Darcy realized that he had been away from the ballroom longer than he had intended. His very absence could cause rumors, especially if people realized that Elizabeth was missing as well. He had taken such care to protect her reputation; he could not give rise to speculation now.
“Hello, Miss Bennet,” Fitzwilliam said when Elizabeth emerged from the shadows. “Lovely night isn’t it?” He did not seem at all surprised to find her here. Well, he might have suspected, knowing of Darcy’s interest in her. Darcy hoped that nothing about Elizabeth’s appearance revealed their activities.
“Yes, neither too hot nor too cold,” Elizabeth replied blandly. “An ideal night for a ball.” Her face did show a slight blush of embarrassment.
Fitzwilliam eyed Darcy again. “You really should be getting back into the ballroom. My mother will be livid. And will send servants seeking you out.” Darcy noted the unspoken warning in his cousin’s words. “We can escort Miss Bennet back when she is has finished enjoying the night air.” Darcy was about to protest when he realized that his cousin was giving him an opportunity to belie any suspicions of a dalliance with Elizabeth. If she returned in the company of two soldiers, no one would suspect she had had a rendezvous with Darcy.
He bowed to the inevitable. “Yes, I should go. Miss Bennet. Gentlemen.” He bowed to each in turn and left. But every step that took him farther from Elizabeth tugged at his heart.
The next morning Darcy was working in his study. The prolonged sojourn in France had left him sadly behind on his work for his estate. As he read his correspondence he realized he would need to visit Pemberley soon. A footman came in to announce “Colonel Fitzwilliam, sir,” even though Fitzwilliam was only steps behind him. Richard threw himself into a chair as the footman closed the study door.
“Good morning, Richard. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Darcy glanced up from his paperwork and took in Richard’s appearance for the first time. His cousin had a strange expression on his face, he was flushed, but his lips were pressed together in a thin white line. He was angry! Darcy tried to think of the last time he had seen this usually genial man so furious. Was it something Aunt Alice had done?
“How could you?” Fitzwilliam spat at him. He launched himself out of the chair and started pacing. “How could you impose yourself on her like that?”
Chapter 10
Darcy was bewildered. “On who?”
“Do not play the innocent with me! Miss Bennet! I saw you on the terrace with her last night.” Richard was practically shouting, leaning over Darcy’s desk.
Damn! Darcy thought with a sinking heart. This will not be an easy conversation. “Saw but not heard?” He asked his cousin.
“I had no need to hear! It was obvious what was happening!” Fitzwilliam resumed pacing, agitation showing in every line of his body.
Darcy struggled to recall how he and Elizabeth had behaved as opposed to what they had said. At first he had attempted to embrace her and she had shrugged him off – several times. He had to admit it would appear potentially damning. “We had an argument—” he started to explain, but Fitzwilliam cut him off.
“That much was plain! I could see that she did not desire your attentions, but you imposed yourself on her again and again – until she finally acquiesced.”
Now Darcy could understand what Fitzwilliam thought had happened, but found his ire rising as well. “That is not what—”
Fitzwilliam had not finished. “And I could see that last night was not the first time this has happened. She knew she was in an untenable position and had to give you wanted eventually. What did you do to her? Is she accepting your ‘favors’ in exchange for your silence about how much you compromised her reputation in France? Or, did she agree to become your mistress because she knew she was too compromised to be anyone’s wife?”
“I did not—”
“To think I encouraged you to woo her! I thought your intentions were honorable! A woman like that— She deserves far better—”
As Fitzwilliam ranted, Darcy reached into a desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. He laid it on the desk in front of his cousin. “What is this?” Fitzwilliam’s voice seethed with hostility.
“It is self-explanatory.”
Fitzwilliam read the paper. “What is this?” This time he sounded stupefied.
“It is a marriage license.”
“You got married?” Now his tone was bewildered.
“Yes, we were married in France. My friend Thomas Whitmore, an ordained clergyman, performed the ceremony. And before you think I was imposing my will on Elizabeth, the wedding was her idea. Well, it was my idea to get married, but she was set on doing it immediately.”
