Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation

by Massey, Beth

  Bingley, who was not much of a theatre goer, had requested Elizabeth alert him just before the first intermission. She did, and he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat… propriety and the fear he had heard she harboured at being touched forgotten. They had an angel to save. He dragged her rapidly to the door of Lord and Lady Hastings’ box, just as the break began.

  The party came out, and Elizabeth embraced her sister. Jane noticed Mr Bingley and pulled her sister back into the box so she would not be heard by others. “Why are you here; and why is he with you?”

  “Your abandonment by Mr Bingley is not as we believed.”

  Jane decided to act the elder sister. “Whose box are you in, and who are those other people with you? That woman looks too young to be your chaperone? Where are you staying, and does Papa know where you are?”

  “I am in Mr Darcy’s box, and the people with me, besides Mr Bingley, are Miss Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I am staying at Darcy House with Miss Darcy and her companion Mrs Annesley. The Colonel is staying there as well. He is the son of the Earl of Elderton and the brother of the Viscount Wolfbridge. We are all here—including Mr Bingley—to protect you from the Earl and the Viscount.” Elizabeth saw her sister’s face flicker with uncertainty before she registered irritation. “I am not certain if Papa knows where I am, but Mary does. I gave her instructions to send an express to our father about my leaving Kent and the reason why my departure was so sudden. I also plan to send a note to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner informing them I am in town first thing tomorrow morning.” Her voice became tinged with accusation. “Have you told them of your new acquaintances?”

  Jane looked very perplexed for several seconds at her sister’s question, and then deemed it prudent to develop an air of superiority. “No, I have not. I am two and twenty. Why would they care whose acquaintance I have made? I am under the care of Lord and Lady Hastings.” She walked back out in the hall and saw Lord Elderton and Sir Gareth coming toward them. She smiled prettily, but then noticed out of the corner of her eye that Mr Bingley and the Colonel were standing just behind her right and left shoulders. Looking forward, she noticed the Countess’ eyes had erupted in mirth at the sight.

  Elizabeth drew her sister back into the box for at least a few more moments of privacy. “Jane, come back to Darcy House with me tonight so we may talk. I owe you an explanation, and it is impossible for me to give you the particulars with so many people around.”

  Jane looked at her sister and gave her an unequivocal “no” before she continued with, “You are obviously jealous that I have become admired by such important personages.” She dropped her voice to a whisper as she said, “The Earl and the Viscount will put me in company with other rich and important men. Why should I waste my beauty on Mr Bingley?”

  Elizabeth wondered whether someone had absconded with the real Jane and put a being with the sense of a silly fifteen year-old Lizzy, in her place. For five years her sister had been pleading with her to confide the source of her sadness. If only she had acquiesced to her wishes, poor Jane would not be in this dire situation.

  All the parties, including Caroline Bingley and the Hursts, moved from outside Lord Hastings’ box toward the refreshment area. Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam continued their presence at Miss Bennet’s right and left flank. As others came up to speak with Jane, they inserted themselves in the conversation. Mr Bingley, much to Miss Bingley’s horror, related to Sir Gareth and Miss Trent that he had written to Sir Walter Trent to inform him he planned to renew his lease next fall or perhaps even negotiate a sale. He was resolved to return to Netherfield as quickly as possible.

  Elizabeth stayed as far away from Lord Wolfbridge as possible. Luckily for her, his mother seemed to be monopolizing his time, and there was never a moment the whole evening when he was in close proximity to her.

  The next break was a repeat of the previous. Lord Elderton was barely able to say a few words to Miss Bennet. By the end of the evening, his displeasure at being thwarted in his endeavour was clearly painted across his face.

  The Earl of Elderton fared little better the next day at his home when all were assembled. He glared at the Countess when his second son and Mr Bingley arrived. In addition, that disrespectful little chit came with his niece. When her sister arrived, she hovered near her the entire time. The other thing he observed was that the younger sister would occasionally send furtive glances in the direction of Edmund, and the Viscount seemed to return them with a smirk—or was it a leer. Had he missed something? She was hardly his type. His wife, on the other hand, seemed determined to keep her eldest occupied in conversation with his wife and Sir Gareth. The one consolation for the Earl was that Miss Bennet seemed bothered by never being allowed a moment’s privacy to converse with him.

