by Linda Wells
A warm bath helped a great deal to revive her, but by the time her hair was dried and she was dressed, Elizabeth was again feeling fatigued. They slowly made their way down to the breakfast room, where Darcy immediately stood. “Ladies, good morning! How are you feeling Elizabeth?” He smiled warmly at her then noticed her tired eyes. “Lizzy?” Jane looked at him with a startled expression. Darcy was at Elizabeth’s side and helped her to a nearby chair. He took the chair beside her. “You are not well, what happened?” Elizabeth glanced at Jane and was grateful that no other members of the household were present, since William obviously would have forgotten them as much as Jane.
“I simply felt the effects of the illness once I arose, that is all.” She watched as the conflict of his thoughts played out on his face.
He could not feel regret for the attentions he paid, he treasured the experience, and it would be a lie to pretend otherwise. He had tried to explain to her how he felt about their break with propriety, and thought she understood. What he did feel was guilt for paying those attentions while she was ill; and he had been chastising his selfish behaviour since he left her room. But she had seemed so recovered at the time! He was disgusted with his attempts to justify his behaviour, then began blaming his actions for making her ill once again, and took her hand.
“You will remain here.” It was not a question.
“Yes, William, I will.”
Darcy kissed her hand, and remained very concerned. “You need to eat. What shall I bring you?” He stood and walked to the sideboard.
“Some tea and toast would be fine.” He was about to argue, but decided against it. He brought her the food and sat down beside her again after moving his plate. Jane felt completely ignored, but was pleased to watch how attentive Darcy was.
Bingley and Hurst wandered into the room and greeted the sisters. Bingley instantly took the place by Jane. “Miss Bennet, it is truly a pleasure to begin my morning with your company at my table. Although I regret Miss Elizabeth’s illness, I can not help but be pleased with the unexpected benefits.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “And I imagine Darcy does not object either.”
Elizabeth smiled and laughed softly at William’s unceasing gaze. “I believe that if he would speak he might agree, sir.” She leaned back and closed her eyes.
Bingley looked concerned. “I do hope that you are not planning to leave us today, Miss Elizabeth. I insist that you remain here as long as necessary to recover.”
“I agree, Bingley. I am certain that your family home is hospitable, but I do not think you should risk the exposure to the elements that a carriage ride would incur.” Darcy took her hand under the table and squeezed.
Before she could answer Hurst piped in. “Come now ladies, please put them out of their misery and agree to stay. If for no other reason than to save me from having to cheer them from their hangdog appearance after you depart.”
Elizabeth and Jane smiled at each other. “Of course, if it is to save you Mr. Hurst, we will remain.” All three men grinned.
Bingley’s eyes widened. “Oh, I say, Darcy, Hurst, we have that dinner tonight with the officers.” He looked at Jane with distress.
Darcy shrugged. “I have no problem remaining here. They will be in the area until spring, and we can certainly meet them some other time.” He smiled at Elizabeth.
She squeezed the hand that rested on her leg. “Sir, I do not wish you to miss an evening that has obviously been planned. You accepted the invitation and should go. Besides, I will likely retire early, so any evening here would be spent without my company in any case.”
“William.” He mouthed. She smiled. “Are you sure?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I will be safely asleep when you return with tales of war and horses, or whatever men talk about when they are alone. I am certain that you will regret missing the evening. Please do not stay here on my account.” She looked at Jane. “Do you agree?”
Jane was not so ready to relinquish her evening as Elizabeth, but nodded. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, since you are an important part of the community now, you must go.”
“It seems that everything is settled, then.” Bingley said with regret.
Hurst nodded. “I will have them home in good time, ladies.”
The remainder of the day Elizabeth spent under a blanket by the fire in the library, alternately dozing or reading while Darcy worked and looked up to smile at her. It was a scene of a home life he had frequently imagined. He would rise when she woke to come talk with her and laugh, sometimes reading to her, and stealing kisses and holding hands whenever they could. He apologized for his disregarding her illness and she shushed him before the words had fully formed on his lips, reassuring him of her welcoming his attentions. Georgiana came and kept them company, but Caroline and Louisa kept to themselves. Both were angry about their punishment for attempting to interfere in Darcy and Charles’s lives, and Caroline was too embarrassed to face Darcy again anytime soon. The news that the Bennets remained brought additional unhappiness, and Georgiana’s casual mention and guileless joy over her brother’s engagement mortified Caroline and provided no end of amusement to Bingley and Hurst.
That evening Darcy and Bingley reluctantly left their ladies, with Darcy bestowing a lingering kiss to Elizabeth’s hand and a gentle caress to her cheek in front of the entire party. The three gentlemen left to board the coach to the officer’s dinner.
From a window at the assembly hall where the dinner was being held, George Wickham stood holding a drink and observing the arrivals. He instantly recognized Darcy and started, wondering what could bring him back to this village of all places. He was just casting his eyes about for a place to stand and observe when he noticed another man watching Darcy, and rubbing a bruised jaw. He saw his glare and decided that this was a man he needed to know.
