An Inconvenient Courtship (Regency Romance)

by Dana R. Lynn

  “Oh, Lizzy, thank you!” Mary jumped up and ran to embrace her sister.

  The moment breakfast was finished, Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary escaped upstairs to raid Elizabeth’s closet. Gown after gown was tried on and discarded. Elizabeth, seeing items that looked especially well on her middle sister, discreetly placed these in a separate pile.

  “Aha!” Elizabeth dug deep into her closet and triumphantly emerged with a lavender gown adorned with flowers. The sleeves and neckline were edged with the most delicate ivory lace. Mary sighed when she saw it.

  “Lizzy, are you sure I can wear it? What if I spill punch on it, stain it? I’d feel horrible if I ruined it.”

  “Mary, I want you to wear it. Please, I mean it. It never looked right on me, but it would be perfect for you.” Mary was weakening. She bit her lip and eyed the dress with longing. Elizabeth used her strongest argument yet. “I am sure Dr. Taylor won’t even remember his own name if he sees you in that gown.”

  Expression lit up, Mary swooped the gown up in her arms and hugged it close. “I thank you.”

  “And I want you to have these, as well.” Elizabeth swept up the pile of gowns she had stacked and held them out to her sister. “I have a feeling both of us are going to be needing a new wardrobe soon, so you better start now.” Her breath left her with a whoosh as Mary hugged her as hard as she was able.

  Jane laughed. “You mean all three of us will need new wardrobes.”

  “I wonder how much mother will be able to wheedle out of Papa for your wedding clothes,” Mary mused.

  “I do not even care. I just want to be Mrs. Charles Bingley.”

  And I want to be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth thought, biting her lip to keep her grin contained. Who would have ever foreseen this turn of events?

  Chapter Fifteen

  The carriage bringing the Netherfield party arrived a quarter hour early thanks to the anxiousness of certain gentlemen to see certain ladies. Bingley had chattered the entire drive. Darcy seriously considered the merits of walking or riding bareback, no matter the weather, the next time he called on the Bennet family. He could not remain irritated with Bingley for too long, as he understood the nerves gnawing away at his friend. His own heightened feelings made him even quieter than usual. He noticed Georgiana giving him worried glances, so he made an effort to be more social. If only Colonel Fitzwilliam had joined them. The colonel’s presence would have helped to soothe the atmosphere inside of the carriage.

  Darcy glanced over at Dr. Taylor. The military surgeon exuded a calm, confident air. It was a façade. Darcy was aware of the good doctor’s fingers tapping a steady pattern on the seat between them.

  The sight of Longbourn brought forth a sigh of relief from them all. They entered the house, and Hill led the party to where the family waited. A movement to the right caught their attention. Miss Mary Bennet was descending the stairs, dressed in lavender, her hair simply yet elegantly coiffed. The expectant glow emanating from her gave Mr. Darcy pause. For the first time, he looked at Miss Mary and marveled at how healthy and attractive she was. Maybe she did not have Elizabeth’s sparkle or Jane’s ethereal loveliness, but she was charming in her own right. Dr. Taylor audibly swallowed, causing Darcy to smile. The doctor hurried to Miss Mary’s side and offered her his arm. She placed a trembling hand on it, then the group proceeded to join the family.

  The family and their guests were removing to the dining room when an unexpected visitor was announced.

  “Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” Hill announced.

  Darcy groaned. He winced as Elizabeth’s elbow found his side.

  The servant was thrust aside as an imposing lady with a superior air sailed into the room. She was dressed in the most expensive fashions. Her indignant glare flashed from face to face, searching.

  “Lady Catherine,” Mr. Bennet began. “We are honored-“

  She cut him off with a glare. “There is my nephew! I suppose that girl is the infamous Miss Elizabeth Bennet that Mr. Collins warned me of?”

  “Lady Catherine, I must ask you to speak to Miss Elizabeth with respect.” Darcy’s voice was rife with warning.

  “I most certainly will not! Why should I respect a girl who has the gall to use her cunning to lure my own nephew away from his duty?”

  “Madam!” Darcy ground out. “That is above enough! Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done no such thing. I have not forgotten my duty.”

