by Dana R. Lynn
An Inconvenient Courtship
by Dana R. Lynn
Published by Astraea Press
www.astraeapress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
AN INCONVENIENT COURTSHIP
Copyright © 2014 DANA R. LYNN
ISBN 978-1-62135-361-4
Cover Art Designed by Cora Graphics
To my husband and children for their unending love and support,
and for my family and friends
who encouraged and believed I could do this.
And mostly, to my Lord, in gratitude for His many blessings.
Chapter One
What was the matter with him?
Darcy scowled as he paced back and forth across the length of the library. He could barely believe his actions of the past few days. To allow his control to slip so badly! And all because of a mere country girl, who was far beneath him. No money, no connections, and that family of hers!
But in spite of these objections, Darcy continued to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet everything that was fascinating and lovely. Not that he had always thought so. No, indeed. When he had first spied her several weeks ago at a dance, he had barely noticed her. His mood had been too dark. He even allowed himself to make a disparaging remark about her to his persistent best friend, Charles Bingley. He had come to Hertfordshire to help Bingley get his new estate in order, not to socialize with the local beauties. Yet, he found his interest in Miss Elizabeth growing with every meeting. Still, he was able to squelch this unseemly fascination with the second of the five Bennet sisters. Or so he had thought. Then, several days ago, the eldest Bennet sister, Miss Jane Bennet, had become ill while visiting Bingley’s sisters. Of course, she had to stay as their guest until she was healthy enough for travel.
Although Darcy thought of Bingley as a brother, he didn’t much care for Bingley’s sisters. Miss Caroline Bingley had travelled to Hertfordshire to act as Mr. Bingley’s hostess, for it was one of the unwritten rules of the gentry that a single man could not entertain guests at his house without a hostess. Darcy would have been fine with Miss Bingley if she would leave him alone. But Miss Bingley had decided she wanted to marry Darcy. For his estate, no doubt. She was constantly batting her eyes and complimenting him. Louisa Hurst, Bingley’s married sister, was slightly better. Still a snob, but less obvious about it. She had dragged her husband to Hertfordshire so she could keep Miss Bingley company.
Darcy chuckled as he remembered the expressions on the faces of Bingley’s sisters when Miss Elizabeth had been shown into the breakfast room the next day. They were appalled to learn she had walked three miles to visit her sister. Three muddy miles, judging by the state of her skirt. Darcy admitted that he had enjoyed the past few days in her presence. She was unlike any woman he had ever known. Her conversation was witty and clever, and her playful manner challenged him. She paid him none of the compliments he was used to receiving from young women desiring his attentions. He had even allowed himself to forget his objections against her. Until her mother and younger sisters paid a visit, that is.
Darcy grimaced as he thought of Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters. Their behavior was thoroughly shocking. It was the first time he could ever recall being in accord with Miss Bingley. She had openly disparaged the family to her brother, trying to point out the disadvantages of the connection. Bingley, however, stood firm in his defense of Miss Bennet, whom he declared an angel. But even Bingley could not defend Mrs. Bennet. He remembered Mrs. Bennet’s taunts as she and her youngest daughters visited Netherfield Park under the guise of checking on “Dear Jane”. She had apparently decided that Darcy was the enemy and aimed poorly veiled barbs his way throughout the visit.
Miss Elizabeth, however, had tried to defend him, her cheeks scarlet with mortification. Darcy came to a stop as he remembered the agonized, apologetic glance she had shot him with her spectacular eyes. Those gorgeous, sparkling hazel eyes with dark lashes made for flirting…
Flirting? Good heavens. What was wrong with him? Darcy strode to the window and stared out, not seeing the breathtaking view as dawn softly crept over the landscape. Instead of the trees and the vast array of flora, his mind was wholly absorbed with a beautiful face, its eyebrows arched provocatively as she teased him.
