire party dressed for dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mary, Kitty, and Jane, who had returned from Town the previous week with the Gardiners, would be joining them that evening for a family dinner. As it seemed to be taking Elizabeth far longer to complete her toilette than it had taken Darcy to perform his ablutions, he informed her of his intention to pass a quarter of an hour or so in the billiard room with Bingley and made his way toward the main staircase. On his way, he met Lydia.
He bowed to her and said, “You look lovely, Lydia. Is that not one of the gowns Georgiana urged you to purchase? The color suits you very well.”
Lydia smiled at such a generous compliment from her brother-in-law. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I received the gown just yesterday from Bond Street. I have another for Jane’s wedding and also for the ball Mr. Bingley will hold in her honor tomorrow night.”
Darcy smiled. “I am glad to hear it. According to your mother, a lady can never have enough gowns.”
Lydia’s expression grew serious, and she said, “I have been wondering, Mr. Darcy…”
Darcy waited, then inclined his head and raised one brow.
“I have been wondering if I might speak to you of something very particular?” she asked. Seeing her brother-in-law, again, incline his head, she forged on, this time in a rush. “I have been talking to Georgiana about it, you see, and she said she thinks it a very good idea, and that I should ask you and Lizzy—especially you—but I am afraid I cannot possibly tell you unless it is in some place more private. I could not bear it if anyone else were to overhear. Especially Miss Bingley. She can be an awful, gossiping shrew, you know, and—” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Lord! Forgive me. I know I should not have spoken so. And I have been doing so well, too. Lizzy would be very disappointed in me.”
A smile threatened to turn up the corners of Darcy’s mouth, and he cleared his throat to regain his composure. “No, indeed, you should not, but I do hope you know you may always speak with me of anything you like, Lydia. And, if you prefer, Elizabeth need not hear of this slip of the tongue. It can remain just between us.”
Lydia gave him a small smile, and he escorted her to a well-lit parlor, which happened to be fortuitously empty. They took a seat upon two chairs by the fire, and Darcy waited for her to begin.
“Mr. Darcy, I… I suppose I will have to return to Longbourn tonight,” she said.
“Yes, I suppose so. Was that not what you and your parents had discussed while you remained in London?”
“It was, but I was wondering if… actually, hoping that, perhaps, well… you and Lizzy might consent to keep me? At least for a little while longer, I mean. Certainly not forever.”
Though Lydia had certainly become more relaxed within his household since the first weeks of her recovery, Darcy had thought she would now be eager to return to her own home. Mrs. Bennet had been impatient for her youngest daughter’s return to Longbourn, but Darcy had taken it upon himself to speak to Mr. Bennet on the subject and had managed to persuade his father-in-law to allow Lydia to extend her period of convalescence in London, much for Elizabeth’s peace of mind, as well as to ensure Lydia did not suffer any further ill effects from her experience. He observed her closely for a few moments and tapped his finger against his lips. “Longbourn is your home. You do not wish to resume living with your parents?”
Lydia dropped her gaze to her lap. “It is not that. I am afraid to return to Longbourn, Mr. Darcy. I have not behaved very well at all. Everyone must know of my running away and how very bad I have been. I am sure Mama and Kitty have spoken of it to the entire neighborhood by now, to say nothing of Mary and her tiresome sermonizing.”
“No,” he said. “No one knows the truth of what really happened, Lydia. After we read your letter, your mother took to her room immediately, and your sisters were instructed never to speak of your absence. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his men were very discreet when making their inquiries in Town, and though, perhaps we should have done so, your father and I decided it was best not to inform Colonel Forster of what had transpired. We were all very careful, including your mother. There has been no talk of this in London, and there shall be no talk of it here. You need not worry yourself. If anyone asks, you need only say you were visiting your sister in Town. After all, it is the truth, is it not?”
Lydia nodded slowly. “It is,” she said. “I have stayed with you and Lizzy now these two months. It was far more than I deserve, I know, especially considering all the trouble I have caused you. I know Lizzy was very frightened for me, and she did not look after herself as she should. The danger to her was so very great. Wickham wanted to do terrible things to her, you know.”
“I was there to care for Elizabeth while she cared for you. I would not have allowed her to make herself ill, and I would not have allowed Wickham to harm her in any way. I am only sorry I failed to do the same for you,” he said. “You are my sister now, and I did not do enough to protect you from him.”
Lydia swallowed. “He was a very bad man. Lizzy and Jane tried to warn me, and so did you, but I did not want to listen to the truth. I know how lucky I am, Mr. Darcy. I am so very sorry I caused so much trouble, especially while Lizzy is expecting a baby. If you want, I will go home to Longbourn tonight. I have since learned many things about conducting myself as a proper lady from observing Lizzy and Georgiana. Perhaps I will never be as good as they are, or Jane, but I promise you I shall never stop trying.”