As she proceeded along the path to Oakham Mount, she soon noticed a tall figure on horseback. When he reached her, Darcy slid quickly off his horse and embraced her so tightly she could hardly breathe. Scarcely less eager, Elizabeth tilted her head up to receive a kiss, responding with ardent desire as he pressed his lips on hers. She never wanted the kiss to end, but at the same time, it only stoked additional desires that mere kisses could not satisfy. Darcy’s hands traced her curves, enflaming desire wherever they touched – every inch of her body ached for him.
When at last they separated, panting, Elizabeth said, “Mr. Darcy, I believe you have compromised me.”
He gave a short laugh. “This location is rather exposed.” His fingers played with one of the curls left visible by her bonnet. “Did you have another place in mind, my love?”
Her smile was impish. “Let me show you one of my favorite hiding places as a child.” He tied his horse to a tree and she took his hand, leading him along the bank of the stream. He followed her into a secluded copse, a grassy area rendered private by the surrounding fir trees. The sun shone brightly through the ring of gray-green branches, creating an intricate pattern of light and shadow.
“This is delightful!” Darcy gasped, turning in a circle to fully appreciate the beauty. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“As a child I only viewed this as a perfect spot to hide from my sisters. I never realized what a wonderful lover’s bower it would make!” Darcy laughed at her playful tone.
As she returned his laugh, her eyes lit with pleasure and Darcy thought again how incredibly fortunate he was that she had agreed to be his. Once she was surrounded by family and friends at Longbourn, he had worried she would regret her impetuous decision to marry him. After all she must be thinking that marriage to him would inevitably lead her to leave Hertfordshire and everyone she loved, but she gave no indications of remorse now. Apparently she wished to be with him as much as he wished to be with her; his heart swelled with love all over again.
He kissed her again, pouring all of his love and passion in that one kiss. As he did so, his hands, moving of their own accord, starting to undo the buttons at the back of her dress. Once finished, he realized that Elizabeth’s hands had unbuttoned his waistcoat and were pushing it over his shoulders and down his arms. How had she learned so quickly how to undress me? He wondered absently. Not that I am not grateful. Her eagerness excited him even more.
Darcy turned back to Elizabeth and quickly divested her hair of its hairpins, causing her glorious curls to cascade around her shoulders. “I wish you could wear your hair down every day of your life,” he murmured. “But I want to be the only man to see it.”
“I do believe you are jealous,” she whispered coyly.
“Always,” he whispered. He laid his coat on the grass and then laid her on top of it, kissing her with a passion borne of many nights of separation.
A long time later, he reluctantly helped button up her dress and watched as she twisted her hair up into a simple knot. He gently kissed the nape of her neck and she shivered. She had related the substance of her conversation with her father. “How long do you think we can maintain this pretense without betraying ourselves?” Her expression was pensive.
“You, my dear, are a very good actress,” he put his arms around his waist. “But I am afraid that if any other men demonstrate an interest in your charms I may respond rather inappropriately.”
“You managed Mr. Fenton well, but, I shall endeavor to avoid other eligible young men,” she gave him an impudent smile. Then she examined the angle of the sun and sighed. “I am afraid I need to return to Longbourn. I do not want to create additional concern, especially now that my father is so suspicious of your motives.” He nodded reluctantly. “Will I see you later today?” She asked.
“Bingley expressed an interest in visiting Longbourn early, so he may already be there. I could join him. The thought of remaining away for so long is simply unbearable.”
“For me as well,” she said softly. “I will look forward to your visit.”
When Elizabeth returned to Longbourn, she found that Bingley was closeted with her father in his library. A radiant Jane came explained to Elizabeth that he had proposed and she had accepted. Elizabeth could not have been happier for her sister.
Later in the day Darcy came to call and had the privilege of being one of the first to congratulate the newly affianced couple. Fortunately he was spared Mrs. Bennet’s effusions on the subject, since Elizabeth’s mother had gone to Meryton to share the good news with anyone who would stand still long enough to listen.
