OUT OF THE BLUE CLEAR SKY: (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION)

by SANDRA P. HIGGINS

  “Yes, Darcy, if this is your surprise, I am pleased. We have talked of the visit and I have been anticipating such a visit ever since I arrived. I can leave as soon as you wish.”

  Darcy agreed and now motioned to his friend Bingley and his cousin and Georgiana to come along. Soon the three men and Georgiana were pulling up in front of Longbourn.

  The last few days Elizabeth had been on pins and needles worrying about what would happen regarding Mr. Wickham and her good friends.

  Mrs. Hill next announced the arrival of the party and Darcy introduced his cousin to the others who were all in the drawing room.

  Mrs. Bennet immediately complemented the guests on their wide smiles and handsome looks and Lydia and Kitty went upstairs with Georgiana as Mr. Bingley moved to sit next to Jane. Elizabeth now realized that she was about to learn some very important news.

  “We are very happy to meet you, Colonel. I suppose you are happy to be back in England?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, but now I can see why my cousin enjoys his visits so much. Darcy, why did you not tell me that there are so many beautiful women living practically right next to you?”

  “Thank you for your compliment, sir, but three miles is not right next to someone.”

  “It is not so far the way I travel Mrs. Bennet. I have been to town and back these last two days so three miles does not appear to be such a great distance.”

  By now Jane and Mr. Bingley had moved to the back of the room and were engaged in their own conversation.

  Not long after he arrived Darcy sought an audience with Mr. Bennet to introduce his cousin and soon the two men were speaking about military tactics in different battles and wars. In one instance the two could not recall a battle and Mr. Bennet summoned Elizabeth and she answered their question. Darcy and Elizabeth used some of their time to walk in the greenhouse to check on the new seedlings that would provide some green vegetables during the winter. But Darcy soon rejoined his cousin and Mr. Bennet.

  Because the Bennet daughters had not visited Meryton for several days, they had never seen Lieutenant Wickham. But Mr. Bennet had seen the man at Mrs. Phillips party and later Mrs. Phillips had updated them on what was happening regarding Lieutenant Wickham.

  The woman was aware that Lieutenant Wickham had left the area and thought that Darcy had been responsible for removing the reprobate but she did not know any more details. This revelation did come up when Darcy and his cousin were speaking with Mr. Bennet. In that meeting Richard Fitzwilliam told the man that Wickham was presently on his way to Australia.

  Having Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam in his library talking about such things was very gratifying for Mr. Bennet. The man mostly lacked male company and both Darcy and his cousin enjoyed their visit with him. Darcy looked at the man’s books and began to admire his intellect and Mr. Bennet and the men then celebrated Wickham’s departure with his best brandy.

  As they were leaving Colonel Fitzwilliam thanked the Bennets and told Mrs. Bennet that she had a kind and beautiful family and that he was most impressed.

  After the party returned to Netherfield, Mr. Bennet called for Elizabeth to come and join him in the library.

  “Lizzy, I thoroughly enjoyed talking with both men today. I suppose that I have probably had too much brandy but we got into celebrating how Mr. Darcy and his cousin dispensed with Mr. Wickham and I could not help but enjoy myself when I heard their accounts. Mr. Darcy did not exactly say so but it appears he had a man from town come to Meryton and the man, acting as his proxy, told many that Wickham was a rapist and preyed on innocent young girls and did not pay his debts.”

  “Then I am glad the man has left England,” replied Elizabeth.

  “Your Mr. Darcy did not waste any time in going on the offensive and he told me that you had proposed that tactic to him. Colonel Fitzwilliam and a soldier took Wickham to town and unless he is murdered during the journey, he will live the rest of his life in Australia. Lizzy, I believe it is nearly certain that we will never see or hear from the man again.”

  “Papa, then you do approve of what Mr. Darcy did to Mr. Wickham?”

