by Head, Gail
She sighed at the memory of having once told Jane she would only marry for the deepest kind of love. Lord Grissholm was rich and handsome enough. It was certainly a match her mother would approve of. He was attentive and often generous to a fault. Did she love him? Not exactly, but she admired and esteemed him, and perhaps that would be enough for now. They had a good beginning and the kind of love she desired could easily come with time. Marriage to the viscount would shield her family from Lydia’s foolishness, and would be an added protection in the event of any future decline in her father's health. Although her heart remained reluctant, the more sensible part of her reasoned that to be married to such a man would be advantageous in many ways.
Such a man, she mused. I barely know him, really. Not even as well as I knew Mr. Darcy – or at least thought I did. Her mind returned to the tea shop they had visited after their shopping trip and the abandoned newspaper she had seen lying on the table next to theirs. Skimming the headings as she listened to Lord Grissholm order their tea and cake, her only intent had been to see what was happening in town, but for some reason her curiosity was stirred by a small article near the bottom of the page. Even now, she could see the words staring up at her, and again felt the strangely poignant sensations they had stirred within her:
MAGADALENE HOUSE BLESSED
The annual accounting of the well-known charitable house committed to the reformation of penitent young women reported having received several generous donations during the past fiscal year. Most notable among its benefactors were Lady Montague-Smyth of Lincolnshire, Sir Henry Steeple of London; Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire…
Did his sister's brush with disaster prompt him to help others that were not so fortunate? Mr. Darcy's letter of last spring had shown him to be a very private man who valued principle and integrity, yet here was an act that was altogether foreign to what she knew of him. He obviously had many more virtues than she could have ever imagined at their first meeting. Virtues that included compassion, perhaps? Elizabeth stared into the mirror, wondering – what else was hidden behind that stern, dispassionate countenance?
Her attention was drawn to the maid's reflection in the mirror as the girl finished turning down the sheets on the bed.
“Molly, did you not once tell me you come from Derbyshire?” Her sudden query sounded much louder than she intended, startling the girl.
“Yes, Miss. I grew up in Lambton. My parents have an inn there. The Red Lion, it is; and a very fine establishment, if I do say so.”
“Have you ever heard of a place called Pemberley?”
“Oh, yes! It is a very grand estate, not five miles from Lambton.”
“Is that so?” Elizabeth smiled. The answer only fed her mounting interest. “And do you know anything of the family?”
“They have always been a good sort of people, as far as rich people go.” Molly replied candidly; then realized the answer bordered on impertinence and hurried on. “None of them ever done an unkind thing to any of us in the village; except if you count the steward's son who Old Mr. Darcy treated like his own. One summer the lad came home from university and started to brawlin' in the Red Lion. He tried to say t'was one of the village boys that started it, but young Mr. Darcy made it right. He paid all the damages and compensated my family handsomely.”
“He did, did he?”
“That's the sort of man he is, Miss. We were all grieved terrible for the new master when his father died so sudden-like. My brother Nathaniel is in service at Pemberley and told us all about it.”
Elizabeth heard the genuine regret in the girl's voice. “He must have been a great man to deserve such esteem.”
“He was that, I can tell you true.”
“What a sad thing to lose him so suddenly.” Elizabeth thought of her own father's precarious condition.
“T'was very sad indeed; especially for the young miss. First her mother, and then her father. My brother said t'was two months or more before the new master would even leave her alone for more than a few minutes at a time.”
“He sounds like a very good brother,” Elizabeth mused, preoccupied with the picture of Mr. Darcy Molly was painting.
“A very good brother and a very good master. I can remember a time when my best friend, Annie, fell sick. Her father has a tenancy on Pemberley. She was so sick I thought she might die, but Mr. Darcy sent the apothecary round to tend her – even when he knew her father couldn't pay. He paid for it himself. Said his tenants' families were an important part of the estate, he did.”
“Mr. Darcy is indeed a very good master.”
“Nathan always says you couldn't find a better or kinder master in all the kingdom.”
Holding on to that thought, Elizabeth let Molly go and quickly finished braiding her hair before slipping between the sheets the girl had just warmed. She lay frowning at the canopy overhead for some time, trying to reconcile Molly's description of Mr. Darcy with his disagreeable behavior in Hertfordshire and Kent. The accounts could not be more different, yet it was obvious there was much more to the man than first impressions had allowed. Unable to come to any conclusions, she finally rolled over and purposely closed her eyes, willing her mind to think of other things.
Her brief encounter with Mr. Darcy of Pemberley had altered her completely. She vowed to herself she would never again judge a man so quickly nor so harshly, including Lord Grissholm. Even though he seemed to be so severe and austere most of the time, he did have moments of amiability; and she was sure that, just like Mr. Darcy, there was much more to the man than she was aware of. Perhaps it was time she allowed herself to be swayed by Lord Grissholm's gentle, but persistent persuasions.
* * * *
“Charles, are you absolutely certain this is the right path?”
