by Kate Speck
Darcy joined her in laughter. “I believe her list of the common extent of accomplishments only applies to those of noble birth and wealth. By that definition alone, you are more accomplished than anyone else with whom she is acquainted! What is your idea of an accomplished woman, Georgiana?”
“I understand a woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, but a truly accomplished woman must also be wise and kind. I know that I have much to learn and I am most thankful that you allow me to read histories and philosophies to improve my mind. Outer beauty will fade in time, but true inner beauty, that of generosity and intelligence, will last a lifetime, whether for my own benefit or for my future family’s.” Georgiana confidently stated.
Darcy’s mind drifted with her words as another memory flashed in his mind.
‘You are very loathsome in appearance but kind.’ He recalled uttering those words to a woman with a deformed, freckled face. He saw a beautiful set of eyes and felt a feeling of calmness in her care.
Who is she? She was the most grotesque woman I had seen and yet her inner beauty was more beautiful than anyone I had ever met.
“Are you well, William?” Georgiana broke his reverie.
Darcy turned and saw his sister. He smiled, “My mind wondered for a moment with a memory; I am not sure if it was a dream or reality, but I am well. You are beautiful, sweetling. No matter how one looks on the outside, kindness and a good heart is what matters most, is it not? You have inner beauty as well as outer beauty, and someday, some long, long days away from now, you will make a deserving man very happy.” He squeezed her hand. “Now, tell me more about Uncle and Aunt Matlock. Have they been driving Richard insane?”
Georgiana smiled and informed him of their relatives and how they were pressing their cousin to marry soon. They spent the next hour conversing pleasantly until Darcy needed to rest once again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Congratulate me! I believe I have found my future wife, Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam excitedly chimed, as he walked into Darcy’s room, seeing that he was awake and partaking nourishment with Georgiana.
Darcy rolled his eyes. “Congratulations. This is what, your fifth future wife?”
Georgiana laughed. “Congratulations, Richard. I hope you are successful with this lady.”
“Well, I think I am in love but alas, she is no heiress and I will need to find a way to make a fortune if I do not wish to give up my comforts. Bingley and I can become brothers when he marries her sister.” Richard smiled.
“Oh, of course, and Bingley fell in love as well. That would be his… fifteenth… future wife?” Darcy laughed. “He falls in and out of love more often than you!”
Richard laughed heartily. “True, so true, but since he has no impediments to wealth, he will be successful. Bingley’s lady is very beautiful but she appears too calm for my taste. MY lady, on the other hand, is quite pretty and witty. She and I conversed for a long while and I believe she will be a great friend to Georgiana. Our ward here, Darcy, has been suffering too long at your bedside and deserves some company of worthy ladies nearer her age. And NOT Miss Bingley.” Richard laughed. “I like Bingley well-enough, but that shrew is as stuck-up as I have ever seen. She implied to a few of her neighbors at the assembly that her almost betrothed was ill at Netherfield and that was why she was not dancing with anyone, and I had to put her in her place, telling them that my cousin, who remains quite single and unattached, was recovering from an illness and chose to remain here, and she shut her mouth very quickly then.”
Darcy frowned, “What is she thinking? If she is besmirching my reputation before I have even met any of these residents, I will need to have Bingley speak with her. I will not tolerate such rumors. As soon as I am recovered, perhaps we will return to Pemberley,” he looked at Georgiana. “We would be happier at home.”
“I know, William. I do wish to be at home. I believe I can tolerate returning there where… where I will not think of him so much now.” Georgiana sullenly replied.
She had been quite miserable at Pemberley this past summer when she had returned home after the Ramsgate event. She could not decide if her misery was due to her heartbreak of George Wickham’s desiring to marry her for her 30,000-pound dowry, or if it was because she had to be hostess to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for a full month. She had been relieved to return to London to stay with Lord and Lady Matlock to concentrate on her music studies the past few months and had kept herself quite busy.
