by Linda Wells
Bingley smiled. “Ah, do you mind if I tag along?”
Darcy shook his head and smiled slightly. “I am sure you would be welcome.” A companionable silence fell over the room as the three ate, and was subsequently disrupted by the arrival of the Hursts and Caroline.
“Well Charles, are you happy with the neighbourhood? There was very little of fashion or style evident at that assembly last night. I imagine the people of importance stayed away from such a public event. Hopefully we will meet neighbours of quality soon.”
Bingley looked up as Caroline selected her breakfast then met Darcy’s cold eyes. “This is not London, Caroline. I do not know why you are placing the standards of the ton upon the neighbourhood. Everyone I met was welcoming and kind. I am pleased with our reception.”
She sat and huffed. “I am merely pointing out a few deficiencies. Some of the families did seem tolerable, but others …” She looked at Darcy pointedly, “… were quite unsatisfactory, the Bennets for instance.”
“I found Miss Jane Bennet to be quite lovely.” Bingley said, meeting her eyes.
She bowed her head. “Yes, she was the exception. She is a sweet girl. But her sisters…” She shuddered. “I can not imagine what society would think of them. That Miss Eliza Bennet was without any grace at all. She would be laughed out of the drawing rooms. She quite belongs in the country.” She stared at Darcy who did not hide his ire. “Surely that is obvious. However, I understand that Mr. Lucas is very interested in her. His mother told me that he has been pursuing her quite vigorously but she is resisting. She apparently has set her sights on someone with a fortune. Lady Lucas agrees with me that she should keep to her own. She will be happier there.”
Georgiana and Bingley both looked to Darcy whose mouth was set in a thin line. “I imagine that Miss Elizabeth will be interested to hear of your counsel. I will be sure to relay your opinion when I call on her this afternoon.”
Caroline was silenced. Louisa looked at her sister’s stunned expression. “You are to call on Longbourn, Mr. Darcy?”
His cold gaze fixed on her. “Indeed. I will accompany Georgiana to visit her friend. I look forward to spending time with all of the Bennets, Miss Elizabeth in particular.”
Louisa’s mouth opened and closed. “I will be joining them.” Bingley added. His sisters stared and Hurst watched the tableau and snorted with his amusement.
Darcy stood. “I have some work to finish. I will be in the library should you need me, Georgiana.” He bowed and left the room. Georgiana whispered her excuses and left to join Mrs. Annesley.
Bingley was left with his family. “Caroline, what are you about?”
She looked affronted. “I was merely pointing out the deficiencies of the Bennets. Mr. Darcy seemed uncommonly blind to them last night. I wish only to protect him from an obvious fortune hunter.”
“I have said this once and I will say it only one more time. The Darcys are here to relax after a difficult summer. I do not wish any desires of yours to interfere with their visit. Darcy is welcome to spend his time as he sees fit, without your unwanted advice.” He stood and put down his napkin. “And Caroline, Louisa, I do not want to hear another word disparaging the Bennets.” He nodded to Hurst and left the room.
“Well!” Caroline huffed.
“I do not think this will be as easy as you supposed, Caroline.” Louisa whispered. Hurst shovelled more food in his mouth and listened.
Caroline glanced his way and dismissed him. “It is perhaps more difficult. I did not expect Mr. Darcy to be suddenly infatuated with another woman. But having another suitor nearby is useful.”
Hurst swallowed his tea and stood. “Ladies.” He strolled from the room and down towards the library. Knocking, he entered and closed the door behind him.
Darcy looked up from the desk which was spread with papers. “Hurst.”
He dropped down in a chair and considered Darcy in silence for several moments. “I thought you should be made aware that my wife and sister have plans for you.”
“What do you mean?” He put down his pen.
Hurst shrugged. “Nothing specific, but the addition of Miss Elizabeth has upset them. I would be prepared for a possible compromise if I were you. Keep your door locked, if you know what I mean.” He nodded, then seeing the disgust crossing Darcy’s face stood. “Just be on guard. You have had enough this summer.” He turned and left the room.
