by Wells, Linda
“How?”
“Caroline has undoubtedly been talking up the connection. You are the Darcys’ friend; she is your sister, ergot …”
“Of course. Nothing is ever done out of familial love.” Charles sighed then looked up to his brother. “You were at Pemberley.”
“I seem to remember that.” Hurst chuckled.
“Tell me, my behaviour with the Darcys, Mrs. Darcy, is it questionable? Was there ever any indication that I, that we, that there was …” Bingley’s growing distress made Hurst sit up. “Did I do wrong?”
“Such as?”
“Is there, was there, any suggestion that … that I ever had a tendre for Mrs. Darcy?”
Hurst sighed and nodded in understanding. “To someone who did not know you, or your deep feelings of care and respect of them, perhaps they might see you as being too forward or familiar. But those who know you, who know Mrs. Darcy’s teasing nature, and who know that she sees you as her brother would never do anything more than smile at your antics, and perhaps wish for you to mature a bit, and find someone of your own to tease.”
“So I go too far.” He sighed.
“If you went too far I believe that you would find yourself flat on the ground via Darcy’s fist or deafened by Mrs. Darcy’s tongue. It is their opinions that matter. Theirs alone.” He nudged the glass towards him. “Now, what does this have to do with Miss Martin?”
Bingley stared at the wine and spoke to the glass. “I found myself in her father’s shop. We somehow began speaking of Pemberley, I … expressed my admiration of Miss Martin, he repeated her admiration of me and … that she wondered if I had ever had feelings for Mrs. Darcy.”
“Ah, and you were justifiably offended.”
Seizing on the statement, he snapped his head up. “Of course I was! She does not know me! And to go … gossiping about me behind my back! To her father, no less! A man who is associated with my business! Who might he have spoken to about this? Why, it was mortifying! What does that tell me of her upbringing, her family? She and her father are no more discreet than Caroline!”
Nodding, Hurst asked patiently, “And then?”
“She entered the shop and I was forced to listen to an incomprehensible explanation from a woman who obviously enjoys gossiping about her perceptions of people she barely knows. And I gave her absolution!” He frowned and took a long pull on his glass of port. Slamming it down he glared at his brother. “Am I wrong to feel angry?”
“No, not at all.” Hurst nodded and studied him for some moments. “Is it possible that you felt a tendre for Miss Martin?”
“How should I know?” Bingley turned his glare back to the window. “I liked her. I liked talking to her. I liked our common background. I liked her smile and her teasing. I liked her eyes.” His voice faltered. “I knew how to find her. I could have gone to her father’s shop at any time since we returned.”
“And?”
Bingley glanced at Hurst. “I am to marry a gentlewoman.”
“Ah. As Louisa and Caroline were to marry gentlemen.”
“Yes. It was pounded into us. I know that I showed my excitement at Pemberley, and it was wrong, just as Darcy implied.” Bingley passed his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Well she showed herself, there is no need to battle with my duty now. I can put her away with a clear conscience and enjoy the Season. And find my angel.”
“Well you certainly have enough invitations to do that.” Hurst smiled and stood, and gripped his shoulder. “It is for the best.” Bingley nodded and Hurst left the room, leaving the bottle behind.
DARCY STOOD and held out his hand. “You look very well!”
De Bourgh grinned and clasped his hand, then took the indicated chair before Darcy’s desk. “Thank you, so do you.” He glanced out of the door into the hall and looked back when he heard Darcy’s soft chuckle. “Am I so obvious?”
“Yes.” He laughed again and looked to Conrad. “We can finish this in the morning.”
“Yes, sir. I will just take care of these letters.” He bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“How is he working out? I know that you were wary of the notion of a secretary.”
“I was, but I am quite used to him now. I honestly am wondering how I got on without him. I have spread myself out very thin the last few years. It is not just Pemberley; I have other properties, other investments. Then just keeping up with the taxes and bills, well this way I have time for my family.”
