by Beth Massey
Georgiana looked apprehensive as she asked, “Does she still admire Wickham?”
“No, I wrote her a letter. I know it was a gross impropriety, but I could not bear her thinking poorly of me because of Wickham’s lies. Georgiana, I wrote to her of paying him for the Kympton living; and please forgive me, dear sister, but I told her about his scheme to elope with you. Accept my apologies for betraying your secret, but I trust her implicitly with the knowledge. She will never divulge what happened to anyone—I promise, dearest one.”
“Oh, Will, I am not unhappy with the disclosure. I welcome the thought I could speak to her of my feelings. I have wished for someone—a woman who could understand my sensibilities. Will she be my sister? Have you proposed again?”
“I have, but we have not spoken to her father. After she leaves Derbyshire, Bingley and I plan to go to Hertfordshire. I would like you to come with me to meet her family… particularly her sisters.
With her face beaming with excitement, she added, “Tell me about them, Will.”
Two are a bit boisterous, but they are close in age to you. Another sister is very musical—though her skill leaves something to be desired. The sister Mr Bingley admires is serene, elegant and quite beautiful. He dubbed her an angel, and perhaps she is as she shares his propensity to see the good in everyone she meets.” Darcy paused a few seconds as he considered how to describe his soon-to-be mother-in-law. “Mrs Bennet is determined to find advantageous matches for her daughters. Her comments about my income, and that of Charles, when we first met, seemed common and coarse to me. Her father is a bit of a mystery. He seems to shirk his duty as a parent to his youngest daughters, but he is very close to Lizzy… Miss Elizabeth. I believe she shares his wit and intelligence.”
Georgiana’s smile was replaced by fright at the thought of meeting so many new people. But she put on a brave face for her brother and said, “I look forward to meeting her family. Her aunt and uncle are very nice. From her first words, Mrs Gardiner put me at ease.”
“She is a very gracious lady. I have gotten permission from her aunt and uncle, to allow Elizabeth to visit again tomorrow, and stay for dinner. The Gardiners have another engagement in Lambton, so we will have her to ourselves. My biggest concern is protecting her from Bingley’s sisters.”
The thought of entertaining Miss Elizabeth soon brought a mischievous twinkle to her eyes. “Perhaps, I will entertain her alone, in the new room you had refurbished for me. As I am quaking with shyness, and worrying about what to say, I will remember your proposal. Hopefully, the awareness that she forgave you will allow me to feel certain she could not possibly judge me harshly.”
Darcy laughed at his newly transformed sister. “Your idea is simply marvellous. I know the two of you will become the best of friends.”
There was another knock on the door, and Georgiana and Will exchanged slightly apprehensive glances at the possibility it could be Miss Bingley. It was Mr Bingley, and as he walked into the room the siblings’ faces broke into smiles of relief. Georgiana excused herself and assured her brother she would arrange everything for tomorrow.
Bingley did not speak immediately. Taking the seat Georgiana had abandoned, he turned his head to the window and seemed to be planning his words. Mr Darcy used the minutes to think about their friendship. He had embraced an acquaintance with Charles, a young man of few connections worth noting, without hesitation. His friendly and open manner was in contradiction to Darcy’s normal reticence. Their compatibility was something he had never been able to totally fathom. Perhaps it was the guileless quality in Bingley’s demeanour.
They met at a ball a year after his father had died. Charles, who had been orphaned at sixteen, seemed to have weathered the death of his parents effortlessly. Darcy, still struggling with despair, had been intrigued to know the circumstances. The young man with a perpetual smile had confessed he had not had much contact with his parents. He and his sisters had been sent away to school when quite young, and he had found it difficult to miss that which had never been his.
Darcy was drawn to this young man’s resilience and comfort in most social situations. From that day, Darcy had allowed him to be part of his inner circle. Over the years, only Richard was allowed to know more of his intimate feelings. Charles’ personality had much in common with Darcy’s cousin and both were very different from him, but somehow with both, their strengths and weaknesses as individuals complemented each other.
