Fate and Consequences

by Linda Wells

  “Lizzy! What are you doing? Mr. Darcy is dancing with Miss Bingley. Now get back over there, he must see you. You cannot let him be distracted. The girl is better dressed but you were charming him so well. He is living under her roof; you must give him something to remember when he leaves!”

  Seemingly by magic Mrs. Bennet grabbed Kitty from the crowd. “Kitty I have not seen you dance with John Lucas tonight.” She pushed her forward. “Surely that was an oversight, sir!” John looked at Elizabeth, then Kitty.

  He smiled tightly. “Of course, Kitty, shall we dance?”

  “All right, but we must hurry!” She moved quickly away.

  John looked back at Elizabeth. “I will claim another set with you, Eliza.” She felt as if the room was spinning.

  Lady Lucas nodded. “You danced the first with John, it is only right that you dance the last as well.”

  “Lady Lucas, that set is already taken.” She gratefully announced.

  “By Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.

  “Yes, Mama.”

  “Oh my clever girl!” She crowed. Lady Lucas stared at them. She wanted her son married, and he wanted only Elizabeth. She would find a way to make this happen.

  “Eliza, may I speak to you?” Charlotte asked quietly.

  Elizabeth looked again to the dance floor where she spotted William watching her as he moved. His face was expressionless, ignoring Caroline’s chatter, but his eyes burned into hers. “I will speak on any subject other than gentlemen, Charlotte.”

  Clearly this was not the time to push her brother’s suit. “Oh I was just thinking that Jane looked pleased with Mr. Bingley.”

  Elizabeth saw the two were talking with Mrs. Hurst. “Yes, she does seem to get on well with him.” The mothers departed and the girls spoke of their friends and neighbours, Elizabeth gradually relaxed. The set ended and Darcy took Caroline back to her family, and immediately approached Elizabeth and Charlotte. He wished to speak to her alone, but Charlotte would not give up her post, and ignored the subtle hints they both dropped. In frustration Darcy asked Elizabeth to introduce him to her mother.

  “Sir, are you sure?” She asked as they moved away, both surprised and alarmed.

  “I could see that she rescued you from Lucas, Elizabeth. That act alone wins her my undying admiration.”

  She laughed and smiled up at his warm gaze. “Remember those last words, sir.”

  “William.” He whispered.

  “William.”

  Their eyes met. “I apologize for dancing with Miss Bingley when you clearly needed …”

  Elizabeth touched his arm. “Shh. I know that you were obligated to do so sometime tonight.”

  Darcy looked back at her hand, now at her side. “I wish that we could leave here, if only for a few moments.” Darcy was standing as close as possible to Elizabeth without touching her. He searched the crowded room, wondering if there happened to be a convenient balcony or curtain where he could lead her for a few stolen kisses. He wished she would take his arm. “Elizabeth …” He leaned and whispered. She looked up and smiled. He bit his lip and gently nudged her arm with his elbow and raised his brow. She blushed and biting her own lip instead dropped her hand to briefly caress his. As she began to return her hand to her side he captured the retreating fingertips and entwined his own with hers, hiding their hands by moving to block the view. Elizabeth’s blush deepened and she chanced a peek up at his face. Once again they were alone in the room.

  Jane was watching them and smiled. She glanced up to see Bingley was watching them as well with a delighted expression. Bingley leaned over to her. “I have a feeling that you are as pleased for your sister as I am for my friend, Miss Bennet.”

  “I have never seen her so happy.”

  Bingley nodded. “I can swear this is a first for my friend. He is a very good man. You have nothing to fear.”

  Jane looked at him with surprise. “I never thought to worry. Was that naïve of me?”

  “No actually it is refreshing.” He smiled.

  Darcy and Elizabeth awoke from their solitude by Mrs. Bennet’s appearance. “Mama, may I introduce Mr. Darcy?”

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy, I am delighted to meet you at last! Lizzy has so enjoyed your sister’s letters! It is always so exciting when your messenger arrives. I do hope that we will meet her soon? She is not here tonight?”

