Elizabeth Bennet's Excellent Adventure: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

by Regina Jeffers

Darcy nodded his acceptance and waited upon the man to assume the seat.

  “I am searching for a woman with whom I believe your wife took an acquaintance in Hertfordshire. The lady I seek purchased fare from Watford to Brighton, but did not board the Brighton coach. I hope Mrs. Bylane knows something of the lady’s change of plans.”

  Bylane eyed Darcy in wariness.

  “Mayhap Mrs. Bylane do and mayhap she don’t. Why is it ye seek this lady? I be certain me wife would not wish any woman to know the spite of an angry husband or a strict master.”

  Without admitting knowledge of Elizabeth, Mr. Bylane confirmed Darcy’s suspicions.

  “I mean the woman no harm,” Darcy assured.

  He decided upon sharing a version of the truth.

  “The lady and I were to be married, but footpads attacked me in London and left me for dead. Because I did not show for the ceremony, the lady believes me indifferent. She risks her good name with her impetuous leave-taking. I mean to discover her and return her to her family so we might exchange our vows.”

  Again, Bylane studied Darcy’s countenance.

  “Ye bear the mark of yer attack upon yer cheek.”

  “As well as upon other parts less visible,” Darcy guaranteed.

  Bylane indicated his decision with a curt nod.

  “Me missus encounters this lass in the coaching inn. The woman purchases bread and tea so me son and wife not go without.”

  “I would expect nothing less from the lady,” Darcy declared. “My intended possesses a tender heart.”

  Mr. Bylane replied with much gravity.

  “When ye discover yer lady, extend me deepest gratitude. She showed charity when others would not.”

  Darcy accepted the comment graciously.

  “Does Mrs. Bylane hold knowledge of my betrothed beyond sharing tea and bread?”

  “Me ship was to dock in Portsmouth,” Bylane explained. “So the missus spent the last of her wages on the fare to the port, but news come late to Mrs. Bylane of us arriving at Brighton. I sent word as best I could, but the seat be bought before me wife learns of the change.

  “The innkeeper in Watford said if another meant to travel to Portsmouth he would give me wife the man’s fare, and she cud purchase ’nother to Brighton. She be without the price of food fer our wee ones and no means to send werd to me. Yer lady took pity on my Alice and gave me wife her Brighton fare while yer Miss Bennet departed on the Portsmouth coach.”

  Darcy had no doubt that Bylane spoke the truth, and he wondered why he did not consider the possibility earlier. He held knowledge of Elizabeth’s benevolent nature.

  “I will assure my betrothed knows of Mrs. Bylane’s safe journey to Brighton,” Darcy said with a bit of satisfaction.

  He added a second coin to the one he offered and slid them across the table.

  “I assume you possess skills beyond those you acquired at sea.”

  “Aye, Sir. I be a carpenter.”

  Darcy stood and added his card to the coins.

  “If you call at either direction on the card and tell my steward I sent you to him, he will assist you in finding proper employment.”

  Bylane scrambled to his feet.

  “I doesn’t know me letters, but I’s find someone who does. Thank ye, Sir. It’ll make Mrs. Bylane happy not to worry over young William and me daughter.”

  Darcy paused as he reached for his hat and gloves.

  “Your son is named ‘William’?”

  “Aye, Sir. Yer lady say it be her favorite names. Please Mrs. Bylane greatly.”

  Darcy could not hide the smile claiming his lips.

  “It is a family favorite for me as well.”

  He wondered if Elizabeth thought of him when she spoke of her pleasure in the name. With a spark to his step, Darcy exited the inn: He meant to discover the answer to his question in person.

  * * *

  Elizabeth and Captain Wentworth sat together upon a rock formation studying the comings and goings of flat ships loaded with rocks and cable. She had spent five days in Portsmouth, and although Elizabeth enjoyed each of her encounters with the Harvilles, Commander Benwick, and Captain Wentworth, her heart remained in Hertfordshire and with a certain gentleman.

  Elizabeth worried that when her father learned of her deviousness that Mr. Bennet would know disappointment in her choices.

  “You are excessively pensive, Mrs. Bryland,” Captain Wentworth said with what sounded of a mix of concern and amusement.

