Chance Encounters

by Linda Wells

  “Where have you been, Darcy? Your cousin arrived here over an hour ago, and we have been waiting for you.”

  “When our carriage stopped to await the removal of a fallen tree, I felt an intense need to exercise my legs. It was rather cramped in the carriage after so long of a ride.” He glanced up to the raised eyebrows of his cousin.

  “I assume that you are quite recovered?” Her eyes swept over him and she pursed her lips disapprovingly.

  “Yes, Aunt, the movement prevented any ill-effects. I look forward to walking the paths of Rosings a great deal during our visit, and my stroll today reminded me of the beauty of the estate.” This time he caught Richard’s knowing smirk.

  He knew that he struck the correct note when he saw Lady Catherine begin to preen in delight of the compliment. “It is good that you appreciate the beauty of Rosings, Darcy. I hope that you will appreciate it for many years to come.”

  “I am sure that I will, Aunt. After all, it is where my family lives, and I have always known the importance of these bonds.” He met her gaze, and then nodded his head with a smile towards his cousin Anne.

  Lady Catherine lifted her head proudly. “It is proper that you do. Your parents would be most pleased.”

  “Now Aunt, I would like to change from these travelling clothes, if you will excuse me?” He looked at her inquiringly.

  “Of course Darcy, you should have changed immediately instead of speaking to me.” Turning to Richard, “And you Fitzwilliam, why have you not changed? This is not a battlefield! You should not be leaving your dust on my furnishings!”

  “Yes Aunt, forgive me, I will change immediately.” Richard looked at Darcy and they quickly quit the rooms and rapidly ascended the stairs. “How did you manage that? I have been listening to her rage at your absence for an hour, and you breeze in and get yourself dismissed in five minutes!” Richard was half-angry and half-envious.

  “Ah, Cousin, have you not learned that the best path to our aunt’s good mood is to compliment her?” Darcy smirked at him.

  “I suppose that implying your interest in certain family members did not hurt either.” Richard shot back.

  “Did I do that? I did not realize. I will have to correct that notion very soon, I think.” Darcy’s jubilant smile returned.

  They reached the door to Darcy’s suite, and Richard opened it, pushing him in. He checked to be sure that his valet was not about, closed all of the doors and stood directly in front of him with his arms folded. “All right, out with it. You are going to burst if you do not tell me your news, or surely your face will be permanently disfigured from that ridiculous grin you are wearing. There must be something to cause all of this, and it must be something more than simply exchanging pleasantries with Miss Elizabeth.” If possible, Darcy’s grin grew larger. Richard had no memory of his cousin ever expressing such elation.

  “I have the best possible news!” His eyes were shining with joy. “I am engaged to be married to the most wonderful woman in the world! Miss Elizabeth Bennet has accepted me!”

  “You proposed already! That is fast work! Congratulations Darcy! I am floored with this news! I expected it sometime, but so soon?” He pumped Darcy’s hand and slapped his back. His cousin radiated his happiness, and Richard gratefully shared in it. “What happened to the careful plans and the speech that you prepared? You bored me silly with it the whole way here, and you did not even get to use it!”

  Darcy raised his brow. “I did not realize that you were bored Richard. I rather had the impression that you were amused at my expense.”

  “So I was, so I was. Well, tell me all.” Richard dropped into a chair, propped his feet on a table and folded his arms.

  As Darcy leaned on the mantle of the unlit fireplace, his smile disappeared. “When she ran away from me I panicked that I had lost her.”

  “She ran away?” Richard sat up as concern crossed his face.

  “She was angry, and very hurt. Last night she dined here.” He closed his eyes. “Aunt Catherine spoke of her happiness for our impending arrival, and of the expected engagement between Anne and me.”

  “Good Lord, Darcy. You let her come here without a warning? What a horrible way to learn of Aunt Catherine’s delusion!”

  Darcy shook his head and looked down at his boots. “It never occurred to me that she would speak of it to anyone outside of the family. I am just grateful that Elizabeth forgave me, after soundly thrashing me with her fury.”

