“Yes?”
He took a deep breath. “Would you take a walk with my sister and I tomorrow?”
Elizabeth started. “A walk?”
“You like walking?”
“Yes, I do. And I would be happy to accept. It will give me something to look forward to this evening.”
Darcy tried not to look too pleased with himself. He could trust Georgiana to keep her distance and allow him time with Elizabeth. “I will send the carriage for you in the morning.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Where will we go?”
Darcy made a face as though he were thinking about it. “I have not decided yet. It shall be a surprise.”
“I enjoy surprises.”
“I thought you might.”
Their smiles faded as they looked at one another. Darcy hesitantly reached out his hand and Elizabeth responded. He held hers in his for a moment, looking down to where they joined. He felt as though he could not breath. He leaned over her hand.
“Until tomorrow them, Miss Bennet,” he murmured. He brushed the back of her glove with his lips then straightened up. Elizabeth was still staring at the spot where he kissed her, her face warm. His heart swelled. She was as affected as he was, he knew it. She looked up at him and his gaze dropped to her lips. What would she do if he took her into his arms and —
“Miss Bennet. Your aunt and uncle sent me in search of you.”
Darcy grimaced at the cheerful voice as Matthew Thompson came around the corner. His cheery expression faded when he saw Elizabeth and Darcy standing so closely to one another. Darcy thought he could have quite happily sent him into the sun.
“Mr Darcy,” said Matthew. “You are here. Again.”
“As you see.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” said Elizabeth. The spell had been broken and she looked embarrassed and flustered. “I look forward to seeing you and Miss Darcy tomorrow.”
Matthew’s eyes flickered with disappointment but he said nothing as Elizabeth came to him to take his arm. Darcy waited and saw Elizabeth glance behind her to look at him. He raised a hand in greeting. With a sigh, he turned to his horse to take the long ride back to Pemberley.
34
Darcy barely said a word for the rest of the day. He gave a terse nod to Miss Bingley when she saw him and affected to limp once again, and his responses to his sister and friend were vague as though he hardly heard their questions.
After dinner, when the rest of the family settled in the drawing room, Darcy knew he could not engage in conversation and pretend to be interested in what was happening around him when his mind was so full. He made an excuse about needing to work in his study and left for the garden.
The night was cool though the day had been warm. A full moon hung in the sky, giving the garden a ghostly blue glow. Darcy wandered down to the lake and stopped there to look back at the house which had sheltered his family for generations and centuries. It had been entrusted to him and he had always been keenly aware of his duty to preserve it for the future.
His heart would give him no rest. Elizabeth filled him completely. When he walked with her tomorrow, he knew he would need to make a decision once and for all. Though a faint part of him still shied away from going against the teaching he had all his life, it was growing fainter and fainter. Instead of looking at Pemberley and seeing how it needed a wealthy bride with the right connections, Darcy could only picture walking into the drawing room and seeing Elizabeth playing the pianoforte, the sunlight shining on her hair. Rather than picturing entertaining members of the ton he did not care for who were impressed by his well-connected bride, Darcy saw Pemberley’s rooms and gardens filled with the laughter and the running feet of children who were born to parents who loved one another and who chose one another out of love. He saw he and Elizabeth growing old together, surrounded by children and grandchildren, still loving one another as much as they had the day they married. His heart was full at the thought. He was resolved in what he must do.
Caroline paced her room, her nightgown swirling around her feet. Her nails had been chewed down to stumps, but she could not stop.
Ever since Darcy had returned from Lambton, he had been distant. Caroline had the gnawing feeling that he had made up his mind about Elizabeth. There could be no other meaning to his behaviour. There was a light in his eyes that could not be mistaken for anything else but a man in love. And Darcy was decisive. Once he made his mind up, he saw little reason to wait around. He already told Georgiana Elizabeth was coming tomorrow to walk with them. Caroline was certain Darcy would take the chance to propose to her.
Caroline massaged her temples as she marched up and down on the rug. What could she do? How was she to prevent this? She would not endure the sight of Elizabeth Bennet in her place as Mrs Darcy, the mistress of Pemberley. Not when Caroline had worked for so long to achieve it and was so much more suited to the task. And she could not allow Darcy to throw himself away on a marriage he would regret. She had to think of something, for her sake and for Darcy’s.
Caroline threw herself in the chair beside the fire and stared into the flames. She thought of returning to London still a spinster while Elizabeth Nobody was celebrating her marriage to Darcy. She would not be able to endure it. Too many people knew she had set her heart on Darcy and they would all smirk when she returned from Derbyshire, not only still single, but with the man she wanted about to marry someone else. Curse Elizabeth Bennet to the bottom of the sea.
As she glowered into the flames, a memory came to her mind. An older woman who had successfully married an earl. She had confided in Caroline and Louisa one night that when her husband appeared to be taking his time about proposing, she had decided to take the matters into her own hands. She had slipped into his bed in the middle of the night, pretending she had lost her way. When her husband came to the room and found her there, he compromised her so thoroughly, there was nothing else for them to do but wed and wed soon.
