B00CO8L910 EBOK

by KaraLynne Mackrory

  As relief rushed through him, he realized with extreme disappointment — and no little aggravation — that he could not in all propriety pay his addresses to her for at least three months as she would be in full mourning. However, I might use the time to persuade her to my cause and change her opinion of me. At almost the same moment, he felt disgusted anew at what seemed to be his proclivity for slipping into a selfish disdain for the feelings of others. Have I always been thus? he thought in frustration as he clenched his teeth. He hit his head against the back of the carriage to force his thoughts into a more charitable direction. For God’s sake, she has lost a sister, and all you can think about is how soon you can marry her!

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth queried.

  And with that, he fell in love with her all over again as he looked across at her tear-stained face. She was asking after his well-being even in the midst of her grief! You thoughtless cad. “Pardon me, Miss Bennet. I did not mean to disturb you.” He watched as she simply nodded her head and turned her attention once again to the view outside. ’Til this moment, I never knew myself.

  * * *

  As their caravan rolled closer to London and the sounds of the city began to compete with the creaking of the carriage wheels, Elizabeth sat up to straighten her dress. But when she was about to give Mr. Darcy the address of her aunt and uncle in Cheapside, she realized with a start that they would not be at home! They had left for Longbourn with her sister earlier in the week. Suddenly, she felt bereft and absurd at the same time.

  “Ohh . . . ” She moaned as she sat back into the seat and brought up a hand to cover her face. A frown contorted her brows as she thought of what she was to do. “Mr. Darcy, I . . . that is, with the turmoil of the moment . . . I neglected to realize . . . ” She twisted her hands together in her lap before raising her chin and continuing, “Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to procure Miss Lucas and myself a room at an inn for the night? We will, of course, need to borrow a manservant for protection.” Her voice drifted off; she was embarrassed that she lacked the foresight to have a plan.

  The colonel spoke first. “Miss Bennet, I understood that you had an aunt and uncle in Cheapside?”

  Elizabeth colored at her stupidity once again. “You are correct, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I only just realized that they would have left town with my sister Jane several days ago for Longbourn. I can only blame the distress at the news of Lydia’s passing . . . ” Her voice faltered briefly. “I failed to remember . . . to realize . . . ”

  Mr. Darcy’s voice caused her to lift her head to him. “Miss Bennet, that will not be necessary. You and Miss Lucas will be welcome at my home tonight. As tomorrow is the Sabbath, we can journey onto Longbourn on Monday. I will be happy to accompany you as your relatives are not available to do so.”

  “Mr. Darcy! Certainly you cannot expect me to accept such a proposition!” Elizabeth was aghast at his indelicate suggestion.

  Mr. Darcy was puzzled at her fervent declaration. “I fail to understand your meaning, madam. My house is large, and my staff is proficient enough that it would be no imposition.”

  Elizabeth looked with astonishment from Mr. Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam. The latter also seemed unaffected by his cousin’s offer. Are the two of them mad? Have they lost all sense of decency? Elizabeth took in a slow, steadying breath to lessen her feelings of offense as she stated flatly, if a little coldly, “Must I remind you? It would not be proper for Miss Lucas or myself to stay the night at the home of an unmarried gentleman without a proper chaperone.”

  Mr. Darcy attempted to hide a smirk at Elizabeth’s adorable ire as she properly chastised him. After a moment of matching her steady gaze and relishing the feelings coursing through him, he said, “You are correct, Miss Bennet. Your modesty commends you. However, you do not need to worry about your reputation. I never would compromise —”

  “That is hardly the point, sir!” she interrupted him, astonished at his audacity to continue in that vein and coloring at the implication.

  Mr. Darcy’s lips twitched in amusement before he drawled, “If you will allow me to continue, Miss Bennet, I was saying that I never would compromise your reputation by putting you in such a situation as you suggest. My sister, Georgiana, and her widowed companion, Mrs. Annesley, are both in residence currently at Darcy House. Her companion is of an appropriate age and status to offer proper chaperonage.”

  “Oh,” was all the response Elizabeth could manage in her discomfiture.

