by Wells, Linda
“Darcy wants to throttle her.”
“He is not alone in that, your mother and I are furious with her, but we decided to stay by Elizabeth instead of haring down to Kent. Once the rumour left Rosings the place to deal with it was here. We will see what Darcy wishes to do but I will handle Catherine, this is my duty, not Darcy’s.” Noting his son’s expression he smiled slightly. “Yes, I am aware that Darcy will feel that it is his, but I doubt that he would want to be separated from Elizabeth again once he sees her. I have formulated a plan. Captain de Bourgh will be in London tomorrow and will be staying here; fortunately his ship was in Portsmouth. I will escort him to Rosings; I would like you to join us.”
“As unappealing as that sounds, I will gladly represent my cousin there.”
“How does Pemberley fare?”
“It will be fine. His staff loves that house as much as he does. I paid attention to how he treated them, it was an education.”
“I look forward to hearing all about it.” Lord Matlock seemed ready to listen then and there and his son smiled.
“Later, I need to change and wash, and greet my wife. Is she home?”
“She is. Stephen.” Layton turned in surprise to hear his name. “Alicia seems happier. Keep up the good work.”
“I will, sir.”
DARCY STEPPED OUT of the carriage in front of his townhouse, and ordered that a horse be saddled and ready in a half hour. He realized after leaving his uncle that his horses and coachmen would not appreciate the hours of waiting that would come with his visit to Gracechurch Street, and also decided that Elizabeth would prefer him in a fresh shirt.
He had barely approached the door when he heard quick steps and felt his shoulder pulled back. “YOU BASTARD!”
Darcy’s hand flew up just in time to catch Stewart’s fist before it landed on his face. “What the devil are you doing?” He bellowed.
The two tall men struggled until Darcy broke free long enough to strike Stewart’s stomach. He doubled over and the footmen who were unloading the carriage arrived to lend whatever support was needed. Stewart stood bent and gasping. “How could you?” He panted. “How could you abandon her like this?”
“Abandon? Who?”
“Elizabeth!” Stewart straightened and ran for Darcy. Grabbing him, the footmen held him steady. “I supported you! I helped you! I stepped away when it could have been so easy to come between you. And now you marry your cousin and leave her to the derision of society! Damn you, Darcy!” He spat. “I never should have walked away.”
“I am NOT married to my cousin!” Darcy roared. “I am engaged to Elizabeth Bennet and I am going to marry her. At what point did the ravings of the gossip columns become the truth?” He saw Stewart’s confusion then watched his eyes narrow with suspicion.
“Where have you been?”
“Pemberley, there was a fire.” Darcy said tiredly. “If I had been here, do you really think that I would have remained passive? I did not know this until three days ago when I received my uncle’s letter.”
“You left immediately.” Stewart deflated, and Darcy nodded to his footmen to release him.
“Yes. How did you come to be here?”
“I saw you at Matlock House, I walked over here.” He rubbed at his sore stomach and watched Darcy considering him; at last he spoke, “It was an impulse.”
“Come inside so the entire neighbourhood does not listen in.” Darcy entered the house, nodding to his anxious staff, and they stepped into the study. He looked at his desk chair and had a sudden vision of Elizabeth settled there and turned to his companion. “I am engaged to Elizabeth, nothing will change that except our wedding.”
“I am sorry, Darcy. I should have known better. I …care about her.”
That knowledge struck Darcy cold, and he asked tightly, “What exactly does that mean, Stewart?” He stepped closer to him and Stewart stepped back, finding himself against the wall. Darcy’s eyes were dark with anger and he stared him down, inches from his face. “Explain that statement.”
“I care for her as a friend.” He said with all of the dignity he could muster. “I feel protective of her.”
“Do you fancy that you love her?” Darcy growled. “You declared outside that you stepped away when it would have been so easy to claim her from me. Is that what you wished for when you heard this fabrication of my marriage? Did you rejoice in the idea of Elizabeth suffering my rejection and then turning to you? You rejected her, sir!”
“And you swept in to claim her!” Stewart said heatedly, pushing Darcy away.
“I already had her.” He snarled. “You never had a chance.”
“Then where were you?”
