Courtship at Rosings

by Rose Fairbanks

  Courtship at Rosings

  A Pride and Prejudice Novella

  Rose Fairbanks

  Courtship at Rosings

  Published by Rose Fairbanks

  ©2019 Rose Fairbanks

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission in writing from its publisher and author.

  Several passages in this novel are paraphrased from the works of Jane Austen.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to characters, whether living or dead, is not the intention of this author.

  Contents

  Also by Rose Fairbanks

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Before you go

  Mr. Darcy's Compassion

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  More from Rose Fairbanks

  Also by Rose Fairbanks

  Jane Austen Re-Imaginings Series

  (Stand Alone Series)

  Letters from the Heart

  Undone Business

  No Cause to Repine

  Love Lasts Longest

  Mr. Darcy’s Kindness

  Mr. Darcy’s Compassion

  When Love Blooms Series

  Sufficient Encouragement

  Renewed Hope

  Extraordinary Devotion

  Loving Elizabeth Series

  Pledged

  Reunited

  Treasured

  Loving Elizabeth Collection (Books 1-3)

  Pride and Prejudice and Bluestockings

  Mr. Darcy’s Bluestocking Bride

  Lady Darcy’s Bluestocking Club (Coming 2020)

  Impertinent Daughters Series

  The Gentleman’s Impertinent Daughter

  Mr. Darcy’s Impertinent Daughter (Coming 2020)

  Desire and Obligation Series

  A Sense of Obligation

  Domestic Felicity (Coming 2020)

  Christmas with Jane

  Once Upon a December

  Mr. Darcy’s Miracle at Longbourn

  How Darcy Saved Christmas

  Men of Austen

  The Secrets of Pemberley

  The Secrets of Donwell Abbey (Emma Variation, Coming 2020)

  Regency Romance

  Flowers of Scotland (Marriage Maker Series)

  The Maid of Inverness

  Paranormal Regency Fairy Tale

  Cinderella’s Phantom Prince and Beauty’s Mirror (with Jenni James)

  Chapter One

  Fitzwilliam Darcy put down his half-empty glass of brandy and paced across his overly decorated chamber at Rosings Park. Finally, he ceased and stared out the window in the direction of the small parsonage in the distance. His cousin Richard chuckled. He had witnessed Darcy’s indecision several times in the last fortnight. It was not lost on Darcy that he typically was self-assured and in control of himself. Darcy often paced and stared out windows when making crucial decisions in his role as Master of Pemberley, but this was the first time he had ever acted this way over a woman.

  He had left Elizabeth Bennet behind once before. He had told himself in November that his admiration would soon cease. Indeed, when he first arrived in Kent and discovered Elizabeth was a guest at the parsonage, he attempted to stay away. He managed a whole week before he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He loved her, but was marriage the best route? Might he sufficiently forget about her with the passage of time and the addition of distance? Darcy’s heart squeezed at the thought.

  Richard interrupted Darcy’s hard-fought-for solitude. “Well, are we leaving as scheduled or not?”

  His query was met with silence. Richard tried again. “I take it that means no. I suppose I have another letter to write begging leave again.”

  Darcy spun around. He met Richard’s eyes and answered with determination. “No. We leave on Saturday.”

  He walked swiftly back to his glass of brandy and swallowed the remainder quickly, allowing the slow burn down his throat to serve as a seal to the resolution in his heart. As he placed it back down, the glass rang out like a bell, lending drama to his declaration.

  “Tally ho! I wish you joy, then!” Richard exclaimed.

  “Not yet, Richard, not yet.”

  “Surely you do not doubt her answer. You are the Master of Pemberley!” Richard came to Darcy’s side. “I love you as a brother, indeed more than my actual brother. I am not blind to your faults but admire your clear vision of duty and responsibility. You do not lean towards loose living like Ashbourne. With your wealth and station, I doubt any woman would ever refuse you.”

  “I love you as a brother as well, and your good opinion is invaluable. However, I am unsure my money or standing in society means much to Elizabeth…Miss Elizabeth. She has never sought to flatter me and has always treated me as an equal. Despite this, I must know her feelings, and I can no longer bear the uncertainty and constant restlessness. I have tried for months to forget her. Indeed, given my position and duty in life, I ought not to make her an offer, but she has bewitched me. I know now my life is only an empty shell without her love and laughter.”

  “Have you thought about what you will say?”

  Darcy shook his head. “A man hardly knows and obviously only hopes to do so once. Father did try to teach me, and my mother cherished the memory of the beautiful words he spoke to her during his proposal. I will speak truthfully of my ardent love.”

  “How truthfully do you intend to speak?” Richard frowned. “I know it’s been difficult to reach a decision because of her situation in life and her family’s impropriety. Is that not why you separated Bingley from her sister?”

  “Yes, but it is a degradation I will happily go through to have her by my side. I see it as another example of my enduring love compared with Bingley’s mere infatuation.”

