A Rare Ability: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation (A Pemberley Romance Book 10)

by Harriet Knowles

  Elizabeth smiled mechanically. “And yet they are not, Mr. Wickham. So you must impress me with your words and stories. For you said yourself that you were up at Cambridge. You must have knowledge of a great deal that I would love to know.”

  He smiled and settled himself more confidently upon his chair.

  “Indeed, madam. Would you care for me to entertain you with tales of lectures in the classics, or more likely, with a description of some of my fellow students? There were some very interesting gentlemen there, some of the highest station in society.”

  Oh, the people, to be sure, Mr. Wickham.” Elizabeth smiled, wondering if he might again talk of Mr. Darcy. “No, wait. Perhaps I would like to hear of your studies. I have recently begun studying Homer, and the Odyssey is quite a dry book. I would welcome some knowledge, some background, to open it up to my enjoyment.”

  Mr. Wickham looked surprised, and a little uncomfortable. “Of course,” he said, “but I wonder at such an occupation for a lady. What has made you want to study such a difficult volume?”

  She smiled rather more genuinely. “Mr. Wickham, I am sure you would acknowledge the need to learn new things, to keep one’s mind as keen as possible and to know the enjoyment of new things.”

  “Oh, of course,” his assurance was rather too hasty, and Elizabeth smiled again.

  She still liked him, and his appearance of happy companionship, but she had to acknowledge that his manner hid things about him that she didn’t like, and, more especially, his attitude to Lydia.

  Her sister rushed over to them at that moment. “Come on, Wickham! You can’t sit there and talk like that, now Mary has agreed to play. Come and dance with me!” Lydia grabbed his hand and tugged him to his feet.

  He rose with rather more alacrity than was proper, and Elizabeth watched as he shrugged ruefully at her before following Lydia with an air of relief. She thought that he was happy not to have to try and talk of Homer to her — she rather thought he might not have been as diligent in his studies as he would protest.

  But she also watched as he danced with her sister. She didn’t watch them openly, but covertly, as she poured Mama another cup of tea. There was nothing obvious, but she wondered at her sister’s proprietorial sense of ownership.

  Of course Lydia would wish to steal him from her, but the way they looked at each other heightened her suspicions.

  Elizabeth’s hand shook as she stirred her own tea. Had they …? No, they cannot, surely they have not? She couldn’t remain in the room and turned to her mother.

  “I’m just going to take a cup of tea to Papa, and then I will be back, Mama.”

  Mrs. Bennet was swaying to the sound of the piano, and watching Lydia and Kitty dancing exuberantly with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny. “Yes, Lizzy. Do that.”

  Elizabeth was glad the music muffled the sound of the cup rattling in the saucer. Once outside the door, she leaned back against it and drew a shaky breath.

  Why was she suddenly so certain? She had come out of the room to tell her father of her suspicions, but as she stood there, she wondered.

  Then she straightened and shook her head. Nothing must spoil the preparations for Jane’s wedding. She must keep this to herself. Perhaps Mama would discourage the officers from calling too often, if she said their wedding clothes needed more time spent on them.

  She shook her head. Whatever Lydia was doing, it would be when she went into Meryton, not here at Longbourn.

  She knocked on the door to her father’s library. “I have brought you a cup of tea, Papa.” She made sure there was a smile on her face.

  “Thank you, Lizzy.” Her father looked up and moved a pile of books from the table beside him. Then he looked at her more closely. “What is troubling you, Lizzy? Sit down and tell me about it.”

  “It is nothing, Papa.” Elizabeth smoothed her features and kept the smile.

  Her father looked vexed. “Lizzy, do not attempt to deceive me. I will not demand your confidence, but please acknowledge that I know you very well indeed.”

  “Yes,” Elizabeth looked down. “I’m sorry, Papa.” She couldn’t tell him. She must keep her mother calm as the preparations gathered pace.

  Chapter 24

  Darcy sat in the corner of the coach as it rolled towards Hertfordshire. He tried not to think about what awaited him there, what he had to do.