Not long after their meeting, they made a bargain. Darcy had begun accompanying Bingley to many events of the Season, with the hope that his discomfort would lessen. In exchange, he agreed to help his friend locate an estate. Bingley’s father had made a fortune in trade, and had wanted his family to gain the status awarded those of the landed gentry. Charles was determined to carry out his father’s wish, and Darcy was hopeful his genial friend would help him find someone appropriate to love.
There were other areas of Bingley’s education in which Darcy had assisted. Without a father to take him, he had never spent any time in one of the pleasure houses that London offered. Darcy took him to Mrs Teasewell’s, as his father had taken him. Afterwards he had waxed eloquent to Charles, as had Mr Darcy senior to him, on the need to know how to please one’s wife.
“Darce, what is happening tomorrow?”
“Miss Elizabeth is coming without her aunt and uncle to spend time with Georgiana, and she will stay for dinner. I need your help with something.”
“What do you need?”
“Protection from your sisters’ harsh words. They suspect there is an attachment between us. Caroline, in particular, feels the need to say unfavourable things about her in my presence. She believes she will be able to dissuade me from my deluded appreciation of her charms. I am afraid I was quite abrupt, and perhaps even cruel, to her earlier.”
Darcy noticed Bingley’s face had an uncharacteristic sardonic smile as he spoke, “I have tried to convince her you are indifferent to her, but she is not as easily persuaded as I was by you.”
Darcy winced and said, “Touché.”
Bingley grinned at his ability to win this apology from his well-bred friend. “It is time I confronted her with my knowledge of Miss Bennet being in town, and my suspicions of her motives for denying me the intelligence. While I am chastising her for that behaviour I will attempt, once again, to manage her expectations concerning you.”
“Thank you, Charles. Your sister is a beautiful young woman, but she does herself no favours by throwing herself at me, or any other gentleman for that matter, without having true feelings. Just as you are attempting to improve your family’s status by acquiring an estate, she obviously feels the need to marry upward… to throw off the stench of trade and acquire status. For her sake, man, attempt to persuade her that an excellent loving companion will fulfil her more than an excellent connection. It is too late for Louisa, but it is not too late for Caroline.”
“Perhaps if I phrase my entreaty as you have, she will see the light.”
“Yes, hopefully, she will see the light of the power of love much as I did, and have her own conversion on the road to Damascus.”
Charles looked confused. “Damascus?”
“Friend, I fear you must have slept through your religion classes at school!”
Charles laughed. “Yes, indeed, I did. They were always so painfully early in the morning.”
“Caroline, come walk out with me. I have some plans I must discuss with you.”
Miss Bingley searched her brother’s face to attempt a determination of his mood before she replied. “Certainly, Charles it is a beautiful day and the grounds at Pemberley are very lovely.”
The brother and sister walked across the bridge that spanned the stream. Charles had secured some pieces of bread to feed to the pairs of swans in the lake. He gave some to his sister, and encouraged her to join him in feeding the elegant fowl.
Charles tore up the chunks of stale bread and threw the pieces into the lake. Several of
the pairs of swans swam in the direction of the bits. “Did you know that swans mate for life? They are very like humans in that regard. However, they seem much happier than most humans are in their marriages. The eternal love and loyalty they display is something to which I aspire.” He threw another piece of bread and watched for a few seconds before he continued speaking. “To swim in harmony together for the duration of their lives is to me an enviable state. Did you know Darcy’s parents shared that depth of devotion?” He waited for her to shake her head, no. “Our parents seemed to have had little affinity. In fact, I do not believe they cared much for each other. Mother wanted Father’s wealth, but she resented that it required her to become connected with trade. Father spent all his time working, trying to amass more money, and mother always seemed to be trying to find ways to obscure the source of our wealth.”
“Charles, why are you bringing up such unpleasant memories? We are far beyond our father’s unfortunate heritage. Mama saw to it that we acquired the finest education afforded people of quality. We will fulfil Papa and Mama’s aspirations to become true and proper members of the gentry. Despite Netherfield not being to our liking, I am sure you will find a proper estate to buy.”
