by Leenie Brown
Darcy was pleased with his aunt’s invitation. He knew the approbation he had received from his uncle regarding his choice of Elizabeth was important, but he also knew the real approval needed to come from his aunt.
After wishing a good night and safe travels to Charlotte and Maria, Richard stood next to his cousin. “So, Mother approves?”
“Apparently,” said Darcy. “Are you leaving or staying?”
“I think, I shall stay if you are up to billiards and brandy?” said Richard.
“As always,” said Darcy with a grin, following him into the entry.
“Might I be of assistance, Mrs. Gardiner?” The Gardiners had returned from the nursery, and Mrs. Gardiner had a sleeping Michael snuggled in her arms. “I can hand him into the carriage for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Gardiner passed him the child. Michael stirred just enough to see who held him before contentedly wrapping his arms around Darcy’s neck and laying his head on the gentleman’s shoulder.
Elizabeth slipped her hand into Darcy’s arm. “Can you manage both my cousin and me?”
“Certainly, Miss Elizabeth.” He smiled back at her.
One by one, the various guests left Darcy House and climbed aboard the waiting carriages. Having seen to his sister and then Jane, Bingley waited beside Sir William’s carriage as Darcy first handed Michael into the Gardiner carriage before proceeding in his direction with Elizabeth on his arm.
“I wanted to thank you for hosting such a fine soiree,” He said as Darcy approached. “I would stay and play billiards, but I have a rather disappointed sister to take home and contend with. Miss Elizabeth, thank you for so elegantly dealing with Caroline this evening. I apologize for her behaviour…”
She held up a hand to stop him. “I cannot hold you responsible for anyone’s actions save your own, Mr. Bingley. I, of all people, know full well that a sister may act without regard for others in her family.”
“Your understanding is appreciated.” He gave her a small bow and headed to his carriage and his sister.
Darcy and Elizabeth stood toward the front of Sir William’s carriage. The light from the carriage’s lanterns danced and flickered, playing with the shadows. Darcy took a step closer to Elizabeth and took her hand.
“I want you to think about something, for me. Do not answer me right away and know that I will be pleased with either answer.”
“That sounds ominous, Fitzwilliam.”
“It is nothing dire, my dear. I just wish to know how to proceed when I get to Hertfordshire. Do you wish for me to request a public courtship, or would you prefer that I ask for an engagement? No,” he said laying a finger on her lips to stop her from speaking, “I do not want you to answer me tonight. Remember, I will be happy either way. I love you and intend to spend my whole life demonstrating to you just how much, so either way, as long as you are in my life, I will always be happy. Frustrated because I wish to kiss you and hold you, but happy.”
“I will think about it Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth looked about and being assured no one was watching, she rose up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “You may have promised Andrew not to kiss me until we are standing under a gauge at the end of a court, but I made no such promise.”
“He would say you were not being a good lady, Elizabeth,” warned Darcy.
“I am sure you are correct, sir,” she said as she kissed him again. “Good night, my love,” she whispered.
“You are making it very hard for me to be a good gentleman,” growled Darcy.
“So, you would still be happy with either answer?” she teased and moved toward the carriage and into the line of sight of the occupants.
“I will not lie. One answer would make me happier than the other, but my goal is not just my happiness but yours, Elizabeth.” He pulled her back and gave her hand a kiss before handing her into the carriage.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Richard chuckled and dropped the curtain back into place. He was happy for his cousin, but there was a strange gnawing in his stomach, a restlessness that had not been there before. It felt as if something or someone was missing. As he pulled back the curtain one more time and watched the Lucas’s carriage roll away, he knew who. She was not even around the corner, and he missed her already? He shook his head at the addled state of his brain. Tomorrow, he would be returning to the routine of his regiment for two weeks. That should help him focus.
“Are you prepared to be soundly beaten?” asked Darcy good-naturedly as he strolled into the billiards room.
“Do your worst, cousin,” said Richard with a grin. “I return to my regiment for a fortnight beginning tomorrow. Do you think Bingley would let me join you and Georgie?”
“I cannot imagine he would say no.” Darcy circled the table studying his shot.
“I am selling out, Darcy. I am tired of the life, and I have the small estate that Father has kept for me. According to my calculations, with the income from the estate, the funds I have set aside, and the money from selling my commission, I will be solvent. I have only been living on half pay for a year now and banking the rest. But, I have very little experience running an estate. I thought perhaps I could come listen to you lecture Bingley and with any luck, learn a few things.”
“You are selling out?” Darcy stood with his cue resting on the table, his shot clearly forgotten in the light of Richard’s news. “I knew you would eventually; I just did not expect it so soon. Of course, I will gladly share any advice with you that you need, and probably some you will not.”
Richard laughed, “Of that I have no doubt, cousin.”
“Are you still thinking of raising horses?”
“I am good with horses.”
“I know.” Darcy took a seat near his cousin and accepted the drink that had been poured for him. “I think it is wise to stick with what you know. It is easier to do the work when you enjoy it. But, it will be a big change. Estate management can be tedious. Are you prepared for that?”
