Elizabeth looked up at them, her mouth slightly open in surprise. Her eyes were wide, a rich dark blue, and her glossy dark hair hung in curls around her face. She was so beautiful it stole the breath from his body.
In that moment, he knew all of his efforts had been for naught. Hundreds of miles and a year’s worth of days—and it came to nothing. He was still as much in love with Elizabeth as he had ever been.
And he always would be.
Elizabeth gave a small smile as Georgiana nearly collided with her and then wrapped her in an enthusiastic embrace. Darcy could not stifle his grin. It was a rare occasion indeed when Georgiana was the more exuberant of the two women.
Only after Georgiana released Elizabeth did Darcy realized she was dressed in black. From her hat to her shoes. Mourning! But for whom? Had her father passed away? Had the wedding been further delayed?
Darcy gave her a small bow. This close, he noticed how thin she was; had she neglected to eat while nursing her father? Her skin was pale and tight. Yes, she was beautiful, but he felt a chill of alarm at her pallor and the haunted look in her eyes. Something was very wrong.
“Mr. Darcy.” Her slight smile did not reach her eyes. “How long have you been in Town?”
“We only arrived
today!” Georgiana announced. “We changed clothes at Darcy House—which is all in an uproar because they never received William’s letter informing them we were returning—and then we ventured out again to see you and Richard!”
Elizabeth started. Her eyes darted from Georgiana to Darcy. “Did you not receive the last letters I sent you?” Darcy shook his head mutely, a deep sense of alarm forming in his chest. “I sent you several letters—beginning four weeks ago.” Elizabeth had written directly to him? What could have prompted it?
“We were visiting New England for two weeks before we sailed; it would have been difficult for any letter to reach us,” Darcy explained.
“Oh.” Elizabeth’s stricken face further stoked Darcy’s anxiety. Elizabeth would not have written to inform him of her father’s death or a similar Bennet family crisis. She would have left that to Richard.
“What is it?” he demanded, anxiety making his voice rough. “What has happened?”
He saw tears gather in her eyes. She looked wildly about her as if hoping someone else would take this unpleasant task from her.
“Oh, Georgiana, Mr. Darcy, I am so sorry to have to tell you. Richard is dead.”
Chapter 6
Tears spilled down Elizabeth’s cheeks as she said the words, but she kept her gaze fixed on them.
Darcy had known awful news was coming, but he had not been truly prepared for the full horror. His mind wanted to reject her words.
Not Richard.
Not Richard!
It must be a mistake. A ghastly joke.
No. No.
But the truth was written on Elizabeth’s face.
The ground seemed to shift beneath his feet, a huge sinkhole sucking him down into the earth where no light or air could penetrate. He felt his heart beating at a galloping pace, and his breathing emerged in great constricted gasps.
“I-I believed you had—” Elizabeth’s voice was constricted with emotion. “I t-thought my letters about Richard had prompted your return.”
Darcy simply shook his head, unable to form a response.
Without a word or sound, Georgiana collapsed on the cobblestones beside him.
“Georgiana!” Darcy’s cry was almost as a scream. I cannot lose her as well!
He gathered her into his arms, grateful that she had not struck her head. His sister moaned and rolled her head from side to side. Reason reasserted itself. She was not suffering from an awful disease but had crumbled under the weight of this sudden shock.
Elizabeth stroked Georgiana’s hand. “Oh, my poor girl. She was not prepared for such news. Perhaps I should have waited.”