by Zoë Burton
Elizabeth laughed. “One can derive great enjoyment from studying characters and still prefer to not deal with them.”
Darcy shook his head and looked down. “This is true.” He lifted his head and caught the gleam in his companion’s eye. His breath caught as his heart momentarily stopped beating, then suddenly began to race. He swallowed, unable to look away from her fine eyes and the beauty of her expression.
“Are you well, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth tilted her head as she looked at her betrothed.
Elizabeth’s question startled Darcy out of his stare. He cleared his throat and straightened his spine. “I am; I thank you.” He swallowed. Looking up, he opened his mouth to speak again when Bingley rose from across the room and cleared his throat.
“Well, we should be leaving. I do not wish to outstay our welcome, and we are to call on someone else before we return home.”
The ladies and Darcy all rose when Bingley did. Mrs. Bennet immediately objected to his words. “You must stay! I intended to invite you to dine with us.” She wrung her hands as she spoke.
“Thank you, madam, but we did promise to call elsewhere. Perhaps when we next visit?” Bingley smiled at Mrs. Bennet and took her hand, making the matron blush.
“Of course! You must promise to do so.” Mrs. Bennet tittered when Bingley bowed over her hand.
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, who had stood and was now beside him. He was amused to see a grin covering her face. He looked back at his betrothed’s mother. “Yes, indeed, Mrs. Bennet. I will make certain he does so.” Darcy bowed to his future mother-in-law before giving his attention back to Elizabeth.
“Thank you for coming.” Elizabeth curtseyed. “I enjoyed getting to know you better.”
“I am pleased to share things about myself with you. Perhaps as time moves on, and you remember more, we can talk more about you.”
Elizabeth smirked. “As you wish.” Her attention was caught by Mary, who had moved to her side.
“Lizzy, have you told Mr. Darcy about our cousin?”
Elizabeth’s brows shot up. “I forgot! Thank you, Mary, for reminding me.” She looked back at Darcy. “It seems we are to have a guest next week. My father’s cousin, who is the heir to this estate, is due to arrive with his wife on Monday. We have been forbidden from being alone with either of them. Please do not be surprised if, when you visit after his arrival, we are not able to see you or you are asked to wait.”
Darcy tilted his head and frowned. “Why can you not be alone with this gentleman and his wife?”
“Papa says he is not to be trusted and that he is no better than his father, who was a debaucher.” Mary replied to Darcy instead of waiting for Elizabeth to do it.
Darcy’s eyes grew wide at Mary’s words, and he looked to Elizabeth for confirmation.
“It is true. Papa does not trust him at all. He has spoken to Mr. Hill about protecting us and the maids.”
A crease formed between Darcy’s brows and he glared at the door. Looking back at the sisters, he did his best to reassure them. “I will speak to your father about this. It will not do for my betrothed to be in danger from anyone.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth glanced at Mary. “We trust the plans our father has put into place, but we do feel better knowing you are aware.”
With another quick word of assurance, Darcy followed Bingley out of Longbourn.
Chapter 10
On the ride home, he informed his friend of the coming of the cousin, and Bingley was just as shocked at the news.
“Why does Bennet not bar the man from entering?” Bingley shook his head. “I certainly would not allow someone into my home who could not be trusted with my children, I do not care if he was my heir or not.”
“I agree. I am not privy to his reasons so I cannot say why he is allowing it.” Darcy looked off into the horizon. “I plan to offer to hire additional footmen to help guard the ladies. I do not know if Mr. Bennet will be offended or if he will eagerly accept.”
“If he refuses?”
Darcy shrugged. “Then I will hire men to covertly watch the house and inhabitants. Elizabeth is my betrothed and regardless of the circumstances under which that came to be, I wish her to be protected from danger. I will do everything in my power to ensure she comes to no harm.”
The gentlemen fell silent, each becoming lost in their own thoughts.
~~~***~~~
The Netherfield ladies had just retired to the drawing room after dining, leaving the gentlemen to their port, when the housekeeper unexpectedly entered, a letter in her hand.
