Page 56 of A Quiet Affection

Darcy took her hand and kissed it. “It was not.”

“I know.”

“Your fingers are freezing. We must go in.”

“Should I tell her? Should I tell her now?”

“I do not know. It seems likely to cause pain with no benefit, yet in general, honest communication is always better—you are shivering. We must go in now. You are not properly dressed for this cold.”

“I can’t face Jane. Not yet.”

“You can.”

Darcy took her into the main entrance of the house. He said to the footman who was waiting there to greet anyone who entered,“Have tea and chocolate brought to the sitting room over there. For both Miss Bennet and myself.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lizzy was still shivering as he took off her coat and hurried her to the sitting room, which had a stove kept hot so that visitors could warm themselves. She let out a sigh upon entering the room. “So warm. I was very cold.”

“Sit here. Here.” Darcy placed her next to the fire.

“I can’t go back to that house.”

“No, certainly not,” Darcy agreed. He then said what he did not particularly wish to, but what was right. “You should go to your uncle in London. Speak with your sister first, whatever we decide to tell her. You told me that he had said he would take you. And I have read enough of his letters aloud for you to know that he is of a good character, and that you will be happy to live with him.”

“I don’t want to leave you…Or Jane.”

Darcy felt a thrill which did not match what ought to have been the soberness of the situation at the way that Elizabeht clearly had more grief at the prospect of losing his company than that of her sister. “I will be well.”

“You will not. You need someone who can hold you when you cry. You will cry when Mr. Darcy dies.”

“You will be with me in spirit.” Darcy took her hand. It was bright red as the blood flow returned in the heat of the room. “Lizzy—I…”

“Yes.”

“Take the cloth you keep over your eyes off. Please, just for a little. I wish to look at you as you are.”

She untied the knot behind her head. “Is it very ugly?”

Darcy silently shook his head. And then remembering himself he softly replied, “No. Never. Not at all.”

She reached forward a hand, and Darcy took it and pressed it against his cheek.

The door to the room was then opened, and a maid bustled in with a tea tray, filled with biscuits and two types of pastries, and she set it on the table before them. The woman looked with some surprise at Lizzy’s uncovered eyes. But she said nothing about that. The woman said, “Your father has been asking after you.”

Darcy frowned. “I see. We will join them presently. But I must speak with Miss Bennet on an important matter first. Thank you.”

He dismissed the servant and examined Lizzy’s expression as he poured a steaming cup of tea for each of them.

“The cup is here in front of you,” Darcy said, helping to guide her hand until she softly touched the edge of the cup. She then easily found the handle and picked it up.

Lizzy let out a contented sigh after blowing and taking a careful sip. “Where are the biscuits?”

“To the left of the teacup.”

Elizabeth’s other hand sought them, feeling forward over the table until she brushed against one and then picked it up. “I am ravenous.”

Both were silent for a little as she warmed up and ate the biscuits and drank the tea.