“But why?” Fitzwilliam sank into a chair, trying to absorb the information, anger draining away.
Darcy sighed. “For several reasons. She thought it would make it easier for us to travel since we had no ready chaperone. And, she believed the French would be less likely to imprison me if I were a newlywed.”
“What a clever woman. Was she correct?”
“Indeed. With creative theatrics she was able to convince some French soldiers not only that they should not separate a newly married couple, but that she was practically dying and could not return to England without me.”
Fitzwilliam chuckled. “She is brilliant! What an actress.”
Darcy’s expression darkened. “Yes, although…She almost did die, Richard. She almost died in France. I spent an entire night by her bedside believing that each breath might be her last.”
“Good Lord!”
Darcy nodded slowly. “That was the primary reason Elizabeth wanted to marry right away. The experience altered her perspective. She said we had waited long enough and she did not want to wait any longer.”
Fitzwilliam shook his head slowly. “I cannot believe this…You are married!”
Darcy nodded, experiencing relief at finally telling someone the truth. “The problem is that Elizabeth wanted to tell her father before anyone else knew. When we returned we were greeted with the news about her sister and Wickham – which means it is even more important to maintain secrecy. So—”
“So, you are a very frustrated man,” Fitzwilliam nodded knowingly.
“I think we are both frustrated with these circumstances,” Darcy smiled mirthlessly. “Still, it is preferable to living with the certainty that she hates me.”
Fitzwilliam laughed at the chagrin in his cousin’s voice. “So it turns out you were not the last man in the world after all. Quick work, Cuz.”
Darcy grinned ruefully. “I suppose not. I shall have to remind her of that.”
Fitzwilliam sobered. “I apologize for leaping to conclusions last night.”
Darcy shook his head. “It is understandable given what you saw. I am afraid I let my jealousy overcome my better nature. These last few days have been difficult.”
‘Well, it is not like she will run off and marry someone else.”
“Elizabeth reminded me of precisely that last night – rather forcefully.”
“I can imagine,” his cousin replied with a smile. “Now I am sorry I interrupted you.”
“So that was intentional!”
“Yes, Preston was passing by and, after I saw what was happening, I convinced him to take a turn on the terrace. I believed I was protecting what was left of Miss Bennet’s virtue.” He shrugged. “But it was probably the only time you have had alone in two days. Sorry.”
“Hmmpf,” Darcy grunted. “What I require is the means to separate Elizabeth from her aunt and uncle for a couple hours.”
Fitzwilliam gave a short laugh. “That would not be easy. I like her uncle, but he seems vigilant. That fortification might be too heavily guarded.”
Darcy nodded glumly. “I suppose so. Though as a military man, please notify me of any strategies that occur to you. In the meantime, I am sure I do not need to tell you not to breathe a word of this to anyone, especially not your mother.”
Fitzwilliam
nodded and smiled cheekily: “Of course, you can rely on my discretion – and my fear. I hope I am safely on the battlefield when you tell my mother— and Aunt Catherine.”
“Coward,” Darcy muttered.
After Fitzwilliam left, Darcy finished up his work and then sat down to a late breakfast with Georgiana. He had wanted to explain his marriage to Georgiana since arriving in London, but the opportunity had not previously presented itself. So he took the opportunity to divulge the entire story of their travels in France, while leaving out some of the more intimate moments. When he described the wedding, Georgiana clapped her hands in delight and informed her brother in no uncertain terms that she had been hoping to acquire Elizabeth as a sister. While she did regret having missed the ceremony, her enthusiasm at the news prevented her from holding it against him too much – and she assured Darcy of her secrecy on the matter.
