Page 17 of His Dark Heart
“Too late. You have lost your chance for redemption. Count on my wrath being ample.”
“Ye are a bastard.”
“Language, Miss Elizabeth! Does your father allow such vulgarity?”
Darcy gave the horse a kick and the beast sped up. At Longbourn House, Darcy dismounted then pulled Elizabeth down as the front door opened.
Sir Thomas’s mouth was pressed into a thin line. “Pray, where have ye been?”
“I found her along the roadside, sir. I believe she was with her former beau.”
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open in shock at the ease with which Darcy implicated her.
“Elizabeth,” Sir Thomas muttered, shaking his head.
“Sir, I have lost faith in your ability to control your daughter and her impetuous actions. I must demand that when I return north at the end of this week, my betrothed will accompany me so I may protect myself and our contract.”
“Like hell!” Elizabeth wailed, turning on Darcy and beating on his chest. “This was thy plan all along, was it not?”
“Sir, control your daughter.” Darcy's tone was deadly.
Defeated, Sir Thomas stepped forward and grabbed Elizabeth about the waist, pulling her away.
“Have her things readied by dawn on Fifth Day. My party is to leave then.” Without another word, Darcy returned to his horse and kicked him up to speed, a billowing cloud of dust obscuring him from view.
* * *
In his anger at being ordered about by Lord Darcy, Father terminated Hill's tenure as Elizabeth's governess so when dawn came about on Fifth Day, Elizabeth was loaded into a carriage and was quite alone. She was allowed to travel with her lady's maid, Heather, who was expected to ride in a separate vehicle. She had said her terse goodbyes to her father and tried not to weep while household servants she had known all her life broke down. She had not even been allowed to write a note to Charlotte informing her of the change in departure. There would be no good-bye for her dearest friend.
Lord Darcy watched the partings with obvious disinterest, dismounting when Elizabeth was ready to be handed into the carriage. He barely glanced back as Elizabeth’s carriage and the coach containing her belongings began the long journey.
They met the rest of the traveling party, including two more coaches full of supplies and goods, at the main road that led towards the north. Elizabeth caught a glimpse of her future husband as his horse trotted past the window of the carriage. No one could deny that he made an impressive figure on the steed with his sword glinting dangerously at his side and his long hair trailing down his back in a thick, loose plait. But his steely blue eyes were cold, and she bit her lip at the thought of spending the rest of her life with such a man.
After several attempts, she found she could not read the book she had brought with her. The road was too rough, and the words became jumbled after a short time. Instead, she put it away and watched the familiar dissolve into the similar. All too soon even the similar would disappear and her world would never be the same.
* * *
When the sun was high, the company stopped. The carriage door opened, and cool air flooded the small compartment.
Elizabeth started when somebody’s hand touched hers and was embarrassed that she had fallen asleep.
“Miss Elizabeth, we are stopping to rest the horses and have a bite to eat. May I accompany you?” Lord Darcy asked, extending his hand to assist her from the carriage.
Slowly, she offered him her gloved hand and blinked as the sunlight overpowered her senses. He steadied her by gently touching her forearm and waited until she recovered. She was unused to a gentle display from him and became suspicious.
“What do ye want?” she whispered as they passed milling servants on their way into an inn.
“Stew.”
“Ye know what I speak of. Do not be coy.”
“And ale.”
Elizabeth huffed. Frustrating man!
“I suggest you get some bread, cheese, and wine to put in the carriage with you. The claret at this inn is particularly good.”
“What game are ye playing at, sir? Why are ye suddenly the milk of human kindness? Or, perhaps, the milk curd.”
