“Agreement is highly overestimated,” Mr. Darcy countered before offering her and Miss Darcy an easy bow of departure. Elizabeth watched him walk away. He strode along the street with his customary confidence.
Miss Darcy caught Elizabeth’s arm.
“It is all amazement how you tease Darcy,” the girl whispered as they walked toward the bookshop.
Elizabeth shrugged her response. Her mind remained upon the good humor found in Mr. Darcy’s expression.
“Your brother enjoys a bit of bravery on my part.”
Miss Darcy pulled Elizabeth to the side to permit others to pass.
“Believe me, Miss Elizabeth, no one speaks as such to Darcy. Even Mrs. Reynolds is not so bold. Certainly none of my brother’s business associates or his closest intimates would dare test him.”
Elizabeth’s frown lines puckered.
“Mr. Darcy’s position in Society provides him much latitude, but I do not find Mr. Darcy unreasonable. Even when he disagrees, your brother takes what others say to heart.”
Elizabeth did not exaggerate. No matter how often she and Mr. Darcy argued, the gentleman acted upon his deficiencies if he found need for change. She considered that fact admirable.
“Surely you never experienced Mr. Darcy’s wrath. I cannot imagine your brother offering you anything but approval.”
It surprised Elizabeth when Miss Darcy looked away.
“Speak to me, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth demanded. “Has Mr. Darcy ever raised his hand to you?”
Elizabeth did not wish to consider the possibility. She would not marry a man who struck his children or his wife when he knew anger.
Miss Darcy clutched at Elizabeth’s arm.
“Never,” the girl insisted. “William’s heart is too kind to bring violence to my door.”
“Then what brought on your dudgeon?” Elizabeth demanded.
Miss Darcy paused to permit passersby to move away.
“William knew disapproval with my foolish actions only once. I witnessed his anger, but it was not directed at me. My brother forgave what could have been my downfall. William assumed my failure and made it his. He blamed himself for not anticipating my naiveté.”
Elizabeth studied the anguish in the girl’s features.
“I shall not ask you to speak more of what occurred, but if you require a confidant, I am your servant,” Elizabeth insisted.
Miss Darcy hid her features beneath the brim of her stylish bonnet. When she spoke again, Elizabeth had to listen with all her being to hear the softly spoken confession.
“I thought to marry a trusted friend of the family only to discover the man saw only my dowry as an inducement.”
Before she could stifle the words, Elizabeth hissed, “Mr. Wickham.”
Miss Darcy’s eyes grew wide.
“Please do not mention this to Darcy. My brother would not approve of my speaking of this event.”
Elizabeth caressed the girl’s cheek.
“I shall guard your admission with my life.”
She glanced about her to note the occasional look of concern upon the features of those upon the street.
“Come,” she encouraged. “Mr. Darcy would be discordant if he should discover us standing about as such. Perhaps later this evening you will permit me to speak of my dealings with Mr. Wickham. In the past, my misplaced allegiance for Mr. Wickham was the source of my disagreements with your brother.”
Miss Darcy placed her anguish from a few moments prior aside to assure Elizabeth of Mr. Darcy’s benevolence.
“If you argued over Mr. Wickham, I am certain William meant only to protect you.”
“I hold no doubt,” Elizabeth said with ease. “I was at fault. It is time I asked for your brother’s forgiveness.”
“From the way Darcy looks upon you, I doubt William requires a confession.”
Elizabeth chuckled in irony.
“Yet, despite my earlier bravado, I require Mr. Darcy’s forgiveness.”
* * *
“I must know it all,” Mrs. Bennet demanded of Elizabeth.
Her mother arrived at Darcy House at eleven of the clock, and Elizabeth was truly gladdened by Mrs. Bennet’s presence. Lydia remained recalcitrant over her situation, and Elizabeth was at her wit’s end in how best to make her youngest sister know reason.
“I explained much of what occurred in my letter,” Elizabeth encouraged.
Although Mrs. Bennet could read and write, her mother was not one to practice her literacy. Elizabeth always assumed Mrs. Bennet considered long letters too time consuming.
“I understand, Lizzy, but it would do me well to hear your retelling. One does not know the tone from a piece of paper.”