  It had been a long fortnight, and he was bone-chillingly tired. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He was glad that Richard and Georgiana were not with him this time. He could take the time to think and do what he needed to.

  But he could do with Richard’s calm companionship beside him. No, he needed him to stay in town with Georgiana. He muttered in annoyance. He must do this. Richard had accompanied him to four events in the last two weeks, balls and dinners full of simpering girls, girls who saw nothing but opportunity for them, girls who stared soulfully into his eyes — he shuddered at the memory.

  Richard was right. He would not find another like Miss Elizabeth Bennet. His only chance at comfort and happiness would be to marry her, regardless of what the rest of the family thought, and despite his own misgivings.

  He had known this for the last week, known it deep within, and he thought he’d accepted it. But every time he considered it, every time he began to wonder what would be the best time, his mind had come up against the thought of Mrs. Bennet as his mother-in-law. How could he countenance it?

  Richard said it would be all right, and Richard understood this sort of thing. He must trust that his cousin was right and think about making his offer to Miss Bennet.

  It was Wednesday morning, and the wedding was at noon on Friday. He assumed Bingley would call on Miss Bennet tomorrow and he would accompany him, of course. And on Friday, his groomsman duty would keep him busy until the end of the ceremony and he must then accompany Miss Elizabeth at the wedding breakfast at Longbourn. He smiled. She would help him get through that difficult time.

  But he could not make her an offer on this visit. Richard had impressed upon him that it would not be seemly, and Miss Elizabeth might well take offence on behalf of her sister.

  “But Miss Elizabeth will understand that I have …” he’d protested. But Richard had shaken his head.

  “You must not, Darcy,” he’d said, seriously. “Believe me.” Then he’d smiled. “As groomsman, you will be paying her much attention, so perhaps she will become aware that you may have more than a sense of duty.”

  He supposed his cousin was right, and in any event, there would be time afterwards to call upon Miss Elizabeth.

  He pulled his greatcoat more tightly around him and something else Richard had said came into mind.

  “Don’t outstay your welcome, Darcy. The newlyweds will need privacy at Netherfield.”

  Darcy hadn’t taken a lot of notice at that point, but now he frowned. Did Richard mean he should return to London forthwith? How could he then court Miss Elizabeth? He pondered over the meaning of the words as the coach joined the Hertford road. He might, perhaps, have the opportunity to ask Miss Elizabeth what would be the best thing to do for the happiness of her sister and his friend.

  Yes, that would please her, too. He smiled slightly. It was interesting, trying to think how he might please a lady, and not something he’d ever tried before.

  Perhaps he might go out early and see if there was another note in the chest under the oak. He knew it must be Miss Elizabeth writing — there could not possibly be two such ladies in the area, and she had also not written in the week she had been caring for her sister at Netherfield.

  But, if there was a note, he could maintain the fiction that he did not know her, and reply in that vein.

  Happily occupied in what he might say, the rest of the journey passed swiftly, and soon he was stepping down from the coach and mounting the steps to greet his friend, waiting by the front door.

  As he handed his hat, coat and gloves to the butler, his heart sank. How could he have forgotten Miss Bingley,
her voice strident and her expression predatory? She hurried across the hall, extending her hand towards him.

  “Mr. Darcy! It is very good to see you again!”

  He suppressed a shudder as he bowed. “Good morning, Miss Bingley. You look very well.”

  “Yes, never mind that, Caroline!” Bingley cut across his sister. “Darcy wants to come to my library and have a whisky before lunch.” And Darcy found himself steered into the privacy of the dark-panelled room.

  He watched Bingley sloshing the drink into a couple of glasses.

  “That was quite a greeting, Bingley,” he commented. “Is your sister being troublesome to you?”

  Bingley looked harassed. “I suppose it is not more than normal, Darcy.” He sighed heavily. “I suppose I am more anxious than usual. I am determined that the day is as perfect as it might possibly be for my dear Jane to remember.”