Charles was not finished speaking of their parents. “Do you remember Mama telling us of our grandfather? He was the parson at the parish of Watley, near Scarborough. He was the third son of a Viscount. To her, the most important thing about him was his excellent pedigree. One of my most persistent memories of our dear mother was her incessant commenting on her aristocratic nose.” In an imitation of their maternal parent, he turned his head and pointed to his nose. “She would hold her head up and turn it about for us to observe, and proclaim her nose was the legacy of her father, the son of the Viscount Castorbridge. Her next words were always how pleased she was you and I had inherited that trait instead of Papa’s coarse nose, that spoke of mills and iron works. Poor Louisa, she was never included in the compliment.”
“But brother, you and I are much more refined in our appearance than Louisa. We look more like Mama, and she looks like Papa. I hope someday Mr Darcy will realize how very refined in appearance and accomplishments I am, and choose me as the person to permanently adorn his arm.”
“Caroline, that will never happen! He does not want an ornament. He wants a marriage like his parents—a love match. Surely you know by now, he is smitten with Miss Elizabeth. He told you earlier she is the most handsome woman of his acquaintance, but I think it important you realize it is much more than her appearance that has drawn him to her. She has given him the belief that it is not his wealth, his connections, or his status that appeals to her. Her fine eyes, as he calls them, assure him she sees him, and not his possessions or position. I saw something similar when I looked into her sister’s eyes.”
“But Mr Darcy felt Miss Bennet was indifferent toward you. He convinced you to leave Netherfield.”
“He did. I allowed myself to be persuaded when my instincts told me she did care.” He threw the rest of the bread to the pairs of swans and hardened his voice. “Recently he confessed to me she was in town, and had called on you to further our acquaintance. Upon learning of her visit, I knew I had been correct in my conviction of her sentiments. Your behaviour has made me doubt your sisterly affections. Yesterday, when he told me of your actions, I called them treacherous. Today, I call them delusional. Miss Bennet’s connections, that you proclaim inadequate for our exalted status, are to me quite impeccable. Her father’s family have been estate owners for numerous generations. She, unlike you, is a gentleman’s daughter.”
Caroline put on a haughty expression, puffed out her chest and proclaimed, “Brother, what is the meaning of your words to me? I am beginning to believe I am the object of cruel intentions on your part.”
“No, my intentions are to make you aware of the jeopardy in which you have placed our relationship. You believed an attachment to Miss Bennet on my part would not be advantageous to your mission to secure a husband from the finest society. You cared nothing for my happiness, and thought only of your own needs.” Charles softened his voice and sought her eyes for emphasis. “I have written to have Netherfield opened. Darcy and I go there, together with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, as soon as Miss Elizabeth leaves Derbyshire. It is my intention to pursue Miss Bennet. You are not invited, as I am unable to trust you. When we leave, you will be required to cut short your visit. I recommend you return to London and contemplate my admonishments.”
“But brother, I was acting in your best interest!”
“Caroline, end the false words! You are a beautiful young woman, with a significant dowry. Look into the eyes of the young men you meet, not to calculate their wealth and status, but to determine the contents of their character.” He took her hands and squeezed them in emphasis. “Aspire to a marriage of love and loyalty for a lifetime, like these swans. Darcy and I have those hopes, and we go to Hertfordshire to pursue them.” Bingley dropped her hands, abruptly turned and walked away. He did not look back.
Had he looked back, he would have seen fear in his sister’s eyes.
Darcy had asked permission to drive Miss Elizabeth to Pemberley, in his curricle, but promised he and Georgiana would escort her home in one of his carriages.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner had discussed their niece and Mr Darcy. They both believed a proposal would soon be offered and agreed to his request. There was something Mrs Gardiner saw in their eyes, when she would observe their clandestine peeks at one another. These looks reminded her of the exchanged glances between Mr Gardiner and her when they were courting. Both of the Gardiners believed Mr Darcy to be an honourable man. They trusted him to ensure the safety and reputation of their niece while driving with him in an open conveyance on well travelled roads. To them, his request did not breach propriety.
