Darcy grinned, “This is terrific. My own horse is another animal I have to envy.”
Elizabeth took his hand, “Mr. Darcy, I …”
A shrill voice interrupted what she was going to say, “Mr. Darcy… Are you in here?”
Darcy and Elizabeth peeked around the stall just in time to see Miss Bingley step onto the soft pile of manure. The orange clad lady lost her balance as her foot slid backward. She fell headfirst and landed with a squishy thud into the large pile of fresh horse manure.
Elizabeth tugged on Darcy’s hand and approached the woman with a barely restrained smile gracing her lips, “Miss Bingley... Mr. Darcy was kind enough to explain to me that a person must watch their step when they are in a stable. However, it seems your education has been sorely lacking in that aspect of stable etiquette.” Elizabeth paused to look down at Miss Bingley whose face and dress were covered in manure. “That being said, Miss Bingley, I am truly concerned for your health. You may have some kind of stomach ailment as you are looking positively green. However, I must admit, it is a most peculiar shade of green.” As fury contorted Miss Bingley’s face, Elizabeth did not even try to hide her amusement any longer, “I suppose you may inform us that horse manure is the latest skin care treatment for high society ladies of the ton. However, I shall always choose to forego that particular procedure.”
Caroline’s fury increased when she heard Elizabeth giggle. With scarcely restrained rage, she watched Darcy and the other woman disappear from the stables. Miss Bingley hauled herself off the ground, and years of habit were in evidence as she automatically brushed her dress smooth. The resulting consequence was that her hands were now covered in manure. She had closed her eyes in disgust before she made her way to the house.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth joined Mr. Bingley, Jane and the Hursts in the sitting room after their adventure in the garden and stable.
“You have arrived just in time.” Mr. Bingley was jovial, “We were just about to call for tea.”
“I could definitely use a cup of tea.” Darcy remarked enthusiastically, “Nothing is better than a cup of tea after an unremarkable stroll in the garden.”
Bingley started to ring for the maid when a horrible smell assaulted his nose, “My Dear Lord, what is that stench?”
He and the other occupants of the room went to the door to investigate. They simultaneously saw a fuming Miss Bingley, stalking toward the stairs with dress torn and covered in manure.
Bingley could hardly stop from laughing out loud, “Caroline, you are a mess. What happened to you?” He caught the smile on Darcy’s face, “Never mind, I do not want to know. Please, grant us all a favour, proceed upstairs to bathe and get changed for tea.” His sister’s face was ablaze with rage and humiliation, “Oh and Caroline, in an interesting turn of events, you will observe that Mr. Darcy is in the sitting room just as I told you he would be, so there was no need for you to search for him.”
Caroline Bingley stormed from the room after she glared at her brother with fury blazing in her eyes.
“Did I say something wrong?” Mr. Bingley enquired after his sister had left and provoked everyone in the room to fits of laughter.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with the enjoyment of a merry party as Miss Bingley was too humiliated to return downstairs.
Chapter 7
Drat that man! How in the devil was she going to get rid of Collins? Elizabeth was frustrated with Mr. Collins as he followed her around like a puppy, and her patience was stretched thin. Horrible, wretched little man! Arrangements had been made when they were at Netherfield the previous day for Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to visit this morning. Elizabeth did not know whether she should be grateful or horrified at the prospect of Mr. Darcy meeting this pompous, conceited, silly little man who was determined to secure her affections. Mrs. Bennet was in complete support of Mr. Collin’s intentions and encouraged the man to attach himself to Elizabeth at every opportunity.
Elizabeth stomped her foot in annoyance. When was Mr. Darcy going to be here?
“Cousin Elizabeth... Cousin Elizabeth...”
“Yes, Mr. Collins.” Each syllable was drawn out in a sarcastic mockery that held a note of barely tolerant forbearance.
“Your sisters and I are ready to walk into Meryton. It is my duty to stay by your side to ensure nothing untoward happens to you during our excursion.”
