by Brenda Webb
“Where is she? Where is my daughter?” Crossing the foyer towards the grand staircase, Mrs. Barnes finally came to her senses and hurried to cut her off. Managing to get in front of her, the housekeeper effectively blocked her progress. This infuriated the intruder and she barked, “I DEMAND Mr. Darcy produce my daughter this very minute!”
Meanwhile, Madeline Gardiner and Jane Bennet, who had hurried in right behind Fanny Bennet, were trying to stop her by tugging on her sleeves.
“Fanny, please. I told you we should handle this discretely!” Mrs. Gardiner practically whined, shaken at her sister’s daring.
“Mama,” Jane pleaded, “Please calm yourself. Be reasonable.” She turned to glare at her aunt. “I told you that you should not have offered her the use of your carriage.”
Mrs. Bennet rounded on Jane. “I have the right to confront the man who has led my daughter astray!”
Mrs. Barnes had armed herself with a parasol from a nearby stand and rolled up her sleeves in anticipation of keeping Mrs. Bennet from ascending the stairs, when two footmen hearing the commotion came running. They advanced beside Mr. Barnes in anticipation of securing the lady from the rear. Suddenly, out of the blue, the sound of Lady Ashcroft’s authoritative voice could be heard coming from the top of the stairs. Instantly, it quieted the melee below.
“Mrs. Barnes, if you will direct our guests into the blue drawing room, I shall speak to them there.”
All the uproar in the foyer came to an abrupt halt as the calm, commanding statement prevailed over the pandemonium. Even Mrs. Bennet did not give the lady any argument as she adjusted her bonnet and began to follow Mrs. Barnes towards the drawing room. Mrs. Gardiner and Jane could do naught but follow.
Taking in the exquisite furnishings of the house as she followed the housekeeper, Elizabeth’s mother began to calculate Mr. Darcy’s worth even before she entered the elegant drawing room. Quite pleased with herself for not listening to Jane or her sister when they tried to tell her to wait and let Mr. Bennet handle the situation, she took a prominent seat and waited for the lady who was obviously in charge to appear. Jane and Madeline Gardiner took their seats in a much more timid manner.
Mr. Bennet! Fanny scoffed to herself. He would be useless in negotiating with this man. Had not Mr. Darcy fooled him once before when he kept Lizzy out all night in a rain storm? That is likely when this whole affair began. No! I will not leave the negotiation up to my husband! I know how to deal with Mr. Darcy!
Suddenly the grand lady appeared, her expensive silk skirts swishing as she entered the room. She looked every inch a general in charge of his troops as she passed them and took her seat in a regal chair at the head of the room. All the interlopers tensed as she studied them as though they were mad. Under her piercing blue eyes, even Mrs. Bennet began to pale, wondering at just what she had put into motion and hastily began to introduce herself.
“I am Fanny Bennet, Elizabeth’s mother. You cannot be ignorant of who my daughter is, as she is the talk of London. I suppose you are Lady Ashcroft, as my sources say you reside here.” Fanny gestured to Jane and Mrs. Gardiner as she introduced them as well.
Audrey Ashcroft’s stony gaze was fixed on Mrs. Bennet, but she said not a word. As her eyes flicked in her direction, Jane gave an apologetic look. While Lady Ashcroft nodded slightly in response, she did not smile at Mrs. Bennet or the other woman, ignoring them for now.
Mrs. Bennet noticed that Lady Ashcroft barely acknowledged her introductions and had not called for refreshments. Her ire rose. “I suppose you know why I am here?”
Lady Ashcroft stiffened. “Suppose you tell me.”
“I am here because my daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, has been carrying on an illicit affair with Mr. Darcy, who, I understand, is your nephew. In fact, I suspect that she returned from Ramsgate in his coach and spent the night here.”
“Mr. Darcy is my nephew, but you are thoroughly mistaken in your assumption of their relationship. Miss Elizabeth returned as my guest and in my coach. She has never carried on an affair, as you imply, with my nephew.”