  “Yes, Lizzy, I do not really believe Mr. Darcy had that many choices. He said he could have arranged to have the man sent to debtors prison but the man would likely prey on any young women who might visit there and of course there was also the possibility that he might escape or perhaps someone would pay his debts and he would leave that way. He also had the option to go to the authorities and have the man arrested for raping these young women as well as for other crimes for which Mr. Darcy had proof.”

  “Then I can understand why he chose the move to Australia. If Wickham had chosen otherwise, he certainly would have been found guilty if he had gone to trial. I must suppose that the man should thank Mr. Darcy for getting him out of England.”

  “And Lizzy, I want to thank you for warning me in advance of what this Mr. Wickham was all about. We were successful in keeping your sisters away from Meryton long enough for this threat to pass.”

  “You have not seen Mr. Darcy much over the last few days and I must ask if you had a falling out with him?”

  “No Papa, it is just that he has been so busy but we did have a good talk this afternoon and I think I will walk with him later in the morning, unless it is raining. This will likely be our last chance to see all the colors from Oakham Mount. The colors change almost at once.”

  “Yes, they do change all at once, Lizzy. There is only a short time when they are a their peak.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that Mr. Bingley has started his library and he would like for you and mama to visit at Netherfield on the morrow. Please come with me Papa. I think it will be good for both of you to see Mr. Bingley’s house and to peruse the books that he has recently added to his library. Mama will be interested in seeing the new furniture and the decorating that was done since you last visited.”

  “Thank you Lizzy. I believe I will go there and your mother will accompany me. I could use such a diversion.”

  * *

  Back in Netherfield Georgiana asked her brother if there had been any update on Mr. Darcy and he replied that Mr. Wickham had left the militia and had chosen to move to Australia was presently on a ship.

  “I am glad that the man has left England and I hope I never see him again. William, please tell me I am not being too hard on Mr. Wickham, but I cannot forgive him. Your arrival at Ramsgate saved me from a miserable life.”

  “Well, that is all in the past and now you have your future ahead of you and you also have new friends as well as old ones.”

  “You are no doubt referring to Elizabeth and her sisters. You know I am comforted when I visit Longbourn and interact with that family. I know things can be hectic at times with so many children, but there is much laughter and many smiles between the siblings and parents.”

  “Georgie, whilst I was there I offered the Bennets to come tomorrow and see Mr. Bingley’s library collection. Miss Elizabeth and Jane will also visit. I just wanted to let you know that they will come. This was Mr. Bingley’s idea.”

  “Can I visit the other sisters later? I promised Mary that I would show her some of the things that I have learned from my lessons that might help her play better. I want you to have more private time with Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Are you trying to act like a matchmaker again?”

  “I suppose I am, William, but somebody has to get this going. You are eight and twenty and must marry soon. Already I can see that you and Miss Elizabeth get on quite well and I believe she is in love with you. Now what are you to do with that?”

  “Georgie, I do not want to rush things at the moment. Let us give it a little more time and we will see where all this is going. I do know in my heart that I could not find any better woman to marry and I believe she is very comfortable with me as well.”

  “Are you going to let Mr. Bingley marry before you?”

  “This marriage business is not a horse race, Georgie, and perh
aps Lydia’s sisters and parents should tell her that. I would not care if Mr. Bingley is to marry before me. The main thing is that he and his wife will be happy and that is what I want as well. I believe all parties must get this right. It is just too important not to take it seriously.”

  “Now brother, I know you were involved and were mostly responsible for Mr. Wickham going away and I want to tell you how happy I am that you are my brother. It is good that he is gone and I feel free from all these months of doubting myself. I never really understood how wicked the man is until now. In all the world I could never have asked for a better brother.”

  “Thank you, Georgie, but hopefully our little family will grow larger, at least that is what I am working towards. I do not think that you will be disappointed. Now I will be up early in the morning to meet Miss Elizabeth for a walk. I just need to spend more time with her and make up for the time that I missed because of Mr. Wickham.”

