But Elizabeth could tell she had not.
Chapter Nine
Darcy reached the piers and walked straight to the office he was looking for. Jonathan Pierce had become a successful businessman after he had been hurt in battle and forced to leave the military life. But, he still had a lot of contacts inside that world and Darcy was sure he would be able to help him find the man he was looking for.
He entered the office and requested the young man at the desk to see Mr. Pierce.
“Please tell him Fitzwilliam Darcy is here to see him.”
“Of course, sir, please take a seat, while I announce you.” The man showed him a small sofa behind Darcy and left the room.
Darcy remained standing. He was too nervous to sit down. He wanted to get his aunt out of his life as soon as possible and he was sure the only way he would be able to do it was finding this man and making him assume his responsibility regarding his cousin Anne.
“Mr. Pierce will see you now, Mr. Darcy.” The young man announced and immediately guided him to the room where his friend was sitting behind a desk.
“Darcy, old friend. This is quite a surprise.” The man greeted him with a wide smile.
“Jonathan, how are you?” he approached the desk and stretched out to reach the other man’s hand.
“You have to excuse me for not standing up, but some days that can be quite an ordeal.” He apologized, signalling his hurt leg. The doctors had been able to save his friend’s leg, but he had a lot of trouble walking.
“Nothing to excuse.” He assured him. “How have you been? I have not seen you in a while.”
“I got tired of the same faces in the same places. My businesses are far more fulfilling and challenging.” The man admitted.
“Yes, I know what you mean. I’m done with that too, especially now that I got married.” He announced, showing his pride and happiness in his tone.
“You did? I do not recall reading about that.” Jonathan was surprised.
“It was a very intimate ceremony and I still have not had the time to make the proper announcements.” Explained he. “But I will, as soon as I manage to solve a few family problems that brought me here today, seeking your help.”
“You know you can always count on me.” his friend assured him. “Tell me, what is going on.”
“I am looking for a man. He is a doctor that has been working for my aunt, Lady Catherine.” He started explaining. “A few weeks ago he decided to quit his job and go up north to visit his family. I went there looking for him, but his older brother informed me he had decided to offer his work as a doctor to the army.”
“Ah, I see, and you want me to find him.” Jonathan was a very smart man, and he immediately saw the connection.
“Yes, that is correct. I need him to come back.” He confirmed, nodding.
“By any means?” Jonathan asked, in a serious tone.
“Yes, by any means. I truly doubt he would refuse, but if he does, we need to find a way to… persuade him. Once I have the opportunity of talking to him, he will understand our reasons.” Darcy assured his friend. He knew Jonathan had the meanings to help him and he would.
“Very well. I shall need his name and all the information you have on him.” Pragmatic as always, he pulled a piece of paper and his pen and started to note all the information Darcy gave him.
“How fast do you need this?” he asked when he was done.
“As fast as humanly possible. This situation has caused me enough problems as it is.” Darcy asked. “Please, do not skip expenses. You know money is not a problem.”
His friend nodded. “I shall put two of my best men on this. They should be able to find this man quickly.”
“Perfect. That will make my life a lot easier.” He sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I will be staying here in London for a few days, and I would love to introduce you to my wife.” He proposed, changing the subject.
“That would be nice, but I thought you were still on your honeymoon.”
“No, not anymore. Besides, my aunt, my cousin and my sister are staying with us. That is not exactly my idea of a honeymoon.”
The man laughed. “Yes, I agree with that.”
“So, you are more than welcome to save me from all those women.” Darcy added. “I will also invite Bingley, so you will not feel overwhelmed by the ladies.”
Jonathan chuckled. “Yes, it will be nice seeing Bingley again.” He sighed. “I have been away more than I intended.”
“Then I shall make sure to bring you back into the city’s nightlife.”
“Let us start with dinner at your place.” The man grumbled and Darcy laughed.
They chatted for a few more minutes and after setting the dinner date for the following night, Darcy left Jonathan’s office.
It was almost lunch time, so he decided to go to his club. With luck, he would be able to find his friend Bingley there and have a very important conversation with him. He owed his sister in law Jane that much, after having discouraged his friend from pursuing her love.
He had misjudged her and he wished he was on time to make that wrong right again.
Bingley was at the club and after the usual greetings they took a seat at a small table in the club’s dining room.
“So, tell me, how is the marriage treating you?” his friend asked, and there was some irony in his tone.
“Actually, I never thought I could be this happy.” Darcy admitted to his friend.
Bingley was surprised with his friend’s words. “How can you say that, when you said it was a terrible idea marrying into the Bennet’s family?”
“I know what I said, and I have to admit I was wrong. The Bennet’s are not certainly the best in law family there is, but as far as my wife and her sister Jane are concerned, they are worth embracing.”
Bingley’s face turned into a stone mask. “Are you serious? Are you really telling me this, after all you told me?” asked he, through gritted teeth.
“I was wrong about Jane.” He confessed. “Where I saw indifference, there was only restraint. According to Elizabeth, and I have all the reasons in the world to believe in her, Jane represses her feelings, afraid of being hurt.” He explained.