Darcy was pleased with how easy it had been to explain the wedding to two of the people closest to him and felt his cares lighten now that he had unburdened himself. Georgiana and Fitzwilliam clearly understood that Elizabeth would make him happy. However, he knew that others in his family would not be so understanding and would place other considerations ahead of his happiness. Still, his sister’s and cousin’s reactions buoyed him, and he thought eagerly of the day when it would all be out in the open and he and Elizabeth could live as husband and wife. Sometimes it felt as if that day would never come.
That afternoon Darcy visited the Gardiners’ house to see Elizabeth. She and her aunt would be leaving for Longbourn the next day and she was already anticipating missing him. As he sat with Elizabeth and her aunt making polite conversation, Elizabeth could sense his intense gaze on her even when she was concentrating on her needlework – and every time she looked up, his eyes locked with hers. Her aunt was hardly oblivious where his attention was directed, but she said nothing.
After a prolonged conversation about the weather and a discussion of the ball at Matlock House, Mrs. Gardiner observed that her husband had not had any luck in locating Lydia and Wickham.
“My Bow Street Runners have not turned up anything promising either,” Darcy said with regret. “I wish I had better news in that regard. However they have not yet spoken to all of the acquaintances of Wickham’s who are on my list. Hopefully somebody will give us a clue.”
“Perhaps they are already married,” Aunt Gardiner said hopefully.
Darcy pressed his lips together in a white line. “Perhaps.” Elizabeth could tell he was not optimistic about that prospect.
“Poor Lydia,” her aunt sighed.
“We are undoubtedly feeling it more than she,” opined Elizabeth. “She probably thinks of it as a great lark.”
Eventually, Darcy and Elizabeth slipped out to enjoy a short walk in the park. He told her that Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam now knew their secret although he did not reveal the circumstances under which he had divulged their secret to his cousin.
Darcy gazed around the leafy green park, shimmering in the late afternoon heat. Since they were alone, Darcy removed Elizabeth’s glove and his own and held her hand, tracing the back of it with his thumb – making Elizabeth long for more.
“I will miss you, even though I know the time will be short,” he told her.
“I will miss you as well,” she said. “When will you arrive at Longbourn?”
“In three days. I will be bringing Bingley with me,” Darcy explained. “He showed up on my doorstep the other day— torn between his sisters’ expectations and wanting to be with Jane. I suggested that we both travel to Netherfield.”
“Jane will be so pleased to see him. Does he know about us?” Elizabeth asked.
“I allowed that I had some interest in you, but did not explain all the circumstances,” he responded. “I was afraid Bingley might be somewhat shocked at how precipitous we were. He has dawdled quite a bit over this courtship business by comparison.” Elizabeth smiled at this jest.
“As I recall I was the one who suggested marrying immediately.”
“But I was not strong enough to object to the haste.” As he clutched both her hands to his chest, his eyes were fixed on her lips. “I wanted it too much….” Although Darcy knew they had good reasons for keeping their secret, at that moment he was hard pressed to name a single one. “How soon can we tell your father, do you think?”
“I do not know. I will have to see how he is – how everyone is at Longbourn. I shall have to judge my father’s mood.”
Grasping her shoulders, he stared intently into her beautiful brown eyes. “He will think I compromised you?”
“Perhaps. He believes I dislike you. I want to demonstrate how my opinion has changed before we shock him with the news of the marriage. Otherwise he will believe I married you for your fortune or to avoid disgrace.” He wished he could kiss away her distress, but they were in public.
He caressed the back of her hand with light strokes and she shivered in response. “Well, you will have three days to assess the circumstances. When I arrive on Thursday, we may develop a plan.”
“I cannot wait until this is all over and we can just be husband and wife.”
“Nor can I,” Darcy suppressed another urge to throw caution to the wind and kiss her until she could not breathe. Reluctantly, they turned and went back to the Gardiners’ house.
Elizabeth and her aunt had good weather for their trip to Longbourn and arrived in excellent time. The whole Bennet family came outside to greet them – Elizabeth immediately noticed that her father appeared to have aged years in a few weeks. There were wrinkles around his eyes and a weariness in his movements that she had not noticed before. Giving her a hug and a kiss, he seemed genuinely pleased – and relieved – that she had returned.
