Mr. Darcy of Longbourn

by APRIL FLOYD

  She smiled at him and to her great relief, he too smiled and reassured her. “I do not know her very well, and as you say, she is likely a discerning lady if she was wise and kind enough to see that your suffering was eased. It is always good to have such friends and acquaintances.”

  Wickham noticed that Hill had left them and moved closer to Anne. She thought perhaps he meant to kiss her when he bent his head so close to hers but instead he whispered of his love for her. “I cannot explain the longing I have for you when we are apart, my dearest. I have never loved another so completely.”

  Anne pulled her hands away and gasped. “Mr. Wickham, I assure you such words should be spoken to my cousin. He would not like that you are in his parlor seducing me. You two have become such good friends. He dines with you and the other officers once a week. Surely you would rather speak to him of this matter first?”

  She stood quickly from her place on the sofa beside the handsome young man and moved towards the door where Hill had disappeared.

  “Fitzwilliam,” she called while keeping her eyes on the lieutenant. By this time, he had stood and decided not to follow her.

  “Miss Anne, please, I meant no offense. I was overcome with such passion upon seeing you again. A man in love must take care not to alarm the lady who holds his heart.”

  Mr. Darcy entered and took his cousin’s arm and glanced at the lieutenant. “Anne, what has happened? Are you well?”

  She cast her eyes downward as her cheeks flamed red. Wickham spoke up as he remained standing by the sofa. “Sir, I fear I have startled your cousin with the declaration of my feelings for her.”

  Mr. Darcy turned his back on the man in his parlor so that his cousin could no longer see him. “Go upstairs and wait for me there. I will speak with him if you wish and hear what he has to say on the matter.”

  Anne looked up at Mr. Darcy and gave him a small smile. “Mother would not hear of it, you know. But if you speak with him, I would not mind.”

  She turned and hurried up the hallway to the stairs that led to her room above. Mr. Darcy nodded to her when she paused at the bottom stair. He waited until he saw her ascend and heard her dainty footsteps in the hallway above.

  When he turned back to speak with Lieutenant Wickham, he found the man had taken a seat by the fireplace.

  Mr. Darcy went to sit beside him and settled into his usual chair. He waited a moment before speaking to allow the lieutenant to gather his courage.

  “What have you to say, Wickham? I expect there will be no repeat of this behavior with my cousin in my home. Her mother and I would be most upset to find you have taken advantage of our hospitality.”

  The lieutenant stood and paced about for a moment. “Mr. Darcy, I have found myself in love with Miss Anne and wish to declare that I intend to ask her to be my bride. I know there are difficulties…”

  Mr. Darcy held up a hand and Wickham fell silent though he bristled at the interruption. “There are difficulties that will not be easily surmounted, Lieutenant. My aunt does not wish for her daughter to wed a soldier. You could never afford to care for her. In sickness and in health is a vow you could never honor where Anne is concerned.”

  Lieutenant Wickham seemed at a loss for words so Mr. Darcy continued. “Besides, there is an honorable man who has made his intentions known toward our Anne before you. I would give my blessing to him. I am sorry you were unaware.”

  A gasp at the parlor caught the two men unaware and Mr. Darcy stood as Anne entered the room. “Who has come to you, Fitzwilliam, and why have I not been told?”

  “Why have you come back down, cousin? I asked that you wait upstairs for me, did I not?”

  “You did, but I left my knitting down here and came to retrieve it. I thought you and the lieutenant were in your study,” Anne said and pointed to the table beside the sofa.

  Mr. Darcy sighed. “I cannot say at the moment, Anne. We shall speak of it when Mr. Wickham has gone,”

  “Does Mother know of this? I do not think she would agree to anyone unless the man is like Mr. Bingley or a gentleman even wealthier,” Anne said as she glanced at Wickham.

  Turning to their guest, Mr. Darcy asked him to leave them to discuss the matter in private. “You must not come again, Lieutenant, for it would only cause discord in my home.”

