The Proud and The Beast

by Kate Speck

  Darcy laughed, “You and Richard practically dragged me after pouring several drinks down my throat and told me to enjoy myself with that woman with the,” he motioned his hands in front of his chest, “VERY large bosoms, and you and my cousin laughed at me when I literally ran from her room screaming.” They burst out in laughter. “I saw you and Richard both standing at your doors with your trousers down to your ankles, and I think you heard me curse more than I had ever done in my life combined that day.”

  After the chuckles died down, Darcy continued, “I had made a promise, a vow, to my father, that I would remain chaste until my marriage, and I plan to keep it. I am not without all knowledge of it; I do have a little experience, even if not the actual act, but I must keep my promise to my father. I have been tempted but never by Caroline Bingley and she is the last woman... No, even if she were the last woman in the world, I would rather die than consummate with that shrew. I detest her, now more than ever.”

  Doctor Hastings quietly listened to his lifelong friend. They had grown up together and knew each other well. He waited for Darcy to share more of his thoughts.

  “I am in love, Hastings. My head does not hurt so much as does my heart. Do you think I fell in love with her because of the love potion? This woman, this woman that I cannot marry; she cared for me after my fall and tended to my wound. I envisioned her as a hideous monster, like Caliban from The Tempest, and she looked horribly disfigured to me, but I fell in love with her even then. After I recovered, I met her and found her beautiful, inside and out, but now I wonder, could it have been the love potion that actually worked? Was it effective in moving my heart to feel something that would not have actually existed?” Darcy solemnly asked.

  “Do you love her now? What is your first thought when you awake? When you fall asleep?” Hastings inquired gently.

  Darcy closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair. “I only think of her. I dream of her, I see her beautiful eyes, and I have never felt so much for another human being before. I love my sister, I loved my parents, but this is different. She completely confuses me and infuriates me but I cannot imagine life without her and I am most miserable that she will not be with me. I would break my vows for her. If she would have me, I would give away Pemberley to be with her.” Darcy growled. “But she is engaged to a complete nitwit and all I can dream of is to kidnap her and take her to Gretna Green and marry her.” He rubbed his face. “I cannot take her away against her will, even if that idiot does not deserve her.”

  “I am sorry to hear it, Darcy. I know you have been waiting a long time to find a wife.” Hastings consoled. “You are truly in love with her. A love potion would not last so long, if such a thing existed, and what you feel, the love you have for her, is not a fleeting one. I have not found such a love but it sounds fierce and strong. I do not envy you the pain but wish you happiness. I hope you will find another to love or to find a way to marry this woman.”

  “I will never love another. I will never marry anyone but her.” Darcy declared. “I do not know how I will handle Caroline Bingley; she has been a thorn in my side ever since meeting Bingley. How she believes herself to be so above others and thinks herself worthy to be mistress of Pemberley is incomprehensible, but I have only tolerated her for Bingley’s sake. Well, no more. I will not invite her to Pemberley or reside under the same roof ever again. I need to find a way to prove that she either reproduced my mother’s ring or has stolen it somehow. I had meant to write to Mrs. Reynolds but I keep forgetting.”

  “You did have quite a lot on your mind lately, Darcy.” Hastings chuckled. “Just let me know how I can assist you.” He looked at his pocket watch. “I must go visit another patient of mine. His gout has been causing problems and he is very unhappy with me that I will not let him travel to Bath yet.” He stood. “Do you wish for some tonics? Shall I send a note to the apothecary?”

  Darcy stood as well. “No, no. I have no pains that any medicine will cure. Thank you, Hastings. I am glad to have your ear. I have been keeping too much to myself. I will have to face her once more for Bingley’s wedding then I will retreat to Pemberley. I plan on hiding myself there for a while so I do not know when I will see you again.” He chuckled to himself, “Perhaps I can find this love potion and make her fall madly in love with me.”

  He shook his friend’s hand and watched him depart. Darcy sat at his desk to compose several letters, including one to his favorite aunt and another to his housekeeper to investigate the status of his mother’s ring.

