The Last to Know

by Rebecca Hartford

  ‘So she has succeeded in having those young ladies excluded.’

  ‘Exactly, Darcy. In this instance, though, I cannot see the fun in it for her. After all, they will have received a note telling them of the decision so it is not like they will try and attend.’ He shrugged. ‘Generally, Alice prefers to see the look of shock and incomprehension on her victims’ faces. Women, old chap. I do not think I shall ever understand what goes through their pretty heads.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elizabeth Bennet’s social circle contracted noticeably after the episode at Almack’s. Perhaps it was a reluctance to be seen with someone perceived to have been rejected by high society, but she found the number of young lady callers to the house had diminished considerably. Even Caroline Bingley who had seemed quite bent on becoming her friend had not shown up for many days.

  She looked back at her sisters. They walked two abreast on the bridle path that snaked its way through the park. Weeks had passed since her mother received the note from Lady Guernsey. There had been no invitation to balls and she knew her sisters were feeling the pain of their exclusion.

  She thought fondly of Meryton, just as she had done many times in the two weeks since the arrival of that letter that signified the beginning of the end of her mother’s plan to find them all wealthy husbands. What fun they might have had if they had remained at Longbourn, dancing the night away at the assembly rooms in Meryton without suspecting the motives of the young men they danced with.

  She could not go back there, of course. Not now. Not when it was still the height of the season. She did not care what people said about her when her back was turned, but her mother would never recover from being whispered about as the woman whose daughter had fled London. There was nothing else for it but to remain there until August when everyone else would leave the city and retreat to their country estates.

  Well, that was what Lizzy must do. There was no reason why her sisters should suffer through months of being ignored and isolated.

  She linked her arm through Jane’s and leant her head on her elder sister’s shoulder. ‘Jane, my dear, what is stopping you from returning to Hertfordshire? You would have a much livelier time there than here, it seems, what with the lack of social engagements to keep us occupied.’

  ‘Nonsense, Lizzy. What would I do there? Father is not likely to accompany me to balls now, is he?’

  ‘I am sure our aunt Phillips would be delighted to escort you. Mama says she finds it rather quiet with all of us in town.’

  ‘And what would you do if I was to leave you? You are bored as it is—I can tell.’

  Lizzy smiled. Jane knew her better than anyone. She was bored, but she thought she had been hiding it well. She was used to roaming wherever she wished to go and the adjustment to life in London had been difficult. Of course, she could have snuck out alone to wander the streets, but she felt bad enough for her mother without giving the neighbours even more to gossip about. ‘You ought to go. I cannot. People will talk if I do. But you? Well, there is no shame in it. For all they know, you simply came here to help me settle in. I would be happier knowing you are not constricted.’

  ‘Lizzy we both know that is not true—it would be seen as strange if I was to voluntarily leave town. Anyway, since when have you cared what others think?’

  ‘Mama,’ Lizzy said quietly, in case her voice carried on the breeze. ‘She would be shamed and embarrassed if I was to run back to Hertfordshire. But it is not the same for you, it is…’

  She had been so wrapped up in convincing her sister to go that she had not been watching where she was going. She started when she suddenly found her way blocked by a huge horse. She had not even heard it approach.

  The horse’s proximity was not the cause of her alarm. She had been around horses since she was a child and though she was not an accomplished horsewoman, she did not fear them.

  It was the sight of the horse’s owner that had startled her.

  She smiled up at him for it would have been impolite to do anything else. ‘Mr. Darcy,’ she murmured, bowing. When she stood upright again, she reached forward and stroked the animal’s nose, for it was the most well-kept horse she had ever seen. Its coat was sleek and shiny. Scarcely a hair in its mane was out of place—the whole thing had been plaited and knotted to keep it neat.

  ‘Miss Elizabeth,’ he said, dismounting with a studied ease quite unlike anything she had seen before, not even from the grooms at Longbourn. It was not a small animal yet he had leapt off as if it was barely a pony. ‘Mrs. Bennet. Miss Bennet.’

  The others in the party soon caught up to them and Elizabeth felt a growing sense of alarm, which she attributed to embarrassment. Mr. Darcy had no doubt heard about her exclusion from Almack’s and she could only imagine what he must think of her. It was worse than if they had been simply rejected in the first place: to be excluded after they had been given vouchers could only mean they had been found lacking.

  What perplexed her was the fact that she cared so deeply about his opinion of her. What did it matter what he thought, when their humiliation had been so complete?

  But Mr. Darcy did not mention it. Nor did he look at her with anything other than kindness, which surprised her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Darcy had been about to share his outrage at their treatment of her when he stopped himself. There was no sense in heightening the young lady’s embarrassment by mentioning it when she was no doubt aware of all that had gone on.

  He smiled at her. There was so much that he would have liked to say to her, but it was made even more difficult by the fact that her mother and sisters were present. He cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, all the while painfully aware that she must think him a simpleton for his prolonged silence.

  ‘Have you been well, Mr. Darcy?’

  He was grateful beyond words to her for breaking the silence. Even such a simple inquiry had been beyond him, though he did not usually struggle for words. ‘Rather well, Miss Elizabeth. It is so beautiful and clear today, is it not?’