Chapter 21
“Miss Bingley, I am Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s cousin and an acquaintance of Mr. Bingley’s. Please forgive my intrusion, but I received a note from my cousin Darcy to come, and I do believe that your brother knew that I was planning to stop and visit here during my leave.” Richard bowed over Caroline’s hand in the drawing room at Netherfield and smiled his most charming smile. The fact was that Darcy had not summoned him as yet, and he only hoped that his cousin had informed Bingley that he might be visiting.
“Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am sure that my brother simply forgot to mention it to me. He does seem to remember invitations in a delayed fashion.” She glanced at Louisa, who rolled her eyes. “But of course you are welcome here. I will have a room prepared for you immediately. I am only sorry that Mr. Darcy and my brothers are not presently at home. They are attending a dinner with the newly arrived militia, but they did not expect to be away very late.” Caroline was no fool, she was not going to deny room to Mr. Darcy’s cousin, and she knew that he was the son of an Earl, a second son, but a son nonetheless.
“Thank you, Miss Bingley. You are a gracious hostess to put up with my sudden appearance.” He smiled and looked enquiringly at Louisa.
“May I introduce my sister, Mrs. Hurst?”
He bowed. “A delight, madam.”
The sound of happy laughter was heard coming through the doorway and suddenly Richard found himself tackled. “Richard!”
He drew back and grinned. “Georgiana! You look wonderful! What has happened to you?”
She blushed over her demonstration. “I am simply happy. William is engaged to be married, did you know?”
He stared at her in surprise. “No, I did not …” He looked over at the two young women who were standing nearby. “May I be introduced to your friends?”
“Oh, I am so sorry, I am just so happy to see you …” She drew a breath and spoke very formally. “Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, may I present Miss Jane Bennet, and her sister, Miss Elizabeth.”
Richard bowed to Jane, noting her beauty with pleasure then turned to see the real object of his trip. Elizabeth’s face still bore signs of her illness
, but her eyes were alive and dancing at him, and she smiled widely. That morning in front of the inn was so emotional that he really had not looked at her then, but now, seeing this small, sparkling, enticing woman, a warm feeling began to spread over him under her bewitching gaze. “Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed and took her hand. “I understand that congratulations are in order.”
Elizabeth raised a brow and tilted her head. “Indeed sir, they are. I am only sorry that you are learning the news without your cousin’s presence. I am sure that he will be disappointed to have been absent.”
“I confess that I am surprised to find you here.”
They all took seats and Elizabeth sighed. “I am as well, sir. I fell ill yesterday after being caught in the rain while William worked to improve my riding skills. I am staying here at his and Mr. Bingley’s insistence until I am recovered enough to attempt the harrowing carriage ride back to Longbourn.”
He laughed. “And how far is this ride?”
She pursed her lips. “Three miles, sir.”
Richard laughed louder. “Ah, yes, clearly you must be spared such an adventure … for I would say a period of days, perhaps weeks?”
“Oh, at least until the wedding.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Lizzy!” Jane admonished.
Richard held up a hand. “Miss Bennet, please do not stop your sister. I can see that she is of a good humour, and that must indicate that she is feeling much better. In all honesty it does my heart good to see that my cousin has won a lady who might inject some levity into his sombre mien.”
Georgiana smiled at her then took her cousin’s hand. “She has already Richard; you will not recognize him when he returns.”
He gave the hand a squeeze. “I look forward to it. Miss Bingley indicated that the gentlemen would not be gone for long, I believe that I understand why now.” He turned to his hostess. “It must be quite gratifying for you to witness a romance blooming right in front of you.”
The smile on Caroline’s face was frozen in place. “Yes, quite.”
The housekeeper arrived to announce that Richard’s room was prepared. He excused himself to change and would return to join them for dinner. He left and Georgiana smiled at Elizabeth. “He likes you.”
“Well, I certainly hope so, we will soon be related.”
Georgiana shook her head. “No, I mean …” She glanced at Caroline and Louisa and whispered. “I think that he is here to make sure that you are …” She blushed and looked down.
Elizabeth’s mouth formed an “O” and she nodded. “I see. I remember William mentioning that he would come. He will report back to the family, is that it?” Georgiana glanced up and nodded. “From what I understand, they are not entirely happy with me?”
“They are protective.”
Elizabeth laughed and looked at Jane who was concerned. “Well, all I can do is to be myself. In the end, it is William’s decision, so I will simply continue as I have. I seem to please him, and that is all that matters to me.”
COLONEL FORSTER welcomed the men from Netherfield into the assembly hall and directed them to his second-in-command, who in turn took them around the room, making introductions. Bingley naturally fell into conversation immediately with a group of neighbours and officers, and Darcy stood nearby, listening, and contributing occasionally when the talk turned to the war. There was much interest in Napoleon’s latest moves, as well as the military’s efforts with the Luddites in the North, and he was following the news as closely as the rest of them. Hurst wandered away, examining the refreshment table and finding friendly conversation over the season’s sport. He saw John Lucas speaking with a lieutenant and noticed them looking towards the group that included Darcy.
“Tell me sir, how did you acquire that jaw, or is it too painful to discuss?” Wickham asked.
