Unforgiving Temper

by Head, Gail

  Watching her converse with her aunt, he followed her every gesture, considered every aspect that graced her charmingly expressive face, wanting to know the depths of her heart. As if hearing his thoughts, she suddenly looked up and met his gaze, an inscrutable expression on her face.

  Unalterably drawn to the mysteries hidden behind those dark brown eyes, Darcy resolutely closed the distance that separated him from his future, every step drowning out that ever-present voice of reason and propriety that had always kept him safe from the prying eyes of the world. At that moment, he no longer cared what anyone else thought of him. All he cared about was what Elizabeth thought – and he intended to find out.

  “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner,” he greeted the ladies, pleased with the blush that tinged Elizabeth's cheeks as she sent a quick, nervous glance to her aunt.

  “Mr. Darcy, I was just remarking to Elizabeth what a splendid morning it has been. Do you not agree?”

  “Yes, it has,” he responded amiably, a look of admiration fixed firmly upon Elizabeth. “I can hardly imagine a better match, or one with greater promise of happiness for both.”

  “Yes, I believe you are right, sir.” A perceptive gleam lit the older woman's eye. “And speaking of excellent matches, I see my husband is looking for me.”

  Mrs. Gardiner's parting look of reassurance to Elizabeth did not go unnoticed by Darcy, and he watched as she joined Mr. Gardiner, giving her husband an affectionate look that spoke of many happy years together. Darcy observed the exchange with a renewed admiration for the couple's amiable nature.

  Turning back to Elizabeth, he looked into her upturned face and was caught once again in the power of her gaze which ignited his soul with a desperate need for answers. What was she thinking? Could he draw out the feelings she had tried to hide in London? Could it be that he affected her heart as she did his?

  Indifferent to the growing interest of others in the room, he was determined to find out.

  “The Gardiners are fine people. I am very glad to know them; although I must admit the acquaintance was formed with some reluctance.”

  “Reluctance?” Elizabeth's tone tightened in obvious challenge. “Do you object to my uncle, sir? Admittedly, the circumstances were not the best…”

  “Pray, do not be uneasy, Miss Bennet. Let me assure you I hold Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in the highest regard.” Darcy moved closer with an enticing smile, breathing deeply the delicate scent of lavender in her hair. “It is only that, while I was very pleased to meet your favorite relations, they were also the very means by which you were taken from me in London.”

  Elizabeth's eyes widened in pleasant surprise. “Oh! I imagined you happy to see me go. When I informed you of my sister and Mr. Wickham, I thought…”

  “What – that it would alter my affection?” Darcy's brow rose skeptically. “After all I had confessed to you?”

  “You were so abrupt,” she gasped in astonishment at his frankness, her color rising. “How could I think anything else?”

  “You could have given me the benefit of the doubt. Did you suppose a worm like Wickham could change my regard for you?”

  “Perhaps not. I like to think he could not – had things been different. Mr. Wickham's marriage to my sister has saved us all from certain ruin, and you have my deepest gratitude for that, Mr. Darcy. Regrettably, the very thing that saved our family now prevents you from acting on any…regard you may have. I am sensible enough to understand that you are a man of position, of station and responsibility, and you are constrained by those responsibilities.”

  His voice softened to an intimate murmur as he bent briefly to whisper in her ear. “That, my dearest Miss Bennet, is where you are very much mistaken.”

  A small grin lit his face when she opened her mouth to reply, then abruptly closed it as she considered his words. He waited patiently for her to fully comprehend his meaning, watching with growing amusement as her expression transformed swiftly from puzzlement to dismay to wonder.

  “Mistaken, Mr. Darcy?” Her voice quivered breathlessly with her reply.

  “Utterly and completely. I did observe once that you sometimes express opinions which in fact are not your own.” Her chagrin at his teasing was so charming that he could barely contain the urge to sweep her into his arms.

  Becoming aware of the open-mouthed stares around them, Darcy allowed his voice of reason to intrude once again. At the moment, he cared little for the opinion of country society, or any society for that matter, but he had to think of Elizabeth. This was her home and her friends. For her sake, he would make a better impression than he had upon his first visit to Hertfordshire. Stepping back a pace, he smiled broadly.