  “Then will you answer my question and allow me to invite her and Mary to visit me in town before Christmas? I cannot wait to see her satisfaction with her playing after Mr. Watkins helps her. Now her singing is another thing.”

  “I will speak with her on these things but I know that her aunt and uncle and their children visit Longbourn every Christmas and return early in the year. Elizabeth told me that Jane and her visit every year with the Gardiners to do Christmas shopping with their aunt. Let me see, but I suspect the two eldest will want to continue the tradition of staying with the Gardiners but Mary might come to visit you.”

  Darcy saw his sister’s wide smile and knew she agreed and watched as she left to tell the others goodnight and then she went to her room.

  The evening was still young when Darcy joined with his cousin and Bingley in the study.

  “This has been a good day, Darcy. I feel refreshed knowing that Wickham is gone from our lives.”

  “You mean that you are not exhausted from your trip to town and getting him on the ship and the trip back?”

  “I am perhaps a little tired. Colonel Forster’s man was friendly and we stayed at the barracks outside Westgate last night and left after a good breakfast.”

  “You have been quiet, Charles. Is anything the matter?”

  “No, Richard, all is fine but I must tell your cousin that Miss Elizabeth could not understand why he stayed away from her?”

  “It could not be helped,” replied Darcy, looking slightly agitated.

  “Of course you were working to get Mr. Wickham out of Meryton but you did not see her for a few days and Jane said her sister pined for you.”

  “This sounds serious, cousin. You know, I believe both of you are in a trap and you should surrender to the Bennet sisters. I have never met such women in all my life. Charles, Miss Bennet and you will make a good marriage and I believe she loves you and cousin, do not take your time with Miss Elizabeth. She is the best woman for you and you should strike while the iron is hot.”

  “I know, Richard. Miss Elizabeth and I are getting there, albeit slowly, but time will tell. My biggest worry is when will I start to get a good sleep. She often appears in my dreams and is always on my mind. Bingley, is it the same with you and Miss Bennet?”

  “Darcy, it is the same with me, so join the club.”

  “Will you gentlemen not tell some details of those dreams?”

  “No, cousin, we cannot share that with you if we are to remain gentlemen.”

  “That was well played, Darcy, but I gave it a try.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam filled the men’s glasses with more brandy as Darcy added more wood to the fire and the brandy warmed their bellies as the fire did the same to the room.

  “That was quite a talk you two men had with Mr. Bennet today.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Late the next morning Darcy and Elizabeth met as before. Both had anticipated having more time alone and Elizabeth suggested a walk to Oakham Mount which Darcy quickly agreed to.

  “Mr. Darcy, I had hoped to do the walk days earlier but you have been so busy lately with all that business with Lieutenant Wickham. It appears the trees are now at their full color and I wanted you to see them at their peak before they fall.”

  “I am glad to visit and I know such a visit normally relaxes you, though our last visit created some unexpected angst.”

  “Could it be that you mean when I nearly lost my bonnet and my hair came loose? If I am correct, such a scene brought you pleasure.”

  “Anytime I can watch you gives me pleasure. But if we are to go there you must promise to let your hair fall free of your pins again? He now looked at her with a devilish grin and his eyes were full of a mischievous kind of merriment as they turned to take the road toward their destination.”

  “Sir, I am afraid I have not the power to summon the wind to do your bidding. Why would you request such a thing in the first place? Do you wish to embarrass me about how I looked the last time we were at Oakham Mount?”

  “My thoughts were of a kinder nature. Ever since our last visit my thoughts each night returned to seeing you with your hair free of your pins and you had a blush and the most beautiful look in your eyes.”

  “Then are you saying that my mishap that day gave you pleasure?”

  “You would make an excellent attorney Miss Bennet, especially when you need to cross examine a man. I believe any male would be delighted just to look at you.”

  “Now you are being ridiculous Mr. Darcy.”