Caroline and Louisa had been shocked by her brazenness though Caroline privately thought she admired a woman who went for what she wanted so ruthlessly even if it was rather underhanded. But she would never stoop to such a thing. No, she would never need to. She would marry Darcy and it would all happen honourably, no arm twisting required. Darcy would be proud to marry her and show her off as his bride. So she had the luxury of feigning shock at the countesses’ words and whispering her scandalised response to Louisa afterwards.
But it looked like the luxury she flattered herself she had had never been hers at all. She had been living in a fool’s paradise while a girl with no grace and no style swooped in and took her man right from under her nose.
Could she really do what the countess had done? Did she have it in her to sneak into a man’s bed and seduce him into compromising her? She had been raised with the importance of being chaste and pure. Was she really willing to throw it all away to capture a husband?
And to do it to Darcy, of all people. She recalled his stern, forbidding face and shuddered. The idea of his displeasure once he discovered she had deceived him would be dreadful. But it would be too late to do anything about it by then. She would have to be his wife and he would have to make his peace with how it all came about. He would forgive her when he received her twenty thousand pounds and knew he had a wife he could introduce to important people without fearing she would say something pert, or come running in with her hair everywhere and her hems covered in mud.
Caroline’s heart raced. She stood up and went to the dressing table to examine her face in the mirror. She was a handsome woman. Her figure was slim and firm and her skin clear. She fluffed her thick hair about her shoulders and took a deep breath. She could do this. She had to do this. She had no choice. She could not lose Darcy.
Darcy had murmured something about going to his study that evening. She had not heard him pass her door yet, and she had been listening for him all night. If she hurried now she could make it to his room and be under the sheets by the time he retired. S
he knew he did not like to have his valet hang about him when he changed for bed so she did not have to worry about any servants walking in on her.
And if they did, so much the better for her.
Caroline pressed a hand to her heart to calm its rapid beating. By tomorrow morning, she would be engaged to Fitzwilliam Darcy. It was worth any price.
The passage outside was clear. Caroline padded on bare feet and slipped into Darcy’s bedchamber. She turned and took a moment to admire the master suite of Pemberley. The mistresses room adjoined through a door. Just think; in a few months or even weeks, she would be a frequent visitor to this room. She would spend blissful nights there in Darcy’s arms. She giggled at the idea then composed herself. She slipped between the sheets and snuggled down into the bed. After a few moments, she sat up and removed her wrap and untied the first few laces of her bodice. She pulled it down low. There. That was better. He would not be able to resist her.
Two hours later, Caroline was sitting up in bed, glaring at the clock. Where on earth was he? Everyone else would have retired by now. The fire had gone low and she was starting to feel the chill. Perhaps he was not coming to bed after all? Bingley said he sometimes fell asleep in the library or the study and there was no reason why Darcy might not have the same habits.
Well, she was not about to float about the house in her night clothes in search of him. If servants saw her wandering about at night they would think her fit for Bedlam. She would have to find a way to prevent Darcy and Elizabeth from being alone together and then try again tomorrow night. Seething with rage, she slipped from the bed and hurried to her own room.
Unnoticed by her, a footman stopped in the hallway as she emerged from Darcy’s room. He stared after her in amazement. Caroline Bingley had been in the master’s room in the middle of the night. No. He would never have guessed it. The master did not even seem to like the lady. Perhaps he only pretended not to care for her as a cover for what was really passing between them? He shook his head with a grin. Well, to think the proper Mr Darcy would do such a thing. It just went to show you never really knew someone.
Even his thick wool coat was no longer enough to keep him warm. Darcy stretched his head on the back of the bench and gazed up at the stars for the last time. If all went well, by the time he saw those stars again, Elizabeth Bennet would have agreed to marry him. He would have the rest of his life to enjoy as her husband. He had enjoyed his solitude that evening, out here where no one was likely to find him and he could be alone with his thoughts. But it was time to retire though he was sure he would not sleep a wink. He felt too much energy coursing through him. He thought he might have run all the way to Lambton and Elizabeth’s side and he would not have even been out of breath.
But the decision was made and now that it was, Darcy felt better than he had in weeks. He smiled to himself and took one last look at the reflection of the moon shimmering on the lake before he finally returned to the house.
35
Elizabeth had hardly slept the night before. All she could think about was the feeling of Darcy kissing her hand and the look in his eyes when he said he would see her again soon. She lay back on the pillows and touched the place where he had kissed her and grinned to herself. If her father had seen her like this, his teasing would have been relentless. She drew her knees up and hugged them to her.
It had almost been dawn when she finally drifted off to sleep so she had woken up later than usual. Her aunt and uncle must have given word to the inn not to wake her. She was grateful for it but she was more than ready for breakfast. And Mr Darcy would be there to collect her soon. He said he would send her carriage but Elizabeth was confident he would take the excuse to come with it. And she could not wait to see him.
