by Pamela Lynne
“Whining will not make the rain stop, Lydia. Surely you can find some way to fill your time,” Jane hissed at her youngest sister while rubbing her temples. She had spent the morning in her mother’s rooms listening to her rant about their pending doom, and her patience was gone.
“There is no need to be ugly, Jane. You have been so mean since Lizzy left. What happened to all your sweetness and goodness? Did they get packed into Lizzy’s bags and carried off to London, too?”
“I wish someone would carry me away to London. Lizzy is probably having great fun with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. I wager they have purchased her an entire new wardrobe by now,” Kitty said wistfully while looking out of the window.
Jane said nothing but felt Kitty was probably right. Their uncle doted on Lizzy. She began to let her thoughts wander to what fun her sister might be having in London when she heard Mary speak.
“Lizzy was not carried away, she escaped. Have you forgotten what awaits her when she returns?” Mary looked to each girl, and for a moment, they looked as if they felt sympathy for their sister. Just for a moment.
Any response to Mary’s admonishment was silenced by the sound of raised voices coming from their father’s study. They could not make out the words, but it was obvious their mother had made her way downstairs and, for whatever reason, entered into a very loud discussion with her husband. She never seemed to notice the shakiness of his voice, the paleness of his complexion, or any of the other changes that had occurred over the past months. She certainly never noticed the barely restrained rage that hovered just behind his eyes.
The sisters remained quiet and looked at each other, wondering if they should do something. Eventually, Jane rose and closed the door, and Mary moved to the pianoforte. They could not stop what was happening, so they tried to drown out the noise as best they could until the yelling ended and their mother’s footsteps were heard ascending the stairs. The sisters said nothing, just left for their rooms in pairs, Jane and Mary to one and Kitty and Lydia to another, each feeling as helpless and fragile as babes.
********
Richard came up behind Darcy as he stood watching the ladies, who were examining Georgiana’s sketchbooks. They had finished a tour of the public rooms, ending in the library, where they now gathered. His mind was lost to the pleasant scene in front of him when he heard his cousin speak.
“Georgiana gave me the abbreviated story. Will you not tell me all she omitted?”
“I would think it obvious I am courting Miss Bennet.”
“Yes, I think ‘obvious’ is an understatement. God, Darcy, could you be more besotted? I had a difficult time containing my laughter watching you fawn over her. Wait until Sebastian sees you. You will never hear the end of it.”
“Sebastian can take his opinions straight to the devil.”
Richard looked at him with raised eyebrows.
“Richard, there are things we need to discuss. You are right. There is more to the story of my courtship of Miss Bennet. I also need to speak to you regarding the latest escapades of our family.”
“You mean about Sebastian and Lord Barrymore?”
It was Darcy’s turn to raise his eyebrows.
“Ah, so you have not heard. I do not know the full story myself, but it somehow involves Lady Barrymore.”
Darcy rubbed his forehead in irritation. “That does not surprise me. Come with us to take Miss Bennet home, and meet her family. It is important that you know her uncle, and I will explain why later. Then come back here so we can talk. We will request that Sebastian join us so he can tell us what occurred with Barrymore. I would rather hear it from him than secondhand.”
“Very well. Bingley was at the club again today. He said he saw you recently.”
By this time, the ladies had joined them. Elizabeth looked at Darcy with concern. “You did not tell me you saw Mr. Bingley.”
Darcy took her hand and wrapped her arm around his. He did not look at her and responded somewhat coolly, “I had not the time to mention it.”
Elizabeth looked at him, carefully studying his countenance and wondered why he was now closed off when he had been so open to her earlier. Because I had been upset, and he was comforting me. If he were going to be open now, it would take some prodding as it had in the park when he told her about Miss Bingley.
“You had the time, sir. You just did not want to talk about it,” she said gently. “Was it upsetting to see him?”
Richard watched the exchange and expected Darcy to walk away and brood in the corner, but was surprised to hear him answering Elizabeth’s question.
“I was more surprised than upset. He was at your uncle’s warehouse when I called there. They were discussing business opportunities, and I stayed to participate in the discussion. He will also be at the dinner your aunt and uncle are hosting next week.”
“Oh. I had not realized he and my uncle knew each other. Please do not feel you must come. Uncle’s associates were encouraged to bring their wives, so it is likely he will bring his sister. I would not wish you to be uncomfortable.”
“I will not allow any discomfort I feel toward them to keep me from an evening with you.” He placed his free hand over hers.
“Well then, I shall be your armor and shield you from all things orange and amiable.” They both laughed.
“Is it not the gentleman’s job to protect the lady?” He rubbed her hand gently.
“I think I have demonstrated in the past that I have no need for protection from Caroline Bingley. Truly, I know that Uncle would rescind their invitation if you are uncomfortable.”
“I do not understand. Why would you be uncomfortable with the Bingleys, Brother?” Georgiana asked.
Darcy sighed. Not wanting to tell the story again, he nodded to Elizabeth, silently asking her to speak on his behalf.
“Because the walking orange nightmare, as you so aptly described her, attempted to compromise your brother his last night at Netherfield. Mr. Bingley chose to support his conniving sister over his friend. Needless to say, Fitzwilliam refused to give in to their demands that he marry her.”