“Yes, Darcy, I am,” Bingley answered with a look of long-suffering. “My man was very thorough in his report. She enters the park near Grosvenor between four and five o'clock; takes the north footpath; turns south, here, before reaching the main path; then cuts back above The Ring, and begins her return to the Grosvenor entrance. The only day she did not go out was the downpour we had last week. Thomas nearly caught his death making certain of it. There is a younger woman that accompanies her nearly every day and on Sundays and Tuesdays, Grissholm is with her.”
“Yesterday, I was right here and waited until quarter past six with no success. Perhaps you are mistaken.”
“I cannot tell you what happened yesterday. I can only tell you, her walks have been unvarying for the past two weeks.”
“Then perhaps she is ill; or Grissholm has taken her from London or – ”
“Or perhaps that is her now,” Bingley finished with a triumphant smile.
Darcy spun around to see Elizabeth and Rebecca a little distance off, walking at a leisurely pace, but moving steadily in their direction.
“Wish me luck, Charles,” he murmured, drawing a nervous breath.
“Luck? After all you have done to find her, do you really think you need any?”
“I am afraid I do. She is very likely to see me as the same ill-mannered brute who proposed last spring.”
“Surely your meeting in Cumberland changed her opinion.”
“Our meeting was short and I do not think our encounter did much to advance my cause.”
“Perhaps it was enough.”
“There was more to overcome than just my previous offenses. I was so utterly astounded to find her at a ball and quite obviously not in the condition I had expected that it took several minutes before I could put two words together. She mistook my silence for criticism.”
“That is unfortunate,” Bingley noted sympathetically. “But you did speak with her in the end.”
“Yes, I did speak with her; but it was not without difficulty. At first I thought she would refuse to stand up with me – she has done so in the past – but thankfully she did not. Just as we began to find some ease in one another's company, she was called away. I did not have the opportunity
to say much of anything.”
“Called away?”
“Yes,” Darcy answered grimly. “I later found out that it was Grissholm's doing.”
Charles gave a low whistle. “He is quite the fox, I daresay.”
“He may be, but this is one quarry he will not have; not if I can help it.”
Darcy watched as Elizabeth drew nearer, his pulse quickening in anticipation. He would take all her troubles away in a heartbeat if he thought she would allow it; but he knew better.
“I will do what I can to help,” Bingley whispered encouragingly.
Elizabeth and her companion approached the men with slowed steps, and Darcy moved forward to be acknowledged.
“Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth greeted them cordially. “What a surprise to find you in London.”
“Business of an urgent nature called me to town, and Bingley here was good enough to put himself at my disposal.”
“You are fortunate to have someone who yields so readily to the persuasions of a friend,” Elizabeth quipped good-naturedly and was pleased to see that Darcy did not miss the reference to their past conversation in Netherfield's drawing room. In the next instant, her eyes took on a somber mien as she turned to the girl next to her. “And I am being a poor example, indeed, for I have not yet made the appropriate introductions. Miss Ballard, may I present Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.” A faint look of defiance shaded Elizabeth's expression as continued, “Miss Ballard is Lord Grissholm's ward. I have been employed as her companion these past three months.”
Darcy noted the look and felt a twinge of regret knowing it was because she expected her revelation to invoke his censure. Wishing her to see a measure of his efforts to improve, he smiled with an extra warmth as he bowed to the younger woman.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Ballard. How do you like London?”
“I cannot really say as yet,” Rebecca answered shyly. “We arrived only a fortnight ago.”
“Have you been to London before or is this your first visit?” Bingley's inquiring tone was inviting, and Rebecca responded surprisingly well to it.
“It is my first visit. I am quite looking forward to it. There are so many things to see and do.”
“Shall we walk and I will tell you all the best places you must be sure to visit?” Bingley urged.
Rebecca looked uncertainly to Elizabeth who gave an encouraging smile.
“We welcome your company, but we have not far to go. We are just on our return.”
Bingley swept his arm forward in a chivalrous manner, inviting Rebecca to proceed, and Darcy fell into step beside Elizabeth. It was not long before Bingley's pace created a convenient distance between the couples. Darcy opened his mouth to broach the difficult subject of Elizabeth's predicament, but it was she who spoke first.
“Mr. Darcy. This is a surprise, indeed. I thought you still in the north.”
“I was, until I found that you had come to London. I then followed with the hope of meeting you again.”
“I must confess I am happy you have succeeded. I was very sorry to have left you at odds in Hensingham. Please allow me to apologize for abandoning you without a word of explanation. Our departure was so sudden that I had no opportunity to send a note.”
“Do not distress yourself on my account, Miss Bennet. I quite understand,” Darcy replied warmly. “There is still much I have to tell you, but before I go any further, I would not wish any ill feelings to exist between us. May I beg your forgiveness for my behavior when Driscoll introduced us? Our meeting was quite unexpected and I regret I fell back into old habits. I did not intend –”
“It is quite all right, Mr. Darcy. I think we were both very much surprised.”
He was encouraged by her lack of animosity and a tiny smile of gratitude played at his lips. “I fear I did very poorly in demonstrating my improved manners, but I assure you I have practiced much at performing to strangers since your admonition last spring.”
“I had no idea my words would be taken so seriously.”