  “I was simply considering how very small England feels when looking out upon the vastness of the ocean.”

  The captain’s eyes remained upon the spot where the ships dropped stones to form the Breakwater, but he spoke with a growing intimacy. They were in each other’s company for several hours each day for the last week.

  “You spoke previously of a wish to know more of the world, Mrs. Bryland. Have you ever considered the possibility of living abroad ship and claiming the likes of the Americas or the Continent?”

  Elizabeth did not move a muscle. Although she recognized the captain’s growing interest in her, Elizabeth hoped to return to Hertfordshire before the good captain thought to approach her.

  “Mine is but a wish, Captain,” she replied in false innocence of what Wentworth insinuated. “I doubt I would be so brave as to take to the sea, Sir.”

  Wentworth looked to her in curiosity.

  “You are braver than you claim, Ma’am. I find it remarkable you chose to travel unescorted and your acceptance of the kindness of strangers. Most women would be too timid.”

  “Some women possess no choice in such matters, Captain,” Elizabeth protested.

  “True,” Wentworth gave her, “but in my experience there are women who blame al that befalls them upon others, and there are women who accept what they cannot change and find a means around the obstacle. You are of the second nature, Mrs. Bryland.”

  Elizabeth chuckled at the captain’s brashness. Despite the fact that she did not hold blossoming affections for the man, Elizabeth enjoyed the captain’s company immensely. He was a refreshing change from the drawing room chatter.

  “I believe the same could be said of the male species.”

  Wentworth barked a laugh.

  “Most assuredly, Mrs. Bryland.”

  Elizabeth turned the conversation.

  “How often have you sailed into Portsmouth Sound?”

  “More times than I care to count,” Wentworth said in good-natured ease.

  “From this point, such maneuvers appear quite dangerous,” Elizabeth observed.

  “It is that, Ma’am,” Wentworth said as he pointed out spots along the shoreline. “Coming into Portsmouth Sound is not for the faint of heart.”

  The captain accepted Elizabeth’s ruse and made his explanations, which she suspected were meant to impress her.

  “The present day Breakwater is at the mouth of Plymouth Sound between Boyisand Bay on the east and Cawsand Bay on the west. The efforts we observe today will create a Breakwater some three thousand feet in length and ten feet above the low water.

  “The Breakwater will offer the coast protection from weather and the effects of the backwash. Without it, the ocean will reclaim the shore.”

  “I would never consider the possibility,” Elizabeth admitted.

  “The sea is a strict mistress,” Wentworth observed, “and if we do not protect the land the oceans will steal back, inch by inch, the very soil upon which we tread.”

  Elizabeth watched as the captain shook off what appeared to be maudlin, after which he shared a tale only a man who loves the sea could tell. Wentworth’s story of the first time he sailed into Portsmouth Sound had her gasping and laughing aloud.

  “I gnawed a hole in my cheek as the crew of the Golden Horn navigated past a wreck of a hull on the Boyisand coast. My knuckles were white from my grip on the rail. I expected us to run aground at any moment,” he said with a mischievous grin.

  “Do not bam me, Captain, yo
u enjoyed every hair-raising second of the adventure,” Elizabeth declared.

  “I did at that, Ma’am.”

  Wentworth glanced to the sky and then at his watch.

  “Pardon me, Mrs. Bryland. I did not realize how the time might slip away when in the company of a charming woman. If you hold no objections, Ma’am, I will see you to the Harville’s residence. I am to meet with a man from the Admiralty regarding a new assignment.”

  The captain haphazardly dumped the remains of their impromptu picnic into the basket Mrs. Harville provided.

  Elizabeth slapped his hands away.

  “You go along, Captain. I am quite capable of finding my way to Commander Harville’s home.”

  “I will not hear of such a thing, Ma’am. This is a bustling port city, not a country lane. It is too dangerous.”

  “Perhaps I might be of service to the lady,” a familiar voice announced.

  Elizabeth did not know how she did not sense Mr. Darcy’s presence until he was behind her. On legs, which meant to buckle, she stood to face him.

  “Mr. Darcy,” she said in a voice, which irritated Elizabeth for its lack of composure.

  “Mrs. Bryland,” he said with a brief bow. “Perhaps you would care to introduce me to your escort.”

