“Later today, if you would, I will ask you to ride into Lambton and be sure my sister and her husband have a room for tonight and tickets on tomorrow’s coach. I cannot let Lydia suffer because of my disdain for Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth offered her plan.
Harrison bowed gently to take his leave. “That would be my pleasure, Madam.”
Elizabeth touched his arm again to stop his withdrawal. “Would you stay with us for a few days? If it is not too much trouble, I would ask you to ride out with Mr. Howard and inspect the lands. I trust Mr. Howard, but it would do the tenants good to see someone—a man—who takes an interest in the estate.They know Mr. Howard to be an employee. I will ask Georgiana to ride out, too. If the two of you are with Mr. Howard, it will send a message to the tenants that Pemberley’s future is in safe hands.”
“Mrs. Darcy, how quickly you learned your husband’s ways.”
“Fitzwilliam’s voice is always in my head. Let us rejoin the others.You may even sit next to my sister today,” Elizabeth teased. “It will be your reward for your valiant efforts on her behalf.”
“She is magnificent,” Harrison verbalized his thoughts.
Elizabeth cautioned, “I have not changed my mind about your declaring yourself, Mr. Harrison. With my Fitzwilliam’s departure, I need Georgiana more than ever.”
Harrison dropped his eyes.“I know, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Plus, you should know my husband and I are teaching Georgiana about the running of an estate. She will be a formidable mate for any man brave enough to choose her,” Elizabeth taunted.
“If I believe in liberty for men of color, I certainly could not consider making my wife my subject. Miss Darcy’s knowledge of an estate would not intimidate me nor would it intimidate any man who truly values a woman’s ability. In the Americas, women work alongside their men; it is a liberating concept.”
“Well spoken, Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth grinned largely. “Now, I am in need of some tea.”They walked back toward the others. Harrison quickly claimed the seat next to Georgiana, fearing Elizabeth might change her mind, but Elizabeth took note of Georgiana’s fragile condition after the scene with Mr. Wickham and allowed her husband’s sister to glory in Mr. Harrison’s attention to her.
Stress filled the day at Darling Hall. Miss Donnelly prowled the passageways, pacing the floors and possessing a foul mood. Fitzwilliam Darcy avoided her, going riding and shooting. He decided several days ago he would leave the estate soon; Miss Donnelly’s temperament was too mercurial for his tastes. He decided he would beg his father for forgiveness rather than align himself with such a self-possessed woman. In fact, a little over a week ago, he addressed a letter to his father, pleading for just that—the right to come home and start anew.
Darcy stayed at Darling Hall for nearly a month. Now, he would wait for the response from his father and then bid Miss Donnelly adieu. She would not be happy with his decision, and Darcy dreaded the scene that would occur, but even a dutiful son had to consider the price he paid to please his father.
He remembered various facts in the past fortnight, but Darcy did not discuss them with Miss Donnelly. Her answers played down his recollections; however, the same ideas kept resurfacing nightly in his dreams. Darcy had not abandoned his thoughts of a sister. In fact, the name Georgiana rang clearly in his memory, and the girl in his dreams was too young to be his brother’s wife.
He remembered a large estate, grieving for his mother’s passing. His father grieved also to the point of distraction, often leaving his children alone. He felt a sister, but he could not recall a brother.As these memories resurfaced, he decided Miss Donnelly deceived him. He knew not why unless she simply did not have other options. The confusion caused by the memories and the lies deepened his anxiety each day.
As Darcy crawled in bed this particular evening, his own nerves frayed, he anticipated a return of his favorite dream—the dream of the woman who saw only him and who loved only him. The dream this evening was a new one, and he allowed it to overtake his senses.
More pensive than usual, his calmness possessed an intensity he knew not before. Finishing his ablutions quickly, he entered Elizabeth’s bedroom to wait for her. He lit several candles and took a seat facing the door to her dressing room; yet, the door opened before he could settle his nerves completely, and she was framed in the backlight of the adjoining room. He remembered her being framed in a doorway at his friend’s estate, boots and petticoat covered in mud. He actually thought her lovely then; now she was beautiful. With the light behind her, Darcy could see Elizabeth’s perfect body through the gown. They looked at each other, entranced by the moment until she stepped slowly into the room, and the door closed behind her. Darcy could not stand to not be near her; so he rose and crossed to where she stood.
