by Massey, Beth
Her face went back to her unemotional mask as she continued. “I was not knowledgeable enough at the time to even realize that a child could be the consequences of Lord Wolfbridge’s attentions. My aunt was the first to notice what was happening to me. I thought the illness in the morning and the constant tiredness was caused by my despair at failing my father. Unfortunately, the fact that I will soon be increasing forces me to disclose my circumstances to the three of you.”
The Darcys had both registered shock at her words, but Lord Wolfbridge had merely continued to look annoyed. Elizabeth did not hesitate, but focused a steely glare on the Viscount and continued with, “You need not fear that I intend to force you to wed me, Your Lordship. I assure you that event would be much more repugnant to me than it could ever be for you. My aunt and uncle thought marriage between us would be the best solution, but I was able to persuade them that this baby deserves a better life than being saddled with a mother who will forever dream that its father might meet the same fate as others of his ilk did in France. You, on the other hand, have already acted on your fantasies, and now think I have as much significance as the last bird you shot.”
Elizabeth shifted her gaze to Mr Darcy to see the effect of her dramatic rehearsed words. What she noticed was the scornful look he shot his cousin. She decided to stand and position herself so he could see her better. “The Gardiners and I have devised a plan which will allow the world to think this child is theirs. My parents know nothing and will never learn what happened here in this house three months ago—or that a baby was the result.” She looked pointedly at Lord Wolfbridge. “There is no need to fear a retaliation as happened in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. My uncle and I both think it quite proper that duels have been outlawed. Besides, there is no one to avenge my honour—my father can barely see.”
Elizabeth drew in a breath to calm herself—this time not so clandestinely—as she prepared to make her pronouncement. “I am here today to demand six thousand pounds for my silence. You will give me my pound of flesh, or I will go to the Earl and Countess of Elderton and tell them all the sordid details of what happened between us. I will look and act as much like a child as possible. As you know, I love the theatre. I am an excellent actress; and I will cry… I will blush… I will stammer… I will have trouble describing what happened; but believe me… ” Elizabeth glared at the Viscount as she continued, “… in the end your mother will know just how depraved you are.”
Lord Wolfbridge smiled condescendingly at Miss Elizabeth. He was trying to convince himself that he need not be afraid of this silly little girl taking her tale to his parents. His father knew of his indiscretions, just as he knew of his father’s, and he had always been able to persuade his mother of his innocence. Most of the women who had threatened exposure in the past were always clearly from outside their circle, and most were older. Now the frightened little girl who had worried about her silly sisters was here demanding three thousand pounds from him. What a cheeky thing she was. It was only recently, he had become emboldened to lower the age of his prey and his compulsion had landed him in jeopardy. Still, it did make the game delightfully dangerous.
As he listened to her plans for telling his parents, he felt a bit anxious as he thought of his mother. In the past, both his parents had enough inbred arrogance to believe the others who had asked for compensation had been avaricious from the beginning. His father always admonished him to be more careful in his associations because they did not have the money to pay off every chit he compromised. On the other hand, his mother had originally believed he had just foolishly associated with the wrong people, but over time she had become less forgiving. His mother was a Darcy, and was cursed with that ridiculous family code of honour that had been passed down from generation to generation.
Miss Elizabeth’s age and status was a concern. Her father was a gentleman, and she had been with Lady Hughes when his mother had made her acquaintance. She was not a shopkeeper’s daughter as most of the other maidens had been. His mother would definitely be appalled if she learned he had desired her because of her childlike appearance. And then there was the annoying fact that this one had ended up with child. Knowing his mother, she might insist he do the honourable thing and marry her; she was anxious for grandchildren. This one was obviously much more intelligent than any of his other conquests, and he had no doubt she could be persuasive. His mother had liked the impertinent chit when they had met her. Oh well, he would just have to be a bit more facile. He shrugged off his doubts and returned to a smug smile as he told himself he was still quite adept at charming his mother.
Elizabeth looked directly at Mrs Darcy when she spoke next. “They will know how I happened to be in this house that day. They will be told how I ended up alone with Lord Wolfbridge.” Anne Darcy turned deathly pale and gripped the arms of her chair. She looked at her husband and saw that his eyes were questioning Miss Elizabeth’s meaning. She quickly averted her gaze from his.
Anne was momentarily consumed with guilt. Over the months, she had told herself that Miss Elizabeth had not been compromised that day… she was just disappointed in love. Given this new information, she now steadfastly tried to convince herself that Edmund had not planned to violate Miss Elizabeth… his passion had just spiralled out of control. Why had she foolishly arranged for them to be alone? Lord Wolfbridge had told her he would like a few moments with her friend for a private conversation. His argument to win Anne’s compliance was that Miss Elizabeth needed to understand that despite his admiration there could never be anything between them. Edmund had reflected that she was young and resilient, and knowing that a viscount thought her charming would be good for her confidence. Anne suddenly felt ill… what a fool she was for believing her cousin’s ridiculous lie.
