The Lost Heir

by Harriet Knowles

  “You may have mastered the art of looking impassive, Mr. Darcy, but a few choice words expose your feelings on the matter!” He looked at him. “You have accompanied Bingley as a matter of politeness, or you are here to speak to Lizzy?”

  “With your permission, sir, both.” He quite liked Bennet, he thought, although he could never measure up to Gardiner.

  “Well, I will sit here, and can chaperone you and Lizzy while I watch Jane and Bingley, no doubt.” Bennet had a self-satisfied air about him, and Darcy thought he knew why. The noise in the house was indescribable, and he hadn’t been surprised to be told Elizabeth was outside.

  “I am not sure they will take a turn about the garden, Mr. Bennet. The weather seems about to become inclement.”

  Bennet looked up. “I thought we’d have a little longer.”

  But Darcy had had too many years of watching the sky when in the stable yards of England. Big fat raindrops had already begun to fall, and Bennet sighed.

  “Oh, well, it seemed a good idea. You had better join the family, but I will be in my book room if you wish to escape the wedding talk.”

  Darcy rose to his feet. “Thank you, sir.”

  The older man glanced over at him. “Get away with you! You ought not to be calling me sir!”

  Darcy smiled thinly. Elizabeth was heading their way, several umbrellas in her hands. Forgetting their host, he hurried across the lawn to assist her, aware the rain was already heavier than he’d thought. “Please let me assist you, Miss Elizabeth.”

  She laughed up at him. “We’ll get wetter if we stop to open the umbrellas than if we run!” And she set off at a very brisk pace for the shelter of the tree, Darcy beside her, trying to take her burden from her.

  A moment later, they reached Bennet, watching them with some mirth. “Mr. Darcy, you must learn my daughter is determined to accomplish what she sets out to do!”

  Darcy smiled ruefully. “I do know it, Mr. Bennet. Perhaps I ought not try and impress you.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes were dancing. “It seems I have missed the best of the conversation.” She turned to her father. “I have a very large umbrella for you, Papa. And it’s not cold.”

  “No, Lizzy. I think our guest is correct. This rain will get worse, and we had better seek the house before it does so.”

  Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “I wondered why Mrs. Hill looked at me as if I had taken leave of my senses when I said we would still take tea out here.”

  Darcy managed to contain a snort of laughter. Her expression held almost a giddy sense of happiness. Was it because he had returned to call on her? If so, why had he not come sooner?

  But he also knew a sense of disquiet. In the house, they would have no opportunity to talk privately, and he felt an urgent need to gain an understanding with her. He took one of the umbrellas and opened it to protect her from the rain, and offered his arm, his gaze meeting hers.

  Was the answer there in her eyes? Warm and loving, her eyes were the finest he had ever seen, a deep chestnut brown, fringed with long dark lashes that dropped as he met her gaze. The faintest flush on her cheeks brought him back to where they were, and Bennet harrumphed.

  “Well, let’s be getting indoors.”

  Darcy hoped his own flush wasn’t too visible.

  68

  Elizabeth wondered why she was so overwhelmed at his presence beside her, with a comforting protectiveness as he held the umbrella over her head. She looked up.

  “Mr. Darcy, it would be better if you were under the protection of the umbrella, too.”

  But she quite understood why he stood away. His nearness was unsettling to her, too. Fortunately it was merely a moment until they reached the house, soon enough for him not be soaked, and much too soon for her to lose the freedom of a relatively private conversation.

  She sat beside her sisters, casting the occasional unhappy glance at him as he sat near Bingley, enduring the overwhelming enthusiasm of Mama’s excitement over the wedding.

  A few moments later, Mr. Bingley took the opportunity of Mama’s being obliged to take a breath to speak. “Mrs. Bennet, I’m not sure if you have met Mr. Darcy before today. I am honoured to say he has agreed to be my groomsman for the wedding …”

  He was stopped in his tracks by Mama’s cry of excitement, and Elizabeth sensed Mr. Darcy wishing he could sink through the floor.