  “Mrs. Bennet.” He bowed. “My sister remains at Netherfield, she is not yet out. However, I have spoken with Mr. Bennet and we plan to visit Longbourn tomorrow afternoon.”

  Mrs. Bennet beamed. “Lizzy! Did you hear that? You will have to show Miss Darcy a very good time. We do not wish you to hurt this friendship with your impertinent ways, so you must be on your best behaviour.”

  “Yes, Mama.” She closed her eyes, and mortified, moved away from William.

  Mrs. Bennet nodded knowingly. “Mr. Darcy, my Lizzy will be an excellent friend for your sister.”

  “She already is.”

  Elizabeth looked up to his warm eyes and relaxed. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

  He smiled and seeing Mrs. Bennet’s head turned, mouthed “William.” Elizabeth blushed and nodded.

  The remainder of the assembly Elizabeth found she was oddly more popular and was asked for every dance. To her surprise, John’s last approach was refreshingly formal. He addressed her as Miss Elizabeth and the conversation was neutral. She had no idea what inspired the change, but was glad for it. Darcy danced once with Mrs. Hurst after supper, and once with Jane. The rest of the evening he stood on the periphery watching Elizabeth’s partners and paying great attention to John’s location and his attention to her. He wondered at his varied behaviour. He could not question the man’s attraction to Elizabeth, that was unquestionably obvious, but he admittedly wondered why he would not seek a gentleman’s daughter with a larger dowry. Was this love or a physical attraction? Was this man’s heart engaged in the same way his own was?

  After Elizabeth was relinquished by John, the last dance arrived. When Darcy took her hand they both felt the relief of finding home. “This has been quite a day.” Elizabeth smiled while taking his arm in a turn.

  “I loved the way it began.” He whispered as she passed by again. “I would dearly love for it to end the same way.”

  Elizabeth blushed. “So would I, William.”

  When the dance ended Darcy bowed deeply to her, and lifted her hand to his lips, brushing the fabric of her glove with a lingering warm kiss. Her blush matched his, and he wanted so much more. He tucked her arm around his, and escorted her to collect their coats, then out to await the family carriage. Mr. Bennet watched from the street. His suspicions of a deeper connection between the two grew. The Bennet carriage arrived and meeting Mr. Bennet’s eye, Darcy handed Elizabeth in, bowing over her hand and upon rising whispered, “I love you.” Their eyes met, and he smiled at her loving gaze, and then closed the door after her father. He stood for a moment watching her carriage roll in the wrong direction, then entered Bingley’s coach, no longer so alone.

  Chapter 14

  “Welcome to the militia Wickham!” Denny shook his friend’s hand. “You look quite well in that uniform; you should know that it is a very useful accessory when attracting the ladies.” He grinned and laughed at Wickham’s raised brow.

  “Ah, I thought as much, I have yet to see any soldier without a lady on his arm.” Wickham glanced around. “Well, now that I am here, do you have any idea where we will be spending our time? I suppose we will not be so lucky as to spend the winter in London.”

  Denny shook his head. “Not the militia, my friend. You caught me there because we were on leave. No, our lot is to reside in the countryside. Rumour has it that we are heading for Hertfordshire, but nothing is set in stone until the Colonel says the word.”

  Wickham nodded. “Hertfordshire, well at least we will not be spending the winter in the north, I experienced enough of Derbyshire to appreciate the warmer climate.”

  “You grew up there
didn’t you? I seem to recall you saying your father was a steward of a large estate?”

  “Yes, Pemberley, may the Darcys rot in their graves.” He spat.

  Denny’s brows rose. “Come on man, there is a story in that!”

  Wickham shook his head. “Another time. It is too raw now. Just let us say that their beneficence is what leads me to this handsome uniform today.” Denny laughed and taking the lead, escorted Wickham into their headquarters to meet the rest of his new comrades.

  “ANNE, DO NOT SLOUCH. You are a lady!” Lady Catherine barked at her daughter. “I wrote to Darcy weeks ago and have had no answer.” She eyed Anne. “Have you heard from him?”