  Mr. Darcy was secretly thrilled for the opportunity to have Elizabeth in his home. He allowed himself a moment of self-indulgence as he savored the fact that he would be welcoming, hopefully, the future mistress of Darcy House and Pemberley to his home.

  Feeling frustration with Mr. Darcy despite his proffered kindnesses, Elizabeth tried to regain some of her dignity and said, “I thank you, Mr. Darcy, but after all the benevolence you have already bestowed, I do not think we could possibly accept.”

  “Miss Bennet, I understand your hesitation. However, I would recommend that you accept my cousin’s proposal as you would be in far better comfort as well as better protected in his home than in a strange inn for the evening,” Colonel Fitzwilliam argued.

  Elizabeth drew a slow breath. I do not want to stay at Mr. Darcy’s house! I do not even like the man! She wanted to scream. She was irritated that she could not simply be angry with him. Anger was easier than the disconcerting gratitude and disgruntled admiration for his unparalleled compassion. She opened her mouth to speak, but Mr. Darcy forestalled her.

  “Miss Bennet, my cousin is right. You have been through much these past twenty-four hours. You cannot deny that the restful solitude of my home would benefit you far greater than the noisy, coldness of an inn. If you do not wish it, you do not even have to leave your bedchamber. My staff will do all that is necessary to ensure your comfort.”

  The thought of a quiet setting to grieve for Lydia would indeed be a comfort. She looked at the younger girl next to her and could see that Maria might need the same. If it were not for its being Mr. Darcy’s home, she would not hesitate. Suddenly she felt very tired and over-taxed. “I thank you, Mr. Darcy; we will accept. You are too kind,” she whispered.

  “You are most welcome in my home, Miss Bennet,” he said and as almost an afterthought, “and you too, Miss Lucas.”

  The ladies murmured their thanks.

  “If there is anything we can do to bring you comfort, you need only ask. It will be granted with all due haste and consideration.” His voice was gentle, and Elizabeth gazed briefly at him, surprised to note that compassion rendered a certain attractive quality to his face. She nodded slowly before turning her tearful countenance away from the beguiling man and toward the mind-numbing relief of the moving landscape outside.

  Chapter 2

  Elizabeth drew in a long, steadying breath and closed her eyes. They had arrived at the home of Mr. Darcy in Grosvenor Square, a fashionable part of town. She held her breath, willing herself to endure the next two days — praying she would be home with her family soon.

  “Miss Bennet?”

  She squeezed her eyes tighter when she heard his voice from outside the carriage. Slowly she opened her eyes to see Mr. Darcy peering inside, his hand extended to help her descend. She wondered why the colonel could not assist her out of the carriage.

  She reached for her reticule and begrudgingly allowed him her hand. She kept her eyes to the ground, but instead of releasing her hand afterwards, he tucked it into the crook of his arm and walked her towards the house. With reluctance on his part and great relief on Elizabeth’s, he released her arm only upon crossing the threshold of his home.

  When he turned to address his butler, Mr. Carroll, she looked up and caught her breath. She barely registered giving her pelisse and gloves to one of the servants as she admired the distinguished elegance of his home. It was stately and refined — like its master — with the same reserve and grace. To her embarrassment,
she could not conceal her awe.

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he said, then flicked his eyes away to Miss Lucas for a moment, “Miss Maria Lucas, this is my housekeeper, Mrs. Carroll. If you require anything, you need only ask, and she will see to it. Welcome to Darcy House.”

  After acknowledging the small, kind-looking woman, Elizabeth detected an almost supremely satisfied look about him. Insufferable man! she thought before censuring her unchristian thoughts. He had been kindness itself in the face of her grief and had admitted her gracefully into his home. She determined she would not give him another reason to find fault with her.

  “Mrs. Carroll, I apologize for presuming upon your staff without notice. I assure you, we will not trouble you at all.”

  “Nonsense, child! It is nothing; we of Darcy House are at your service.” Mrs. Carroll had a kindhearted, motherly way about her that caused Elizabeth to smile and swallow quickly before tears could form again.

  “Mrs. Carroll, please escort Miss Elizabeth to the Blue Room and Miss Lucas to the Rose Room, and see that a tea tray is sent. I would speak with you afterwards in my study then, ma’am.”

