The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Victoria Kincaid

  Then she turned her face upward for a kiss, so he obligingly caressed her lips with his. “It is an inexpressible comfort to have your love at a time like this,” she murmured against his lips. He smiled and kissed her again.

  He had pressed her against the room’s door, which was now completely closed. Therefore he was well positioned to hear footsteps in the hall and hastily maneuvered Elizabeth into a chair. When Mr. Gardiner entered, Elizabeth was sitting demurely on the settee and Darcy was gazing out of the window next to the door. Her uncle glanced from one to another, but said nothing. When her uncle looked away, Darcy saw Elizabeth discreetly smoothing down her hair.

  Darcy turned away from the window. “Has your investigator found them?”

  Her uncle shook his head. “Their one clue led nowhere and I am at a loss. I do not want to abandon my niece, but we have no information about where she is to be found.”

  “I have some ideas,” Darcy said. “Perhaps we should retire to your study to discuss them.” Mr. Gardiner nodded gratefully and ushered Darcy out of the room.

  Darcy was soon seated in Mr. Gardiner’s study with a glass of port at his elbow. He had given the man the whole history of his dealings with Wickham, omitting only Georgiana’s name in favor of: “a close relative.” If the other man guessed her identity, he said nothing.

  “So where will you start your investigation?” Gardiner asked.

  “I will begin with Mrs. Younge. She runs a boarding house in London where Wickham may have lodged while he was here. If so, she may have an idea where he planned to go. I will also see what can be learned from Wickham’s associates near Pemberley.”

  “That seems like a sound plan.” Mr. Gardiner nodded approvingly as he sipped his port.

  “I will notify you immediately of any progress,” Darcy started to rise, thinking of Elizabeth, distressed and alone in the other room. However, Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat to speak, so Darcy stayed his movement.

  “Mr. Darcy, I cannot tell you how grateful we are that you returned Elizabeth to us safely.” Elizabeth’s uncle would not meet Darcy’s eyes.

  “It was my pleasure, sir. I would never have forgiven myself if I had left her alone and unprotected.”

  “I would imagine that you had to lay out quite a bit of money to make good your escape. Doctor’s bills, hiring a boat, not to mention carriages. However, I suspect you would not accept if I offered to reimburse you for those expenses.”

  “No sir.”

  Mr. Gardiner shook his head, unsurprised by the response. “One other thing. I understand the necessity of fleeing Paris as you did – alone and unchaperoned – and the days you spent with her in your friend’s house. Not to mention returning to England just the two of you.” Darcy winced inwardly at this description of the continuous impropriety of their situation. “But not everyone would be so understanding. I know you are a man of good character and Elizabeth seems to hold you in high regard—”

  “I assure you sir that nothing improper took place,” Darcy thought of this as a sin of omission rather than an outright lie. After all, what could be more proper than marriage? However, he was well aware that Mr. Gardiner might not see it in that light.

  Elizabeth’s uncle waved the assurance away. “I am sure. If my niece had felt herself wronged in any way, she has methods of making it known.”

  Darcy chuckled a little. “Yes, I believe so.”

  Mr. Gardiner gave the younger man a wry smile. “All I am asking is that you do not make the circumstances of your escape from France widely known. I am thinking of her reputation.”

  “Yes sir. I had already come to that conclusion on my own. I would be loathe to be the instrument of injuring Eliz—Miss Bennet in any way. Rest assured I plan to conceal it entirely – except perhaps from my sister.”

  Mr. Gardiner’s eyebrows had risen when Darcy used Elizabeth’s given name, but he did not comment. “Good, good. Especially in light of Lydia’s behavior, the Bennet family hardly needs more gossip circulating.”

  “I could not agree more.”

  Mr. Gardiner paused as if hoping that Darcy would say more – perhaps a declaration of his intention to court Elizabeth. However, Darcy could not bring himself to take the deception that far.

  The other man stood. “Well, let us rejoin the ladies.”