  Lord Elderton might have thought his plan for a new dalliance could not be thwarted any more thoroughly; but towards the end of their tea party, it was. Mr Darcy arrived. The anger he felt toward his uncle and cousin was palpable to all in the room Goodbyes were said rapidly as the group surmised some important family business needed tending, and prepared to leave. Darcy walked up to Jane Bennet and tried to put on a smile as he spoke to her. Instead, he looked more like he had eaten something distasteful. “Miss Bennet, you will go back to Darcy House with your sister. I have wronged you, and I demand the right to apologize.” He did not seem to mind who heard his words, and his tone was definitely more indicative of an order than a request; but his commanding presence seemed to do the trick. Her resistance to all the protection she had been given seemed to melt beneath his austere countenance. She nodded meekly in compliance.

  Elizabeth, looked at Mr Darcy as if he were a knight in shining armour. The Countess and her youngest son saw the look, and exchanged a hopeful glance. Georgiana smiled broadly as she linked arms with her new best friend—and hopefully someday sister.

  After the ladies had returned to Darcy House, Richard took his cousin to the library at Elderton House to brief him about all that had transpired in his absence and to plan their next move. He concluded his rendition of the events with an appraisal of the troops. “Your amiable friend is a stalwart combatant. I believe a heartfelt apology for your interference is required, but Bingley is definitely determined to win back the fair Miss Bennet… even if it means grovelling. Our favourite military strategist handled herself beautifully. She never wavered in the face of the enemy. I told my mother a bit of our dilemma and recruited her to take part in our assault as well. Her hidden talent for subterfuge was brought into play, and she was excellent in the role of diverting Edmund’s attention away from Miss Elizabeth. He never even got close.”

  At the conclusion of their brief conference, they determined it was time to confront the enemy. Richard asked his brother and father to meet with him and Darcy in the Earl’s study. Once the door was locked to prevent any intrusions, Darcy began speaking. “Uncle, Edmund, I am demanding that neither of you ever again attempt to be in the presence of either Miss Jane Bennet or Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The Bennet family has suffered enough at the hands of the Fitzwilliam family. Both of you are so completely disreputable that I am ashamed we are related.”

  Lord Elderton spoke first in response to his nephew. “Fitzwilliam, you are completely out of line coming into my home and demanding such a thing of me and Edmund. However, I assure you, I have no desire to ever be in the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet again. She is a disrespectful, vulgar person. The first time I met her she was flippant about the peerage.”

  “Is that why you told her a lewd joke? For heaven’s sake, she was younger than Georgiana. Believe me, I am not being flippant when I say, you may be a peer, but you are not a gentleman.”

  Lord Elderton shrugged his shoulders at Darcy’s accusation. “Furthermore, how can one be alone with Miss Jane Bennet when her guardian angel is practically perched on her shoulder? This Bingley, he is a friend of yours? What is he to Miss Bennet? She does not seem to appreciate his heavenly protection.”
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  Edmund decided it was time to chime in on the conversation. “Oh, Darcy we have had this discussion before. Miss Elizabeth did not know her place, and she threw herself at me. I do not understand why you even care about these women. Miss Bennet is far too old and buxom to excite me. She will make a tasty morsel for the Earl, though. The other one, even when she looked the perfect specimen, was not as enjoyable as I had imagined. Our bastard is quite lovely though.”

  Darcy pulled back his fist and punched his cousin in the face with such force that he went flying across the room, smashed into the door and crumpled on the floor. Darcy felt tremendous pain in his hand, but refused to give his uncle any evidence of his discomfort.

  Lord Elderton sputtered, shook his fist and said, “Darcy, how dare you. You are not your cousin’s equal. I knew when I married Cassandra; it would someday come to this. Your father was forever threatening me. Why did I ever marry into your untitled family?”