  “No Mama. Cousin Darcy has not written to me for months.” Anne looked down at her teacup. The absence of letters from her cousin was unusual. He had always taken the time to write. She was aware that her mother was pushing him harder than ever to marry her, now that Georgiana had been ruined. Perhaps that was the reason. Any show of family affection would be taken as proof that he was going to propose. Her mother would have an announcement in the paper before he could blink an eye.

  “Have you heard from your other cousin?”

  Anne knew she referred to Georgiana, but that she had taken to not speaking her name. “No Mama. I have only heard from Cousin Fitzwilliam.”

  Lady Catherine’s eyes widened. “Ah, and does he have news from Pemberley?”

  “He and his parents and Viscount Matlock visited some weeks ago. He said that Georgiana and Darcy were well.” She was not about to elaborate. Richard reported that both of their cousins were carrying heavy burdens. She often thought of Darcy. In many ways they were alike. Both shared mothers whose senses of worth were entirely tied to their title. Her Aunt Anne had rejected what could have been a comfortable and happy life at Pemberley to instead be bitter. Her mother had married her father because he was titled and wealthy; there was never any affection in the relationship. Somehow Anne thought that the combined experiences of the cousins might make for a tolerable marriage. She would not have objected to her mother’s demand that she marry Darcy. She did not love him, but they were both such unhappy people, it would not matter. It was abundantly clear that he never would marry her, but nonetheless … she sighed inwardly. She had her chance. Darcy asked her directly what her feelings were on the subject, and rather than suffer watching the repulsion appear on his face, she told him she did not wish for it. Her decision was clearly correct because he could not hide the relief that his eyes expressed. She accepted it. She knew that a man such as he would want a beautiful, vivacious woman, not a sickly domineered shadow of a girl. There would be no rescue from Rosings from a knight wearing the Darcy crest.

  “I will have to write to him again. Or perhaps I should simply go to Pemberley …” She eyed her daughter. “Would you care for a trip?”

  Anne’s eyes lit up. “To Pemberley?”

  Lady Catherine nodded slowly. “Perhaps. But … no, your uncle would find out.” She glared as her brother’s face appeared in her mind. “Nothing will come of this until your cousin is dealt with, there must be someone suitable I can find to marry her …”

  “But she is not yet out, Mama.” Anne bravely spoke.

  Lady Catherine looked at her sharply. “Do you think that I am not aware of that?” Her fingernails tapped on the fine polished wood of the table by her side. “Who would accept a ruined girl? Especially one such as her?” She thought, remembering the name of the man she knew was Georgiana’s father. She would have to avoid that family, of course. But surely there were plenty of other titled or at least wealthy families willing to accept her in exchange for that tidy dowry … she decided that she must begin writing letters.

  “Darcy will not marry until his sister is removed from Pemberley. She is the albatross around his neck. It is her presence that keeps him from taking you as his wife.” She nodded with new resolve. “Yes. I will find a suitable husband for her and get that girl out of our home.”

  Anne thought to protest that Darcy would likely be unhappy with this decision, but instead thought she would write to her Cousin Fitzwilliam about it instead.

  “Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins is here.” The footman announced.

  She nodded. “Send him up.” The man bowed and several minutes later a small, greasy-haired man, made even smaller by his stoop, appeared.

  “Lady Catherine, how can I thank you for your kind acceptance of my poor company? Your most-esteemed attentions are gratefully received and I beg your forgiveness at my delay. I only received your message within the hour. I was called away from the parsonage to tend a dying parishioner.”

  “I hope that you did not bring his disease in with you?” She eyed him.

  “No, My Lady, I stopped and changed my attire and washed my hands most thoroughly to remove the … fluids.” He cast his eyes down. Anne stared at him, wondering just what ‘fluids’ had been removed. Mr. Collins noticed her and turned, bowing. “Oh, and Miss de Bourgh, please forgive me, I …” His effusions were interrupted by his noble patroness.

  “Sit down, Mr. Collins.” He found a low chair and sat, staring up to her. “I understand that you are to inherit an estate.”

  He smiled. “Yes indeed. Now that my father has passed, I am the benefactor of the entailment which lies upon Longbourn, a property located in Hertfordshire.”

