Chance Encounters

by Linda Wells

  Richard could not withhold the expression of surprise on his face. “So he asked you to make sure that Darcy did not settle for a marriage of convenience?”

  “That is it, exactly. If he seemed to be heading in that direction, I was to dissuade him from it. My sister Catherine has been bleating for years that he was to marry Anne. I knew that Darcy did not want it, and I told her so, but she is headstrong, and would not hear of him rejecting her. He has been alone for a very long time, and if he thinks that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the woman he wishes to make his wife, and I see that she returns his affection, I will not stand in their way. Your mother and I will support them, and make it clear to society that our family has accepted her, and will help to introduce her to the first circles. It is the last favour that I can do for my sister.”

  Richard sat looking at his father, feeling new respect rising for him, as well as an uncomfortable jealousy of his cousin. “I think that is the greatest gift you can ever provide Darcy, Father. I hope that you can tell this to him yourself. He has declared that he will pursue Miss Elizabeth regardless of what her father or our family thinks, but I know as well as you do that he will truly wish for your support.”

  Lord Matlock stared down at his desk, his eyes shining, thinking of Darcy’s parents and their hopes for their son. “I already have.” Then thinking to himself he wondered, But shall I tell him the rest of George Darcy’s story?

  TO ELIZABETH’S SURPRISE she and Jane received an invitation from Georgiana to come and visit Tuesday morning. Darcy was attending to business away from home and she would enjoy their company. The carriage had been sent, and if the ladies were available, they were to take it to Darcy House. Aunt Gardiner was happy to send them on their way.

  When they arrived, they met in the music room, drinking tea and discussing the dinner party. Jane asked Georgiana how long she had known Mr. Bingley.

  “Oh, he has been friends with William for seven years, but I do not think that I really started seeing much of him until about three or four years ago, after my father died. For the first few years after William took over Pemberley, he was so busy learning everything that he hardly ever came into town, and of course, I was in school. But once he seemed to be confident in his work, he started socializing more, and he came to London again. By that time Mr. Bingley had graduated from Cambridge, so he became a regular visitor. We saw him often at Pemberley, too.”

  “I understand that he has two sisters?” Jane asked tentatively.

  Georgiana tried not to look unhappy with the mention of the ladies, but her expression was not missed by either Bennet sister. “Yes. There is Mrs. Hurst, his eldest sibling, and Miss Bingley.” Looking at Elizabeth, she said, “Miss Bingley is quite adamant that she is going to marry William.”

  Elizabeth raised her brow. “Is she, now?”

  “Yes, and I know that it is rude to speak ill of another person, but. . .” She hesitated.

  “But?”

  “Oh Elizabeth, she is just awful! William tolerates her because she is Mr. Bingley’s sister, but she pays me calls and looks around the house as if she is redecorating it in her mind. I have heard rumours that she uses William’s name to be invited to parties where she would otherwise never be asked to come. And when she is here, she almost attaches herself to him! It is so upsetting! I was afraid for some time that he would give in and marry her, but he assured me that would never happen, thank goodness!”

  “Is she rude to you?” Elizabeth asked, considering just what lengths this woman would go to achieve her goal, and wondering how many other Miss Bingleys were wandering around town with the same ideas.

  “Oh, she is never rude to me; she wants my favour, after all. No, but I have heard that she is quite rude to any other woman who tries to catch William’s attention. She has a very sharp tongue.”

  “Hmm. Well, I am sure that I shall meet her at some point, but I thank you for putting me on alert!” Elizabeth smiled.

  “If anyone can stand up to her, you can, Elizabeth. She quite frightens me!” They all laughed, but Jane’s face showed her concern.

  “I wonder what her hopes are for her brother?” Jane asked, almost to herself.

  “I think that she hopes he will marry me.” Georgiana said quietly

  Jane and Elizabeth gasped. “But you are so much younger than he!”

  “Yes, but if he married me, it would bring her closer to William.” Georgiana said, displaying great understanding. The ladies all nodded at the veracity of her statement. “I am not at all interested in him. He is very nice; and friendly, and I like him very much, but I see him as another brother, and nothing else.”

  Jane was relieved to hear this news. “It seems that the brother is nothing like the sister, then.”

  “Well, if you think about it, Jane, I am nothing like you and we are nothing like our other sisters. Simply having the same parents does not guarantee that the children will be exactly alike. Each has their own experiences which form their character.”

  “In the case of Mr. Bingley, I think that the experiences that formed his character must have been very good indeed!” Jane declared. Elizabeth and Georgiana exchanged knowing smiles.

  The sisters encouraged Georgiana to play for them, and after hesitating, she finally agreed. She became comfortable after receiving their sincere praise played several pieces and insisted that Elizabeth play as well.

