Mrs Collins' Lover

by Bronwen Chisholm

  “I pray you will not be too offended, sir, by the delay.” Mr. Collins had been prattling on, though Darcy had not attended a word until the last.

  “Delay?” He glanced toward the door but saw no sign of Elizabeth or the baby.

  “Yes, as I was saying, sir. My wife was prepared to leave, but the boy upset his porridge into her lap. They were both fairly covered with it and were forced to change.” Mr. Collins tsked. “She insists upon feeding him, though I am certain the maid is fully capable.”

  “But of course, a mother would wish to care for her child,” Darcy scolded. He could easily picture the scene and had to suppress a smile. “I am certain the maid has other duties to attend, such as serving you, sir.”

  “Well, of course, but … but …”

  Darcy was rescued from the man’s conversation as the door opened and Elizabeth stepped into the sunlight. It had been more than three months since he had seen her, and he struggled to maintain a calm outward appearance. Her eyes were cast down, so he was unable to fully determine her reception, but she held her lower lip captive between her teeth and he knew that did not bode well. He took a step forward just as the little imp in her arms tugged her bonnet eschew while giggling delightfully.

  “Master William,” he called drawing the child’s attention. “It is impolite to muss a lady’s appearance.” Darcy lifted the boy from her arms and moved toward the carriage. His greatest desire was to offer her his arm, but Collins had already grasped her elbow in that annoying manner which, Darcy remembered too well, had left a permanent bruise upon her fair skin.

  As he approached the vehicle, his cousin leaned forward and held out her hands. “Come to Anne, William. We will have a splendid time.”

  Darcy settled the boy in her lap and turned back to take Elizabeth’s hand, but Collins had delayed her at the gate as he whispered viciously into her ear. He noted her grimace as she fought the urge to lean away from the man and failed. No longer caring for propriety, Darcy stepped forward and held out his hand.

  “Forgive me, sir, but we had best be on our way. Madam?” She slipped her hand in his and Darcy surreptitiously ran his thumb over her fingers as he led her to the carriage. Once she was seated, he gave Mr. Collins the briefest bow and climbed inside, motioning for the footman to close the door behind him.

  “Remember,” the rector called as the carriage lurched forward. A moment later he was no longer in sight.

  Darcy laid his head back against the cushions and slowly released his breath. He opened his eyes to find Anne watching him, her lips twitching.

  Beside his cousin, Elizabeth sat with her head turned toward the window. The landscape outside was lush and green, but nothing that would normally hold her attention so fully. He closed his eyes. So, this was how it would be. She planned to ignore his presence.

  “Lizzy,” Anne said, “would you mind terribly moving to the other bench. I wish to put William on the seat beside me.”

  Startled, Elizabeth looked first to Anne, then to Darcy, and back. “He will fit between us. It would be better if I remain here as he might otherwise try to crawl away.”

  “Nonsense.” Anne smiled at the baby. “I am certain the motion of the carriage will rock him to sleep in no time and then he will be able to stretch out where you are sitting.”

  “Perhaps you are correct, Anne, but I fear that until that time it would be better if I remain where I am so that I might help you if he becomes too active.” Elizabeth pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest as she stared at her friend, but Anne appeared not to notice.

  “It is not as though I have told you to sit on the roof, Lizzy. You are perfectly able to assist me with the baby from the seat beside Darcy.” She bounced Little William and cooed at him. “Is that not correct?” The baby giggled and reached for her nose.

  Darcy debated speaking but was uncertain what to say. Instead, he tugged at his gloves, making certain the perfectly fitted material was precisely where it should be. A sudden exasperated sigh drew his attention and he looked up to find Anne glaring at him.

  “I refuse to travel with the two of you in this manner.” She lifted William so he stood upon her legs and gave the boy a smile. “Mama and Dada are determined to make life difficult.”

  “Do not …” Elizabeth and Darcy both stopped as quickly as they had begun, their gaze meeting for a second before Elizabeth turned once more toward the window.