  Chapter 12

  “Miss Eliza! You look quite sickly. Are you ill?” Caroline covered her nose and mouth with her handkerchief, in case this woman might be infectious.

  Elizabeth hid her smirk. She will never change, will she? “I am well, Miss Bingley. Just a little melancholy. My dear Jane is going to marry your brother next week and I am saddened to lose her company, even if she will only be three miles away.” She replied.

  Caroline straightened her posture and tucked her handkerchief away. “Well, it is a great privilege to be mistress here and I hope your sister will know what to do. I will be sure to guide her in many ways to be a proper mistress of such a grand estate.”

  “My sister knows very well of her duties, as one who has grown up on an estate all her life, Miss Bingley. I am certain you will be free to spend your time with your… other entertainments… once my sister takes her place as mistress here.” Elizabeth countered.

  Caroline sneered, “But of course. I will be marrying myself and I will be busy planning a grand wedding as well as learning all of the duties of being Mistress of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy will be returning for the wedding tomorrow and I am certain we will set a date soon.” She looked down her nose at the country bumpkin. “Pemberley is the greatest estate in the whole of England and I will become Mrs. Darcy and take my rightful place.”

  Elizabeth paled at her statement but quickly recovered. “Congratulations. His memory has returned?” She took a calming breath. “And your babe, are you both doing well?”

  Caroline cursed under her breath. She had completely forgotten that she told Miss Eliza that she was already carrying Darcy’s heir.

  It was now January and Jane and Charles would marry in a week. If she had truly become impregnated in early October, she would be three months along and would begin to show signs of carrying soon. It was too bad that she could not get someone else to put her in that state.

  “Well, I… I am… I lost the babe. I am certain I will be with child again soon as soon as…” her head sparked another thought, “as soon as Fitzwilliam returns and takes me to his bed. He was insatiable during our night together and I know he will want me as soon as he sees me again. It has been more than a month since we last saw each other and he will desire to be with me the moment he sees me.” She jeered, seeing Miss Eliza’s pretty face pale again. “Whatever his attentions may have been to you, Miss Eliza, he loves me and I WILL marry him.”

  “Congratulations. Pray, excuse me.” Elizabeth quickly departed to return to her sister’s side, who was speaking with Mrs. Nicholls on making changes to the mistress’ rooms.

  How will I face him again? I have thought of him constantly but I dread seeing him again. Elizabeth thought.

  *~*~*~*~*~*

  “Lizzy! Where have you been?” Her mother shrieked. “Lieutenant Denny came by to call and he has been sharing all kinds of news with us! Such a handsome officer. He told us all about Mr. Wickham! That villainous man that Miss Darcy warned us about apparently left TWO servant maids with child,” she whispered the last part, “and ran up enough gambling debts with the other officers to be flogged!” She waved her handkerchief in the air as she fluttered about, “Can you imagine such a thing? Such a dissolute man to be an officer!”

  Kitty chimed in, “I am so glad Georgiana warned us of his character. Even though he is very handsome, he is not a good man and we might have been deceived by him.”

  Lydia added her piece, “Well, I would have never
been tricked by a man like that. I am certain I would have resisted him and seen through his lies right away. Poor Mary King. She will be ridiculed for being courted by such a disreputable man. It is terrible she did not know what he was and agreed to courtship when she returned a week ago. I hope she is not with child herself and quits the courtship quickly! I knew he never cared three straws about her. Who could, about such a nasty little freckled thing?”

  “Do not be unkind, Lydia Bennet. Mary King is a very nice young lady who is shy and was taken advantage of. Her inheritance of 10,000 pounds brought her the attentions of that unworthy man but perhaps she will find happiness with one who will love her for herself someday.” Elizabeth chastised. She thought of Georgiana and her friend’s heartbreak over the summer, which naturally led to her older brother.

  Elizabeth quickly shook off her reverie as Jane commented, “Perhaps Mr. Wickham is not as bad as reported. There must be some goodness in him.”