  “How do you know that all these months later he is not still pining for his Miss Bennet the way you are pining for yours? You also left Hertfordshire behind.”

  “This is true enough. Although another concern was Miss Bennet’s attachment to him. Perhaps Elizabeth can shed some light on her sister’s feelings.”

  “Surely you don’t think you should approach her with the subject.”

  “Why not? There is no shame in my actions and advice towards my friend. I believe even Miss Elizabeth is sensible to her family’s impropriety. You should see the mortification they cause her. I will soon relieve her of that pain. At any rate, you know I abhor anything that looks like deceit. She should know of my involvement.”

  “Yes, but if Miss Bennet did truly love Bingley, you could hardly expect Elizabeth to look favourably upon the man who separated her sister from the gentleman she loved. That information should not come from the man himself during a proposal of marriage! No matter how sensible she is to her family’s impropriety, lack of connections, and the degradation marriage to her would bring you, she should not be told outright of it all. She is intelligent enough to know this and will offer gratitude for your addresses. A gentleman should not beat it into the woman he loves.”

  Darcy reflected on this for several minutes. Although he desired absolute truthfulness between them, he realised his words could only bring Elizabeth pain. Darcy replied, “I never would have thought about it that way. I can see how I would have only made an awful mess of this if it were not for your insight.” After another pause, he nervously added, “Now that you mention it, I do fear she may resent my actions towards Bingley. We
have not been able to discuss the matter, though she has tried.”

  “Discuss the matter, indeed! All you do is stare at her!”

  “Has it been that bad? Well, you know how difficult it is for me to converse anyway, especially when I fear my tongue will get away from me from months of suppressing my love.” Another moment passed, and insecurity crept in once more. “Maybe I do need more time—”

  Richard interrupted his words. “Darcy! Do not talk yourself out of this again! If you would like, I can help bridge these discussions and gauge her reaction for you.”

  Taking a moment to think of the possible outcomes, Darcy replied at last, “Perhaps that would be best. I certainly trust you to phrase things better than I could.”

  “That is putting it mildly, my cousin!”

  Darcy feigned shock and annoyance at his remark. “And when do you propose to act out this little skit?”

  Richard thought for a moment. “I could do it during her morning walk tomorrow. After, you can call on her. Mrs. Collins makes her calls in the village tomorrow, and Miss Lucas is always happy to go whilst Miss Elizabeth prefers to stay behind. Just do not be too scared to follow through this time!”

  Darcy paced around again before stopping in front of the window and wondered which room Elizabeth was in. The woman had entirely bewitched his heart and soul. All his hopes and wishes for happiness dwelt with her acceptance of his hand. Letting out a sigh that was the only sign of his anxiety and fear, Darcy asked, “Richard, do you think she will accept?”

  “Indeed, I hope so only for my sake. Then I would no longer see you hopelessly mooning after her! Put us out of your misery!” The words obviously did not relieve his cousin as he had hoped, and he added, “Goodness, you are far gone, man! You are Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley, over whom all the ladies of the ton fawn. A gentleman, intelligent, generous, and a loyal friend and brother—of course, she will say yes! She would be the biggest fool ever to refuse you. I am certain that it is not possible.”

  Only mildly reassured, Darcy countered, “But what of her regard? It would be bitter for her to marry me only for my fortune, status, and reputation as a gentleman. I desire her love.”

  “Do you not see how she teases and plays with you?” Fitzwilliam asked incredulously.

  “She does, yes. But is that regard? She smiles more with you. I have even seen her enjoy George Wickham’s company!”

  “It is true she is a pleasant conversationalist, but her treatment of you is different. She clearly enjoys your heated debates, and whilst Wickham has charming manners, I am sure she can see his shallowness by now, even if she does not know of his evil deeds. I thought you told me that he scampered quickly after some young thing who inherited ten thousand pounds. Surely she could see through that.”

  “Sometimes I worry she aims to wound,” Darcy spoke softly, afraid to voice his most profound worry.

  “I have not seen evidence of that. Why would she take a dislike of you?”

  “I was not well-liked in Hertfordshire. You know my reserve comes off as pride, and I did find the country company less than desirable. At the Meryton Assembly, I was nauseated by the fortune hunters. I know I immediately gave a bad impression. Bingley begged me to dance. To put him off, I said Miss Elizabeth was merely tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt me without even looking at her first. It was quickly repeated throughout the assembly. I saw no sign that it affected Elizabeth, though, and I have tried since to show that I was wrong and am not disgustingly proud.”

  Darcy shook his head and grit his teeth. Recalling the tension of the Netherfield Ball, he spewed out, “Who knows what Wickham has been saying? I know he has sought to wound her opinion of me.” Why was Wickham once again ruining his chance of happiness?

  “Surely she is not so prejudiced! Besides, she has interacted with you very frequently now, whereas most of Meryton has not. I have never known you to care for anyone’s opinion of you, let alone country society.”