“Begging your pardon, sir.” Mrs. Nichols curtseyed. “An express has just arrived for Mr. Darcy.”
“Bring it in, then.” Bingley beckoned the servant to come to the table as Darcy rose from his seat. He glanced at Hurst, who had risen to use the chamber pot but now stood in front of the cabinet, waiting for the housekeeper to leave.
Darcy’s brows creased as he examined the handwriting. He sat down, snapping the wax that sealed the missive, then unfolded it and began to read. His eyes swiftly tracked down the page, then jerked up and began reading again, this time more slowly. When he reached the bottom a second time, he stood. “I must away to town. My sister has met with an accident.”
Bingley rose with his friend. “It is late; do you wish to leave now?”
Darcy looked at the window and bit his lip. “My heart wishes me gone immediately, but you are correct.” He glanced at the clock on the mantel. “It is very late. My uncle assures me Georgiana is well. Her situation is not dire or even terribly serious.” He slapped the letter into his palm. “I will wait until morning.”
“That is wise. How may I be of assistance?”
“You are a good friend, Bingley. I appreciate that quality in you.” Darcy paused. “I will not have time to visit Mr. Bennet and make my offer of protection. Instead, I will write a letter. May I refer him to you? Will you be my emissary, delivering the letter and hiring a couple footmen, if he agrees to my plan?”
“Absolutely.” Bingley followed his friend to the door, Hurst trailing along behind. “Is there anything else I can do?”
Darcy paused in the hallway. “I can think of nothing at the moment, but if I do, I will tell you.” With a glance at the drawing room, where the quiet discussion of the ladies could be heard, he continued. “I will retire now. I wish to rest as much as possible tonight. Please convey my regrets to your sisters.”
“I will do that.” Bingley clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I will arrange for your carriage to be ready at first light. Good night, and please tell Miss Darcy that I wish her a speedy recovery.”
Hurst seconded his brother’s words, and Darcy thanked the gentlemen for their consideration before hastening up the stairs to his chambers.
Upon entering his dressing room, Darcy immediately spoke to his valet, Smith, who was laying out his master’s nightclothes. “We are going to London at first light. Pack enough for a week. I hope to be away no more than a se’ennight.”
“Yes, sir.” Smith bowed. Seeing Darcy begin to untie his cravat, the servant came forward to help. “I hope there is nothing wrong?”
“Miss Darcy has had an accident. Lord Matlock’s express indicated her injuries are not terrible but that she would benefit from my company.” Darcy replied to his valet easily. The man had served him from the time he went to Cambridge and was well-acquainted with all of Darcy’s business.
“I hope the earl is correct and that Miss Darcy makes a swift recovery. I will spend the rest of the evening packing and then get some sleep. Shall I waken you at five?”
“Yes, do. Bingley is to have my carriage ready at first light, so as soon as I am dressed, we can go.” Darcy had by now stripped himself of his clothing, with Smith’s assistance. He slipped on the nightshirt and robe and turned to enter the bedchamber.
“Good night, sir.” The valet bowed.
“Good night.”
Upon entering his room, Darcy strode to the small table beside the fi
re where his travelling desk sat. He opened the small, wooden box, pulling out paper, ink, and a quill. He sat and mended the pen while mentally composing a letter to Mr. Bennet. When he was ready, he pulled the paper forward, opened the ink bottle, and dipped the quill in it. He wrote slowly and thoughtfully, rereading and striking things out, then inserting other words. When he was satisfied he had expressed himself to his future father-in-law as best he could, he took out a fresh sheet and wrote a clean copy. After folding and sealing the missive, he pulled out another sheet to write to his betrothed.
“What do I say to her? We are supposed to be getting to know one another and here I am, leaving for town.” Darcy shrugged. “There is no help for it, of course. Go I must. I need only soften the blow. Surely Elizabeth will understand. I dislike the idea of leaving right now as much as she must, but this is my sister and my ward.” With a sigh, Darcy repeated the writing process, this time addressing his remarks to his betrothed. When he was satisfied with his words, he wrote his clean copy, folded, sealed, and addressed it, and placed it atop the first missive. Then, he rose, removed his robe, and climbed into bed, falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
~~~***~~~
True to his word, Bingley had his friend’s carriage sitting outside the front door just as the sky began to lighten. He accepted Darcy’s letters to Longbourn, tucking them into the inside pocket of his coat, then waved the other gentleman off.
