by Linda Wells
She stood and curtseyed to him. “Thank you Mr. Lucas.” John’s eyes looked into hers and searched for some sign of emotion, happiness in his attentions, regret that he was leaving, but all he saw was a cautious smile. He had truly botched his courtship royally. He took his leave of the rest of the room and Mrs. Bennet directed Kitty to show him the door.
Darcy immediately claimed the seat next to Elizabeth. “Are you well? What did he want?”
She could not help but laugh at his demanding tone. “He came to extend his mother’s invitation. He was the model of politeness. I have no idea what he is about, but I can complain of nothing.”
Darcy stared at the doorway darkly. “I do not trust him.”
Elizabeth touched his hand. “Perhaps he knows that his suit is futile and wishes to make amends.”
Darcy continued his glower. “I am not so easily swayed.” Elizabeth’s retort was interrupted by her father.
“Lizzy, I would like a word with you.” He turned and left for his bookroom, and she followed.
Behind the closed door Mr. Bennet took her hands. “Lizzy, Mr. Darcy has told me of your engagement. I know of your letters, and of his sister’s situation. I am also aware of your expressions of affection.” He looked at her seriously. “I have given my consent and blessing, however, I will not allow a hurried wedding simply to satisfy your desires, I am aware that you feel you have already been courting for three months, but as it has occurred well outside of public view, to say nothing of propriety, I am forced to demand a courtship period of at least a month. Mr. Darcy has prevailed upon me to allow your wedding at the end of November. Now Lizzy, do you truly love this man? Is this really what you want? I know that he is rich, but his and his sister’s reputations are in tatters, and I might add, his circle of society will not look kindly on you capturing one of their own, despite his temporary fall. Do you know of his family’s feelings about you? Are you prepared to face what his circle will do to you?”
Elizabeth was overwhelmed. Never had her father spoken to her so seriously before. “I … Yes, Papa. Mr. Darcy and I have discussed all of the concerns you raise and yes, I am prepared to accept whatever society or his family deals to me. I enter this marriage with eyes wide open.”
Mr. Bennet squeezed her hands. “Do you understand why I insist on the courtship and engagement? I do not wish you to be angry with me.”
“I do understand.” She looked down, hiding her disappointment.
“And Lizzy, you must curtail your displays of affection, at the very least until you are engaged officially.” She looked up, her eyes now expressing her hurt. “Papa, I cannot …”
Mr. Bennet kissed her forehead. “Yes, Lizzy, you can.”
They returned to the drawing room and Darcy looked up anxiously. Mr. Bennet indicated that he should join them and addressed the room. “I am delighted to announce that Mr. Darcy has requested Lizzy’s and my permission to court her. He has assured me that his intentions are honourable, and I hope for a greater announcement in the future.”
Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand and kissed it gently before Mrs. Bennet’s screeching filled the room. Bingley stood and wrung his hand and excited conversation started amongst the family. Georgiana took it all in, trying to understand where she fit into the general upheaval when Mary sat down beside her.
“Miss Darcy, are you happy for your brother?”
She looked at the previously silent girl. “Yes, very happy. Elizabeth has been a wonderful friend to me, and I hope to call her sister one day.”
Mary nodded. “She is so full of life. I wonder sometimes how we can be related. I am just not able to summon the joy she feels without effort, but I do love watching her.” Georgiana listened with interest. Her impression of Mary was that of a girl who preaches morality and not one who would covet her sister’s liveliness. She wondered if it was all a mask that she wore, like the one that William wore with everyone but his very closest friends. “I understand that you play, Miss Darcy, perhaps we could practice together while you are visiting the area. I have a feeling that your brother will be rather occupied now.” She smiled over at Darcy who was already testing Mr. Bennet’s proclamation by keeping a firm grip of Elizabeth’s hand which rested on his arm.
