President Darcy

Kitty withstood her narrow-eyed stare for seconds before shrugging and glancing away. “I would. Especially with the president.”

He wanted a relationship with me. He did. Even if a relationship was now impossible, it was important that she cling to that conviction.

Charlotte dismissed it all with a wave. “Maybe he did intend for it to be more than a one-night thing.” Her expression showed how likely she thought that was. “But Lydia’s interview torpedoed any chance of something more.” Elizabeth forced herself not to shrink away from Charlotte’s words. “He can’t call you. Can’t be seen with you,” Charlotte continued. “You’re the third rail right now. Touch you and he dies.”

Jane gasped. “That’s a little harsh.”

“I know how PR works, and image is everything to a president.” As Charlotte gazed at Elizabeth, her eyes softened a bit. “He’s not going to call you,” she said regretfully.

Elizabeth stared down at her hands with a self-deprecating laugh. “He said he would call and then he didn’t. It’s the oldest story in the world. I was just too thick to get the message.” Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Jane turned to Charlotte, her hands on her hips. “He defended Lizzy in that statement to the press and in the interview with NBC.”

“He has to defend her. He doesn’t want to give any weight to the accusations,” Charlotte pointed out. Why did Charlotte need to voice Elizabeth’s worst fears? Her shoulders slumped as she suddenly felt weighed down by the whole discussion.

Kitty looked chagrined. “I hate to say it, but I think Charlotte’s right.”

Bill puffed out his chest. “Well, I’m happy to say I think Charlotte is right.” His expression clouded. “Although I’m not sure if Mrs. de Bourgh would approve.”

“When the press asks Will if we’re dating, he won’t answer. And Hilliard just says, ‘the president’s private life is private,’” Elizabeth said slowly as she sank into her blue recliner. “Charlotte is right. The White House wants to avoid the perception of a one-night stand, but a relationship would be career suicide at this point—if that’s what Will ever wanted.”

Maybe he never intended to pursue a relationship; maybe all those words were meant to get her into bed, and the media storm was a convenient reason to cut her loose. The very thought was like pressing on a bruise. At Pemberley she had believed him with a deep visceral understanding, but could she trust that sensation? Maybe it was just a combination of hope, willful blindness, and afterglow.

“He might be trying to avoid throwing you under the bus, but that’s about all he can do.” Charlotte’s mouth was a thin, white line. “His hands are tied.”

Any affection Will had felt for Elizabeth had undoubtedly been killed by Lydia’s betrayal. There was nothing left to salvage; Elizabeth could only hope to repair the damage to his presidency. She owed him that much. Her lips trembled, and she pressed them together. I will fall apart later; not here in front of everyone.

Everyone’s expressions were so full of sympathy that Elizabeth had to lower her eyes. “How could talking to the media help me?” she asked Charlotte.

Charlotte tapped a finger to her lips thoughtfully. “Your story will lend the president’s account credibility. If nobody hears from you, it’ll be easier to believe the idea of coercion.”

Elizabeth nodded. “And that hurts Will.”

Charlotte shrugged. “If that’s your chief concern. His poll numbers have taken a hit, and it’s just the beginning of the scandal.”

Scandal. Great. I’ve become a Washington scandal; what a proud legacy.

“This is just the beginning?” Jane asked incredulously, no doubt wondering how much worse it could get.

“They’re talking about congressional hearings,” Charlotte said. “Lizzy would have to testify about whether the president coerced her.”

Elizabeth shuddered. She couldn’t think of anything more humiliating than testifying about her intimate relationships in front of twenty hostile congressmen and a roomful of reporters.

If a statement might help prevent that, it was probably the best strategy. “Okay,” she said to Charlotte, “I’d like to write a statement. Will you read it to the press for me?”

***

Hilliard burst into the Oval Office, not even apologizing for interrupting Darcy’s strategy session with Bing and Secretary of Energy Kurt Abbott over the renewable energy bill. Darcy’s heart plummeted into his stomach. Nothing good ever came from Hilliard’s unexpected appearances.

“Excuse me, sir.” Hilliard didn’t sound very apologetic. “We have a situation.” Without missing a beat, he strode to the television in the corner of the room and switched it on. Darcy’s stomach roiled. Another public relations nightmare. It had to be.

Everyone stood hastily. Darcy shook Abbott’s hand. “Kurt, we’ll have to finish this another time. See if you can get some room on my schedule next week.”

“Sure,” Abbott said. “Thank you, Mr. President.”

But Darcy’s attention was already riveted on Hilliard and the television, which was on a commercial break. “What is it?” he asked once the door closed softly behind Abbott.

“ZNN announced that Elizabeth Bennet has released a statement,” Hilliard said curtly.