  “Yes, sir,” the housekeeper affirmed. She then brushed a bit of the road dust off Mr. Darcy’s jacket in such a familiar way that Elizabeth had to hide a smile when she saw his embarrassment. “And you, sir, must rest from your traveling too,” she said sternly.

  “Mrs. Carroll, am I to be forgotten?” Colonel Fitzwilliam was almost comically petulant.

  Elizabeth covered her mouth with her hand as she spied the butler, Mr. Carroll, rolling his eyes discretely. She was amazed to see such ease with the staff. There was always a slight detachment with the servants at Longbourn. Surprisingly, she found this rather sweet.

  “Of course not, Colonel! I shall have some of Cook’s biscuits sent up to your room; will that do? We cannot neglect a member of His Majesty’s army, can we?”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled charmingly. “Thank you, Mrs. Carroll.” He shot a teasing glance at the butler. “You know just how to take care of me, ma’am. It is good you are married; I am afraid my heart would be in quite some danger otherwise!”

  Elizabeth was truly diverted now. She watched the butler roll his eyes again, his wife blush sweetly while swatting the colonel’s arm, and Mr. Darcy shake his head in amusement. This was obviously a familiar scene. Being at home added an ease to her host’s features, fascinating Elizabeth until his gaze fell upon her. She quickly averted her eyes to her own shoes and chastised herself for momentarily forgetting her dislike of him and being distracted by his handsome features.

  Just then, a commotion brought all their eyes to the landing above where a graceful, womanly figure stood. She paused briefly before calling out, “William!” and rushing down the stairs into Mr. Darcy’s arms. Elizabeth’s brows rose when she heard his deep chuckle as he wrapped his arms around his sister and assured her that he missed her too. Then Georgiana turned and greeted her cousin, though less exuberantly and in a more genteel fashion.

  “Georgiana, may I introduce to you our guests, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Miss Maria Lucas of Hertfordshire. They are to stay with us for a few days. Ladies — my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”

  Georgiana, acknowledging their presence for the first time, immediately turned white then red in her embarrassment. Her modesty surfaced, and she looked to her brother for guidance. Mr. Darcy responded with a small smile that showed the tender regard he held for his sister. Suddenly, Elizabeth was caught by Georgiana’s recent youthful animation, so like her deceased sister, even if displayed with more decorum than Lydia was wont to do. With unshed tears, Elizabeth curtseyed and managed a stifled greeting to Miss Darcy. The brief familial scene had been a lovely diversion, but the force of her loss hit her once more, bringing with it again the weight of the past few days.

  Georgiana looked at her brother with creased brows, and he shook his head infinitesimally before turning to his housekeeper. “Mrs. Carroll.”

  Immediately Mrs. Carroll walked to Elizabeth and linked her arm in hers before leading her towards the stairs. “Come, dear. I’ll take you to your rooms; you must be very tired from your journey.” She motioned to a maid to help Miss Lucas, and together they ascended. Elizabeth found the housekeeper’s touch a comfort. Certainly, she was not expecting Mr. Darcy’s servants to be so familiar, but at that moment, the tender, soothing words served only to ease the ache in her heart.

  * * *

  Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth reach the landing of the stairs and turn to go up the next flight. His eyes never left her person until she disappeared from sight. He was torn by the joy he felt at having her in his home and the sorrow he felt for her melancholy spirits. He turned to his sister, who was clearly befuddled by the situation with their sudden guests.

  “Come, Georgie,” he said as he led her to his study. Georgiana sat quietly on the settee while he walked along the perimeter of the large, book-filled room to his mahogany desk. He sat warily in the leather chair behind it and rubbed his eyes. Together they sat without speaking until there was a knock at the door and Mrs. Carroll appeared.

  “You wished to speak to me, sir?”

  “Yes.” Darcy rubbed his face again before standing. “Mrs. Carroll, Georgiana, I wanted to speak to you both about our guests.” He looked towards his housekeeper. “I trust they are comfortably being taken care of in their rooms?”

  “Yes, sir. I have ordered baths — and tea and hot chocolate.”