“That does not mean she actually had any feelings for me. I have not heard from her ever since I left Netherfield.” Bingley stated after a few moments of silence.
“Yes, of course not. But your sister Caroline has received news from Miss Jane.” Darcy explained. “She travelled to London soon after we left Netherfield and has been here ever since, with the vain hope of seeing you.”
“That’s impossible.” Bingley’s fists banged against the table.
“I am afraid your sister decided not to inform you of this.” Confirmed Darcy.
“Why would she do such a thing?”
“I know not, though I have my own suspicions.”
“Where can I find Jane?” Bingley asked, showing all his eagerness in his tone.
“Before I give you that information, I want to be sure you are really interested in pursuing a serious relationship with Jane.” Bingley opened his mouth to protest, but Darcy raised his hand, stopping him. “I have caused her enough pain as it is, with my misguided advice and I shall not do it again.”
“I love her, Darcy, and this time away from her has not diminished my love for her. I even dare to say the opposite: I love her more than ever, and I have been through hell these weeks away from her.” There was so much passion in his friend’s tone, Darcy was forced to believe him.
“Very well. I’m offering a small dinner at my house tomorrow night.” He announced. “She will be one of the guests, be there and be ready to beg for mercy.”
“Why tomorrow? Why not today?”
“Because I want you to really think about this during the night, because there will not be any going back for you. I shall drag you myself down the aisle if you ruin this.” Darcy warned him.
“There is no doubt in my mind.” Bingley assured h
im.
“Even so, you can wait until tomorrow. There is no rush.”
Bingley was not happy with Darcy’s decision but he could not do anything else other than wait.
“Make sure your sister does not find out about your intentions, because I am sure she will do all in her power to ruin this for you.” He warned his friend, well aware of how family could make your life miserable.
“Do not worry, I have no intention of letting her even suspect about my plans.”
They finished their meal, while updating the latest news of the city and it was mid-afternoon when Darcy finally arrived home.
Elizabeth went back home a few minutes before tea time. Not because she was eager to join her guests for tea, but because she had no intention of letting them think she was hiding.
Once in the house, she went looking for the housekeeper to order tea.
“Mrs. Donaldson, are our guests in the house?” she asked the older woman.
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy, though Miss Anne has not left her bedroom.”
“Yes, the poor girl has not been feeling alright.” She sighed, feeling sorry for the girl, little more than a pawn in her mother’s games. “Would you please get us some tea?”
“Of course, ma’am. It will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Perfect. I shall be in the drawing room.”
When she entered the room, she was surprised to find Lady Catherine there, with a book in her hand, though Elizabeth doubted she had read a single word of it.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. I hope you had a good day.” She greeted in a polite tone, taking a seat on an armchair, in front of the small coffee table.
“No, I cannot say I did. But that is not something I wait for you to understand.”
“I am sorry to hear that, but surely things will be better soon.” Said she, with a forced smile.
Georgiana joined them at that moment and before Mrs. Donaldson brought the tea, the main door opened up and Darcy entered the house.
Relieved, Elizabeth got up and went to meet him in the hallway. “Welcome back, Mr. Darcy.” Greeted she, with a naughty smile.
“Oh, I think I can get used to being welcomed at the door by you.” He murmured as he pulled her into his warm embrace.
“I think we can get to some arrangement.” Replied she, still smiling. “How was your day?”
“Hopefully, productive. We have to wait now.” Informed he, briefly. “And I have invited a couple of friends for dinner tomorrow night.”
“I thought we were not doing that, for now.” Elizabeth frowned.
“It is just the friend that is helping Bingley and me. Hardly a party, but I would like for you to invite your sister.”
“My sister? Why?” her frowned became deeper.
“I believe it is time to correct some wrongs.”
“Are you sure of this, Darcy? The last thing I want is to cause my sister any more pain.”
“I know, and I would never allow that. I had a long talk with Bingley over lunch time, and he still feels the same way about her.”
“Very well, then, we shall have a small dinner. I will send a note to Jane, but I shall not mention Mr. Bingley, just in case.”
“Perfect.” He guided her to the drawing room. “Tea time, right?”
“Yes, will you join us?”
“Yes, of course, I would never leave my wife alone to face the pack of wolfs.” He teased her, just for her ears as they walked in.
Mrs. Donaldson brought the tea right after and they had the meal in a tense calmness.
“Were you lucky finding a new doctor for your poor cousin?” Lady Catherine asked when they were finished.
“No, not yet, but I am sure I will, soon enough.” He assured his aunt.
“When are you taking measures regarding the other situation?” his aunt asked, in a cold tone.
“I am afraid I understand not your question, aunt.” Replied he, in a cold tone.
“Time is passing by and soon it will be obvious for all.” There was a clear threat in her tone.
Darcy let out a heavy sigh and turned to look at Georgiana. “Would you mind leaving us alone, Georgiana? I need to speak to aunt Catherine.”