  “Then you are not courting her?” She sneered at Elizabeth. “I could hardly believe it. Fitzwilliam Darcy, courting a girl with such low connections. Her uncle’s in trade. No dowry. Even her father’s estate entailed away from the family line. Is this the girl you would choose to replace my Anne, who was made to be your wife? Every feeling is offended!”

  “Have a care, aunt. You are talking about the woman I love.” He heard a soft intake of air beside him. He had not planned to declare himself quite so publicly, but it was done now. “I have never intended to marry my cousin. Neither she nor I have ever wished it. Nor did my most excellent parents hint they wished for such a marriage.” He glanced at Elizabeth. “I have no issues with her connections. Her sister Jane is to marry my best friend. Her father is a man I have grown to respect and honor.” He saw a tremulous smile hover around Elizabeth’s mouth at his words.

  “Have you no shame?” Lady Catherine seethed. “Have you spared no thought to how such a match will affect your sister?”

  “My sister is pleased at the friendships she has gained through this family. I have no qualms.”

  “You are a foolish man, to marry so far below yourself. Think of how such a match would affect her matrimonial prospects! You will be laughed at. And this chit,” she waved a disparaging hand at Elizabeth, “would be shunned.”

  “Lady Catherine,” The grand lady’s mouth tightened at being addressed so boldly by the chit in question. “I do not feel that I am below Mr. Darcy. He is a gentleman, as is my father. And what do I care if society rejects me? I prefer a quiet lifestyle, and my experience tells me Mr. Darcy and Georgiana feel the same.” She raised her loving gaze to his face. “I love the man, not his place in society.” Darcy closed his eyes, overwhelmed at the gift she had bestowed on him. When he looked at her again, she nodded before returning her steady gaze to his aunt. “As for your opinion of me, I feel astounded that you feel you can judge my family and me without ever having met me before. Even Mr. Collins, upon whose opinion you are relying, only saw me once.”

  “Aha! But what of your engagement to him? I am aware that—“

  “I am afraid, Lady Catherine,” Mr. Bennet interrupted her, a fierce frown on his face, “that you have been sadly misinformed. Mr. Collins was never engaged to my daughter. He never approached either myself or Elizabeth to ask for her hand, as any proper gentleman would do.”

  Lady Catherine was very put out. None of her arguments were working. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, if you marry this woman, I will cut ties with you forever. As I am sure will my brother, the earl. You will be estranged from your family.”

  Darcy lifted a haughty brow. “I highly doubt that the earl will risk the scandal and abandon me. Besides, Richard has met Miss Elizabeth and will help sway them. Even if I knew for certain I would be abandoned by my family, I would still hope that someday in the future Miss Elizabeth would consent to be my wife. If I have her affection and that of my dear sister, I will be content.” He smiled at his flabbergasted aunt. “Furthermore, I would be gaining an entire new family.”

  Lady Catherine’s eyes blazed, indignation stamped in every line of her body. She opened her mouth to retort. Mr. Bennet stepped forward, his bearing surprisingly regal as he faced the grand dame with determination.

  “Lady Catherine, I am afraid I must ask you to leave. You have insulted my family, interrupted my household, and caused an unpardonable scene. Please excuse us while we continue on with our evening.” He nodded to Hill, who promptly went to the door and held it open.

  Enraged, Lady Catherine swept towards
the door. “I warn you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, you will rue it to your dying day if you align yourself with such a family.”

  “Actually, aunt, I believe I will forever regret it if I do not.”

  Hill closed the door almost gently while Lady Catherine stood on the threshold, open-mouthed. The Bennets listened in awe as she went to her carriage, ranting about Darcy’s doom the entire way.

  “Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. I must beg your pardon for the atrocious manners of my aunt. I am ashamed to have brought such behavior to your home.”

  “Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth placed a tentative hand on his arm. “Would your family truly disown you if we continued our courtship?” Concern for him was thick in her lovely voice.

  “It matters not.” He shushed her by placing a finger against her lips when she would have protested. Her eyes widened. Never had a man touched her lips before. “I meant what I said Miss Elizabeth. I will not let them come between us. I fully intend to ask you to be my wife someday soon. If you agree, then my joy will know no bounds. You and Georgiana will be with me. I have friends such as Bingley and Richard, and now Dr. Taylor. I will have a new father and mother. What possible cause could I have for regret?”