  Anne stomped her foot. “Why would you turn him away? I do not know whether I care for him, but I have never had a suitor before. If this other man cannot declare himself, then I should not be bound to him. A young lady deserves to know who she might marry.”

  Catherine de Bourgh entered the parlor then. “What is this nonsense about suitors? Has another wealthy friend of Mr. Bingley come to Hertfordshire?”

  Mr. Darcy rubbed his hand across his face. “Aunt Catherine, Lieutenant Wickham was just leaving. Allow me to walk him out and then we might all discuss the matter in private.”

  “Has he offered for my Anne? I will not have it, Fitzwilliam. You know I will never allow her to marry a man who cannot afford her care!” The lady took hold of her daughter, who began to complain in earnest, and led the girl from the parlor.

  Their argument could be heard throughout the home and Mr. Darcy led Wickham to the front door. “I am truly sorry, but you must cast about elsewhere after your heart had mended. Anne will never be your wife.”

  Chapter 18

  Mr. Darcy returned to his study after Wickham had gone and opened the drawer where he had left Miss Bennet’s letter.

  The lieutenant’s profession of love for his cousin did not ring true. It was too soon, he thought. There was no consideration he could give the man knowing his aunt’s thoughts on the matter and Richard’s confession of his feelings for Anne.

  He shook his head and knew he might make the colonel’s offer more palatable to the imperious Catherine de Bourgh. Richard did have the promise of the steward’s position and funds from the Fitzwilliams in London. Certainly it was far more than Wickham might offer.

  Thinking he might find some information about the lieutenant in the pages Miss Bennet had written to him upon leaving Netherfield, Mr. Darcy opened the letter and breathed deeply as the scent of lavender wafted from the missive.

  The aroma, as light as it was after all this time, was so intoxicating that he felt his heart constrict with longing for her. He dropped the letter on his desk and sat heavily in his chair. Her laughter and witty retorts played in his head as he recalled happier times spent in her presence.

  Picking up the scented paper, he allowed himself to greedily read every word she had written and heard it all in her voice as his eyes devoured the pages.

  When he had finished, he slammed a fist down in frustration upon the top of his desk. He had every right to be angry with her about Georgiana, but her explanations and apologies exonerated her of that sin. And Mr. Bingley had married his sister. It was all in the past now.

  It was the words about Wickham that pierced him to the core. He thought back on how that young man had told him a version of the same story, now completed in her letter.

  The scene with Anne in the parlor earlier came into sharp relief. The lieutenant was not interested in his cousin for anything more than the connection she now held to the Bingleys, and by acquaintance, to the Bennets.

  Mr. Darcy picked up the letter and read again, slowly, regretting the day he accused Miss Bennet of being proud and spoilt moments after proclaiming his love and admiration. How had he been so wrong about her? He had come to know a kinder, more agreeable side of the lady when she returned to Hertfordshire. But he had taken the word of a man he barely knew against her.

  Consumed by guilt and regret, Mr. Darcy rose from his chair and folded her letter again and placed it in his coat pocket. Quitting his study, he strode with purpose to his front door and pulled on his greatcoat. Richard would know what he must do and help him correct the terrible mistake he had made.

  Elizabeth watched as Jane kissed Alec Buchanan and became a countess. Her eldest sister had done what she
could not, married a titled man.

  Lydia clapped loudest and squealed as Jane and her new husband passed by them to wait at the back of the ballroom while their guests offered congratulations. They would lead everyone to a wedding breakfast in only moments.

  Her mother had spared no expense and the ballroom was glittering with the light of hundreds of wax candles. The air was heavy with the scent of lilies and roses brought from the finest hothouses in Town.

  Elizabeth found it most romantic and her thoughts turned to Mr. Darcy. How she wished he were there to dance with her and celebrate her sister’s wedding.

  Her grandfather touched her arm and she jumped at the contact.

  “Thinking of your young man, are you my dear?” The Earl of Matlock, George Henry Philip Gardiner, spoke so only she might hear his words.

  “Uncle Edward told you. I suppose he had no other choice given my mother’s behavior and my refusal to marry the duke,” Elizabeth said as she smiled sadly up at her grandfather’s face.