Miss Elizabeth had always exuded poise far beyond her years. She did not need Lord Wolfbridge to tell her she was charming. She was like no one Anne had ever met—an odd combination of ease and liveliness in conversation with new acquaintances—both women and men. But, she had confided to Anne that she disagreed with her mother’s desire for her to begin securing a husband… and marriage had seemed to be the furthest thing from her mind. Why had she allowed her cousin to persuade her to do something she knew to be nonsensical, only to find later it was utterly dishonourable and immoral? Fitzwilliam was the most honourable of men—he would despise her if he knew what she had done.
Elizabeth’s next statement wiped the smirk from the Viscount’s face. “My uncle does a great deal of business with a Mr Harding. For those who do not know, he is a wealthy manufacturer of textiles from Manchester. Mr Gardiner will make certain that Mr Harding learns you are not an honourable man, Lord Wolfbridge. He will hear things that will cause him to feel concern for his daughter.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy was reeling from all the disclosures. He was only half listening to her words as he could not take his eyes from this bold young woman. Five months after he met her he was struck by the changes in her body. Even before she disclosed she was with child, he had wondered at the cause of the extraordinary transformation in her appearance. In horror as he learned of her circumstances, he pondered the irony—the child becomes a woman as she carries the child.
When she demanded payment, his eyes moved from her body to her face. His mind registered the coldness of Miss Elizabeth’s eyes. They were still that amazing green colour, but the gold flecks were extinguished, and instead, they glittered hard like emeralds. Her manner had also been transformed… she had become avaricious and unscrupulous… but increasingly sensuous… He left that thought incomplete as he quickly considered other recollections.
He had gone to the park on Gracechurch Street several times in the past months. He would sit on a bench on the other side of the park from where they generally played and just watch them. He had noticed she was not very lively and seemed to have to sit down much of the time while her cousins played. Twice he believed she had seen him, so he left immediately. Why could he not conquer his concern
for her? The chatter at White’s had been about an accommodating young woman who had been his cousin’s latest conquest. Had wresting compensation been her hope all along? If only he had never met her, he could return to his well ordered life.
In desperation, Anne had used the last few minutes to devise a plan. She jumped up and said, “Lord Wolfbridge, will you take Mr Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth to the drawing room? I need to talk to Mr Darcy alone.”
With a slight sneer, Elizabeth looked from Lord Wolfbridge to Mrs Darcy to Mr Darcy and said, “I refuse to go to anywhere with His Lordship. If you do not object, I will take my uncle to the solarium and show him the orchids. We will be there when you are ready for us to return.”
Darcy was both annoyed and amazed at her daring. This courtesan in the making was going to casually show her uncle flowers in the midst of this tempest.
11 A GOOD MAN IS HARD TO FIND
Once they were gone, Anne said quite forcefully, “Fitzwilliam, I want this child. If we give Miss Elizabeth twenty thousand pounds, I am certain she will agree to our demand. This baby has both Darcy and Fitzwilliam blood.” She saw him shake his head in disbelief at her suggestion, but took comfort that he did not appear to be totally revolted by the idea. Taking this as an opportunity, she switched her tone to persuasion. “Please, do not try to dissuade me. This is a paltry sum compared to what I brought to our marriage. They are not even telling her parents… no one will ever know. We have been married for three years, and I have not become with child; and as you know, I am terrified of giving birth. We need an heir.” Her words tumbled out in a rush, preventing her husband from interrupting her.
When she finally halted, he voiced his scepticism. “But she and her uncle came here today to demand money. Their action reeks of the vulgarity of trade… or worse. This baby will also share that blood.”
She took his hand and looked at him beseechingly. “Please, Fitzwilliam, you need not look so disapproving. I want this, and remember Miss Elizabeth said they have a plan. We should be able to substitute ourselves for the Gardiners… all will think the child ours. As for Miss Elizabeth’s heritage, she is a gentleman’s daughter. Besides, you have often told me that much of what a child becomes is the result of the principles given. I am confident you will be a diligent parent.”
Darcy had indeed been looking quite sceptically at his wife, but her calling his attention to one of his strongest beliefs gave him pause. Miss Elizabeth’s poor behaviour was probably the result of improper and haphazard training not birthright. “Anne, what happened that day? What did she mean she would tell Uncle Henry and Aunt Cassandra how she came to be here that day?”
Anne tried to remain calm and give her answer nonchalantly. She had to divert him and prevent his learning of her role. “I told you what happened when you questioned me before—the day she insisted on walking home. She came to see me, but I was not feeling well and left the room for a short while. When I came back, she was gone. I had no knowledge anything had transpired and assumed she had left. I am bewildered as to why she thinks that news will have an impact on the Earl and the Countess.”
Darcy noticed that Anne seemed nervous—just as she had when he had first questioned her about Miss Elizabeth’s visit. He was certain he was not being told the full story, but he did not know what to do about it. The truth was they probably should save this baby that shared their blood from an appalling upbringing. Watching Miss Elizabeth play with her cousins had raised his awareness of the pleasure of having children; and it seemed as though he and Anne were not going to produce any in the near future… or maybe ever.
