Seven Days With Mr Darcy

by Rose Fairbanks

  “Mr. Collins,” Darcy said sharply. “You do not know of what you speak. There is no attachment between my cousin and myself and never will be.”

  Darcy could not bear to say more or even excuse himself. He stalked off to approach the others, who had waited for him. They chose to turn back to Longbourn. No further conversation was possible with Elizabeth as Mr. Collins consumed all of his attention. Just as they arrived at the house, Bingley’s carriage pulled up. While bowing to Elizabeth, Darcy slid his letter into her hand.

  Chapter Eight

  Elizabeth tucked Darcy’s folded letter into her pocket. She had heard what Mr. Collins said regarding Darcy’s cousin. Is that why Darcy was so eager to get rid of Mr. Collins? He did not want anything said about his engagement to Miss de Bourgh? There was no mistaking his marked attention to Elizabeth. Was he really so dishonourable?

  While the rest of the females of Longbourn exalted in the prospect of the ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth began to dread it. Firstly, Mr. Collins had managed to ensnare her for the first two sets. Secondly, how could she bear to see Darcy again, let alone dance with him?

  When everyone else had gone to bed, Elizabeth stayed up pretending to read a book by candlelight. Once she was assured Jane was asleep, Elizabeth withdrew the letter from where she had hidden it in her writing desk. No one could know she had received a letter from a gentleman. Elizabeth knew Jane could keep a secret, but why bother involving her when it could lead nowhere? Elizabeth did not want Jane to have difficulty respecting Bingley’s friend.

  Unfolding the paper, she held it close to her face.

  Dear Miss Elizabeth,

  I can well guess the surprise you felt when you saw my reaction to Mr. Wickham. I have promised to explain everything to you. You once asked for my silence on a private matter, and I now ask it of you. I have no doubt that you willingly give it.

  I grew up with George Wickham at Pemberley. He was my father’s godson, and to say that my father loved him like another son is no exaggeration. In our youth, we were the best of friends. My father paid for Wickham’s education and intended him for the church. While we were at Eton, I first noticed Wickham’s wild and vicious side. Soon, our friendship was entirely breached.

  My father thought too well of him to see through Wickham’s act. I could never bear the thought of exposing Wickham to my father, lest he feel like a failure. I suppose my pride was too great.

  Elizabeth was enthralled in the history that Darcy laid out. Upon Mr. Darcy’s death, Wickham was given a legacy of one thousand pounds and offered a position in the church when the living became available. Instead of taking it, Wickham requested an additional three thousand pounds to use for studying the law. Darcy had hoped that would be the end of Wickham in his life, but the man came forward when the living fell available. When Darcy refused to give it to Wickham as per their earlier agreement, he abused Darcy verbally far and wide.

  Elizabeth’s heart grieved for Darcy. He did not say as much, but this must have wounded him far worse than merely being gossiped about. Wickham had been the companion of his youth. He probably also knew all of Darcy’s most insecure points. He would know how to inflict deep pain. No wonder Darcy did not trust easily and was not given to frivolity! He had been betrayed by a friend and to a small extent, even by his own father!

  Next, Elizabeth read of Wickham’s attempted elopement with Miss Darcy. Tears streaked down her face as she considered the pain Darcy must have felt. He was grieved over his sister’s broken heart, and he blamed himself for it all.

  “You are not to blame,” she muttered to herself, wishing she had the right to whisper it to him as she kissed away all his hurts.

  I do not know why I feel so comfortable airing all of my family concerns to you, Elizabeth. It is unlike me. However, I know that you are trustworthy.

  I paid Wickham off again. I am sure he will turn up when his money runs out at some point. By then, I hope to have possession of his debts and can force him to leave me and my family be.

  I have laid a part of my soul bare to you. If you are not repulsed by a family weakness to be duped by a charmer and to be blinded by pride, I would very much like to keep my set with you at Bingley’s ball. I have something most particular to discuss with you.

  Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat. He did not overtly say he wished to court her, but it was the underlying sentiment in every word. There could be no other reason for Darcy to explain himself or worry about her opinion. Her doubts were not entirely erased regarding his cousin. A small, terrified voice in her mind whispered that great men often made sport with ladies with impunity. He could be toying with her feelings. Society would only blame her for aspiring too high and thinking she could catch the great Mr. Darcy of Pemberley. However, the part of her that could recall the expression in Mr. Darcy’s eyes as he watched her at Netherfield and the dimples which were displayed only when he genuinely laughed told her to keep up her courage and hope.

  The next several days passed with no great significance. The house was not in as quite an uproar as first expected as it rained too heavily to leave the house for shopping. Mr. Collins continued to pay attention to Elizabeth, but she focused only on the more immediate future: the Netherfield Ball.

  At last, the evening arrived and they all crammed in the carriage. It was a snug fit, and Mrs. Bennet was sure that their gowns would be crushed, but in the end, there was no devastating damage done. Jane, Mrs. Bennet pronounced, looked as beautiful as ever.

