Men of Consequence

by Francine Rainey

  He needed to concentrate. He rubbed his hands over his face and pick up a letter. Just then, the tinkling sound of her laughter floated through the air and teased his senses. He dropped the letter. It was useless. Darcy rose and headed for the door.

  “Brother!” Georgiana said as he entered the room. “Elizabeth and I were just speaking of you!”

  “Really? Of what were you speaking?” He smiled at both.

  “No, no, Mr. Darcy, you shall have to wait and see.” He was caught once again and unable to break from her gaze.

  Georgiana looked from one to the other smiling, then her eyes opened wide, and she said quickly, “Brother!”

  “Yes?” Darcy answered, still looking at Elizabeth.

  “I must finish my lesson, and I fear Elizabeth has been stuck here all day. Will you not escort her on a walk?”

  “Gladly.”

  “Georgiana!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

  “What?” Georgiana shrugged, and Darcy was momentarily reminded of his cousin Hardston.

  “That was improper!”

  “Miss Bennet, it is no matter.” Darcy smiled that alluring half smile, “I would be honored to escort you.”

  “Are you certain? It appears as though it may rain.”

  Darcy glanced out the window. It was grey, but he did not care if he were drenched; he would endure anything to spend time with her. And besides, what was a little rain compared to the tempest of love and desire he was already caught in. “We will not go far.” Darcy smiled and held out his hand and helped Elizabeth to her feet.

  Though overcast, it was a warm spring day. Elizabeth and Darcy walked to the entrance of the park that was mostly deserted due to the grey skies. They walked arm-in-arm, and Darcy felt every breath she took. Elizabeth inhaled deeply, and Darcy suppressed a shiver. “Perhaps we should return,” she said. “I believe that I can smell the impending rain, Mr. Darcy, and I would not want you to become soaked.”

  Darcy felt so much joy in her presence, he threw caution to the wind. “Really? I would have thought that you would have enjoyed the adventure.” He raised his brow, “Afraid, Miss Bennet?”

  “Of a little rain? Impossible! I am a country girl while you are the urbane gentlemen about the town.”

  Darcy chuckled. “I will have you know that when Georgiana was small, we would often go outside just before the rain fell so that when it did, we would race laughing across the garden with the cool rain in our faces and sliding down our backs and our feet slipping on the slick grass.”

  “Really, Mr. Darcy?”

  Darcy shrugged. “Georgiana adored it, and I would have done anything to make her happy.”

  Elizabeth looked up at him, and her smile softened at the thought of the orphaned and overwhelmed young man, desperate to do anything to make his sister happy, even engaging in silly games. How she had misjudged him. She looked away and unconsciously hugged his arm closer. Darcy looked down quickly at the movement and cursed the bonnet that shielded her face.

  “You are correct about the rain. It looks like we must soon make a choice, Miss Elizabeth: back to the house or an adventure in the rain?” Elizabeth looked up at him, and with the park deserted, she laughed and ran toward the trees. Darcy followed, and just then the clouds gave way, and the cool rain slid down their faces and backs as Darcy grabbed Elizabeth’s hand, and they ran laughing to the shelter of the trees.

  Elizabeth was still laughing as they leaned side-by-side on the tree trunk, catching their breaths. Droplets of rain escaped their leafy barriers and splattered upon their faces. Elizabeth removed her bonnet and turned and looked at Darcy, her smile broadened by their shared adventure. Darcy gazed, Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and Darcy had never wanted to kiss someone so badly in his life. Instead, he turned slightly toward her and slowly removed a ring of hair that was plastered to her face. She inhaled, and her smiled faltered. Darcy lowered his hand but kept his face toward her. His eyes caressed her beautiful face, bright eyes, flushed cheeks, and soft lips. “The out of doors suits you, Miss Bennet.” His silky baritone caused a vibration within her. “You belong in a garden, an English rose. No, a field of wildflowers blooming with riotously colorful Forget Me Nots, Marigolds, Bluebells,” his voice trailed off.

