A Quest for Mr Darcy

by Cassandra Grafton

  ‘What the devil just happened?’

  The colonel shrugged. ‘She asked me to kiss her, Darce. It would be ungallant to turn down the request of a lady.’

  ‘In front of her father, her mother and half the household?’

  ‘That was her purpose, old man. Miss Latimer—Eleanor—did not want to return to her old life. She wants to escape her father. She said that if I would oblige, her father would either cut her off, which she cared little for, as her mother has her own fortune and has promised it to Eleanor upon her death, or claim I had compromised her and insist we marry.’

  Elizabeth’s smile widened. ‘My admiration for Miss Latimer grows by the day, Colonel.’

  Darcy frowned. ‘And how do you feel about being forced into wedlock, Cousin?’

  ‘You know me, Darcy; always up for a challenge! She is an intriguing woman, with hidden depths.’

  ‘She also has a substantial dowry.’

  The colonel’s gaze drifted towards the house. ‘I always thought that would be my first consideration, yet I gave it no thought at all. How singular!’

  Darcy exchanged a smile with Elizabeth and turned to follow the colonel up the steps. It seemed his cousin was more smitten than he had realised!

  ~o0o~

  It was some time later before the Latimers were finally ready to leave Pemberley. A long conversation had taken place between Latimer, Eleanor and the colonel. Somewhat mollified by finally achieving his aim of settling his daughter, albeit under unexpected circumstances, Latimer had begrudgingly consented to an engagement, and it was agreed the colonel would travel with them on their journey back to Town.

  Darcy stood beside Latimer as his cousin escorted Eleanor to the carriage, helping her mother to enter before turning his attention to the young lady. Hoping he would not provoke her father further by any overt display, he was relieved when the colonel simply kissed her hand before assisting her up the steps.

  ‘Hmmph.’

  Turning to look at Latimer, Darcy waited for him to express his dissatisfaction, to rail against the morals of Pemberley again, but to his surprise, the man no longer looked out of sorts.

  ‘He is a good man, Latimer.’

  ‘Is he, Darcy? Well, time will tell. I have had an interesting discussion with him—with them both. I suppose the second son of an earl is not so bad a match. What he fails to bring in fortune is made up for in status and connections.’

  Knowing he once held such things in similar esteem, Darcy winced. Had he sounded like Latimer when speaking so? Thank heavens Elizabeth had brought such a change in him!

  They watched as the colonel gained his mount, and then Latimer turned to Darcy and, to his surprise, offered his hand. ‘I came here intending to settle my daughter once and for all, Darcy. The outcome may not be what I had anticipated, but if it makes Eleanor happy...’

  Darcy stared at him as he released his hand. ‘I did not think you cared for her happiness.’

  Latimer grunted and set off across the gravel towards his carriage. Then, he said over his shoulder, ‘Nor did I, Darcy. Nor did I.’

  ~o0o~

  Jane and Elizabeth watched from one of the drawing room windows as the Latimers’ carriages rolled down the driveway and approached the stone bridge over the river. The colonel rode at the rear, and he reined in his mount as the carriages trundled over the bridge, turning in his saddle to raise a hand in salute to Mr Darcy who remained on the steps with his sister.

  Elizabeth sighed. ‘I am sorry to see the colonel leave.’

  ‘He is good company, is he not?’ Jane smiled. ‘Do you think they will make a good match?’

  She took her sister’s arm as they turned away to face the room. ‘I do. Eleanor Latimer is a kind lady and deserves her happiness. I am pleased, Jane, we both had the opportunity to thank her for being so thoughtful over the necklace.’

  ‘As am I.’ They spoke quietly, for their father was across the room, in conversation with Mrs Annesley, and they had not yet told him of the locket’s return.

  ‘Miss Latimer had clearly seen Mr Bingley’s preference for you.’ Elizabeth whispered. ‘Did you not notice her comment about considering him the most appropriate gentleman to ask the favour of?’

  ‘Stop it, Lizzy!’ Jane shook her head. ‘Let us speak no more on the matter.’

  ‘As you wish. You cannot stop me thinking it, though!’ Elizabeth laughed at Jane’s expression, but her sister conceded and smiled.

  ‘It will be my turn to tease you soon. Have you told Mr Darcy of your talk with Papa? Of his agreement to your setting a date?’

