Darcy's Ultimatum

by Jennifer Joy

  Minutes later, Elizabeth walked outside. There was a bounce in her step with her success in escaping the house so easily. The breeze lifted Elizabeth’s bonnet and she wished she could feel the air twisting through her hair. The only thing to ruin this moment would be to run into Mr. Collins. The man had an uncanny way of showing up at the most inconvenient of times. It was with a wary eye that Elizabeth covered the distance to Darcy House. Maybe Mr. Collins had made her paranoid, but she could not shake the feeling that she was being watched.

  The houses became grander the closer Elizabeth got to Darcy House and her feet slowed. What if Mr. Darcy was home?

  Taking a deep breath and looking around her to ensure that indeed she had not been followed, she marched up the stairs and pulled the doorbell.

  Chapter 20

  Elizabeth was shown up to Georgiana’s room. It was a large apartment and, as Elizabeth entered and looked around, she thought the decorations were a mixture of young lady and little girl. Ruffled pink silk pillows piled on top of a canopy bed were squished under the weight of two travel bags full of clothes and toiletries.

  Georgiana clearly saw the question mark on Elizabeth’s face as she greeted her friend with a firm hug.

  “I told you I had a secret, only, I think I am not brave enough to go through with it.” Georgiana turned and pointed to the packed bags. Her maid scurried about the room, frequently pausing to look out the window overlooking the street. Who was she looking for?

  “Where are you planning to go? Does your father or your brother know?” asked Elizabeth.

  Georgiana’s downcast face gave the answer.

  Elizabeth reached out and grasped Georgiana’s hands. If this were her sister, she would hope someone would help her not to do anything rash.

  They reached a settee in front of the unlit fireplace.

  Georgiana took a deep breath and raised her face to look directly at Elizabeth. Whatever she had to say was of grave importance. Elizabeth braced herself.

  “I called you here for your advice. You see, I am madly in love with George Wickham. He has been a true friend to me and I feel that he has been unfairly judged by Father and William. George has his faults, but I can see how hard he is trying to reform himself and he says that I have helped him mend his ways.”

  Understanding seeped into Elizabeth’s mind, but she remained quiet and let Georgiana talk.

  “My father would never consent to our marriage, so George suggested that we elope. After all, I am nearly sixteen. Well, I will be in just under a year anyway. Father has trusted me to live alone with my maid and a governess in London for the last few months and I feel that my experience here has matured me enough to make such a decision.” Georgiana’s words sounded as defiant as a sheltered teenager with good manners could sound. Elizabeth wondered how many times Mr. Wickham had repeated those same words so that Georgiana had them memorized. While Elizabeth’s anger toward Mr. Wickham flared, she ached for the girl on the breach of her first heartbreak. This would not end well.

  “So, what is wrong Georgiana? There is a reason you called me here instead of sneaking off to marry Mr. Wickham.”

  Georgiana groaned. “That is just it. It would be sneaky and I have never been sneaky with my father and brother. They love me so much and have indulged me— perhaps too much. I cannot betray their trust. Since I agreed to go, I have felt guilt more often than anticipation. What would you do?”

  Elizabeth hesitated to answer. This was a question a young lady should ask her mother, not a friend made only a short time ago. On the other hand, who else could Georgiana confide in? In her world, she was surrounded by men. Elizabeth was only happy that Georgiana had decided to trust her instead of Miss Bingley. She shuddered at the thought.

  Measuring her words carefully, Elizabeth said, “I think you have answered your own question. Could you really marry a man that would ask so much of you? He is asking you to give up, not only your good standing in society– for surely your reputation would be ruined when your elopement became known— but it would distance you from your family. I wonder, my dear friend, if Wickham would sacrifice as much for you.”

  “Of course he would… I think… Well, I would hope so…”

  Georgiana looked defeated. She surely knew what the right choice was but, like most girls her age, she wanted it to be different so badly. Elizabeth put her arm around her young friend and stroked her hair as Georgiana cried the bitter tears of disappointed love.

  A sigh by the window drew Elizabeth’s attention. The maid faced them, one hand over her heart and the other over her mouth. Her eyes were swimming.