  “Mama!” She must head her mother off. “Isn’t it wonderful to be able to meet him so long before the wedding?” She turned to him with a mischievous smile. “Perhaps you knew I would be standing up with my sister?”

  He bowed his head. “I confess Bingley has already told me, Miss Elizabeth. I will be …” but he stopped as the door opened.

  Elizabeth looked up in surprise as Papa entered. “Mrs. Bennet, as the weather is so inclement this morning, I thought it might be a good idea if you were to sit in the upstairs day room with the younger girls and give Jane an opportunity to speak to her Mr. Bingley.” He smiled benevolently. “Lizzy could chaperone them and occupy Mr. Darcy’s attention. I’ve told Hill to take the special pastries up there for you, and I had the fire lit half-an-hour ago,” he added temptingly.

  Elizabeth could see her mother was about to make a cutting remark at Papa’s interference. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, Mama. You might get Mary to go through the wedding music with you, so you can give your opinion. Why,” she gave Mama no time to think, “everyone’s going to think you have arranged the wedding in the most detail anyone in the town has ever seen!”

  “Yes, yes! I was just going to suggest that!” Mama snapped at Papa. “Come along, girls. Bring those collars you are stitching, too!” She swept her three youngest daughters from the room.

  Papa winked at Elizabeth, and closed the door behind him.

  Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy’s gaze was amused, and also that the warmth in her cheeks would be accompanied by a flush.

  “Bravo, Miss Elizabeth!” Mr. Bingley had no qualms about congratulating her, and she heard his friend’s warm chuckle.

  “Well, Miss Elizabeth, if you are to distract me from Bingley’s conversation with your sister, perhaps we could sit at the table at the far end of the room?” Mr. Darcy rose to his feet, and offered his hand. Elizabeth smiled at him, and accepted his support as she rose to her feet, feeling Jane’s astonishment.

  “Certainly, Mr. Darcy. What think you of the weather today?”

  The snort of laughter from both of the gentlemen helped her to relax a little, and Mr. Darcy replied, “I confess I had not noticed the weather, Miss Elizabeth. Is it a fine day?”

  It was her turn to try not to laugh, and Jane looked puzzled.

  “I think there is some secret I’ve missed.” Her gaze moved from Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy and back.

  “You had better ask Mr. Bingley, Jane. I will speak firmly to Mr. Darcy about their behaviour.”

  But there was little time to do so. As they seated themselves at the table, a knock on the door heralded the housekeeper.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss Elizabeth. An express has arrived for you.”

  The duchess! Elizabeth’s heart jumped. “Thank you, Mrs. Hill.” She accepted the letter, and turned back to Mr. Darcy.

  “I believe it is an acquaintance of ours, and I might wish to discuss the contents of the letter with you. May I glance at it?”

  “Of course.” He smiled and turned slightly away from her as she broke the seal with the entwined BC.

  My dear Elizabeth,

  I know His Grace is writing to your father to tell him we are now in town and I am desirous of seeing you here just as soon as you are able to come, as I said in my last letter to you.

  I’ve been anticipating being able to show you the sights and places that I enjoyed showing my own daughters, so you see I will be very disappointed if you do not come.

  Remember, I am not suggesting you do the season to find a young suitor. I am convinced that only Mr. Darcy will do for you. Perhaps he will be able to at
tend the same balls as you do, and you will have more opportunity to become better acquainted.

  My main reason for seeing you very soon is, of course, to find out if you are well. I know you wanted to talk to your sister, and I’m sure it has been helpful. But sometimes it is as well to be able to talk to someone who knows what you endured. But I will not pry if you do not wish it so.

  I hope you are able to reply at once to this letter, and I will send a coach and maids to Hertfordshire to bring you to London so there will be no inconvenience to your father.

  I hope to receive your reply in the morning,

  Yours, etc

  Anna Durdar

  Elizabeth felt dazed. Before Papa had told her of the duke’s letter this morning, she’d been convinced they would have forgotten all about her, and what had happened. Now this.