Today she would be leaving, going home where she belonged. He should be grateful. He could put distance between them. Then he would be able to regain his control and focus on more appropriate things. Even as he told himself he would forget her and move on, he felt a strange ache inside his breast at the thought of never seeing Miss Elizabeth’s beautiful eyes again.
His eyes grew far away as he considered his future. He was a Darcy. His family was one of the oldest and wealthiest in the ton. Even Grayson House, the home of his uncle, the earl, didn’t equal Pemberly. It had been made abundantly clear to him, first by his excellent late parents, and more recently by Lord and Lady Grayson, that he had a duty to marry well. That meant marrying a young lady with the appropriate breeding and standing in society. A wealthy landowner’s daughter at the very least. Better still, the daughter of a peer.
Darcy grimaced in distaste. Matchmaking mamas had been thrusting their daughters in his path since his father had died five years before. He shook his head. It was obvious the connection to wealth was more important to many than the happiness of the marriage itself. Most people in high society considered marriage as little more than a business merger. As long as the parties involved were discreet, infidelity was accepted as the norm. A view shared by many in his own family.
His lips twisted as he thought of his aunt and uncle’s attitude towards marriage. The connection was what mattered. As was avoiding scandal at all costs. He remembered well the times he had seen his aunt give a young girl the cut direct for some rumored misdeed. Whether or not the misdeed were true, the girl was considered ruined and to be avoided. Darcy had not paid too much attention until several months ago when his own dear sister had found herself embroiled in a scandalous plot. Disgust roiled in his gut at the thought that his relatives would have tried to force him to marry her off to a cad or send her away, just to avoid any taint to their family name. Fortunately, society remained ignorant of her fall.
He shuddered. No, a marriage based on the whims of society was not what he wanted, either for himself or for his sister Georgiana.
Frustrated, Darcy ran a hand through his hair. If he were going to marry, he would abide by the laws of Christian marriage. He would not marry someone he couldn’t hold in affection or respect. Mrs. Bennet again came to mind. No. Although he held the second Bennet daughter in the highest esteem, her family was too much of a black mark against her. Which meant he needed to forget Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her fine eyes.
****
“Jane, are you ready yet? The carriage is waiting!”
Elizabeth watched impatiently as her sister took her time preparing for their journey home. Elizabeth was eager to escape the snide comments of Miss Bingley and her sister. She was also anxious to be away from Mr. Darcy’s intense stare. Even imagining the way he watched her, she shivered, although she did not understand why. He made her uneasy, and Elizabeth disliked feeling uncertain.
/> “Jane,” she implored.
Jane Bennett glanced at her sibling with a gentle smile. Everything about Jane was gentle. Her voice, her manner, even her famous beauty. Where Elizabeth ran, Jane floated. Elizabeth laughed while Jane smiled serenely. Yet the two sisters adored each other. Until now, no one had ever held so much of Jane’s sweet heart as her sister. But now she knew Charles Bingley.
“I am coming Lizzy,” she sighed. “I am a little reluctant to go home. I will have to tell Mama that I am still not engaged.”
Elizabeth looked at her sister.
“At least Mama had the sense to try and throw you at a man you actually like this time,” she teased. “Imagine if Mr. Bingley were a horrible bore, or an ogre. Actually, though, if he were that bad, I think Mama would send me his way instead of yours.”
It was true, and they both knew it. Although Mrs. Bennet loved all her girls in an abstract sort of way, she despaired of ever finding a man willing to marry her most headstrong daughter. What man wanted a woman who could argue and debate as well or better than he?
Jane blushed. The two smiled, then suddenly burst into laughter. They were still laughing as they descended to meet with the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy.
Darcy and Bingley looked up involuntarily as the sisters made their way towards them. Both men unconsciously sighed at the sight of girls. Mr. Bingley with delight written across his face as his angel approached, Mr. Darcy with regret as he realized with cold certainty that he would not be able to forget the woman who had plagued him since he arrived. Indeed, Miss Elizabeth would always be his idea of perfection, no matter how far away he went.
