by Pamela Lynne
“Who is this message from, Richard?”
“Bingley. I just saw him at the club, and he told me the two of you had a disagreement.”
Darcy abruptly rose from his desk and walked to the fireplace. He leaned on the mantle and kicked at the hearth while staring into the flames. He did not want to lose the warmth that rose in him following his time with Elizabeth, but the reminder of his argument with Bingley was overcoming the joy he felt just moments before. Instead of continuing his plans to bring her home, he now faced his half-drunk cousin who was questioning him with his typical smirk and raised eyebrows.
“Yes, we had a disagreement. He thought I should marry his sister. I disagreed.”
“Caroline? You are jesting. How could he seriously suggest such a thing? I mean, I do not know her well, but I have seen her stalk you around town for a few years now. Every marriageable woman of the ton is after you, but she gets an evil glint in her eye whenever you pay the slightest attention to any lady, including my mother!” Richard chuckled at his own observation. “I can think of few things scarier than Bingley’s sister staring you down like some sort of deranged orange bird.”
“Try having that same deranged bird hide in your bedchamber, barely clothed, waiting to trap you in her talons and devour you in one swift bite.”
Richard’s eyes grew wide as the thought of cousin being caught in a compromising situation with Caroline Bingley sobered him.
“No!”
“Oh yes. Bingley threw a ball at his estate, hoping to impress his latest angel. When it was over, I joined Bingley for a brandy and listened to him carry on about being in love and finally ready to marry. After about a half hour, I tired of his effusions and excused myself. When I arrived at my bedchamber, I found Miss Bingley there. It took a moment for me to realize what was happening. I backed up into the hall, closed the door and went back to the library to get Bingley. I hoped she would be gone by the time we got back to my chambers, but she was still there, waiting with that same predatory look.”
“Bingley must have been horrified.”
Darcy shrugged. “You would think so. But instead, he saw it as his chance to finally get rid of his sister and demanded I marry her.”
“I find that hard to believe. Not even docile, gullible Bingley could think you had time to compromise his sister in the five minutes you were away from him. You do not think he was in on it do you?”
“I do not know. I would like to think he was not, but his actions that night were perplexing. He was not acting like the man I had known for so long.”
“How did you react?”
“I was angry and did not try to quell the emotion in the slightest. I said some very un-gentlemanlike things and insulted them both in every way possible. I warned them that if rumors of the incident began to circulate it would be their reputations ruined, not mine. They were only accepted into society because of their association with me, after all.”
“Bingley did not tell me any of this today. If he had, I would not have been so sympathetic. He seemed genuinely remorseful though, Darcy. He said he had written you.”
Darcy did not answer, so Richard continued. “He asked me to tell you he regrets your disagreement and hopes you will allow him to visit so you can work it out.”
Richard looked over at his cousin and could tell by his posture that he had withdrawn into his own thoughts and there would be no more conversation. He made his farewells and walked cheerfully to the kitchen, where he charmed the cook out of fresh biscuits and left the maids giggling as he retreated through the servants’ entrance.
********
Later that night, as Darcy prepared for bed, he reflected on the events of the day. Richard’s visit put a damper on the good humor from the morning. Discussing Bingley brought back those feelings of bitterness that had momentarily been suppressed after seeing Elizabeth. He was anxious for the morning to arrive so he could once again be in her presence and soak up her warmth and goodness. So many friendships had failed him in the past, but he prayed this friendship with Elizabeth would be the one to last his lifetime.
After Richard had left, he turned his attention back to the letter to his solicitor. After filling nearly two pages of instructions for the settlement, he decided to postpone sending it until he spoke to Elizabeth and her uncle. He knew she had little to bring into the marriage, and now that she left Longbourn, it was likely to be even less. He wanted the document to be precise, and he needed more information before he could act further.
What could have happened to cause her to leave her home and those she loved? He settled into bed. No one was ill or dead; she would have said so, and she made no mention of her aunt and uncle needing her in town. He thought back over his time in Hertfordshire, trying to think of what could have caused her family trouble.
As he lay back in bed attempting to work through Elizabeth’s departure from her home, a thought entered his mind that caused his stomach to lurch. He sat up abruptly as fear clenched his gut. “Dear God!” he shouted into his darkened chamber. “What if it was Wickham?”
Chapter Three
* * *
Edward Gardiner sat in bed reading while waiting for his wife to join him. At three and forty, he looked younger than his years, primarily due to the smile that almost always adorned his face. He had much to be happy about. He had four beautiful children, a very successful business, and a wife who had helped make it possible. He would have nothing if not for her. As good a businessman as he was, it was Maddy’s steadfast support and unwavering love that drove him to do his best. His best surpassed most others in London, including many in the highest circles. He was jovial and warm, but he took his work very seriously. This juxtaposition would lead his niece, years later, to describe him as Bingley on the surface and Darcy underneath.
He looked up from his book as his wife entered the room. He could tell throughout the evening she had something on her mind, but he would have to wait to find out what it was until their full house retired. Now, as she climbed into bed with a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin showing on her lovely face, he knew she was ready to burst.
