Fate and Consequences

by Linda Wells

  Darcy removed his gloves and hat and looked to Bingley. “Well Bingley, tell me, shall I bathe?”

  He smirked and nodded to Roberts. “He will be ready to bathe in a half hour, and I have already requested a tray.” Roberts looked between the men and retreated to the dressing room, closing the door. Bingley shut the chamber door and stood with his arms crossed, a huge grin on his face. “You saw Miss Elizabeth?”

  Darcy was stunned and sat down. “You can tell?”

  Bingley laughed and took another chair. “It is all in your eyes, man. I would daresay you could hide it from my sisters, but not yours and I have made a study of your face for years now. I can see an expression I have noticed only rarely on you, the last time was the day that we came to look over Netherfield.” Darcy stood to look at his face. Bingley was correct. His expression was normal, but his eyes were alive. He turned back and broke into a smile. Bingley jumped up and shook his hand. “Tell me about it, my friend!”

  Darcy sat down and sighed. “Yes, I saw her. I went riding towards Longbourn and there she was, walking in the light of dawn. I stopped, we talked.” He did not elaborate.

  “And?” Bingley prodded.

  Darcy smiled. “I will be speaking to her father tomorrow about our courtship.”

  “Well done, Darcy!” He shook his head. “You move quickly, man. Why you barely know the girl!” Darcy flushed. “I always thought you would jump on the opportunity when the right girl came along, damned if you did not!” He laughed as Darcy pulled out the ribbon and began twisting it. “A token?”

  He startled and began to hide it and sighed. “Yes. And Bingley, I will not elaborate, but Miss Elizabeth and I do know each other very well. This is not the work of a moment.”

  Bingley’s brows rose with his curiosity, but he knew not to push. He nodded. “Very well, I am sure that whatever is between you two was done with just this result in mind. If there was ever a man I would trust with my sister …” Darcy looked at him in alarm. Bingley laughed. “Well, you know what I mean.” Darcy shook his head with a small smile. “So, what can you tell me?”

  He settled back in the chair. “She is beautiful.”

  Bingley suppressed a laugh. “You sound like me.”

  Darcy smiled. “No, then I would be calling her an angel.”

  This time Bingley did laugh. “Touché!”

  “We talked; we spoke of my family’s objections to her.” Bingley’s brows rose to hear that this truly was not a spur of the moment decision. “We spoke of her other suitor.” Darcy’s countenance clouded and he looked up to his friend’s concerned face. “John Lucas. He has been quite persistent, and from what I could tell, has both angered and worried Miss Elizabeth.”

  Bingley was surprised. “He seems very affable. What has he done?”

  “He outright told her that he would win her from me.” Darcy’s eyes turned black. “That is impossible.”

  “Well, as his father is more or less hosting the assembly tonight, he will undoubtedly be there.”

  Darcy nodded. “I hope that we will arrive on time. I do not wish to leave Miss Elizabeth alone with him.” Bingley thought to remind him that there would likely be scores of people there, but knew not to argue with a jealous man.

  “There is no other reason you would wish to be on time?” He smiled.

  Darcy met his smile with one of his own. “Well, I do have a partner for the first set.”

  Bingley laughed. “Ah, you do have it bad. Imagine; Fitzwilliam Darcy concerned about arriving on time to a dance!” He stood and offered his hand. Darcy stood and they shook. “Congratulations, Darcy. I only met her briefly, but I knew even then that she was a lovely woman. I hope you will be very happy.”

  “I will, and I thank you.” He looked down and sighed. “Please do not say anything to your family. I would prefer to leave our courtship a secret until I have spoken with her father.”

  Bingley opened the chamber door and waved on his way out. “Have no fear, but you had better decide what you will say to your sister. That, or hide your face from her for the rest of the day!” He grinned and closed the door behind him.

  Darcy watched the door close and sat back down in the chair. He was not sure why he did not tell Bingley that he was, in fact, engaged to be married, but somehow he just did not want his friend to know yet. He did not wish to tell Georgiana either. She knew full well his ultimate intentions, but they still had not spoken of what happened with Wickham. He had already broken the rules of propriety with their letters, and he somehow felt that he needed to set some sort of an example for her. The seemingly sudden courtship would be hard enough to explain to the neighbourhood, let alone if the news was of an engagement. If Georgiana did notice his unusual happiness, he was sure that she would just decide it was due to his being near Elizabeth again. He did dearly need to tell someone though.