Horrified at what almost happened, Georgiana stepped forward and embraced her brother and then Elizabeth. “We all came so close,” she whispered.
Richard did not ask what she meant, assuming it was one of the things Darcy would explain later. “I am sorry I approached the subject. It has gotten far too serious in here, which I know, Darcy, is how you typically prefer it, but not today. Miss Bennet, it sounds as if you owe my cousin here at least two dances. What do you think, Mouse, shall we scandalize the servants and dance a waltz in the middle of the afternoon?”
Georgiana clapped and exclaimed, “What a good idea, Richard! I will ask Mrs. Annesley to play for us.” She left the room, and Richard followed, continuing to tease as he went. Elizabeth made for the door as well when she felt a pair of strong arms pull her back.
“Have I told you how happy I am to have you here, Elizabeth?” Darcy asked as he turned her to face him, trapping her in his embrace.
“Not nearly enough, sir,” Elizabeth said with adoration shining in her eyes.
Looking down upon the beautiful woman in his arms, Darcy was suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of rightness. He felt whole, like nothing could ever be wrong again as long as she was there.
“I want you here forever, Elizabeth. You belong with us. Do you not feel it?”
Elizabeth leaned back from him and cupped his cheek. “I do.”
Darcy shook his head and brought a hand from her waist to her neck, where his palm caressed her gently as his thumb traced the line from her ear to her chin.
“No, you were not meant for Longbourn. You were meant for Pemberley. Perhaps it is too soon, but nothing in my life has ever felt as right as having you with me.”
He leaned forward and barely touched her mouth with his own and whispered, “Marry me, Elizabeth.” He kissed her lips softly then moved to her cheek then to her ear while he continued to whisper, �
�I love you, Elizabeth. Come home; stay with me always.”
His mouth covered hers again, almost desperately, as he tried to pour all his love and longing into her. “Lizzy. My Lizzy.” He sighed as he pulled back to look at her.
Every nerve in her body called to him, needed his attention, cried out for his touch. She pulled him back to her and matched his love in every stroke of her mouth against his.
“Yes, Fitzwilliam,” she breathed when she finally released him. “I want to marry you. I want to come home.”
“I need you to say it, Elizabeth, please.” He did not give her opportunity, though, as he kissed her again and pulled her tighter against him. He needed her words but found he needed her touch even more.
“I love you, Will,” she finally managed as his lips made their way down her neck. “I love you so much.”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy moaned into her neck as he backed her against the wall. He knew he needed to stop, but finally saying the words aloud and hearing them in return unleashed something in him, and he had little desire to restrain the lust coursing through him.
While his lips remained on hers, his hands began to roam from her shoulders down to the curve of her waist, over hips and back up. Her sigh of approval and her hands running through his hair encouraged him to explore further, and he pulled her forward from the wall so he could palm her rounded bottom, pressing her against his arousal. They both moaned at the sensation, wishing it could last, but the sound of the pianoforte slowly brought them back to their senses.
Darcy stilled his hands and slowed his kisses but did not release her. He placed a final soft kiss on her forehead then said, “Forgive me, Elizabeth. You are far too great a temptation. I seem to lose all self-control in your presence.”
“I feel the same way. I know I have not been acting as a lady should, but I cannot bring myself to care. It feels so good when you touch me.”
“My sweet, passionate girl. We should join Georgiana and Richard before I forget myself again. It sounds as if they have started without us.” Even with those words, he made no move to release her. He needed to maintain the connection as long as he could before they had to face the reality of her father, his uncle, and the very long days that loomed ahead.
********
Mary Bennet sat in the window seat of her sister’s room watching the rain fall and contemplated everything that occurred since the autumn. Being the in-between sister, without the loveliness of the elder two or the liveliness of the younger, Mary at least had the advantage of being invisible. This afforded her the ability to observe, if not actively participate in, all the goings on surrounding her. Her life had never been joyful, but it had been constant, and there was some bit of contentment to be found in that.
The arrival of the Netherfield party had disrupted not only the neighborhood but life as Mary knew it as well. From her vantage point as wallflower, it was easy to see how the newcomers were affected by her sisters, who were affected by them as well. Mr. Bingley fell in love with Jane but left, leaving her bitter and fearful of spinsterhood. Mr. Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth, but he left, leaving her vulnerable to Mr. Collins.
Though she could not blame her father’s behavior on the people of Netherfield, it was around the time of their arrival that he had begun to change as well. Seeing the inconsistency of man left her with a feeling of foreboding, as if she were merely waiting for the shaky walls that made up Longbourn to crumble.
The irony that she was sitting in the spot that Elizabeth had frequented was not lost on her. She had taken Elizabeth’s place by Jane’s side, which at first made her feel as if she finally had a role in the family.
That quickly changed as she began to see Jane not as the serene beauty that she put forth to the world, but the cold and angry woman she had changed into since Elizabeth left. She did not doubt Jane’s guilt over her treatment of their sister, but she could see that guilt was being replaced by envy and despair. Jane was hurt that their father was only thinking of Elizabeth’s worth as mistress of Longbourn and that their uncle had rescued only her, leaving Jane to wallow in the mess that was left behind.