  Mr. Darcy’s warm hand covered hers, comforting. “Are you well, Elizabeth?”

  She smiled. “I am.” she glanced at Jane and Mr. Bingley, deep in conversation, and lowered her voice. “It is another letter from Her Grace, reiterating her invitation and wishing to make it very soon.”

  She pushed the letter towards him. “Please read it, Mr. Darcy. But no one, apart from Papa, knows of their invitation, because I was sure, after the first letter, that it was merely politeness, and they would hope that I’d forget about it.”

  Mr. Darcy nodded, took the letter and read it rapidly. “I would say Her Grace has not forgotten, Elizabeth.” He passed the sheets back to her. “I do not think you can escape the obligation as easily as that.”

  She sighed, and he looked concerned. “What discomposes you?”

  She looked up. “I believe you were here for quite another reason, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps we ought to talk about that.”

  His hand was still on hers, and she ought to withdraw it. She could not. Warmth was radiating through her, and his touch was inexpressibly comforting.

  “Very well, if that’s how you wish to proceed.” His voice held a hint of laughter. “But perhaps I would be selfish if I told you I hope you will go to London.”

  She glanced at the letter. “But if the fact I am sponsored by them means your family will accept me, I know they’ll still despise me underneath.”

  His hand tightened on hers, and he glanced at the other couple to make sure they weren’t listening. His voice was low.

  “I had considered that, Elizabeth. Yesterday, I called on my father. I told him I wished to make you an offer, and that if he would not accept you freely, I would renounce Pemberley and the family.”

  Elizabeth gasped. “You must not do that, sir! I will not permit it.” She turned her hand over, so she could grasp his. “You were born to that life. I would never want to hold you back from it.”

  His smile was the same crooked one he’d always had. “And yet, here we are, holding hands, needing each other. Elizabeth, I cannot make my life without you, I need you beside me.” He grimaced slightly. “I know our lives will be different to the way I had expected, but I will do everything within my power to make you happy. Everything.”

  She smiled slightly, her heart was racing. The touch of his hand was doing strange things to her equilibrium, and she was glad she wasn’t standing up. “What did your father say?”

  He jerked his head irritably. “I explained that you were the perfect person to be mistress of Pemberley, and he agreed he would not merely accept you, but he would welcome you to the family and do all he could to ensure your acceptance in society.” He sounded self-satisfied.

  “He must have believed your threatened departure.” Elizabeth smiled.

  “It’s easier to be convincing if one is prepared to carry it through.” Mr. Darcy’s gaze met hers, burning in its intensity. “Dearest Elizabeth, I’d give up everything — everything — if you required it of me.” He turned his shoulder to the other couple and lifted her hand to his lips. “If only you can make me the happiest of men, and agree to become my wife.”

  “Despite Mama’s behaviour?”

  “It is you I am determined to wed, Elizabeth, not your mother. But nothing you say will dissuade me — and they will be my family, too.”

  Elizabeth wondered why the room seemed suddenly brighter, for the rain still hammered at the window. But the light seemed luminous, somehow, and his love wrapped around her like a warm cloak of protection. “I will.”

  The look in his eyes was reward enough, and he recaptured her hand with both of his. “Beloved Elizabeth!” The heat of his lips on the back of her hand sent weakness stealing through her.

  “Mr. Darcy!” She wished she didn’t have to whisper.

  “William. I would dearly love you to use my name when we are in private.”

  She smiled tentatively. “William.” They sat in contented silence for a few moments. The delight and happiness in his gaze warmed her through, and she knew hers were as bright.

  Finally, he smiled. “Will you go to stay with the duchess? I’ll be able to call upon you more easily in town — and, of course, will escort you back for the wedding, as we both have our duties to the family.”

  She smiled happily. “I’ll have to ask Papa if I may go. I know he has some concerns.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips again. “I will go and speak to him. I think I will be able to allay any uneasiness of his.” He hesitated. “May I ask him for his consent to our marriage?”