  Darcy was the taller of the two men, and he looked down on his uncle with a face worthy of Lady Sneerwell. “If I am not mistaken, you needed my aunt’s dowry, just as you and your criminal son needed Lady Wolfbridge’s dowry. Neither of you could even begin to understand how to manage an estate and keep it financially sound. All you really seem to be able to do is put yourself out to stud. Of course, the Viscount seems to be negligent in that field as well.” Darcy laughed at his pun and continued, “Yes, and speaking of fields… he does not seem to understand it is about lovingly planting seed… and not about inflicting pain and humiliation.”

  His expression was a mixture of disdain and fury. He steeled his voice to ensure his determination was not missed. “The only time Edmund was successful, he forced his seed on a child, and I took the heir. Uncle, if he ever mentions Bethany or Miss Elizabeth again, I will not just punch him, I will challenge him to a duel; and you can ask your other son just how proficient I am with blade and pistol.” Darcy pointed to his cousin, unconscious on the floor. “This despicable wasted life has never bothered to become proficient in anything except cruelty.”

  Darcy turned to Richard and said, “Cousin, I am sorry to leave you with this mess, but know I want you back at Darcy House. Please make your father aware of the derision that would befall the Fitzwilliam name if his son’s perversion is ever revealed. If you would like to bring your mother and Lady Wolfbridge for dinner, please do. It is time I returned to the ladies and my children.”

  50 JUST GIVE ME SOME KIND OF SIGN

  Bethany Darcy and Lewis were in the solarium pretending to be jungle explorers when she heard voices in the entrance hall. It sounded like ladies. She hoped it was Miss Lizzy and Aunt Georgie, and ran to greet their arrival with her brother close behind. Millie’s warnings to slow down went unheeded. When Bethany saw the third woman in the entrance hall, she stopped abruptly and stared at her. She looked as much like an angel as Mr Bingley.

  The little girl, who came bounding into the hall, had a gaze so intense that it caused Jane to look away; but then her head jerked back in the direction of this child. The conversation with Mr Bingley about Mr Darcy’s daughter was replaying itself in her mind. With a wide eyed look of alarm, she exclaimed, “Lizzy, I must talk with you.”

  Lewis was clinging to Lizzy’s leg, and Bethany was looking up at her. “Miss Lizzy, Lew and I want to spend time with you. We have not seen you since church on Sunday. Mrs Mary said you were ill, and then Papa said you had to come here. We are worried about you.”

  “Bethany, Lewis, this is my sister Miss Jane Bennet. I must speak with her. As soon as we have spent some time together, I will come to you. Go up to the nursery and have Millie help you find a book you would like me to read. There is no need to worry. I am no longer ill. I came to London to help my sister, and she needs me right now.”

  Bethany looked miffed but did as she was told. If she wanted this woman to be her mother, she thought she should obey her commands. Besides, the angelic lady did look like she was going to swoon. It must be true, she needed Miss Lizzy’s comfort more than she and Lew did right this very minute.

  When the children had climbed the stairs with Mrs Annesley and Millie, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and said, “Use Will’s study. I will tell him where you are when he returns, so he does not barge in on you.”

  Elizabeth said, “Is there another room where we could go. I fear unpleasant memories would haunt me there, and I need to stay focused on what I say to Jane. She has been my best friend for so many years, and I have treated her abominably. Would it be possible for you to ensure we could be alone in the solarium? I pray the flowers will calm her.”

  As Elizabeth expected, Jane was in awe of the room. She walked around looking at the abundance of plants. She was particularly enthralled with the many specimens of orchids.

  After allowing Jane to explore the wonders of the solarium, Elizabeth encouraged her sister to join her in the front of the room. She seemed a great deal less agitated than when she first saw Bethany. Once seated beside each other on one of the sofas, Lizzy took her sister’s hands. The rigidity of Jane’s shoulders and the lack of pliancy in her hands did not bode well.

  “Are you that little girl’s mother?”

  Elizabeth could only hope her sister would respond favourably—once she heard the entire truth. Elizabeth spoke softly. “I am sorry I did not confide in you six years ago, but I was so very frightened that what happened to me would become public, and our whole family would be ruined…”

  Jane interrupted her sister. “You have not answered my question. Is Mr Darcy that child’s father, and are you her mother?”