“Not according to the rumours circulating around Town. John Wilkens, Lord Hampton, was courting Lizzy, but apparently she had been dallying with your nephew behind his back! Now that Wilkens is dead, there will be no one to save her reputation or her sisters’ fate, as Mr. Darcy is married already.”
Ignoring the gossip, Lady Ashcroft focused on the information. Her brows furrowed. “John Wilkens is dead? I have not heard of this.”
Madeline Gardiner spoke timidly. “My cousin, Penelope Holmes, was at my doorstep this morning to inform me of the awful circumstances. She and Wilkens are cousins by marriage.”
Lady Ashcroft barked a laugh. “Awful circumstances? On the contrary, that horrible man deserved whatever tragedy befell him. I only rejoice that Elizabeth was able to escape from his clutches and return to Town with us, or she might have died too!”
“So she is under this roof as we speak!” Mrs. Bennet’s voice rose indignantly. “I knew it! I am not a simpleton! I know how these rich men use women such as my daughter and then toss them aside. Poor Lord Hampton probably had a heart ailment after Lizzy left Ramsgate with your nephew.”
Audrey Ashcroft was about to answer Mrs. Bennet’s dim-witted assertion when the door flew open and Mr. Bennet hobbled into the room with the help of his cane. He was followed closely by Charles Bingley, who was almost out of breath from trying to keep step with his charge. He gave Jane a small smile that was quickly returned.
Having no trouble hearing his wife’s accusation through the closed door, Thomas Bennet was livid. “Mrs. Bennet!” he exclaimed. “Be silent!” The woman in question seemed to cower and hushed. Instantly, he addressed Lady Ashcroft. “Forgive me, madam. Mr. Bingley tells me that you are Mr. Darcy’s aunt. May I beg your forgiveness for my family’s part in disturbing—”
Jumping to her feet, Fanny cried, “Mr. Bennet, you do not know what Lizzy has done, how she has ruined us all. Madeline has just received word this morning that Mr. Wilkens is dead. Who is left to marry Lizzy now? Since Mr. Darcy has been carrying on an affair with our daughter—an affair about which the whole of London knows—he should be made to pay!”
“No more, Mrs. Bennet!” Mr. Bennet exclaimed, turning to Charles. “Please escort my wife and her sister to their carriage immediately!” More softly, he said to Jane. “Please go with your mother. Lizzy and I shall return to Gracechurch Street shortly, and you can see her then.”
Her expression was such that it was obvious that Jane wanted to stay, but as was her nature, she acquiesced. Meanwhile, Charles walked over to offer his arm to her mother, but in her anger, Mrs. Bennet eschewed his help. Instead, Bingley escorted Jane and Madeline Gardiner from the room, directly behind that cantankerous woman. Their aunt dropped her head as she was ushered out.
As soon as they were out of sight, Mr. Bennet smiled wanly before addressing William’s aunt once more. “Would you mind if I sat down?” He gestured to his cane. “I am afraid that my leg does not lend itself to standing.”
Lady Ashcroft nodded. “Certainly, be seated.” As soon as he had sunk into one of the sturdy, upholstered chairs, she added, “It is obvious why you are here. To get straight to the point, Miss Elizabeth is under our roof. She accompanied us to London from Ramsgate at my insistence. The man that Mrs. Gardiner has been foisting upon Elizabeth, John Wilkens, Earl of Hampton, proved himself to be a cruel and sadistic person while we were there. Once I learned that he tried to harm Miss Elizabeth as well as his own sister, I insisted she return with us. His sister was placed under the protection of her aunt, a good friend of mine.”
Mr. Bennet seemed to lose all colour at her words. “I had no idea. Apparently I have been kept in the dark about a good many things concerning my daughter since she left Longbourn. It appears that I owe you my gratitude for taking her under your protection. My Lizzy means the world to me.” He sighed heavily. “Would you please ask her and your nephew to join us? I w
ish to speak to both of them.”
“Certainly.” She stood. “If you will excuse me, I shall have my housekeeper bring some refreshments while I locate them.”