  “I am afraid I have selfishly taken up too much of your time. Please forgive me. However, I would very much like to continue our conversation, Miss Bennet. There is a very particular question I have long wanted to ask you. Would you grant me the honor of a private interview tomorrow morning?”

  “Tomorrow morning?” Elizabeth repeated faintly, now blushing furiously under his gaze. Struggling to regain a modicum of control, she finally managed to whisper, “I believe I shall be at home tomorrow morning, sir.”

  “Tomorrow, then,” he murmured, lifting her hand to his lips and feeling her tremble as he kissed it.

  Reluctantly releasing Elizabeth's hand, he offered a quick bow before turning away in search of Bingley, barely containing his utter joy in the knowledge that he did, indeed, possess the ability to affect her heart as well.

  He gave no thought to Mrs. Bennet's gasps of amazement, nor did he care that all of Meryton society had witnessed his efforts. He had at last discovered the reasons for Elizabeth's reticence and they were happily put to rest. More importantly, her delightful response to his overtures was vastly encouraging, giving rise to great anticipation of their meeting on the morrow.

  Chapter 31

  Content now to simply observe Elizabeth from a distance, Darcy had drifted into a quiet corner of the Bennet's drawing room to await the conclusion of the wedding festivities. He cast a look at the newlyweds on occasion, smiling at his friend's thinly-veiled eagerness to be gone. Poor Bingley! There were still a great many hands to shake and cheeks to kiss before they could even begin to think of taking their leave.

  A slight break in the stream of well-wishers was filled instantly by Elizabeth embracing her sister and whispering in her ear. The sisters shared a radiant smile, and a quick, buoyant look in his direction was answered with a deferential bow of his head. Mrs. Bingley's respite did not last long, however, and soon Bingley was compelled to reclaim his bride for another round of greetings.

  Almost immediately following the sisters' conversation, Darcy was not surprised to see Mrs. Gardiner engage Elizabeth in a brief exchange – one which ended in yet another glance in his direction, accompanied this time by an approving look from the aunt. Neither was he surprised when the object of his observations next found Mrs. Collins' willing ear. Darcy watched the two friends with continuing interest. He imagined that Mrs. Collins was at this very moment hearing the details of his recent conversation with Elizabeth – and from the shy smile on Elizabeth's face, he was encouraged that her feelings may indeed be all that he could wish for.

  Contemplation of Elizabeth's regard led to pleasant thoughts of a wedding ceremony of their own, which soon led to thoughts of Bingley's marriage and the appearance of the Wickhams. Their arrival at the wedding this morning had been a shocking surprise. Gazing out the window to Longbourn's dormant gardens, Darcy reflected on his earlier exchange with an equally surprised Denham.

  “He was here?! I do not understand,” the mortified valet had uttered in response to the demand for an explanation. “Regular reports have been coming in from our contact in Newcastle. There was not the slightest indication the Wickhams were planning a journey.”

  “Well, obviously someone was remiss in their duties! The Wickhams showed up at the wedding this morning without the slightest warning. I am paying good mon
ey for exactly this kind of intelligence!” Darcy had snapped impatiently. There was no excuse for failure when it came to Wickham. “Find out how this happened. I do not want any more surprises – and get someone to find out where Wickham is now. He is far too conniving for me to trust anything he says!”

  “Yes, sir, right away.” Denham had stammered at the fierce reproach. Darcy knew it was not his man's fault, but the idea that Wickham had slipped away from Newcastle completely unnoticed, especially with a wife such as Lydia Wickham in tow, was intolerable. It had taken him too long to piece together what information he had of Elizabeth's forced separation from her family. He was determined to find the connection to Aunt Catherine in this affair, and he knew Wickham was the key. He couldn't afford to lose track of them now.

  Lost in his thoughts of the past months' events, it took a moment before he realized the Bennets' manservant was addressing him.