Stifling a sigh of resignation, Elizabeth repeated how Mr. Darcy located Mr. Wickham, the deplorable conditions in which Lydia existed while in Mr. Wickham’s company, how Mr. Darcy and the colonel overcame Wickham and the danger the gentlemen faced in their efforts, and how she and Mary tended Lydia.
“I am more than tolerant with my children,” Mrs. Bennet admitted, “but I would have taken a strap to Lydia’s legs if I discovered her in such a state of dishabille.”
This statement surprised Elizabeth, but she made no comment on her mother’s indignation. She could recall only a few times when Mrs. Bennet physically disciplined her children.
Elizabeth finished her tale with a recounting of Mr. Sloane’s appearance and Mr. Darcy’s negotiations to deliver Lydia to a better connection than Mr. Wickham.
“The captain has some twenty thousand pounds,” Mrs. Bennet repeated several times. “Not ideal, but certainly very respectable.
Elizabeth added, “Mr. Darcy suggested that Captain Vaughan might prove of service in Mr. Bingley’s shipping business.”
“Excellent strategy,” Mrs. Bennet said in deliberation. “That gentleman of yours possesses a shrewd mind.”
Elizabeth’s thoughts of Mr. Darcy brought a smile to her lips.
“He does indeed, Mama. I am pleased with how Mr. Darcy did all possible to protect Lydia and our family. We owe him much.”
“I am certain Mr. Darcy protects his family foremost,” her mother countered. “He would abandon you if Lydia’s indiscretion soiled his family name.”
“One would think so,” Elizabeth protested, “but that evaluation is too simple. Mr. Darcy protected Lydia, not to protect the Bennet connection to the Darcy name, but because Lyddie is my sister, and I would not wish any harm to come to her. Mr. Darcy is built to protect those he affects, and I am more than pleased to admit, Mama, that I believe Mr. Darcy affects me. Even if I would choose not to accept his hand, Mr. Darcy’s honor would demand that he would do all he could to see I held an easy passage in life.”
Chapter Sixteen
How well Mrs. Bennet altered Miss Lydia’s opinions impressed Darcy. He knew real admiration for his future mother in marriage.
Mr. Bennet arrived the day after his wife, and Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Bennet spent the better part of an afternoon bringing Mr. Bennet up to snuff. Elizabeth’s father wished to remove his family to Cheapside, but Elizabeth and her mother convinced Bennet to remain at Darcy House for the immediate future.
“It is essential Captain Vaughan instantly recognize the fine connections he will receive with an alliance to Lydia,” Mrs. Bennet argued.
Elizabeth glanced to Darcy and smiled knowingly.
“First impressions are meant to be lasting.”
Mr. Bennet’s gaze followed Elizabeth’s.
“I suppose, Lizzy, this charade means you chose to forgive Mr. Darcy?”
Her father’s tone announced Mr. Bennet’s continued antagonism. Darcy supposed it injured the man’s pride to present Darcy his due.
“Mr. Darcy did not err, Papa. The fault rests on my shoulders. If I trusted Mr. Darcy, as I should, I would have realized he would never abandon me to public declamation.
“And as to my initial assumptions of Mr. Darcy’s character, they have long since been pr
oved faulty, replaced by the knowledge that my former prejudices came about because of my desire for Mr. Darcy’s approval.”
It was all Darcy could do not to sweep Elizabeth into his arms and kiss her senseless. The woman never ceased to amaze him.
“It appears I am without argument,” Bennet said in what sounded of exhaustion.
Darcy responded through a twist of his lips.
“I learned a hard lesson with Miss Elizabeth. In my dealings with your daughter, there are times I must lead and times I must follow.”
Bennet’s eyes twinkled with a taunt.
“If I know anything of Lizzy, you should also learn to remove from her way once my second daughter sets her sights upon a prize.”
“I hold no doubt,” Darcy said with a smirk. “I would not wish to be on the receiving end of Miss Elizabeth’s fervor. Mr. Sloane can attest to your daughter’s benevolence, as well as to her vehemence.”