Bingley and Jane sat close together in the parlor, but during one moment when Jane was engaged in a conversation with Mary and Elizabeth, Bingley confided in Darcy. “I had thought to take a couple more days at this courting business so I would not seem overly hasty,” he explained in low voice. “But I received a letter from Caroline yesterday informing me that she will be arriving tomorrow. I knew she is coming because she wanted to prevent my engagement to Jane. I thought if it were fait accompli, she would not argue so much about it. I will have to endure some sour looks, but she will understand she cannot dictate my actions.”
“Indeed,” Darcy said. “That was clever.”
Bingley managed a grim expression for a whole minute at this prospect, before a glance at his fiancée restored his good cheer. “There is one benefit of Caroline’s arrival, however,” Bingley continued. “I will be able to invite Jane over to Netherfield.” He smiled tenderly, but then looked uncertainly at Darcy. “And perhaps Elizabeth if you would like?”
“Yes, I would like it. Very much.” Darcy said with a small smile. If only there were a reason she would need to stay overnight.
Caroline Bingley arrived the next day and Bingley wasted no time in extending an invitation for Elizabeth and Jane to dine the following day. Miss Bingley was greatly vexed to learn that the engagement she had thought to prevent had already taken place and was even less pleased to find that her presence facilitated a visit by both Bennet sisters. However, Bingley bore her black mood with equanimity. Nothing perturbed him as long as he would see Jane.
Elizabeth and Darcy had discussed the possibility of her staying overnight at Netherfield, but neither could find a plausible reason. Elizabeth imagined her mother would probably encourage any behavior in pursuit of Mr. Darcy, but she was concerned about her father’s suspicions.
Jane and Elizabeth arrived in the late morning and stayed for luncheon. Elizabeth found herself seated as far from Darcy as possible while Miss Bingley had placed herself at his right hand. As they took their seats, Elizabeth had to smile to herself at the transparency of Miss Bingley’s maneuvers – and their futility. If she only knew the truth, she would probably seat me in the kitchen.
Once everyone was seated, Miss Bingley shot Elizabeth a look of triumph which she received with a smile that quite disconcerted her hostess. When Miss Bingley turned to Mr. Darcy, she was even less pleased to see his gaze and smile alighting on Elizabeth.
Conversation was stilted at the table. Jane and Charles were preoccupied with each other, reviewing everything which had occurred since they last saw each other – a mere twelve hours previously. Elizabeth was too far away from Darcy to easily converse with him and he replied in monosyllables to all of Miss Bingley’s conversational forays.
Miss Bingley had clearly devoted much thought to how she could separate Elizabeth from Darcy during the visit. After luncheon, she dragged him off to the music room on the pretext of asking him to help her translate an Italian love song that she was practicing, but once the translation was complete, she demanded that he remain to turn pages for her.
Although Elizabeth missed Darcy’s company in the drawing room as she sat with Bingley and Jane, she had to admire Miss Bingley’s sheer unwillingness to recognize a lost cause. When Darcy finally prevailed on her to rejoin the others, she insisted that he read to her from a volume of love sonnets. Although he humored he
r for a few minutes, every time he glanced up from the page, he gazed at Elizabeth as if he read only to her. Miss Bingley’s frustration increased every minute as her scheme to capture Darcy’s attention had the opposite effect.
Darcy finished the final sonnet and quickly – before Miss Bingley could devise any other schemes – suggested that they all take a turn in the garden.
As they departed the house, Miss Bingley was detained by the housekeeper on some business, so Elizabeth was able to take Darcy’s arm unencumbered. They deliberately fell behind Jane and Bingley so they could enjoy a private conversation. Low clouds hung in the sky and Darcy studied them anxiously, fearing a sudden cloudburst would ruin their walk and force them back inside.
“I do believe you were laughing at my distress,” Darcy said in an accusing tone.
“You are too severe upon me, sir,” she said playfully. “I merely thought I had monopolized your company long enough. It is incumbent upon me to share.”