  Elizabeth stiffened at her words, but answered her sweetly, nonetheless. “I am Bethany’s mother, but Lord Wolfbridge is her father. He raped me in this house six years ago. Mrs Darcy allowed him access when Mr Darcy was not home. She also persuaded me, once it was known I was with child, to give them the baby. That was the source of my inheritance.”

  Jane’s tone was a little less accusatory as she said, “Where was Aunt Gardiner?”

  “Cousin Susan was ill, and my aunt and I had been in Mrs Darcy’s home several times. She sent me along by myself. Neither of us thought there was any danger… a carriage was coming to pick me up, and I thought we had become more than acquaintances… it seemed to me we had become friends.”

  Jane looked at her sister’s face, and remembered the hint of sadness that had been etched there for so many years. The disappointment, anger, and confusion that had plagued her since Mr Bingley’s abandonment seemed to be seeping from her body—to be replaced by simple sorrow. She put her face in her hands and began to sob softly. The tears were for everything the two sisters had been through, both together and apart, since Tom’s death. At some point, Lizzy folded her in her arms and began rubbing her back. They stayed this way until finally Jane was beyond an outward display of grief.

  Elizabeth pulled apart and searched her sister’s face. “Jane, when you wrote you had met Lord Wolfbridge, I was panic stricken that you would be hurt. The Earl is no better, and Mr Darcy and the Colonel believed he was the greater threat to you.” Elizabeth turned her eyes to the floor and whispered, “The Viscount likes childlike women, and that is why I was so appealing to him at fifteen. Lord Elderton has had numerous mistresses, and they have all been tall, fair, willowy and very beautiful.”

  “Did you think I was so desperate that I would agree to be his mistress?”

  “No, I was hoping my sensible sister would be able to see through them, but I was frightened because you were not yourself. Heartbreak was clouding your judgment, and I know from experience both those men can be very charming.” Elizabeth faced her sister again and passion shone from her eyes. “I love you, Jane. I had been so tragically silly and was fooled by their consequence. I did not want to leave anything to chance. Your words to me last night at the theatre… that these important men would put you in company with other important men… were not my sister’s words. You have never cared about someone’s status. You have a
lways cared for someone’s worth as a human being, regardless of his or her place in society. Mr Bingley is a good man, and after his diligence to protect you, I am persuaded he loves you and wants the same things you do. Hopefully, he will tell you that himself later. For now, Mr Darcy wants to apologize for his behaviour. Stay here and enjoy the plants, and I will go find him.”

  Mr Darcy had been informed where all the residents of his house were when he returned home. He had a note sent round to the local surgeon. He needed to confirm whether his hand was broken or not. He seemed to be able to move it, but the ache was fierce. The skin had been broken when his hand had collided with Edmund’s face. Despite the pain, Darcy smiled at the thought of his cousin lying in a heap on the floor.

  While he was waiting for the doctor, he went to the nursery to see Bethany and Lewis. Bethany rushed up to him and said, “I saw another angel today. She would be perfect as a wife for Mr Bingley. She is Miss Lizzy’s sister.”

  Her father tried to put on a stern face as he responded to his daughter. “Bethany, why do you feel the need to be a matchmaker?”

  His face must not have been very stern, for his daughter laughed at his question. “I am not sure what a matchmaker is. Hmmm… I only want you and Mr Bingley to be happy. He is a very nice man, and I think this new angel lady will be nice like Miss Lizzy and Mrs Mary. Papa, she looked a bit sick when I met her, and Miss Lizzy needed to comfort her.”

  “She is a nice lady, and you are right, she does look like an angel. I also think she would make Mr Bingley a fine wife. Let us say a prayer that everything turns out for them.”

  Lewis, who had been quiet as he listened to the conversation between his father and his sister, began jumping up and down and laughing almost uncontrollably. “I am going to say a prayer that you marry Miss Lizzy. She is scrumptious. Bethie taught me that word.”