  John cleared his throat a little louder to be heard above the chatter in the room. “Mr. Darcy? I beg your pardon for the intrusion, sir, but your valet is asking to see you. What shall I tell him?”

  “Denham is here? Where is he?”

  “He is waiting in the back hallway, sir. Shall I take you there?”

  “No, I think not. Please tell him to meet me at the stables. I shall be there directly.”

  Darcy slowly moved away from the window, offered a brief greeting to Sir William Lucas, then slipped quietly from the room, glad to be away from the curious stares that had been frequently cast in his direction since his exchange with Elizabeth. It was Bingley's day and he had done enough already to excite speculation.

  Once away from the house, Darcy quickened his steps, wondering what news awaited him. Rounding the corner of the large stone outbuilding, Darcy was met immediately by his anxious valet.

  “My apologies for interrupting you at the wedding, sir, but you said you wanted to be informed immediately of any news regarding Mr. Wickham. I've received a message from Newcastle. It is three days old as it was first sent to Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds sent it forward by express rider, of course, but it only just arrived. I came as quickly as I could.”

  “If it is to tell me that Wickham is headed this way, it comes too late.”

  “It is that, of course, but there is more. Lieutenant Wickham's claim that he is on assignment is untrue. He has deserted his post.”

  “Hmm,” Darcy considered the news for a moment. “If Wickham has deserted, why expose himself to the risk of being discovered by attending the wedding?”

  “I cannot say, sir. However, the report also says that he had come into an inheritance of some sort recently and was making plans to retire to the continent or even the Americas.”

  “Inheritance? He has no family that could provide anything of consequence. I wonder what he is up to now. Is there any news of his whereabouts?”

  “No, sir; not yet. The couple were traced as far as Hatfield and then disappeared. I have several men out looking.”

  “Very well. Let me know the moment you have any new information. In the meantime, I shall keep an eye on the Bennets. Wickham has proved himself capable of almost anything.”

  Still mulling over Denham's report, Darcy returned to the house. He would need to be on guard for any signs of what Wickham might be planning. Discreetly, he made his way back to the drawing room and took up his previous position near the windows. His first thought was to resume his observations of Elizabeth, but when he looked for her next to Mrs. Collins, he found instead her sister, Maria. A quick sweep of the crowded room revealed she was not there. Perhaps she had gone into one of the other rooms. With growing concern Darcy began moving in that direction, until a startled look from Mrs. Collins arrested his progress.

  “Mr. Darcy! You are back so soon?”

  “So soon, Mrs. Collins?”

  “Why, yes.” Charlotte's perplexed expression did not help Darcy's rising panic. “Lizzy said she was going to meet with you and I had not thought it enough time to do so.”

  Darcy stared in dismay. “With me?”

  “Well, I…I mean,” Charlotte stammered in embarrassment as she tried to explain. “Bess, one of the Netherfield maids, brought a message. I did not hear everything, but your name was mentioned. Lizzy supposed you changed your mind and wished to meet with her now instead of tomorrow. She left with Bess not ten minutes ago. Is something wrong?”

  “Forgive me, but I cannot say at present. Please do not give it another thought.” Looking up, Darcy saw Mr. Collins’ face light up at the sight of his wife talking to someone of consequence. “Please excuse me. I must go and I believe Mr. Collins is looking for you.”

  Charlotte hesitated, then followed Darcy's gaze with an understanding nod. After a brief curtsey, she turned to intercept her husband before he could impose himself. Darcy watched her go, grateful to find that, if nothing else, she was a sensible woman.

  Skirting the obsequious greeting of Mr. Collins, Darcy hurried into the hallway, hoping to find John close by; but another several frustrating minutes passed before he located the manservant near the kitchen.

  Hailing the man, Darcy beckoned him to the door of a side room. “Might I have a word with you – John, is it?”

  “Yes, sir – it is,” answered John haltingly. “Is something amiss, Mr. Darcy?”

  “I am looking for Miss Bennet and was told she was with one of the maids from Netherfield. Have you seen them?”

