by Pamela Lynne
Lady Susan opened her mouth to protest but was silenced by a look from her husband. “Of course, Nephew. You need have no doubt as to her acceptance. We look forward to meeting her on Tuesday.”
Darcy rose. “Thank you, Uncle Henry. I knew I could count on your support. I will leave you now. Good morning.” Darcy turned and left the room wearing a satisfied smirk across his face. With that being done, he was then free to enjoy the rest of the day with his lady.
********
Elizabeth sat on the window seat in her uncle’s piano room. She had practiced for what seemed like hours and was now enjoying a quiet contemplation of the previous days with her new friend. Georgiana was such a sweet girl, with charm and wit beyond her years. She wondered if others knew this about her or if, like her brother, she kept the more tender parts of herself private. Whatever the answer, she was grateful now to have two friends in the city where she had previously felt so alone.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a carriage coming to a stop outside the house.
“Fitzwilliam!” she exclaimed in surprise.
She had not expected him for another hour. She quickly rose to adjust her gown and make sure her hair was in place. She had just finished her ministrations when Darcy was shown into the room.
Darcy bowed and greeted Elizabeth civilly. Then, looking around the room, he noticed she was alone. He smiled and walked toward her, reaching her in two long steps. He took her hands, kissing one then the other. He bent down and captured her lips in a soft and gentle kiss, keeping it light, not knowing how long they would be left to themselves.
“You find me quite alone this morning, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth sighed as she settled into his embrace.
“Forgive me. I would not wish to intrude on your privacy,” he said into her neck.
“For you, sir, it is never an intrusion. I will welcome your presence at any time.”
“That is good to know, my girl, for I would wish never to leave your side were it at all possible.”
He could no longer keep his hands still as they began to caress her back, up and down in long strokes, nearly reaching her bottom before they came up again. Elizabeth let out a contented sigh then looked up at him.
He laid his forehead on hers and asked, “Where is your aunt?”
“She is upstairs. She will not be coming with us today. Her eldest, Phillip, developed a fever in the night, and she does not want to leave him.”
Darcy drew back slightly and looked down at her with concern. He laid his hand alternately on her forehead and cheek and asked, “It is not catching, is it? It will not do to have you ill, Elizabeth.”
She was amused by his actions, and she clasped his hands in hers in order to still them.
“If it is catching, then your concern would be better placed with my aunt, for she is the one nursing him, not I.” She could tell he was not satisfied with her answer. “Truly, I am in little danger of succumbing to my cousin’s trifling cold. My aunt is not even very concerned, but Phillip is at an age where he wants little attention from his mother, so she welcomes the opportunity to lavish him with it whenever she can.”
The look on his face told her that he was not listening, but planning her escape from the disease-infested surroundings that were sure to kill her if he did not intervene.
“Fitzwilliam!”
“Hmm? Perhaps you should stay with us until this fever has run its course. We cannot be too careful with your health.”
“You are not listening to me. It is merely a cold.”
“Elizabeth, your aunt has been very generous by allowing us time alone, but she will not allow me into your chamber to care for you if you are ill, and I do not trust—”
His protest was silenced by Elizabeth’s kiss. Her ardent attentions successfully cleared his mind of all thoughts of sweeping her away from sudden death.
“You beautiful, obstinate man,” she said as she held his face in her hands. “I promise, if I become ill, I will be a most troublesome patient and throw myself into the biggest snit that they will have no choice other than to let you see me, if only to calm my poor nerves. Now, are you going to take me to your house? I am sure your sister is waiting for us.”
Darcy’s brow furrowed, and he took her hand, leading her to the couch where he sat then pulled her into his lap.
“Let us sit and talk for a while. It is unlikely we will have another opportunity to be alone this afternoon.” He kissed her nose and gave her a tender smile. Her heart warmed at the sight, and she lightly traced the outline of that smile, causing it to grow further.
“I am still growing accustomed to your smile, Mr. Darcy. I do not believe I saw it once the entire time you were in Hertfordshire. You seem so different now.”
“Have you forgotten whose company I was in that entire time? In addition, it was right after the whole Ramsgate affair. My sister nearly ruined herself, and I had to spend weeks under the same roof as Caroline Bingley. You try smiling under those circumstances.”
Elizabeth giggled and stroked his face. “You have my sympathies, sir.”
“Do you realize how different you are now?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “How so?”
“You seem much more confident, which is strange considering all you have lost. You hold your chin up with pride instead of defiance. Your wit, though as sharp as ever, is less cutting, and you no longer use it as a shield. I believe being around people who truly love you has allowed the real Elizabeth to shine through. You were never meant for Longbourn, my love, and you were right to flee. I am glad I was here to find you when you did.”
Elizabeth kissed him as tears rolled down her cheeks. “And you said I was too observant. How is it you know me so well?”
“Because I did not laugh and dance and make merry in Hertfordshire. I left Bingley to play that part while I watched you. I saw everything, Elizabeth, even things no one else saw, like your brief flashes of hurt and shame so carefully hidden under your humor. And I saw the lightening-quick acknowledgement of Jane’s and your father’s true selves.