* * *
Mr. Bennet ordered Miss Lydia from her quarters, providing the girl with a blistering reprimand. Darcy held little doubt that if Captain Vaughan proved promising, the girl would accept the captain in order to escape her father’s wrath.
Each evening, Darcy enjoyed the pleasure of looking upon Elizabeth’s features at his table and in his drawing room. Now, if he could finalize the business of Wickham and Sloane and Vaughan, he could have her in his bed.
It was Monday before Mr. Sloane and Captain Vaughan made a combined call upon the Bennets at Darcy House. Elizabeth later assured Darcy that other than the man’s missing arm, Miss Lydia found the officer equally as dashing as Mr. Wickham.
The couple, with Mr. Sloane and Miss Mary, walked in Green Park to become better acquainted. From Sloane, Darcy learned that two other gentlemen at the park recognized Vaughan, and the officer’s acquaintances praised Vaughan’s successes to Miss Lydia, and the girl’s admiration appeared to deepen.
Elizabeth’s estimation of her sister’s shallowness proved true. The girl chose Captain Vaughan purely upon the man’s countenance rather than his substance.
Darcy and Sloane sat in with Mr. Bennet in the man’s negotiations of the marriage settlements.
“When I encountered Mr. Bennet’s daughters in London,” Sloane said with the ease of a man who knew something of the law of such settlements, “I thought of you, Vaughan. Your father mentioned often of late your desire to marry.”
Vaughan spoke diplomatically.
“Miss Lydia is quite comely, but she is a bit younger than I hoped.”
Sloane kept the floor.
“Young enough to provide you several healthy sons.”
Darcy took a higher tone.
“It is true that Miss Lydia is the youngest of Mr. Bennet’s daughter, but I assure you, Vaughan, the girl understands her duties of marriage equally as well as her sisters.”
Darcy nodded in Sloane’s direction.
“Sloane spent several months in the company of the Bennet family for his former employer was the Misses Bennet’s uncle. It is my understanding that he will court Miss Mary Bennet. Your family knows Sloane would not choose from Mr. Bennet’s daughters if he felt them deficient in any manner. My associate, Mr. Charles Bingley, means to make the eldest Miss Bennet his wife, and I will claim Miss Elizabeth within the next month.”
Darcy meant that particular fact to be a warning to Mr. Bennet that they would soon be family.
“Although you do not know Mr. Bingley personally, you must be aware of my friend’s reputation. Bingley would not choose Miss Bennet if the lady would not complement his future aspirations. Neither would Sloane or I make rash concessions.
“Miss Lydia is young, but she is exceedingly congenial. She will serve you well. Sloane says you hold aspirations to represent your neighbors in Parliament. That means you require a wife who will shine in the public eye. Without wishing to offer offense to Mr. Bennet, neither Miss Bennet nor Miss Mary would serve as well as Miss Lydia. I imagine my Elizabeth would prove worthy for she is one of the most intelligent women I know, but few men favor intelligence in their wives.”
Darcy would call upon the man’s honor.
“Miss Lydia possesses the right balance of society and quickness of mind, and although she is young, I would assume a man of your rank holds experience in turning dirty-necked youths into competent sailors. Most assuredly with a firm hand you could teach a girl her place in your world. Miss Lydia is of the nature to please those she affects.”
Vaughan requested Sloane’s opinion.
“You think what Mr. Darcy says is true?”
Although Sloane nodded eagerly, Darcy suspected Sloane was pleased to align his family with Vaughan through marriage.
“In my time before assuming control of the mines, I apprenticed with Mr. Bennet’s brother Philips. As Mr. Darcy indicated earlier, I often came into the company of Bennet’s daughters, not only in their aunt’s parlor, but also at the local assemblies and socials. Mr. Darcy’s evaluation of the Bennet sisters aligns with my own.
“Also, I would remind you that the connections you claim by taking Miss Lydia to wife crosses all social lines. You will know the gentry, the aristocracy, and the trades. Needless to say, this will feed your political ambitions.”
Vaughan eyed each of them with a critical eye.
“And you believe Mr. Bingley might look kindly upon me for a position in his shipping business?”