  “I am so sorry, Miss Darcy. I should never have encouraged such an alliance. I overstepped my position out of self-interest and I see now that it has only brought pain.” She wiped away a tear.

  “Self-interest? How would it benefit you to help Georgiana elope? Would that not end your employment?” asked Elizabeth.

  The maid bit her lip and Georgiana raised her head to hear better.

  “Mr. Wickham is not a nice man, Miss Darcy. It was only his charm and bribes of money that made me go along with it. My mother had taken ill and needed medicine. Somehow, Mr. Wickham found this out. I see you are surprised, my lady. He paid me to create opportunities where he could see you without being discovered by your family. I am ashamed of my conduct and I beg your forgiveness.”

  Georgiana looked stunned. Elizabeth gathered her thoughts.

  “What has happened is done. I am sure that Georgiana will deal with you later, but I do think that right now, we had best plan to remove her from Mr. Wickham’s grasp until she can speak with her father. Your father is not home by any chance, is he?” Elizabeth asked.

  “No. He had some business to attend to in town. William, also, is away. I do not think I could face Wickham alone, Elizabeth. He has such a way of making me agree with everything he says. I dread telling all of this to father, but I see no other way out. Besides, it would be a relief for him to know. I do not want to continue this farce.”

  “We agree then. We need to remove you from Darcy House right away.” Looking to the maid, Elizabeth asked, “When is Mr. Wickham to arrive?”

  “Any moment, Miss. He was set to arrive at half past three. That is why there are no servants about. It took some doing, but between Mr. Wickham and me, we managed to keep everyone occupied so that he might leave with Miss Darcy unseen. If you are to leave, you should go now. I do not trust that man not to do something drastic. The way is clear right now.” She looked up and down the street again to make sure.

  Elizabeth stood up and pulled Georgiana up with her. “I shall take Georgiana to my aunt and uncle’s home on the other side of town. Perhaps you can send a note when the coast is clear?”

  The maid was pleased to help. She handed Georgiana a spencer and a bonnet which Georgiana tied on while descending the stairs.

  Elizabeth was not sure how the maid had managed it, but there were no servants to be seen as they left the house. They slipped out the front door and headed in the direction of Uncle Gardiner’s. Elizabeth kept an eye out for a hackney coach. She did not want Mr. Wickham to chance upon them.

  The square was quiet and Elizabeth was starting to relax as they neared the end of the street. Soon, they would be out of sight of Darcy House. How she wished she had insisted that a footman or even a stable boy would accompany them, but they had left in such a hurry… They could not turn back now.

  A blast of wind sent chills down Elizabeth’s spine. Looking up to the sky, Elizabeth saw the clouds thickening. It would rain shortly, but not before they made it to the comfort and safety of Uncle Gardiner’s house.

  Georgiana stiffened next to her, putting Elizabeth on alert.

  She heard it before she saw it. A carriage was coming up behind them.

  Elizabeth forced herself to continue walking, eyes straight ahead.

  “Let us keep going, Georgiana. The likelihood of it being Mr. Wickham is small.” That was not exactly true,
since he was expected to arrive during that time, but she had to keep their spirits up.

  The carriage pulled alongside them and the door opened. Mr. Wickham hopped out in front of them and swept a gallant bow.

  A burly man sat next to the driver. He snickered. Though Mr. Wickham’s manners were anything but ominous, Elizabeth felt threatened. Georgiana must have felt it too. She linked her arm so firmly into Elizabeth’s it hurt.

  “What does this mean, my love? You and I had an appointment, yet here I find you walking away.”

  Georgiana did not answer, but her grip on Elizabeth’s arm tightened. So focused was Elizabeth on calming her breathing so as not to betray her nervous state and further alarm Georgiana, she did not even notice the pinch to her skin and the bony elbow in her ribs.

  “We were merely taking some air. Now, if you do not mind, we should like to be on our way before the rain comes,” said Elizabeth. She tried to continue walking, but Wickham blocked their path.

