Crime & Courtship: A Sweet “Pride & Prejudice” Mystery Romance Compilation by Abbey North

Author:Abbey North [North, Abbey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Anthology, Mystery, Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Not in Amazon Library
ISBN: 9798678550996
Goodreads: 55766447
Published: 2020-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Fitzwilliam wanted to show up at the rectory the moment he woke, but he knew he had to wait for a better time. He spent the day pacing and distracting himself with conversation first with Richard, and then with Anne. He found her in the music room, but she sat in front of the harp without playing it.

As he drew nearer, she stirred herself and looked at him. She gave him a smile, but she was clearly uneasy. No doubt, she was still consumed with worry about the person blackmailing her.

Darcy stood near the chair beside her. “May I sit down?” At her nod, he took it and turned the chair to face her. “I must speak with you bluntly, Anne.”

Her shoulders went back, and she seemed to be bracing herself. “Yes, Fitzwilliam?”

“I know about the situation.”

She scowled, and then she looked angry. “Did Miss Bennet reveal it to you? I thought I had her utmost discretion.”

He lifted a hand, compelled to defend Lizzy both because it was the right thing to do, and for reasons he couldn’t quite express. “I came upon her as she was reading the letter out on the grounds, and I confess, I saw the contents over her shoulder. She did not reveal to me who the victim was. It was my own observations that allowed me to guess. As it were, we watched for the blackmailer last night, and we have identified him.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she gasped. “Will he ruin me, Fitzwilliam?”

He straightened his shoulders in a determined fashion. “I do not believe he will have the chance. He is in a precarious position, and I intend to remind him of that when I confront him today. Your troubles should be over with the man.”

“Who is it?” asked Anne. Her lips trembled for a moment. “It is not Carlos, is it?” She seemed weak as she asked the question.

He reached out and squeezed her hand in a restful fashion. “It is not. Once the matter is resolved, I will reveal everything to you, or I shall allow Miss Bennet to do so. I simply wanted to put your mind at ease.”

She nodded, and then bit her lip. “You are not going to tell Mama?”

He shook his head. “It is not my place to tell her. I do wish you could find a way that did not require sneaking around and putting yourself at risk, but I also understand why you are reluctant to confide in Aunt Catherine. She is likely to take the news poorly.”

Anne giggled then, a carefree sound likely generated by relief. “That is undeniably an understatement.”

After having lunch with Anne and Richard, since Lady Catherine had chosen to take a tray in her room, he went for a walk around Rosings Park. When finally enough time had passed, he headed toward Hunsford Rectory, intent on confronting Collins and ending his extortion campaign against his cousin.

Miss Charlotte appeared surprised to see him back for a second day in a

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