  “Darcy begins with Da; it can be corrected should he pick it up.” Anne at least had the decency to blush. “You know you must speak at some time.”

  “How long will you stay with us?” Elizabeth asked in a soft voice.

  “As long as you desire,” Darcy replied, his voice as low as hers.

  Her eyes flashed to his and for an instant he saw what she desired, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

  “Once we are settled and know our surroundings …” She hesitated.

  “As we are to be there a fortnight with only the possibility of remaining longer,” Anne declared in her most imperious Lady Catherine tone, “Darcy should stay the entire time.” She met his gaze directly. “There is nothing pressing at this time of year which demands your attention, I am certain.”

  “No.” Darcy shook his head. “Georgiana is staying with Aunt Valerie. I shall enjoy a reprieve from society’s drawing rooms.”

  “Wonderful!” Anne turned toward her friend. “William is beginning to nod, Elizabeth, and I wish to lay him on the seat.” Her brow lifted in expectation.

  The two ladies stared at each other until finally Elizabeth released a frustrated sigh and gathered her things. Darcy held out his hand to assist her across the cabin, but just as she stood the wheel hit a bump and she was thrown off balance. On instinct, he grasped her about the waist and drew her onto his lap.

  The bonnet which had been tugged by her son earlier once more sat at an odd angle. His gaze caressed the edge of lace on her ridiculous matron’s cap that peaked out from under the worn bonnet, savoured each of her features, and came to rest on her lips. The memory of their last kiss still haunted him as he had not recognized it as such at the time. The urge to claim her once again was nearly more than he could suppress, but he determinedly turned away and allowed her to slide onto the bench beside him.

  Though the carriage was spacious, it was not the largest of Darcy’s vehicles. He had not expected his cousin to insist Elizabeth sit beside him. With her there and the need to maintain a proper distance, the space inside the cabin seemed to suddenly shrink. She raised a hand to adjust her bonnet and her elbow grazed his arm. He shifted to allow her room and their thighs touched. The most innocent movement brought excruciating desire, made worse by Anne’s obvious enjoyment of their predicament. Luckily, the motion of the carriage soon lulled her to sleep also.

  As Anne’s head dropped forward, Elizabeth released another sigh. “Mr. Darcy, if you would assist me, I believe we must make her more comfortable or she will be unable to move her head once we arrive.”

  Darcy agreed and, taking the pillow she offered, tucked it on his cousin’s shoulder. The problem then became how to keep her head upon it. After several attempts, Elizabeth giggled.

  “Here,” she said as she leaned over him, “steady me.”

  He placed his hands upon her waist and held her still while she adjusted Anne’s position until her head leaned backward onto the pillow without sign of falling forward again. Reluctantly, he released her, and she settled back into her seat.

  The silence enveloped them once more leaving only the sounds of horses’ hooves and rattling wheels to fill the void. Darcy hoped that he might fall asleep as well, but knew it was impossible with Elizabeth at his side. The countryside flew by the window in a blur as his mind searched for something, anything, to say.

  “Is this trip only for the sake of Anne’s health?” Elizabeth asked hesitantly.

  Darcy swallowed as he continued his study of the passing fields and considered his response. His mind raced
over the past month and the correspondence which had been exchanged.

  “William?”

  His whispered name on her lips caused his stomach to clench and he knew he could not lie to her. “At first it was.”

  “What changed?” Her tone held suspicion.

  “Genie suggested … that is ...” He turned to face her and took her hands in his. The tips of her gloves were wrinkled and twisted where she had been worrying them. “I wrote her regarding Anne. When Mr. Bartholomew contacted me with concerns for Anne’s wellbeing, I felt responsible. I feared the cost of my insistence for her to receive her inheritance had been her health. Genie assured me, as did the doctor, that Anne would not have been any better off without the responsibilities of running Rosings. In fact, they could not say enough about the joy being mistress of her own estate had brought my cousin.”