  Darcy returned home from his morning at the solicitor’s tired but happy with the results of their work. He was told that Georgiana was entertaining some callers when he heard Elizabeth’s voice floating down the hallway, singing a love song. Walking to the music room, he stood unnoticed in the doorway and listened to her lovely voice as he watched her play. Her eyes were closed, and she was swaying slightly. He imagined walking up behind her, and gently placing his hands on her shoulders, then bending to trail kisses down her neck. As he considered where those kisses might lead, the song ended and Georgiana noticed him.

  “William! I did not expect you home so soon, what a nice surprise!”

  Elizabeth instantly blushed. Not again! Attempting to regain her equilibrium, she rose from the bench and greeted him.

  Darcy smiled to see her blush and bowed. “It was a most pleasant surprise to enter the house to hear such enchanting song filling the air. It instantly relieved the tension left from my business. I thank you Miss Elizabeth.”

  “I am pleased that I could bring you such relief, sir. And I thank you for your compliment. I do not speak Italian, so I hope that my pronunciation of the words was not too ill.”

  Darcy looked deeply into her sparkling eyes. “I assure you, Miss Bennet, the meaning was perfectly clear.”

  The sisters stayed a little longer, but they had promised their aunt to not overstay, and to Darcy’s great disappointment, he soon found himself handing them into his carriage for the trip home, holding Elizabeth’s hand a little longer than was necessary before reluctantly, he let go.

  TEA WITH Lady Matlock was not what they had expected. She was gracious and solicitous, not at all intimidating, at least to Elizabeth, who answered her questions with humour and fortitude. Jane was relieved that it was her sister who was being interviewed and not herself. Upon learning that they were to attend the theatre on Friday night, Lady Matlock was pleased to learn that new gowns had been ordered for the occasion. She agreed with Mrs. Gardiner that the sisters would immediately attract attention. Jane asked why.

  “Are you aware of the income of the gentlemen who will be escorting you Friday?”

  Jane looked at Elizabeth, and said, “No, your ladyship, I never thought to ask. Have you, Lizzy?”

  “No, I have not really considered it. I supposed that Mr. Darcy was comfortable, since he has both an estate and a house in town, and that Mr. Bingley was doing well since he had taken the lease on Netherfield and was considering purchase of his own estate. I know that with our background it is wise to be prudent financially when considering an attachment, but speaking for
both of us, we are not interested in fortune as much as felicity.”

  Lady Matlock was impressed, and she had seen enough of the ladies to know that they were being honest. “Well, I appreciate your candour, and your admirable sentiments. However, since everyone else in town knows, or at least thinks they know the truth, you should as well. Mr. Bingley is generally considered to have five thousand pounds per year, and my nephew is rumoured to have ten.” She watched for their reactions.

  Their eyes grew wide, and looked to Aunt Gardiner, who did not seem surprised. Elizabeth regained her wit quickly. “Well, the wives of these men certainly will not have to be worried about starving in the hedgerows!”

  They all laughed and Lady Matlock rose. “Miss Elizabeth, I would like to speak to you privately for a moment. Would you please join me in my study? I am sure that your aunt and sister will be fine on their own.” She looked at her expectantly.

  “Of course, Lady Matlock.” Elizabeth was a little taken aback, but quickly regained her possession. “Aunt Gardiner, will you excuse us for a moment?”

  “Certainly my dear.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled, but looked at the Countess appraisingly.

  They left the room, and entered Lady Matlock’s personal study, a cosy room, and obviously well-used. “Miss Elizabeth, please do not be alarmed by my asking you here. I wanted to simply take the opportunity to tell you something of my nephew. He seems to have become attached to you very quickly, and ordinarily that would possibly alarm me if he were a younger man, however, I realize that he is quite old enough to know his own mind. That being said, I want you to know that his behaviour with you is singular, and it is a great delight to see. My nephew has a life of extraordinary privilege and is a very powerful man, but also carries the burden of enormous responsibility. He was thrust into the role at a very early age when his father died. That is the age when young men should be thinking of the next ball, not the yield of wool, or if his tenants’ efforts would produce enough from the crops to feed both them and support the estate. William has never displayed a desire for society. He did his duty as was required by his station, but as often as not, he would prefer to hide in a corner, or stay at home with a book. What I saw in his face in your company was most extraordinary. Even his body was different, he held himself, when directly in your company, in a relaxed posture. What I am trying to tell you, my dear, is to be gentle with him. He truly is an innocent in opening his heart. He has been hurt terribly by people and events outside of his control, and his uncle and I have recognized for years that he needed to find someone who would care for him, and not his image. I think that he immediately recognized you as that person.” She was relieved to see the young woman’s concern.

  “Thank you Lady Matlock. I have been developing my suspicions about some sort of pain in Mr. Darcy’s past, and although we have only known each other a little over a week, I recognize that he is a man who needs to be cared for, because it seems that he is very much alone, and far too busy caring for everyone and everything except himself.” She smiled. “I am honoured that he thinks that I am the person who might be the one he needs to be happy. I promise you, I will be gentle with him, as I know that he will be gentle with my rather innocent heart as well.”