  Elizabeth smiled, “Oh, Jane, I know you would have willingly gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind, but it is indeed true, that much evil is collected in one individual here and Mr. Wickham is fully to blame, I am certain of it.”

  “Well, I always knew he was evil! As soon as my sister Philips told me about his character and his lies, I knew he was up to no good. I am glad we never invited him here at Longbourn. It would have been disgraceful to have shared a meal with him!” Mrs. Bennet expressed her opinions. “Now, girls, we must make sure our dresses are ready. Lizzy! Your walk was too long. Run along. Get your pretty new dress out for the wedding. It needs more lace!”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she stood to fetch it. “Yes, mama.” She walked to her room where she sat on her bed to look out the window. I wonder if I will see him soon. She felt her eyes fill with tears once again. I must overcome this. I must. All is lost to me but he will find happiness.

  She returned to her task and joined her mother and sisters downstairs to work on their dresses.

  *~*~*~*~*~*

  “No, Georgiana. It is past calling hours and you should wait until tomorrow.” Darcy beckoned.

  “But it has never stopped us before. I dearly wish to go see Lizzy. Oh, please, William!” Georgiana begged.

  Darcy gave her a stern look. “Bingley has told me that Miss Bennet had already visited this morning and he does not intend to call at Longbourn today. We will have dinner in two hours and you can see her tomorrow.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I am tired, sweetling. I would like to rest for a while.”

  “I understand, William. I only wish we had left town earlier so we could have made our call today, but I will be patient. Lizzy’s letters have been worrisome and I am anxious to see her but as long as I can spend some time with her soon, I am willing to wait.” Georgiana told her brother.

  “What is worrisome? Is she not happy with the wedding?” Darcy asked abruptly. He was concerned that Elizabeth might be unhappy. I would carry her off to Scotland right now if she asked it of me. If she would only consent to be with me, I would give up everything.

  Georgiana replied, “Of course she is happy with the weddings. It has been exciting to have two weddings a week apart in this little town. I believe she is just a little sad about having Jane live afar, even if it is only three miles away. I am certain all will be well.”

  Darcy burned in jealousy once again. She is happy. Damn it. It is truly all lost. “If you will excuse me, Georgiana, I will rest.”

  “But of course, brother. See you for dinner.” Georgiana quickly left his sitting room to rest as well.

  Darcy locked the door behind her and placed a chair against it. He had only agreed to reside at Netherfield once more as a concession to Bingley after his friend promised to place extra footmen near his rooms and to take all of the keys away from Caroline. He promised that Darcy would be kept safe for the four nights before the wedding.

  Richard had joined their party as well, as his cousin was able to request an assignment to oversee the militia located here. Richard had wanted to see Wickham for himself and to arrange for a transfer to Newcastle this winter. He had already exchanged communications with Colonel Forster, who was leading this group, and after receiving some news of gambling debts, it was agreed upon to complete the transfer this week.

  Darcy sat on the very chair he moved to block the door. Tomorrow. I will see her tomorrow. I dread seeing her but I am most impatient at the same time. I can only hope she will be civil.

  Chapter 13

  “What in damnation?!” He remembered yelling. Darcy sat on Perseus, his stallion, and looked at the tree, recognizing it as the one that had attacked him before.

  He dismounted his horse and walked over to the tree, touching it cautiously, as if it might come back alive. He let out a breath after knocking on the trunk and finding it solid and immovable.

  Darcy looked around the area and found it a normal vista, just like any other hillside, and yet he felt connected to this place more than his own home. His heart had been here, where he had met Lizzy, and everything had changed. His life had turned upside down that day of his injury and although Miss Bingley might have been to blame for it, he could not regret meeting and falling in love with his Lizzy.

  His attention snapped to the present when he heard a twig break. He looked up and saw the woman of his dreams fifty yards away, frozen in her track as she saw him and his horse.