  “No, I would rather you join me for a carriage ride.” He looked pointedly at Georgiana.

  Elizabeth looked at the carriage. It was dark and the windows were covered. Nothing would persuade her to enter that carriage.

  “Please, George, I need more time.”

  Elizabeth watched Wickham’s eyes harden and she feared what he would do.

  “I have already given you more time. My patience has run out.”

  The burly man hopped down from the driver’s box to stand behind them. They were trapped.

  “You will get in the carriage.” Wickham paused after each word, his teeth clenched.

  Elizabeth stepped back, hauling Georgiana with her and bumping off of the man behind them.

  The burly man shoved Elizabeth and Georgiana toward the carriage. “A change of plan, Wickham,” he said as he forced the girls inside.

  Georgiana struggled little— too stunned and weak to put up a fight.

  Elizabeth filled her lungs and yelled at the top of her voice on the chance that someone would come to their aid. Her scream pierced the air and Wickham scrambled to cover his ears. The man behind her kept pushing, but Elizabeth placed her arms and legs against the coach and held fast.

  She had taken another deep breath when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw an object fly toward her. Elizabeth heard a thud followed by a sharp pain to the side of her head. Then, everything went black.

  Chapter 21

  Angelo’s Fencing Academy, 3 o’clock

  Darcy lunged at his opponent with all the energy of his pent-up frustration. Elizabeth engaged. And to a man like Mr. Collins.

  Darcy did not know much of Mr. Collins, nor did he care to know. He could not have believed such an unlikely couple was engaged had it not come from Bingley himself.

  A shout from his opponent brought his thoughts back to the present and his fencing match. A group of men had gathered around to watch the spectacle.

  A rotund gentleman on the sidelines said, “England should send Mr. Darcy to France. Napoleon’s army would be defeated in no time.” Some of the other men snickered in agreement.

  The fight was over. Darcy bowed to his opponent and retreated. His thoughts were too distracted and his swordplay too aggressive for his own taste.

  He looked at the clock. Half past three.

  Darcy did not wish to return home yet. Father might have returned from his business and would want to hear the good news of an engagement. The disappointment was too great and Darcy’s wound too fresh to face him yet. He had not yet told his father about the previous night’s ball and Darcy wanted to have a firm rein on his emotions when he did.

  Half an hour later, Darcy found his way to Bingley’s house. Maybe Bingley would tell him that, like so many other times, he had been wrong and Elizabeth was free. That it was all a big misunderstanding. Darcy’s mind knew such a thing was unlikely, but he was learning that his heart had a contradictory, hopeful nature.

  Darcy was led into the sitting room where Bingley was entertaining Miss Jane Bennet. Miss Bingley had swatches of fabric and drawings spread out in front of her and looked to be doing her best to keep Miss Bennet’s attention.

  Bingley popped out of his chair, hand extended to welcome his friend.

  “Your timing is impeccable, Darcy. I fear I am lost with this talk of lace and gowns. Caroline has been trying to get rid of me, but how can I tear myself away from such loveliness?” Bingley looked at Miss Bennet, who blushed and bowed her head.

  “Be gone, Charles. It is poor taste to see your bride’s dress before the wedding. And I need not say that your taste in colors is most appalling, unlike our friend, Mr. Darcy.” Miss Caroline batted her stubby lashes.

  Darcy cringed at Miss Caroline’s compliment given at the expense of her brother. But, Bingley was nothing if not a good sport and invited Darcy to join their group.

  It pained Darcy to say it, but manners were manners. Addressing Miss Bennet as he sat opposite her, he said, “Please receive my congratulations for your upcoming marriage, Miss Bennet. And for Miss Elizabeth as well.” It was difficult saying Elizabeth’s name aloud now that he knew she could not return his affections.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am very happy. But, I do not understand. What good news do I need to congratulate my sister for?” She appeared perplexed.

  Darcy leaned forward in his chair and said, “Her engagement, of course.”

  Jane’s eyes went wide and her complexion paled. “I have heard no news of an engagement and should like to know the source of such a rumor.” She looked towards Miss Bingley, so she did not see Bingley slouching in his chair.