  Lady Matlock smiled with relief and nodded. “Thank you my dear. I know that you have nothing to fear from him. He is the best of men.” She gave Elizabeth’s hand a squeeze and they rejoined the others. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece carefully and was glad to see that her talk with Lady Matlock was not one of censure or warning, as was evident by the warm smiles they held for each other when they entered the room. Soon they returned to Gracechurch Street, and prepared for the coming of the gentlemen for dinner, all armed with new information and questions.

  28 YEARS EARLIER

  “Philip?” Amanda Carrington looked in the door of her husband’s study at his estate, Kingston Park, in Buckingham.

  Smiling at the sound of his wife’s voice, Philip Carrington looked up. “Yes, my dear? Come in.” He loved his wife dearly. They had been married for nearly seven years, in perfect harmony, but for one very sad deficit. They could not have children. His bout with mumps at the late age of twenty was probably to blame. And as Mr. Carrington had no brothers, and most likely no heirs, Kingston Park would eventually go to some very distant cousin someday. The thought of it was heartbreaking.

  Hesitating, Amanda entered and sat, not in the guest chair by his great desk, but instead in his lap. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. These were sure signs that she had something of weight to say.

  “Philip, did you know that Cook has a niece who is, or was, in service?”

  Knitting his brow, Carrington said, “No, but I imagine it is not a surprise. Did you say that she was in service?”

  “Yes, she was serving as a chambermaid for the Markham family, in Surry.”

  “Oh. And she has lost her position? Are you asking if we should hire her? Those decisions are yours, dear.”

  “I know, but you see, her niece was very innocent, and when a young friend of the Markham’s son came to visit a few months ago, she was . . .” Mrs. Carrington paused.

  “I see, and now she is with child. What do you propose, Amanda?”

  Amanda finally pulled her head from her husband’s shoulder and looked at him with teary eyes. “The girl is only fifteen years old, Philip. If she survives the birth at all, she will have no way of caring for the baby. I propose that we offer to take him in as our own, and give him your name. We could find her a position with another family and hire a wet nurse. We would have a child, and you would have an heir.” She looked at him pleadingly. “It would be such a blessing to save this little one, Philip. Please?”

  Carrington gazed into his wife’s eyes. “Are we sure that this is a gentleman’s child?”

  “Yes, Cook said that her niece would provide his name if we take him. She had never been with a man before, or since, and she remembers him well.”

  “And why has the girl not approached the man’s family, or told her old employer who he was?”

  “They know, and they said that it was her own fault for allowing him to impose himself on her, and dismissed her from their home.”

  “Let me think about this, Amanda, and speak to my attorney. If we can take the baby, and we can somehow make it my heir, then we will help this girl, but an illegitimate child cannot inherit.” He brushed some hair from her eyes. “I know how desperately you want to be a mother, and I would love to be a father.”

  “Oh thank you, Philip! I love you!” Amanda showered his face with kisses.

  Laughing, Carrington pushed her away, and held her face in his hands. “It seems that the decision has already been made!”

  ROGERS TOOK his brush and carefully removed any lint that may have found its way onto Darcy’s fine black coat. He had fussed over his Master’s appearance that evening, from tying a spectacular knot in his cravat to making sure that his shoes held the perfect shine. He and the rest of the staff at Darcy House knew that Mr. Darcy had entered into a courtship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and were relieved that their very real fears of gaining Miss Caroline Bingley as their Mistress could be safely put aside. They were impressed with the unmistakable improvement in the Darcy siblings’ emotions since Miss Bennet entered their lives. The staff, at first quite concerned about the lady after enduring Mr. Darcy’s unprecedented preparations for tea, were greatly relieved to find an amiable, pleasant, unpretentious young woman who spoke kindly to them and complimented their efforts. All of the staff hoped that Mr. Darcy’s pursuit of this lady would prove successful.

  “Well Rogers, will I do for a trip to the theatre?” Darcy asked, looking at his appearance critically.

  “Very well, sir. You will make an excellent impression.” Darcy caught the valet’s eye in the mirror and nodded.

  “Quite.”

  Darcy entered his carriage to collect Bingley before proceeding to Gracechurch Street. He had not seen Eliz
abeth since Wednesday and missed her intensely. He laughed to himself, a fortnight ago he did not know that she existed, and now he could not stand to be away from her for two days.

  Elizabeth was dressed and watching for Darcy’s carriage from her usual position in the window. She was missing him terribly and marvelled over how much she thought about him, and wondered if he missed her at all.

  When the carriage finally arrived, Darcy exited the coach and caught sight of Elizabeth’s lovely eyes watching him from their window, and again the warmth of homecoming stole over him. Before the gentlemen had a chance to enter the house, they were joined by their guests outside, and there was no chance for a private greeting. Elizabeth and Darcy were simply left to exchange heartfelt gazes across the distance of the carriage seats.