by Jann Rowland
“Have you come to your senses at last?” demanded she in a haughty tone, as if she alone had known all along. “I must commend you, for it has been obvious to me all this time.”
Though Darcy had not discussed how to handle this with Anne, a look shared between them settled the matter. As Darcy was the one Lady Catherine considered the greater impediment to her designs, the greater burden of her displeasure must fall upon him.
“In fact, I believe we have come to our senses, Lady Catherine,” said Darcy, disengaging Anne’s hand and seeing her seated on a nearby chair, then turning to face his aunt. “You may congratulate me, Aunt Catherine, for I am engaged to be married to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy’s father groaned at the manner in which he had just stated his intentions regarding the daughter of his greatest enemy, but Darcy did not spare him a glance. It was time this matter was wholly out in the open, and Darcy would not shirk when Anne’s own happiness was also at stake.
“Engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” gasped Lady Catherine. “That cannot be!”
“I assure you it is,” replied Darcy, unruffled by his aunt’s shock. Meanwhile, Anne sat near her mother appearing the demur and dutiful daughter to a casual viewer, which was, of course, nothing close to the truth. Fitzwilliam was laughing without disguise.
“It cannot,” was Lady Catherine’s forceful reply. It seemed the lady was regaining her balance after having it upset. “You know you are not available to engage yourself to Miss Elizabeth, for you are already engaged to Anne.”
The reactions of all were predictable, though his annoyance with his aunt swallowed any amusement Darcy might have otherwise felt. Of importance to the present situation was Anne, whose reaction could be termed nothing other than a glare, though Lady Catherine did not deign to notice, and his father’s shaken head, which seemed to indicate to Darcy that his father would do nothing to deal with the irascible woman—Darcy would need to make his case himself.
“And again I will inform you,” said Darcy, “that as you do not have mine or my father’s signatures on a contract, as Anne and I both do not wish to marry the other, and as I have not proposed, let alone been accepted, there is no engagement.”
Lady Catherine opened her mouth again, but before she could speak, Darcy growled: “Do you wish for a break in the family, Lady Catherine? The earl will not support you, as you know, and my father does not oppose the match. I will not give way in this, and as you have no standing on which to protest, the only thing you will do is provoke an estrangement between us. Thus, I will ask you again: do you wish this family to be broken asunder because of your inability to accept this dream of yours was never a possibility?”
A sour look at his father was Lady Catherine’s response. “Have you betrayed me in this matter, Robert? Do you not know what your wife wished?”
“There has been no betrayal,” replied Mr. Darcy shortly. “It is only that you have never accepted it, though everyone else in the family has. Desist, Catherine, I beg of you,”
For a moment, Darcy thought Lady Catherine would continue her protests, for the mutinous glare she directed at her brother was not at all accepting. Then she looked around at all in attendance, noted their amusement, disgust, or whatever they felt on the matter, and saw their resolve. It seemed, at last, she understood, for she huffed her annoyance and slumped back in her chair, regarding then with moody petulance.
“This will be your undoing, Darcy,” said she. “These Bennets are all for what they can get, and it seems, against all probability, they have gotten you.”
“Perhaps they are,” said Anne, breaking her silence. “But I, for one, applaud Darcy for seeing the merit in Miss Elizabeth, for she is a wonderful woman.”
As Lady Catherine gasped in outrage at her daughter’s betrayal, Darcy could not help the laugh which escaped at her ridiculous statement. “What could the Bennets possibly gain from entrapping me?”
“Wealth!” snapped Lady Catherine. “The Darcys are wealthier than the Bennets, and by a wide margin.”
“Not so wide as you would believe,” replied Darcy’s father, “though you are correct in essence.”
“And they are nobility,” said Darcy. “One might even laud them, for they are allowing all three elder daughters to marry gentlemen who are lower than they in society. I understand the third daughter is on the verge of an understanding with her cousin.”