  ‘Yes. It is.’

  Her cheeks had coloured a dusky pink; a shade that reminded him of the rose gardens at Pemberley. The thought of his estate calmed him somewhat. ‘It is a wonderful day for a walk in the park.’

  ‘Yes it is. That is what we were doing.’

  Silence descended again, only to be shattered a moment later by a blood-curdling cry from one of the young ladies. He could not see what had caused such a reaction, for they were the only ones on the path.

  Miss Elizabeth spun around to confront her sister. ‘Why do you make such a terrible commotion?’

  ‘Jane poked me in the ribs!’

  ‘I did not,’ Miss Bennet cried. She took her sister’s arm—the one who had cried out. ‘Perhaps we ought to walk among the blooms. They are wonderfully calming. Come on. Mama, you should come too. I must show you the roses Lizzy and I found when we were walking with Aunt Gardiner the other day.’

  ‘But Jane, we have just encountered Mr. Darcy. Surely…’

  By now Miss Elizabeth was the colour of those roses her sister had declared so worthy of viewing. He frowned, wondering if she had caught a fever, though he could not see how that could have occurred given the mild weather they had had of late. They were alone now, he noticed to his alarm. He looked around and saw her mother and sisters were fifty yards away, marching towards the little railed-off garden with the same sort of purpose as if they were marching into battle.

  How very odd, he thought.

  And how dangerous. For her. Not for him. She had already been ostracised by some jealous young lady’s actions. He could only imagine the consequences for her if the wrong person wandered along the path and found them alone.

  ‘We should not be alone together,’ he muttered.

  Her eyes widened and then narrowed a moment later. ‘Of course. You are right.’

  His heart hammered as she moved away from him and he found himsel
f wishing he had said nothing. ‘It is not that I do not wish to be alone with you, it is simply a matter of propriety.’

  She tilted her head to one side and he wished he did not sound like such a damn fool under pressure.

  How could he make idle conversation when the most unthinkable plan had entered his mind? If he married her, he might shield her from ever again having to endure such social humiliation. It was foolish beyond measure and yet he could think of nothing else. He could not bear the thought of her being excluded from all the events that young ladies found so delightful.

  ‘Be my wife,’ he blurted before he quite knew what he was saying. ‘It will be to both our advantage. Both of us know what it is like to be sought after for one’s wealth rather than any nobler reason and I have come to learn of your unfortunate exclusion from society.’

  She stood before him, her mouth agape. She opened it and closed it a number of times, and still no words left her lips. Not that it made her any less lovely in his eyes. He stared at her, wondering why she would not react.

  He cleared his throat. ‘Let us not stand on ceremony. There is no need to go through the usual rituals of manners. We both know it would be to our benefit.’

  He did not know what he expected, but it was not this. He could see in her eyes that she had no enthusiasm for the scheme.

  She looked away, cheeks flushed darker than ever.

  ‘Well? You must have something to say on the matter?’

  That appeared to break the spell of silence that had gripped her. She swallowed and nodded. ‘Yes, I do as it happens. You are proposing a marriage of convenience between us, so that neither of us will have to face the prospect of marriage to one who loves only our wealth.’

  He nodded. A nagging voice in his mind told him it was so much more than that, but he succeeded in silencing it. He watched her hopefully. Surely she would see the sense in it and agree. ‘Yes. Would it not be so much more agreeable if we enter into such an arrangement and we shall both be spared the discomfort? In addition, I believe marriage to me would go some way towards reversing the damage your exclusion from Almack’s has caused.’

  He was filled with a sense of optimism unlike anything he had ever felt before. It had sprung up quite unbidden. He imagined them wandering the grounds of Pemberley on horseback; picking flowers in the gardens; instructing his younger sister on the various flora and fauna that thrived in the park. It was intoxicating.

  Her next words sent his hopes crashing down.

  ‘I cannot marry you. That is absurd.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  ‘Absurd,’ she repeated, careful to keep her voice low. Her mother and sisters were still in the garden pretending to be engrossed by the flowers Jane was pointing out. She could hear their voices clearly, therefore they would hear her if she spoke up.

  Heaven alone knew why Jane had taken it upon herself to separate Lizzy and Darcy from their little group. Darcy was right, of course, they could not afford to be seen alone together. Well, she could not afford it. She had not been able to bring herself to leave his company and now she wished she had. She could never have imagined such an emotionless proposal.

  ‘It is not in the least bit absurd,’ he said in a clipped voice. ‘If anything, it makes perfect sense.’

  She baulked. ‘How could it make perfect sense? What about marrying for love? Or mutual regard at the very least?’

  He waved his hand dismissively. ‘Call it what you wish to call it. It would benefit us both.’

  ‘How?’ She wrapped her arms across her chest and stared at him bewildered.

  All she could think as she watched his handsome face was why did it have to be about convenience and not love? Despite their disagreement on the first occasion they met, she felt the strongest urge that she could truly love this man. It was outlandish, and yet she could not let the feeling go.

  ‘How?’ she whispered again when he had not answered. ‘To me, it sounds like the loneliest life imaginable. Is that what you seek?’