“Well, my dear, it looks as though you have some excitement waiting for me.”
“Edward, you will never guess what happened today.”
He responded with raised eyebrows.
“Lizzy smiled.”
Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, he replied, “And?”
“And? Edward, it was genuine. She has not smiled like that since she has been here. As a matter of fact, I may never have seen her smile like that!”
“And why was she smiling this new, genuine smile?”
“She was smiling at a young man! She even laughed!”
Mr. Gardiner’s interest was now piqued as was his protective instinct. He sat up a little and listened closely while his wife recited what she had observed that morning.
“Hmmm. So she met this Darcy fellow while he was visiting a friend in Hertfordshire? And this is the same Darcy on whose estate Wickham was raised?”
“Yes, but I do not believe they are cut from the same cloth. Mr. Darcy comes from a very respectable family, and he made his intentions clear today. I do not think he would treat our girl ill. It would be a superb match for Lizzy.”
“Planning the wedding already, Maddy?”
“No harm would be done by helping them along a little bit. I plan on giving them a little more privacy than is usually allowed during courtship. How can they ever come to an understanding if someone is always watching?”
Mr. Gardiner stared at his wife as if he did not recognize her. “How are your poor nerves my dear? Should I fetch your smelling salts?”
Mrs. Gardiner returned his stare and coolly stated, “I am not turning into your sister, Mr. Gardiner. I am merely giving our niece room to fall in love.”
“And what of Mr. Darcy? What will you do to ensure he enters the same state?”
“Believe me, dear husband, he is already there.”
“I assume he will be paying a call.”
“Tomorrow morning. If the weather allows, I plan on letting them walk out together.”
“Very well. I will be here when they return, and we shall see what the young man is made of.”
********
Elizabeth once again stood at her bedroom window with her head pressed against the glass as she looked out into the darkness. She had a slight smile on her face as she recalled her time with Mr. Darcy that morning. It could not have been better had it been a dream. He was warm and attentive, and she managed to engage him without being rude or combative. It should have been that way from the beginning, but pride, vanity, and willful misunderstandings had worked against them.
During the carriage ride back to Gracechurch Street that afternoon, Elizabeth recited every detail of her acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. It was an easy story to tell as she had pictured it over and over in her mind for weeks. She remembered every conversation, every look, every rejection, and every hope, without the prejudice that had then clouded her mind.
She sighed as she moved from the window and into her bed. As she pulled the covers over herself and rested her head heavily on the pillow, her thoughts shifted from Darcy to her family and the events that caused her removal from Longbourn.
“How could they have expected me to marry such a stupid man?” she whispered to herself. Her mind conjured up the image of Mr. Collins standing before her with a sweaty brow and hunched posture as he spoke with a confidence that could only come from the delusion of self-importance. She shuddered as she remembered how he rubbed his hands together as he spoke and leered at her as if she were not a person, but prey about to be devoured.
Shaking the image from her head, her mind spun through all the heated arguments and hateful accusations that caused so much pain for all involved during those last few days of November. She settled on the one that had truly broken her heart and had nearly broken her resolve. Her dearest friend, her beloved Jane, spoke to her with such venom that she could almost believe it was her mother standing in her room, shaking her head disapprovingly and giving her a look of complete disdain.
She could not hold back her tears as she remembered their argument.
Elizabeth had returned to her room after a heated discussion with her father. She was pacing back and forth with one hand on her hip and the other on her forehead. She was unsuccessfully trying to calm her breathing as Jane entered the room and closed the door.
“Oh, Jane!” She cried as he flung herself into her sister’s arms. “Papa insists that I marry that man.”
Sobs wracked her body as Jane rubbed her back and shushed her in an effort to calm her.
When Elizabeth’s tears finally slowed, Jane lifted her head from her shoulder and wiped her cheeks. In her familiar serene manner, she looked at her sister and said, “Of course you will marry him, Lizzy. What choice do you have?”
Elizabeth looked at her disbelievingly. “What?”
“Surely you must see this is the only way to secure our future. You will not be made rich by the marriage, but you will be able to keep Longbourn, and Mama will be saved from the hedgerows. I know you wanted to marry for love, Lizzy, but it is time to be realistic. We cannot be sure another offer will come for any of us.”
Her breath once again became labored as she looked at her sister in wonder. “Jane, how can you say that? How could I ever be happy with such a man? Do you truly wish me to give up my entire life for Longbourn on the assumption that none of us will receive another offer?”
“Such a man, Lizzy? He may not be as handsome and rich as Mr. Darcy, but he is respectable.”
“Mr. Darcy? What does he have to do with any of this?”
“I know we never talked about it, Lizzy, but you must have hoped he would make you an offer.”
“Jane! I do not know what you are talking about. Why would I hope for an offer from a man who I know dislikes me as much as I do him?”
Jane let out a long sigh that seemed to have been kept in for an eternity. Her serene countenance was replaced with anger as she placed her hands over her face and shook her head.
