Darcy's Journey by Sandiford M. A

Author:Sandiford, M. A. [Sandiford, M. A.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2016-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

Two hours later, Elizabeth sat opposite Darcy as they left the small town of Klausen. Ahead, in the other carriage, Fraulein Edelmann had joined the von Essen family. The brigands had been left at a Gendarmerie in Klausen, and a surgeon sent for.

‘What will happen to them?’ Elizabeth asked.

Darcy shrugged. ‘If their injuries are treated they will live to face trial. In Britain they would be hung or deported. Here I assume they will be hung—or guillotined if French penalties are still applied.’

Elizabeth nodded, appreciating that he had answered her query without prevarication. ‘I was in such fear as you ran towards the bandits.’

‘Luckily most of them dispersed as soon as Bloch and Reithoffer rode into them.’

‘I suppose you had to shoot that man?’

‘He was armed, and running in the direction of our carriage. If he had turned towards the forest I would have let him go.’

Elizabeth glanced at Gretchen, whom Fraulein Edelmann had left behind for chaperonage. The maid showed no sign of following the conversation. ‘Much as I admire Hilda, it is a relief to be alone with you again.’

He smiled. ‘Fraulein Edelmann has certainly been talkative these last days.’

‘She obviously enjoys your company.’

‘I wish she would desist, but have tried to be polite. After all, we owe our safety to her.’

‘But it must be flattering to be cajoled by such a beautiful and talented woman. Only a general’s daughter, of course, but we know how little you care about social rank. I am fully expecting you to abandon me and follow the lovely Hilda to Salzburg.’

He hesitated, as if longing to contradict her, but reluctant to submit to such overt manipulation. ‘Jealousy does not become you.’

She looked down, flushing. ‘I’m not jealous. I feel unworthy, that is all.’

He sighed. ‘I meant what I said at the Castelvecchio.’

She raised her eyes, preferring to keep silence so that his words hung in the air. He was studying her eagerly, no doubt hoping for a similar assurance from her. He had spoken truly; had she?

Eventually, almost in tears, she said, ‘I am so afraid.’

‘Of what?’

‘Of my feelings. Of making a terrible mistake.’

They both glanced at Gretchen, who was looking out of the window and apparently paying no attention. Darcy leaned forward, lowering his voice. ‘Let us be clear. Are you implying that you too meant what you said?’

She looked away, unable to meet his eye, and said in a strangled whisper, ‘Yes.’

He also looked away, and for a while they remained silent. She wondered whether he too was loathe to disturb the echo of her declaration. Certainly he had relaxed, and when he spoke, his voice had a deeper resonance.

‘Elizabeth, if I may use your name, please let me know what it is that you fear. If we truly love one another, why may we not marry? Why do you fear a mistake?’

‘Because I have never felt this way in my life. I understand now what it was that drove you, against all rationality, to propose in Kent.’

He managed a smile.

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