  “I saw them leave about quarter of an hour ago.”

  “Did you happen to see where they went?”

  “No, sir. I was called to assist Mrs. Hill. Shall I see if they have returned?”

  “I already know Miss Bennet has not, but if you can find out if the maid has, I should like to speak with her directly.”

  “Of course, sir, right away.”

  Several more minutes ticked by, driving Darcy to distraction. Something was wrong, very wrong. Every fiber of his being cried out for immediate action, but he needed information. He knew he had to have some kind of direction or he would never find Elizabeth in time. At last John returned.

  “I'm sorry, sir, Bess has not returned. One of the scullery maids said that she saw her walking with Miss Bennet across the east lawns.”

  Darcy's mind raced with the possibilities of what happened. Coupled with the latest news from Newcastle, Wickham was sure to have a hand in it!

  “Ahem – Mr. Darcy?” John interposed hesitantly. “Should I inform Mr. Bennet?”

  Darcy paused, thinking what the excitement might do to the still fragile patriarch. It was risky, but he could not withhold his suspicions from Elizabeth's father. “Yes, John, please do so. And Mr. Bingley as well. Tell them I suspect Miss Bennet has gone missing and I am going east to search for her. If I do not find her, I shall circle around to the road south of Meryton. Be as discreet as possible, but inform them at once.”

  “I shall, sir, right away!” John's own concern was evident as he gave a curt nod and quickly turned in search of his master.

  Darcy did not waste a single moment. Making a dash back to the stables, he reached the place where Denham had tethered his horse just in time to see the valet step into the stirrups. It was an animal of average quality; nothing like the high-spirited thoroughbred he had ridden on from Pemberley, but Hermes was stabled at Netherfield and this one would have to do.

  “Denham, I need your horse, quickly! Miss Bennet is gone!”

  Scrambling to comply, Denham swiftly dismounted, and in two strides, Darcy swung into the saddle, settling in for a hard, fast ride.

  “Mr. Darcy, is it wise to go alone?”

  “It cannot be helped. If I wait for the others, I may be too late. She is on foot and with any luck, I shall overtake her.”

  “But, sir – ” Denham's next words died in his throat as he watched his master race away.

  Darcy was already urging the horse out of Longbourn's stable yard and eastward, across the lawns, spurred on by a grave foreboding. Reaching open ground, he f
licked the horse into a run, praying with all his might he would find Elizabeth before Wickham did.

  * * * *

  Elizabeth kept a steady pace beside Bess as they hurried toward the small grove of trees that lay just to the east of Longbourn. The girl was the daughter of one of Sir Lucas' tenants, and had only recently been fortunate enough to gain a position at Netherfield. It had been a very good thing for the large, struggling family as Bess' wages would go a long way in helping make ends meet at home. Her delivering Mr. Darcy's request in the middle of Jane's wedding celebration had been somewhat of a surprise to Elizabeth given that they had already settled on an interview for the next morning; but then she recalled the ardent look upon his face that had stirred her senses each time she happened to look at him. Shaking herself from the titillating thought, she worked to hide her blush from Bess. Mr. Darcy's recently impulsive behavior was beginning to make her think she did not know him as well as she thought – a condition she would be only too happy to correct in the years to come.

  They had reached the trees and were progressing further into the grove when Elizabeth finally spoke. “Where exactly did Mr. Darcy say he wished to meet?”

  “In the glen, Miss. Just down the way a bit.”

  “Oh, yes, of course.” Elizabeth's heart quickened. She was pleased Mr. Darcy would consider her love of nature in deciding the setting for his declaration, for she was certain that was the purpose of this meeting. She also knew he was a private man and it served to keep his proposal from the many prying eyes that were sure to be lurking outside Longbourn's drawing room door in the morning. An impulsive proposal in the glen was very romantic, another aspect of Mr. Darcy's character she had not known.

  Lost in thought and keeping her eyes on the uneven ground beneath her feet, Elizabeth did not see the growing glint of satisfaction in Bess' eye. It was only when they finally reached the glen that she realized the girl's treachery.