Georgiana caught Elizabeth’s eye that looked between her and Mary and gave her an encouraging smile and nod. She smiled at Mary. “Yes, I would like that Miss Mary. Thank you.”
With Darcy and Elizabeth completely occupied in a soft conversation, Bingley was finally free to give his full attention to Jane. “Miss Bennet, I can not begin to express how delighted I am with this announcement. I do hope that you are pleased.”
She smiled softly and nodded towards the engrossed couple. “Mr. Bingley, my sister has astonished me of late with her anticipation to see Mr. Darcy, and now with her finally having his company, I have felt nothing but joy for her happiness.”
Bingley followed her gaze and smiled, seeing Darcy surreptitiously brushing his hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “I must admit, I feel a certain amount of jealousy for my friend.”
“Jealousy, Mr. Bingley?” She asked with surprise, and then cast her eyes down.
He looked back at her and tilted his head, trying to see her face. “Yes, he saw your sister and realized at that moment that she was someone he wished to know. He then referred to her as someone he would likely never see again, and I was struck by the disparity in the pain of his statement and the way his face lit up when he was thinking of her. I had until then not understood how a few moments in a woman’s company could change a man so suddenly.”
“Until then?” Jane continued to look at her folded hands. “Has something changed, sir?”
He did not reply. He waited for her to lift her head and look at him. When their eyes finally met he smiled. “Yes, Miss Bennet. Something has changed.” He paused. “I would like your permission to come calling. I would like to know you better.”
Jane smiled and Bingley wanted to shout. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, I would like that very much.”
“Excellent!” He grinned. “Perhaps I could accompany my friend when he visits; you and I could volunteer to be chaperones.” He looked over to Darcy who resembled so much a lost puppy he almost snorted. “I believe that your sister might appreciate it.”
Jane observed Elizabeth and started laughing at the expression on her face. “I believe they both would, but I do suggest that we do not give them too much time alone.” She raised her brows and smiled.
Bingley laughed. “Well, perhaps we could give them their time, but also allow a good long chance to repair the damage before returning to company.”
Jane covered her mouth and giggled. “Mr. Bingley, you are wicked.” She whispered.
He shrugged. “I am only doing for him what I wish he would do for me.”
Their eyes met and she blushed. “How very kind of you.”
“Yes, it is, actually.” Bingley laughed at her surprised expression. “Miss Bennet, if you understood Darcy’s past, you would be just as happy to waive the rules as I am. He has had a very lonely life. Your sister is a godsend for him. I have never seen him so happy, and I will do anything I can for them. He has done so much for me.” He looked at her soberly. “I hope that you do not think me…”
Jane interrupted. “I think you a good friend, Mr. Bingley.”
He smiled. “Thank you.” He saw Mr. Bennet leaving the room. “Perhaps I should pay my respects to your father now that he is free. Excuse me.” He stood and bowed, then catching Darcy’s eye, winked as he left the room.
“What was that about?” Elizabeth asked.
Darcy looked at his retreating friend speculatively. “I imagine Bingley is going to speak to your father.”
“About what?” She demanded.
He smiled, seeing the protective flash in her eyes. “He wishes to make a good impression; I suspect that he will be calling on Miss Bennet.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Courting her?” He shook his head. “Why do ladi
es always jump right to thoughts of marriage? Calling, my love, simply calling on her.”
Elizabeth regarded him with pursed lips. “I take great offence at your presumption, sir. Not all ladies are instantly desirous of a wedding when meeting a young man. Some ladies care to know more of him than his income and skills on the dance floor.”
He laughed. “Which ladies?” His eyes travelled to the lips he knew were so soft and sweet, and delighted in how they drew together.
“I believe that you know one.”
He feigned confusion and looked about the room. “Who?” He watched a delicate pink slipper tapping out her ire and bit back his smile. “Do you mean, Miss Elizabeth that you value more of me than my income and obvious skill when wooing a lady?”