  Elizabeth’s eyes misted over, and she looked at him with such affectation that he forgot his immediate audience and lifted her hand gently to his lips, bestowing a loving kiss upon her knuckles.

  “Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Bennet’s voice boomed. Lydia and Kitty giggled as Darcy and Elizabeth glanced at him like guilty children. “I wish to go in to supper. Do you or do you not have something you wish to discuss with me privately?”

  Darcy shot a startled look at Elizabeth. Did he? He wanted with all his heart to be able to say yes. He grew tense until his beloved gave him a slight nod. Yes! His chest puffed out as he answered with great dignity, “Yes, sir. I do wish to speak to you. As soon as may be arranged.”

  Jane and Mary hugged Elizabeth. Georgiana waited for her turn, then grabbed her soon-to-be sister in a crushing embrace. “You’re not sorry, Georgie? I seem to be causing a breech in your family.”

  “Oh, do not worry, Elizabeth. Lady Catherine will be angry, but I agree with my brother. Richard would never denounce us, and Lord and Lady Grayson would do anything to avoid scandal. The idea that we will at last be sisters means the world to me.”

  Overhearing his sister’s remarks, Darcy shook his head. How could he have ever thought Elizabeth was beneath him? After witnessing the appalling behavior of his aunt, he would never be so quick to judge another’s family.

  ****

  Dinner was a lighthearted affair. The celebratory mood that settled over the table was almost tangible. When it concluded, Mr. Bennet looked at his pocket watch and proclaimed with a dramatic flair, “You must excuse me. I believe I have some business to take care of in my library.”

  He disappeared with Mr. Darcy, and all eyes focused in on Elizabeth’s rosy countenance. A quarter of an hour later, Hill told her that she was wanted in the garden. She went out with haste. Mr. Darcy was waiting for her. His face broke into an enormous grin when he spied her coming down the path. He took both her hands in his and lifted them to his lips.

  “Dearest Elizabeth. It took your accident for me to realize how desperately in love with you I am. I had thought to wait, more out of fear of rushing you than out of any desire of mine. I can hardly believe your father has granted his blessing.”

  At her encouraging smile, he knelt on one knee. Straight into a puddle. Elizabeth gasped in dismay, but Darcy didn’t even notice. What was a puddle compared to gaining her hand? “Elizabeth Bennett, I love you with all that I am. Would you be my bride and share your life with me?”

  “Dear Fitzwilliam. A month ago, I would have declined, and I would have regretted it. Your money and fine home mean nothing to me, sir. But as I told Lydia recently, I have come to understand that you are the best man I have ever known. It is because I love you so dearly that I accept your proposal. Yes, Fitzwilliam. I will marry you.”

  Bounding to his feet, the overjoyed man drew his trembling beloved into his embrace and kissed her tenderly upon her waiting lips. It was a kiss of revelation for both of them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Two months later, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charles Bingley stood together at the front of the small church in Meryton, beaming as Mr. Bennet walked towards them down the aisle, a radiant daughter on each arm.

  As he had predicted, Lord and Lady Grayson were present. They had not been pleased, as Elizabeth was decidedly not of their exalted sphere, but to outwardly disapprove would have subjected the family to the mercy of the gossips. With stiff faces they had arrived in Meryton. Elizabeth’s mother and two youngest sisters had not impressed them. To their surprise, though, they did like Elizabeth and Jane. Even Mary, Dr. Taylor’s betrothed, struck them as a thoughtful, self-confident young woman. Their astonishment upon meeting Elizabeth’s Aunt and Uncle Gardiner was comical. The fashionable couple could easily have been mistaken for gentry.

  Richard and Dr. Taylor sat with their betrotheds dressed in civilian clothing. Both gentlemen had resigned their commissions. Dr. Taylor would be assuming a position in Derbyshire near the Darcy’s. Lord and Lady Grayson had surprised Richard with a small estate near their own home so that he and Caroline could settle into a comfortable life together.

  A shiver started in Elizabeth’s belly and spread throughout her body as she was overwhelmed with the sacredness of the vows she and Fitzwilliam were making to each other before God. She whispered a quiet prayer deep in her soul that she might always be worthy of this man God had made just for her. Looking deep into his eyes, she was sure he felt the touch of the Spirit, too.