Darcy did not wish to speak for Bingley in the matter: He would not appreciate others making promises for him. Even if Bingley wished to look the other way, Darcy held his own connections to the various shipping lines he might call into service on Vaughan’s behalf.
“I would not volunteer Mr. Bingley’s support, but if you are certain you seek such a position, Bingley would welcome your expertise. With the demand for labor in the war, men knowledgeable in the shipping lanes are difficult to discover.”
Vaughan nodded his understanding.
“Then Mr. Bennet, I seek permission to court Miss Lydia while the settlement papers are drawn up and a license is procured. I do wish to say if my opinions of the feasibility of the joining change, I will quietly withdraw.”
Others may not think Vaughan reasonable, but Darcy silently agreed. Darcy never wished a marriage of convenience. The idea of marrying a stranger would be unnerving even for a war hero.
* * *
“Elizabeth, will you join me in the garden?”
Darcy extended his hand to support her to her feet.
“A stroll in the moonlight, Sir?” she asked in a teasing tone.
Darcy glanced about the crowded drawing room.
“I would like a word. Mr. Bennet means to withdraw to the Gardiners tomorrow, and unfinished business remains between us.”
Elizabeth’s eyes followed Darcy’s.
“As you wish, Sir.”
She slipped her hand into his to permit Darcy’s assistance to stand. He led her easily about the room and out the doors leading to the steps down into the garden. No one took note of their exit except Elizabeth’s father, who presented Darcy a warning glare.
Once in the early evening shadows, Darcy nudged Elizabeth closer to him. At length, they stood beneath an ivy-draped arbor. Without prying eyes watching his every move, Darcy gathered Elizabeth into his loose embrace, celebrating the heat of her body along his front, while Elizabeth splayed her hands against his chest.
“I missed holding you,” Darcy whispered close to her ear. “I never tire of having you close.”
Elizabeth sighed deeply as she rested her head upon Darcy’s chest.
“I do not have a name for this…this…” she began.
“I understand,” Darcy assured. “It took me many weeks before I realized you were the one person who made sense in my life.”
Darcy tipped Elizabeth’s chin upward.
“I mean to kiss you, Elizabeth. If you do not wish it say so now.”
“I wish it, William.”
Darcy made himself go slow. To brush h
is lips across hers before claiming a gentle press. Elizabeth’s lips were as satiny smooth as he recalled. She tasted of tea and the sweetness of the chocolate he procured for the ladies’ pleasure, but there was a bit of hesitation, which spurred Darcy’s desire for her. He wished Elizabeth’s surrender, and he eased her lips apart to delve in with his tongue.
Within seconds, Elizabeth sagged against him, and Darcy tightened his embrace. It was his purpose to shove Elizabeth’s defenses aside–to permit her to claim the woman of passion Darcy suspected twirled within her.
Even so, Darcy did not deepen the kiss. His tongue touched the soft tissue of Elizabeth’s mouth. He nibbled on her bottom lip. Darcy wished the decision to share this moment to be hers–for Elizabeth to claim him as heartily as he claimed her. To know her trust in him.
With a soft moan, Elizabeth edged deeper into Darcy’s embrace, pressing her curves tight against him.
“Please kiss me as you did before,” she murmured.
Darcy was not certain Elizabeth understood this “dance” they practiced, but her words were encouragement enough.
The defenses slid from Elizabeth’s shoulders as her hands encircled Darcy’s neck. Her curves hugged the hard planes of Darcy’s body.
“I adore you with all my heart,” Darcy whispered as he claimed Elizabeth’s mouth again.
“And I you,” she said when their lips parted some minutes later.
Darcy held her close, his chin resting on her head as he fought for the next breath.
“Please say…you will name…another date…for our joining. I will not truly live until you are my wife. I tire of the need to prove myself to anyone but you, Elizabeth. Only you can create such deep enduring emotions in me. I tried to resist you, and although it is the worst society to admit my weakness, I hold an unconceivable need to possess you in every means possible.”
Elizabeth planted a kiss against his chest, the warmth of her breath invading the fine lines of his shirt.
“And it is the worst society to acknowledge that your words of devotion bring a profound tenderness to my heart.”
Darcy chuckled, “If I held an inkling, I would have professed my dearest desires earlier.”
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