About to reply, de Bourgh startled when the air was filled with a stream of delighted babbling. He stared at Darcy who chuckled and ducked his head beneath the desk. There was the noise of something being dumped and a loud, “Ahaaaaa!”
“Well done, dear.” Darcy smiled and looked back to de Bourgh. “Blocks.”
“Rosalie is under your desk?” He bent his head and spotted a sock-covered foot. A block was kicked through the gap between the wood and the carpet. He nudged it towards the foot and a chubby hand grabbed it. He was rewarded by a series of incomprehensible words. Looking up he saw Darcy’s smile. “I am speechless.”
“I seem incapable of work without female companionship.” He laughed at de Bourgh’s stare. “No, no. After three days of confinement in the carriage, she enjoyed the freedom of playing with Elizabeth all morning and when it was time for them to part, Rosalie put up such a squall that I came out to rescue my wife. Elizabeth is taking a well-earned walk with Mary, so I have a special guest for a little while before she returns to the nursery.” There was another crash and suddenly a curly head appeared when Rosalie pulled up on his leg to stand. Darcy picked her up and set her on his lap. “Do you have much experience with children?”
“Well, I have been on board ships with enough sons of guns born.” He studied the little girl. “A ship was no place for a baby, but on a long journey, you could not help but record a number of births in the logs.”
Rosalie laid her head back. “Papa.” Darcy kissed her curls. Turning her head, she spotted de Bourgh. She stiffened and clutched Darcy’s neck cloth. “PAPA!”
“Shhhhh, shhh, he will not hurt you.” Darcy expertly disentangled her fingers and breathed again, then put his arms around her protectively. “This is Peter.”
“How do you do?” De Bourgh reached out his hand and Rosalie shrunk back further. “She does not like me.”
“She does not like many people just now. Do not be offended.” Kissing her again, he stood and walked to the door. Spotting Mrs. Mercer, he softly whispered to Rosalie and handed her over to the housekeeper. Rosalie whimpered and started to cry, but after one stern look from her father, she went quietly. Darcy returned to the desk and took his seat, the papa was gone, the protective brother had taken his place. “Now then, you wasted no time responding to my note.”
“Darcy, I have been waiting six months, what do you expect?” He sat forward. “How is she?”
“Excited, terrified, pick an emotion.” He looked at him seriously. “Elizabeth assures me that I have nothing to fear, but I have to ask, has anyone caught your eye over the past weeks? I know that Uncle Henry has made a point of showing you around. I will not allow this to progress if Mary is to be used and abandoned.”
“I swear, Darcy. No.” He said determinedly and noted the raised brows. “Darcy, it would be a lie to say that I do not appreciate a beautiful woman approaching me, I am a man, and for whatever reason, I seem to attract the more aggressive type of woman. One I have no desire to know.” Darcy nodded in complete understanding. Encouraged, de Bourgh continued, “I confess to feeling an unbidden salute coming on, but I have also just as quickly removed myself from the influence. Do not tell me that you never appreciated beauty before you loved your wife.”
“I did.” Darcy smiled slightly. “Of course I did, and I know very well the determination of the ladies who were undoubtedly approaching you with their assets on display. I imagine, however, that my practical experience is vastly different from yours.”
Beco
ming alarmed, de Bourgh pled with him, “I never intended to marry, Darcy. I thought I would live the life of a sailor and should I survive long enough, someday retire to a small cottage overlooking the ocean and spend my days staring at the passing ships, remembering my adventures. Does my past make me less worthy in your eyes?”
“No, not at all. I do not fault you for living as you expected. I fault no man for his experiences prior to marriage. My concern is what happens after the vows are taken.” Leaning forward he met his gaze straight on. “Mary is an innocent, she knows the ways of men and women because my wife has spoken to her, but that knowledge and experience are separate things. She is deeply afraid of doing something wrong and seriously unaware of how lovely she has become over the past months, undoubtedly as thoughts of you filled her imagination and were reflected in her mien. She feels that she is exceptionally unattractive. She reminds me very much of my Elizabeth when we first came together. From that I must tell you, take your time, treat her tenderly, and reassure her often. One day, she may just believe you.”