“I did not know where to find her.”
“You knew. You chose not to look.” Stewart spat at him. “Do not tell me that all of the resources of Pemberley could not have been employed to scour Hertfordshire for her. You had enough information, it could have been accomplished. But you did not. Why?”
Darcy turned away and closed his eyes. “Because I was an arrogant fool. Why did you not pursue her after December? You thought you loved her, you knew where she was. What is your excuse?”
“I was a coward.” Stewart sighed. “I did not even have pride to blame. No that is wrong. I did not love her, there was no time to fall in love with her, it was over too soon. But I do care for her, as a friend. I care for her well-being. I care that she not be hurt.”
Darcy listened and then turned to face his old friend. “If I had married Anne, what would you have done?”
“I would have …” He stopped. “It does not matter.” Stewart sighed. “Forgive me, Darcy.”
He took a few moments to consider his response, dealing with the pain of Elizabeth perhaps accepting the man before him, then let his anger die. “No, there is nothing to forgive, I should be grateful that there is someone who would wish to defend her.” Darcy poured them each some port and brought Stewart a glass. “How do you feel?”
“Your fist has not lost its power as you age.” Stewart rubbed the spot again and accepted his glass.
“You make me feel ancient; the pugilist classes were not that long ago.” Darcy smiled slightly and became serious again. “Your behaviour is exceptionally strong for a man who claims only care for a woman, not love.”
“I think what it is …I believe that it could be compared to a brotherly care. I suppose that reading that notice and hearing the talk around town raised my protective instincts. Bingley has been going around refuting the claim but his voice is so weak nobody will listen to him. Lord Matlock has been more effective, but again, he is alone. Nobody listens to Singleton; his reputation is not the best.” He shook his head and sighed. “Laura told me that she saw Elizabeth out with Lady Matlock and Mrs. Singleton, shopping for wedding clothes. She tried to calm me, but I suppose that I did not listen to sense, I did not know of Pemberley. Could you understand that desire to protect Miss Darcy in such circumstances?”
Darcy studied him for several moments, thinking over his responsibility to always protect Georgiana, remembered Richard and Stephen’s care for Audrey, then finally nodded. “Very well, that is a protective instinct that I can accept, however, your services as surrogate brother are no longer needed. I am her caretaker, no other.” Stewart bowed his head and Darcy let the tension recede. “I need to change and go to her. If that is acceptable to you?” Darcy raised his brow.
“Of course.” Stewart finished his drink and held out his hand. “I apologize.”
Darcy took it and nodded. “I am just glad that I did not find you in her parlour on your knee.”
“It crossed my mind.” Stewart smiled to see him bristle. “Relax Darcy; it was a joke, besides you brought it up. What is this about a fire?”
Waiting a moment to see how sincere Stewart was, he let down again. “The kitchens are destroyed, but the house is fine. Smoke damage, but that is all.”
“Just what you needed.”
“Yes, now …I do no
t mean to be rude, but …”
“I understand, and I will add my voice to your defence.”
“You need to find yourself a girl.”
“And stop worrying about ones that are already taken?” He said quietly. “It seems to be a habit of mine.”
“I noticed.” Darcy said just as quietly. “Singleton is attempting to change his ways.” Stewart looked at him in surprise. “The theatre.”
“Ah. I was as surprised as you, I had no idea.” He straightened his shoulders. “Well, I understand that Harwick abandoned Miss Bennet.”
“Did you pay him a call, as well?” Darcy smiled as they walked to the door.
“No, actually I did not.” Stewart laughed. “I am behind in my outraged visits. Good luck, Darcy.” He held out his hand and they shook. “If you need anything …”
“Thank you.” Darcy saw the door close and wearily walked up the stairs to change his clothes. Soon he was back outside and on his mount, and at last arrived at the Gardiner’s door. Tossing a coin to a boy, he saw that his horse was tied off and watched, then climbed the steps. The door was opened before he could drop the knocker twice.
“Mr. Darcy, please come in.” The maid curtseyed.
He began to remove his gloves when she took his hat. “Where may I find Miss Elizabeth?”
