Darcy became aware of their amusement and inspection not long after it began, but pretended ignorance as he settled into the soft cushions and closed his eyes. Rest did not come, however, as the enchanting sound of Elizabeth’s laugh reached his ears repeatedly. Her lavender scent permeated the small carriage space and tickled his senses. He fought the urge to open his eyes to look at her and drink in her beauty, but he felt his ability to survive the journey with equanimity would be in jeopardy if he did.
An hour into their trip, the voices of his sister and Elizabeth ceased altogether. When the carriage became quiet for several minutes, Darcy wondered whether the girls had fallen asleep and decided to investigate. He carefully opened one eye to scan the carriage. Georgiana was asleep, but as he adjusted his view to include Elizabeth, he caught her looking at him with a smirk on her face.
He immediately closed his eye and pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. Her soft giggle was his undoing, and he opened his eyes to look at her.
“You did not fool me, Mr. Darcy. I knew you were not asleep.”
His eyebrows rose at her statement. “Indeed? And how did you know that, Miss Bennet!”
She laughed softly and looked quickly to see that Georgiana was not disturbed before turning a delicious smile on Darcy. She looked down at her skirts and smoothed them as she shrugged confidently. “I have never known anyone who spent their time sleeping while constantly trying not to smile.” She looked up at him with that impertinent grin he loved.
Darcy tried to hold his face in the stern mask at which he was so adept but could not maintain it for long. He smiled at her and shook his head. They sat silently looking at each other for a while as Georgiana slept. His eyes roamed over her bruises, and he frowned before forcing himself to look out the window.
Elizabeth watched as his hands clenched into fists. “Will you tell me what happened last night?”
Darcy looked over to her and thought for a moment. He nodded and began recounting what he had told Georgiana that morning about Wickham’s arrest. As with Georgiana, he left out the vile insults Wickham had spat at him about both ladies.
“So that is it? He has been arrested; now what will happen to him?”
“His desertion is punishable by death when they find him guilty.”
“How do you know he will be convicted?” He could hear panic begin to rise in her voice. “What if they let him go?”
He gave her a comforting smile. “He will be convicted. Colonel Fitzwilliam has documents from Colonel Forster detailing numerous acts of insubordination prior to his desertion, and of course, he did leave his regiment. Besides the fact that he left without leave to do so, I have proof that he did not intend to reenlist or return to his regiment.”
“What proof do you have?”
“He wrote me several threatening letters.” Darcy swallowed and clenched his jaw again.
“I am sorry.” Elizabeth was quiet for a minute, leaving them to their thoughts. “So, it is over.” She spoke more to herself than to him, but he responded with a sigh.
“It is finally over.”
A few minutes later, they felt the carriage begin to slow as it neared the coaching inn where they would stop for a short rest and some refreshment. When they reached the inn, Darcy gently woke Georgiana, and the three of them left the carriage to stretch their legs and have a cup of tea while the horses were changed.
As they approached the carriage to resume their journey, Georgiana requested, “William, could you get my valise? I should like to read a book that is packed in it.”
He assisted the ladies into the carriage as he replied, “Of course, dear, I will ask the groom to retrieve it, and I’ll bring it to you.”
After handing her the bag, he stepped up to enter the carriage. As his head ducked inside, he noticed Georgiana had placed her bag on the seat next to her and opposite Elizabeth. Realizing that the only place left for him was next to Elizabeth, he shot a disapproving look at his sister, who gave him an innocent look in return. He saw that Elizabeth was oblivious to the situation and only interested in the book she was reading.
He hesitated briefly and, after giving his sister another scowl at her blatant machination, stepped into the carriage and placed himself in the seat next to Elizabeth. Her head shot up when she noticed him, and she blushed.
Darcy tried again silently to censure his sister and reached for Georgiana’s bag to switch places with it. As the carriage jolted forward and jarred him back into the seat, he gave up the effort. He turned an apologetic face to Elizabeth, who smiled demurely before returning her attention to her book. Georgiana smiled widely at him before lowering her head to her own book with a look of satisfaction.