~~~*~~~
Chapter 38
London
Darcy House
Upstairs
William was not asleep as his aunt had assumed when she encountered Mrs. Bennet that fateful morning. Instead, he had awakened early and dressed straightaway in order to intercept Elizabeth when she headed downstairs to break her fast. Peering through his slightly opened bedroom door for a half-hour, however, had only served to try his patience. Thus, he had slipped into the hallway, looked surreptitiously in both directions to make sure no one was about, then knocked on her door.
When it opened, he was relieved to find her dressed, since he had every intention of going inside. Once within, he captured her in his arms and kissed her deeply before she could even speak. Melting into him as she had before, the sensation of holding Elizabeth intimately was so incredible that he continued the kiss far longer than he knew was proper. When he finally broke away to look at her, her eyes were still closed and she swayed precariously.
“Sweetheart, do you need to sit down?”
“Hmmm?” Slowly Elizabeth opened her eyes. “I fear that I am a bit faint.”
He immediately pulled her close again, nuzzling her neck as he growled teasingly. “Faint, is it? I like the sound of that!”
Slowly becoming fully cognizant, Elizabeth pushed him away playfully. “That is nothing to laugh about.”
“Of course, it is not, my love.” William forced himself to appear more subdued as he added. “I am just pleased that I affect you so.”
Just at that moment, the sound of loud voices downstairs reached them, and William stepped to the door and opened it gingerly in order to listen. Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth.
William turned around, and he gaped at her. “Is that your mother?” Numbly, she nodded.
He took her arm gently and, after checking the hall, led her out of the room and towards the grand staircase. As they neared it, they could see Lady Ashcroft standing at the head of the stairs, and William pulled Elizabeth into another doorway so they would not be detected. Hearing his aunt instruct the housekeeper to take the intruders to the drawing room, he put his finger to his lips to indicate that they should make no sound, then guided Elizabeth to another set of stairs that led to the rear of the first floor.
Once downstairs, the voice now coming from the drawing room was even louder. Both desiring to know all that was being said, William drew Elizabeth into the billiard’s room where he opened a wall panel exposing a servant’s corridor. Using this means, they swiftly made their way to a point outside the room where her mother was holding forth. Arriving in time to hear most of Mrs. Bennet’s strident diatribe and by the end of it, Elizabeth was shaking visibly. So William ran his arms around her waist and pulled her tight against his chest to comfort her. Just as she relaxed against him and laid her arms atop his, Barnes introduced Charles Bingley and Mr. Bennet, effectively ending Mrs. Bennet’s tirade. Shortly after that, Elizabeth’s father ordered his wife from the room, and when Lady Ashcroft excused herself to go in search of the two of them, he led Lizzy back to the billiard’s room and helped her to a seat on a settee.
“Stay here, sweetheart. I shall have Barnes inform my aunt where we are.”
Not long after William had quit the room, he returned, and a short time later Audrey Ashcroft appeared in the doorway. Instantly she noted Elizabeth’s distress and moved to sit next to her, reaching for her hand.
“Your father wishes to speak to you and Fitzwilliam. If you do not wish to see him now, I shall tell him that you are indisposed, and my nephew shall speak to him alone. However, in my opinion, it would be best if you face him together. I have found that postponing unpleasant conversations oft times makes matters worse. I will add that he seems a fine gentleman and an understanding one at that.”
Elizabeth smiled wanly. “Unlike my mother.”
Audrey tried not to show any censure. “I am sure she means well, though perhaps she needs to be more circumspect with her words and less accusatory.”
“Yes, she does. I… I apologize to you and Fitzwilliam for her rudeness.”
Audrey hugged Elizabeth. “You need never apologise to either of us. You cannot control your relations to any further extent than Fitzwilliam and I can control ours. And believe me when I say that my sister, Catherine, is far worse than your mother.”
Elizabeth smiled through teary lashes. “You are too kind.”
William spoke up. “She is being honest, Elizabeth.”
Giving him a heartfelt smile, she stood. “I am ready to face my father, and no matter what may occur, know that I shall never agree to give you up.”
William held out his arm, and she placed a delicate hand there. “I shall hold you to that. Now let us explain our predicament and hope he is as understanding as my aunt believes.”
