by Wells, Linda
Imperative
A Tale of Pride and Prejudice
Volume 2
Linda Wells
Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice Volume 2
Copyright © 2012 Linda Wells
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form whatsoever.
Front cover photo: © Ermell: Dreamstime.com, Back cover photo: © Michael Maeyer Dreamstime.com, Illustration: © 2011 Elaine Eigel
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead; is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
To
Catherine, Tania, and Jane for their wonderful eyes and great support.
and
Bill and Rick for being my boys.
Chapter 1
“I forgot how bumpy travel is.” Georgiana stretched and rubbing her hands down to the small of her back, bent in such a way that her growing shape was clearly outlined through her gown. Darcy’s eyes widened and he quickly looked at Elizabeth. She saw the direction of his gaze and letting go of his arm, firmly pressed her palm to her sister’s spine, making her stand straight.
“Yes, the roads were not at their best, were they?” She said clearly with a smile as a maid passed by. “But with the weather warming, I imagine there will be men at work filling in the ruts that winter created.”
Darcy examined Georgiana and nodded his thanks to Elizabeth. “But the spring rains will just make them rutted all over again.”
Looking around the inn, Elizabeth spotted the doorway to the tavern. “It is quite a sad state of affairs when the best we can do for conversation is speaking of the roads or the weather, and I absolutely refuse to discuss anyone’s health. Shall we go in the tavern to eat? Watching the people is always a never-ending form of entertainment.”
“I was thinking that we should take a private table.” Darcy murmured and glanced again at Georgiana.
“I have eaten in the tavern before, Fitzwilliam …” His brow creased and as he realized that she was speaking of Wickham, his lips compressed into a thin line and she blushed.
“May I help you, sir?” The innkeeper’s wife approached with a smile.
“Have you any places of privacy to dine, madam?”
“Yes sir, we do, right this way …” The Darcys followed her down to an open doorway where they found a dining room, but not what he had hoped for. Instead of a single table in a private booth, there were six round tables in a large room. The quality of the dress showed them all to be of the best circles, but it was precisely where they did not want to be. Darcy cursed under his breath. Unfortunately, they had been spotted at the door so there was no turning back, not when there was an empty table right by the fire.
Elizabeth saw him unhappily scanning the room and taking a hold of Georgiana’s arm, started walking, serving as a shield as they followed the woman. Darcy held his sister’s chair and quickly pushed her under the table, then helped Elizabeth into hers.
He sat down heavily and closed his eyes. “We would have been better in the tavern, I think. I have not travelled this way for so long, I forgot the details of the dining rooms here.”
“You were not trying to hide anything then.” Elizabeth said softly. “Perhaps we should have Parker examine the eating arrangements before we come down tomorrow evening at the next inn?”
“That is a fine idea, or if possible, eat in our rooms.” He saw that Georgiana had shrunk. “I am sorry dear …”
“No, I … I understand.”
“I have avoided eye contact, but be prepared …”
“Darcy!” A man’s voice interrupted him. Darcy turned and immediately stood. “Well met! I cannot remember the last time we saw each other. It must have been June or July?” He held out his hand. “I heard that you married?” He bowed to Elizabeth and Georgiana.
“Indeed, I most certainly did.” Darcy smiled and waved his hand. “Dearest, this is Mr. Roger Manning, a schoolmate of mine from long ago. Manning, this is my wife Elizabeth, and our cousin, Miss Cargill.”
“Miss Cargill.” He nodded and turned to Elizabeth, “Mrs. Darcy, it is a pleasure.” He bowed again and looked her over intently in the process.
Elizabeth knew well the purpose of the examination and decided to keep the attention on her. “It is a great pleasure to meet you, as well, sir. I have only met a few of my husband’s friends so far. I was beginning to wonder if he was hiding something from me.” She laughed.
“Elizabeth.” Darcy relaxed and shaking his head, looked to his amused friend. “My wife enjoys teasing me.”