  “Have you seen the property?”

  “No, My Lady, my cousin Bennet, whose family has held the property for generations, was estranged from my father. He has only five daughters, so the entailment was not broken with his issue. With my father’s death …”

  “You will write to him. You will heal the breach in your family.” She ordered.

  “Yes, My Lady!”

  She looked at him coolly. “I do not like my rector not having a wife. You must marry, and you must provide an example to the parish of felicity.”

  “Yes, My Lady!”

  “Choose a wife from these five cousins of yours. They will lose their home upon their father’s death. If you marry one, they will not be cast out. This should assure you of winning one of them.” He nodded eagerly. “Yes, a gentleman’s daughter; not born too high, but of good sturdy stock. Pick her well, Mr. Collins, and I shall visit her.”

  “Oh, and she will be honoured for the condescension, My Lady, I will make sure of it!”

  “Now be off with you. When you receive your cousin’s reply, I will arrange for a replacement so that you may settle your marriage. I will give you a fortnight away to complete the transaction.”

  “Yes, yes, My Lady, certainly that will be more than enough time to select my bride!” He stood and bowed as he backed out of the room, then scurried back to Hunsford parsonage to write to Mr. Bennet.

  Lady Catherine watched him go and smiled. “I enjoy seeing him grovel.” She looked speculatively at Anne. A husband for her like that would be amusing, but she needed Pemberley. No, a grovelling fool for Georgiana would be excellent. She stood. “I have some letters to write. Go take your nap Anne.”

  Anne sat still after she left, listening to the tapping of her cane fade. Her shoulders slouched. After thinking about it she too stood, and went to her room to write to Fitzwilliam.

  DARCY AWOKE, and in his half-conscious state reached to draw Elizabeth against his aroused body, and felt a sudden and deep disappointment when he realized that she was not there, and not his wife. Fully awake he fell back against the pillow and stared up at the canopy, fighting both the physical ache and the one he recognized as loneliness. One he could relieve, the other would have to wait two long months. At least after this day he would have the right to protect her from John Lucas and any other interloper who tried to claim her attention. Last night he could only watch and fume. His glare was all he could offer her. He would be sure that his changed status was made very clear to all.

  He arrived in the breakfast room to find that Georgiana was the sole occupant. She jumped up at his entrance. “William!” She kissed his ch
eek. “How was the dance? Did you see Elizabeth? How is she?”

  He smiled and patted her shoulder. “Please let me take some coffee dear, before the inquisition begins.” Georgiana resumed her seat and watched him pour a cup, then fill a plate from the covered dishes on the sideboard. He settled into his chair and looked up to her expectant face and chuckled. “Yes, I saw Elizabeth. We danced three times. I met her parents and family, and you and I will be visiting there this afternoon.”

  Georgiana clapped. “Oh, I can not wait to see her! Were her parents nice?”

  Darcy leaned back with his cup and took a sip. “They were … unique.” He saw her confusion. “I believe you will have to experience them to understand. I have asked for a private conference with Mr. Bennet.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “You will ask for permission to court her?” He nodded. He also had a feeling that an explanation about the letters would be requested.

  Georgiana reached out and took his hand. “I truly have never seen you so happy, Brother.”

  He smiled. “Thank you, dear. I truly am. I want to bring her home.” Georgiana looked at him with surprise. He rarely referred to Pemberley as home.

  Before more could be said, the sound of boots in the hallway was heard and Bingley made a sleepy appearance. “Good Morning.” He looked around, bleary-eyed. “You would think that I would be used to late nights, but I just could not fall asleep after we returned.”

  Darcy raised his brows. “Something on your mind?”

  A slow, wide grin spread across his face. “Something like that.” Darcy rolled his eyes. Miss Bennet was obviously going to receive his attentions.

  “Bingley, please, remember what I said last night.” He looked at him pointedly.

  Bingley’s gaze sharpened. “Darcy. I believe that we have addressed this subject.”

  The men’s eyes met, and Darcy nodded. “Very well. Georgiana and I will be calling at Longbourn this afternoon.”