Darcy held his hands tightly in his lap and looked out the window. With Elizabeth so near, her perfume was all the more disastrous to his composure, as was the occasional brush of her arm or leg against his when the carriage wheels rolled along a rut in the road.
Elizabeth was not managing to keep her composure any better. Every time Mr. Darcy’s leg or arm brushed against her, it left her skin feeling as if it were on fire. She would just gain command of her senses and try to resume reading her book, when the carriage would jerk again and their limbs would collide. Her only consolation was the fact that she could see that he was just as affected. She saw him trying to remain impassive, but whenever they brushed against each other, he would nibble his bottom lip and clutch his hands together tightly, making his knuckles turn white.
Eventually, the quiet sway of the carriage, combined with the previous night’s tumultuous sleep, caused her eyelids to become heavy, and despite the sensations coursing through her when they touched, she was lulled into a restful slumber.
Darcy was relieved when he noticed Elizabeth had fallen asleep, as it gave him the opportunity to relax his tight jaw and let out a deep breath. When she was awake, it had taken all his control not to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Instead, he had to force himself to hide the effect her proximity was having on him. Now that she was asleep, he could relax a little without her seeing the state he was in.
His momentary relief vanished when a bump in the road caused the carriage to jerk and Elizabeth to slide nearer to him, her head falling to rest on his shoulder. His eyes went wide as he glanced at her sleeping face. He looked across the carriage to his sister for help and then shook his head in exasperation as she smiled happily at him and resumed reading her book.
It was exquisite torture to be so close to Elizabeth, feeling her soft breath as she inhaled and exhaled. Her hair piled high on her head was tickling his face, and her lavender scent was even more intoxicating. He turned his head towards her and closed his eyes as he allowed himself the indulgence of one deep breath. He was reminded, suddenly, of their horse ride after her fall. He smiled at the memory for a minute.
Georgiana giggled softly from across the carriage, and he looked to her at the sound. She whispered, “You are welcome, William.”
He frowned at her briefly for good measure before breaking into a brilliant smile and winking at her. He settled in next to Elizabeth and determined to enjoy the dream as long as he was allowed. Eventually, he became aware that Georgiana had dozed off, which allowed him unabashedly to admire Elizabeth’s beautiful, sleeping face without the amused smiles of his sister. To see her sleep was an image he had dreamed of and hoped never to forget. He spent a long time memorizing every curve of her soft face and delicately splayed eyelashes. Her features were relaxed in such a contented manner that he decided she had never looked more beautiful.
The temptation to bend his head to kiss her soft curls the way he had in the grove so many weeks before, became too much, so Darcy turned his head away to look out the window for a long while. The time had passed quicker than he realized as he began to recognize the surroundings of Hertfordshire as their carriage neared Meryton.
Reluctantly, he nudged Elizabeth awake as their journey was coming to an end. Her eyelids fluttered for a moment b
efore she opened them and looked around. When she realized she had been resting on Mr. Darcy’s shoulder, she sat up straight and apologized, blushing in mortification.
“Do not worry, Miss Bennet; it was no sacrifice on my part.” He smiled triumphantly, and she raised her eyebrows at his brazen speech. “I am sorry to wake you, but we are nearly there.” He pointed out the window.
Elizabeth looked out the window and, with astonishment, exclaimed, “I cannot believe it! It has always taken my uncle’s carriage four hours to reach Longbourn from London. Your carriage, sir, must be well sprung, as I did not think the horses were going so fast.”
“I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet, but it has been nearly four hours. I would like to accept your compliment to my carriage and horses, but they have been no faster than your uncle’s would have been.”
Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief. “You are too modest, sir. It cannot have been so long.”
Darcy laughed at her look of skepticism and, without thinking, pulled out his watch and handed it to her. “Check for yourself. I assure you, it has been nearly four hours.”
He smiled at her defiant look as she took up his watch. “I will, thank you very much.”
The moment she opened the watch, he realized his mistake. He saw immediately that she recognized his memento, and he quickly tried to retrieve his watch from her possession.