She snorted and covered her mouth, her eyes dancing at inspiring his lifted brow. “Excuse me; I have no knowledge of your skills for wooing, as I was not subjected to them.”
Darcy shook his head and leaned closer. “That is fortunate. I fear that if you had been, I would not know the taste of your lips now.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught. “Oh my.”
Darcy sat back, satisfied with the dreamy smile that had appeared on her face. “Elizabeth, your father has demanded that we curtail our displays of affection until we are engaged … I fear that I will be unable to restrain myself. You will have to keep me in check.”
Her expression changed. “But I do not want to!” She cried. Heads in the room turned her way and she blushed, looking down. She peeked up to see Darcy’s delighted smile. “I was hoping that you would help me. I am afraid, William, that I am as lost as you.”
Now his breath caught and they stared at each other. “We will work this out, my love.” He whispered. She nodded. “Your father has granted me permission to give you riding lessons at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth smiled. “How very convenient.” He nodded, and glancing around the room, ran a finger down her wrist to her palm. “Yes, indeed.”
JOHN SAT back in the chair in his father’s study, thinking over his visit to Longbourn. It had gone surprisingly well, at least until Darcy appeared with Mr. Bennet. Eliza had been cautious, but friendly. She obviously appreciated the change in his addresses. Their conversation began rather stilted, but as time passed he could see that she relaxed.
He threw down the pen he had been twiddling in his fingers and looked over the accounting books spread before him. He was learning the duties required to run the small estate. His father’s decision to take the place after his knighting was a reflection of his self-importance. He thought that any man with “Sir” before his name was instantly of greater value than all others, but in reality, he was simply a man with an honorary title granted in recognition of a small service to the crown, nothing more. He was certainly not a peer, though watching him trying to talk up Darcy was both amusing and mortifying. Anything to disrupt Darcy’s attention to Eliza was welcome, but why did he have to be so blatant about it? He sighed. It was no use; he supposed everyone had relatives to blush over. Look at Eliza, her mother … how on earth did Mrs. Bennet produce Eliza? Or Jane for that matter? And now she was clearly pushing Kitty towards him, when only a few months ago she was welcoming his attentions to Eliza.
He pounded the desk in frustration. He had his opportunity. Clear sailing, and what did he do? He squandered it by behaving as a self-important fool, just like his father. He thought himself so good that she could not possibly resist him, and acted a jealous, possessive idiot, frightening her in the process. And now Darcy was here, and speaking to Mr. Bennet alone. John had a distinctly queasy feeling when he left Longbourn. He caught the smile on Darcy’s face just before he was spotted. He had asked Mr. Bennet for permission to … what? Court or marry her? He would find out soon enough, gossip of this magnitude would not be secret long. Why not simply admit defeat and walk away? There are many other pretty girls in the neighbourhood, some with fortunes. He shook his head. Not like her. “No, as long as there is no ring on her finger, she is fair game. Wednesday night, I will approach her again.” He closed his eyes, and began to plan his strategy. There must be something about Darcy that he could use to his advantage.
HURST STOOD outside of the doorway to the sitting room where Louisa and Caroline talked. “What do you think? Will it work?” Caroline asked urgently.
Louisa’s voice reflected her doubt. “I do not know, Caroline, I think that it has great potential to go very wrong. I know that you wished her to be compromised and married to allow Mr. Darcy to re-enter society, but with Charles? Why?”
“Why not?” She laughed. “He would be Mr. Darcy’s brother; we would be in company with them all of the time. No titled family will ever take her now, so it would certainly be the only opportunity Charles would have to marry into some family with such a pedigree. Surely he would understand the advantage to us all, why we would be members of the first circles with the family connection to Mr. Darcy.”
“Even through his ruined sister?”
“But that is just it, Louisa, once she is married, she is no longer ruined!” Her voice reflected her avarice. “And she has the dowry. Imagine what a grand estate Charles could buy with the addition of her thirty thousand to Father’s funds! Why it could rival Pemberley!”