  ‘No—there has been no opportunity.’ Elizabeth sighed again. ‘There are always so many people about!’

  ‘But not for much longer, Lizzy. With the Latimers and the colonel gone away, and Mr Bingley and his sisters due to leave this afternoon, there will soon only be Mr Darcy and his sister at Pemberley.’

  ‘How blissful that sounds.’ Elizabeth met her sister’s eye laughingly. ‘I will endeavour to speak to him as soon as I can.’

  Jane tugged at her arm and inclined her head towards Mr Bennet. ‘Papa looks so much more animated today, does he not? Some colour has returned to his cheeks.’

  ‘Aye, so it has.’ Elizabeth’s gaze roamed over her father and the lady seated by his side. ‘And do you not think it may have something to do with the company he is keeping?’

  Jane looked back over at them. Mrs Annesley was smiling, but Mr Bennet was laughing, a sound they had rarely heard this past year. ‘Oh, Lizzy!’ She turned back to her sister. ‘Is it not too soon?’

  Elizabeth shrugged. ‘Mama has been gone these twelve months. Besides, I hardly think Papa is going to follow the colonel’s example so he can rush the lady to the altar!’

  Smothering her laugh, Jane looked over as the door opened, and Elizabeth extended her arm. ‘Miss Darcy! Do come and bear us company.’

  Georgiana hurried over to them, taking the offered hand. ‘Please call me Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth. After all, we are to be sisters.’ She turned to Jane, looking a little awkward. ‘Miss Bennet, would you be so kind as to use my name also? As the sister of Elizabeth, you will soon be my own by extension, will you not?’

  Jane smiled. ‘Of course, Miss Darcy—Georgiana. I would be honoured.’

  Georgiana smiled widely. ‘How exciting is it that Richard and Miss Latimer are to be married? I could not be more surprised.’

  ‘To be certain, I think no one could be more surprised than Mr Latimer!’ Elizabeth laughed. ‘It is a shame Miss Viola was not on hand to capture his expression in her sketch book.’ She frowned. ‘Where are the twins? Whenever they are missing, I fear they are up to mischief.’

  Georgiana shook her head. ‘I do not think so. Their spirits are quite dampened by their imminent departure. They said Pemberley had delivered far more adventure than they had ever anticipated. I did say that I could not promise it would be so on every visit.’

  Elizabeth laughed, just as Mr Darcy came back into the room, and both her sister and Georgiana excused themselves, walking over to sit on a nearby chaise.

  ‘Colonel Fitzwilliam will be missed.’

  Mr Darcy smiled as he joined her. ‘It is all he ever hopes for.’

  ‘I am glad he intends to come for the wedding, though.’ She glanced towards her father, then stepped a little closer to him. ‘Papa has sanctioned the setting of a date.’

  Darcy smiled. ‘I would have no one but Fitzwilliam stand up with me.’

  ‘It is fortunate he is based in England at present then, sir. If he should be called to arms, you might have a long wait for our marriage to take place.’

  Darcy looked appalled. ‘Do not speak lightly of such things.’

  Elizabeth laughed, and they both turned as the door opened and Mr Bingley entered, followed by the twins. They did not look as subdued as Georgiana had suggested, and as soon as they saw the couple by the window they hurried over.

  ‘Our brother took us to see Rivers, to
find out about Hero.’ Viola drew in a quick breath. ‘But he was no longer there; Mr Pickering has been caring for the hound, so we had to go all the way to the gardener’s cottage.’

  Olivia nodded. ‘He says, provided the wound does not become infected, there should be a full recovery.’

  ‘But that is not all, is it, ‘Livia?’ Viola turned excitedly to her sister. ‘Tell them what Mr Pickering said!’

  ‘Oh yes!’ Olivia beamed up at them. ‘He is not a he; he is a she!’

  Elizabeth raised a brow. ‘Mr Pickering is a woman? Well, who would have thought it?’

  Both girls stared at her for a moment, then identical smiles formed. ‘You tease us, Miss Elizabeth!’

  Viola continued. ‘Hero is not a dog; she is a bitch!’

  ‘So now we must rename her—but to what? Hero was so fitting.’

  Recalling the girls’ explanation of their own names, Elizabeth smiled. ‘It is as fitting a name as any other.’ Two curious pairs of eyes turned upon her. ‘Did you not say your Mama was fond of Shakespeare?’