As soon as it was polite to do so, Bingley set off for his neighbour’s home. When he entered the paddock, a groom came scurrying out to greet him, and once he had jumped out of the saddle, he tossed the reins to the young man.
A few minutes later, Bingley was escorted into the familiar confines of Longbourn’s drawing room. He bowed, grinning at the excited exclamations of the mistress of the estate. “I am actually here on a mission. Might I see Mr. Bennet for a few moments before I visit with you?”
“Of course, you may.” Mrs. Bennet gestured to Hill, who remained at the door. “Mrs. Hill will show you the way. Do come back when you have finished; I will have tea waiting.” With a smile and wave of her handkerchief, the matron excused her guest from the room.
Bingley bowed before turning to follow the housekeeper across the way to the master’s book room. He waited silently while she knocked, his gaze roaming the spacious entry hall. At the sound of Mr. Bennet’s command, Bingley returned his attention to his task.
When the housekeeper had announced him to Mr. Bennet, Bingley stepped into the cluttered but welcoming room. He bowed as the door closed behind him. “Good day, sir.”
Bennet looked over his spectacles at his guest and waved him into a chair. “Good day to you. Do sit.” He closed the book in his hand and set it on the desk, removing his eyewear and placing the delicate item on top of the book. He leaned back in his seat, folding his hands over his belly and watching as Bingley settled into a chair. “Fine weather we are having.”
Bingley grinned. “It is! Rather warm for this time of year.” He paused and then startled, remembering his errand. He jumped up, reaching into his pocket for the letter. “Darcy was called to town this morning. He asked me to deliver this note to you, and to perform the office of emissary for him.” Bingley handed the note to his host and sat down again.
Bennet accepted the letter, a crease forming between his brows. “Do you know what it says?”
Bingley shifted in his seat. “Not the specifics, no. I have only a general idea of what Darcy has written. No doubt, it,” Bingley nodded to the missive in Bennet’s hands, “is full of words of four syllables. My friend does like to use big words.” He chuckled at his joke.
Bennet’s eyebrow rose. “Indeed.” He allowed a ghost of a smile to cross his lips. “Since you are waiting for a response, I will read it immediately.” He broke the seal and unfolded the note, his lips flattening as he began to read. When he finished, he folded it up again and tapped it on the desk while he considered Darcy’s request. Finally, he made his decision.
“While I appreciate Mr. Darcy’s concerns, and share some of them, to a degree, I cannot accept his offer. If additional footmen are to be hired, I will do it.” He shook his head. “I have a plan to protect my daughters and have already discussed it with them and with their mother. They will be safe, I assure you.”
Bingley dipped his head. “Very well. I will relay the message to Darcy. What about the other matter? The letter to Miss Elizabeth?”
Bennet waved his hand over the desk. “You may give it to her. I trust your friend to speak appropriately. He has given no indication of being anything other than moral and upright.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Is there anything else you wished to speak to me about?”
“No, sir. That was it.”
“Then away with you. According to my wife, you have courting to do.” Bennet smirked at the momentary stunned expression that flashed on Bingley’s face.
“Yes, I think perhaps I do.” Bingley sprang to his feet with a grin. “Thank you.” With a bow, he departed the book room, leaving Bennet to his peace once more.
In the drawing room, Bingley went straightaway to Jane’s side, flipping his tails up before he sat beside her on the settee.
Elizabeth, who was sitting on a sofa positioned next to the settee, leaned over toward her sister and Bingley. “Mr. Darcy did not come with you?”
“He did not. He received an express last night; his sister has suffered and accident and his presence was required in town. He was unable to tell me how long he will be gone, but he hoped it would be no longer than a week.”
Elizabeth’s brows drew together, the corners of her mouth pulling down. “I see.” Her shoulders slumped briefly. “I hope Miss Darcy was not seriously injured.”