Glancing at the soldier and rubbing at it he muttered, “It is of no consequence.” John returned to his occupation of glaring at Darcy. Wickham followed his gaze, stepping behind him when he saw Darcy’s eyes flick in his direction.
“Very well.” He paused. “You seem interested in Mr. Darcy.”
John’s gaze returned to him. “Do you know him?”
Wickham saw the immediate reaction and smirked. “Indeed I do. We grew up together at his estate, Pemberley in Derbyshire.”
John’s eyes widened and he turned to face Wickham. “So you know him well, what sort of a man is he?”
Smelling an opportunity, Wickham started asking questions. “Do you not know his character? I imagine he has established himself well in the neighbourhood. Has he been here long?”
“He arrived a month ago with his sister. You could say that he is established quite well. He is engaged to be married.” John sent a glare Darcy’s way.
Wickham raised a brow. “A month, and with Miss Darcy, well, this engagement news comes as a great surprise, I had always thought he would marry his cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh, but from your indication, he has chosen a local girl?”
John nearly spat. “Yes, a local girl, my local girl. He has somehow convinced her that he is better than me.”
Wickham cast an amused glance at the obviously inconsequential gentleman. “Well, he is rather rich, I imagine that she is looking at the estate she will win, and he is undoubtedly attracted to her dowry.”
He spoke defensively. “She is not mercenary; he has her fooled of his affections. And it is not her dowry he is attracted to, she has nothing to offer.”
“Really? I am curious, sir, what can this girl have that would cause two gentlemen such interest?”
John looked at him and then back at Darcy. “She is indescribable.”
Wickham grinned. He really wanted to meet this girl. “And what is this vision’s name, if I may ask?”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Miss Elizabeth? I believe that I have met two of her sisters, Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty.” He glanced at John then Darcy; those girls were not even close to what he would imagine any gentleman wanting for more than an afternoon of pleasure. “Is she like them?”
John laughed. “Her younger sisters are silly flirty things, quite enamoured with a uniform.” He glanced knowingly at Wickham who nodded with a smile. This man understood him. “No, she is beautiful, intelligent … extraordinary.” He shook his head.
“And belongs to him now.” Wickham said softly.
John looked at him sharply. “Yes.”
“What a pity, to know that a woman you favour would be tied forever to a man such as him.”
John immediately picked up on the insinuation. “What do you mean?”
Wickham indicated that they move to a private corner of the room. “Darcy’s father hated him, but as he was his only son, he had no choice but to accept him as his heir. He preferred my company and provided me with the same benefits as Darcy.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you a relation?”
“No, I was the son of his father’s steward.”
“Why would the master of an estate bestow such favours upon you?”
Wickham’s eyes flashed. “I told you he hated his son.” Something did not sound quite right, but John encouraged him to continue. “He sent me to school with Darcy, and then when my father died he decided to continue his beneficence. He gave me a university education, and provided for me in his will. I would have been set for life, had not Darcy denied the bequest.”
“Really?” John glanced at Darcy. Wickham nodded, watching the movement. “I was to receive a valuable living as pastor of the Kympton parsonage.”
“And Darcy denied it in revenge for his father’s favour towards you?”
Nodding, Wickham smiled to himself. “Exactly.”
John turned back to regard him. “But surely you could have taken him to court. The will would have been upheld and he would have no choice but to honour his father’s wishes.”
“That was not an option.” Wickham was not happy with the way the conversation had turned.
Returning his gaz
e to Darcy, John murmured, “I am sure that I heard rumours of him when I was in London this summer.” Wickham’s ears perked up. He wished to hurt Darcy, but now was not the time to mention Georgiana. He needed to think.
“I am sure that rumours abound around such a rich man.”
John sighed and looked away. “I imagine they do. I just wish there was something I could do to convince Miss Elizabeth she is making a mistake. She is very loyal, and it will be difficult to change her mind.”
Wickham watched him carefully. “Has the young lady defended him?” John nodded, but did not elaborate. Wickham looked again at Darcy then saw him glancing in their direction again. It was getting too dangerous; he did not want to be seen. “Well, I must be taking my leave, sir. I wish you luck in your attempts to win Miss Elizabeth back. Perhaps we can meet again sometime?”
He looked at him in surprise. “You are leaving? But what of the dinner?”
Wickham smiled. “I have duties to perform; it is my lot as a soldier.”
“Courtesy of Mr. Darcy.”
“Well, perhaps.” He bowed and left before John realized he had not caught the man’s name. He looked back over at Darcy, who was speaking with Mr. Bennet. Clearly Mr. Bennet had welcomed Darcy as his soon-to-be son. His eyes travelled over to his own father, and his face reddened, remembering their conversation where his father had essentially reprimanded him as a schoolboy for approaching Eliza and pressing her. He told of Mr. Bennet’s and Darcy’s visit, and their news of his behaviour. It destroyed John’s tale of falling off his horse and knocking his jaw on a rock that he had concocted. He could see the disappointment in his father’s eyes, but how could he understand what it was like to be so completely rejected, by a woman whose value John was only just beginning to comprehend. Even this soldier recognized her worth by, even without knowing the circumstances, understanding how her defence of Darcy was extraordinary.