  Olivia nodded, a frown upon her brow, but Viola clapped her hands. ‘Yes! Hero and Claudio. You remember, ‘Livia? In Much Ado about Nothing?’

  ‘I had forgotten Hero could be a girl’s name too!’ Olivia beamed. ‘There is more, Miss Elizabeth. She is having pups—at least two; Mrs Pickering could not be certain.’

  Elizabeth exchanged a concerned look with Mr Darcy. ‘The poor thing was so under nourished. I am not certain she will be able to sustain a pregnancy, girls.’

  Their countenances sobered, and they both nodded. ‘We understand. Mrs Pickering found it hard to predict when they may be born, for though they seem small in size yet, it is likely due to Hero’s condition rather than their term.’

  ‘They are feeding her up, but say it likely she only has a few weeks to go.’

  Viola sighed. ‘We wish we could stay until they are born.’

  ‘We know they may not survive, but all the same...’ Olivia’s voice petered out. Their expressions had become forlorn, but just then, Mr Bingley joined them, and they turned to him.

  ‘Brother, please say we may keep a puppy if one survives!’ Viola grasped his hand and tugged on it.

  ‘Yes, do!’ Olivia took the other one, and they both looked pleadingly up at him with their identical bright blue eyes.

  Elizabeth exchanged a quick glance with Mr Darcy. How was Mr Bingley to resist such an appeal?

  He frowned, however. ‘Where will you keep it, girls? You are away at school, and you can be certain your sisters will not welcome it into their home in Town.’

  The twins dropped their brother’s hand and promptly turned around to look up at Mr Darcy.

  ‘May we keep it here at Pemberley, sir?’ Olivia sent him a beseeching look, and Elizabeth hid her smile at his countenance.

  ‘I—er...’

  ‘You will not object, will you, Mr Darcy? Then we would see it when school is not in session!’ Viola added her own plea.

  ‘Er—no, not at all. There is ample room here for a puppy.’

  Knowing it was coming, Elizabeth stepped back a pace as the twins launched themselves at a startled Mr Darcy and hugged him. He looked from Elizabeth to his friend, then warily patted both girls on their backs before they released him, Viola quickly turning to her brother again.

  ‘Charles, perhaps you should purchase your own estate. Then the puppy could live there.’

  ‘You do not seem to like the one you are leasing, after all.’ Olivia beamed at him. ‘And let it be not far from Pemberley, so we can see all our friends whenever we are home!’

  Mr Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye as a debate began between the girls on the best neighbouring county to seek a home in, and with an apologetic smile, Mr Bingley turned both girls about and encouraged them across the room to join the others.

  Alone again, Elizabeth studied the gentleman's countenance. ‘We have become distracted, sir. Of what were we speaking?’

  He smiled faintly. ‘I believe we were talking of setting a certain date.’ He took her hand. ‘Come with me.’

  Chapter Eighty-Six

  Darcy led Elizabeth across the room, out into the hall and over to the library, and once inside, he closed the door and turned to face her, a smile touching the edges of his mouth, and she knew his intent even before he moved towards her.

  Claiming her lips with his own, Mr Darcy’s hands moved to her waist, and he held her firmly, the pressure of the kiss bending her back slightly so that she could feel the door against her shoulders. Holding onto the edges of Mr Darcy’s coat, Elizabeth returned the kiss with feeling, all thought of where they were and why they had come disintegrating.

  When he finally released her, Darcy leaned his forehead against Elizabeth’s as he attempted to settle his breathing. She would be his undoing if he did not take care!

  ‘It will take three weeks for the Banns to be read, Elizabeth. Let us set a date for one month today.’

  He could sense rather than see her smile. ‘As you wish, sir.’

  Darcy raised his head, pressed a firm kiss upon her lips and straightened. ‘Then it is settled. I will set things in motion directly.’ He turned and walked across the room to the desk and opened the drawer. ‘Despite what it may seem, I brought you here for a reason—not that reason.’

  He laughed at Elizabeth’s impish smile.

  ‘I am not protesting your motives, sir.’

  ‘I wanted to give you this.’ He walked back towards her, a small leather box resting on his palm. ‘A symbol of our engagement; it once belonged to my mother.’