Bingley shook his head. “I am uncertain. He said his uncle assured him she was well but required his presence.”
“I suppose we shall discover the details when he returns.” Elizabeth leaned back against the sofa and closed her eyes, disappointment in her features.
“Yes.” Bingley tipped his head as he examined Elizabeth’s pale countenance, turning a questioning look at Jane, who shrugged.
“Lizzy, are you well?” Jane leaned forward and allowed her gaze to roam her sister’s face just as Elizabeth lifted a hand to rub her forehead. “Does your head hurt?” When Elizabeth nodded, Jane turned around to address her younger sisters. “Kitty, Lydia, will you please help Lizzy up the stairs and get her a cold cloth?”
Immediately, the youngest Bennets stood, looks of concern on their faces. “Certainly we will,” Lydia declared. The pair bustled across the room to Elizabeth’s side. “Come, Lizzy. We will have you feeling better in no time at all.”
Bingley watched as the younger girls helped Elizabeth to rise, then flanked her as she slowly walked out of the room. “I am impressed with Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia. I had not thought there was a great amount of affection between them and Miss Elizabeth.”
Jane nodded thoughtfully, then smiled as Bingley’s gaze swiveled around to meet hers once more. “They always feel love for her, I am certain. They do not always demonstrate their feelings, is all.”
Bingley laughed. “If that is the case, perhaps my younger sister does love me, despite all appearances to the contrary.”
“Mr. Bingley.” In spite of herself, Jane laughed.
Bingley spent a further quarter hour with Jane and Mrs. Bennet. As he and Jane waited in the entry hall for his horse to be brought around, Bingley remembered Elizabeth’s letter.
“Oh! I almost forgot about this. Darcy wrote to your sister and your father has given permission for her to receive it. I should have given it to her when I first saw her today.” He pressed the note into Jane’s hand. “Will you give it to her?”
“I will.” Jane accepted the missive, slipping it into the pocket of her spencer.
Bingley bowed to Jane, kissing her fingers. She blushed and curtseyed, and then he was gone.
Chapter
11
With Bingley gone, Jane immediately went up the stairs to deliver Darcy’s note to her sister. She knocked quietly on Elizabeth’s door, then gently pushed it open, looking toward the bed. Kitty waved her in, and Jane entered, softly shutting the door so the only sound it made was a soft snick. She tiptoed to her prostrate sister’s side, sitting on the foot of the bed. She laid her hand on Elizabeth’s leg. “Lizzy? I have a letter for you from Mr. Darcy.”
At Jane’s whispered words, Elizabeth replied in the same manner. “Thank you.”
“Do you want us to put it on the table beside your bed?” Lydia replaced the cloth that was lying over Elizabeth’s eyes with a fresh one.
“Yes, please.”
“We could read it to you.” Kitty did not speak as quietly as her sisters did and recoiled when they shushed her. “I am sorry.”
Elizabeth squeezed Kitty’s hand, which had been holding hers since she had stretched out on the bed. “All is well. Do not fret.”
Just then, a soft knock heralded Mary’s arrival in the room.
“Are you done practicing already?” Jane patted the bed on the other side of Elizabeth’s legs. “Come join us.”
Mary did as she was bid, gently settling in on the bed.
“Lizzy has a letter from Mr. Darcy.” Lydia eyed the note, still in Jane’s hand. “Kitty offered to read it to her.”
Mary frowned as she looked at her next youngest sister. “They are engaged. It is not appropriate for us to read their correspondence.”
“It is not as though they are in love. There will be nothing romantic in it, I am sure. They are only marrying because they have to.” Kitty lifted her chin but remembered to speak softly.
Lydia again refreshed the cloth covering Elizabeth’s eyes. “I am dying to know what he said to her.” She sniffed. “Kitty is correct; they cannot possibly be in love and there should be nothing in it we cannot all hear.” She stroked Elizabeth’s cheek. “Please let us read it to you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth wet her lips with her tongue. “As long as you read quietly and sit still, I do not care. If you keep wiggling, I am going to need the chamber pot.”