  “Good for her!” Richard cheered, a wide grin appeared.

  Darcy smiled and looked up at him. “Yes. Then I could not help myself. I had to know that she was mine. I proposed, she said yes, and I cannot wait to marry her!”

  Richard cocked his head at him, “What about Aunt Catherine?”

  “That is a problem.” Darcy’s smile again disappeared.

  Looking thoughtfully at his subdued cousin he suggested, “Perhaps I should ask father for advice? I will send him a letter immediately.”

  Relieved knowing that he had the support of the rest of his family he regained his confidence. “That is an excellent idea, Richard. I will also go to Anne and tell her the news. I think that she will be happy for it. She never wanted to marry me or anyone, for that matter.”

  “Will you go to Miss Elizabeth’s father?”

  “I honestly do not know. Elizabeth wants me to go, but I know that he will not welcome me. I have learned something about him recently that may prove useful, however.” He said, becoming lost in thought.

  “What is that?” Richard asked, curiously..

  Darcy startled and regarded Richard. “I wish to speak to Elizabeth about it first.”

  “When do you see her again?” He asked, a little smirk playing on his lips.

  “Tomorrow morning, before breakfast.” Darcy grinned.

  He laughed. “Well, it seems that I have a letter to write. I will see you at dinner. Congratulations again, Cousin. I am quite envious of you. She is an exceptional woman.” Richard slapped him on the back and shook his hand. As he left the room, his smile faded, feeling every bit of the envy he professed.

  DARCY KNOCKED on the door to Anne’s sitting room and entered when he heard her soft call. “Anne, it is a pleasure to see you. You look well.”

  Anne smiled. “Thank you William, you are kind. Please take a seat.” She waved vaguely at the chairs, and pulled her shawl closer.

  “I need to speak to you while I have the opportunity to see you alone. I want to tell you my news before your mother hears of it.” Anne looked up at him curiously. “I am engaged to be married.” He looked steadily into her face.

  A look of profound relief spread over her wan features. “How wonderful, William! I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am to hear this news!” Her cold frail hand grasped his strong warm one. “What is the lady’s name?”

  Darcy smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You will be surprised, I think. She is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

  Anne’s eyes widened. “You mean the lady who is staying at the parsonage?”

  “Yes, we met in February, and have been courting for a month. I spotted her when our carriage pulled into the drive. I could not wait another moment to see her again. That was why I was late coming to the house.”

  “And that was when you proposed?” Anne smiled.

  Darcy smiled in return. “Yes, I just could not wait any longer.”

  “I like her very much, William. She is very kind, and quite intelligent, and she is not intimidated by mother. I admire her confidence. I think that secretly, mother admires her as well.”

  “I told her that I would like to see her take on Aunt Catherine, though I suppose any admiration she had for Elizabeth will be gone when she hears our news.” A look of apprehension replaced his smile.

  “Yes, that is true. But neither of us wished for our union, William.” She suddenly had a thought. “Now I understand what happened last night when Miss Elizabeth fled the drawing room, close to tears. She was pla
ying the pianoforte when mother began speaking of our forthcoming engagement. Miss Elizabeth stopped playing and listened, and then she turned white and ran out, pleading a sudden headache. Oh, William, you did not warn her!”

  Darcy hung his head. “No, I failed her. She told me about what happened, Anne. I have apologized, and she has accepted me, thankfully.” Shaking his head he looked to her, “Our union was only your mother’s wish. Uncle Henry supports my relationship with Elizabeth and Georgiana was thrilled that she may become her sister.”

  Anne grasped his hand. “When will you tell Mother?”

  “Elizabeth will be of age on Friday. Her father, for his own odd reasons does not support the marriage. I think that after Friday we will make our announcement, and since I have a special license we can hold the ceremony anywhere, we may just go ahead and marry.” His voice held a note of determination.

  “A fait accompli?” Anne suggested as small smile played on her lips.

  “Exactly.”