  True to his word, Darcy was not far from Elizabeth’s side for the evening. He greeted her straight away and distracted Mr. Collins until it was time for their dance. Elizabeth survived the mortification of dancing with her cousin only by considering that she was sure to have at least one good partner for the night. The hours before supper passed without much complaint. Elizabeth had several partners but was also able to sit out and speak with friends.

  It was during supper that Elizabeth wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Mr. Collins had claimed her arm and escorted her into the supper-room before anyone else could as Darcy had danced with Miss Bingley. Collins sat next to Elizabeth for the entirety of the meal and never ceased speaking. Mrs. Bennet rejoiced loudly that Bingley was close to proposing to Jane and what a great thing that would be for the other girls! Kitty and Lydia were loud and brash as they openly flirted with officers. Mary played quite poorly on the pianoforte, and even Mr. Collins gave a ridiculous and mortifying speech.

  Elizabeth could bear it no more. When all eyes were on Collins, she withdrew to the library. What had she been thinking? She could not subject Mr. Darcy to her family! She cared about him too much for that. What was the point of even dancing with him? She would beg her mother to leave early because she had a horrid headache, which was entirely the truth.

  “You are upset again,” a gentle but deep voice said behind her.

  She allowed Mr. Darcy’s words to wash over her. She had not heard him come in.

  “I promised to allow you to enjoy your evening, and I fear I failed you,” he murmured.

  Elizabeth shook her head, her back still to him. “It is not your fault, and there is nothing you could have done to prevent my family from being … well, their usual selves.” She wrapped her arms around herself, and covertly dabbed her eyes. “I merely needed some air. I was getting a headache.”

  “I perfectly understand how crowds can create headaches. They often do so to me.” He paused a moment. “Miss Elizabeth, did you read my letter?”

  His formality compared to the letter felt like a stab in her heart. “I did.”

  “I understand if you have decided you no longer wish for our set … or desire to speak with me as I asked. I can see you were attempting to avoid me.”

  Elizabeth whirled around. “No! The prospect of our dance has been the only thing keeping me sane this week. I had thought you wanted to be released from it, given how embarrassing my family is.”

  Darcy smiled a little
and stepped closer to her. “I am not astonished by their behaviour. I believe I am beginning to get to know them.”

  “You may know them, but you cannot possibly understand them. Do you have any friends from London present? Would they not be scandalised to see you dancing with a relation to the silliest guests here?”

  “I do not care what they think.” He pushed a stray curl behind her ear. “I only care what you think. Do you want to dance with me? Or would you rather that I return to London?”

  “Please do not leave.” Elizabeth could not tear her eyes away from his.

  “I am going to kiss you now, Elizabeth. And when I am finished, we will return to the ballroom. When the waltz that I requested is called, I will gather you in my arms.”

  Elizabeth shivered at the thought.

  “And tomorrow morning, I am going to call at Longbourn and formally request a courtship from your father.”

  “Courtship?” Elizabeth asked.

  “It is too late to try and change my mind,” Darcy said before his lips descended on hers.

  He tasted sweet like wine, and earthy. It was pure bliss and made her tingle all over. Too soon, he pulled back.

  “On second thought, I am going to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you have me?”

  Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her chest. She did not know it could beat so hard and feared it might escape the confines of her body. She took Darcy’s face in her hands and kissed him. “I love you,” she said when she pulled back. “I know it is all very fast, but I want to be your wife.”

  “Elizabeth,” Darcy said, and he pulled her in for an embrace. “I love you more than I can say,” he whispered to her. He kissed the sensitive skin below her ear. “Come, let us talk to your father now.”

  “Now, sir?” she asked in a daze.

  “I cannot promise that your mother won’t shriek at the news, but I think it will work in keeping Mr. Collins away from you.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I am unsure. He will likely try to remind you about your supposed betrothal to your cousin, Miss de Bourgh.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened. “Did he tell you of that? No wonder you did not seem as welcoming as I had hoped earlier this evening.”

  “I overheard him speaking to you about it. It seems we both have an awful habit of eavesdropping.”

  “We had an insatiable curiosity about one another.”

  “I would scold you for turning a flaw into something worthy of praise, or at least of interest, but I suppose you must only speak of my good qualities now.”

  Laughing, Darcy kissed Elizabeth again. “Are you really mine? How I love you!”

  Touching the dimples in his cheeks, Elizabeth sighed. “Yes, I am really yours and really do love you.” She lifted on her tiptoes to kiss him. “Now, as much as I would like to stay here kissing you and hearing how much you love me, we had better return to the ballroom.”

  “Of course, madam. If only you allow me to stand and listen to all your conversations.” Darcy winked and led her out of the room.

  “You need never resort to such tactics again. I shall have no secrets from you. On that note, thank you for showing your trust in me by explaining matters with Mr. Wickham. It was more than was my due.”