  “I do value the opinions of those I esteem and respect. I value and covet Elizabeth’s good opinion.”

  “Well, I believe you have it and that your worry is for naught. Tomorrow we will find out!”

  Gazing out the window one last time, Darcy turned back to his cousin and responded a bit more hopefully than before, “Yes we shall! And with any luck, I will ride for Longbourn early next week!”

  “That is the spirit! Come, we must re-join Aunt Catherine and the ladies now.” Fitzwilliam walked over to where Darcy stood, obviously still half in his own thoughts, and clapped him on the shoulder, almost making him jump.

  Chapter Two

  Gathering up her gloves and bonnet, Elizabeth Bennet bid her friends Charlotte and Maria farewell. “I suspect you will be off before I return. I have had a new letter from Jane, which I will enjoy reading whilst I am out.”

  “I do hope you enjoy your walk, whether it is in solitude or with a companion.” Charlotte smiled and raised her brows.

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the allusion to Mr. Darcy, who had interrupted several of her latest walks.

  “Charlotte, please. We have talked about this. Now, I’m off!” Elizabeth tried to express more certainty than she felt.

  Mr. Darcy confused her. Even in Hertfordshire, she often found him staring at her. He conversed more openly with her there, such as during her time at Netherfield. Here he rarely spoke, especially in any coherent fashion. If she were honest with herself, she began to think it was not out of criticism as she had initially thought. However, she could not entertain the thought that he might regard her affectionately.

  Elizabeth well understood Darcy was above her in standing and would hope to marry a wealthy lady with excellent connections. Indeed, she had heard he was intended for his cousin, Miss de Bourgh. Therefore, it was pointless to even consider her feelings for Mr. Darcy, no matter what Charlotte fancied. It was out of the realm of possibility.

  The weeks in Kent had begun to erase Elizabeth’s previous prejudice of Darcy’s behaviour in Hertfordshire. He behaved no differently at Rosings. Surely, he would not feel so superior to his aunt and cousins. Perhaps he was merely reserved. Additionally, whilst it was clear to Elizabeth that Darcy had some part to play in separating her dearest sister from the man she loved, Elizabeth began to feel that perhaps the blame lay more on Miss Bingley than on Mr. Darcy.

  Turning into the park, she decided to put thoughts of Mr. Darcy out of her head and return to her letter from Jane. Elizabeth had only told Charlotte half the truth. She had read the same note many times in the last two days. To anyone else, it would seem Jane was her usual self. However, Elizabeth could ascertain that her sister still was out of spirits from Bingley’s sudden abandonment of Netherfield, in addition to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst’s recent treatment of her.

  Elizabeth did not believe all hope was lost. Was it not possible for Jane to meet another wealthy, attractive, and amiable gentleman? Elizabeth did not doubt her sister’s love but anticipated that another suitor could inspire an even deeper love.

  Hearing a sound on the path, Elizabeth looked up and expected to see Mr. Darcy again. Instead, Colonel Fitzwilliam walked towards her. Forcing a smile, she said, “I did not know that you ever walked this way.”

  “I generally tour the park every year at my visit. I had planned to end with a call on the parsonage. May I accompany you?”

  “Certainly.”

  Elizabeth turned, and they walked towards the parsonage together. She could not quite understand why she felt such disappointment at seeing Colonel Fitzwilliam but attributed it to the fact that, once again, her private thoughts were interrupted.

  “Do you certainly leave Kent on Saturday?” she asked.

  “Yes. Darcy says he will not put it off again. I am at his disposal, and he can arrange his business as he likes.”

  “I do not know anyone who enjoys having his own way as much as Mr. Darcy.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam gave her a strange look. “Perhaps it is
true, but so do we all. It may seem more apparent in his case, as he is rich and others are poor. I speak of myself, you know.” He winked at Elizabeth.

  “What can the younger son of an earl know of poverty? When have you been denied anything you fancied?”

  “Perhaps on insignificant things but in matters of great seriousness, such as marriage, I have few options.”

  “Ah, you would be expected to marry for money. Well, that is not so different from most of the world, is it?”

  “Perhaps not, and yet I would not wish to marry a lady solely for the weight of her purse. Generally speaking, a man would wish to give his bride a better home than her father. There is no matching Darcy there.”

  Elizabeth scoffed. “What ridiculousness! Are there truly men who go around refusing to offer marriage to ladies if their income does not match their beloved’s father?”

  “Despite the appearance of my sex, there are expectations of us, and this is one of them. It would be quite intimidating to propose marriage to a rich lady and have little independence.”

  “And yet that is precisely what you have explained to me is expected of you.”

  “Now you know why so many younger sons do not marry at all.”

  “Do you not see that by refusing to have the courage to offer their hand in marriage to a lady whose father intimidates them, these men condemn ladies to spinsterhood? There are already far more marriageable ladies than men in the country at present.”