There was a sound in the hallway and women’s voices were heard. Darcy smiled to see de Bourgh leap to his feet. They walked out to the foyer, and Elizabeth smiled widely at de Bourgh and put her fingers to her lips. Mary’s back was to him, and she was occupied, pulling off her bonnet and gloves. She handed them to a maid then felt hands on her shoulders taking her coat. Turning to smile at the servant she gasped.
“Oh!” Her eyes were wide and a becoming blush spread over her face as she turned away to clasp her shaking hands.
“Hello, Mary.” De Bourgh said softly, his eyes were bright and warm. “Forgive me, Miss Bennet.”
“Peter … Captain.” She stammered as he lifted the coat away and handed it to the waiting maid. Mary turned to face him, but looked at her hands, willing them to stop their movement. De Bourgh bowed and taking one hand; lifted it to his lips. “Oh.” Mary watched as his lips caressed her skin, and she inexplicably felt the warmth of his touch flow down her fingers and through her body. The trembling immediately ceased.
“I hope that you are well?” He slowly lowered her hand, and reluctantly let it go. “My memory has proven itself a poor vessel for holding your image. You are lovelier than I can possibly say. How did I not challenge your uncle’s pronouncement that it was best for us to be parted so long? Please forgive me for being so weak and not demanding that you stay.”
“Captain … I …”
“My only consolation is the knowledge that you have bloomed under your sister and brother’s care.” He smiled and took a deep breath. “But at last you are here.”
“Yes.” She stared up at him. Elizabeth nudged her and she startled, turning to her sister who was looking at her with raised brows. “Oh …oh yes, Captain I … I thank you for your unexpected and overwhelming compliments, I can only think the same of you.” She was encouraged by his growing smile. “Why did I not ask for a portrait before you left?”
“That is an excellent question.” He laughed. “Why did you not?”
“I hardly know, it is not something for the everyday.”
“But you would look upon my frightening image every day.”
“Your image could never be frightening, sir.”
“Why is that?” His eyes crinkled when she was clearly searching for words. “Just say it, Mary.”
“Because I find you far more handsome than any image could ever capture.” She breathed and he blushed. Darcy started to chuckle and Elizabeth joined in. “Oh!”
“Forgive us, Mary.” Elizabeth hugged her. “I just wanted you to thank him, not puff up his ego!” Turning to de Bourgh, she curtseyed and he bowed, taking her hand for a kiss. “It is so good to see you again, Captain de Bourgh.”
“It is a joy, Mrs. Darcy. You are looking very lovely, and may I say, your daughter is the image of you.”
“You are full of compliments today sir, and I thank you for them. So you saw our Rosa! Well, she has her Papa’s eyes.”
“I would say that she has her Papa’s heart as well.” He glanced at Darcy who did not bother to deny it.
“Come, let us move from the front door and … Mary perhaps you might like to play for the Captain? She has been practicing most diligently, sir.”
“Have you Miss Mary?”
“Sir, you must decide what you will call me.” Mary smiled and accepting his arm, led the way down the hallway. Darcy and Elizabeth followed and exchanging glances; both rolled their eyes and laughed softly.
“Well, Miss Bennet is proper, but I find it hard to call you that after having the honour of calling you Miss Mary in the past. What do you prefer?”
“Miss Mary.” She said definitely and blushed, then peeked up to see his delighted smile as they entered the music room. Pausing, she looked at the pianoforte, then up at him nervously. “Are you sure that you would like to hear me?”
“If I may sit beside you and turn the pages.” He said softly. “However I must warn you, I cannot read music.”
“Oh … I could nudge you perhaps, when it is time.” She suggested shyly.
“That sounds like a brilliant plan, Miss Mary.” De Bourgh murmured near her ear as she took a seat at the bench and he slipped in beside her. “I do want to be of good use for you.”
“I am sure that you will be, sir.” She said softly.