  “I knew by then that I wanted to make you Mrs. Darcy. You deserved the full truth, and I would trust you with my life.”

  When they reached the ballroom, all eyes were on Jane and Bingley, who were in the middle of the room. Bingley had been on one knee and stood up, raising Jane’s hand to his lips. The crowd burst forth in applause.

  “Where have you been, Mr. Darcy? Do you see what you could have prevented!” Miss Bingley scowled at her brother and the woman she had called friend only a week ago.

  “Why would I have prevented Bingley’s proposal when I was doing the same thing to Elizabeth? I believe you offered to be the first to wish me joy.”

  Miss Bingley turned white and swayed from side to side. Then she turned red, let out an ear-splitting scream, and collapsed on the floor.

  “Do you see, dearest?” Darcy asked Elizabeth as Mrs. Hurst rushed to her sister and managed to rouse her. “And you were worried about your family making a scene at the news of our engagement. I think there’s at least one in every family. Just wait until you meet Lady Catherine.”

  Elizabeth laughed as Darcy led her on to Mr. Bennet. The joy she felt in her heart never wavered despite her father’s surprise and her mother’s shock. Even Lady Catherine’s unexpected arrival at Longbourn to express displeasure at her nephew’s engagement did not manage to reduce her happiness.

  On the day Elizabeth and Darcy wed, their felicity was made all the more complete by sharing the day with Bingley and Jane. Wickham was persuaded it was unwise to continue to harass Darcy. Miss Darcy made Pemberley her home, delighting in genuine sisterhood with Elizabeth. True to Miss Bingley’s predictions, Darcy did meet the Gardiners. They often dined together in London as well as hosting all of Elizabeth’s family at Pemberley each Christmas. While Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage was not without argument, they had learned early on to always speak plainly and that except for uniting them, no good could come from eavesdropping.

  The End

  Copyright

  Eavesdropping

  Rose Fairbanks

  Published by Rose Fairbanks

  ©2020 Rose Fairbanks

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission in writing from its publisher and author.

  Several passages in this novel are paraphrased from the works of Jane Austen.

  Also by Rose Fairbanks

  Jane Austen Re-Imaginings Series

  (Stand Alone Series)

  Letters from the Heart

  Undone Business

  No Cause to Repine

  Love Lasts Longest

  Mr. Darcy’s Kindness

  Mr. Darcy’s Compassion

  Courtship at Rosings

  Mr. Darcy’s Grieving Wife

  When Love Blooms Series

  Sufficient Encouragement

  Loving Elizabeth Series

  Pledged

  Reunited

  Treasured

  The Loving Elizabeth Collection

  Friends and Follies: A Loving Elizabeth Companion Series

  Restored (Coming 2021)

  Pride and Prejudice and Bluestockings

  Mr. Darcy’s Bluestocking Bride

  Lady Darcy’s Bluestocking Club (Coming 2020)

  Impertinent Daughters Series

  The Gentleman’s Impertinent Daughter

  Mr. Darcy’s Impertinent Daughter (Coming 2021)

  Desire and Obligation Series

  A Sense of Obligation

  Domestic Felicity (Coming 2021)

  Christmas with Jane

  Once Upon a December

  Mr. Darcy’s Miracle at Longbourn

  How Darcy Saved Christmas

  Christmas with Darcy: Books 1-3

  Men of Austen

  The Secrets of Pemberley

  The Secrets of Donwell Abbey (Emma Variation, Coming 2021)

  Regency Romance

  Flowers of Scotland (Marriage Maker Series)

  The Maid of Inverness

  Paranormal Regency Fairy Tale

  Cinderella’s Phantom Prince and Beauty’s Mirror (with Jenni James)

  Acknowledgments

  To my author friends Leenie and Zoe that always were willing to hold my hand, nothing can take your place in my heart.

  Thank you to the countless other people of the JAFF community who have inspired and encouraged me.

  Last, but not least, I could never have written, let alone published, without the love and support of my beloved husband and babies!

  About the Author

  Born in the wrong era, Rose Fairbanks has read nineteenth-century novels since childhood. Although she studied history, her transcript also
contains every course in which she could discuss Jane Austen. Never having given up all-nighters for reading, Rose discovered her love for Historical Romance after reading Christi Caldwell’s Heart of a Duke Series.

  After a financial downturn and her husband’s unemployment had threatened her ability to stay at home with their special needs child, Rose began writing the kinds of stories she had loved to read for so many years. Now, a best-selling author of Jane Austen-inspired stories, she also writes Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance, and Historical Fantasy.

  Having completed a BA in history in 2008, she plans to finish her master’s studies someday. When not reading or writing, Rose runs after her two young children, ignores housework, and profusely thanks her husband for doing all the dishes and laundry. She is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

  You can connect with Rose on Facebook,Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog: http://rosefairbanks.com

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  Jane Austen Re-Imaginings Series

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