  He opened the box to reveal a stunningly cut ruby and diamond ring in an old-fashioned setting.

  ‘It belonged to my grandmother before her, hence the age. If it is not to your taste, it can be re-set.’

  Elizabeth shook her head as he placed it onto her finger. ‘It is exquisite, sir.’ She looked up, and he was concerned to see a tear shimmering on her lashes.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I do not know.’ She drew in a short breath. ‘Forgive me. I still cannot believe we are to be married. Though I only understood the depth of my affection for you so recently, it feels as though I have loved you forever.’

  ‘Elizabeth.’ His voice was a whisper as he pulled her back into his arms and held her close, her head resting on his chest. ‘I cannot believe it either. So much has been happening to distract us, but now everyone is leaving, and we will be able to spend time together, make our plans, and...’

  A sharp rap came on the door, and Darcy released a frustrated breath. ‘What now?’

  Loosening his hold on Elizabeth, she stepped away as he called, ‘Come’, and Mrs Reynolds entered, looking flustered.

  ‘Forgive the interruption, sir; ma’am. But there is an Express for you, just arrived.’

  She handed it to Darcy, and he frowned as he broke the seal to read it. ‘Damn it.’

  ‘What is wrong?’ Elizabeth’s gaze was anxious as he raised his eyes to hers.

  ‘Nothing to alarm. It is the Hansens; I forgot to put them off.’ He turned an apologetic look on his housekeeper. ‘They are a little ahead of themselves; they were due to arrive Monday, but this indicates they will be here later today.’

  Mrs Reynolds nodded calmly. ‘Yes, sir. I believe, in fact, their arrival is imminent. One of the footmen says he saw a carriage approaching the bridge.’ She turned for the door. ‘Do not concern yourself, Master Fitzwilliam. Their rooms are ready, just waiting to be aired, and I can soon speak to Cook about tonight’s supper.’

  She left the room, and Darcy ran a hand through his hair.

  ‘I am so sorry; just when we thought we would have some time to ourselves.’

  Elizabeth shook her head. ‘Do not worry. I recall Georgiana speaking of these guests. Were the Latimers not due to arrive with them?’

  ‘Yes; Latimer brought their visit forward a week.’ Darcy sighed. ‘I cannot believe I forgot to cancel them. I will encourage
them to stay no longer than a se’nnight.’ He walked back over to where Elizabeth stood. ‘When will we ever have some uninterrupted time?’

  ‘We will have all the time in the world once we are wed, sir.’

  ‘An excellent point. Let me express how much I am looking forward to it.’ He swept her into her arms as she laughed, and then proceeded to make his feelings clear on the matter.

  Barely a minute later, however, they were disturbed once more, this time by the intrusion of raised voices, and they broke apart as the strident tones of Lady Catherine de Bourgh resounded from somewhere beyond the library door.

  ‘You cannot go in there, your Ladyship.’

  ‘I do not believe this!’ Darcy touched Elizabeth’s cheek with his hand, then placed a kiss upon her hand. ‘Let me deal with her.’

  He opened the door just as his aunt reached it, Mrs Reynolds at her side.

  ‘I am so sorry, sir. It was Lady Catherine’s carriage that was spotted. I had no idea...’

  ‘I am making some stay with my brother and his wife at Matlock.’ Lady Catherine peered into the room. ‘They said you had a houseful, Darcy, but I see no one but...’ her gaze lighted on Elizabeth. ‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet!’

  ‘We are engaged to be married, Aunt. We would welcome your congratulations.’ Under his breath Darcy muttered to Elizabeth, ‘Would your father object if I came to make some stay at The Grange?’

  Elizabeth turned away to hide her smile, and Darcy gestured towards some chairs grouped near the hearth. ‘Would you care to come in, Aunt?’

  Lady Catherine stared at him open mouthed on the threshold. ‘You cannot marry into that family!’

  ‘I can, and I shall, ma’am.’

  ‘But, Darcy! Their lack of dowry and decent connections! And now a ruined sister who died in squalid conditions!’

  Assuming a nonchalance he was far from feeling, Darcy shrugged. ‘Once we are wed, we all become the Bennets’ connections, Aunt. It will be in our best interests to raise their reputation, not sink it.’

  ‘But—but... what about Anne!’