Later that evening, as their maid was helping them ready for bed, Mrs. Bennet entered Jane’s room. She and Mary were surprised to see her, and each pretended not to notice how she seemed to be careful of her right arm.
“Girls, I have good news,” she said in a tone slightly more subdued than normal. “It seems your sister will soon be home. I went to your father today to ask that he reconsider you for Mr. Collins’s wife, Mary, as you suggested.”
“Mama, I wish you would have let me ask him. You did not need to do so on my behalf,” Mary said, feeling an intense rush of guilt.
“It is of no matter because he still refuses. We argued about it for some time before he finally told me he received a letter from Mr. Collins saying he would be here early. Lady Catherine is making an unexpected trip to London, so he feels free to come now instead of next week. What a relief it will be when all this is over. It has been far too trying on my poor nerves. I know as soon as Lizzy is back that your father will calm considerably. Well, girls, I will leave you to sleep.” Mrs. Bennet left, and the maid followed.
Jane and Mary looked at each other in alarm. Mary reached for Jane’s hand and said comfortingly, “Lizzy must have received the letter you sent by now. Uncle Gardiner will have her out of London. There is no need to worry.” She wanted to believe it was only fear for Lizzy that she saw in Jane’s eyes, but she could tell that, though brief, there was also some satisfaction in her mother’s words. She was certainly a woman fighting an inner battle.
“You are right, Mary. But what will we do when Papa returns without Lizzy? He will be furious.”
“Perhaps once he sees she is lost to him, he will allow for another option. I do not rejoice in the idea of marrying Mr. Collins, but I do not want to be homeless. I feel it is our only choice, but if Papa does not allow it . . .” Her voice trailed off, not finishing the thought as she returned to the window seat and pressed her head to the glass, letting the sound of the rain bring comfort.
********
“The Gardiners are agreeable people,” Richard commented while looking into the contents of his glass. He had spent a very pleasant evening in the company of Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle. It was not until they returned to Darcy House that he was told that the jovial man, who had greeted him warmly, and who happily toasted Darcy’s engagement, owned his father.
“Yes, they are. I was humiliated when I saw my mother’s portrait in Mr. Gardiner’s warehouse. He was very kind and refused to let me pay Uncle Henry’s debts. I never thought I would see a tradesman display better breeding that my own titled family.”
“You, of all people, should know by now that admittance to the upper classes does not guarantee genteel behavior. You, dear Cousin, were raised to be a gentleman in the true sense of the word while the rest of us were taught that being a gentleman meant never getting your hands dirty and being sure your derelict behavior was not made public.”
“That is not your attitude, Richard.”
“Only because I am a second son and had to get my hands dirty in order to have a living. As soon as I marry a large dowry, I will be free to partake in said derelict behavior.” He took a long sip of brandy and closed his eyes, opening them at the sound of his brother coming through the door.
“Ah, speak of the derelict, and he appears.”
“Go to hell, Richard. But before you do, pour me one of those, will you. I have had a trying day.” He sat down slowly and looked at Darcy. “After your visit this morning, Cousin, Father had to tell Mother the extent of his debts and the reasons behind them. You cannot say or call me anything she has not already. She shortened her potential wives list considerably and is determined to see me court the ugliest women in London.”
Feeling no sympathy, Darcy asked, “Just what are the extent of your debts and the reasons behind them?”
“And what does it all have to d
o with Lord Barrymore?” Richard added.
The viscount let out a long sigh then lowered his head and made his confession. He expected to hear Darcy’s condescending lecture on morality, but instead, he heard Richard’s angry diatribe against Barrymore.
“He should have called you out, the bloody coward, but instead, he held you for ransom like a highwayman. He would not meet you on the field of honor, as a gentleman should, but would have murdered you if Father had not paid him? Damn bloody coward!”
Richard’s anger was surprising, especially to himself. He could expect to feel a little indignant on his brother’s behalf, but the image of a man like Barrymore holding a gun to Sebastian’s head made his blood boil.
“I appreciate your loyalty, Brother, but there is nothing to be done about it now. The hope is that this new alliance will give way to lower interest so that this is not hanging over us forever.”
“I hope your father does not expect me to act as his agent in this. Mr. Gardiner asked me to stay out of it, and I shall. I will not allow this to affect my relationship with him or Elizabeth.”
“No, Darcy, I will handle this. I created the situation, I should at least be the one to manage it.”
“You almost sound contrite, Sebastian,” Darcy said suspiciously.
The viscount said nothing but took his brandy as he stood up. He walked to the window, avoiding his cousin’s judgment and his brother’s anger, and looked out into the darkness as the cold rain pelted the window.
Chapter Twelve
* * *
Elizabeth was checking herself in the mirror one last time when she heard a soft knock. She turned in time to see her maid open the door to her aunt.
“Good morning, Aunt. The sun is shining!”
“Yes, dear, it is. You will have good weather for your outing with the Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Oh, Lizzy!” She pulled her niece in for a close hug. “I am so happy for you,” she said with tears in her eyes.