He shook his head in mock anger. “No, you were enjoying watching me in her clutches. Or else you would have rescued me.”
“Must ladies rescue gentlemen now?” she responded with a playful gleam in her eye. “I failed to see the need.”
He laughed at this sally, but then his face turned unexpectedly earnest. “I do need rescuing. I have attempted to discourage her in every way possible within the bounds of propriety. I do not wish to be uncivil, but I do not know how long I can suffer her attentions in silence.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth said with a sincere smile for her husband. “In the future I will be alert for signs of distress and will mount a rescue attempt immediately.”
“Thank you.” He stopped walking and stared deeply into her eyes. He wished desperately that he could kiss her, but their location was too easily visible and Miss Bingley might happen upon them at any moment.
Elizabeth glanced up at the dark and foreboding clouds hovering over them. “Oh my, it might storm. It would be a shame if the roads were too dangerous for us to return to Longbourn tonight.
Darcy regarded the sky and then Elizabeth with a sly smile. “Yes, that would be shame.”
“Which room are you staying in here at Netherfield?” She asked.
“I believe they refer to it as the blue room,” he replied. “Why?”
Elizabeth smiled, “I was just wondering.”
At that moment, Miss Bingley, having ridded herself of the housekeeper at last, rushed up to them and attached herself to Darcy’s other arm, so all sensible conversation was at an end.
The three of them were returning to the house when Bingley called to them and they joined him in an out-of-the-way corner of the garden. Jane was sitting on a bench and Bingley was holding her foot, examining it. Jane was obviously in pain, but trying to conceal it. Elizabeth rushed over to her sister. “What happened?”
“Oh, it was silly. I was hurrying to keep up with Charles, but my shoe slipped on some loose stones and I took a fall. Do not trouble yourself. It is nothing.” Watching her sister’s drawn face, Elizabeth was quite sure it was something indeed.
“I beg to differ with your sister,” Bingley said, an anxious expression on his face. “She took a bad fall and has certainly turned her ankle and perhaps wrenched her knee as well. She can barely put weight on her foot.”
As she struggled to a standing position, Jane was shaking her head. “Charles, it is not—” But even as she said this, she stood on the foot and involuntarily winced with pain.
“That is quite enough!” Bingley said, with a determination that Elizabeth had never seen before. “I am sending for the doctor!” Without so much as a glance at Jane for her permission, he swept her up into his arms and carried her into the house.
So it was that Elizabeth did not need a thunderstorm to keep her at Netherfield. Bingley would not hear of Jane’s removal to Longbourn, despite the doctor’s assurance that her injuries were not severe. The doctor bound up her ankle and knee and told her to stay off her feet for a week. Jane protested that she could rest her leg just as easily at her home, but Bingley could not bear to have her leave that night. Elizabeth mused that his insistence might stem, in part, from a desire to spend more time with Jane – but she was far from objecting.
Naturally, he asked Elizabeth to stay and keep her sister company. Although Elizabeth was certain she could do little for Jane under these circumstances, she readily consented to remain. The deeply content on Darcy’s face was the all the persuasion she required. A messenger was dispatched to Longbourn with the news and returned with extra clothing for the two women.
Darcy dismissed his valet for the night and finished donning his robe; his thoughts – as always – turned to Elizabeth. Reclining on his room’s large four-poster bed, he pondered his next step. Although he had longed for them to be under the same roof, he was not sure how they could act on their unexpected good fortune. Her bedroom was several doors down and visiting her would create the risk of his being seen traversing the hallway. He had noticed that the floors of Netherfield were noisy, creaking with every step. Even if he waited until everyone was abed, a light sleeper might hear his footsteps, but it was too great an opportunity to ignore. It had been too long since their interlude in the copse of trees and he longed to hold her in his arms again. Just knowing how near she was made him want to throw caution to the wind and race to her door.