  Elizabeth giggled and bit her lip. “Jane is the English Rose, perfectly suited for beautiful, manicured gardens. You are correct; I am more suited for the field of wildflowers.”

  “Both are equally breathtaking,” Darcy’s eyes caressed her face, and Elizabeth looked away. The intimacy of the moment was nearly overwhelming for Darcy. Here they stood, huddled beneath the trees, close together, shoulders sharing the trunk, every sparkle in her eyes, every emotion on her face, every expansion of her chest for air, every wisp of hair blown by the wind was there for Darcy to see, to witness, to experience – to fight to resist. Darcy turned and leaned his back against the trunk. Nothing had ever felt so right, and he had never wanted anything on this earth as badly as he wanted her. And the thought of being so close to bliss and losing it filled his body with dread.

  Elizabeth watched him as Darcy closed his eyes as if in pain. She creased her brow, too uncertain to speak. Finally, Darcy inhaled deeply and exhaled very slowly, “Winter must prove most grievous to you, Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth exhaled, glad that the confusing moment was over, then she smiled brightly. “Not at all, Mr. Darcy. You will think me scandalous, but I often walk in the winter when the wind howls, and I can see my breath. I have even been known to play in the snow on the rare occasions we have been blessed with it.” She laughed lightly, “Though I am quite inept at making snowmen. I find I quite run out of patience before it is nearly complete.”

  “Inept at building snowmen? Shameful, Miss Bennet.” Darcy turned toward her again, his sapphire eyes bright and alive. “I am from the northern counties where it snows frequently, and snowman building is a requirement. Shall I even know you?” Darcy smiled his alluring half smile.

  Elizabeth laughed, “All is not lost. I am quite accomplished at making snow angels. But do not tell me that you play in the snow, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth raised her brow.

  “I will have you know that I am proficient at snowman making, snow angels, and sleigh rides.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really, Miss Bennet. They were once Georgiana’s favorite winter past times, and her joy was mine.” Elizabeth’s smile softened as she gazed at Darcy who had been looking over her head into the rain-soaked scenery. Suddenly, he looked intensely at her with those incredibly beautiful eyes, and Elizabeth gasped and hastily looked away.

  Elizabeth turned with her back leaning upon the trunk and cleared her throat, “Well, Mr. Darcy, it seems I have corrupted you with my hoydenish ways. By the time you return home, your boots may be six inches deep in mud, and what would Miss Bingley say to that?”

  Darcy laughed, then froze. “What?” His brow creased. “How did you? But you were not in the room when she spoke.”

  Elizabeth laughed at his confusion. “No, but servants talk, Mr. Darcy.”

  Darcy tensed. He had said many uncharitable things about her and her family at the beginning of their acquaintance. His face turned ashen, and he felt as if he might cast up his breakfast. What else has she heard?

  Elizabeth watched him, his eyes wild and panicked. She smiled. Before she would have relished in discomposing the stuffy Mr. Darcy, now, she only wanted to relieve his discomfort. “Have no fear, Mr. Darcy; I heard little else.”

  Darcy exhaled. “Miss Bennet,” he picked up one of her hands, “the man I was in Hertfordshire, I am not that man any longer.” He looked up with soft pleading eyes. “I,…something great and monumental has changed me, and I recognize the trivial from the treasure.” The intensity of his gaze and the sincerity in his baritone, made Elizabeth shiver.

  He lowered his voice, “Besides, I thought you were perfectly lovely. I paid no heed to your hems.” Elizabeth quickly loo
ked away from that intense gaze. Glancing up, she noticed the birds sharing the tree shelter with them.

  “Look, Mr. Darcy!” she pointed to a beautiful starling with vivid turquoise, royal blues, and speckled white on its wings. Darcy smiled and pointed out other species found in the branches. Elizabeth raised a brow, “I did not know you were interested in ornithology.”

  “I am not so much. My mother was, and she liked to point out interesting details.”

  “Did she enjoy the out of doors too?”

  “She did. She loved to ride, and she had the most beautiful gardens. One was a rose garden, but she also planted a field with wildflowers. She called it nature’s watercolors; it was beautiful,” Darcy said slowly as he looked at her.