  69

  Darcy hurried up the steps of Durdar House, his coach, gleaming and polished, waiting behind him on the neatly-gravelled drive. Tonight, he was the host.

  He smiled wryly. It was a far cry from all he’d worked for in the past, but with Elizabeth beside him, he felt invincible.

  “Good evening, Mr. Darcy.” The butler opened the door wider, and he stepped in.

  “Thank you.” The hairs on the back of his neck rose, and he turned and looked for her. She was descending the stairs, a pale-rose satin gown swirling around her.

  He smiled; it was the colour in which he always imagined her. Those early days at the warehouse, her attention had always gone to the pale pinks and the dusky rose shades. They suited her dark colouring and the fire in her eyes. He stepped forward.

  “You look bewitching, Elizabeth.” He took her hand and assisted her from the bottom stair. “I hope you’re rested. It’s been a busy few weeks.”

  Her eyes danced up at him. “I’m well, thank you, William. But you have been busy, too, so I hope I can ask you if you are rested.”

  “Perfectly, thank you. I believe the play is not too intense, and there will be opportunity to be quiet.”

  “I’m looking forward the the theatre.” She turned as the duke and duchess entered the hall from the drawing room.

  Darcy turned too, and bowed. “Good evening, Your Grace, and Your Grace.” How my life has changed. He smiled.

  “All right, Darcy.” The duchess sounded practical. “Have you called on the Gardiners first, or will Elizabeth need to take a maid?”

  “The Gardiners are waiting in the coach.” Darcy smiled at Elizabeth.

  “I know they’re anxious to spend some time with you.”

  “Very well, we will see you at the theatre.” The duke nodded at Darcy. “We will come to your box during the interval. Undoubtedly society will be watching.”

  Darcy noticed the tiniest frown on Elizabeth’s face. He found it the hardest thing, too. Leaning over to her, he whispered. “Let us walk out a little tomorrow. There will be us two, and we can behave as we wish.”

  She smiled brightly at him. “It sounds very good. But tonight, it is the theatre, and I am looking forward to see Aunt and Uncle again.”

  He offered his arm. “Let us proceed.” He assisted her into the coach and smiled as he watched her greet the Gardiners with joy.

  “I wish you had come into the house with me, Mr. Gardiner, but at least you are here.” He watched his betrothed as she talked to her aunt. “I think she has missed you.”

  “It was better we wait outside, Darcy. And
it was only a few minutes. Perhaps if we meet them at the theatre, it will feel less of an imposition to call on them in such an informal manner.”

  Darcy nodded. “They will come to our box during the interval.”

  Gardiner chuckled, and leaned closer. “I won’t tell Madeline until the time comes. She will not be able to watch the play with enjoyment if she knows,” he murmured.

  Darcy raised his eyebrows. “She is a brave lady, like her niece. She will find them kind and unassuming.”

  “Indeed. I am still impressed that she braved your aunt’s home to say she had recognised you.”

  “What are you gentlemen whispering about?” Mrs. Gardiner lifted her eyebrows, and Gardiner laughed.

  “Why, we were saying how lovely it is to escort two beautiful ladies to the theatre!”

  Two rather unladylike snorts of derision made the gentlemen join the amusement, and Darcy met Elizabeth’s challenging look with a smile meant just for her.

  At the theatre, Darcy felt the proudest he had in a long time as he moved through the crowded entrance with Elizabeth on his arm. She looked calm and serene, a slight smile on her face and her eyes alight with excitement.

  He leaned towards her. “You’re beautiful. I’m so glad I secured your hand before the society gentlemen set eyes on you!”

  She leaned closer. “I admit, I feel much safer, knowing I am here with you and won’t be approached in that way.”

  He smiled. “Well, we are here to be seen. I suppose we ought to go to our box.” He was relieved Richard had brought him here that morning, to show him where the stairs and the Darcy box were situated. Now he could smile at the Gardiners and lead them all confidently to the proper place.

  “Goodness!” Elizabeth sank onto the chair he held for her. “It’s a relief to be here, away from everybody!”