“That is extremely wishful thinking Caroline. Besides, you are wrong, many a titled family would welcome her dowry, they are always in need of funds.” Louisa grew silent for a moment. “Do you think Charles would give in?”
“Of course he would, he is always easily manipulated to whatever I wish.” She sniffed dismissively.
Louisa disagreed. “Not of late, have you noticed that he is asserting himself more frequently? It seems that watching Mr. Darcy deal with society and all that has happened with his sister has affected Charles. He seems to be learning to emulate Mr. Darcy’s strength. He may refuse even if the compromise you plan is witnessed. After all, she is already ruined, it can not get worse. You are determined to win Mr. Darcy at any cost.” She studied Caroline. “What about Miss Elizabeth? He was very taken with her at the assembly. He danced three times with her. Three! You know the significance of that! He practically declared himself. It was quite singular. It is very unusual for Mr. Darcy to forget the rules of proper society. He must not have been himself last night.”
“You do not need to remind me.” Caroline said bitterly. “What is that chit about? She must be discouraged. I have tried to talk to him about it, you know. I told him in the carriage on the way home, well you heard me! I told him that he was putting himself in great danger of falling victim to a fortune hunter! He is blinded by her!” Louisa nodded; this discussion had taken place endlessly since last night. “Mr. Darcy is far too rich and important to show favour to a country nobody. Do you think he is simply seeking a distraction while here? He never behaves so … obviously in town, maybe he thinks that he can take advantage of the naïve population, nobody needs to know …” She wrinkled her brow, trying to understand her prey’s behaviour.
“Caroline, I can not presume to know his motives, but I must say that Mr. Darcy has never displayed any signs of such easy behaviour towards women in the past, and we have kept a very close eye on him for years. There must be something more to it.”
“But what?” Caroline paced around the room. “Even if he does not marry me …” She stopped and closed her eyes, clutching her heart at the thought, “… he is ruining his chances to marry well when he returns to town, to say nothing of further hurting his sister’s opportunities if she ever returns to society.” Caroline began to stride from the room.
“Where are you going?” Louisa called.
“I must speak to him. I must tell him he is behaving foolishly. I must make it very clear what a worthless nobody that Elizabeth Bennet is, before the entire neighbourhood has them married. He will thank me for pointing out the truth!”
Louisa stopped her. “I do not believe that he has returned from his visit to Longbourn with Charles yet.”
Ca
roline deflated and sat down. She looked at the invitation that had arrived earlier and lay on the table next to her chair. “I imagine the Bennets will be invited to this dinner at Lucas Lodge. I will have to remind Miss Elizabeth of her place there. And remind Mr. Darcy of his.”
Louisa smiled. “You are ruthless.”
Caroline lifted her brows. “I am merely doing what is necessary.” The conversation turned to other subjects and Hurst nodded his head and thought. I will apparently have to do what is necessary as well.
Chapter 16
15 October 1811
Rosings Park
Kent
Dear Fitzwilliam,
I hope that this letter finds you and the rest of the family well. I have not received a letter from Darcy for several months, and am unsure of his location. If you are in contact with him, he must know that Mother has decided to find a husband for Georgiana. Mother feels that if she is safely married, Darcy will come around and finally marry me. As you know, he does not desire such a union.
From what Mother said, I believe that she will be writing to respectable families that are in need of funds. She will propose that a son marry Georgiana to restore her place in society in exchange for her dowry. Mother will not tell Darcy of her actions until she secures a suitor.
I would not wish this for myself, much less my young cousin, and I hope that you or Uncle might bring this to an end somehow. I do not wish to be the one to tell Darcy. I will attempt to secure her letters before they are posted, but I have little hope of success.
Your cousin,
Anne de Bourgh
Richard blew a low whistle. “My Lord.” He stood and walked down the hall and knocked on the door to his father’s study. Hearing his call, Richard entered and closed the door.