“She is not home, sir.” Darcy’s movement stopped and the maid continued. “She has not been herself, and Mrs. Gardiner insisted that they go out. You were not expected for some hours, sir.”
Darcy spoke very slowly. “And where did they go?”
“I believe they went to Madame Dupree’s shop, sir.” Darcy took his hat back from the maid. “If they return without me, please inform Miss Elizabeth that I will be here at five o’clock sharp.”
“Yes sir!” She watched him storm down the steps and leap upon his horse. Mr. Gardiner appeared by the open front door.
“Was that Mr. Darcy’s voice I heard?”
“Yes sir, he was not pleased to find Miss Elizabeth out.”
Mr. Gardiner smiled. “No, I imagine that he was not.” He dismissed the girl and went back to his study, and decided to finish his letter to Mr. Bennet after Darcy returned from his wild ride.
An hour later, Darcy stopped his horse before the shop of Madame Dupree. A young man employed by the lady took his horse and was tipped to hold it for him. Before he entered he glanced in the front window and saw a simple sign laid carefully against a display of several very fine gowns. Wedding clothes designed for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, intended of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. He stood still and smiled, imagining her in each one. “Is this not evidence enough that we are engaged?”
Entering the shop, his tall form immediately attracted the attention of every woman there. Not seeing his object, he looked inquiringly at the young woman who appeared at his side. “Oui, Monsieur?”
“Is Miss Elizabeth Bennet here?”
“Ah non; she left but moments ago, Monsieur. I believe that I heard them speak of tea and books.” She curtseyed and he nodded, containing his disappointment.
He stepped outside and looked around, on one side of the street there was a tea room, on the other, a book shop. Hesitating before making a decision, he looked to the boy with his horse. “Did you see three women leave this shop recently, one young with dark hair, another young and blonde, and an older woman?”
“Aye sir! They went to the tea shop!” He said eagerly and Darcy nodded, tossing him another coin. “I will be back.”
Striding purposely forward, he was aware of the glances and fingers pointing in his direction, but ignored them, feeling the end of his search had arrived. Opening the door to the little shop he scanned the room and groaned. “Sir?” The proprietor bustled forward.
“Three ladies, were they here?”
“Yes sir, but the youngest was not happy to stay. Kept pulling at this locket she was wearing, and the older one said they should move around a bit. Paid their bill and crossed the street, sir.”
“Thank you.” Darcy pressed a coin in his hand and left, crossing the busy street and at last entering the bookshop. Scanning the interior he relaxed, seeing Mrs. Gardiner and Jane in one corner examining picture books for the children. Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen. Mrs. Gardiner saw him and he put his finger to his lips and raised his brow. She smiled and mouthed “poetry” to him and he nodded, following the direction she indicated. He slowly walked around the shelves until he heard a soft sigh, then peeked around the corner to see Elizabeth with her back turned. He crept up quietly and saw what she held in her hand. Smiling, he bit his lip, then reaching into his coat pocket; drew out his copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets and laid it on top of the open volume in her hands. “I already have one, my love. Remember?”
Elizabeth gasped and spun around. “Fitzwilliam!” Both books landed on the floor with a thud and she was in his arms and receiving his kiss in a heartbeat. Darcy held her tight against him and kissed her hard, with all of the passion that had kept so carefully in check. He broke away to gasp for breath, pushed her bonnet back from her head, then proceeded to cover her face with more kisses. He held her cheeks with his hands and moved around her skin so rapidly that Elizabeth was soon reduced to helpless laughter. “Dearest, stop, I am being eaten alive!”
Darcy withdrew and smiled at her. “Now that is an occupation I would gladly pursue.” He looked at her sparkling eyes and at last felt that he was home. “I missed you desperately, my love.” Tenderly he kissed her lips. “Your letter made me so happy, but after I read my uncle’s letter, I understood what you tried not to say in yours, and I am overwhelmed by your generosity to write me in love instead of anger. I ache for your suffering. I am so sorry dearest. I am so sorry.” Darcy held her to his chest and rested his cheek in her hair, then lifted her head to again cradle her face in his hands. “Are you well?”
“Now I am.” She reached up to caress his cheek, and he kissed her gently. “I need more of those.” He smiled and cuddled her against him.