“Darcy, I have been running most of the accounts on my unit by myself for the last six months. I assure you, I do not need to be told how tedious it is. I needed to see if I could do it, and I can. I cannot say I enjoy it, but I can do it.”
“So, you have thought this through quite carefully. Have you spoken to your father yet?”
“No, I plan to speak to him during the holidays, but I do not expect any trouble from that front. Mother has been asking when I was going to settle down, and if I have her support…”
“Your father’s will follow,” Darcy finished Richard’s thought. “When she talked about you settling down, was she implying just selling out or did it include marriage?”
“Oh, you know Mother. She is looking for the grandmother experience, but I should have some time on my side there—thanks to you,” Richard said with a grin. “I have been keeping my eyes open for a while now. Not much quality in the marriage mart these days. Perhaps I will have to go out of town like you and Bingley.”
“There is always Charlotte Lucas,” said Darcy watching Richard’s face closely. Richard’s eyes flinched a minuscule amount, and Darcy smiled to himself. “She is not an heiress, but according to Elizabeth, all she wants is a secure position somewhere, it does not have to be grand. Elizabeth said that was why Charlotte’s mother sent her to the Gardiners. She was afraid Charlotte would settle for Mr. Collins just to gain a secure position where she would not be a burden to her family.”
“I do not want someone who will settle for me,” Richard said with a huff.
“I did not say she would be settling for you. I said she would have settled for Collins. So, if that twitch in your eye is any indication of what you truly think about her, you might wish to move quickly. If she would settle for Collins, she will not be the one sent away because she refused an offer of marriage.”
“Darcy, Father and Mother might be willing to accept a country miss for you, but I am not sure they would for me. They have expectations that I should marry
well, which means marrying someone with money.”
“Richard, listen carefully. If you find that you love her, I will help you convince your parents she is the right choice,” said Darcy. “Do not settle for money alone. You and I have both seen the misery that usually follows in the wake of marriages arranged solely on the advantage of wealth or position.”
“Thank you, Darcy. I know I tease you about being so blasted steady and responsible, but that is what makes you such a good friend.” He drained his glass and stood. “Now, enough of the sappy talk, let’s play.
Chapter 8
The sun had just made its way above the horizon when the Lucas carriage left Gracechurch Street. The air was crisp, but the brilliance of the morning light promised a pleasant day. Knowing how much her nieces enjoyed a good walk, Mrs. Gardiner suggested that Jane and Elizabeth, as well as her daughters, accompany her on her morning calls, one of which was a delivery of cloth to a charity, a hospital for fallen girls, near Hyde Park.
Not far from the park at Darcy House, Richard was preparing to rejoin his unit when an officer arrived with an urgent message.
“Escaped!” Richard roared.
Lieutenant Artman shrank back. “Yes, sir, I was told he broke away from the detail escorting him to the dock, sir. We believe he had help, sir. ”
“You were not there?”
“No, sir. Dawes has the detail confined until the scheme has been deciphered.”
Richard paced the entrance, circling the young lieutenant. “He was headed in this general direction, you say?”
“We thought he might be coming here, sir.”
“Who might be here?” asked Darcy coming down the stairs in his riding clothes.
Richard stepped in front of Lieutenant Artman. “Wickham.”
Darcy slowly and deliberately took the last few steps to the bottom of the staircase. “Impossible. He is sailing to Portsmouth this morning to take up his new position under Captain Buchannan.” His voice was low and steady, a sign he was trying to contain his true emotions.
“That was the plan, but things have changed. He has made an escape.”
Darcy staggered backwards as if he had been dealt a blow. His eyes grew wide as a frightening thought crossed his mind. “He is not coming here. He first saw Elizabeth at the park and knows her love of walking.”
“That may be, but Miss Elizabeth is in Gracechurch Street. Hyde Park is a significant drive even at this early hour.”
Darcy shook his head. “Mrs. Gardiner is delivering cloth to the hospital…”
“Near Hyde Park,” Richard concluded. “You are going riding there this morning?”
“I am.”
“You have a horse, Artman?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Bring it around to the mews. Darcy and I will meet you there.”
“Sir?” Lieutenant Artman looked at Darcy and then back to Richard with a question in his eye.
“He will not stay here even if we ask him to.” Richard stepped closer to the officer and lowered his voice. “My displeasure is nothing compared to his. Do not let his calm exterior fool you. Beneath it lies a raging lion. I will make sure he knows to follow my lead.”
Lieutenant Artman nodded. “I will get my horse, sir.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
Jane, Elizabeth, and their cousins had just rounded a corner in a less frequented area of the park and were on their way to meet their aunt at the carriage, when a man who had been leaning against a tree stepped onto the path next to Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you this morning.”
“I heard you were planning a voyage, Mr. Wickham.” Elizabeth tried to move away from him, but he grabbed her injured arm pulling it out of its sling while dragging her back firmly against him.
“Yes, it seems his majesty’s navy has need of me, but when I saw you entering the park earlier, I knew I could not leave without a proper goodbye.” He wrenched her arm behind her back causing her to cry out in pain. “My apologies. Did that hurt?” He twisted her arm a bit harder.
“Not as much as you will when I have finished with you,” spat Elizabeth.