Darcy and Elizabeth took seats on a sofa across the room, and de Bourgh, seeing that they were well hidden by the instrument, took her hand in his and entwined their fingers. Again Mary felt the warmth from his skin touching hers spreading up her arms and all throughout her body, just as a blush travelled from head to toe. Her previously calmed trembling returned with a vengeance and de Bourgh, delighting in her response, did not even try to control the visceral reaction that her touch inspired. He drank in her blushes and stared longingly at her lips. “One day, Miss Mary, one day I promise to be very good for you. Until then … I will just offer my admiration. Is that enough?”
“Quite enough, sir.” She whispered.
“I seem to remember our first time sitting at that bench.” Darcy whispered in Elizabeth’s ear. “Neither of us kept our hands to ourselves.”
“I believe that I was blushing as bright as Mary.”
“I remember your aunt interrupting us.” His eyes twinkled and he cleared his throat. “What will you play for us?”
“Will!” Elizabeth admonished softly and he chuckled when Mary and de Bourgh jumped.
Darcy slipped his arm around her waist when Mary hurriedly started to play, and whispered in her ear. “I think that I am going to enjoy chaperoning duties. This will be excellent practice for Georgiana one day.”
“And Rosalie?”
“Oh no, she will never leave her Papa.” He said definitely and watched how Mary’s posture curved towards de Bourgh. He noted Elizabeth’s shaking head and cast his eyes down. “Well not for a long time.”
“No, not for a very long time.” She said softly and smiled at the couple falling in love. “I think that we should teach Captain de Bourgh to dance.” Darcy pursed his lips and controlled his smile. “Then they can touch and move together, and publicly.” Noting his expression, she poked him and argued, “How can we attend balls if he does not dance?”
“Perhaps he has learned.”
“Captain de Bourgh.” Elizabeth called and again the couple jumped. “Fitzwilliam and I were thinking that we need to polish our dancing skills for the Season, might we persuade you to partner Mary so that we may practice a quadrille? We can hire a master and a pianist to accompany us. We would hate to be embarrassed when we attend the balls you have chosen.”
“Dance lessons?” He looked at Mary who had stopped playing. “I … I could probably use some polishing of my footwork as well. If you do not mind, Miss Mary? I know that you are not fond of the exercise.”
“Oh!” She swallowed and felt his fingers again entwining with hers. “Perhaps that is the fault of … a general lack of partners, sir.”
/> “You sat out because of a lack of gentlemen?” De Bourgh raised her hand to his lips and her eyes followed his every move. “Well that will never happen again, Miss Mary. I can promise you that.”
Chapter 2
“It seems that business is good, Gardiner.” Martin observed when Mr. Gardiner was turned, locking up the door to his warehouse. “A constant stream of customers.”
“Have you been watching me?” Mr. Gardiner smiled at the shrewd businessman and pocketing his key, took the hand that was held out for him to shake. “What can I do for you, Martin?”
“Can a man not greet his neighbour without an alternate purpose being afoot?” He drew himself up and held his lapels by his thumbs. “I am offended!”
“Of course you are.” Mr. Gardiner laughed and crossing his arms over his chest, sized up his neighbour. “So tell me, how do you plan to pry into my business this time?” When Martin began to protest he held up his hand. “No, don’t even think of denying it. I heard that you were asking around about my nephew Darcy and that you traced him to my door. And yet you did not approach me for reliable information?”
“Well …” Martin rubbed his chin and nodded. “Very well, I admit that I looked into the master of Pemberley after my daughter visited the estate. I was curious after her glowing description of the beauty and the occupants. Wanted to know who these people of quality were who would be so kind to someone of her position. Unusual, you know! The news that there was a connection to you could have knocked me over with a feather. How did your niece manage such a capture?” Mr. Gardiner’s brows rose. “Yes, yes, I know that Mrs. Darcy is a gentleman’s daughter but even so, such a small estate, and the goings on around Darcy House this past year! The more I dug, the more amazed I was!” His face flushed. “You know, you have an annoying habit of not answering questions.”
“You have yet to ask one worthy of my answer. I am simply amazed with your audacity.”