“How else am I to know what antics you enjoyed as a boy? I have no brothers to interview.”
Manning laughed. “I assure you, Mrs. Darcy, your husband is straight as an arrow. Extremely admirable for his professors, and unendingly aggravating to those who struggled below him.” He gave Darcy’s shoulder a slap. “An excellent man.”
“That I knew already.” She smiled at him.
“She is as delightful as she is handsome, Darcy! I never would have thought of you capturing a witty young lady. How ever did you manage it? Certainly it was not by dancing.” Darcy sighed and Manning smiled at Elizabeth. “I know of many young ladies who had set their caps for him. The tittering that went on when one of them was asked for a dance was appalling. I well remember Mother looking at him in his corner and declaring that it was his duty to dance, no matter how distasteful he regarded the subject.” Darcy’s cheeks coloured and Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled as she pressed her slipper onto his shoe.
“If I may be so bold, Mr. Manning, I am quite pleased that my husband was so selective with his partners.”
“I imagine that you would be.” He looked Elizabeth over again. “It was quite the surprise when we learned you had married, Darcy, especially when you disappeared from all activity so suddenly last Season.”
Darcy snapped. “What did you do, have a spy in my home?”
“No, just an interested mother and hopeful sister who had their eyes open for all possibilities.”
“I am glad that I was called away, since I do not know that I would have met my wife otherwise.” Darcy noticed Elizabeth smiling at him and relaxing again, his lips twitched. “And may I add that I did not dance with her, either?”
“Which only proves that dancing is highly overrated when it comes to finding one’s partner for life.” She nudged him.
Manning’s head tilted as he studied the unprecedented twinkle in his friend’s eyes. “So how did he woo you?”
“My husband is extremely admirable, as you pointed out.” Her eyes sparkled at Darcy and his pale cheeks pinked.
“Thank you for your compliment, my dear.” He shook his head and looked at Manning. “And yours.”
“No helpful advice then? Ah well. I am glad to meet her. Mother was practically pushing me from my chair to come and get a look.” Darcy’s eyes rolled and his friend laughed again. “I wanted to wait for you to at least order your meal, but she is not to be trifled with. What brings you into Yorkshire? We are heading for London; my sister is coming out this year …”
“Hence their overwhelming interest …” Darcy murmured as his friend chuckled. “We are headed for Scotland.”
“A bit early for fishing …”
“Something that I cannot wait to enjoy.” Elizabeth spoke up and Manning looked at her with surprise. “I am teasing, sir.”
“I am not so sure. You do enjoy baiting a line.” Darcy smiled when her eyes widened and looked to his friend. “I have not been to the lodge in years and
it needs some attention, so what better way to enjoy a bit of a honeymoon than to take the trip now? Miss Cargill will keep my wife company while I am occupied.”
“Ahh, I did not think that you required a chaperone.” He glanced at Georgiana and nodded. “What about your sister? The last time I was at Pemberley she was away at school? She will be a jealous one, missing a trip!”
“Well as you say, sir, this is not the best time of year to be going to Scotland.” Elizabeth smiled. “Did you enjoy your stay at Pemberley?”
“Naturally, great hunting, great fishing, excellent wine …”
“That seems to be a recurring comment in the men of your circle, Mr. Darcy.”
“The sport?” Manning asked him.
“The wine, I think.” Darcy smiled as his friend laughed.
“Will you be down for the Season?”
“We have no fixed plans; besides, nothing really begins until Easter.”
“Hmm, true, true.” Turning, he bowed once again. “I am glad to have met you Mrs. Darcy, I truly am. The prospects that my friend entertained were vast and somewhat frightening …”
“Not unlike yours.” Darcy said softly with a slight smile.
“That is true enough.” He spoke soberly and shrugged. “I had hoped to go through the process with you this year. Alas, I am on my own.”
“You will do just fine. There are plenty of others in the same boat.” Darcy assured him. “Let me go and pay my respects to your parents. Dearest, will you excuse me?”