  Their eyes met, for what seemed to be several long minutes, then they rushed to embrace each other, Darcy lifting her up into his arms, and they began to kiss ardently, until their arms were wrapped around the other and no forces could tear their souls apart.

  Eventually, as they parted for breath, Elizabeth spoke first. “I do not know what power you have over me but I have missed you. I do not know how I will live without you but for now, right now, I wish to stay in your arms.”

  “You never have to leave me. Just say the word and I will take you to Scotland right now. Let us elope and marry. Be mine, Lizzy. Let us get on Perseus and ride off and never look back.” Darcy implored.

  Elizabeth laughed while holding his body against hers and resting her head on his chest. “If only it were so simple, William, I would run away with you right now. But alas, we have our duties and we cannot be so dishonorable.” She squeezed him tighter with her arms. “I did not think I would see you so early this morning. I had thought you and Georgiana would call on me at Longbourn later today.”

  “My sister is most determined to see you. She has missed you so much, but not as much as I have. My love, you belong with me. You belong in my arms.” He led her to the foot of the tree. “Will you sit with me a little? Stay with me a little longer?” He feared she would run off again.

  “Yes, William. Just for a little while longer.” Elizabeth sat on the ground.

  Darcy held her in his arms as he leaned against the tree trunk. They looked out to the landscape and sat quietly, contemplating how much time they had left together.

  “When is the wedding, Lizzy?” Darcy finally asked. I will spend every moment with her like this before she is out of my reach.

  “In three days. You know this. Will you not be standing up with Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth asked in confusion. She looked up to see his face to assess if he might be having another illusion.

  “Not Bingley’s, yours, Lizzy!” Darcy complained. “When is your wedding?”

  “And who am I marrying, William? I do not understand.” Elizabeth sat up straight.

  Darcy growled. “You are marrying Mr. Collins, that bumbling fool who will get Longbourn. That jackass who does not deserve you.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I am not! I wrote to Georgiana that I could not accept him even after he asked three tim…” Elizabeth could not continue her speech, as Darcy’s lips landed on hers and he kissed her most passionately, placing her head on the ground and laying over her.

  Darcy cradled her head and made love to her mouth with hi
s, one hand stroking her hair while the other began to caress her shoulder and leading down to her breast. He brushed his hand over her chest, her delicate waist, then squeezed her hip, positioning himself over her to coax her legs to open as he lay over her to connect with her as closely as possible over their clothing.

  “I love you. You are not marrying that idiot. Marry me. Be my wife. I thought you were to be his and I despaired. There is no impediment now. Marry me, Lizzy.” He continued his kisses on her neck and shoulder and sank lower to land on her décolletage.

  Elizabeth was enraptured by the sensation of his hands and lips on her body. As she felt his lips on her breast, she suddenly realized that he had exposed her chest completely and his tongue was on her areola. She gasped at such an intimate pleasure but when his hand travelled down to lift her dress up, she snapped to attention that she was going to be compromised beyond what she should give.

  “Stop. William, I said stop!” She yelled as she pushed him off of her.

  Darcy had been in the throes of passion and had not realized that he was ready to take her virtue. He released her immediately and began to apologize.

  “I am so sorry, Lizzy. I… I had not comprehended that I was about to… I love you so much and I want all of you. I wish to make you my wife. I would make you my wife right now if you would have me, Lizzy.” He pleaded. “You must marry me. I cannot be without you.”

  Elizabeth stood angrily. “Is this how you propose to all women? You promise them wealth and comfort and take their virtues, only to forget your commitment and chase another woman? I cannot believe I almost succumbed to your seductions. I almost… Well, I did not and I will not! You must keep away from me, Mr. Darcy. I will not fall for it. No matter how handsome you are, I will not lose myself in my passions.” She straightened her clothing and began to fix her hair.

  She continued speaking, “Even if you do not remember everything, you must know that Miss Bingley will not release you. I do not think you love her, even if she believes it, but she carried your child and you are engaged to her! I may not be betrothed, but you, sir, are!”