“A cousin who was nothing more than a parson less than two years ago,” sneered Lady Catherine. “It is just like that family to dilute their blood in such a fashion.”
“Do you considering marrying my son to be diluting their blood further?” demanded Darcy’s father. Lady Catherine seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn for she refused to respond. “Your own sister married me, Catherine, for if she had not, you would not be here in all your displeasure.”
“You know of what I speak,” snapped Lady Catherine. “Mr. Collins is nothing more than a simpering, sorry excuse for a parson, let alone the master of an estate.”
“And yet he is a cousin to the current Baron of Arundel,” said Darcy. “If the Bennet sisters are attempting to raise themselves in society or gain wealth to themselves, they are going about it poorly—I am the only one of three suitors for their daughters who is wealthier than they, and even that is future wealth as Father owns it all now.”
“Do you mean to allow this?” Lady Catherine once again turned on Darcy’s father, this time her tone more pleading than domineering. “Were you not counseling strict separation from these Bennets only a week ago?”
It was apparent to Darcy his father was uncomfortable, for it seemed his time with the baron had not softened his mind toward them to any great degree. It heartened Darcy when he endeavored to respond, for he knew how difficult it must be for his father.
“It seems there is little I can do, Catherine. I will own I am not comfortable with the new state of affairs. But it seems I cannot compel my son, nor do I wish to curb his independence. If I must, I shall accept his Bennet bride and allow the difficulties of the past to remain in the past.”
“There is one more matter of which you must be aware, Mother,” said Anne. “Even if Darcy had not engaged himself to Miss Elizabeth, I still would not wish to wed him, as I have told you many times.”
“You would do as you are told,” spat Lady Catherine.
“In that, you are incorrect, as usual.” Anne, though sitting with her hands clasped in her lap, was ramrod straight, no hint of compromise in her manner or posture. “I have never desired marriage to Darcy, any more than he wishes to marry me. In fact, I have another man that I am considering for a husband.”
“Another man?” echoed Lady Catherine clearly confused. “Of what are you speaking, Anne. There has been no one else in evidence, no one who could suit as a future husband. Are your wits addled?”
“My mind is clear, as are my wishes, Mother. Though I have not spoken of my intentions, I, like William, believe the time for secrecy is past. While I do not yet know if I wish to marry him, I intend to allow Mr. Gardiner a courtship to learn if we are compatible.”
If any of them thought Lady Catherine was angry before, it was nothing compared to her display upon hearing Anne’s declaration. Her countenance turned almost purple in her anger, and for a moment she could say nothing, so incensed had she become. That did not last long, however, to their detriment, for she soon found her voice.
“No! I absolutely forbid it! Heaven and earth, Anne, think of what you are saying. Would you pollute the noble line of de Bourgh by capering about with such an unsuitable man as Mr. Gardiner? What are you thinking?”
Standing, Anne glared down at her mother. “I am thinking of my happiness, not your overbearing designs. I am my own woman, Mother, and may do what I please—I would also remind of what you seem to have forgotten; my father was a knight, yes, but a knight is not noble. It is your decision, Mother, whether you accept my wishes in this matter. But even if you do not, I will hav
e you know I will not relent.”
Then Anne turned and departed from the room, leaving silence in her wake. Knowing this was not an opportunity he should miss, Darcy also bowed to the company to excuse himself.
“Please know that I support Anne in every particular, Lady Catherine. Now I shall bid you a good day.”
With a quick stride, Darcy followed his cousin from the room, turning toward the front doors and his horse waiting there. An appointment with the woman he loved awaited and Darcy would not miss it for all the world.
Chapter XXX
When the day of the picnic arrived, the assorted Bennets and their suitors made their way toward their proposed picnic site in a pair of carriages. The ruin to which Mr. Bingley had referred was little more than a stone foundation set into the turf, with little of walls and nothing of roof remaining. It was a spot well-loved by those of the neighborhood, for it was calm and peaceful, there was a wide field perfect for gatherings, and a river ran to one side.