  Mr. Darcy knew of her deception.

  Elizabeth wished at that moment to be one of the sailors upon Captain Wentworth’s ship so she might utter the curse word rushing to her lips. If only the ground would open up to swallow her, Elizabeth would know satisfaction. She had but five days to mark a lifetime of spinsterhood.

  “Certainly, Sir.”

  She managed a brief glance to Mr. Darcy’s calm countenance. His dark silver eyes spoke of his displeasure at discovering her with another.

  “Mr. Darcy, permit me to give you the acquaintance of Captain Wentworth.”

  Wentworth ignored Elizabeth’s introduction.

  “Are you familiar with the gentleman, Mrs. Bryland?” the captain asked in concern

  Elizabeth glanced first to Darcy and then to the captain. Both men eyed the other with a look of feral cunning upon their countenances. Suddenly, Elizabeth realized she was the prey.

  With a clearing of her throat, she managed, “Most assuredly, Captain. Mr. Darcy and I are long time acquaintances. I spent much of the early spring with my cousin in Kent. Mr. Collins holds a living presented to him by Mr. Darcy’s aunt, and Mr. Darcy joined Her Ladyship to tend to her business affairs. Moreover, we anticipate a betrothal between Mr. Darcy’s intimate friend and my eldest sister. The gentleman and I are often in company.”

  She swallowed hard to drive away the feeling of unreality.

  “If Mr. Darcy is willing to serve as my escort, you should know no qualms in turning me over to him, Captain. Mr. Darcy would protect me with his life.”

  Elizabeth spoke the truth: Mr. Darcy would protect her so he might have the pleasure of destroying her again and again.

  “I will call for you at seven,” Captain Wentworth said in a tone of possession. “I told the Harvilles we will take in the play at the Theatre Royal.”

  Mr. Darcy did not even flinch, which told Elizabeth he was most vexed with the captain. The gentleman remained as stiffly cold as he was at the Meryton assembly.

  “How delightful,” Mr. Darcy said in practiced politeness. “I took rooms at the Royal Hotel. Perhaps we will encounter each other again.” Mr. Darcy’s eyes shifted to her. “Might I assist you with the basket, Mrs. Bryland? Then we may renew our acquaintance.”

  “Until this evening, Captain,” Elizabeth said to speed Wentworth on his way.

  She thought it possible that Mr. Darcy would take delight in disclosing her ruse.

  “I enjoyed our afternoon.”

  “As did I, Ma’am.”

  Wentworth caught Elizabeth’s gloved hand to bow over it before he offered Mr. Darcy a silent warning and a curt nod of his head.

  With Wentworth’s exit, Elizabeth dropped to her knees to gather the last of the cutlery to add to the basket. She could feel Mr. Darcy’s eyes upon her back, but she refused to look over her shoulder at him. At length, she lifted the basket and turned to meet Mr. Darcy’s steely gaze.

  “If you mean to replace me with Captain Wentworth, Elizabeth, you erred,” he said in cold warning.

  “You forfeited the right to know with whom I may or may not associate when you forgot the small matter of our wedding,” she snapped.

  The gentleman’s eyes flashed with anger.

  “You remain my betrothed.”

  Elizabeth knew her chin notched higher. Sometimes she thought Mr. Darcy brought out the worst in her.

  “Another item you denied with your absence, Sir.”

  “I did not…” Mr. Darcy began but quickly halted his refutation. “Your sensitive situation with the letter remains. You and I will marry despite your protests.”

  Elizabeth’s heartbeat hitched higher. To know Mr. Darcy still meant to marry her filled Elizabeth with joy, as well as with a good dose of dread. Meanwhile, the realization he could reject her a second time outweighed any goodwill she could muster for the man. How could she face those in Meryton again? Everyone would think her father forced Mr. Darcy to keep his promise. Elizabeth did not want a marriage forged in ice.

  “Did Mr. Bennet send you to recover me?” she demanded. “Are you here to prevent a very public breech of promise charge? If so, you may return to Hertfordshire and tell my father I will have none of you.”

  “I have not spoken to Mr. Bennet or to a barrister representing him. I cam to Portsmouth to reclaim the woman I mean to marry,” he insisted.