Richard hugged his ward affectionately, “It will all be well, Georgie. Perhaps my future wife will become a good friend to you and she can visit Pemberley with you.” He joked.
Georgiana quickly wiped her tears and smiled. “You are both the best guardians I could wish for. I am so grateful for you both. I will retire now. Good night, William. Good night, Richard.”
After Georgiana departed, Richard sat closer and asked, “So, how have you been, Darcy? Any memories returning?”
“I had a few visions appear but I do not know if it was a dream. I keep seeing a hideous creature with beautiful brown eyes looking over me and I remember telling her that she was loathsome but kind. I felt a connection to that… that monster… for some reason but I cannot recall anything else.” Darcy stared into the canopy over his bed. He could see those eyes again and his heart thumped a little harder.
“Her? You fell for a monstrous beast with pretty eyes? Will wonders never cease?” Richard laughed. “It sounds as if your future wife will be ugly and my future wife will be poor.” Richard’s thoughts returned to the beauty he met tonight. “Miss Bennet is very lively and made me smile. She was easy to speak with and although her mother was quite uncouth, I could see myself marrying a woman like that. If only she had a decent dowry… What do you think, Darcy? Would my parents be pleased with my marrying a penniless daughter of an obscure gentleman with 2,000 a year?” He laughed at Darcy’s frown.
Darcy haughtily replied, “Absolutely not! You need someone with a large dowry. At least 10,000 pounds, to live comfortably as a son of an earl. Georgiana has been telling me that they wish you to marry soon but no matter what pretty face, you need a wife who will bring something to be a daughter of an earl.”
“I know, I know. Even with all their pressures of marriage, I do not think they would approve of this lady.” He sighed. “But, hey…” Richard thought for a moment, “she is someone well-suited for a grouchy fellow... like you… wait a minute… I think… I think I have the perfect future wife for YOU!”
Darcy laughed loudly at Richard’s sudden change of disposition. “First, she was your future wife, then you laugh at my future wife’s ugliness, and now this lady of yours will be MY future wife? You have had too much to drink, cousin. Perhaps I will take Bingley’s future wife instead. Haha! Richard, you know I need a wife who will be a good mistress for Pemberley as well as one who will care for Georgiana. I could never marry one unfit for the position. Even if beautiful, there are several criteria to be Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley and a lady with no dowry and no connections would never do.”
Darcy’s thoughts drifted to the kind eyes. I could never take a wife who could not be presented in public. Whether kind or intelligent, her inner beauty is not enough. He despaired at the hypocrisy that he had just shared with his sister.
Richard interrupted his thoughts. “Since when did you have a need to fill your coffers, Darcy? You sound as pompous as my parents. Well, I plan on calling on her tomorrow with Bingley. I will spy on her for you and report back to you on her suitability. I truly believe she will be a good friend to Georgie and I definitely think she would make you a good wife.” Richard patted his cousin’s shoulder. “Rest, cousin. I am glad you are recovering well. Wilkins will sit with you again tonight in case you need anything. We have had to bar Caroline Bingley from entering your rooms several times and although she would not dare try to compromise you with Georgie and me here, I am not taking any chances. She has been behaving
more oddly than her wont.” He chuckled. “That is one woman that we would both never consider as a future wife, no matter her beauty or fortune. I would rather marry that beast of yours. Good night.”
After the colonel left, Darcy thought of another flash of memory, this time containing Caroline Bingley in a nightgown.
What in blazes?! Did I really see her in a nightgown? He shuddered. Truly, she is one I would never consider appropriate. She is handsome enough but she looks too much like Bingley! She cares for no one but herself and is as mercenary as they come.
His thoughts flew back to the creature. Who is she? Why can I not stop thinking of her and her gorgeous eyes? Even with her disfigurement, I found her attractive. Something is seriously wrong with me.
Darcy was determined to get out of his room tomorrow and investigate for himself what might have happened to him. Being a skillful rider since a young boy, there was no way he fell off his horse simply by accident.