  “I will do my very best to assist, Bingley.” Darcy knew that his best might not be good enough, he must find out what the trouble was. “Can you tell me what it is in particular that is troubling you?”

  Bingley dropped into the chair by the fire and sighed. “Caroline and Louisa have declared their intention of staying at Netherfield to help dear Jane learn to manage the household,” he quoted savagely. “I know Miss Bennet is an amiable soul, but I do not like to think she might find it rather uncomfortable.” He looked up. “In fact, she even asked me if we might manage a few days in Bath after the wedding — I am sure it is the dread of living here with my sisters.”

  Darcy thought quickly. “It would be most unseemly of them to stay here after the marriage.” He turned from where he was standing by the mantel. “I think as part of my duty as groomsman, I will book rooms at Amwell for Friday night for your sisters and Hurst as well as myself. I’ll tell them that I will accompany them to London via Amwell directly from the wedding breakfast.”

  Bingley looked up, dawning hope in his face. “Would you really do that, Darcy? It would be a great relief to me.”

  “I will do it,” Darcy promised. “But you will have to make it clear to your sister that she is not to visit for several months, to allow Miss Bennet — the new Mrs. Bingley …” he smiled, “to become used to her new home.”

  Bingley mopped his brow. “I knew it was the right thing to do when I asked you to be my groomsman. I will take your advice, Darcy, and thank you for it.” He looked up as there was a knock on the door, and the butler announced lunch.

  Darcy followed his host into the hall, thankful that Richard’s warning had helped him to understand that they shouldn’t stay after the wedding. But he was downcast that he might not be able to return to stay at Netherfield for several months to follow up his plan to make an offer to Miss Elizabeth. How could he progress if Netherfield was not open to him?

  Chapter 25

  It was Friday morning. Elizabeth was awake early, much too soon to rise, even if it was her sister’s wedding day. She lay in bed and watched the dawn brightening the sky through the early morning mist.

  It was going to be another cold day, and she shivered just thinking about it. April should definitely be warmer than this, but even her father said he could not remember a colder spring.

  She snuggled deeper under the covers. At least her wedding gown was of heavy satin, much better than the lighter cottons she usually wore, so she was thankful for that much, even though she worried about her father’s anxious look as he tried to economise elsewhere.

  She’d attempted to console him. “After all, Papa, we will all have suitable wedding clothes for future occasions now,” and she was happier for having elicited a smile from him.

  A knock on the door heralded Jane, who looked pale and anxious. “Oh, Lizzy! Tell me that everything will be all right.”

  Elizabeth held the covers up for her sister to scramble in beside her. It was a bittersweet moment, for she would miss her sister very much once she was married.

  Soon Jane was asleep beside her. Elizabeth smiled; she was certain her sister hadn’t slept much before dawn. But soon she was wondering what she could do to help, knowing that Miss Bingley’s presence at Netherfield was weighing on Jane’s mind.

  “It’s just the first few weeks,” she’d confided to Elizabeth. “I know she and the Hursts will visit us, and that is as it should be. But I would dearly like some time to ourselves first.”

  Elizabeth knew that Mr. Bingley had been doubtful about going to Bath with his new wife, as the weather had been so inclement, but she did know that if she could only speak to him, he would take Jane.

  An hour later, Sarah brought her up a tray of tea. When she saw Jane in the bed too, she bobbed a curtsy and brought her sister’s tray in, as well.

  “Thanks, Sarah.” Elizabeth climbed out of bed when the maid had gone, and poured them each a cup.

  “Have a cup of tea, Jane, and wake up slowly. Then it’ll be time to dress.”

  As she helped her sister with her hair later, Elizabeth thought about the previous evening. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy had arrived for a short social call, and Elizabeth’s own heart had been most irregular.

  He’d watched her, as closely as he had at the ball, and she knew that her own observations of him had not been so obvious. But no one was paying either of them any attention, because all eyes were on Jane and Mr. Bingley, the latter beaming with nervous pride.