  Roberts knocked and re-entered the room. “Sir, your bath is ready and the tray has just arrived.” Darcy looked up and saw the man who knew him more intimately than any other, and knew he could trust him.

  “Thank you Roberts.” He watched as the man bent to remove his boots. “Roberts, I have some news, but it is not to be discussed with anyone.”

  He stood and set the boots down. “Yes sir?”

  Darcy drew a breath. “I am engaged to be married.”

  The servant’s eyes widened. “Truly sir? I had no idea that you were courting … pardon me sir!” He cast his eyes down. Then biting his lip he asked. “May I ask the lady’s name, sir?”

  Darcy smiled. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Robert’s eyes came up. “Not Miss Bingley?” Then seeing the horror in his master’s face he immediately looked down. “Forgive me sir; it was the talk below stairs that she would stop at nothing …”

  He was surprised by a deep chuckle and looked up again. “It is all right Roberts. I should not be surprised that was a topic of conversation. But I assure you that never would have happened. I hope that the staff will be pleased with their new mistress. Nonetheless, it is to be kept between the two of us, and for your information, we will be courting for the next month. I will let you know when the engagement begins and the staff may be notified.”

  If the valet was confused he hid it well. “Of course, sir.” Darcy looked at him and grinned. Telling someone made it all real. He watched Roberts leave the room and removed Elizabeth’s gloves from inside of his coat. He marvelled over how small her hands were, and felt his heartbeat increase as he stroked them lovingly. He stood and quickly crossed the room, locking them away in a large ebony box, then went to prepare for the day.

  The rest of the morning Darcy spent working with Bingley and his steward, helping him to understand the workings of an estate. They met the ladies and Hurst for an afternoon meal. Georgiana stared with curiosity at her brother and he met Bingley’s amused eye. Apparently his happiness was still evident to those who knew him well. He shrugged at him and smiled at Georgiana. “Would you like to take a walk in the garden after we eat, dear? I have not seen you all day.”

  Before she could reply Caroline jumped in. “Oh what a lovely idea Mr. Darcy, we can all go walking. Do you agree, Louisa?”

  She nodded her head. “Yes, it is a fine day, and we have had little opportunity to spend time with you, Mr. Darcy. Why, Caroline has been looking forward to your visit so much!”

  Darcy hid the grimace he felt and turned to Caroline. “I am sure that we will miss your company, however, I need to speak with my sister on some private family matters. I hope that you understand.” He saw the displeasure flash briefly in her eyes and raised his brow.

  “Oh, of course, sir.”

  He smiled slightly. “Besides, I imagine that you will wish to prepare quite carefully for the assembly. I am sure that you wish to impress the neighbourhood with your particular style.”

  Caroline flushed with pleasure at his supposed compliment. “Oh Mr. Darcy! Yes, I do have something particular planned tonight. I do hope that you
will like it!” Darcy glanced at Bingley’s twitching lips and back at Caroline. “I have no doubt that the gentlemen of the assembly will be impressed.”

  He stood and offered his arm to Georgiana. “Excuse us, please.” They made their escape.

  “William, what has happened? Miss Bingley was so upset when she came down to breakfast and found that you had disappeared. It was as if she felt you should have asked her permission!”

  Darcy stared at her. “Really?” He shook his head. “Well I will tell you, I went riding and came upon Miss Elizabeth this morning. We talked for a long time, and she accepted my offer of courtship. I will speak to her father tomorrow, so please do not mention this to anyone until it is official.”

  Georgiana listened to him with a growing smile. “Oh William!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

  He laughed. “I take it that you are pleased?”

  “You know that I am!” She reclaimed his arm and they began walking again. “How is she? Was she surprised?”

  “She is beautiful, and I do not know if I can truly describe her emotion when I asked, but she is happy, just as I am.”

  Georgiana smiled. “Yes, brother, it is all in your eyes.”

  He laughed. “To those who care to see, yes it is.”