  Elizabeth flushed and spoke rapidly, “Was she much like you?”

  “In looks, no. Georgiana is much more like my mother in looks. I take largely after my father, but in temperament, we had much in common.”

  “Like what?” Elizabeth asked, turning fully toward him again.

  “Like books and horses, the out of doors, and chess. Did you know it was she who taught me chess, rather than my father?” Mr. Darcy’s eyes were alight.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, her father taught her, and she taught me.”

  “And did she win, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth teased.

  Darcy smiled into her eyes. “Frequently.”

  “And what did your father teach you? To ride like the wind on that great beast of yours, Mr. Darcy?”

  Darcy smiled, “No, that came naturally, Miss Bennet,” his smile faltered as he slowly reached out and pushed her hair behind her ear. She was so beautiful to him. He wanted to crush her to him and never let her go. His chest heaved, but he could not! Not until he sorted out this situation with Francesca! “You are so lovely,” he said softly, and dropped his hand slowly, holding her gaze. Elizabeth stared, breathing rapidly. Finally, he sighed and looked over her head, “Come, the rain has stopped.”

  Darcy sat in his bedchamber, staring out into the night. The day had been the sweetest torment. Her wit, her beauty, her laughter during the park walk had spilled over into a delightful dinner of shared glances and smiles, and inadvertent touches of hands and knees as Elizabeth sat on his left in the family dining room. Georgiana had been a full participant, smiling, laughing, and even teasing. What Elizabeth’s friendship had done for Georgiana was astounding. She was astounding. The lightness and laughter she brought to his house, no, not just his home, but to his person, was like air, and he never wanted to be without it. He was convinced now more than ever that she was a masterpiece. He had searched so long to find this joy, excitement, passion, and admiration for another. He knew it was rare and much more worth the capturing.

  Darcy rose and braced the window frame. Time was running out. Elizabeth was a gem, and someone would capture her. Already, Saye was lurking around and Lance as well. Both upstanding men of consequence, who never had, he assumed, insulted her beauty or given offense to those she loved – or had a scandal lurking at the door. He breathed deeply.

  Had he changed her opinion of him enough to become more open in his addresses? She was not indifferent to him; he could feel her shivers when they touched, and it rocked him to his core. Even her shy glances when she thought he was occupied heated his blood to a boil. But was it enough? And even if it were, did he have the right to pursue her while not knowing the truth about Alexander? Darcy rubbed a hand over his face. Who was he fooling? He was already pursuing her – he could not deny himself any more than he could deny himself his next breath. He would uncover the truth about Alexander as quickly as possible, and then he would confess all to Elizabeth, and offer her everything he had.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I have my music and French lessons.” Georgiana frowned, “What shall you do today, Elizabeth?” Darcy’s cup paused briefly before it traveled to its place on the saucer, the only indication that he had heard Georgiana’s question.

  “I shall amuse myself quite nicely, Georgiana,” Elizabeth answered, and Darcy noticed the sparkle in her eyes.

  “Elizabeth, shall we walk in Hyde Park later?”

  “I would love that, Georgiana.” Georgiana smiled and excused herself to prepare for her lessons.

  After breakfast, Darcy strode into his study and pulled the bell for Mrs. Pennington. The sparkle in Elizabeth’s eyes meant something. He had studied her for too long not to realize that she planned something for today.

  “You called for me, Master Fitzwilliam.”

  “Yes, thank you for coming, Mrs. Pennington.” Darcy cleared his throat, not wanting to appear too interested. “Do you know when Miss Bennet plans to travel to secure Georgiana’s gift?”

  “Today, sir. She plans to leave in one half-hour.”

  “I thought as much. Then the carriage has been called, and Mrs. Annesley alerted?”

  “Yes, sir, just as you requested.”

  “Excellent,” Darcy rubbed his chin and looked away.

  “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  “Hmm? Oh, no, no, Mrs. Pennington. Thank you.”

  “As you wish, sir.”