This despicable event had happened because Mr and Mrs Gardiner had provided improper supervision for their niece. They had seemed intelligent, had been dressed tastefully and had excellent manners when he had met them; but in the end breeding always tells. They would obviously be inadequate parents to give proper guidance to this baby. Miss Elizabeth had given him some mumbled excuse why she had been alone, but all he could recall of that day was the picture of a troubled Little Red Riding Hood fleeing an imaginary Big Bad Wolf. A competing vision of the sneer on Lord Wolfbridge’s face as Miss Elizabeth had confronted him sent Darcy’s mind wandering in reflection of the irony of his cousin’s title with regard that distasteful recollection. That preposterous storybook image had haunted him since that blustery March day, but now he prayed the greediness of her behaviour would finally banish that memory. Edmund’s mother was his father’s sister. Anne’s argument was true—this child had both Fitzwilliam and Darcy blood. It would be unconscionable to have it raised by people in trade… to learn to value money above all else.
“I will agree, Anne; but I believe the amount excessive. We should only give her ten thousand pounds.”
“Please, Fitzwilliam, do not argue with me. I want this baby, and I want to give Miss Elizabeth twenty thousand pounds… and I think it only right that Edmund be required to give her three thousand.” Anne breathed a little easier with having brought him round. She thought to herself that he may think twenty thousand excessive, but she knew it would truly be more appropriate to give her thirty thousand pounds… wasn’t thirty pieces of silver the price for betrayal?
Fitzwilliam shrugged his shoulders in acquiescence. “I will agree; but I insist we spend as little time with Lord Wolfbridge as possible in the future. He is no longer welcome to stay with us. Regardless of whether Miss Elizabeth merely helped with her buttons or consciously hoped to wrench filthy lucre from a viscount with poor control… I feel he has acted dishonourably. She is very young, and he had no business agreeing to whatever scheme her unstable mind concocted.”
“Fitzwilliam, I could not agree with you more. I wish I never had to see Edmund again. He is not a gentleman; and I cannot believe I have always thought him so charming.” She turned her face away from her husband and fought back tears. She thought to herself… he must not learn of my dishonour.
Mr Darcy sought out Miss Elizabeth and her uncle in the solarium. As he entered, he overheard the two talking about what would be needed to build such a room. Darcy silently seethed that she was so certain of her success wresting money from them that she was already planning what she would do with her bounty. What a ridiculous extravagance. Miss Elizabeth obviously had no financial sense, but it did seem strange that Mr Gardiner was sharing her enthusiasm. He had appeared to be a particularly savvy tradesman.
Elizabeth and Mr Gardiner followed Mr Darcy back to the study. Anne was waiting for them with an apprehensive look on her face. She and Darcy had agreed that he would present their proposal.
Darcy donned his most serious and haughty mask and said, “Miss Elizabeth, we would like to present an alternative proposition. My wife and I would like to substitute ourselves for the Gardiners and raise this child as our own. He or she would have all the advantages we can provide. Just as with your plan, this baby would appear to the outside world as ours. We are prepared to compensate you twenty thousand pounds and put pressure on our cousin to contribute an additional three thousand pounds.” His eyes shifted from hers to her uncle’s. “We will ensure complete secrecy. It would not be in any of our interests to have our plot known beyond ourselves.”
Elizabeth felt a surge of fury run through her body at Mr Darcy’s words. For the first time that day, she could not keep her face from displaying her emotions. How dare he think she would sell this child to them? She had come in righteousness to demand her due in return for silence about the vicious and dishonourable behaviour of their family. Now this proud man was standing here, casually proposing that she give them what had been conceived so brutally. She could tell by his stony demeanour that he cared nothing about what she had endured; and he and his disreputable wife only thought of solving their need for an heir by giving her a measly twenty thousand pounds. Who did they think she was that she would allow this innocent and helpless child to be raised in a nest of vipers?
Elizabeth reined her features back to a placid countenance before she spoke.
However, she was unsuccessful in keeping the anger from her eyes. “Your proposal is quite out of the question. You are not worthy of raising this child. I miscalculated. I thought you to be reasonable; and would see the justice of paying me, but obviously I was wrong. If you are not willing to give me six thousand pounds, my uncle and I will be on our way. I hope I can at least expect you to be honourable enough to keep silent about my disgrace at the hands of your cousin.” Elizabeth noticed that her uncle appeared to think she was being too abrupt. Mr Darcy looked first confused and then angry, and Mrs Darcy seemed about to collapse.
Anne Darcy had desperation in her eyes as she captured Elizabeth’s hand. “Please do not reject our proposal so quickly. I know there are many things that need to be said to explain why you should accept. Please, Mr Gardiner, go with my husband. Leave me with Miss Elizabeth. I have things I must tell her… things I should have told her long ago.”
The two men left Anne and Elizabeth in Mr Darcy’s study. Mr Gardiner gave Elizabeth a final glance that advised her to listen and not act precipitously as he departed.
With a nod to her uncle, Lizzy agreed it was prudent to allow her betrayer a private audience but did not think there was anything she could possibly say that would persuade her to give her this baby. Perhaps, her uncle was correct and she had acted hastily. Her indulgence of Mrs Darcy might at least keep the communication open for receiving payment for her silence.
Anne twisted her handkerchief and looked forlorn as she began speaking. “Elizabeth, I want to apologize.”