Sternly he reminded himself that he would do her no favors by compromising her reputation, especially in the eyes of Caroline Bingley. They were no closer to revealing their marital status to her father – and therefore they must be above suspicion. Mr. Bennet must be unhappy enough that the two of them were spending the night under one roof. He punched his pillow in frustration. He must see her somehow! Walking to the window, he pressed his hands on the cool glass – wondering for the thousandth time how he had ended up in such a bizarre and frustrating situation.
Then he heard a slight noise behind him and turned to behold Elizabeth in the corner of the room near the bed! “My love!” He gasped. Crossing the room in two strides, he enfolded her in his embrace. “But, how did you come to be here?”
Clad only in her nightgown and dressing gown, she smiled impudently. “You forget that I know Netherfield quite well. The Staunton sisters were friends of our when their family owned this house and I spent many happy hours playing in its corridors. There is a secret passage between this room and the rose room, where I am staying.” She indicated a small doorway, designed to resemble a section of the wall, which was almost invisible when closed.
He buried his hands in her loose curls and kissed her soundly. “You, my dear, are a marvel!” he murmured against her lips. “But, how was it that you happened to be assigned the rose room?”
She batted her lashes in mock innocence. “I told Bingley’s housekeeper this afternoon that I had fond memories of the rose room from my childhood. Since no one was using the room, she was more than happy to accommodate my wishes.”
He ran his arms up and down her body, wanting to touch every inch of her. “I cannot tell you how happy I am.”
She regarded him through her eyelashes. “So, would you care to visit the rose room and see if it meets with your approval?”
His smile was fond and indulgent. “I would, but I am already quite certain I will approve of it.” She turned toward the door, but he clung to her hand, unwilling to break contact with her for one moment. Tugging softly on his hand, she led him through the concealed door.
Much later, Darcy was lying in the rose room’s bed gazing at Elizabeth, fast asleep in the crook of his arm, thinking how pleasant it was just to watch his wife sleep. She was so angelically beautiful, her dark lashes vivid against her pale skin. He, however, fought sleep, knowing that, above all, he could not be in Elizabeth’s room come the morning. As much as he longed to lie beside her all night, he knew he needed to return to his own room soon. Already a sense of yearning gripped him at the thought of leaving her.
He had taken th
e precaution of locking the door so that if he inadvertently fell asleep, they would not be surprised by one of Bingley’s maids in the morning. But Darcy’s valet might visit his room and wonder where he was. In addition, he had noticed that the lock on Elizabeth’s door was old and had not latched well. He could not be certain that it would keep the maid out – or even that she would realize the door was supposed to be locked.
Steeling himself against the pain of separation, he sat up in the bed. Elizabeth sighed and reached for him. “Shhh, my love,” he whispered. “I need to return to my room, but I will see you in the morning.”
She settled back on the bed and he pulled the blanket up around her shoulder. As he shrugged on his robe, he enjoyed one last lingering glance at her.
Suddenly he heard at footfall outside the door and a quick knock. “Elizabeth? Elizabeth?” Bingley! Darcy thought in a panic and rushed to the concealed door. Bingley was now fumbling with the room’s door knob. “Elizabeth? Forgive the intrusion, but Jane’s ankle is paining her and she was hoping you – “
The door sprang open even as Bingley was talking. Bingley stood framed in the doorway, staring right at Darcy, who was mere inches from the secret door. “Darcy!” Bingley exclaimed, completely bewildered. “I thought this was Elizabeth’s – “
He glanced toward the bed, where Elizabeth was just beginning to sit up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Then Bingley turned back to Darcy, his look of astonishment rapidly evolving into anger.
Chapter 12
Elizabeth looked from a perplexed Bingley to Darcy, who was completely paralyzed with mortification. Bingley’s face was growing more furious by the second. Turning bright red, Elizabeth hid her face in her hands.
They stood frozen in a tableau for what seemed an eternity to Darcy. Bingley was the first to recover. “Darcy, might I see you in my study? Miss Elizabeth, Jane was hoping you might know of something that might alleviate the pain in her ankle. Can you go to her?”
The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 23