  “PAPA, YOU WISHED TO SEE ME?” Elizabeth entered her father’s bookroom and took her usual seat before his desk. Mr. Bennet studied her for a moment.

  “You have a new glow about you, Lizzy. Can you tell me what it is?”

  She startled. “Oh, I could not say.”

  Mr. Bennet raised his brows, and pressed the tips of his folded hands to his lips. “I wished to speak to you because tonight you will likely meet your friend’s brother. I know that your mother has determined that you will marry this man, despite either of your opinions. Just as I have told you with John Lucas, I want you to know that I take the same stance with Mr. Darcy. You will not be forced to suffer the attentions of any man that you do not favour, and if you wish, I will speak to your mother about her machinations with this young man. I imagine that he is of some status and wealth, and is used to mothers pushing their daughters on him, and would appreciate one less being forced his way.”

  Elizabeth was unsure of how to respond. She could not tell him of her courtship, much less of her engagement to William. She bit her lip. “I assure you, Papa, that despite Mama’s unwelcome interference, I was impressed with Mr. Darcy when I twice met him, and I would not object to his attentions were he to bestow them upon me.”

  Mr. Bennet tilted his head a bit and regarded her carefully. Her face was flushed, her hands were twisting, and her eyes, everything was always in his daughter’s eyes. He saw it now. She was lost to this man. He sighed and hoped he would not break her heart when he returned to London without her, and wondered if he would be intelligent enough to see the treasure his Lizzy was. “Very well, child. I will say nothing for now. I do think that I will come to this dance tonight. I look forward to seeing your battle to ignore one suitor and win another!”

  “Papa!” He laughed and shooed her away. He wondered at all of those letters that came to Longbourn, why there always seemed to be two either arriving or leaving. His suspicions were aroused. “Yes, this dance will be interesting indeed.”

  Chapter 13

  Caroline stood poised at the top of the stairs, ready to make her entrance. Down below she watched as Hurst and Bingley stood with arms folded, sending amused comments to Darcy who was wearing a path in the carpet with his incessant pacing. “What are you waiting for?” Louisa asked. “We will be late enough as is, and Mr. Darcy is clearly impatient to go.”

  “I just want him to look up.” She hissed. Louisa rolled her eyes and called out. “Mr. Hurst, are you ready?” The question produced the intended result and all three men looked up to see Caroline descending majestically. Darcy blew out a frustrated breath and taking in the overly dressed, overly bejewelled women, inwardly shuddered and stepped to the servant who held his coat and hat.

  Caroline arrived and instead of pleasure, she saw ire in the man’s eyes. “Please excuse the delay, Mr. Darcy. You did say that I should look my best this evening.”

  “You look tolerably well, Miss Bingley. Now, we should be on our way.”

  She started at his comment, but then shook it off and smiled knowingly. “Oh, Mr. Darcy, you know that it is fashionable to be late to these affairs.”

  He detached the hand that had claimed his arm. “Miss Bingley. It is difficult to repair a bad first impression. I would prefer not to lose the good opinion of the neighbourhood by our tardy appearance.” He stepped back and watched as Bingley offered his arm to her and walked outside to the carriage. Darcy hoped that she would be sufficiently silenced by his reply to stay away from him that evening.

  At the assembly Elizabeth stood looking out of the window, nervously worrying the chain to the locket where William’s token was kept. Jane joined her. “Oh where are they? The dance will begin at any moment!”

  “I am sure they are on their way, Lizzy.” Jane was almost as nervous as Elizabeth. She had seen Bingley when he visited Longbourn and caught him staring at her. She was taken by the handsome young man, and despite her protests to her mother, hoped he would ask her for a dance. “Look there is a carriage, perhaps it is theirs.” The door opened and both girls deflated, seeing another family exit. The sound of music starting signalled the beginning of the dance.

  “Eliza.”

  Elizabeth stiffened and turned to face John. “You look beautiful tonight.” He took in the yellow fabric of her well-cut gown, the three long curls draped over her shoulder, the ribbons of yellow and white woven through her hair, and smiled. “I have never seen you so lovely.”