  His eyes bored into hers and she willed him to admit his mistake; to tell her that the truth was he wished to marry her because he admired her or because he was fond of her.

  He said nothing.

  Is that the only reason you could think of to marry me? she wanted to ask him. She refrained. It would not do to become hysterical in public. As uncharacteristic as that was, she felt close to hysterics—she did not know why. After all, should she not have been flattered by the proposal, no matter how it was worded?

  ‘No,’ he said evenly. ‘No, you are right. Perhaps I was mistaken.’

  Before she could question him further, he had mounted his horse and galloped back in the direction he had come.

  Jane was by her side within moments, despite her apparent concentration on the blooms. ‘Lizzy?’

  She shook her head. Their mother was approaching and she had no wish for Mrs. Bennet to know what had just happened. If anything, her mother would chastise her for refusing him and insist she track him down to accept! She would not do it; not for anything or anyone!

  ‘I shall tell you later.’

  ‘Ah, so there is news!’

  Jane’s enthusiasm waned when Lizzy turned to her and allowed her fixed smile to waver. Jane took her arm and squeezed it tight. ‘I thought I saw something in his eyes, my dear.’

  ‘Perhaps you did, Jane,’ she whispered. ‘Perhaps it was boredom or weariness or anger over some spat with his neighbour. It was certainly not an emotional response to my presence.’

  ‘Oh Lizzy, you know very well what I meant!’

  ‘I do,’ she said with a dry laugh, ‘but the latter three possibilities are far more plausible.’

  The laughter made her feel better. They walked on through the park and she played the conversation with Mr. Darcy back in her mind. How strange it had been!

  * * *

  Later, alone in her room, Lizzy did not feel so amused by the exchange.

  Why, she wondered for the umpteenth time, did he have to be so heartless? For a time she had believed he was nervous, but then his words had been so heartless. No, not heartless. Simply cold. Perhaps he believed he was being kind.

  She hung her head. She might have felt differently had her own feelings for him been less significant. The idea that he wished to marry her had made her squirm with delight, which had made his next statement all the more unpalatable. He did not wish to marry her at all—he saw her as a tool to gain freedom from the husband hunters who must surround him in their droves.

  She reached behind her and grabbed her pillow, flinging it as far as it would go. It caught a quenched candle on the dresser and knocked it to the floor. It made an awful racket.

  She held her breath. It was late and the whole house had been silent for many hours. It seemed as if everyone else was able to sleep blissfully and only Lizzy was troubled by her thoughts. But it had been rather loud…

  Indeed, her door opened a crack a few moments later, and Jane called into the darkness.

  ‘Yes, I am awake and well. It was an accident. Go back to sleep.’

  But Jane would not. She closed the door gently behind her and tiptoed noiselessly across the floor.

  ‘I am worried about you, Lizzy. You barely spoke at dinner. In fact, you have been practically mute since our walk earlier.’

  She could not keep it in any longer. ‘Mr. Darcy proposed marriage. When you had distracted Mama and the others away and left us alone.’

  ‘What?’ Jane almost fell off the bed in surprise. ‘My goodness, that is hardly cause for misery, is it? Why did you not say? Did you wish to keep it secret until he has spoken to Papa?’

  ‘No Jane,’ Lizzy hissed grasping her sister’s hands in hers with more force than was necessary. ‘He has no need to speak to our father. You see, I turned him down.’

  ‘Lizzy why? What…’

  ‘Jane, dear, it was not a normal proposal. He asked me to marry him so that he would no longer have to face the procession of youn
g ladies who wish to marry him for his wealth. He is weary of it, you see.’

  Jane, who was usually wont to think of a positive explanation for even the most calamitous occurrences, was silent.

  ‘Yes, so now you see,’ Lizzy went on. ‘It was rather a miserable effort by all accounts so what else could I do but turn it down?’

  ‘Perhaps he was overcome by nerves; perhaps he wished to tell you how much he loves you but he was afraid.’

  Lizzy wanted to howl with laughter at this, but she was afraid of waking the whole house. As it was, she struggled to keep her laughter under control. ‘Oh Jane, if you could hear yourself! Of course it was not. He admitted it plainly as if it was a reasonable basis for a proposal. Is it not amusing?’ She threw herself back against the pillows and stared up at the ceiling—or at least where she knew the ceiling to be, for it was still too dark to see it.

  Yes, it was all so very amusing, except whenever she stopped laughing she felt sad, not amused.

  ‘Lizzy this is most unlike you. We have howled with laughter in the past about encounters that were not half as absurd as this one and…’ Jane let out a little sigh. ‘Ah.’

  Lizzy smiled at her sister’s perceptiveness. ‘Yes. That complicates matters.’

  ’We shall find a way around it,’ Jane said, sitting up quickly and almost falling from the bed again. ‘We shall attend the same balls as your Mr. Darcy; we shall ensure that the next time he proposes it is out of love and not weariness at being sought after by all of the young ladies in London.’

  Lizzy laughed. ‘Oh Jane, your enthusiasm is heartening, but he does not strike me as the kind of young man whose mind is easily changed. Besides, who is going to invite us to their ball?’