Darcy sat back. The length of his courtship was just going to have to be shortened. It was convenient to be at Netherfield, but until he was engaged officially, it would be like living in a nest of vipers.
ELIZABETH WANDERED the garden, reliving the past day. It seemed as if it was only a dream, but the memory of William’s kisses was very real. She crossed her arms around her chest, hugging herself. If she closed her eyes she could almost feel his strong embrace, and imagine the scent of his cologne enveloping her when he expressed so warmly the emotion he felt. She drew a deep breath and slowly blinked her eyes open again. It was extraordinary, at nearly this exact time a day before she was a naïve girl, pretending to kiss her lover in her pillow at night, and suddenly she was different, her mind rapidly pulling together the new feelings, smells, sensations and reactions that she had now experienced, and imagining what it would be like to become William’s wife. She pressed her hand to the locket and attempted to still her rapidly beating heart.
The proposal, well, the meeting itself, had been such a surprise, but to see him there before her, saying all that was in his heart, when she knew how hard it was for him to express himself, was overwhelming to her. To know that she, Elizabeth Bennet, could arouse such passionate emotion from such an extraordinary man nearly took her breath away. She thought back over the assembly and smiled. He was practically grief-stricken, staring at her dancing with John. She felt his pain just as deeply, but she had been without recourse at the time, and he thankfully understood that she was not slighting him. Even for the second dance with John, William knew that she could not refuse and still dance the last with him. Elizabeth thought there might be some gossip today amongst the neighbourhood. His attentions to her were very marked. Three dances! And only one other with a lady outside of his party. She shook her head. Tongues would be wagging today. She wondered if they would be pleased that he, a wealthy man, had shown the sense to single out one of their own, or if they would be disparaging him because he did not choose one of the other girls. Elizabeth sighed; she supposed he could not win, no matter what he did. Mr. Bingley had clearly made a good impression on them all. For him, that was more important, since he was to be living there, and William was merely a visitor. She would have to speak to him about at least attempting to be a little more approachable in company. She laughed. Listen to you, Lizzy! You are already acting like a wife!
A wife. She closed her eyes again; thinking of all that the word entailed and shuddered, realizing now that the strange aching she experienced was obviously shared by him. All she could think about was how she wanted to feel it again. It was as if a darkened room had been filled with blazing light, and the words that she had read in secret without comprehension suddenly made sense. A month of courtship and a month of engagement seemed entirely too long now. He wanted to marry right away … perhaps they should talk before he meets with her father.
She was startled out of her reverie with the sound of Jane’s voice. “Lizzy, are you well? You looked so deep in thought. Has something happened?”
She smiled at her concerned sister, and did not even consider explaining the feelings she was reliving. Jane would not understand. “I am fine, Jane. I was just thinking of William. What do you think if we shortened the courtship?”
“Shortened? Oh Lizzy, you are only asking for a month now, it would surely cause talk if you made it less.”
Elizabeth bit her lip. “I know, but, Jane I wish … oh, it is so hard to explain!”
Jane touched her hand. “You love him, Lizzy. You simply wish to begin your life.”
“Has he threatened you?” Jane asked with concern.
“Well, if telling me that he will win my hand is a threat, then yes, he has. I tried to convince him to look elsewhere, but it is as if he is obsessed with me. I do not recall ever doing anything to inspire it. Do you?” She searched her sister’s eyes.
Jane shook her head. “No, not at all. It was as if he returned from Cambridge this way.” The girls hooked their arms and walked along.
“Mr. Bingley seemed most taken with you, Jane.”
She blushed and looked at the ground. “I like him, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth smiled and squeezed her arm. “I am so glad to hear that. Perhaps he will come calling with the Darcys today.”
She looked up hopefully. “Do you think so?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Well, if he does not, he is a silly fool!”