  “ELIZA!” Charlotte attempted to gain her friend’s attention as she floated past on her way up the stairs to her bedchamber. She did not recognize Elizabeth at all. There was a glow to her face and a lustre in her eyes that could in no way be compared to the distraught woman who fled from Lady Catherine’s parlour the night before. Charlotte entered the room and decidedly closed the door behind her. She wanted some answers. “Eliza . . .” She began.

  “Oh Charlotte! He loves me!” Elizabeth woke out of her dream and flew across the room. She grabbed her friend’s hands and gave them a tight squeeze. “He loves me and asked me to marry him!” She laughed and still holding Charlotte’s hands, she spun them around, finally collapsing onto the bed in a dizzy, giggling heap. Neither Charlotte nor Elizabeth were prone to giggles, which made it all the more singular.

  Charlotte shook Elizabeth’s shoulders. “Who Eliza? Who loves you? Who has proposed?”

  “William.” Elizabeth replied dreamily. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, the man I will marry.” She laughed with delight.

  “Fitzwilliam Darcy? Lady Catherine’s nephew? He is the man who has been courting you?”

  Finally coming to her senses, Elizabeth sat up and held her hands. “Yes, dear Charlotte. He is the wonderful man who has been courting me. He just arrived, and saw me from the carriage as it passed through the groves. He leapt out and ran after me.” She smiled at the memory of his impetuous behaviour.

  “But Lady Catherine said that he was to marry Miss de Bourgh!” She saw Elizabeth’s beaming smile disappear. “No wonder you fled the room last night. Oh, Eliza!”

  “Yes, you can well understand my distress. When William saw me I ran away, I was so hurt and afraid that it was true. Fortunately he assured me it was his aunt’s desire alone. Lady Catherine refuses to listen to anyone who has told her otherwise, and keeps to her own plans.” She shook her head. “I lashed out at him for not warning me. He apologized.” She sighed, and then her smile returned, softly. “Then he begged me to love him and be his wife, and then he kissed me.” She closed her eyes, reliving the memory.

  Charlotte saw the joy in her friend’s face and briefly entertained a feeling of jealousy, then she put that aside. Romance was a feeling that she simply did not possess. She touched Elizabeth’s cheek, “I am so very happy for you, Eliza.”

  THE NEXT MORNING, Darcy eagerly strode out of Rosings to meet Elizabeth. It was the first day of their engagement, and he could not wait to see her. He arrived early and leaned on a tree facing the parsonage, watching for her and remembering the dreams he had the night before, now even more vivid for having finally experienced her kiss. Soon, the sound of skirts rustling and the soft hum of her voice in song tickled the air. “Good morning, my love!” He called out joyfully.

  Elizabeth, hearing his deep voice, searched for him then ran into his open arms. “Good morning, my William!”

  Darcy encased her in his embrace, holding her tightly to him, resting his cheek on her bonnet, and drank in the lavender that perfumed her hair. She buried her face in his chest, allowing his scent to envelop her. They stood for some moments, until she lifted her face to his and they stared into each other’s eyes. His heart was bursting from his chest, and he raised his hands to cup her face. Smiling, he met her lips in a fervent kiss, then dropped his hands to reclaim her body and bond her as closely to his as he could. Elizabeth stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, meeting his hungry mouth with equal passion. Darcy finally dragged his lips away and raked his ravenous eyes over her.

  “Lizzy what you do to me!”

  She caught her breath and laughed, “I love you, too!”

  He laughed and smiled into her eyes, so delighted to be wanted and to be permitted to express his affection for her. “Come, let us walk. We have much to discuss.” He took her hand, raised it to his lips; and then entwining their fingers they set off.

  “Have you decided when you would like to marry?”

  “Today seems perfect.” His eyes twinkled mischievously.

  “William!” She stopped dead.

  He looked down at her flashing eyes and leaned to kiss her nose. “Very well, I will be serious. I was speaking with Anne last night and she thought that it might be best to simply marry when you are of age and present the news as unalterable fact.”

  “And bypass my father and your aunt’s objections all together?” She said thoughtfully as they began walking again.