Elizabeth scoffed under her breath, “As if something is likely to occur on the road to Meryton.” Lizzy rolled her eyes and turned to Mr. Collins with great reluctance. The Bennet girls had discovered they were able to openly ridicule the man as he did not take notice of anything but the sound of his own voice. “With the size of our party I assure you that will not be necessary.”
“Mr. Collins, you also are aware, I am sure.” Jane reminded him in a coolly polite voice, “We are waiting for Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. They will be accompanying us to our Aunt Phillips home.”
It was as though Mr. Collins had not even heard Jane because he did not even pause to take a breath as he continued to lecture the girls on the proper way of doing everything.
The relief was palpable when Darcy and Bingley arrived at Longbourn. After a quick introduction of the gentlemen to Mr. Collins, the whole party set forth on foot to Meryton.
Mr. Collins was very solicitous to Mr. Darcy when he realized the gentleman was Lady Catherine’s nephew.
To Darcy’s dismay, Mr. Collins positioned himself next to Elizabeth for the party’s walk to Meryton.
Darcy noticed the tense set of Elizabeth’s shoulders and her rigid posture while Mr. Collins was beside her. He was confident that he knew the reason. The clergyman talked incessantly, endlessly providing information he clearly gleaned and parroted directly from Aunt Catherine herself.
With a grin, Darcy stepped in front of Mr. Collins and stopped to talk to Elizabeth, thereby forcing Collins to change direction to avoid hitting the gentleman.
Mr. Collins with his own sense of self-importance dared not to upset the nephew of his patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He resigned himself to walk behind Darcy and Elizabeth for the moment as the two talked easily about books and other interests.
He was delighted when their conversation turned into an argument. He noticed when Elizabeth glared at Mr. Darcy with narrowed eyes. He was content for the moment and turned to talk to Mary.
What Collins did not see was the smile the two exchanged after their argument. When Mr. Collins heard his cousin’s soft laughter, he made his way back to her. He usurped Darcy’s position at Elizabeth’s side by stopping short in front of Darcy. He bowed to the great man and tipped his hat as he began speaking to his cousin, “My dear Cousin Elizabeth, you should see the grounds at Rosings Park and my nice little parsonage in Hunsford. In my way of thinking, my future wife will want for nothing.”
Darcy glowered at the other man in a brooding silence. He could not believe the effrontery of this toad of a little man. His anger grew exponentially when he realized Mr. Collins had an interest in securing Elizabeth as his wife. Darcy felt an urgent need to shout at the man to get away from his Elizabeth. However, he could not say a word because of the agreement he had made with Elizabeth to keep their courtship a secret. Damn that man! He just wanted to rush to her side and claim her as his own future wife.
Darcy called Elizabeth to his side by asking her a question. Walking by Elizabeth’s side he glanced down at Collins with the most superior attitude he could manage.
Collins, it was soon clear, had not given up the battle and spoke to Darcy, “I understand you are going to be married to Miss Anne de Bourgh soon. Have you set a date for the wedding yet?” The simpering smile Mr. Collins gave Darcy was enough to make him want to rip the clergyman’s heart out.
Elizabeth was startled by the news Mr. Collins had imparted so stopped short. The angry glare in her eyes chilled Darcy deep in his soul. Without a look at either man, she caught up with Jane and Bingley to walk with them. Darcy tried to catch her
attention, but she refused even to glance his direction.
Darcy made his way to Elizabeth’s side. She gave him a scalding look and moved away from him. Darcy was appalled. She could not possibly believe the lies Collins had told her. He thought she knew him better than to believe such nonsense. His heart plummeted with the knowledge that she was not going to give him a chance to explain.
The rest of the walk into Meryton passed more sedately than before as Darcy and Elizabeth were silent. Mr. Collins though continued to be effusive of Lady Catherine to anyone who would listen.
Upon arrival, Lydia spotted an officer she knew and shouted, “Denny.” She ran to the object of her attention with Kitty at her heels.