His feelings were muddled when he followed her out to the carriage. He was so disturbed by the path his thoughts were traveling that he barely took note of Miss Bingley. That young lady had pulled out all the stops to try and attract his attention.
She walked as near him as she dared, deliberately moving as elegantly as possible. She batted her light blue eyes coquettishly at him, moving her hands to draw his gaze to her perfectly coiffed red hair and brand new morning dress. Her conversation was everything the ton considered proper, yet it was all in vain. Mr. Darcy paid her no heed. Indeed, he may as well have been walking alone. Not once did he even spare her a glance. Oh, but that chit Miss Eliza Bennet, at her he stared. It was disgraceful!
In a sudden fit of pique, Miss Bingley brought the sharp point of her closed parasol down upon the unsuspecting horse. The beast startled in fear and pain, rearing dangerously. Shouts came from the groomsmen as they tried to restrain the large animal. The second horse shied away from its yoke mate, pulling the carriage forward, causing it to wobble and tilt.
A woman screamed. Silence.
“Miss Elizabeth!” No one recognized that hoarse, emotion-filled cry. They turned to see Mr. Darcy, kneeling on the ground, uncaring of his fine clothes. His pale face stared in anguish at the still form of Miss Elizabeth.
Chapter Two
“Caroline, what have you done?” Charles Bingley grabbed his sister’s unresisting arm and thrust her at his brother-in-law, Guy Hurst. Hurst took her arm and led the stricken Caroline back into the house. She gabbled incoherently about how sorry she was, how it was just an accident. No one paid her any mind. They were all shocked at the prone figure on the ground.
“Lizzy, Lizzy dear, can you hear me? Dearest, open your eyes.” Sweet Jane knelt on the other side of her beloved sister, tears falling unheeded down her cheeks. Even in her fear, she was beautiful.
“Darcy, what should we do?” Bingley cried, ringing his hands.
Darcy shook his head, coming out of his grief induced paralysis. Bingley was hopeless in a crisis, and Miss Bennet was beside herself. If his Elizabeth was to be well, and he refused to believe she wouldn’t be, obviously he was the person who must take charge.
“You there,” he barked at a footman. “Go as quickly as you can and locate the local doctor. Be sure he is aware this is an emergency.” He glanced around, spotting his valet. “Dawson, take a horse and ride to Longbourn. The family must be notified. Surely they will want to attend to Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy turned his attention back to Jane. “Miss Bennet, your sister will have need of you. I feel certain Mr. Bingley will ask you to remain to care for Miss Elizabeth, as no one here would do so as well as you.”
Jane lifted grateful eyes to him. There was kindness in his face. And anguish. She gasped. “You love her,” she whispered.
Darcy swung his head towards Bingley, panicking. He calmed when he noted his friend was not attending to their conversation. Schooling his face back into its impassive mask, he returned his eyes to Jane’s face. Her gentle expression told him she wasn’t fooled.
“Don’t be alarmed, Mr. Darcy. I will not give you away,” she whispered. Her eyes welled with tears again. “I’m glad. Lizzy thought you disliked her. I think it pained her.”
Reeling in shock, Darcy sat back upon his heels. How on earth could she have mistaken his attention as anything other than admiration? Admittedly, he had struggled to hide it, but still if someone as lacking in astuteness as Miss Bingley was aware of his interest…
Thinking of Miss Bingley had fury rising up inside his chest. The desire to run after her, drag her back and have her face what she had done raced through him. Only the control he had learned from his youth stopped him.
A groan came from the woman lying on the ground. Instantly, all thought fled except for seeing to his Elizabeth’s well-being.
“Elizabeth, can you hear me?” A gasp sounded from Jane. Bingley muttered in surprise. He frowned at them. Egads! Where was that doctor? There was so much blood!
****
Why was she lying on the ground? Oh! Her head ached as if the carriage had rolled over it. The carriage. She had been climbing into the carriage when the horses had reared, and it had lurched beneath her foot. She recalled falling, falling…
She groaned. “Elizabeth! Can you hear me?”