“THE POST, SIR.” Hill entered the bookroom and handed the letters to Mr. Bennet. He closed the atlas he was studying and picked up the envelopes. The first was from an unfamiliar address in Kent. He frowned at it, and then studying the return remembered why he knew the name, Collins, the heir to Longbourn. He put that letter aside. He lifted the second and recognized the handwriting immediately, but still looked at the address. There was no name, there never was. Ever since his sister had been banished to Scotland she was too ashamed to ever speak her family name again. Her letters were always a bittersweet gift for Mr. Bennet. He loved her, but her mistake was what led him to the marriage he had now. The sound of Mrs. Bennet’s screech carried through the doorway, and he looked down at the letter again. He loved his daughters, was miserable with the marriage he had to accept, and only he remembered Sarah Bennet. His daughters had no idea that they had another aunt. He had no desire to read her words just then.
He picked up the last letter and his brow wrinkled. It was filthy. Covered in mud, the direction was obliterated. How did they know to bring it here? He wondered, and then examining it closely, he saw that only a portion of the return was legible. Longbourn, Meryton, Hertfordshire, he made out. He thought it was Lizzy’s writing, but it was difficult to tell. The seal was intact so he decided to open it. If it was Lizzy’s he would just return it to her so she could write her friend anew. Breaking the seal he found one muddy and one nearly pristine sheet. He opened them and his eyes grew wide.
Dear William,
I can not imagine why you would think that our friendship would end now. Your sister’s behaviour, while foolish was not your fault.
Mr. Bennet could not stop himself. He read the entire letter through. He learned through Elizabeth’s reassurances to Mr. Darcy everything. They were correspondents, obviously of some time. He had entrusted her with the secret of his sister’s ruin. Mr. Bennet’s heart suddenly ached with the memory of his own sister’s shame. He read of Elizabeth’s support for both of them, her ideas for helping Miss Darcy regain her life, if not her place in society, and he read what was in every sentence of the letter but as yet unwritten. She loved him. He looked at the end of the letter and saw her signature: Yours, Elizabeth.
Mr. Bennet sighed and wiped the tears that were falling silently down his face. He suspected that perhaps Elizabeth had exchanged a few friendly notes with him. After the dance he even suspected that they were forming a romance, but this? He shook his head and again read the letter. This was what it looked like to read of love. He thought of his own lost love, the one who rejected him after … He set the letter down. The rules of propriety had been broken. What should I do? The sound of a carriage arriving took him to the window and he saw Mr. Darcy descend, his sombre face remained but his eyes were bright with anticipation and joy. Mr. Bennet clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace.
MRS. BENNET was beside herself at the sight of the Darcy carriage through the drawing room window. She called out to each of the daughters to arrange themselves in as natural a manner as possible, while posing them in various attitudes of work. She especially directed Elizabeth, even jumping up to pinch her cheeks one last time to give her already healthy blush an extra glow. The visitors were announced and they all stood to receive them. Darcy’s eyes flew to Elizabeth’s and they exchanged a smile that barely hinted at their rapidly beating hearts. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley how very good to see you again!” Mrs. Bennet cried, stepping forward. “And sir, may I presume that this is your sister?” She looked over the very elegantly dressed girl. Georgiana was excited to come, but the moment she stepped into the house, she retreated so far into her shyness that she could not lift her eyes from the floor.
Darcy looked down at her then back to Elizabeth with concern. “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, may I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?” She curtseyed but still would not speak.
Elizabeth came forward and said softly. “It is so wonderful to see you again, Georgiana.”
She looked up to Elizabeth and swallowed. “Yes, it is.”
Smiling, Elizabeth took her arm and led her into the room. All of the sisters examined her. Obviously she was shy, but Kitty and Lydia were only concerned with her clothes. Mary wondered why a girl with all the advantages of life could possibly be so afraid to enter a room, and thought they might be alike in some ways.
Jane sat beside her on the sofa and patted her knee. “I doubt that you remember me, Miss Darcy. I am Elizabeth’s sister Jane.” Elizabeth took the opportunity to introduce the rest of the family, and slowly Georgiana relaxed. There was nothing to fear here. Nobody in this place knew of her ruin, she was simply accepted for who she was.