  After another half hour of conversation in the drawing room, Darcy reluctantly concluded that he needed to depart. In addition to informing Georgiana of his arrival, he had to set the wheels in motion to find Wickham and Lydia. Elizabeth escorted him out to the carriage to say goodbye, but he was well aware that anyone could be watching them from the house. Darcy wished he could kiss her…caress her…and take her back to his house and….Well, there was no use in wishing; he would just have to be patient.

  He confined himself to a kiss on her hand. “I believe your uncle is wondering what my intentions toward you are.”

  Elizabeth laughed a little. “I am sure he is. We will just have to leave him in suspense.”

  Darcy regarded her seriously. “I am afraid that the news about Lydia makes concealing our marriage even more imperative.”

  She nodded. “That had occurred to me. I would not want to give my father two unwelcome surprises in such a short time.” She bit her lip. “I cannot help comparing my behavior to Lydia’s. I am almost as bad as she – acting impulsively without thinking about my family—”

  “No!” he said vehemently. “I will not allow you to disparage yourself in this way! We did the honorable thing in marrying. It cannot be compared to living without the benefit of matrimony for weeks. Lydia and Wickham have given no thought to the effect on your family – we have made every attempt at discretion.”

  “Yes, but I still picture how disappointed my father will be at the circumstances of our marriage.” Her head was bowed as she gazed down at her hands.

  “But just think how pleased your mother will be.” Elizabeth gave him a sour look. “And I would like to think I have more to offer to your family than Wickham.”

  She smiled mischievously at this sally. “I suppose Pemberley is a bigger advantage than Wickham’s gambling debts.”

  Darcy gazed into her eyes for a moment. “I am afraid must leave. I am sure Georgiana has been worried about me.”

  “Yes.” He kissed her hand again. They said a lingering goodbye and he stepped into the coach and left.

  The carriage pulled up in front of Lord Matlock’s house fifteen minutes later. Although Darcy missed Elizabeth with an almost physical pain, he was eager to see Georgiana. Despite the letters he had sent, he knew she would be worrying about him.

  The butler admitted him and sent a footman to find Georgiana. Within a minute she was flying down the stairs with a huge smile on her face and embracing her brother with all the strength her slight frame could produce.

  “Brother! I am so relieved to see you. I was so worried!”

  “I hope you got my messages about why I was delayed in leaving France?”

  Georgiana was practically quivering with joy. “I did, but I could not rest easy until you were back in England. There have been so many terrible stories about what is happening in France. Englishmen have been imprisoned for no reason!” Darcy thought that now was not the time to tell her he had almost been one of them.

  Georgiana recollected herself and said, “You must be famished! Let us retire to the drawing room and I will ring for tea.” She was so happy at the thought he did not dare to tell her he had already had tea.

  Even before tea was served, Georgiana started peppering him with questions about the trip. “Did you see the Louvre? What was it like? Was it dangerous being about once the war was on? Were you frightened? How is your friend who was sick?”

  Georgiana finally ran out of breath and Darcy, smiling, answered just the last question. “My friend is much better, thank you. It was fortunate we were able to leave France when we did.” He congratulated himself on negotiating the answer without using pronouns or names.
In his letters to Georgiana, Darcy had not mentioned the gender or name of his friend, knowing that Georgiana would assume it to be a male friend. Although he would need to tell her eventually, she was still young and easily shocked, so he hoped to put it off – at least until after she had met Elizabeth.

  As they sipped tea, he gave her an abbreviated account of his travels, including the ball at the Radnor residence. He did recount the tale of encountering Elizabeth quite unexpectedly. “I would love for you to meet her, Georgiana. She has a good understanding and a lively disposition. I think you would get on very well.”

  “She is the one who visited Rosings at Easter, is she not? I would love to meet her.” Impressed that she remembered Elizabeth from his brief mentions in his letters, Darcy realized he had never before asked his sister to meet a woman of his acquaintance. She must suspect a partiality, but that was all to the good, he thought; it would lay the groundwork for his eventual announcement.