  There had been a brief moment at the end of the evening, when Mr. Darcy had bowed to her.

  “Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

  He sounded as if he really meant it, and wasn’t just following habitual protocol. Her heart and dreams had misbehaved all night as a result.

  * * *

  Elizabeth saw him as she followed her father and sister down the aisle towards the altar where he stood to the side of Mr. Bingley, waiting for them.

  She must concentrate on Jane, doing what she needed to, enjoying her sister’s day. But she was very aware of him, standing seriously beside his friend. She knew he would also be concentrating on his duties, determined not to err in his job.

  She smiled slightly, happy that he was there, and sensed a lightening of his own mood. Startled, she gazed up at the stained-glass window; admitting little beams of coloured light over the group. She hoped very much that she was wrong, and wasn’t the cause of his change of mood.

  She must listen to the service. Mr. Stephenson, the vicar of Meryton, had been there as long as she remembered. He had conducted her parents’ marriage, baptised them all, and now, rather old and quavery, he was here for Jane. Her eyes welled up as she listened.

  “Charles Stephen, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

  Mr. Bingley’s voice rang out clearly. “I will,” and he turned and smiled lovingly at Jane.

  Elizabeth could hear her mother’s noisy sobs in the pew behind her, but nothing could spoil the moment for her. Miss Bingley’s scheming, Mr. Darcy’s early disapproval, nothing mattered any more, and she could relax.

  Soon it was all over, and she watched as the couple walked ahead of them, down the aisle, stopping at almost every pew to greet the occupants.

  Mr. Darcy walked beside Elizabeth, solemn but patient, as Elizabeth smiled at members of the congregation as she waited behind her sister and new brother-in-law.

  As they reached the pew where Miss Bingley stood, she reached out and pawed at Mr. Darcy’s arm.

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy, it’s going to be so tiresome. But at least we know Longbourn fairly well, so I can keep you good company.” Her penetrating whisper carried across the church. Elizabeth clenched her jaw, knowing she must not call Miss Bingley out on her rudeness. But she didn’t need to be angry. Mr. Darcy smiled tightly at the woman.

  “There is no need, Miss Bingley. My duty
today is to the bridesmaid, and I am sure Miss Elizabeth will be admirable company.”

  Jane and Mr. Bingley had moved on, so Elizabeth and her escort did too. She was almost disappointed not to see Miss Bingley’s face after such a put-down and knew her own face was warm at his words, but she would keep her face turned away at this moment. She would enjoy having him beside her this afternoon.

  But her heart was treacherous, and she knew she was at great risk of letting her feelings overtake her. She must not allow herself to give her affections where they could not be returned. No, she must concentrate on the job she must do.

  She must speak to him about Jane’s anxieties regarding the presence of Miss Bingley and the Hursts at Netherfield for the rest of the spring. Perhaps he would do nothing. But she must try.

  At Longbourn, he stood beside her as she talked and smiled at the guests in the receiving line, next to Jane and Mr. Bingley, and her parents.

  She didn’t have to introduce him to many of the townsfolk, for he seemed to have a good memory for people’s faces from his stay at Michaelmas, but she needed to make the short conversation and move the guest down the line.

  Thankfully, it was soon over, and she led him to a corner of the sitting room, where they each took a glass of wine from the tray.

  “Thank you, Hill,” Elizabeth nodded at the housekeeper, and turned to Mr. Darcy.

  “I need to thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She smiled as his eyebrows went up, and continued. “For withdrawing your opposition to your friend’s marriage. I cannot think that Mr. Bingley would have returned to Hertfordshire without your approval.”

  He dipped his head. “I cannot take the credit, Miss Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley returned to Netherfield because he refused to deny his affections for your sister.” His gaze followed the couple as they moved around the room. “I’m very happy for him. I see now that I was in error, thinking that such an alliance would be unsuitable.” His attention turned to her, and the look in his eyes made her look down, not wishing him to see the flush she was sure was on her face.