“Was this a castle?” asked Thomas, wide-eyed as they inspected the few low walls remaining.
“It seems to me it was much too small to be something so grand as a castle,” said Mr. Bingley, indulging the boy’s questions. “Given some of the layout, it is possible it was a small fort.”
Thomas seemed to consider this, a hint of disappointment hovering about him. “You do not know?”
“I am not a font of all knowledge,” replied Mr. Bingley with a laugh. “This location is mentioned in none of the histories of which I am aware, and thus, we can only guess about the purpose of this place based on what we can observe.”
“Where have all the walls gone?” asked Thomas with a nod, peering about with interest, his active young mind likely full of glorious battles and desperate last stands.
“The stones have been taken for use in other buildings, I should think,” replied Mr. Bingley. “Such is often the fate of abandoned structures. Some of the stones which made up the walls of this place may reside now in one of the neighborhood estate houses, perhaps even Pemberley or Longbourn.”
That seemed to catch Thomas’s imagination, for he exclaimed and pulled Mr. Bingley along to investigate further. Mr. Bingley went along willingly, with Mr. Collins following them and adding his own observations to the other gentleman’s. The sisters began to remove their hampers of food and set up their picnic while the gentlemen were thus engaged.
Another sight drew Elizabeth’s attention, for the days of rain they had endured had made the river run higher and faster than she had ever seen it. Leaving her sisters to the task, she approached the river, noting how it was several feet above its usual level, the way a small branch caught in its course bobbed along with its current, racing past Elizabeth’s position quicker than she might have thought possible. At various locations in the river, rocks at the bottom caused the water to splash over them, creating large waves that boiled and pitched in the restless water. There was little to be done that day other than to stay clear of it.
“There will be no fishing today, Thomas,” said she to her brother when the gentlemen returned. “The water is running swift and high; it would not be safe to stray near. Please take care and do not approach the river.”
Thomas appeared put out by Elizabeth’s declaration, but Mr. Bingley nodded. “I suspected it might be so.” Seeing the boy’s annoyance, Mr. Bingley laughed and ruffled his hair. “We can return some other time, Thomas, when the water level is lower. Perhaps we might even fish in the stream at Longbourn.”
“And catch frogs?” asked Thomas, gazing up at Elizabeth.
“Of course,” replied Elizabeth with a laugh. “We must catch frogs, for it has become one of your great ambitions in life, has it not?”
The boy gave her an eager nod and sat on the blanket. The rest of the party smiled at their youngest member and they all sat together to partake of the repast the Bennet sisters had set out for them. For some time, all was laughter and good cheer, the warmth of the day and the excellent fare bringing out the best of their moods in response.
After lunch, the company stayed in that attitude for some time in conversation, and to Elizabeth’s relief, no one said anything of recent events or the Darcy family. Thomas, though she knew he would become active again soon, dozed in the sun’s light, his belly sated, his happiness complete, having achieved his desire to be out of doors. As her sisters talked and laughed with the gentlemen, Elizabeth allowed her attention to wander, reflecting upon the simple pleasures of life, content with her lot for the moment. These past weeks when all her focus had been on William, she had forgotten something of the wonder of nature; she welcomed this reminder of how wonderful was the location in which she made her home.
It was to no one’s surprise that Thomas woke soon after and began clamoring for activity. They indulged him, and soon the company was engaged in playing games of his own devising. Then Elizabeth, seeing her brother occupied by his other sisters, decided a short walk about the area would be just the thing, and informed her sisters of this desire.
“Do not wander too far, Lizzy,” said Jane, though with an amused grin. “You never know when highwaymen might be about, lying in wait for unaccompanied and unwary baron’s daughters.”
Elizabeth thought it was an odd comment and was even more confused when Mr. Bingley chuckled in response to Jane’s tease. Her surroundings were calling to her, however, so Elizabeth avoided pursuing any question of her sister’s jest and departed.