“You, hurt me? A pretty little thing like you? ‘Tis a pity there are no books around for you to use as weapons.” He laughed.
Elizabeth’s eyes flashed, and she looked at Jane. “Jane, dearest,” she said in a frighteningly calm and cool voice, “Mr. Wickham thinks I need weapons.”
“How silly of him,” said Jane. “Margaret, take Amelia and tell Aunt we will be along shortly. Lizzy and I would like to play a game of Master Marsden. Be quick, we would not want her to worry.” The young girls hesitated a moment. “All will be well,” Jane whispered. “Your mother will understand my meaning.” She gave them a small push to start them moving.
A few yards away, the confrontation was being watched closely. Lieutenant Artman had noticed Wickham standing near a tree and the three had crept up on him, hoping to prevent his dashing away. They had nearly reached their goal when the ladies had come around the corner and Wickham had taken hold of Elizabeth.
Richard placed a hand on his cousin’s chest to stay him. He crouched behind a bush, pulling a reluctant Darcy with him. “He does not know we are here. We can spring on him at any moment if needed, but he is holding her arm at such an awkward angle. I do not wish to chance further injury. Nor do we know if he is armed.” He grabbed his cousin by the shoulders forcing Darcy to look at him. “I will not let him hurt her. Do you trust me?”
Darcy nodded his assent. He did not like to helplessly watch, but he trusted Richard’s instincts.
Richard gave a flick of his hand toward the opposite side of the path and Artman moved to a position behind another bush. “If I signal to Artman to move, you are to remain here until Wickham is under our power. If he sees you, it will only make matters more dangerous for Miss Elizabeth.”
Again Darcy nodded his head.
Jane caught the motion of Artman as he took his position. The sight of his uniform brought a bit of calm to her heart. She glanced to where he had come from and noted another uniform and the blue of a gentleman’s coat. She smiled and walked closer to Elizabeth. She was certain her sister could handle this situation, but the knowledge that help was so near bolstered her confidence. “Would you like me to hold your reticule, Elizabeth?”
“Your assistance would be appreciated.” Elizabeth handed her reticule to Jane.
“Do you require any further help?” Jane stood calmly before her sister.
“What game did you tell Margaret we were playing?”
“Master Marsden.”
“Like we played with Billy back in Meryton?”
“Yes, at the assembly.”
“What are you yammering about?” asked Wickham in exasperation.
“Why, Mr. Wickham,” began Jane in a condescending tone. “I have always been something of a second for my sister when she got herself into a skirmish. I was merely performing my duties─ making sure she is ready and truly wishes to go through with this. Surely you know what a second is?” Jane moved away slightly.
“Of course I know what a second is,” sputtered Wickham. “But you are females.”
“How good of you to notice,” muttered Elizabeth as she looked to Jane. Jane gave her a small nod. A quick flurry of activity followed, and Wickham lay on his side moaning, his knees drawn up towards his waist, his hands clutching his abdomen, blood flowing from his nose. Elizabeth knelt on him, grinding her knee into his side. “Jane, your ribbon?”
Jane pulled the ribbon from around the waist of her dress and used it to securely bind Wickham’s hands.
“Wait here until he is in Artman’s grasp and well away from Miss Elizabeth,” whispered Richard. Seeing his cousin was reluctant to comply, he added, “We must ensure her safety.” A small growling sound signalled Darcy’s acquiescence.
“Mind if Artman here relieves you of this blackguard?” Richard asked stepping from his hiding place.
“
Colonel!” exclaimed Elizabeth accepting his assistance in getting to her feet. “You may gladly do whatever you wish with the scoundrel.” She smoothed her skirt and straightened her jacket.
Artman hauled Wickham to his feet none too gently and moved him away from the ladies.
“That was impressive, Miss Elizabeth,” said Richard. He motioned for Darcy to join them.
“Charlotte did tell you her aim was legendary, did she not?” asked Jane sweetly.
“Yes, but I thought she was talking about throwing things like books and rocks, not elbows and punches,” said Richard.
“Well, that is part of it. You should also be aware that her aim is quite good with a gun and a sword as well,” said Jane. She laughed at the look of exasperation on Elizabeth’s face.
“And were you often her second?” Darcy asked Jane, a small teasing curve to his lips. He was much relieved to have Elizabeth at his side.
“Whenever Charlotte was not available.” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and raised a brow at her sister. “Do not let Jane’s sweetness fool you. Her aim is nearly as good as mine, but her true talent lies in her proficiency with knots. How long did it take Master Marsden to get out of those knots, Jane?”
“I think he was still tied up in the cloakroom when his father came to get his mother’s wrap,” said Jane.
“Master Marsden─that is the game you told Miss Margaret you were going to play, is it not?” asked Darcy.
Jane nodded. “A code. Aunt knows about what happened with Mr. Marsden so she will be—oh, here she comes, now.” Mrs. Gardiner was rushing down the path towards them followed closely by her footman, Jonathan, and her daughters. “I knew that message would rouse her to come quickly,” continued Jane. “Although I am certain Elizabeth had already noted Mr. Wickham was unarmed, the code assured her of the accuracy of her assessment.”