Beside Two Rivers

19





Dazzled by the candlelight, the drifter’s eyes traveled from face to face. He staggered forward and faltered. Aghast, people nearby moved back. The man locked his gaze on Darcy, lowered his head, dragged off his tattered tricorn hat, and with a trembling smile, spoke low and strained.

“It is you. Praise the Almighty, my eyes behold you at last.”

Stunned, Darcy remained stark still. Ethan put his arm around her and drew her back. “Who are you?” said Ethan. “What do you want?”

Tears slipped from the man’s bloodshot eyes and riveted down the creases of his cheeks. “Do you not know me?” he said to Darcy. “Do you not remember? Did my unforgiving heart drive my memory from your mind?”

Darcy’s lips parted, and feeling compassion for the man, she reached over to touch his shoulder. The ladies gasped and the gentlemen warned her. “I am sorry, but I do not know you, sir.” Her voice trailed off, and silence pressed in all around them. “I am not the one you seek.”

Disappointment contorted his face. His brows pressed into a single line and his mouth curved downward. “I see her face before me. I see her eyes looking back at me.” He rushed forward and took her by the arms. Darcy cried out and Ethan flung him back. The crowd gasped.

Gathered into Ethan’s arms, she watched the poor wretch’s startled face grimace. Confusion filled his eyes. “I am mistaken,” he said in a halting voice. “Please … forgive me.” The wanderer plunged back through the doors, out onto the terrace, where he fled into the dark.

Mr. Brighton, squeezed by curious onlookers, reached the door and locked it. “I apologize, everyone. But all is over. No harm done. Please go back to enjoying yourselves. Cards are in the room.” The surge of guests broke apart and Darcy stood alone near Ethan.

“That man … ” She could not get his face out of her mind, the misty eyes and the look of desperation that contoured his features.

“He is gone,” Ethan assured her. “He won’t be back.”

“Miss Darcy,” said Mr. Brighton, his brows knitted with concern. “I am terribly sorry. I have no idea how the man got in without being seen. I will speak to my servants and …”

“No harm done.” She put her hand to her aching temple. “I pray he will not be hurt by anyone. He is a lost soul who has been mistreated.”

“He could be dangerous. And he trespassed. I’ll have the constable searching for him within the hour.”

“Please, Mr. Brighton, let him go. I do not believe he is a danger to anyone, just a poor soul whose mind is adrift.” Darcy stepped away, toward the hall with Ethan. “I wonder who he thought I was.”

“A sweetheart from his past perhaps.”

“Ah, so he has a broken heart as well as a broken body. If you should see him again, will you help him?”

“Yes, if I happen upon him, I will do what I can.” His gaze shifted to her and softened.

Darcy wished to say more, to question him, and hear it from his own lips that he never cared for any other. She drew in a breath. Force him to tell me his heart, Lord. Do not allow him to torture me any longer.

A feverish light shone in his eyes, as he slipped one hand behind her, followed the curve of her neck and glided it up into her hair. Tendrils came loose and tumbled between his fingers. He brought his lips close to hers, and whispered, “I have suffered without you, Darcy. Whatever it was that made you despise me, I regret it.”

Despise him? She had to explain. But the moment she tried, the footman stepped into the hallway, and they drew apart.

“If you are ready, miss, the carriage is waiting.” The footman looked irritated that he had to wait upon her a second time.

Ethan touched her arm. “Darcy, I need to talk to you …”

Mrs. Brighton, with a group of ladies, appeared, each looking flustered and concerned. “Darcy, my dear. What a horrible night this has been for you.”

“I am fine, Mrs. Brighton. Really.” Darcy struggled to smile.

“I thought you had left, due to your dress being ruined.”

“I did, but I …”

With a shake of her head, Mrs. Brighton drew Darcy away from Ethan toward the door and the footman. “It is best you go home. You may not realize it now, but you have had a shock.”

“You might faint any moment, or grow ill,” said the lady beside Mrs. Brighton.

“That is so true, Darcy. Now you go on, and do not tell Madeline anything about this … except for the dress. But do not mention that man.”

Swept down a short flight of stairs to the carriage and the footman and followed by the flood of ladies, Darcy took her seat. And as the carriage rolled away, she looked back and saw Ethan standing outside, watching her leave. Anticipation that he would visit her caused her to smile.