“You knew, Elizabeth. You knew who they were, but you did not want to see it because you loved them so—your father because he was your hero and Jane because she was your lifelong companion. I know because I experienced the same with my own father and Wickham.”
“Oh?”
“My father was a good man, but there were things about him I struggled to understand. One of those was his relationship with Wickham. His father was Pemberley’s steward, and for a time, he managed it practically on his own. When my mother died, Father just disappeared for a while. He was there physically, but he was broken on the inside. He recovered enough eventually to return to estate and family duties, but he was never quite the same.
“I understood the loyalty he felt to the Wickhams, but I did not understand why he chose the younger as a companion as he grew older. I was hurt, I will admit, but I realize now that it was because he had no deep ties to Wickham. He was easy, just as Bingley was for me. Of course, he had no idea what kind of man Wickham truly was. I resisted seeing it myself until we were at Cambridge together. So you see, you and I are much the same.”
Elizabeth nodded, and Darcy dried her tears with his fingertips. “Do not cry, beloved,” he said while still caressing her face. “We were both betrayed by the ones we considered our dearest friends. We have been hurt, and we have been alone, but that is all behind us, and we are better for our trials. We have each other now.”
Elizabeth’s throat tightened as her deepening need for him began to overwhelm her. She once again nodded and then clung to him as if her life depended on the connection that grew stronger with every touch. Her heart shattered with love for this man, and she wondered how she had ever managed to live without his genuine care and understanding.
********
Richard Fitzwilliam stood in the doorway and watched in fascination as his cousin Georgiana happily played the pianoforte. He decided that today he would
call upon all his courage and face her without the help of libations to numb his emotions. When he came back to London last year, he was struck dumb by the sight of his little cousin. He had faced the worst Napoleon’s army had to offer, but seeing Georgiana nearly did him in. She was becoming a lovely, spirited and very desirable young woman who would soon be the toast of the ton.
While he spent his best years on the battlefield, Georgiana had grown up. That was not supposed to happen. Nothing else had changed in his absence. Darcy was still severe. His father was still a wastrel and Sebastian still a rake. Seeing the change in Georgiana made him realize all he had lost to the king’s cause. He had seen innocence broken during war, but it was Georgiana’s lost innocence that broke his heart. They had the same eyes after all, and he could not look into hers without seeing his own despair reflecting back at him. So he drank and stayed away and hoped it would all work itself out somehow. Seeing her happy countenance as she played made him think perhaps it had.
The sound of applause drew his attention away from Georgiana. He had not noticed anyone else in the room, but his eye soon settled on a lovely brunette who rose from her seat and strode gracefully to the instrument. His afternoon just got much more interesting.
Chapter Eleven
* * *
“Richard!”
“Hello, Mouse.” Richard chuckled as Georgiana rushed forward to embrace him. “How are you, love?”
“I am well, Cousin. It has been a while,” she said in a low voice as she rested her chin on her chest.
“I know, Mouse. I promise to do better.”
She lifted her head up to meet his eye. “Good. Come meet my friend Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth stood with her hands clasped in front of her and a beautiful, warm smile on her face. From the way he greeted her friend, she believed she would like the man standing in front of her, who wore his own friendly smile.
“Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, this is Elizabeth Bennet, my dear friend. Lizzy, this is my cousin Richard.”
Richard bowed. “It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet. I was unaware Mouse here had any friends. We used to have to drag her from underneath her bed when company came. I am glad she has ventured out enough in the world to make such a lovely acquaintance. Have you known each other long?”
Elizabeth looked over to Georgiana, who rolled her eyes at her cousin. Elizabeth laughed and said, “No, sir. We actually met just last week.”
“One week’s acquaintance and already a dear friend? You must tell me your secret, Miss Bennet. How does one capture hearts so easily?”
Elizabeth bit her lip and looked away. “I do not know that it is done so easily, sir. Georgiana and I have much in common. It may be unusual for a friendship to form in such a short time, but it is not impossible.”
Georgiana looked at Richard and saw a slight gleam of Wickham behind his eyes. Alarmed and angered, she stood.
“Forgive me, Lizzy, but I need to speak to my cousin. Perhaps you can look over the music sheets and find something to play when Fitzwilliam returns. I know he is anxious to hear you. Richard.”
She led her cousin to the far corner of the room. She turned to see a look of curiosity coming from him. She answered his look with a hard pinch on his arm.
“Ouch! Why did you do that?”
“Stop flirting with my friend. You are making yourself look ridiculous.”
“I am not. You must see that she is flirting back. That spark in her eye and the way she bites her lip—she is having fun.”
“Because she is laughing at you, not flirting,” she insisted.
“Georgie, I am not going to trifle with your friend. We are merely enjoying a light banter.”
“Oh, I know you will not be trifling with her, Cousin, and you will know by the end of the afternoon that she has not been flirting with you.” This time, her voice held a bit of amusement.
“And how will that happen, dear little Mouse?”
“You will see.”
Georgiana walked back toward Elizabeth, and Richard followed behind, wondering what game she was playing.
Seeing their return, Elizabeth moved from the pianoforte back to the couch. They all stood for a moment, and Elizabeth looked toward Richard with a smile that radiated pure joy.