The maid knocked and Elizabeth called for her to enter.
“You slept late, Miss,” she said as she bustled about and filled the dish with water. “I hope you slept well?”
“It took me a while. I got there in the end.” Elizabeth sprang out of bed and hurried to splash water on her face. “Is there anything left for breakfast? I hope I have not slept too late to miss it.”
“I am sure there is something we can get for you.” The maid glanced at Elizabeth out of the corner of her eye. She looked like she was brimming with excitement.
“Is everything well with you, Lucy?” she asked.
“Everything is well with me, Miss. But I was wondering if you knew. I know you are good friends with Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
“I am. I am taking a walk with her and her brother in a little while.”
“And will Miss Bingley be joining you?”
Elizabeth frowned. “I should not think so. She does not care for walking. Lucy, what is it?”
Lucy went to the bed and began to pull at the sheets. Elizabeth sighed and turned to the closet to decide what to wear. Lucy was probably thinking of something that would be of little interest to her.
“Did you know my sister works at Pemberley, Miss?” Lucy asked.
“I didn’t know that. Would you like me to take a message to her?”
“Oh no, it’s not that.” Lucy stood up, the sheets bundled in her arms. Her eyes were wide. “My sister came to Lambton today and we spoke for a few minutes. She told me some of the servants have been talking this morning.”
“Really?”
“What do you think of this, Miss? John, one of the footmen at Pemberley, was putting out some of the candles last night and what do you think he saw?”
Elizabeth smiled at the avid expression on her face. “I cannot imagine.”
“He saw Miss Bingley sneaking out of Mr Darcy’s room in the middle of the night. Can you imagine such a thing? I did not know he even liked her. I do not know him at all but my sister always laughed when she visited and said it was clear she was desperate to marry Mr Darcy and equally clear he had no time for her. He always seemed as though he found her very irritating. But one of the groomsmen said it is not at all surprising if he wished to keep their affair a secret from other people. I am astonished. I am sure you must be even more so considering you have spent so much time with them.”
Elizabeth struggled to keep her smile from faltering completely. Lucy’s words could not have hurt more if they had been rocks flung at her head.
“You are sure John knows what he saw?” she said, hoping her voice did not tremble. “It was dark. Perhaps he did not see Miss Bingley come from Mr Darcy’s room. Perhaps it was a room next to his.”
Lucy shook her head. “No. John knows which room is Mr Darcy’s and Miss Bingley definitely came from his. She was not even wearing a wrap. He said she ran past him and her hair was all unbound and her bodice loosened. She was hurrying and looking around so no one would see her. John moved back just in time so she would not notice him. To think, they’ve been having an affair. I wonder he does not marry her. They seem ideally matched, even if no one cares for her personally.”
“Who knows,” said Elizabeth faintly. “One can never know what happens behind closed doors.”
Lucy gave Elizabeth a rather saucy look that suggested she knew exactly what went on behind one door in particular.
Elizabeth felt sick but she was forced to sit there while Lucy tidied the room and made jokes about the previous night’s events. She was tempted to send a note to Pemberley, telling Darcy she could not join him that day but when she checked the time, she realised it was too late. They would already be on their way and would arrive at any minute. It was as well the news had destroyed Elizabeth’s appetite. She would not have had time to eat even if she wanted.
Not long after, Elizabeth received a message. She held her head high as she went downstairs. As she had predicted, with so much excitement, Darcy had arrived with the carriage. What did he mean by showing so much pleasure at the sight of her if he was having an affair with another woman? And what kind of man was he to have an affair with his best friend’s sister? She would never have thought him capable of such seedy behaviour.
Darcy’s face lit up as always when he saw her and Elizabeth’s heart turned over. Despite what she now knew about him, her heart had not yet accepted the knowledge. She still loved him. Why did he look so happy to see her? What did he want with her?
“I hope I am not too early for you,” he said. “I thought you might like to have more time to walk. I have a few places in mind that I think you will enjoy.” His smile faded when Elizabeth did not return it. She looked past him towards the door.
“Did Miss Bingley not come with you?” she asked.
“No. Did you hope to see her?”
Elizabeth ignored the question. “Will she be joining us on our walk?”
Darcy looked confused. “No. She does not care for walking.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I am afraid I am not inclined to walk today. Please send my apologies to Miss Darcy. I will write a note myself this evening.”
Darcy stared at her. He took a step towards her, his handsome face concerned. “Are you well?” he asked. “Can I get you anything?”
“I am quite well. I just do not wish to walk with you. I am sorry I could not send word to you sooner so I might have saved you the journey.”
36
Elizabeth brushed past him and out into the balmy morning air. Summer was just around the corner and it was a time of year that usually delighted her more than any other. But now the sunshine, the rich green fields and the singing birds just seemed to mock her unhappiness. She slipped around the side of the inn before Darcy had time to follow her and started down a country lane that ran around the back.
It did no good. She had not gone many steps before she heard Darcy calling her name. She grimaced and turned with resignation.
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 16