“Why may I not hear that conversation?” asked she, sassy.
“Because this does not concern you and it is a private conversation.” Her brother explained in a scolding tone.
“It is hardly a private conversation, since we all know what it is about.” Insisted she.
“Georgiana.” The single word was a warning and the girl understood.
“Very well.” She stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her back.
Darcy turned to look at his aunt. “I believe I was clear when I told you to look for the father of Anne’s baby. I shall not ruin my marriage to save your family’s reputation.”
“It is not only my family’s reputation, and you know that.” Insisted she. “I shall drag yours with mine if you refuse to attend my request.”
“Then, so be it, aunt Catherine. I do not care.”
“How can you say that? And all of this, just to keep such a commoner in your life.”
“I do not care if she is the prison cleaner, she is my wife and she will be so, until death does us part.” The certainty in Darcy’s voice was like a balm to Elizabeth’s soul, especially after all they had been through the past days.
“You shall change your mind, I am sure of that.” The old lady got up, giving the case for closed, at least for now.
“You are fooling yourself.” He warned her, in a cold tone, standing up as well.
“You are the one doing that, Darcy, not me. You have no idea what I am capable of.” With those words, she walked out of the room and left them alone.
“She will not give up.” Elizabeth warned him, getting up as well.
“She will have too, once Anne gets married to the doctor.”
“Are you sure she will? I am starting to doubt that.”
“She will, just have faith in me.”
“I do have faith in you, but I am afraid I have no faith in your cousin. She has lived too many years under her mother’s yoke.”
“I am aware of that, but surprisingly, she will do a lot to protect him, and I am counting on that.” He assured her.
“I hope you are right, my love.”
He picked her hands up in his and kissed them both. “I am, you shall see.”
She let herself fall into his arms and rested her forehead on his broad chest. “I am not ready to lose you. I shall never be.” Murmured she.
“You shall never lose me. I promise you.” Assured he, raising her chin and claiming a sweet kiss from her lips.
Chapter Ten
That night, Elizabeth sent a note to her sister Jane inviting her for dinner, explaining it would be a small dinner, just to entertain a special friend of Mr. Darcy, reason why she was not inviting her uncles that time.
The following morning, she took some time to sit down with the housekeeper to plan the meal, despite the opposition shown by Lady Catherine and by Georgiana. They wanted to keep her away from Darcy’s friends, as if that somehow would play in their favour.
Jane arrived earlier, soon after tea, to spend some time with her sister and Elizabeth was more than happy, since that way she did not have to put up with the other women in the house.
“Why is Lady Catherine here?” asked Jane, surprised.
Elizabeth explained briefly, but she could tell her sister was not convinced.
“Anyway, I have been thinking about going back home.” Said Jane, in a sad tone.
“Why would you do that? I thought you were having a good time with our uncles.” Protested Elizabeth.
“I am, but sometimes, I feel I am a burden to them. Remember, they did not have children, and they are used to being alone. My presence in their home must be cumbersome.” She let out a sigh. “Besides, let us face it, Elizabeth, I am wasting my time here, and we both know that.”
“No, w
e do not. Many things could happen.”
She chuckled, and there was disbelief in her face. “I really doubt that.”
“Just do not give up right now. Stay in town as long as we are here.” Suggested Elizabeth, praying that would be enough time for Mr. Bingley to solve things between them. Jane deserved to be happy and she wanted to see that happening.
“Well, yes, I believe I can do that.” She committed to it.
“Perfect. Now, let us go up to my bedroom. My maid Maggie is a fairy combing hairs and I want her to do her magic on us tonight.” She picked up her sister’s hand and dragged her up the stairs.
“What is wrong with the way I combed my hair?” Jane protested.
“Nothing, but Maggie does it much better.” There was a naughty smile on Elizabeth’s face. “And I want you to wear one of the dresses I found stored in Scarborough.”
She opened the door to her room and waited for Jane to enter, before she closed the door. “I thought of you the minute I saw it. It is a shade of blue exactly like your eyes.”
“I thought this was just a small dinner.” Jane stood in front of her with her hands on her hips and a slight frown on her face.
“It is, but that is no reason for you not to look amazing, right?” Elizabeth insisted as she guided her sister into her dressing room, after calling for Maggie.
A few seconds later she had pulled the light blue velvet dress she had mentioned. The dress’ bodice was embroidered with a darker shade of blue and small crystals and it looked beautiful. She had added the dress to the bag Maggie had arranged at the last minute, thinking of her sister. That shade of blue did not look that good on her, but it was perfect for Jane.
“Oh, that is amazing.” Jane had to admit.
“I know, and it is perfect for you. I would look terrible in it, but it is just perfect for you.”
Maggie showed up at the door at that moment. “Did you call, ma’am?”
“Come on in, Maggie.” She motioned the girl in. “Allow me to introduce you to my older sister, Jane Bennet.”
“It is a pleasure meeting you, Miss.”
“Thank you, Maggie, the pleasure is mine.” Replied Jane. “My sister tells me you are a fairy combing hairs.”
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