Jane was delighted to greet her, but expressed concern about Elizabeth’s wan complexion and her weight loss. The Gardiners had passed along the news of her illness from the letters they had received from Darcy. Elizabeth spent some time reassuring her family that she felt well and was making a good recovery; however, preoccupied as they were with Lydia’s plight, no one asked much about her travels – and she was not eager to volunteer many details. When her sisters did mention it, she implied that her journey had been difficult and she wished to avoid talking about it, which appeared to satisfy them for the present. Elizabeth desperately wanted to confess everything to Jane, but knew she had an obligation to tell her father first.
Mrs. Bennet also expressed concern about Elizabeth’s appearance and muttered about the Gardiners’ deficient care of their niece. She attempted to explain that none of it was the Gardiners’ fault, but her mother would hear nothing of it. As soon as he was able, Mr. Bennet retreated to his study while the state of Mrs. Bennet’s nerves required her to return to her chambers.
Aunt Gardiner went to her room to rest while Kitty and Mary departed for a visit to Meryton. This left Elizabeth and Jane alone in the drawing room. Elizabeth settled into a chair, happy to be back in familiar surroundings – although, she thought with a pang of regret, she would not be at Longbourn very long.
Elizabeth asked about their father, and Jane confirmed he spent much of his time in his study and even took some meals there. Their mother, Elizabeth learned, mostly stayed in her chamber, attended by the servants and her daughters.
“I am so happy you are returned,” Jane said with a gentle smile. Elizabeth could see dark shadows around her sister’s eyes, but apparently Jane was just as concerned about her. “Are you certain you are completely recovered from your illness?” She asked anxiously.
“Indeed,” Elizabeth replied, attempting to appear hale and hearty. “I am quite well again.” Jane did not look convinced.
Elizabeth was happy she could give Jane one piece of information that would brighten her countenance. “I do have some good news. Mr. Bingley will be returning to Netherfield on Thursday.”
Jane’s face lit with a broad smile which she quickly schooled into her usual serene expression. “
That is good news!” Then she sobered. “But, perhaps I should not tell mother. I do not want to give rise to expectations that might not be satisfied. After all, the circumstances with Lydia taint the whole family and I hardly expect Mr. Bingley to renew his addresses.”
“I do think Mr. Bingley cares about you and that you are the reason he is returning,” Elizabeth assured her with a smile. “I think he departed earlier because of his sister’s persuasion.”
“How did you happen to learn that he is returning to Netherfield?” Jane asked. Although she had retrieved her embroidery, it lay forgotten in her lap. “Did you see Miss Bingley in London?”
Elizabeth realized that she had inadvertently caught herself in a trap that would necessitate revealing more than she had intended. Well, I would do it again to see that expression on Jane’s face.
“I saw Mr. Darcy in town, and he told me.” She admitted with a small smile, anticipating the advent of further questions.
“Mr. Darcy! He visited you? Was he angry about the disagreement you had in Hunsford?” Jane exclaimed. Her countenance demonstrated both surprise and pleasure, for she had always liked Darcy.
“No indeed,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “He is perfectly amiable and has been a complete gentleman.” She mused that now would be a good time to lay the groundwork for future revelations. “We have seen a great deal of each other in fact.”
“And you are happy about it?” Jane said with a grin. “I am so pleased! Tell me, when did you see him?”
Elizabeth had decided that she could entrust Jane with some details about her travels. While many people would consider their circumstances compromising, her sister never thought ill of anyone and would accept any explanation for their behavior. “I first encountered him accidentally at a ball in Paris. Then, when news of the breakdown of the Treaty reached us, he helped me escape from France.”
“Mr. Darcy helped you!” Jane’s eyes widened with astonishment. “Did he find you passage on a boat?”
“Nay, nothing that simple,” Elizabeth admitted ruefully. “What did Aunt and Uncle Gardiner write home about my departure from France?”
The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 19