Darcy sat in a chair next to Elizabeth’s sofa and watched her work magic on his sister. Their eyes met and her warm smile helped to relieve some of his tension. “I wonder if I might have a moment to speak to you before I see your father.” He looked at her anxiously.
She looked out of the window, it was a fine day. “Mama, I would like to show our guests the garden.”
Mrs. Bennet, watching Bingley staring at Jane, and Darcy staring at Elizabeth, wholeheartedly approved the plan. “Of course! The flowers are yet in bloom, by all means go outside, and when you return we will have tea.”
Darcy stood and smiled at her. He bent down and whispered. “You are clever, Miss Elizabeth.”
She laughed. “Do you really think that my mother would stand in the way of matchmaking?” He laughed and offered one arm to her, and his other to Georgiana. He had already told her that he needed to speak to Elizabeth alone for a few moments when they arrived.
In the garden, Georgiana stayed with Jane and Bingley, and Elizabeth led Darcy to an area that afforded them some privacy. He looked around very carefully and when he was satisfied that they could not be seen, pulled her against him so quickly that she gasped. “William!”
His arms wrapped around her waist and his eyes travelled over her face. “Elizabeth, I have thought little of anything but holding you in my arms again.” His face lowered and her lips were tenderly brushed with his, then feeling her response, Darcy groaned and kissed her deeply. His hands moved, one supporting her back, the other drawing her hips against him. Elizabeth’s arms moved from his waist to around his neck and she drew his head down, entwining her fingers in his hair and pressing the length of her body to his. He drew away from her mouth only far enough to kiss his way to her throat. “Darling, please, I can not bear to wait two months for you. Let me tell your father of our letters. At least let him know that we are long beyond courtship.” His hair brushed against her face as his head bent to claim the sensitive skin beneath her ear.
Elizabeth moaned and he reacted by holding her tighter against his aroused body and suckling ever so delicately her throat. She trembled. “Oh William.”
Her moan drove hi
m to run his hands over her, feeling the curves, and again firmly held her to his chest. He lifted his face to look into her eyes. Passion burned there. “What is your answer Elizabeth?” Her eyes closed and her mouth hungrily claimed his. The provocative move drew out his moan, and they stood exchanging their kiss for several more moments before she began to draw away. “No, no, please …” He tried to bring her back to him.
“We must …” She panted, “… we must … stop … William.” She looked up and saw his blue eyes had disappeared and been replaced by the blackness of his desire. She swallowed, trying to calm her breathing.
He panted raggedly. “What shall we do?”
Elizabeth stroked back the hair that fell against his eyes and he took her hand, kissing the palm, and then held it to his pounding heart. “Tell him everything, my love. I will come in and reassure him. He will be unhappy.”
He nodded. “Any father would be unhappy to lose his daughter to another man. I can understand that after I almost lost Georgiana.”
She nodded. “Will you tell him of her actions?”
Calming, he stepped back and held both of her hands in his. “Yes, I think that he must know it all. Everyone in London knows of it, or some version of it. I would prefer he know the truth. It is only a matter of time before the news is learned here.”
“Lizzy!” They startled. Jane had given them as much time alone as she dared. “Mama said that tea is ready.”
Elizabeth straightened Darcy’s neck cloth and he gently rubbed a thumb over her lips. “I am afraid that you will need an explanation for this.” Then his fingertips brushed her neck. “I am sorry.”
She drew in a breath. “Is it very bad?”
He smiled. “It depends on who you ask. I think it is beautiful.” She raised her brow, and he laughed. “Call Miss Bennet over and see her reaction.”
“Jane, could you come here for a moment?” Elizabeth looked up at him with her arms folded. Jane appeared around the corner and took one look at Elizabeth and gasped. She glanced at Darcy and her eyes focused on his swollen mouth. “Well, that answers that question.” Elizabeth sighed. “Now what do we do?”