The rest of the group joined the younger sisters and the officer. Denny called out, and another man joined the party, he was introduced as Mr. Wickham. It was mentioned he would be joining the militia as an officer.
Lizzy studied the man while he spoke. He is a handsome man, she thought as she felt rather than saw Darcy take a place at her side. She surreptitiously glanced through dark lashes toward Darcy. She observed shock register on his face as he looked at the newcomer. Mr. Wickham touched his hat in polite greeting to Mr. Darcy, but Elizabeth noticed the mocking light gleam in the other man’s eyes. Darcy stiffened but refused to leave his position at her side. Elizabeth realized these two men obviously had some sort of contentious past. Her curiosity was piqued, and she was going to do anything within her power to learn their history.
Darcy could not believe his eyes, Wickham was here in Meryton. This man had been a blemish upon his family’s good name for years. Worse yet again, the man was talking to Elizabeth and flirting with her. She was his Elizabeth.
Darcy’s fury erupted into a scalding, white-hot rage for the horrid little parson. The man had deliberately engineered Elizabeth’s anger with Darcy by telling her about his alleged engagement. Darcy wanted to go to her, hold her and assure her there was not one iota of truth in the gossip Collins had relayed. Nevertheless, his frustration overflowed since he could not take action, lest he expose, in public, his regard for this woman against her wishes.
Elizabeth was so caught up in her own thoughts that she did not even hear most of what Mr. Wickham said to her. She could feel the tension emanating from Darcy’s body. She just needed an opportunity to get him away from the rest of the group to find out about this situation.
“Mr. Darcy, I was wondering if you would accompany me to the bookstore.” She turned toward him “I believe the book you were asking for may have just been released.”
His heart leapt with joy because against all odds Elizabeth was willing to talk to him. “It would be my pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
Darcy and Elizabeth excused themselves from the rest of their party and made their way down the street of Meryton. They did not notice that Wickham had watched them go. She whispered, “I know a place where we can speak privately.”
“Cousin Elizabeth.” The grating voice of her nightmares called.
She groaned but stopped to let her cousin catch up with them.
“Yes, Mr. Collins.” Any other person would have heard the annoyance in her tone but not this self-absorbed man.
“I would also like to visit the bookstore, as well.” He prattled on, “I believe it is the role of every clergyman to monitor what is being read in the community. My patroness…”
“Fine Mr. Collins, you may accompany us.”
Neither of the two people in whose company he had just insinuated himself even heard a word the man uttered. The clergyman droned on in a never-ending monotony of sound. However, Darcy and Elizabeth were too caught up in their own contemplation to pay much attention to such an odious man.
After a quick trip to the bookstore, the small group met up with the rest of the party at Elizabeth’s Aunt Phillips house. Mr. Collins had not given her one single opportunity to be alone with Darcy so she could question him regarding Mr. Wickham.
Mr. Collins was entreated upon by Mrs. Phillips to join the party in a game of cards. Darcy kept close to Elizabeth and took every opening to speak with her. The problem was that she was a favourite of every person in the neighbourhood. She was sought out by a great number of people. Darcy was thwarted in his wish to talk to Elizabeth all afternoon.
The walk back to Longbourn was no better as Collins would not give them a moment to speak privately.
When Bingley and Darcy took their leave of Longbourn, Jane and Elizabeth walked the two men out. Darcy whispered to Elizabeth, “Meet me at the entrance to Longbourn, early tomorrow morning.
Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement and turned to make her way back into the house.
After a sleepless night, Darcy made his way to Longbourn just after dawn. He was surprised to see Elizabeth coming down the path so early. She must have been impatient to see him, as well.
He sauntered over to her and gathered her into a tight embrace. He took great delight as he lightly grazed her lips with his. He looked down into her gorgeous intelligent eyes and confessed, “I have missed you dreadfully.”
“How did I earn such a greeting as we were in each other’s company most of yesterday?” She teased as she looked up into his earnest face. “I would have thought you would have been tired of my society.”