  “Yes. I know that you would wish to have your family around you, and enjoy the large wedding that you have dreamed of . . .”

  “Actually William, I have never really thought of the wedding. I was more concerned with whom I would marry and the life I would lead. The ceremony itself, the trappings at least, are unimportant to me.”

  “Truly? Because if it were up to me, if I could not be married in the chapel at Pemberley, I would like something as small as possible. You know how I hate being on display in front of a crowd.”

  “Well then perhaps it would be best to arrange something small on our own. If my mother were to be involved, the event would be enormous, especially once she heard of your ten thousand a year!”

  He looked at her quizzically. “Where did you hear that figure?”

  “Is it not common knowledge?” She asked impertinently.

  “Come Lizzy, where did you hear it?”

  “Lady Matlock told me, and told Jane that Mr. Bingley was worth five thousand. She did say that was the current rumour.” She pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling.

  “Hmm. It is inaccurate, you know, at least for me.” He tilted his head at her, his own mouth twitching with a suppressed smile.

  She laughed. “As long as the roof over our heads is sound, I really do not care, my love.”

  Darcy stopped and hugged her. “You are definitely not a fortune hunter.”

  “Do not tell me you are disappointed!”

  “Not at all, my love.” They found the shelter of a convenient tree and kissed for quite some time. “Ahem, now back to the subject at hand. . .” Darcy said after straightening his clothes and recovering his hat which had landed some ten yards away when Elizabeth tore it from his head. “Are we agreed to marry before you return to Hertfordshire?”

  “Yes.” She said softly.

  “In London? Perhaps your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner could be there? Your uncle could sign the settlement papers, although you could do that yourself after Friday.” He was all business and making his plans.

  Elizabeth caught his mood and joined in. “I will write to them directly. They could make the arrangements for the church.”

  He nodded and continued his line of thought. “Eventually we will need to face your father. Perhaps we could simply invite your family to London for the wedding?”

  “Or, we could go to Longbourn and ask his consent, and if he refuses we could simply walk to the Meryton church and marry immediately.” Elizabeth bit her lip and peeked up at him.

  Darcy stopped walking and drew her into his arms. �
�This is truly what you want is it not, Lizzy?”

  She nodded. “I cannot believe he would say no, William, and I would always regret not giving him the chance to do the best thing for me. If he says no, I will not hesitate to take your hand and walk out of Longbourn to the church with you.”

  His eyes searched hers, seeking confirmation of her desire. She appeared anxious but determined. “Very well, my darling, it shall be as you say. We will stay here until Easter. I will bring you to your uncle’s home, collect Jane, and take you to Longbourn. I will speak to your father. If he says no, we will proceed directly to the church. If he says yes, we will set the wedding for no longer than one week after our arrival. Agreed?”

  “Agreed. Thank you, William.” The smile on her lips did not reach her eyes. He could see the fear there, and knew that she was doing her best to hide it from him. Darcy looked around them. They had wandered down a track he remembered from childhood, and was obviously neglected by the Rosings gardener. It was overgrown and the trace of a path was barely visible. He smiled and taking her hand led her further along. “Where are you taking me, sir?” She asked with a small smile, allowing her curiosity to overtake her worry.

  He looked back to where she followed slightly behind him. “To a place full of memories.” The corners of his mouth lifted. He carefully moved the vines and branches that crossed the path out of the way until suddenly a bright patch of sunlight came into view. Exiting the growth Elizabeth gasped with delight to see a small pond with a roughly hewn bench perched by its side. Darcy led her over to it. “It appears to still be sound; would you care to sit here with me?” He looked at her hopefully.

  “I would love to William.” He helped her to sit and taking his place beside her untied the ribbons of her bonnet then carefully removed her gloves. His hat and gloves soon joined hers and he pulled her over to his side. She rested her head on his chest, and fell in love with his steady heartbeat. He wrapped his arms around her waist and entwined his fingers with hers. They sat staring at the clear water, watching some ducks paddling about and gathered strength for the battle to come.