She pulled it out of his reach and began to laugh. “Oh, no, Mr. Darcy! You may not have this back just yet.”
Georgiana woke to the noise and opened her eyes to see a laughing Elizabeth holding her brother’s watch out of his reach as he tried to retrieve it without leaning too close.
“Miss Bennet, you have already discovered my thievery, so returning my watch will not lessen your triumph, I am sure.” Completely embarrassed, he reached again for the watch.
Elizabeth laughed as she moved his watch to hide it behind her back. “Sir, is it a new fashion among gentlemen to carry silk flowers in their pocket watches?” she teased.
“Minx!” he cried, as he tried once more to reach behind her and take the watch. Elizabeth was quicker and turned to hand it to Georgiana.
Georgiana opened it and, seeing the silk flower, began to laugh at her brother. Darcy sat back, defeated, and crossed his arms, pretending to be more upset than he was embarrassed.
“William! What are you doing with such a feminine item in your watch?”
Elizabeth explained with amused satisfaction and a sideways look at Mr. Darcy. “The silk flower is mine, Georgiana. It came off my shoe at the Netherfield ball nearly six weeks ago. I suspect I know where it has been located ever since.”
Darcy eyed Elizabeth sideways as his pretended frown broke, and he gave her a guilty smile. She laughed endearingly at him. “Mr. Darcy, may I have my flower back now?”
Darcy leaned forward and surprised them both as he quickly retrieved his watch from his sister and replaced it in his pocket. “No.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and her brows rose at his statement. “No? Sir, I do not believe it belongs to you.”
Darcy shrugged indifferently but maintained a slight smile. “Regardless, it is mine now. I do not plan on returning it.”
Elizabeth laughed at his proud demeanor and thought a moment, tapping her finger on her lips. Mr. Darcy swallowed. If she only knew what that does to me . . .
“I believe, sir, that it is only fair that I have some sort of compensation for your thievery.”
Mr. Darcy looked at her in challenge, nodding his head for her to continue.
Elizabeth accepted the challenge and reached into her dress pocket to retrieve the handkerchief he had loaned her the day before when she was crying. “Well, seeing as I was going to return this to you, sir, after it was laundered, I believe it is only just that I should keep it now. What say you to that?” she asked, saucily.
Darcy’s pressed lips turned upwards in a smile. “I accept your terms.” His smile widened when Elizabeth and Georgiana began to laugh.
Elizabeth stretched her hand out to him. “Then it is agreed?”
Darcy took her hand, laughing at her unladylike proposal to shake hands to seal the agreement. After shaking it gently, he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it softly before releasing it. “Agreed.” He smiled smugly when he saw her turn in her seat and blush.
Georgiana watched with fascination at the way Elizabeth was able to tease her brother and the way he responded so charmingly to her. It was clear that their affections were engaged and mutual. She bit her lip with excitement as hope rose in her heart that she would soon get the sister she had always wished for.
Chapter 17
Elizabeth drew in a slow, deep breath. The clear, country air was invigorating, and she felt refreshed and glad to be home. Not only was the air cleaner than sooty London, but even the frozen, sleeping land of Hertfordshire in January made Elizabeth feel like she was breathing in new life. She pushed with her boots and swung backwards on the tree swing. She swayed sideways slightly as the air blew past her, tickling the small curls escaping her bonnet.
The day before, she had arrived back at Longbourn amid laughter and smiles within the carriage and concerned chaos without. Her father came to the carriage first after Mr. Darcy had handed her out. Elizabeth’s eyes moistened remembering the concerned, tired face of her father. He looked as if he had not slept at all since receiving their express the night before, detailing the attack and change of plans in their travel arrangements. She could see on his face the worry he must have suffered, and as she looked into his eyes, she knew she saw a bit of guilt, too.
When he stepped up to the carriage, he looked as if he wished to speak but then engulfed her in a father’s embrace, whispering, “Oh, my Lizzy.”