  “No, I am telling you the truth. I knew that first day that I saw you that there was something special about you that I could not put my finger on. That is why I searched for you. I could not tell if it was the combination of your intelligence and your wit and your sweet voice and your looks, but I felt I had to meet you.”

  “And I am glad you did, but I am not experienced in these matters. The truth is, I have never been kissed by a man.”

  “I see. Perhaps propriety will forgive us if by chance a gust of wind should bring us close?”

  “Things do not happen that way, Mr. Darcy, but if by chance we are suddenly brought together by providence, then you may kiss me.”

  “You have given me long odds Miss Bennet. Had Georgiana not been with us the last time, I would have kissed you after pulling you into my arms.”

  And I wished you had kissed me you handsome man. In fact, you may kiss me more than once, like in my dreams.

  “But that would have been surprising for I looked like a wild thing back then.”

  Darcy grinned as she grabbed hold of his left arm as they began the slow climb to the top.

  They stopped to rest near the top as Elizabeth asked him if he would gently rub her bad wrist so as to test it.

  “Certainly, Miss Bennet, but does your wrist currently hurt you?”

  “It does not hurt me but it is still a bit tender. Doctor Jones visited a few days ago and recommended the massage and I know you have magic fingers.”

  “Miss Bennet, I also saw you favoring your back as we walked up. I shall next gently rub your neck and your shoulder to relieve your stress. Now please, just trust me Miss Bennet. After I have done that I will do your wrist.”

  “But Sir, what if we are discovered by some man out to do us harm?”

  “Then I would have to throw the poor man from the summit.”

  “And what if it was another woman who saw us?”

  “In that situation I would offer to give her a massage and if she complained I would throw her off as well.”

  Elizabeth then tried to stifle a chuckle but could not. “That would at least save me from being compromised, and then you would not be forced to marry so far below your sphere.”

  “Oh my gosh! Mr. Darcy, your massage feels wonderful.”

  Now he turned to her shoulders and continued his massage as she rose from the rock that the friends had sat on.

  As they walked the remaining distance to reach the summit the beautiful vista in front of them covered all the countryside. The view from their position on Oakh
am Mount was clearly spectacular as all the trees were in full color. Against the background of a clear blue sky and with the sun brushing its rays against the shimmering leaves both Elizabeth and Darcy stared out at the sight before them.

  Both knew the leaves would soon drop and they had chosen wisely to visit this day, because a brisk wind and rain would soon knock the leaves down. After that, such a beautiful scene with so many colors of leaves would not appear again for another year.

  To Darcy, it was not surprising when a gust of wind came up suddenly and nearly blew off Elizabeth’s bonnet. She giggled as she caught her bonnet in time but some of her curls had come undone and she giggled as Darcy did not look for her pins but grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

  Her heart pounded as he now cradled her face in his hand as she felt his body against her in a not unpleasant way. She was locked against him and could now sense his hardness but saw he was trying to keep her at a distance. Now she felt the same feelings she felt the night before in her dreams and she knew he was becoming aroused. She was awash in emotion as Darcy softly kissed her hair and her cheeks and her neck and told her that he had dreamed of her often and she was his best friend in the world and how he wished he could have been near her those days he was away dealing with Wickham.

  With that single gust of win it was time that Elizabeth pay her debts and she giggled again to think that a higher authority had arranged all of this. She could now see his head move closer to her face and felt him against her. As she sensed his masculine scent of leather and saddle wood he moved to cover her ruby lips and as she closed her eyes she parted her lips as he deepened his kiss. Now he had fully claimed all her mouth as she wrapped her good arm around his body. Only when he stopped his kiss did she open her eyes.

  “Oh my! Now I can see the reason behind propriety. That was a wonderful kiss but you stopped it. Should we not repeat it?”

  “No, my darling, I cannot chance having your good name tainted. Have I not told you earlier that you are the love of my life?”