“We never had a moment of privacy yesterday. Furthermore, I shall never have enough of your company." He pressed his lips to hers with seductive longing, and his tongue tasted hers. “I yearned desperately for your kisses yesterday.”
“You did not enjoy spending time with Mr. Collins.” She teased him.
“I cannot think of any one person whose company I would find more abhorrent than his.” His expression turned serious, “He wants to marry you, does he not?”
Elizabeth watched his eyes to ascertain his emotional state while she nodded, “I am certain my mother is behind that particular plot.”
“Elizabeth, I want to announce our courtship.” The heartfelt emotion showed in his eyes. “I hate the thought of another man seeking your hand. Please let me talk to your father.”
She shook her head vehemently, “No, not yet. Please, be patient and give me some more time.” She pleaded with him to understand. She watched as he closed his eyes, the pain from her words visible. She reached up to caress his face in a gesture of intimacy, “I am sorry, I do not want to hurt you. However, I am not yet ready for our courtship to become public knowledge.”
“You do not understand...” Darcy ran his hand through his hair with despair, “I cannot bear to see Collins hovering around you as if he has the right to be your suitor? It is tearing me apart. I do not know how much longer I can endure this situation.”
“What happened between you and Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth stunned Darcy with her sudden change of subject.
His eyes hardened as he spoke, “I am not talking to you about this.”
Elizabeth accepted his statement for now, but she had one more question she needed to ask. “Tell me about your engagement to Anne de Bourgh.” Her eyes flashed with jealousy.
“There is no engagement, Elizabeth. There never has been one.” He sighed, “You are not the only person who has an unruly family. My aunt is determined I shall marry her daughter, Anne. She even went as far as saying it was also the wish of my mother.” He was sincere in his statement, and Elizabeth’s heart went out to him. “My mother never voiced such an opinion to me. I have spoken very clearly to my aunt and informed her I shall never marry Anne.”
Elizabeth reached up and caught his face with her hands. She pulled him down to meet her lips briefly.
With a ferocity born of necessity and uncertainty, Darcy’s lips captured hers. He plundered the depths of her mouth with a passionate desire. He picked her up in his arms without releasing her lips and made his way to a more private location. He sat her down, took off his coat and placed it on the ground. He lowered himself and drew her onto his lap. He cradled her in his arms while his hands moved to her hips. Gradually he laid her down
on his coat. His body followed hers and pinned her under underneath. His lips found the pulse in her neck and feathered kisses all over her collar.
He watched as desire rose in her eyes. His hand found her breast and grazed it with his thumb until her nipple hardened under his attentions. A soft moan in her throat sent all propriety out of his head. He returned his attention to her lips and kissed her with a desperate need. He sought the buttons on the back of her dress and started to release them one by one. His hand revelled in the feel of the hot skin of her back as she arched her body toward him.
A sudden realization brought him back to his senses. He was seducing Elizabeth, the beautiful, wonderful woman he loved. He was horrified by his lack of control.
Darcy moved onto his back and then sat up. He pulled Elizabeth into a sitting position. “I am sorry. Please forgive me. I should not have let things progress this far.”
She placed her hand over his, “If there was anything to forgive, I would forgive you.” She captured his eyes with her gaze, “I was a completely willing participant. I will not allow you to take the entire responsibility for what just happened.”
“I do not deserve you.” His face was set in a grim line. He cupped her face in his hands with remorse evident in his eyes, “I am the worst kind of cad imaginable.”
“You probably do not deserve me.” She teased, “But I am yours anyway.”
He gazed at her with adoration and slowly stood. He helped her up and pulled her to him so he could feel her whole body against his. He let her go and placed his arm through hers, “I should get you home.” He smiled, “I shall come back later with Mr. Bingley to call on you properly.”
Elizabeth watched as he walked away, her emotions swept around her with prior unknown strength and intensity. She could not believe how much she loved him.
Change of Heart Page 6