Audrey addressed them. “I shall be waiting in the library in case I am needed to clear any misunderstanding or to be of service in any fashion.” She glanced to William. “I feel as though I am your mother, Fitzwilliam, and you,” she looked to Elizabeth, “will be my daughter one day. I shall not let anyone disparage either one of you.”
“We shall be happy to call upon you if need be,” William replied. “Your love and support means everything.”
“Yes, to us both,” Elizabeth echoed.
After each young person had received a kiss from William’s aunt, they proceeded to the drawing room to face her father hand-in-hand, presenting a united front.
~~~*~~~
Later in the drawing room
Mr. Bennet resembled an older rendition of Fitzwilliam Darcy as he strode back and forth across the drawing room in a steady cadence. The only difference between the two was that his cane punctuated each step, and he did not run his hands through his hair, as it was nearly non-existent. Instead, he used his free hand to toy with his whiskers.
The first subject Mr. Bennet raised with his daughter when she entered the room had been John Wilkens. Elizabeth confessed everything that had transpired while she stayed at Gatesbridge Manor, even revealing some things that William had not heard. As his own anger at the Earl of Hampton was kindled anew, he felt certain that the man that had confronted him in Meryton would be livid over what he had just learned. And when Elizabeth’s father rose on his injured leg to stalk about the room, he was not taken by surprise.
William’s chief focus, however, was Elizabeth, who sat opposite him. She anxiously observed her father, her dire expression growing more calamitous with every lap and that troubled him. No doubt she knew her father better than he. Even so, when Mr. Bennet ended his incessant pacing abruptly, it gained William’s attention.
“I cannot believe that my Sister Gardiner did not know more about that blackguard before she promoted the match or allowed you to accompany his sister to Ramsgate. If he was such a degenerate, surely someone knew of his propensity for wickedness.” He trained his eyes on Elizabeth. “And why did you paint such rosy pictures in your letters? Was I to be kept in the dark the whole time?”
Elizabeth’s eyes fell. “I am sorry, Papa. To be honest, at first I was trying to prolong my stay, hoping to meet a better prospect than the earl. I knew that if I turned him down arbitrarily, Aunt Gardiner would likely send me home. She made her wishes for a match with Wilkens known often enough. And you know how Mama behaves when she is unhappy with me.” She added softly, “Which is most of the time.”
“I would never let anyone force you into an unwanted courtship or marriage, and believe me when I say that your aunt and your mother will get a piece of my mind when I return to Gracechurch Street. In addition, if that blackguard was not already dead, I would call him out immediately!”
Elizabeth and William both looked incredulous, simultaneously exclaiming, “Wilkens is dead?”
“According to your mot
her and your aunt, notice was received this morning,” Mr. Bennet continued, unmindful of his audience’s shock at the news. “But make no mistake, if he was not dead, I would have no reservations in calling him out for his behaviour. I can still wield a sword if necessary, and while I may be old, I shoot game with the best of them. I may be slower to aim, but I am accurate, which is more than can be said for some of these so-called gentlemen.” He waved a hand towards William.
Attempting to demonstrate that there was something on which they agreed, William declared, “I have known him for years, and I tried to warn Miss Elizabeth about Wilkens. After I learned what transpired at Gatesbridge, I was intent on challenging him myself. No man should do harm to a lady without repercussion.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes bored into William, and he replied sarcastically. “Do you really want to take that stance, young man? Especially, since I have reservations regarding your own treatment of my daughter?”
William swallowed hard, trying not to appear uneasy. There was no way he would ever raise a weapon against Elizabeth’s father, even if challenged. “I look forward to explaining any misconceptions or reservations you may have about my conduct with regards to your daughter.”
The older man hobbled towards an upholstered chair, and eased into it, saying to no one in particular, “I should not have let my ire overtax my leg.” After he had situated himself more comfortably, he again fixed his gaze on William. “Suppose you begin by addressing the rumours that my wife mentioned regarding you and my daughter?”
Elizabeth swiftly moved to sit down next to William, taking his hand. “Papa, I think I should be the one to tell you how we met again in London and how I came to fall in love with him.”