President Darcy

Lydia tossed her head. “Of course, she doesn’t like him. He said she was ugly and stupid!”

If Darcy never heard those two words again, he would be a very happy man.

“We have confirmed that Ms. Bennet was alone with the president in the suite and that he had requested a bottle of white wine,” Rhodes told the camera. “However, she was only in the suite about fifteen minutes before she exited looking, as you can see, rather disheveled. Afterward she escaped to the press area of Air Force One, where she spent the night. That isn’t the usual protocol for guests of the president’s; customarily they stay in a separate guest area.”

Wickham’s eyes widened with faux outrage. “What did he do to that poor girl?”

Lydia slapped her thigh. “I thought the president made a pass at her! She denied it, but the way she acted—”

Darcy rubbed his chest as if that would somehow ease the iron bands constricting his breathing. He couldn’t imagine what Elizabeth might have said to Lydia after that fateful encounter. It was a minor miracle Darcy had quelled that anger after bungling the scene on Air Force One—and now his job was about to plunge her into a very public spectacle.

Rhodes shook his head. “Terrible, taking advantage of a defenseless young woman like that.”

Despite his anger, Darcy snorted. “Defenseless” was not the way to describe the Elizabeth he had encountered on Air Force One.

“What did he do to make her change her mind about him so suddenly?” Lydia asked in a horrified whisper.

Wickham took Lydia’s hand in a comforting manner. “It may be that he used the USDA contract to ‘persuade’ her.” Lydia shuddered. Darcy winced, knowing that some voters would buy this scandalmongering.

“We will continue to investigate,” Rhodes promised Lydia. He arranged his features into an expression of grave concern as he faced the camera. “We’ve contacted the White House to inquire about the incident but have received no reply. We’ll keep you informed as we receive more information.”

As Hilliard switched off the recording, he glared at Darcy. “What the hell have you been up to?” Bing cradled his head in his hands while Fitz cursed colorfully and continuously. Caroline stared at Darcy with icy disdain.

“Nothing, Bob,” Darcy growled. “I haven’t hurt or abducted the woman. She’s out there having French toast.” He gestured to the kitchen.

“Yes, I saw her.” Hilliard stood and started pacing. “I’m sure you’ve guessed how quickly the rest of the media has picked up on this. Reporters are gathering at Pemberley’s gates. Lydia Bennet and Wickham are making appearances on other cable news shows. Mainstream newspapers are calling me for comments. And do you know what’s trending on Twitter now? #Investigate PemberleyNow. #WhereIsElizabethBennet. #FreeElizabethBennet.

Darcy slumped back in his chair. “Shit.”

“You really screwed the pooch this time, Will,” Caroline said, her expression far more vindicated than concerned.

Bing’s head jerked up. “It’s not Darcy’s fault. Wickham has always sought ways to use him to advance his political career.”

Fitz sighed. “He knew he couldn’t make that old story about the inheritance stand up to scrutiny.”

“So what’s our next move?” Bing asked.

“Can’t we just have Elizabeth go out there and make a statement?” Fitz asked.

Hilliard sighed. “It’s not that simple. She hasn’t had media training. You know how easy it is for the media to trip you up and twist your words. She might say something that’s construed the wrong way and make the whole situation worse.”

“I wouldn’t ask her to do it anyway,” Darcy asserted. “She didn’t create this mess, and she wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for me.” His shoulders drooped as he imagined her reaction to this news. Not only has she been dragged into this farce but so has her family. She’ll probably never speak to me again.

Fitz drummed his fingers on his desk while he thought. “Can’t she at least tell everyone she wasn’t kidnapped?”

“That wouldn’t do anything to address the rumors of coercion,” Hilliard said. “If everyone believes she’s sleeping with the president to preserve her family’s USDA contract, they’ll think the president told her what to say.”

Bing bounced from one foot to the other as he stood with his back to the fireplace. “At the very least Elizabeth and her relatives need to leave Pemberley. When the media films them buying groceries and eating dinner, it’ll restore a sense of normalcy.”

“Yeah, except…” Hilliard ran both hands through his sparse hair.

“What?” Darcy snapped, his patience at low ebb.

“Do we know what Elizabeth will say if she’s questioned?”

&nbsp

; “She’s not going to throw me under the bus!” Darcy exclaimed.