  He was a very handsome man, and fit as her father, for he rode every day even in cold and snow.

  “Edward did speak to me about your Mr. Darcy. It seems he is cut from the same cloth as your father. I am eager to make his acquaintance. When will we depart for Hertfordshire?”

  Elizabeth was astonished by his words. “You must not have heard how he declared his love and injured my pride in the same moment. I would never return to Hertfordshire save to visit my friend Charles Bingley.”

  The earl’s laughter boomed throughout the ballroom and Elizabeth winced as several guests turned to look in their direction. She smiled at them and watched as they went on down the line to congratulate her sister.

  “Grandfather, I dearly love you but I cannot face Mr. Darcy again. And there is Lydia’s wedding still in any event. I do wish I could excuse myself from watching my sister marry that toad, but Mother would never forgive me that slight even though Lydia has declared she does not want me there.”

  Reclaiming good regulation, the earl placed his granddaughter’s hand upon his arm and escorted her to the ballroom terrace, squinting his eyes at the winter sun rising above them. “Oh yes, I meant to tell you that your accounts in Town are restored, and your dowry as well. Your mother will not cross me again where you are concerned, rest assured. And I have no desire to see Lydia married to that bounder either. We shall only attend the ball here in Town for them and then make our way to Hertfordshire together so that I might meet your young man.”

  Elizabeth leaned against her grandfather’s shoulder and placed an arm around his back. “I am grateful for your love and protection, but Lydia would never forget or forgive me should you miss her vows since you attended Jane’s wedding.”

  “Nonsense, she cares only for what she may gain in that marriage. Franny taught her to seek wealth and titles over character. I have given her a velvet pouch full of lovely gems and so she will not care that I am not there. And who will speak of it? Not a soul in our family for certain. I am only grateful you refused the duke for I might have challenged him to a duel. I still ought to do it for how he pawed you in your father’s own parlor!”

  “I managed to push him away before he could do much more than put his awful fishy lips on my neck. I cannot imagine how Lydia will manage him, but perhaps she will be more than a match for his appetites,” Elizabeth laughed as she thought of it, but her cheeks reddened to think she had said as much to her grandfather.

  “That’s my girl! I do love that about you, my Lizzy. But we must not say so in polite company. Now, I believe we ought to leave after Lydia’s ball; the next day as a matter of fact. Be ready my dear.”

  Elizabeth wanted to refuse her grandfather’s wishes, but he had restored her finances and warned her mother away from censuring her again. If he wished to meet Mr. Darcy, so be it. That did not mean she would have to see the man again.

  She shivered and turned to go back inside. “If you wish it, Grandfather, but I make no promises about forgiving him or considering any offer he may make upon seeing me again.”

  The older man’s laughter boomed around her again and Elizabeth squeezed his hand tightly. She dearly loved the earl. With him by her side, she could face any challenge. Even Mr. Darcy.

  Chapter 19

  Elizabeth Bennet left London in one of her grandfather’s carriages one week after Jane’s wedding. She and her grandfather had slept for a few hours after Lydia’s ball, but even now Elizabeth felt her eyes closing as the carriage rumbled over the rougher roads close to Meryton.

  Her grandfather began singing a bawdy tune about country chits that made her eyes fly open along with her mouth. She nudged him with her elbow and laughed. “Sir! I cannot think where you learned such a tune, but we must not enter Meryton with you singing so loudly for all to hear. Think of your reputation!”

  George Gardiner laughed and gave his apologies. “I only meant to stay awake, Lizzy. Surely no one heard but my footmen and they are accustomed to my eccentric ways, to be sure.”

  Elizabeth laughed and looked out the window as they came into the town. The people were out on their early errands and several ladies pointed and whispered to one another when they saw the fancy carriages arriving in their small hamlet. The whole of the countryside would know of their presence before long.

  “I do not think the Bingleys will have returned from their wedding trip just yet, but Caroline did say she wrote to the butler to have the house made ready for us. I believe she will likely join us soon,” Elizabeth said as the carriage turned at the end of town and headed for the country estate of Netherfield Park.

