Elizabeth glanced down at her flat stomach. She had barely eaten and had walked for hours. It was not possible that she could look like a woman who expected a child.
“It has nothing to do with your figure,” Darcy soothed. “You look as light and pleasing as ever. It was your posture. When he looked at you, you had your hand crossed over you.”
“I did not notice.”
“He said his wife did the same thing during her time. As soon as he saw that, he went from doubting my request to insisting you stay so you can rest.” Darcy scratched his thick beard. “I feel guilty deceiving such a worthy man, but I will make amends for it by working as hard as I can to make his work easier for a few days at least.”
“I do not know how to pretend I am expecting a child,” said Elizabeth.
“What did your mother do when she expected Lydia? You would have been five years old. Can you recall?”
Elizabeth considered it, and a mischievous smile touched her lips. “Yes, I can recall. And you do not want me to recreate that experience, I assure you.”
“No, perhaps not. We will say this is our first child. We will welcome our baby this summer. As a first time mother, you will not be expected to know much.”
Every time Darcy said the word we, it hit Elizabeth like a pellet into her heart. If Darcy was affected at all, Elizabeth could not see it.
“Very well,” she said. “That should not be difficult.”
Darcy smiled at her and held out his arm. “This way then, Mrs Darcy.”
Elizabeth’s heart gave another painful lurch at the title, but she plastered a smile on her face and allowed Darcy to escort her to the house.
The farmer had gone inside to inform his wife of the situation, and she came outside to greet them.
“Why are you out walking, you poor thing,” she cried as a greeting after Darcy had introduced them. “You should rest.”
“We are on our way to my wife’s father’s house,” said Darcy. “And she will certainly rest there, I can assure you.”
“You should not have her out at all,” the woman scolded.
Taking pity on him, Elizabeth came to his rescue.
“It is my fault, I am afraid,” she said. “I insisted I wanted to be with my parents and sisters during my pregnancy. A foolish whim, but my husband was generous enough to indulge me.”
“Hmm. I suppose you are early enough that it will not harm,” said the wife in a doubtful voice. She eyed Elizabeth’s flat stomach and held out her hand. “May I?”
Elizabeth exchanged an anxious look with Darcy, but she did not see how she could refuse. She nodded and held her breath as the wife placed a work-roughened hand over her stomach.
“It is very early days,” she said. “Too soon for me to feel anything. But I should not keep you out here. Come inside out of the cold.”
Darcy elected to remain outside where he could be of most use. Elizabeth felt a flicker of amusement at the grand Mr Darcy having to sully his hands with manual labour. But as he threw his coat to one side, and she saw his broad shoulders, she swallowed and then averted her eyes in embarrassment when she realised their host watched her with an amused smile.
“Nothing to be ashamed of, my dear,” she said. “You married a handsome fellow. Why should you not look?”
Elizabeth gave a sheepish smile as she followed her into a warm kitchen. “We are not married long. I am still growing accustomed to being a wife.”
“With a man like that, I should think getting used to being his wife is a good problem to have.”
Elizabeth had the amusing idea of telling Darcy how much their host gushed over him. It faded a little when she thought of him asking how the conversation came about. No, it might be better to say nothing.
Elizabeth was seated before the fire, well-fed on thick stew and tea when Darcy came in. A few flakes of snow had fallen, and he shook them out of his thick hair. He stopped when he saw Elizabeth and his gaze lingered on her for a moment.
“You see, sir, I have looked after your wife just like I said I would,” sang the woman who had introduced herself as Mrs Green. “And we have had a cosy chat. She has told me all about your courtship. I have told her she’s a lucky girl. Few women have a man who is so bold about showing his love.”
Darcy’s eyes met Elizabeth’s again. Her returning look was innocent, and she smiled.
“Oh?” he said. “I am sure I did nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary? Dressing as a shepherd to serenade her even though everyone laughed and said your plight was hopeless? Writing endless poetry to prove your love? Telling her you are forever her Lancelot? I should not call that nothing!”
Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Darcy pulled off his borrowed overcoat and hung it on the door, then ruffled the last of the snow from his hair as he gave Elizabeth a measured look.
“You also said you would die if I refused your hand,” said Elizabeth. “Do you remember that? You were so desperate I could see I would have no peace until I married you.”
“Perhaps I considered you worth the humiliation,” said Darcy. “And I was sure my feelings were returned when you ran all the way to my house in the rain and said you could love no other man but me. You were unhappy with me because I had danced with another lady at the ball the night before. Do you remember how you rushed from the assembly room in a storm of weeping?”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. Darcy’s smile widened. Mrs Green sighed and cast a reproachful look at her husband, who looked between the two of them as if he already regretted his decision to have them stay.
“You did not do as much for me, Tom,” she said.
“I had more sense. I thought this young fellow had more sense, too. Good God, sir, what are you about writing poetry and running about the countryside?”
“Faint heart, I suppose,” said Darcy. “Besides, I was not the only one running about the countryside.”
