Page 97 of All For You

I eyed the man closer, relief and happiness flooding me.

“It’s Wills,” I said, turning to Jane.

Her face lit up instinctively then went tight with nerves. “I haven’t told him yet. I’ve been too embarrassed. But let him in.”

I opened the door, and Wills entered with a burst of energy.

“I’m sorry for barging in, but we haven’t got time to discuss,” he said in a rush. “I need to take you to London for a lawyer’s meeting. He’s trying to find a solution to that Wickham arsehole.”

“Alawyer’s meeting?” Jane asked, getting out of her chair.

How did Wills know about Jane? Darcy must have told him, maybe arranged this new lawyer. Stirrings of hope rose up within me. I’d been right about Darcy after all. Right to trust him with my heart.

“Sorry. Let me back up,” Wills said, his hand on his chest. “My heart is still pumping from trying to get here in record time without breaking the speed limit. Darcy has engaged the best lawyer in London to try to find a loophole in the contract you signed. The lawyer is currently attempting to find grounds for a cease-and-desist letter to put before the courts before close today. Jane, he needs you at his offices. If we leave now, we can get there by two p.m.”

I swayed and clutched on to my oak breakfast table. Of course Darcy had done this. All that worry had been for nothing. This was the man I’d gotten to know. He simply processed things differently and sucked at communication, but he didn’t hesitate to help my family. To help me.

“Who is this lawyer?” I asked, grabbing my phone and holding it up, ready to check the name.

“Sebastian Seymour,” he said. “But honestly, Lizzy, Jane, we have to leave now.”

“Oh,” Jane said, her brow furrowed. “Sebastian Seymour. Yes, I’ve heard of him. Is he that lawyer guy who’s always in the papers?”

“The very one.”

“Sebastian Seymour, the lawyer.” I recoiled, stunned.

Darcy’s former friend. His awful friend. Oh my God. I pressed the heel of my hand to my breastbone. Darcy had gone to his hated old friend to save Jane. It must have been the worst day of his life, except for his wedding day.

My breath snagged. And what had this cost him?

Darcy. My heart whispered his name with a hush. Then roared it out with a fierceness that reverberated around my body.

Darcy.

He was trying to save Jane. To help me, at great emotional cost to himself. The urge to see Darcy, stand in front of him and thank him, was overwhelming.

My heart twisted at how incredibly brave he’d been.

Jane clutched her chest. “But we’ve been told no loophole exists for my circumstances.”

“If anyone in England can get you out of this, Sebastian can,” Wills said. He was starting to look panicked. “But please. Lizzy, Jane—we need to go.”

“But where is Darcy?” I asked.

William opened the door. “He’s holding a kids’ soccer tournament at West City pitches. It was a commitment he couldn’t break. Otherwise, he’d be here too.”

My whole focus changed. “Jane, grab your bag and coat—we’re leaving with Wills. You two are going to the lawyer’s. I’m getting a ride with you, and then I’ll catch the underground to West City. I need to thank Darcy.”

Oodles licked my hand. Could we take him? Not into central London, but I couldn’t leave him here alone.

Emergency,I texted Mum.Please come and watch Oodles.Talk later.

Mum responded immediately as she loved a crisis, even though she complained often about her poor nerves.

Jane looked confused, but I collected her handbag and coat for her and pushed them into her hands, collected mine, saying goodbye to Oodles and telling him Mum would be here any minute.

At the car, I insisted Jane take the front seat so she could talk to Wills.