Elizabeth was waiting in the common room of the Rose and Crown when he arrived. Her aunt and uncle had left hours ago to visit one of Mrs Gardiner’s school chums, the wife of the owner of Lambton’s bookshop. Elizabeth had gone with them to the meet the lady and her husband, and to visit the shop. She had thought of a present for Georgiana, a book she had recently read. The novel Sense and Sensibility, by a lady, would be just the thing for her. Georgiana needed reassurance she was not alone in being enamoured of a man with a less than sterling character. It would provide an opportunity to tell her future sister of how easily she had fallen for the charm of the handsome Mr Wickham—not to mention believing his lies about her brother.
Elizabeth had transferred a twist of hair from his curl and placed it in her locket. Her gown was a shade of light green muslin, with a revealing neckline edged in pink. As promised the locket hung tantalizingly between her breasts. She had worn a bonnet while in Lambton for the day but planned to leave it behind for her visit to Pemberley. The chambermaid, Lucy, had redone her hair for a more evening look. It was loosely swept up with several curls left to trail down her neck. Tiny pink silk rosebuds adorned the upswept curls. Summery was the word she assigned to the look she and Lucy had created.
She was watching by the window and saw a tall man driving a curricle from a distance. It must be her betrothed. She shivered with excitement, wishing she could run to him but remaining in place in deference to propriety.
He entered the common room, and she saw his breath catch as she walked toward him. She prayed he would react in a way that would keep her from mortifying them both.
She put her arm through his, and the two walked ever so formally to the curricle. Once there, the formality ended. He put his hands round her waist and picked her up effortlessly. Once he had her settled, he whispered, “You look good enough to eat, Miss Elizabeth.”
She giggled, blushed, and met his comment with her own whispered rejoinder. “You look as always Mr Darcy, but I now know, there are hidden delights beneath your sombre clothes.”
There was a visible separation between their upper torsos, but their hips and thighs were pressed firmly against each other. “I prob
ably should make some changes in my wardrobe. Bingley has a beautiful bottle-green coat, and a striped waistcoat—cream and the same shade as your gown. I am determined to have a similar ensemble made when next I am in London. My clothes have always matched my mood, but now I think I want to project the joy I feel by donning more colourful clothes. What think you, should I become known as a peacock?”
“No, but I think I would like you to be a bit more daring. Showy plumage would help young ladies to notice how handsome you are—it is what God determined was good for male birds. I want to be the envy of all the females of the ton.” She rested her hand on his thigh as she grinned up at him. “However, here at Pemberley, I care not what you wear. The most important thing is you wear clothes that are easy to remove.”
“You are truly a wanton wench. Look what you have done to me.”
She looked into his lap and saw the bulge. After staring at the spot for a few seconds, she turned her head away and without saying anything in return busied herself staring at the countryside as it passed. He saw a tear trickle down her cheek, and was both surprised and touched by her reaction. He stopped the curricle and lifted her face. “Lizzy, why are you crying?”
“Because we must abstain for an entire month, or maybe even longer if Papa does not agree to a speedy wedding. Once again, I am overwhelmed at my folly for not accepting, and the price we both must pay for my obstinacy and prejudice.”
Darcy looked around. Seeing no one else on the road, he moulded her to his body and enfolded her in his arms. His first kisses were to dry her tears. However, soon he found her lips, and his assault seemed filled with a craving that matched her own. Her body unleashed every ounce of longing she had stored over the last two days. Their tongues battled as his hands cupped her bottom and lifted her onto his lap. Feeling what had caused her to cry only moments before, pushing and poking, she rubbed against him. The special spot between her legs was throbbing with desire. Her ability to exhibit proper behaviour was clouded by her passion. A vague awareness of being on a public road tried to intrude, but she skilfully shoved those thoughts aside, as her hands found their way under his waistcoat until they were just a linen shirt away from the flesh she was craving to touch.