Mr. Darcy? What was he doing, leaning over her? Wait! He had called her by her Christian name, and his voice, she had never heard such deep emotion in that cultured voice before. Not that she cared. At that moment, all she wanted was to be safe at Longbourn and in bed. A solitary tear slipped out from beneath her lid.
“Lizzy,” a soft voice said near her head. Ah, dearest Jane was with her. “Lizzy, you must be still. Mr. Darcy has sent for a doctor.”
Mr. Darcy had? Mr. Bingley was the master of the house. Surely, that duty belonged to him.
“And he sent his valet to Longbourn. I’m sure someone from our family will come.”
Horror-struck, Lizzy muttered, “Not Mama. Oh, please, anyone but my mother.”
Several voices chuckled at that. Her lips curved in response. It was too much for her. She allowed herself to sink back down into the darkness.
Chapter Three
Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters were gathered in the parlor when Mrs. Hill announced one of the servants from Netherfield had brought an urgent message. Immediately, her hopes sailed.
“Oh, we are saved!” She crowed. “Mr. Bingley must be in love with Jane to have sent a servant to us, rather than allow her to part with him.”
“Your pardon, ma’am,” Mrs. Hill addressed her mistress. “It is not Mr. Bingley’s servant, but Mr. Darcy’s valet, I believe he said.”
Mrs. Bennet’s expression altered. Disdain wrinkled her nose. “Oh. That odious man! What could he possibly mean to send his valet here? I’m sure I don’t know.” She speared her daughter Kitty with a glance. “Kitty, my love, run and ask your father to attend us. I’m sure he would be better suited to deal with whatever Mr. Darcy’s valet is here for.”
Kitty ran to do her mother’s bidding. Mr. Bennet emerged from his library, diverted by these unusual circumstances. He saw the servant waiting for him in the hallway.
“Mr. Bennet?” Dawson bowed when the older man acknowledged that he was, in fact, Miss Elizabeth’s father. “Mr. Bennet, my ma
ster sent me here at great haste this morning. An accident has occurred, sir. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were preparing to return home. They were boarding the carriage when the horses spooked. Miss Bennet is fine, but sir, I am sorry to say that Miss Elizabeth fell and struck her head.”
Mr. Bennett’s face drained of all color. “My...my Lizzy? Fell?” He had to clear the emotion from his throat. “Is she well? What has been done? Speak, man!” In his agitation, his voice had risen to a shout. The rest of the family exited the parlor, shocked to find him so undone. They could not remember ever hearing him raise his voice in such a manner.
“Papa!” Kitty cried in fright. “Papa, what is the matter?”
Mr. Bennet waved her silent, his fierce glare never leaving the valet’s sympathetic face.
“I don’t know how she fares, sir,” he reported as gently as he could. “My master sent for a doctor and then instructed me to come here. Miss Bennet is attending her sister, of course, but Mr. Darcy felt it imperative that you be informed.”
“Was she conscious? Did you see her moving?”
Dawson hesitated. “No, sir. Miss Elizabeth had not regained consciousness when I left.”
By now Mrs. Bennet had started to understand what had occurred. It surprised no one when she began to shriek and moan, complaining about her nerves and how hard it was for a mother to hear her child was injured.
“If she dies, Jane will have to go into mourning. Oh, how can Mr. Bingley propose to her then? What will become of us?”
Silence.
“Mrs. Bennet,” ice dripped from Mr. Bennet’s voice, “you are overset. You need to retire to your room until you are better. Kitty, please go upstairs with your mother. When she is settled, see that a trunk is packed for me and have it sent to Netherfield at once. Mary,” he turned to his most scholarly daughter, “My steward needs to be informed of my absence. He can handle most matters. If there is something that needs my attention, it can be brought to me at Netherfield. I am expecting you girls to act with prudence and sense. A new endeavor. I hope you are equal to it.”