Jane, too, was nearly in tears as soon as she saw the bruises on Elizabeth’s neck and face. She immediately pulled Elizabeth into the house to care for her. Lydia was uncharacteristically silent and grave. Kitty did not come to greet Elizabeth as she was attending Mrs. Bennet, who had taken to her rooms in a fit of nerves as soon as she learned of Elizabeth’s attack.
Elizabeth kicked the ground, sending the swing higher as she continued to reflect on the previous day. As soon as the entire party was inside, Mr. Darcy made introductions for Miss Darcy to the rest of the Bennet family. Mr. Bennet requested a moment with Mr. Darcy in his study, and Elizabeth declared she would go to her mother.
“Come and join us when you have seen your mother, will you Lizzy?” her father requested.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded her head before removing the hand he still held in his. Jane attended to Miss Darcy, making sure she felt comfortable.
* * *
Upon Elizabeth’s entrance into her chambers, her mother was immediately in raptures over her safe arrival home.
“Oh, my dear Lizzy! How afraid we were to hear that you had gotten attacked by Mr. Wickham. I am sure I thought you would die and then my brother would have to fight Wickham!” Mrs. Bennet fanned herself and fluttered her other hand around anxiously. Before Elizabeth could say something soothing, she continued, “And Mr. Wickham! I am sure I did not think he was so bad, but then again, as I told Mrs. Phillips this morning, I never quite trusted him. No, I did not.”
“I am well now, Mama, as you can see. Wickham has been arrested, and he cannot hurt anyone again.”
Mrs. Bennet ceased her movements for a moment to assess her daughter and, for the first time, noticed the injuries to her face.
“Oh, Kitty, get me my smelling salts!” Kitty rushed to bring her a vial of salts, and she huffed into them before falling back into her mass of pillows and moaning. “Just look at yourself, Lizzy! I am sure no man will have you now. Whatever will we do?”
Elizabeth turned her face to roll her eyes and then sat on her mother’s bed. “Mama, my face is perfectly fine. It is only a little bruising and will be gone in a few days,” she said reassuringly.
Mrs. Bennet waved Elizabeth away. “I pray it will be so, child, f
or what man will have you with such ugly colors all over your face? Let me be, I am very ill, very ill indeed.”
Elizabeth gladly exited and headed to her father’s study.
* * *
Mr. Bennet held the door open to usher Mr. Darcy into his study before closing it and heading solemnly to sit in his desk chair. Mr. Darcy, who had expected such an interview, took a seat across from him.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, you have rescued my daughter and returned her home twice now,” Mr. Bennet began.
Mr. Darcy grimly declared, “Unfortunately, I must take the blame for her need to be rescued this time. Wickham was after me, sir. As you are familiar with the particulars of our history, you can see he has made it a life-long habit to choose his victims from among those I hold in regard.”
Mr. Bennet considered his companion for a brief moment before saying, “I think you take too much upon yourself, Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Darcy’s lips turned up in a half smile. “So says your daughter as well, sir.”
Elizabeth’s father chuckled lightly. “Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for the help you have rendered this family with regards to Elizabeth. I thank God she was not more seriously injured physically or emotionally.” The two men sat quietly, nodding in agreement. “I also wish to thank you, more particularly, for bringing my Lizzy home to me today. Even without a more serious injury, I do not think I could have waited to see her until her uncle brought her later this week.”
“It was my pleasure, sir.” Mr. Darcy’s words were solemnly spoken, but as soon as they were out, he was reminded of their pleasant banter over her discovery of the silk flower in his watch, and he smiled secretly to himself.
Witnessing his expression, Mr. Bennet said, “Elizabeth has an uncanny ability to recover quickly. It is not in her nature to be grave and forlorn. As worried as I was for her, I was more than relieved to see her emerge from your carriage, sir, with laughter in her eyes and a smile on her face. Thank you for that, too.”
“I deserve no such gratitude. Your daughter is a remarkable lady who seems to lift the spirits of those around her quite naturally, sir,” Darcy boldly stated, looking Mr. Bennet in the eye.
Falling for Mr. Darcy Page 27