  The only event that dampened the joy permeating the church was the information brought to Netherfield Park the night before. George Wickham, aided by his only remaining friend, Private Kenny, had managed to escape. Although no one really believed him so mad as to come after the Darcys again, Colonel Foster had commanded several of his soldiers to keep watch at the nuptials and the wedding breakfast at Longbourn. It turned out to be a wise precaution.

  The wedding breakfast was well underway when George Wickham charged into Longbourn, shouting wildly and waving a stolen firearm. No longer in his fine uniform, he reeked of the mold and filth of the prison ship bound for the penal colony. His hair was matted, and streaks of grime marred his once pristine face.

  “Darcy!” He roared. “You have ruined my life, thwarted me from being the great man your father wanted me to be. I warned you I would avenge myself! I…”

  His anguished shriek echoed in the shocked room as Colonel Foster’s men grabbed him and bound him. His hollow eyes fell upon Georgiana, and they filled with an evil glee.

  “But I had my revenge, didn’t I, Georgiana? Your own brother couldn’t stop me from…”

  Georgiana froze in mute horror as Wickham started to reveal her darkest secret. Elizabeth and Darcy both made to go to her, but they could see the damage was already being done. The other guests were looking at Georgiana. Some were even stepping back as if afraid of being contaminated. The despair on her young face wrenched their hearts. Rescue came from the most unexpected source.

  SLAP!

  Mrs. Bennet’s normally fluttering hand whipped across Wickham’s face with the force of any outraged mother. She had taken a shine to the motherless girl and quite considered her one of her own.

  “Bah!” She spat. “Shame on you, sir! Could you really be so arrogant as to think we would fall for your lies again? You told us when you first arrived how you had been cheated by Mr. Darcy, how he and Miss Darcy were so proud, and oh so many other horrid lies! Indeed, we know Mr. Darcy is a man of deepest honor, and his sister is truly one of the kindest, most gentile girls ever to be found. And you attempt to slander them, on my daughters’ wedding day? You, a known thief, a gambler, and a deserter? I can speak for the people hereabouts, George Wickham. We want no part of it. You can talk, sir, but not one of us
will listen.” Mrs. Bennet placed a motherly arm around Georgiana and walked her back to Elizabeth and Darcy. People stopped her on the way, not out of malice, but to assure Georgiana they knew Wickham was a liar and she mustn’t let his evil words disturb her.

  The soldiers lead Wickham, kicking and shouting, from the hall. His drunken voice, bellowing in outrage, dwindled until it was gone. It was ignored by the wedding guests.

  Elizabeth was stunned. Her mother, a gossip of the highest order, had just squelched George Wickham’s sordid tale with a slap and a few words. The irony struck her. The people had believed the lies, but when Wickham was relating the truth, they took no notice.

  Darcy looked at his new mother-in-law with some awe. He bent and kissed her cheek. It was the first real sign of affection he had shown her, but it would not be the last. Her defense of his precious sister had won his devotion for the remainder of her life.

  “Thank you, Mother,” he murmured

  “Anytime, Fitzwilliam.”

  Soon after, the newlyweds decided it was time to depart. Of course some tears were shed, especially when Elizabeth hugged her father and Jane, but on the whole, the families rejoiced to see the happiness which overflowed from the hearts of the couples.

  ****

  Two months after the two eldest Bennett daughters married, Mr. Bennet walked his third daughter down the aisle. Mary had blossomed under the love and admiration of her dear doctor. When she soon found herself in a comfortable house near her favorite sister, she was thrilled. Eight months later, Jane and Charles Bingley joined the Darcys and the Taylors in Derbyshire, thus strengthening the bonds between the sisters.

  In the years which followed, the three couples had twelve children between them who grew up together as playmates and confidantes. They were joined in their mischief by the only daughter of Georgiana and her husband, a local gentleman named Weber, and the twin sons of Caroline and Richard Fitzwilliam. Richard was highly gratified when his brother managed to finally have an heir of his own, thus saving himself the trouble of becoming the next earl. Caroline wisely kept her own counsel about her wishes.