  Darcy sighed heavily. “Thank you, Mrs. Carroll. Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas are acquaintances of mine from my stay with Mr. Bingley in the autumn. I encountered them again while I was at Rosings. They were visiting with Miss Lucas’s sister and Miss Bennet’s cousin, Lady Catherine’s parson. Yesterday, Miss Bennet received news that her sister had suffered a terrible fall and passed away. She was not sixteen.”

  Georgiana’s face froze in horror as she realized that the girl was her age.

  “Oh, Brother! How awful for her! And I —” She covered her mouth as she thought of how her exuberant greeting for her brother might have looked insensitive to the solemn situation.

  Darcy walked around his desk and kneeled next to his sister, taking her hand. “Do not worry, my dear. Miss Bennet is simply longing to be home. I will accompany her there on Monday.”

  Both ladies nodded their heads slowly. Mrs. Carroll stood straighter, determining to ensure that the two grieving ladies received every possible comfort. She excused herself to see to it personally. Darcy smiled appreciatively at her as she left.

  “Georgiana, you must not assume . . . If Miss Bennet or Miss Lucas do not join us for dinner . . . you must not think it is you. They will likely not be inclined for company.”

  Georgiana nodded and threw her arms around her brother again. She was filled with gratitude for his presence in her life. They had suffered the loss of their parents, and he was all she had left. Darcy, feeling much the same, returned her hug with equal fervor.

  * * *

  Elizabeth stood humbly, taking in her surroundings. The graceful room before her was fitted up in calming shades of blue. Its furniture was massive; the heavy pieces made from cherry wood complemented the soothing shades of the wallpaper and linens. They neither dwarfed the space nor felt intimidating. It was a comforting apartment, and she was grateful for the delicate strength she could draw from it. She barely had time to take in the beautifully appointed surroundings when she heard a knock from the dressing room door. She reached into her pocket for her handkerchief to dry her eyes and recognized the “FD” embroidered on the corner. Sighing heavily as she remembered its owner, she threw it on the bed and called for the maid to enter.

  A small, slim girl about her age reverently walked into the room and gave a quick curtsey. “Ma’am has ordered ye a bath, miss, if ye like. I’ve been sent to help ye ready for it.”

  The thought of soaking in a warm bath after her travels — and indeed after all she had endured — sounded heavenly. The maid
hummed as she took out Elizabeth’s pins and began to brush her hair. Elizabeth shared one maid with all of her sisters. Having someone brush her hair was a luxurious comfort, and for a moment, she closed her eyes and believed she was back in her room with Jane.

  “What is that tune you are humming?”

  The maid stopped humming and bowed her head. “Pardon me, miss.”

  Elizabeth turned in her seat at the dressing table. “No, do not stop. It was nice. I simply wanted to know what it was called.”

  Nodding, the maid quietly replied, “I don’t rightly know, miss. ’Tis a song my mum would sing to me.”

  Elizabeth turned around again, and the maid continued brushing. After a moment, she began humming again. A knock on the dressing room door signaled the bath was ready. Elizabeth sank gratefully into the warm water as the maid quietly bustled about the room, adding soothing scents to the water. When she began to wash her hair, Elizabeth quietly asked, “What is your name?”

  The maid seemed to hesitate for a moment, worried that she had displeased the pretty miss. “My mum says Penelope, but I goes by Penny, miss.”

  Elizabeth smiled wanly. “My name is Elizabeth, but my sisters call me Lizzy.” Then she closed her eyes and leaned back against the tub. Her tears disappeared into the bath water. When the maid finished washing Elizabeth’s hair, she quietly retreated out the servants’ door, leaving her alone with her depressed thoughts. She missed her family terribly and could not wait to be with them. She thought of the warm welcome the staff and Miss Georgiana made for Mr. Darcy. It was a side of him she had not seen before. Here, he was loved and respected. To have the approbation of his servants in such a familiar manner spoke of their regard towards the man, and she marveled at it. She hated to be indebted to him for his profound kindness. He had seen to her every comfort, and she could see that he understood her grief. He had lost both his parents after all. Thinking of Mr. Darcy in that light was humbling. She was suddenly grateful to be at his house instead of a lonely, cold inn.