“You only spoke the truth.”
“I speak my mind too freely, perhaps,” she murmured softly.
“I would rather know your mind than be left to the mercy of my imagination,” he confessed. “It is far the better choice, believe me.”
“And what news do you have, Mr. Darcy? Is it of my father? Are all my sisters still at Longbourn?”
“I have not been to Hertfordshire since our last meeting, but I have heard nothing that would indicate your father is any the worse. Your sisters are all at Longbourn, doing the best they can under the circumstances. I believe your youngest sister has been a particular distraction to Miss Bennet. It seems that her summer had been spoilt when she could not go to Brighton, but perhaps that was a blessing in disguise.”
“Yes, I quite agree. And what of Mr. Bingley? Will he stay in London?”
“Only for a short while. He plans to return to Netherfield when our business here is finished.”
She smiled at the news.
“I am very happy to see him again. He seemed quite pleased with Hertfordshire when I saw him last at Lucas Lodge.”
“Yes, I believe he was.”
“Do you suppose he shall stay then? Last spring you thought he might give up the place.”
“I would like to say he will stay, but it depends upon many things. And what of your plans; shall you return home soon?”
Elizabeth studied the path without answering.
“Miss Bennet, I fear I must be direct. When we last met, I spoke of your family's desire for you to return as soon as possible.”
“Yes, I know. I have had news of my father also, and I am told he is not in any immediate danger. As much as it pains me, I must postpone my return yet a little longer.”
Darcy's mouth tightened knowing there was very little time left to salvage her reputation. The situation was becoming very serious.
“Miss Bennet, it is not only your father's health that is at issue,” he took a deep breath. “There is the matter of the rumors.”
“I thought you said you had taken care of Mr. Collins,” she replied in alarm.
“I did, but this does not concern Mr. Collins. There are other rumors that have arisen from quite another source.”
“Other rumors? Of what sort?”
“Other rumors of a more…delicate nature. If you are gone from Hertfordshire much longer, there will be no way to disprove the erroneous rumors of your – er, condition.”
Elizabeth frowned in confusion. “My condition?”
“Miss Bennet!” came a voice not far behind them
Darcy turned to see Lord Grissholm striding toward them, and stifled the urge to step defensively in front of Elizabeth. He could only grit his teeth as the viscount caught up to them and smoothly positioned himself on Elizabeth's other side.
“I thought I might find you here,” the viscount greeted her with more warmth than Darcy cared to see. “I received some news this afternoon and was certain you would want to hear it as soon as possible.”
“The letters?” she exclaimed with sudden excitement.
Grissholm raised a brow and threw a sidelong glance at Darcy. “Under the circumstances, I think the details can wait until we return home.”
Darcy watched with interest as Elizabeth became curiously subdued under Grissholm's gaze. Were they letters from her family; and if so, why would he be so guarded about such a common subject? Darcy had the uncomfortable sensation of being on the outside looking in and stabbed gently at the pebbled path with his walking stick. His face remained impassive even as his heart constricted painfully with the possibility of there being an actual attachment between Elizabeth and Grissholm.
“Yes, you may be right, my lord,” she agreed reluctantly, looking to Darcy as well. “I beg your pardon, sir; please allow me to introduce you to an acquaintance of mine.”
“Darcy and I are already acquainted.”
“We were classmates at Cambrid
ge,” Darcy offered stiffly. He saw Elizabeth's puzzled frown and knew the deep resentment between himself and Grissholm had not escaped her notice. “We have had little contact since then, but we do have a few mutual friends such as Robert Driscoll.”
“Strange, given our vast differences, is it not?” added Grissholm mockingly. He leaned in to Elizabeth, his voice dropping surreptitiously. “For instance, you may have noticed that Darcy here takes little delight in a ball or an assembly. It was the same at university, you know – always the studious one, never making time for a bit of recreation. He makes himself a dull fellow while I very much enjoy a lively tune and an engaging partner; much like yourself, I think, Miss Bennet.”
“My lord, I cannot say – ” Elizabeth replied uncomfortably.
“Enjoyment in a ball – or anything else for that matter – can take many forms,” Darcy retorted. “I find pleasure where I will, regardless of the circumstances.” He watched with satisfaction as his challenging tone had the desired effect on Grissholm.
“Well – ” Elizabeth said brightly, trying to diffuse the growing antagonism between the two men. “Shall we walk on? I fear it is growing rather late.”
“Thank you, no,” Darcy smiled at her with a steady look that held a deeper meaning. “I really should be on my way. It was a pleasure to see you, Miss Bennet. Perhaps we can continue our conversation another time. Would you allow me to call on you tomorrow afternoon?”
“Tomorrow? I believe that would be – ”
“Impossible!” Grissholm quickly interjected. “I am afraid Miss Bennet's schedule is quite full at present.”
Grissholm's possessive tone only served to heighten Darcy's irritation at the man's untimely appearance which had robbed him of precious time he needed with Elizabeth. Darcy's eyes slid narrowly to Grissholm then purposefully back to Elizabeth, hoping to find the answer he wanted.