Had Elizabeth been considering the matter properly, she might have known what was afoot. But as she would concede later, there was nothing in her mind other than the desire to walk a little among the soothing calm of nature. Thus, when a man appeared before her, Elizabeth was so shocked, she almost released a surprised shriek.
“I had not thought my presence would distress you, my dear,” said William, fixing her with a satisfied smirk.
Seeing him for the first time in days suppressed Elizabeth’s inhibitions, and she darted forward, throwing her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his. Within moments their embrace became impassioned, for William’s arms snaked around her back, gliding over the soft planes of her form while she entangled her fingers in his hair and did her best to meld herself into his embrace. And then it changed again, as the need evinced in their initial embrace cooled into one more affectionate and at once more satisfying. Elizabeth reveled in his attentions, the little nipping kisses he pressed against her eyelids, her neck, and it seemed like every inch of her face.
At length Elizabeth sighed with contentment and pressed her cheek against his broad chest, feeling loved and protected in the circle of his arms. How long they stood in this attitude, Elizabeth could not say with any certainty, though she wished to continue it indefinitely.
“How I have missed you, Elizabeth,” murmured Mr. Darcy.
“I had not expected to see you here,” said she, unable to summon more than a whisper. “How did you know?”
“Bingley mentioned it to me yesterday and suggested it was likely you would wish to walk during your picnic.”
Gasping, Elizabeth pulled away from him. “Mr. Bingley informed you?”
“Yes,” replied William, his eyes dancing with merriment. “It seems we are gathering supporters to us, Elizabeth, for he was eager to be of service.”
“Jane must have known too,” said Elizabeth, “considering her words to me when I departed.” Elizabeth paused and frowned. “My father has instructed me to avoid seeking you out, and I have disobeyed him again.”
“But if you recall, you did not seek me out,” replied William, a hint of laughter in his voice. “This meeting was all my doing, with some judicious help on the part of my closest friend. None of it can be attributed to you.”
“Perhaps not,” said Elizabeth. “But that is nothing more than casuistry, and you know it.”
“Mayhap I do,” replied William. “Then shall I go away? I should not wish to do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
“You are aware I wish for little other than your company,” replied Elizabeth.
“As I wish for nothing more than to be in yours.” William paused and his manner became more serious. “What happened when you informed your father of our situation?”
Elizabeth sighed, wishing they could avoid the subject, yet knowing it was important. “Papa was more understanding than I expected. At the same time, he does not believe our union may be accomplished quickly. He spoke of moving slowly, so as to allow the situation to settle.”
William snorted. “That was more than my father offered.”
When Elizabeth looked at him in question, William explained his own conversation with his father. Though it heartened Elizabeth to hear that Mr. Darcy had backed off his threat of disinheriting his son, his continued opposition threatened to overwhelm whatever hope she had gained during this brief interlude.
“You do not suppose your father will attempt to carry through his threat to force you to marry Miss de Bourgh?”
William shook his head. “I cannot imagine it, for my father knows very well that neither Anne nor I wish it. Anne would no more fall in with my father’s schemes than would I.” Then he paused and grinned. “Besides, it seems Anne has a mind of her own and is involved with her own intrigues.”
“Anne?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes,” said William. “It seems Anne has found someone of her own to admire, one who is close to your family.”
At that moment it fell into place. “Uncle Gardiner?” William nodded with delight. “I saw them speaking at the ball, but I had not thought it would lead to this.”
“This morning Anne informed her mother after I informed her of our engagement.”
“That cannot have gone well,” said Elizabeth with a wince.
“From Lady Catherine’s perspective, it did not go well at all,” replied William, not holding a wide smirk in check. “I have no doubt she will continue to bluster, but there is nothing she may do to persuade us. Lady Catherine believes she commands her daughter but Anne is of age and her father’s heir. Lady Catherine has no more control over her than she has over me.”