Mrs Green clapped her hands with delight. “Well, I, for one, am delighted to have a true romantic and a poet under this roof. I hope you will be good enough to treat us to a poem later, sir. We would be delighted to hear it.”
“Yes, darling,” said Elizabeth. “I would love to hear your poetry.”
The look Darcy gave her was hard enough to make her avert her eyes.
20
The Greens were gracious hosts, and the evening passed quickly. The snow continued to fall, but it was not heavy, and though the next day would be cold, it would not prevent them from walking. When it was time to retire, the Greens had a murmured conversation instead of showing them to a bed, then left the room. They returned with a mattress and blankets, and pillows.
“It will be a frosty night, and this room has the best fire,” Mrs Green explained as she made up the bed. “We considered offering you our room, but you will be much cosier in here. And I am sure a poet will love the chance to sleep with his love before a crackling fire.” Her eyes twinkled at Darcy, who had professed the beginnings of a sore throat earlier to be saved from having to create a poem on the spot. They thanked the Greens then watched as they left the room, whispering to each other and smiling. They love one another, even after all their years together, was impossible to miss.
“What are you thinking about?” Darcy asked once they had left the room. “Your eyes look a little sad.”
“Do they?” Elizabeth shrugged with a smile. “Perhaps I am foolish. I was only thinking how nice it would have been if my parents had a relationship like theirs. I never had an example of a marriage where both partners respect and valued the other. And—“ She caught her words and stopped.
“And?” Darcy pressed.
Elizabeth hesitated. “And I am thinking how much I would like to have the same,” she finished in a rush. She turned to the bed to smooth down the coverings, more out of a desire to avoid Darcy’s eyes than out of any need. She could still feel his eyes on her.
“That is what you would want?�
�� he asked in a soft voice. “A marriage like theirs?”
“Of course.” Elizabeth shrugged with embarrassment. “What else would I seek in marriage?”
“There are many who only seek to marry for material advantage. How they feel about their spouse does not enter their plans.”
“I have never wanted that. If my spouse has enough wealth to see us and our family comfortable, I will be happy, but I would never be happy with a man I did not love and respect and who could not love and respect me.” Elizabeth traced a finger over the design on the coverings, too self-conscious to look at Darcy and see how he took her words.
For a few moments, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire. Finally, Darcy spoke, his voice low and gruff.
“I have always thought the same,” he said. “Though I know I must marry for my family’s advantage, I have always hoped to marry someone I can love and respect, who I cannot wait to see every day. It would be a blessing to find it.”
“What would you do if you must choose between the two?” Elizabeth held her breath as she waited for him to respond.
Darcy sighed. “I do not know. I suppose I will not know unless I am in the situation where I have the option of marrying for love over advantage.”
Elizabeth looked away into the fire.
“We should sleep,” she said quietly. “We will have a long way to walk tomorrow.”
Darcy approached the bed, then stopped.
“I will sleep on the floor.”
“Do not be foolish. It is cold. Besides, we have shared beds before. And Mr Green will rise early to see to the animals. What will they think when he sees you lying on the floor instead of beside me?” She smiled. “My condition is not so far along that I am too big for you to sleep beside me.”
Darcy climbed into bed beside her. Elizabeth turned on her side to face the fire.
“How strange that this will all end soon,” he said quietly.
“I know.”
Elizabeth looked between the falling snow outside the window and the warm fire beside her, though her attention was all on the man next to her. Finally, she fell asleep.
When she awoke later, the fire was still low. Elizabeth also realised something else about her situation. Not for the first time, she woke to find her head on Darcy’s chest and his arms around her. His chest rose and fell, his heart steady and slow. Elizabeth knew she should move, but she could not bring herself to disturb him yet.
How did this happen? Which one of them made the first move? Or did they turn to one another in the night, seeking one another out even as they slept? Elizabeth looked up at Darcy’s bearded jaw. She liked him like this. The Darcy he was when he was stripped of his wealth and consequence. The man underneath all the position and fortune. How sad it would be to watch that man disappear once he was back with his friends, with everything at his command.
Darcy stirred in his sleep and pulled her closer. Elizabeth’s heart raced as his hand stroked her arm. He muttered something in his sleep. She could only catch one word. Her name. Did he dream of her?
The sun had not risen yet, so Elizabeth could not be sure of the time. The fire burned low, but it still crackled and kept them warm. Elizabeth nestled closer into Darcy’s arms and allowed herself to drift off into sleep as a wave of wellbeing washed over her. No matter what the future held, for now at least, she was safe and loved in the arms of the man she loved.
When her eyes opened again some hours later, it was because something brushed her cheek. She sleepily opened her eyes to find Darcy brushing the hair back from her face, his fingers lingering on her skin. When he saw she was awake, he removed his hand, but he did not snatch it away as though ashamed of what he had done.
“You looked so peaceful I did not want to disturb you,” he whispered. His arms were still around her. The air in the room was cold, but their bed was so cosy and warm that although Elizabeth knew she should pull away, she found it impossible to resist the temptation. She drowsily snuggled closer to him. Darcy seemed to have no objection. He rested his chin on her head and held her, both of them lulled by the quiet sound of their breathing.