Chapter 4
“Mr. Darcy!” Caroline Bingley cooed. She carefully approached him and quickly sat on the chair across from him in the library. “How are you feeling, sir? I have heard from Charles that you do not have any recollection of arriving at Netherfield. Is that true?” She shrieked.
Darcy took a deep breath. He had been feeling better and was pleased to be out of his rooms finally but his headache returned as soon as Miss Bingley entered with all her perfumery and screeching voice.
“I am well enough now, although my headache is returning. It is true that I do not have any memory of those few days but everything else seems to be working well.” Darcy brusquely answered. He had little tolerance for this woman entering his private space.
Richard had taken Georgiana to Longhorn or Longbottom Lodge or something rather, to pay call on the new love of his life, and Bingley had gone with them. He had ventured downstairs to the library and had been peacefully engulfed in the last chapter of The Tempest to read the ending once again when he had been interrupted.
Darcy began to stand to leave the room, seeing that Miss Bingley had closed the door on her way in.
“Please do not leave, Fitzwilliam.” Miss Bingley spoke. “We have several items to discuss.”
Darcy was shocked at the familiarity that she was using and opened his mouth to scold her but she continued to speak.
“You have forgotten that you proposed to me, my dear, and my heart is broken. Do you not remember it? You gave me your mother’s ring with your proposal.” She lifted her hand to show him the familiar ring on her finger. “You arrived at Netherfield and that very night, you sought a private time with me and begged me to marry you. We… You told me that you loved me so much… and we… we anticipated our vows that very night. I… You asked me… you wished me to join you in your rooms… and I gave you… you took my virtue a fortnight ago, Fitzwilliam. Then you had your accident and I had to suffer without being able to see you or care for my betrothed and I could tell no one all this time, as we had not told anyone of our engagement yet, and you… and we did not tell Charles of our love for each other. I was so miserable waiting for you to declare yourself.” She wiped her non-existent tears with her handkerchief. “We must tell everyone now. We must make our engagement public.”
“NO!” Darcy shouted. What is she saying? That I begged her for marriage and took her to my bed? Am I the crazy one or is she? There is no way in hell I would propose to her!
“Miss Bingley, I may not have any memory of the past week but I have serious doubt that I proposed to you, madam.” He began, but was quickly interrupted by her shrill voice.
“ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR?!” Caroline shouted. “How DARE you, sir? I have proof on my hand. You gave me this ring!”
Darcy stepped away and faced the window to think. How in the world does she have Mother’s ring? It is an heirloom and it definitely looks like Mother’s. How could I have given it to her? I do not recall even having it in my possession. I think I last saw it at Pemberley.
He quickly found an excuse. “I apologize if I was ungentlemanly to accuse you. I have no memory and ask you to excuse me, Miss Bingley.” I must investigate further before I risk my reputation to jilt her. I would never commit to this shrew for life! “Since I do not remember, we must wait until my memory returns. No one knows of our engagement and we must keep it private until I am able to remember.”
He turned and saw Miss Bingley’s pale face. I believe she is lying to me. She is a liar and is trying to entrap me somehow but I need proof!
“But, but… what if your memory never returns? How much longer must I keep the happiest news of my life a secret?” Miss Bingley spat.
Darcy sneered, “You must have told your dear sister, whom you always praise as being the best of friend you could ever have.”
Caroline turned bright red, “Of course not! Louisa does not know about our betrothal nor does she know of our incredible night together. Do you remember what I wore, Fitzwilliam? My sheer gown that you tore off me as you ravaged me.” She drew closer to where Darcy was standing and began to lower her dress down to expose her shoulder. “You made love to me for hours and told me that I was the best you had ever had.”