  She felt Jane squeeze her hand. “Please call me Miss Elizabeth, sir.” He continued smiling, and she sighed. “Thank you, Mr. Lucas for your compliment. You look well yourself.” She felt trapped.

  “You seem to be waiting for someone.” He glanced out at the empty street. “Punctuality is admirable, is it not?” He held out his hand. “May I have this first set, Eliza? I will be much honoured.” He gave her a genuine and warm smile.

  Elizabeth fumed at his refusal to honour her request to be addressed formally, but did not wish to create a scene. She looked once more out of the window, willing a coach to appear, then to Jane. Both girls knew that if she refused, she would have to sit out the next two dances, and she did not wish to risk that if William did arrive soon. “Thank you, Mr. Lucas.” She reluctantly accepted his hand and he led her to the floor.

  Mrs. Bennet’s eyes narrowed and Lady Lucas smiled. “Oh look, Eliza is dancing with John.”

  Mrs. Bennet sniffed. “The Netherfield party is following the fashion of entering late. All people of society do.”

  Lady Lucas nodded and her smile grew. “Ah yes, but it seems that those who are late miss the desirable partners.”

  John stood opposite Elizabeth and enjoyed taking in her entire form. The music began and they waited for their turn to move. Elizabeth’s eyes kept travelling to the doorway. When their turn arrived she sighed and giving John a weak smile, took his offered hand. Her mind travelled through many emotions, worry that William was ill, hurt for leaving her waiting, and concern that he regretted his proposal. John took her hand and smiled. “Come Eliza, we must have some conversation.”

  “Must we?” She arched her brow.

  He laughed. “Why of course!” John moved around her. “What shall we discuss?”

  “You are eager, Mr. Lucas. I will allow you to choose the subject.”

  He considered her carefully. She was clearly unhappy with him. “I wish to apologize.” Elizabeth was not expecting that. “Apologize?”

  He nodded and holding her hand, moved beside her. “Indeed. I am afraid that my attentions have made you uncomfortable. I have little experience with courting, and I hope that you will bear with my awkward attempts.” Again he smiled with sincerity and contrition.

&n
bsp; “Mr. Lucas, I agree that I find your methods … disconcerting; however, I also do not seek your attentions. I would prefer that we simply remain the friends we have always been.” She looked around the room, seeing the groupings of local matrons whispering together and nodding. By dancing the first set with him, expectations in the neighbourhood were being raised.

  John noticed the same reactions and smiled, all was going well. “I will always wish to be your friend … Eliza.” She glared. “Oh come, give me this little privilege.”

  With the eyes of the room upon them she held her tongue. She could not deliver a set down and remain at the dance, and she would not leave and miss William. She smiled slightly. “Tell me of your trip to Ireland, Mr. Lucas.” Clearly she was deflecting his advances, but at least she was paying attention only to him. He happily began regaling her with the details of his trip.

  The Netherfield party finally arrived. Darcy could hear the music from the street and his heart sank. The dance had begun. He glared at Bingley who looked at him with sympathy, and offered his arm to Caroline before she had a chance to attach herself to Darcy. He looked up at the windows, blazing with light. It was precisely the kind of place he hated visiting, but Elizabeth was somewhere inside. After leaving their outerwear at the door, he followed the couples upstairs and tugged at his coat, resisting the urge to pull out his ribbon. He needed to face the real woman now. Searching the hall, he barely heard Sir William’s welcome. He managed to politely endure the introductions, noticing the curiosity with which he was examined by their host and his family. Charles, of course, asked Charlotte for the next set, and Darcy noticed Caroline moved towards him. He murmured something and advanced into the room. Elizabeth was nowhere in the crowd. Where is she? Every woman was examined, then his eyes turned to the dancers, and there she was, a vision in yellow, just as he had hoped. She had not seen him, and he stood at the edge of the dance and fixed his unwavering gaze upon her, watching her move gracefully through the pattern. The smiling man who was her partner took her hand in his and Darcy’s heart twisted. That should have been me! Why did she not wait for me? He thought angrily, but knew the rules as well as she did. She had no choice. Watching to see if there was pleasure in her face, all he could see was a fixed smile, and that she was engaged in a conversation that apparently pleased her partner. Darcy wondered who the usurper was.