  Lady Matlock sailed into the room upon Georgiana’s last words. As always she had a commanding presence and was dressed in the very latest fashions; however, Darcy thought he spotted shadows under her eyes and creases of worry in her face. He wondered what had occurred to disturb her usual equanimity. “Who would you love to meet, Georgiana?” She asked as she gave Darcy a kiss on the cheek and settled herself into a tapestried chair. “Fitzwilliam, lovely to see you. I am so pleased you are not imprisoned in France after all.” She murmured. Then she turned to Georgiana, awaiting her answer.

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Aunt.” Georgiana said.

  “Bennet! Is that not the name of the foolish girl who ran away with a militia officer?”

  Darcy groaned inwardly. Since his family and Elizabeth’s traveled in such separate spheres he had been hoping the news of Lydia’s scandal would not have penetrated this far. “That girl is Elizabeth’s sister. How did you come to hear of it?” he asked.

  “Catherine wrote to me of it. The Bennets are related to her rector I believe.”

  Darcy shuddered to think how Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins had interpreted the event. “I hardly think Miss Bennet can be blamed for her sister’s indiscretions.”

  “No, but the family….” Lady Matlock’s voice trailed off uncharacteristically. “Especially now, we should not be associating with anyone…who….We should not associate with them for at least several months until the whole thing is less fresh in everyone’s minds. You shall have to wait a while before forming such an acquaintance.” His aunt’s tone suggested Georgiana should relinquish the idea of ever meeting Elizabeth.

  Although his aunt’s suggestion was not unexpected, Darcy was confused by the hesitations in his aunt’s speech; she was not usually so vague. “Miss Bennet will be in London only a couple more days,” Darcy explained.

  “Fitzwilliam, Georgiana probably has not apprised you of recent events. Now more than ever it would not be good to have your sister – or anyone in the family – associating with less than desirable companions.” Her voice was emphatic, but quivered with unexpected emotion.

  Darcy took a deep breath and prayed for patience. “What has happened?”

  His aunt’s face colored and he thought he had never seen her demonstrate so much embarrassment. She was the sole of rectitude and a premiere arbiter of fashion in the ton. “Well, I suppose I must tell you before you hear it from someone else. We have tried to keep it quiet, but you know how they like to talk….”

  Darcy was rapidly losing patience. “What is it Aunt?”

  “It is Robert. He has married that – that – Williams girl.” Her voice was full of disgust.

  Darcy looked from her to Georgiana in astonishment. “The actress?” His aunt nodded. “My cousin married his mistress?”

  Chapter 9

  Lady Alice was one of the most indomitable women Darcy knew, but she was blinking rapidly as if holding back tears. “They went to Gretna Green just last week. I am certain many in town have not heard tell of it yet. Fortunately it is thinly populated this time of year, but they will hear of it. They will.”

  The import of the news was beginning to sink in. His cousin, his uncle’s heir, the future Earl of Matlock, had married his mistress. Darcy had never met the woman, but she was reported to be quite vulgar – although very pretty. “Where are they now?” Darcy could now see the signs that Georgiana was also quite distressed by the news and her aunt’s reaction to it.

  “They are hiding up in Brookton. He sent us a letter when they returned from Scotland. At least he has the decency not to come to town!” She shook her head. “I knew he was always impetuous, but I never thought – an actress!” Dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, his aunt was the picture of mortification.

  Darcy knew that some prominent peers had married actresses who were eventually accepted by the ton, but it had taken years to gain recognition – and those women were rather genteel. Robert and his wife might never be accepted. “I am so sorry, Aunt. That must have been distressing news to receive.”

  “Indeed,” she was now twisting her handkerchief in her hands. “Your uncle has not yet stopped cursing under his breath.”

  “Aunt Alice believes it is incumbent on all of us to put forth our best manners and hold our heads high,” Georgiana’s first contribution to the conversation came out as hardly louder than a whisper, a reflection of her own distress.

  “Precisely! If our family is to live this occurrence down, we must ensure that not the slightest hint of impropriety tinges the Fitzwilliam name.” Lady Alice’s face was stony as she made this pronouncement and gazed meaningfully at Darcy.