Not flirting with me. Georgie must not know her friend well at all.
Richard felt a firm grip on his shoulder as Darcy came up behind him. “Richard, it is good to see you. I see you have met Miss Bennet.” Darcy’s words were directed to his cousin, but his gaze never left Elizabeth as he moved toward her and took her hand.
“Miss Bennet, I hope you will forgive me for having to leave as soon as you arrived. I received an express from my steward at Pemberley, and it could not be ignored.”
They sat down, and Richard noticed that Darcy did not release her hand.
“Is everything alright?” Elizabeth asked
“Yes, it was about a dispute between two of our tenants. He needed my order on how to proceed. It is not too complicated an issue, but I needed to take the time to be sure my decision was correct.”
“And how do you know your decision is correct, Mr. Darcy? Do you listen to the advice of your steward or rely solely on your own wisdom? I have it on good authority that you are never wrong, so it must be the latter. Yes, I believe you are indeed your own man, unerring and officious, never needing anyone to advise or correct,” she teased.
“This is your opinion of me?”
Richard was watching the exchange with marked curiosity. She is teasing him. He looked at Darcy. And he loves it. When I tease him, he does not smile like that. It must have something to do with those. His gaze had left Darcy and moved to Elizabeth’s breasts, where it must have lingered too long because he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of his wrist.
“Ow! Will you stop doing that?” He hissed quietly to Georgiana, who gave him a stern look. He turned his attentions back to the couple before him as he heard Darcy speak.
“Well then, Miss Bennet, I must endeavor to change your mind. But seeing that the charges you lay against me are so very grave, it may take a great while to earn your good opinion. I hope you have some time to spare.”
“But, Mr. Darcy, my time is precious. I am currently attempting a very difficult movement in an Italian opera. Surely you would not want me to abandon my efforts in order to sketch your character. How do I know it will be worthy of my time?”
“I assure you, Miss Bennet, it will be time well spent.” He kissed her hand. and Richard’s eyes bulged. He looked over to Georgiana, who gave him an annoying I-told-you-so smile.
“Well I’ll be damned.” He did not bother to keep his thoughts to himself as it seemed Darcy and Elizabeth were in their own world and not listening anyway. The sight of his severe cousin, who had been pursued by the most beautiful women in London, being openly enamored with a lady was almost too much for Richard. He did what he always did when in disbelief. He laughed.
He is positively moony-eyed. He laughed some more then moved to another seat to avoid Georgiana’s freakishly strong fingers. His eyes traveled to Elizabeth and saw that she was equally enamored, and his heart warmed. He stopped laughing, and his thoughts suddenly became grave. He was teasing earlier when he said she captured hearts easily. He was unsure if Georgiana could be effortlessly swayed, but he knew with certainty Darcy could not. He needed to know more about this woman.
Richard felt like an intruder on an intimate moment. Darcy stared at the young woman with a look that did not belong anywhere outside his bedchambers, and seeing that same look in Miss Bennet’s eyes made him quite envious. Georgiana noticed this as well and wondered if Lizzy had an inner Fitzwilliam of her own.
“Darcy!”
“What is it, Richard?” The familiar scowl had returned.
“Before you entered, I was enquiring as to how Georgiana and Miss Bennet became acquainted.”
“I introduced them,” Darcy said plainly then turned back to Elizabeth, who could see
the mischief sparkling in his eyes.
Not knowing whether to be annoyed or amused at his cousin’s uncharacteristic playfulness, he persisted.
“And how did you meet Miss Bennet, Cousin? Or perhaps I should ask the lady since you are your usual reticent self.”
Elizabeth looked to Darcy to see how he was managing his cousin’s teasing. He smiled, so she replied, “We met when he visited Hertfordshire last autumn,” she said, mimicking Darcy’s tone perfectly and turned her head back toward him.
Amusement finally won, and Richard again laughed. “Georgie, can you tell me more about how they met?”
“Yes, I can. Fitzwilliam was staying with Mr. Bingley. On the evening of his arrival, he, along with Mr. Bingley and his sisters, attended an assembly where he met Miss Bennet. As you will no doubt have little trouble imagining, he managed to show himself in a very unfavorable light. They found themselves in company together many times and were at odds more often than not. She continually refused his offers to dance until Mr. Bingley held a ball, where they danced only once.
“That was the last time they saw each other until just recently when they came upon each other in a bookshop. As you see, since their re-acquaintance, they have become great friends. I think that explains it all, Richard. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I am sure you have covered everything most thoroughly,” he said dryly.
“Good. Shall we have tea, then?”
The four enjoyed pleasant conversation, and when the tea arrived, Darcy gave Richard more reason for amusement when he leaned forward to serve his lady. He prepared her tea with sugar and no cream and filled her plate with the things he knew she preferred. She gave him a quizzical arched eyebrow, and he responded, “I told you I saw everything.”
********
“Lord, will this rain ever stop. We have been trapped inside all day. If this continues, it will be too muddy to walk to Meryton tomorrow,” Lydia Bennet whined while reclining on a chaise in the drawing room at Longbourn.