“Of course.” Elizabeth smiled and watched the men depart. She looked at Georgiana. “Are you well?”
“Miss Cargill?”
“How could he introduce you as Miss Darcy? Mr. Manning is sure to be telling people that he met Fitzwilliam and his wife. If he said that his young sister was along, it would raise the questions of how old you are and when you would be out. Miss Darcy is a known heiress who will be coming of age. Miss Cargill is a cousin with a name that is meaningless. And they would remember that you were going to Scotland.”
“He barely looked at me.”
“Thank goodness he did not meet you at Pemberley and he has proper manners. You are not out, he has no business examining you, and that is to your benefit. I only hope that your appearance will be changed when we meet him again one day. You were silent so you surely did not make a great impression and with luck, you will be easily forgotten.” Elizabeth spoke seriously as Georgiana frowned. “Let us hope that we do not meet any more of your brother’s friends. If we do, then you will retire to your chamber and I will remain with Fitzwilliam.” They watched Darcy making his way back to the table and taking his seat, he closed his eyes for a few moments. Elizabeth took his hand under the table. “Did it go well?”
“I think so …” He glanced back and sighed. “They invite us to join them at cards following dinner. There are some other acquaintances from our circle staying here as well. None of them are terribly close friends, beyond Manning, but they do know me and my family. You know how it is in a strange place; people of similar qualities will bond together.”
“Are we too tired to bond?” Elizabeth smiled.
His slight smile appeared. “I left it for you to decide.”
“Oh, thank you! Very neatly passing the decision to me! Coward!”
Darcy relaxed and picked up his tankard to take a drink of ale. “And if I had agreed immediately you would have complained that I was presumptuous!”
“Me? I cannot imagine!”
“I can.” His eyes twinkled and setting down his drink, he tilted his head. “Well?”
“What will they wish to speak about, do you think?”
“I can hardly know. Hopefully nothing, but be prepared for anything. Enough time has passed that gossip of our marriage and Matlock’s woes might have made the trip north.”
“I have enjoyed a master’s education on addressing gossip.” She bit her lip and he laughed softly as she looked over the tables populated by her new peers, “It will be good for us in the long run, I think. Just a short visit and then we can claim fatigue and retire. They are a motley assembly.”
He looked over the finely dressed group. “Hmm, I think that I could have used that term more accurately a few months ago at another assembly.” He met her eye and rubbed his thumb over her ring as he squeezed the hand resting on his thigh.
Elizabeth lifted one brow. “I wonder how many of these people I will determine to be tolerable.”
Shaking his head, he squeezed her hand again. “As long as I am one of them, I will be satisfied.” Elizabeth’s fingers tiptoed up his thigh and tapped on his groin. Firmly, he took a hold of her hand and moved it back to his thigh, tapping her fingers and giving her a chastising glance in the process. She looked at him inquiringly and clearing his throat, Darcy turned to Georgiana. “Are you well, dear? You will not be joining us so do not fear.”
“It was just a shock to be someone else all of a sudden. I suppose that I have to become used to it.” His unrelenting attention held her eyes. “That makes two false names I have taken in the past year.”
“But you remain a Darcy.” He said seriously. “And that is all that matters.”
“WHAT A CONNIVING LITTLE WEASEL!” Richard leaned against the door of the officer’s barracks and read over the letter from his cousin. “I’ll be damned, Darcy, you stood up to the bastard! I never would have thought … well, I suppose that everyone has his breaking point.” He rubbed his face thoughtfully and stared out across Hyde Park towards Park Lane. “But I certainly can understand your disquiet. I pray that you are reading him correctly and he will not expose Georgiana, but that does not mean that he is through with you. What will Wickham do when he receives your letter?”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam.” A man’s voice spoke with quiet authority and instantly Richard straightened. “I would like to speak to you, please.”