  A shake of her head did little to clear Elizabeth’s thinking.

  “I possess other plans, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said as she pushed past him. “I shall enjoy my limited days in Portsmouth with my new companions. Then I will return to my father’s household and assume the role of devoted daughter.”

  “This is ridiculous, Elizabeth,” he insisted. “You would prefer to live out your days as a spinster rather than to be the Mistress of Pemberley.”

  “I would,” Elizabeth declared. “Now, I beg your indulgence. I must return to the Harvilles so I might change for the theatre this evening.”

  She started away, but Mr. Darcy stepped before her.

  “I said I would escort you to your destination,” he hissed. “Now, present me the basket and join Murray at my carriage. I will follow.”

  Elizabeth had not noticed the servant in the Darcy livery until Mr. Darcy pointed out his man.

  “You wish me to ride in your carriage without an escort?” she charged.

  “I expect Mrs. Bryland to ride in a carriage with her fiancé,” he said in a low warning.

  Elizabeth smiled in mockery.

  “Mrs. Bryland prefers to walk, Mr. Darcy. Good day, Sir.”

  As she rushed away, Elizabeth prayed her rejection would stick. She did not think she could tolerate many more encounters with Mr. Darcy without bowing to his wishes.

  * * *

  Darcy regretted his confrontation with Elizabeth, but it was deuced annoying to discover her with another man. And not just any man, but an officer in the Royal Navy!

  Upon arriving in Portsmouth and learning she was not in residence at the Royal Hotel, Darcy set out to call upon the other inns in the old city to search for her. It was only by chance that he looked out his coach’s window toward the Sound to spot the figure of the woman who haunted his dreams.

  It took him longer than he liked to reach Portsmouth for Darcy stopped often along the coaching route to make certain Elizabeth traveled to the end of the line rather than to take another route. It was from those inquiries that Darcy learned “Mrs. Bylane” transformed into “Mrs. Bryland.”

  When he approached Elizabeth earlier, Darcy hoped she would welcome his return, but Elizabeth’s shrewish tongue returned. In truth, Darcy could not blame her. He would know a like anger if Elizabeth did not show for their nuptials, but could she not observe
the marks upon his face from his encounter with Sloane’s henchmen?

  “Instead of lashing out, Elizabeth should have demanded an explanation,” Darcy reasoned aloud; yet, he knew her nature as well as he knew his own.

  Darcy lips twisted with wry amusement.

  “So my betrothed thinks she will claim spinsterhood or perhaps the affection of her captain.”

  Darcy’s smile spread when he thought of the spark of defiance in her eyes.

  “First, I will learn something of Captain Wentworth,” Darcy summarized, “and then I will develop a means to win Mrs. Bryland’s heart. If Elizabeth wishes a man to court her, then she will find me prepared to quote poetry and to bring her flowers. The woman will wear my ring and bear my children. I will tolerate no other alternative.”

  Chapter Nine

  Captain Wentworth and his party occupied a box, but not one of the upper ones. The officer and two other naval sorts escorted Elizabeth and another woman. Darcy watched Elizabeth exclusively throughout the performance. He knew when she discovered him sitting alone in an upper box for Elizabeth quickly withdrew her eyes and turned her attention to Wentworth.

  When she walked away from him earlier in the day, Darcy sent Murray to escort her to her residence and to carry the picnic basket for Elizabeth struggled from the weight of it as she crossed the wooden walkway toward the main streets of old Portsmouth.

  Darcy’s faithful footman reported that Elizabeth refused Murray’s assistance until the footman hinted that he did not wish to know Darcy’s ire for failing to do as his master instructed.

  Murray kept his wits about him when Miss Elizabeth demanded the return of the basket and sent the footman on his way when they approached the row house, where she later entered. From a concealed location, Darcy’s servant observed Elizabeth’s destination; afterwards, Murray asked others of the occupants of the house before returning to the hotel to report to Darcy.

  “There be a naval officer, his wife, and two children,” Murray shared.

  As Darcy watched the occupants of the captain’s box, it did not take long for him to determine the married couple. The second officer, who Darcy had yet to learn his identity, sat to Elizabeth’s right and Wentworth on her left.