  Darcy fell silent as he ran his fingers over the palm of her hand and traced each finger.

  “And then?”

  “In Genie’s letter, she mentioned you. She said your spirits were depressed, that you rarely laughed as you once had, and she feared … she said you seemed broken inside. It was her suggestion that you go as Anne’s companion and that I escort you both.” He stopped before saying Genie had left no question that he was to make everything right but gave no direction on how to do so.

  “I see.” Elizabeth drew her hand from his and turned toward the window.

  Darcy thought she might be angry with them, but her tone had sounded more of defeat than anything else. He studied her profile, trying to find some hint of what he should do or say. It was the tear which slowly travelled down her cheek that broke through his doubts. He slipped an arm about her and turned her to face him. “I have been miserable without you,” he whispered as he leaned closer brushing his forehead against her bonnet. “I feel incomplete.”

  Elizabeth laid her hand upon his cheek and Darcy leaned into it.

  “Please do not send me away again,” he begged before dipping forward and claiming her lips.

  He sensed a hesitation on her part, but soon her fingers were entwined in his hair and she was pressed against him. Darcy lifted her legs over his lap and deepened the kiss, slipping the tip of his tongue between her lips until she finally opened and surrendered to him. He imagined only ambrosia could taste as sweet.

  The carriage dipped and swayed as it turned onto an uneven road causing them to break apart and they both reached toward the sleeping infant. Elizabeth laughed first, the sound like a balm to his heart.

  Little William rubbed a fist over his eyes and rolled toward the back of the seat. Anne had shifted but remained asleep. Elizabeth slipped off Darcy’s lap and straightened her skirts before removing her bonnet. She twisted the ribbon about one finger and kept her head lowered once more.

  “I …“ Elizabeth began, but stopped.

  Darcy watched as her jaw moved but no sound was heard. The uncertainty from moments before returned.

  “Have you …?” she tried again.

  “I have told you repeatedly, Elizabeth, you are the only woman I will ever love.” He hated this … this inability to act. It was not in his nature, but he knew that he had to allow her to find her way back to him. His mind fell upon their departure from the parsonage. “What did Mr. Collins want you to remember?”

  She laughed. He had not expected that response. Elizabeth looked at Anne before turning a raised brow in his direction.

  “Lady Catherine gave specific instructions that I am to leave you and your cousin alone as much as possible. I believe she said that ‘a child can be very distracting to his mother.’ I fear she still longs for a marriage between the two of you.”

  Darcy groaned and leaned his head back against the squabs. “Richard has always said Lady Catherine is as determined as Napoleon.”

  “How is he?” Elizabeth asked as she laid her hand upon Darcy’s.

  Savouring the sensation, Darcy ran his thumb over her fingers. “He is well. Since the armistice there has been talk of him being sent to the Americas, but my uncle is wielding what influence he has to keep his son on English soil. His last assignment was to inspect the militia units.” He shook his head remembering Richard’s latest letter. “I believe my cousin would prefer the action of war.”

  “Has he considered marrying?”

  “My uncle? Yes, he has paraded every eligible maiden, a few well-endowed widows, and even daughters of his opposition before his son, but Richard will not bite.” He looked significantly toward Anne.

  “Truly?” Elizabeth asked as she squeezed his hand.

  “Anne will have none of it,” he replied as he nodded his head. Darcy laid his other hand upon hers. “Lady Catherine has always been against the match, though no one is certain why. She has made comments about his being a second son, but I believe both she and Anne know Richard’s first love will always be the army and my aunt does not want that for her daughter.”

  Elizabeth laid her head upon his shoulder. “I have noticed since Anne took control of Rosings that Lady Catherine is not as imperious as I once believed her to be.”

  “How so?” Darcy asked in disbelief.