  “Miss Bennet, the carriage awaits, ma’am.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Pennington.” Elizabeth folded the letter she had been reading and followed the housekeeper. “Wait, Mrs. Pennington, did you say that carriage awaits?”

  “Yes, Miss Bennet,” Mrs. Pennington answered, keeping up her quick pace.

  “Mrs. Pennington, I do not wish to burden the Darcys. I must insist on my original request.”

  “Forgive me, Miss Bennet, but I ordered the carriage at the master’s behest.”

  “Mr. Darcy?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Elizabeth’s frowned. “Mrs. Pennington, I…”

  Elizabeth’s voice trailed off as Darcy appeared from his study, “Miss Bennet, may I have a word with you before you leave?”

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy, of course.”

  Darcy extended his arm toward the study, and Elizabeth walked through. “Miss Bennet, please do not be upset with Mrs. Pennington. When I was informed that you required transportation, I asked for the carriage to be made ready for any event you need to attend.”

  Elizabeth frowned, and Darcy spoke quickly. “Miss Bennet, you are a guest in my home. I would never allow a guest to call for a hackney when I have the means to convey them where they please. I promised Bingley that I would care for you, please, allow me to do so.”

  Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but Darcy interjected before she could continue. “Besides Miss Bennet, I must make a trip to purchase a book, and I thought we may travel together. And since you are a great reader, perhaps you would lend me your opinion so that I may improve my mind with extensive reading,” Darcy finished with that alluring half smile.

  Elizabeth looked into that sapphire blue stare so familiar to her now and shifted in her seat. Darcy’s beautiful eyes twinkled, and his dimples peeked at her. Elizabeth sighed, her momentary irritation evaporated, “You have won, Mr. Darcy. How could I ever reject such a noble quest made so charmingly? I would be delighted to visit the bookstore with you,” Elizabeth smiled.

  “Excellent!” Darcy lifted his long frame from the chair and walked toward her. Elizabeth’s heart pounded the nearer he drew. Darcy stared into her eyes; his hand extended. Elizabeth inhaled and accepted Darcy’s extended hand. Rising from the chair placed her in closer proximity to Darcy than she had been for a long time. His gaze was intense, his scent clean and masculine, and his demeanor strong and confident. Elizabeth felt weak – as if she stood on paper legs. They momentarily paused, neither breathing until Darcy released her hand and gestured toward the door. “After you,” he said, his voice husky. Elizabeth turned and walked unsteadily out the door.

  The cobbled stone streets of London’s high society were filled with large, gleaming, extravagant carriages. Elizabeth gazed from the window, amused by t
he strutting peacocks and the fashionable people of the ton, who strolled casually along to see and be seen. It was a sunny day, and as much as she loved the quiet, calming countryside, Elizabeth, an avid sketcher of characters, also loved the hustle and bustle of town, in limited quantities. Today, she was thrilled and looked eagerly at the spectacle.

  Darcy watched her, captivated by the excitement upon her face as she sketched the characters of the townsfolk. “Miss Bennet,” Elizabeth lifted wide eyes toward him. “What amuses you? Pray, tell.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “Oh, no, Mr. Darcy. I will not share my secrets so easily.”

  Darcy’s lips nearly stretched to his ears with the pleasure of her teasing. “Then what do you require for your treasure. Name it, madam, and it shall be yours.”

  “Really, Mr. Darcy? Whatever I may ask? Tis very dangerous to give up your advantage with so little provocation. It could place you in a very precarious position,” Elizabeth looked at him with raised brow and joy radiating from her.

  I am already in a precarious position. I have been falling since the moment I met you.

  Darcy leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, that half smile lighting his handsome features, “You are stalling, madam,” Darcy drawled. “I have placed no limit on the price I am willing to give for the treasure of your thoughts, and yet, you will not take advantage. Might your secrets be treacherous, madam?”

  Elizabeth chuckled and bit her lip, having leaned forward Darcy was much too close. Elizabeth tucked a curl behind her ear and cleared her throat, “Not treacherous, rather I am embarrassed by their banality. You may keep your token, and I shall tell you anyway. Prepare for something that may lull you to sleep quicker than a child’s lullaby.”