  “I have always thought Miss Bingley a most lovely girl. I am astonished she has yet to marry. Do you think she might be interested in an old earl like me? Speak plainly, Lizzy. You know I do not care for lies.”

  Elizabeth’s mouth fell open again and she covered it quickly with her hand. Her grandfather could not be serious! Caroline was near her age and though her grandfather was fit as any man half his age, there was quite a bit of silver in his hair and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. Recovering her wits, Elizabeth considered his question.

  “Well, I cannot speak for my friend but she is quite fond of gentlemen of means. You do not look a day past forty and one, Grandfather. Will you flirt with her if she comes? And not blame me if she does not respond to your attentions?”

  The earl laughed and patted her hand. “I thank you for the compliment, my dear, and I promise to hold you blameless if my romantic overtures fall on deaf ears. But I am an earl with a vast estate that any lady, young or old, might find irresistible.”

  Again Elizabeth was astonished. “You would marry a lady knowing she preferred your wealth instead of your company?”

  “My dear, you do place quite a bit of importance upon love before marriage. It is quite easy for a lady to find love with a man such as myself. I am a romantic and would never force my affections. But understand what I say, dear girl. A gentleman, whether he has great fortune or small, may win a lady’s heart by making her feel like the queen. I would only place before her the trappings of a queen making it much easier to win her heart. A poor gentleman must work harder than I.”

  Elizabeth giggled as understanding dawned. “Does it work the same when the lady is the wealthier party?”

  Her grandfather grew serious. “Only if the gentleman, be he titled or no, is a true gentleman. That is why I have come to see your young man. I alone shall find if he is worthy of my granddaughter.”

  Mr. Darcy sat in his study going over his ledgers when his aunt rushed in without so much as a knock. She was greatly excited.

  “Darcy! Oh, have you not heard that Miss Bennet has returned to Netherfield and brought her grandfather, the Earl of Matlock!”

  He had heard from Hill that two fancy carriages had arrived and gone straight to Netherfield, but he had not known Miss Bennet had returned until now.

  “I knew someone had come, some wealthy friend awaiting the retur
n of Mr. Bingley and my sister, I suppose. What does it matter to us, Aunt?” Mr. Darcy’s question was given in sincerity as he had not shared the news of his disappointment over Miss Bennet with the woman.

  “I saw the earl in Meryton this morning. He is a handsome gentleman that might wish to have my daughter as his wife. Mrs. Long said she heard he has been a widower for many years. You must make his acquaintance and welcome him to the neighborhood!”

  Mr. Darcy could not believe his aunt wished for him to introduce himself yet again in order to worm his way into a man’s good graces so that his aunt might cast poor Anne before him. “I would wait for Mr. Bingley to return before accosting his guests. I am certain the man has no use for an introduction to our family at the moment. And if he is Miss Bennet’s grandfather, then he is much too old for Anne.”

  He bent to his work again but Catherine de Bourgh was not so easily deterred from her goal. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! Age has no meaning when wealth is involved. My dearest daughter’s health is much improved. Her beauty has returned in a rosy complexion. Her conversation is livelier and so the time to find her a wealthy husband is at hand. If you do not care about her future happiness, I shall have to pay a call to Miss Bennet and welcome her back to the neighborhood though I could never stand her company.”

  “That is quite enough, Aunt Catherine,” Mr. Darcy interrupted the woman with more than a bit of ire at her mention of Miss Bennet, “we will not impose upon Mr. Bingley’s guests to satisfy your perverse need to throw your daughter before every gentleman who visits Hertfordshire.”

  Catherine de Bourgh’s countenance fell and she opened and closed her mouth several times before turning to quit the study. Mr. Darcy overheard her tirade as she stomped upstairs calling for her daughter.

  The fact that Miss Bennet had returned again to Netherfield made his heart jump in his chest and he wanted to run the entire three miles there to throw himself upon her mercy. But his aunt’s foolish wish to be introduced for Anne’s benefit would not be the reason he would meet the woman he loved again.