“Now I KNOW you are a liar, Miss Bingley!” Darcy turned and walked briskly away from her, opening the library door for propriety, and exploded in fury. “There is no way that you would hold such a significant event from your sister, first of all, and I would never commit such a dishonorable act, to ruin a maiden before my vows. If I truly proposed to you, the whole of London would know of it already, as I have NEVER seen you keep your mouth closed for longer than it takes for you to chew your food. Colonel Fitzwilliam has told me that you have begun to tell your neighbors here that we have an understanding and nothing could be further from the truth. I find nothing pleasing about you. Your teeth are tolerable but I do not perceive anything extraordinary about you. You have a sharp shrewish look and I would never, in a million years, consider you suitable to be Mistress of Pemberley.”
Caroline fumed. “Well, I have proof on my finger that you proposed to me and your lack of memory does not change anything. I will tell everyone that you took my virtue and that you are the worst of rakes!”
Darcy laughed out at this. “And your reputation will be the only thing ruined then, Miss Bingley. I will find out the truth and once I have my proof of your lies, I will make sure you get what you deserve. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever, madam.”
He left the room without bowing to her and returned to his rooms. He was seething in anger but did not know how he would prove her lies.
I do not wish for my reputation to be damaged but I know she has lied about everything. There is no way in hell that I would propose to her; and to sleep with her, impossible!
He called out for his valet.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” Wilkins answered as he entered.
“Wilkins, can you tell me if Miss Bingley has been trying to compromise me?” Darcy asked bluntly.
Wilkins, ever impassive, calmly answered, “But of course, sir. Since the first night of your arrival, she has attempted to enter your rooms. She was successful the very first night, as we did not realize she already had the key to this room, and you called out for me to enter your rooms to evict her out of here.”
“And was she wearing a pink nightgown?” Darcy carefully asked.
Wilkins smiled, “Yes, sir. It was a hideous pink with feathers sticking out and it made her look like a dead bird. You told me that she made you nauseous.”
Darcy laughed uncontrollably for a moment. “I remember that.” He froze. “I remember it! You grabbed her arm to pull her out and she shouted something like, ‘Get your filthy hands off me, you lout!’ and you told her something about your hands being clean.”
Wilkins chuckled softly. “Yes, sir. I told her I had just washed my hands so they were not filthy.”
“And she has been attempting to enter every night?” Darcy probed.
“Yes, sir. Colonel Fitzwilli
am and I have been vigilant in ensuring that you recover without her disruptions and someone has always been with you, either myself or Miss Darcy or the colonel, for your protection.” Wilkins answered.
Darcy released a breath of relief as he looked out the window. “Thank you, Wilkins. I appreciate your diligence more than you know. Doctor Hastings has given me permission to resume my normal activities in a day or two and I hope to return home. I will not stay here with Miss Bingley under the same roof. Wilkins,” he turned to face his valet again, “do you know anything about my mother’s ring? The one with the sapphire center and pearls around it? Miss Bingley has it and is fabricating a story that I gave it to her with a proposal of marriage. I do not have any recollection of it.”
“I am sorry, sir. I do not know anything about it.” Wilkins answered. He paused before he continued, “But there is something else…”
“What is it, my man?” Darcy asked.
Wilkins pulled out a small cloth from his coat pocket. “After your injury, I cleaned your clothes and found this in the waistcoat pocket. It was soaked in blood and I washed it but then saw that it did not belong to you. I do not know where it is from but it appears someone assisted you during your injury.” He handed the item to Darcy.
“Thank you, Wilkins. You may return to your duties.” Darcy dismissed his faithful valet and sat on a chair to look at the delicate handkerchief in his hand. There were still bloodstains that could not be washed out, but on one corner, it was embroidered with a feminine stitching of Sweet William flowers.
Lizzy! This was Lizzy’s! Darcy remembered. He saw her eyes again. Who is she?
Chapter 5
“I knew you could not be so beautiful for nothing, Jane!” Mrs. Bennet screeched. “Mr. Bingley is positively smitten with you. And you, Lizzy, Colonel Fitzwilliam is already in love with you, I think. He brought his cousin already to introduce you!”