“Of course, General.” He quickly put away his letter and joined his commander. Silently they walked together to his office and Richard closed the door, waiting for him to take his seat and receiving silent permission to take his own.
The elder man shuffled through some papers and at last looked up to Richard. “It has come to my attention that your family is in some financial difficulty.” He noted Richard’s eyes narrowing but there was no further sign of a reaction. “Not refuting the claim?”
“Forgive me, sir, but I do not see that it is any of your business.”
“It is if the prospect of losing one of my best men is on the horizon. I realize that you know you have been tested lately. The extra work sent your way, for example …”
“I noted it, sir. I have not complained.”
“You never do, Fitzwilliam, and you always perform well. I have been asked to put together an elite group of soldiers … ones who take their soldiering seriously, not just these boys whose fathers could afford to buy the highest rank available. I want men who can do more than look fine in a uniform.”
“And what will this group be doing, sir?”
“Working.” He saw Richard’s expectant stare and smiled. “Not good enough for you? You are not intrigued by the prospect?”
“I am no longer foolish enough to not ask questions, sir.”
“I see, that tells me that you are also thinking of life beyond the army and may not be up to risking your neck much longer.” Richard said nothing and the General nodded. “In other words, the family is on your mind and you are the prospective saviour.”
“I have always been prepared to take my brother’s place should he become unavailable.”
“Die.”
“I am no different from any other younger son.” Richard said stiffly.
“True, I was once third in line for my father’s estate. Now I believe I am somewhere around twentieth in line, if you look at all of the boys my elder brothers have produced.” He laughed and saw that Richard maintained his stony expression. “I would like very much to see your focus return to your job. Something h
as been occupying you for at least the last nine months; you are not at your best. I need you and I want you to take on this new position. It could be the making of you, without a doubt it would lead to a promotion, and you are young enough that it could be the launching point of a spectacular and long career. I want you to take a fortnight leave, speak with your father and see if you will be needed at home soon.”
“And resign my commission if I am.” Richard said emotionlessly. “My father’s home is less than a mile from here, sir. It will not require a fortnight to reach it and speak with him, and if I do, I already know the answer.”
“Do you? And it gives you disquiet?”
“It is not something I seek.” He said shortly.
“And that is why you would do well by it. So you must face up to the facts, you may be a Member of Parliament before long.” The General raised his brows. “I have watched you, Colonel. Your heart is not in soldiering anymore.”
Richard finally broke his stoic stance and stared down at his gloved hands. “I am intensely proud of what I have accomplished here, sir. And grateful for what this life has given me. I shudder at the thought of what I may have become without it. But I feel the pressure of responsibility to my family, and if you speak of my heart, I assure you, it is not happy with the position I am to take, either. Vulture-in-waiting.” He was surprised to hear laughter. “Sir?”
“Son, are we not all in that position? One way or another?” He leaned forward. “You are an outstanding leader of men, they love you. I have heard of many a boy expressing glee that he was assigned to your guidance. How that will translate to being an Earl is a mystery, but I can see you shaking up those old fools in Parliament and doing wonders to resurrect your ancestral estate. I would prefer to keep you, but it is not my decision. Weigh out the greater good. Where are you needed most?”
“I do not know.”
“Well, find out. There is nothing I hate more than indecision. Make up your mind and stick to it. I will see you right here in a fortnight. Dismissed.”
“Yes, sir.” Richard hurriedly stood and saluted before leaving the office. Showing no emotion, he walked across the yard to notify his major that he was going to be absent and after packing a few things and speaking to his batman, he climbed on his horse and rode out of the barracks. Heading along the border of the park, he looked through the trees and saw the light drizzle of rain making millions of dimples in the water of the Serpentine, disturbing the peace of the normally placid surface. “Just like me, I can find no peace anywhere.” Turning from Knightsbridge at Hyde Park Corner, he rode slowly up Park Lane and without a thought, turned again around Darcy House and into the mews to stop at the stables. “Ho!” He cried.