“Elizabeth,” Darcy finally said in a low voice.
“Hmm?” Elizabeth had closed her eyes again, enjoying the warmth of Darcy’s chest.
“Do you really think your idea will work?”
She opened her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I have given the matter much thought. We have been together so many days now that I do not know if we can convince anyone we were not together. And even if no one discovers you were with me, they know you were somewhere and with someone. Your reputation might already be too damaged.”
“I will say I was kept by Lawson’s grandmother and never alone with any of the men. They have no reason not to believe me.”
“You know how rarely truth is a concern in these matters. It is an exciting story. It will spread far and wide. I hope for your sake it does not, but I think we should be prepared that there might be no other way to salvage it.”
Elizabeth hesitated. “No other way than what?”
“Our marriage. We might be obliged to marry.”
“But you do not want that.” Elizabeth’s mouth felt dry as she waited for his response. When it came, her heart sank.
“No, of course not. I would never want that. And I know you do not either. But I am trying to be realistic. We might have no other choice.”
Despite the warmth of their bed, Elizabeth felt a chill.
“Let us hope it does not come to it then,” she said. How foolish of her to think anything might change. How many times must she remind herself that Darcy would never marry her if he could help it? And she would never accept a husband who would resent her, no matter what the cost to her reputation. She could not endure it.
As if Darcy sensed the chill she felt, he pulled her closer and released a sigh. They did not speak again until the bedroom door opened and the Greens emerged, beaming and bidding them good morning.
Elizabeth was forced to keep up a pleasant aspect as they ate a hearty breakfast. Mrs Green insisted on giving them bread and boiled eggs and an old but warm blanket.
“Perhaps if you come this way again, you will bring your little one with you, and we will meet him or her?” she suggested happily as they stood in the farmyard bidding their goodbyes.
“Perhaps,” said Darcy. As if on impulse, he took the woman’s hand. “I do not know how we can thank you for all you have done for us.”
“Just thank me by taking good care of your lovely wife.”
Darcy’s smile was strained. “Of course.”
21
The Greens waved at them until the road took them out of sight.
“How much longer until we are at Longbourn?” Elizabeth asked.
“We should be there by the morning after next. I am sure you are eager for this to end.”
“I am. The closer we get, the more I want to hurry.”
“Understandable.”
“What will you do once you are in London? Will you return to Netherfield?”
“I do not know. I have not thought that far ahead.”
He probably would not. Darcy had made no secret of the fact that he did not care for Hertfordshire. Once he was in London, he would have little reason to return. But that was good, Elizabeth reminded herself. The less she would see him, the sooner her heart would mend.
They walked miles, mostly lost in their own thoughts. Elizabeth glanced a Darcy every so often, wondering what he was thinking about. They travelled along a stony path along the edge of a forest, the trees sheltering them from the icy wind. Darcy observed the land around them and made a dismayed sound under his breath. Elizabeth looked up in alarm.
“What is the matter?”
“I recognise this place.”
“Do you?” Elizabeth looked around. “Wonderful. It means we might be closer than I thought.”
“No. This is where they held us that first night. I paid
attention to the landscape when they removed us from the wagon. I remember that oddly shaped hill over there.”
Elizabeth followed his pointing finger. A rock rose from the landscape, looking distinctly like an elephant’s head. Elizabeth did not recall seeing it before, but perhaps she had been too distracted.
“We must be careful,” said Darcy. “We will not risk interacting with anyone until we are far past this place.”
Elizabeth nodded and pressed just a little closer to Darcy. The inn where they were held was a refuge for unsavoury people. Who knew who might recognise them? Their appearance had changed since they had been there, but it would be better to take no risks.
“As I suspected,” said Darcy after a while. He nodded ahead. Nestled among the trees, where it would not be visible from the main road, was the inn.
“Oh no,” Elizabeth breathed.
“I am sure many pass this way. We will not draw attention to ourselves.”
Too late, they heard voices ahead of them, just beyond a bend in the path. Darcy looked around, then grabbed Elizabeth and pulled her with him behind a large rock. He pressed against her, his body covering hers, both their hearts pounding.
Two men appeared to quarrel about their plans to steal from a house. Elizabeth felt some relief that they might be too preoccupied with their own concerns to notice them, but as she shifted her position, a branch cracked under her boot. She froze in horror, unable to look at Darcy. A sharp voice called out.
“Who’s there?” he called.
The other voice was lower. “Is someone listening?” he asked his companion urgently.
Boots cut through the undergrowth. Darcy looked down at Elizabeth for a long moment before he drew a breath and dipped his face to hers.
“Forgive me for this,” he murmured before his mouth met hers, and he kissed her.
At first, it seemed he intended only a light kiss, enough to fool the intruders. But as their lips brushed, something flared between them. Their breaths released in a gasp, and they forgot everything else as Darcy pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Elizabeth could think of nothing else but the man holding her and kissing her as if he could not get enough.
Rescuing Elizabeth Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 12