  “Oh, I am not saying she no longer speaks freely of what she believes to be the correct manner to do things or gives advice though none was requested. I have simply seen a softening of her expression, particularly when she is watching Anne.”

  Darcy grunted. “I suppose anything is possible.”

  “She is also very good with William.” Elizabeth resettled her head against him, so she was turned more toward their son. “I believe she would be a doting grandmother if given the opportunity.”

  Darcy released her hand and, with her assistance, slipped his arm about her. “Could she suspect?”

  “I thought so for a time, but she has said nothing. I cannot see her being able to hold her tongue regarding such a thing, and she certainly would not allow my presence on this trip if she did.”

  “You are correct, of course.” He leaned into the corner of the carriage, drawing her closer to him. “What will happen now, Elizabeth?”

  She lifted her head settling her chin against his chest to look at him just as she did in the bed after their love making. The corner of her mouth turned upward, and her eyes filled with humour. “I have no doubt Anne will tell us of her plans when she wakes.”

  Darcy frowned. “I am not speaking of Anne, but of us.”

  “As am I, William.” She laid her cheek upon his chest and snuggled against him.

  Though he wanted to question her further, he was pleased to feel her body relax against his and knew, a few minutes later, that she had joined the others in sleep. Content for now to hold her, Darcy followed her lead.

  *CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO*

  “No!” Darcy shook his head once again. “Anne, I will not pass myself off as my cousin. It is impossible. Besides, I am known to the owner and staff of the house I have let. Indeed, I have already sent your names with my request.”

  “Why?” she asked. Her eyes flashed with frustration.

  “It is the same house where Georgiana stayed several years ago, and I had specific instructions to make your stay easy.” He turned and looked out the window. The air had changed, and he suspected sea birds would soon make an appearance.

  They were drawing closer to Ramsgate and had not yet come to an agreement regarding how they would present themselves. Anne wanted Darcy to assume his eldest cousin’s identity for the stay so that Elizabeth could be presented as his wife. Everyone knew the Viscount was married, just as everyone knew Darcy was not. Disguise of every sort was Darcy’s abhorrence and he said as much, but Anne pointed out it was a necessity given the situation. Elizabeth said nothing, though he suspected she was highly entertained by the debate.

  “You must consider Lizzy’s reputation, Darcy.”

  “What if,” Elizabeth said in a determined tone, “I actually live up to my reputation?”

  Anne released an unladylike snort. “The way my cousin
looks at you and the similarities between him and your son will make everyone question even if you behave like a saint.” She met Darcy’s gaze once more. “What better suggestion have you?”

  He took Elizabeth’s hand in his. She had removed her gloves and he ran a finger along the edge of her nails. “I want nothing more than for people to believe us married and William to be our legitimate child, but I fear the chance of discovery is too high. I will abide by Elizabeth’s wishes.”

  Silence fell over them as each considered the situation. Little William, who had wakened when they stopped to change the horses and was now babbling at his wooden horse, suddenly pointed out the window and shrieked with joy. They all turned to see a gull gliding over the trees.

  “We are nearly there,” Anne said with a desperate look at Elizabeth.

  “Cousins,” she replied as her eyes grew wider. “Could we not all be cousins? It would explain the similarities between William and the baby, and any closeness between us.”

  They all considered the possibility.

  “What of … activities?” Anne’s cheeks turned crimson and she refused to look at them.

  “Discretion,” Darcy said as he lifted Elizabeth’s hand to his lips. “My man, Nelson, will see to it that nothing is said.”

  “Then I suppose we are cousins,” Anne said. “On which side of the family?”

  “It must be the Fitzwilliams.” Elizabeth laughed. “Do you not remember your mother comparing my son’s eyes to her sister’s?”

  “My mother?” Darcy grasped her hand tighter. “When?”

  “Have no fear, Darcy.” Anne laughed. “It was when he was first born. Mr. Collins was concerned that neither he nor Lizzy had blue eyes. Mother explained it was not uncommon.”