  Darcy hated to put his friend in a difficult situation with his intended, but he had to know the truth.

  “You are saying that Miss Elizabeth is indeed not engaged to marry a Mr. Collins?” Darcy asked.

  “No.” Miss Bennet’s eyes were on fire. “Again, I ask how such a rumor came to be?”

  Darcy looked at Bingley.

  In a small voice, Bingley said, “I fear, my dearest Jane, that I caused this misunderstanding. But can you blame me when Mr. Collins himself told me?”

  Miss Bennet’s look cut him off cold. It pleased Darcy to see there was more to Miss Bennet than her calm exterior. She would be good for Bingley.

  Darcy tried not to smile given the awkward situation in the room, but he felt too light-hearted to deny himself. Besides, he guessed that Bingley was in for his first tongue-thrashing from his dearly beloved and he did not wish to witness it.

  Darcy looked again at the time. Four o’clock. “I think I will take my leave. I have a very important matter to attend to.” Darcy stood up just as his father burst into Bingley’s parlor.

  “She is gone!” said Father.

  Chapter 22

  Elizabeth’s head throbbed. It was by far the worst headache of her lifetime. She only hoped Wickham had gone deaf from her scream. It would serve him right.

  She was not in the coach and she hoped that was a good thing. How long had she been knocked out?

  Her body feeling stiff and sore, Elizabeth flipped her hand over to feel a wood bench beneath her. The smell of ale and beef stew permeated the air. Widening her eyes a bit more, she took in the rafters above and some stairs leading to a second floor. A man stood by a window next to the front door. Men were speaking nearby. Elizabeth did not need to strain her ears to hear their heated argument.

  “I cannot believe you brought them here,” hissed a man. His voice was unknown to Elizabeth.

  “Let me take Georgiana in your coach. We can still make it to Gretna Green to marry and the deed will be done. What do I care about the other one? She should not have meddled. Do what you will with her or let me take her to leave along the side of the road,” said the voice of none other than Wickham.

  Blast. Wickham had not gone deaf.

  Another voice, a booming one which would certainly belong to a big man, said, “The deal was to take Miss Darcy.”

  “Good call, Jo. Since you obvi
ously cannot handle one young lady, Mr. Wickham, what makes you think you could make such a long trip with two? You did right, Jo, bringing them here, but we need to figure out how best to dispose ourselves of Miss Darcy’s friend.”

  Nightmarish thoughts invaded Elizabeth’s mind at the ease with which the man with the hiss talked of her disposal. She hung on every word, gripping the sides of the bench she laid on.

  “Aw, Mr. Grisley, I kind of like her. She has a pretty face and you should have seen her put up a fight.” Jo spoke and Elizabeth identified him as the burly man from the coach. “She has spirit, that one.”

  “Perhaps you should marry her then,” snarled Wickham, obviously in a poor mood.

  Mr. Grisley said in his hiss, “No. I have better ideas for her. Leave her to me. We can tie and gag her upstairs while you take the coach and make haste north. I want my money, Wickham. Need I remind you that your life depends on it.” Elizabeth was sure the man would look like a snake as much as his voice sounded like one.

  Very slowly, she sat up. As she turned to sit at the table in front of her bench, she saw the group of men standing by the bar taps. Wickham, Burly Jo, and Mr. Grisley, who resembled a weasel with greasy combed over hair and a sharp, bony face.

  “Oh, Elizabeth, you are well,” whispered Georgiana. Her voice shook and her eyes were puffy red.

  Elizabeth held her friend’s hand and squeezed it, grateful that their hands were not tied up. This must be a terrifying ordeal for her. “I am so sorry for you, Georgiana.”

  “Wickham is not what he seemed—” She stopped abruptly. Wickham was walking to their table.

  Sitting taller with her head up, Elizabeth wanted to give the impression she was in control of her feelings. Maybe it would help her gain some control on the situation, though she knew that if anybody looked, they would see her heart pounding against the thin fabric of her dress. Breathe steady, she reminded herself. One look at Georgiana confirmed her resolve to at least appear strong.