“Elizabeth Bennet, I believe you are as stupid as you are selfish. How can it be that you, who is supposed to be so very clever, cannot see what is so obvious to the rest of the world. Mr. Darcy admired you, Lizzy. But, of course, you did not see it because you were too busy nursing your wounded vanity and insulting the man to his face and to anyone who would listen.”
Elizabeth shook her head and began to respond, but Jane stopped her.
“How many times did he ask you to dance? Three! Who else in the neighborhood did he ask? No one! Not Charlotte, not the Long girls, and certainly not me. Lord, Lizzy, the way the man looked at you! You are such a fool! If you had shown him any encouragement, perhaps he would have stayed to court you instead of leaving with Mr. Bingley and his sisters.”
“Mr. Bingley has gone?”
“Yes. I received a note from Caroline two days ago saying the entire party has left for London with no plans of returning. She said both gentlemen were anxious to get back to Miss Darcy. So you see, Lizzy; any hopes we had for them are gone, and we are left with Mr. Collins, and he wants you.”
“Jane, I cannot bind myself to him! I cannot live with him, submit to him, and bear his children. It would destroy me, Jane. I am sure that the person I am now would no longer exist within a month of being his wife.”
Jane pinched the bridge of her nose, closed her eyes, and let out a humorless laugh. She turned and glared at her sister with eyes that seemed completely void of emotion.
“And what, dear sister, is so pleasing about Lizzy Bennet that she cannot make this sacrifice for her family? Is it your intelligence? I think we just established that it is not quite as superior as you once believed. Perhaps it is your quick wit? I dare say we could all live without your charming quips. What does that leave? Your mediocre skill at the pianoforte? Your reputation as a great walker? Please tell me; which of these things will bring you security if you do not accept Mr. Collins?”
Elizabeth stood before her sister, trembling with her mouth open in disbelief. The woman in the room with her, speaking such hateful words, looked like Jane but felt like a complete stranger. Where was the Jane who was sweet and kind and thought the best of everybody? Where was the comfort she had been sure she would receive instead of the disdain that was dripping from Jane’s tongue? Her father shocked her with his forceful resolve that she do his will, and now Jane had turned on her as well. Was nothing in her life real? Was the love she had felt all her life imagined? At that moment, she hardly knew herself.
“Papa wants to see you in his study. He expects you shortly.”
With that, Jane turned and walked through the door, leaving a shocked Elizabeth to contemplate her words.
Elizabeth was brought back from her memories by the sound of rain gently tapping against her window. I hope the rain does not hinder my walk with Mr. Darcy tomorrow. Her aunt had informed her that she would allow them to walk without a chaperone as long as they kept to the main pavement or the well-traveled paths of the park near their home.
Jane’s tirade had made her question everything about not only herself but Mr. Darcy as well. She had held onto the belief that he disliked her and judged her harshly. Since coming to London, when she did not dwell on Jane’s attack on her character, she thought about her claims that Mr. Darcy admired her, and she began to see him differently. If anything good could come from her break with Jane, perhaps it could be a new friendship with him. She smiled at that thought and settled down to sleep, eager for what the morning would bring.
Chapter Four
* * *
Elizabeth awoke the next morning pleased to see the rain had stopped and sunlight peek through the clouds, shining through her window. She smiled as she slid the covers off and wondered how long it had been since she was this happy to rise and greet the day. As she rose from her bed, she heard a knock on her door.
&nbs
p; “Enter.”
Mrs. Gardiner came into the room followed by a maid carrying a tray. She directed her to set the tray on the table in a small sitting area close to Lizzy’s bed.
“I thought you might enjoy breakfast in your room this morning.”
“Thank you, yes. Will you join me?” Elizabeth smiled lovingly as she walked over to pour tea for the both of them.
“Yes, dear girl. I thought we could talk while we enjoyed our meal together,” Mrs. Gardiner said sweetly as she sat down.
Elizabeth tilted her head and looked at her aunt’s smiling face. She was so full of love and had patiently supported Elizabeth through the trials of the past months. A feeling of guilt washed over her as she realized that she had not expressed her gratitude to her aunt and uncle nearly enough.
“Aunt, thank you for allowing me to stay here. I know I have not been good company, but I am grateful for all you have done. If you had not come for me, I could be married to that man by now.”
“Your uncle never would have allowed that, Lizzy. You are as dear to us as our own children, and we only want your happiness.”
The tenderness Elizabeth felt for her aunt was tainted with sadness as she thought about her parents. Why did they not show the same love and care for their children that her aunt and uncle did? Why was it that she was tossed aside so easily?
Seeing Elizabeth’s pained expression and guessing her thoughts, Mrs. Gardiner took her hand.
“I can never condone your father’s actions, Lizzy, but I do not believe he acted out of malice. He does love you, but his selfishness has overshadowed his affection.” She reached up to stroke her niece’s hair, and she sighed. “It is disheartening to realize you love someone more than they love you. You feel things so deeply that it will be difficult to find someone who is capable of returning your love. But it is not impossible.”