“I will be happy to oblige, my love.”
“Perhaps we should save this reunion for a place with more privacy?” Mrs. Gardiner suggested when she appeared around the corner. The couple separated with a start but their hands were immediately clasped.
“Mrs. Gardiner, in any other circumstances I might agree, but as much as it goes against my nature to expose my personal life to the world, in this instance I believe that exposure is exactly what is necessary.” He smiled down to Elizabeth. “Although, my search for you up and down Bond Street will doubtless have tongues wagging already.”
“How did you find me?” She smiled and watched as he bent to retrieve his precious book and place it back in his coat, then kept the one she had been reading in his hand.
“I just followed the clues.” He leaned to kiss her again. “And here is my reward. Have you finished your shopping? May I return you to your aunt’s home? I would like to discuss something important with you.”
“Oh yes, I imagine there are any number of subjects that could be labelled important to us right now.”
“Mmm, this is the most important of all.”
“How is Pemberley?” She asked as they began to walk together.
“It is as I said, the repairs should be completed within a month, but we will need to shop for some new draperies and rugs.” He laughed at her wrinkled nose. “I thought that you would enjoy the exercise.”
“Only if you come with me, I have spent entirely too much time shopping with ladies.”
“I would not consider any other arrangement.” He walked to the desk and paid for the volume, and when it was wrapped he handed it to her. “Now we can read together.”
Elizabeth hugged the package, but pursed her lips. “I was hoping you would read to me.”
“I would love that dearest, and I would love to hear you return the favour.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Her voice was ever soft, gentle and low, an excellent thing in a woman.4”
“That is Shakes
peare!”
“So it is, love.”
“Hmm, your voice is far sweeter than mine.” She leaned into his shoulder as he wrapped her hand around his arm. Darcy kissed her cheek when she smiled up at him.
“I missed you so much, Elizabeth.”
“My true love hath my heart, and I have his.5” She whispered and he sighed. “I see us playing games of quotations on dreary winter days.”
“I will have to begin reading now to prepare for them.” He tilted his head, “Sidney?”
“Well done.”
Mrs. Gardiner noticed Jane watching the couple closely and moved forward. “Fix your bonnet, Lizzy.”
She smiled ruefully and adjusted the hat, and retied the ribbons. Darcy observed in happy admiration. “I have many more fashionable hats coming, but they are apparently on display at Madame Dupree’s.”
“I saw.” He reclaimed her arm. “It made me so proud to see our names linked in such a wonderful way.”
“It makes me wonder why people would believe this gossip.”
“I thought the same.” He became serious again. “Come let us return you home, and we will discuss my plan.”
“You have a plan?”
“I do, my love. And I hope very much that you like it.”
“MAY I SPEAK WITH YOU, SIR?” Darcy said to Mr. Gardiner after he escorted Elizabeth inside of the house.
“Certainly.” He led the way back to his study. Darcy closed the door and they took their seats. “How are you, sir?”
“Very tired.” Darcy admitted, then straightening, leaned forward. “Sir, when I left here to search for Elizabeth, I took a detour on the way to Bond Street.”
“Yes?”
“I stopped at my parish, St. Georges, and spoke to Reverend Hodgson. He said that he is free to marry us any morning at ten. That is exactly what I wish to do. I wish to marry Elizabeth tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” He sat up and stared. “Sir, is that not …”
“The best solution to this mess?” Darcy gripped the arms of his chair. “I will be married, yes, to the proper woman. The announcement would be published, the register signed, the gossip would die instantly. Why suffer through weeks of speculation? Even if Elizabeth appeared with me everywhere I go, there would be those who say I am merely walking with my mistress. The speculation that surfaced at my uncle’s ball will be touted as the truth. If we are married, it is over, and we can go on with our lives. Sir, it is the one clear solution. I applied for a special license in anticipation of our marrying at my home. I have it in hand; it was waiting on my desk when I returned today. Marrying in the church is not the private ceremony that I hoped for, but I know that the slightly more public venue may prove beneficial. I am ready for this, and after I speak to Elizabeth, I am sure that she will agree that this is the best course.”