  So this would be a bad time to tell them I married a woman of no fortune. Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. This was another complication he did not need: first Elizabeth’s sister, now his cousin. Their families seemed to be inadvertently conspiring to ensure that they could never publicly acknowledge their marriage.

  “In fact, we are planning a ball for two days hence. I expect you to attend.” His aunt added, the return of her authoritarian manner signaled that she had mastered her emotions.

  “Aunt Alice, I completely understand and respect your wishes for our continued propriety, and I have no desire to cause additional scandal,” Darcy said. “I will happily agree never to admit the Bennets’ wayward daughter, Lydia, into my home or to Georgiana’s acquaintance. But I am not prepared to shun a respectable family because of the poor judgment of a foolish young girl. It is important to me that Georgiana meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” He knew that by insisting on the point, he was virtually declaring his intentions toward Elizabeth. But, they had to know soon; there was no point in concealing his interest even if he could not reveal everything.

  Aunt Alice’s face resembled a bull’s when confronted with a red cape. “But she is a nobody! Her family has no name, no fortune and they are disgraced! Georgiana cannot associate with them and you should not either!” In her indignation her face had turned white.

  Darcy sighed. “I must insist on this point. I am not about to discontinue my association with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and you cannot forbid me to introduce her to Georgiana. I am her guardian. I will, however, happily abide by other directives that you deem necessary for the family at this time.”

  His aunt’s eyes narrowed as she regarded him, enlightenment flashed across her face. “So that is how the wind blows, is it? I have thrown every eligible young lady of the ton at you for years and you have never so much as danced two dances with a single girl. And now you are attaching yourself to a country miss?” Georgiana squirmed in her seat, obviously uncomfortable being present during such a disagreement.

  “You should be relieved. You keep telling me I am waiting too long,” he said with an ironic smile.

  “I am not relieved!” She snapped. “This is an entirely inappropriate attachment. Especially now! I do not condone it.”

  “Miss Bennet is a completely respectable young woman. Her father is a gentleman in Hertfordshire and she has excellent breeding.”<
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  “But much of her family is in trade, I understand, and her family has no standing to speak of. The scandal of her sister will follow her – No, it cannot be done. Not now!” His aunt gestured emphatically.

  Darcy stood. “I do not need your approbation, madam. I am not a child!”

  He was on the verge of stalking out of the room, but Georgiana touched his hand and he peered down at her, knowing that she did not want dissension in the family. He took a deep breath. “I appreciate your concern for our family’s reputation – and I share it. However, I am more concerned about my own happiness. It is, of course, your prerogative to not receive Miss Bennet or her family. But should you choose such a course, it will almost certainly result in your estrangement from me.”

  Lady Alice’s looked nonplused for a moment. “You would create more scandal for the family – at this time? How could you?”

  “I do not believe there would be scandal, nor do I wish to be estranged from your family. However, I will not compromise my own happiness.”

  His aunt sighed. “Very well. Visit with this Miss Bennet if you must. I will not perpetuate any unpleasantness, but I can do nothing to curb the gossip.”

  “I would like you to invite Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle to your ball. Their name is Gardiner.” His aunt was already shaking her head. “Would you like me to attend the ball? I believe I may have a previous engagement that night.”

  His aunt closed her eyes as if in pain, but she won the struggle to maintain her composure. “Very well.”

  Darcy smiled mirthlessly. “I think I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate the ball.”

  “Where do they live?” Lady Alice’s voice came from between gritted teeth.

  “Gracechurch Street. In Cheapside.”

  “Cheapside.” The way his aunt said it, it might as well be a curse.

  Darcy bristled. “They are thoroughly respectable, genteel people.”

  His aunt sighed. “Promise me you will not make your attentions to this Miss Bennet too obvious and you must dance with some of the other eligible young ladies. Perhaps someone more appropriate will turn your head.” Darcy started to shake his head. “You promised to cooperate with my directives,” she reminded him.