His touch of her skin sent a shiver through Elizabeth’s body; he cupped her chin as he lifted it to kiss her lips—the kiss warm and tender. She moved in closer, encircling her arms around his waist and instinctively sliding her hands under Darcy’s shirt and up the muscles of his back. He trembled as he kissed her again while slowly pulling her closer to him and letting his hands rest on her hips. Their breathing became shallow as the kisses became more intense.
Darcy scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her gently against the pillows. She shifted nervously as his gaze grew in its eagerness. He removed his nightshirt and lowered himself beside her, kissing her repeatedly, his hands searching her body beneath her gown while his lips moved down her neck. Elizabeth reached out and pulled him to her; she would be his.
He felt her soft hands on his chest, and her lips caressed his chin line. Darcy moaned, knowing in moments she would give herself to him and, at last, be his forever. He allowed his hands to move down the curve of her back, and he pulled her hips to him. Unbelievably, she touched him intimately, and Darcy groaned with anticipation. His hands slipped her gown upward, desperately wanting the assurance of her embrace.
This dream was perfect. He felt it all—the heat of her breath, the warmth of her skin, the gloved hand caressing him. Darcy knew this could not be real, but he never wanted it to end. He cupped her chin with his hand to bring her mouth to his. “I love you,” he gasped.
“I love you, Frederick,” she purred.
The realization of her words and the encumbered feeling of her touch finally invaded his psyche, and Darcy violently pushed the woman from him while grabbing at the bedclothes to cover himself.
“Madam, what do you mean by being here?” he demanded.
Miss Donnelly stood before him, wearing nothing more than a silky nightgown along with wrist-length white gloves. Her appearance struck him as comical, and he fought the urge to start laughing.
“I desired your attentions.” Miss Donnelly offered him a sugary smile. “May we not finish this?” She stepped closer to him to let him know her receptivity to the idea.
“I do not think so, Madam!” He put distance between them as he secured the bed linens around his waist.
Again, Miss Donnelly closed the distance between them. “But you told me of your love. You said, ‘I love you,’ not a minute ago.”
“Madam, I assure you love is not the feeling I possess at this moment. You should not be found here,” he tried to reason with her.
“We are to be married soon. We can anticipate our happiness,” she argued.
Darcy’s eyes took on a steel gray hue, his anger evident as he spoke to the woman still offering herself to him. “Miss Donnelly, if we marry, I will not be visiting your bed; even if we are alone forever, I shall not take my pleasure in you.” His voice held a controlled resolve. “Now, I will ask you to leave my chambers.”
“I will tell everyone you brought me here and compromised me; you will have to marry me.” Miss Donnelly picked up her robe from the floor where she dropped it.
“If you tell people what happened this evening, I will deny it, and it will be your shame alone. As a female, your word will never take precedence
over mine in a court of law, and I will take it that far if you insist on our marrying. What reputation you have will be ruined; your lifestyle is too idiosyncratic for the conservative farmer found in this area to believe anything you say.You will be left with no reputation at all.This is not a bourgeois neighborhood. Do I make myself clear!? You are eight and twenty and have no marriage prospects to date. Whom do you think the populace will believe?You invited me to Darling Hall; in fact, your carriage brought me to Darling Hall for all I know. I will swear you did so to ensnare me.”
Miss Donnelly began to shake with anger and embarrassment. “You do not intend to marry me?” Her words hung in the air.
“I considered the matter, and it does not seem to be in our mutual interest to do so.”
She started to continue her protest when she caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. Full of rage and mortification, Elizabeth Donnelly turned to see Conrad standing in the shadows. He rose from his pallet on the floor and stood mesmerized by the melodrama playing out in front of him. “You!” she screamed, pointing a gloved finger in his direction. “Why are you lurking about in Mr. Donnelly’s room? Speak, man, don’t stand there like a mute.”
Her glare intensified as Conrad shifted his weight under her stare. He stammered, trying to compose an answer to an obvious question. Mr. Donnelly did not trust the household staff nor did he trust her. Before he committed an ultimate sin of speaking out unceremoniously to his employer, Darcy stepped forward, placing himself between Elizabeth Donnelly and his manservant. “Control yourself, Madam,” he demanded in a harsh whisper. “You are making a scene. It is bad enough you entered my bedchamber uninvited; now you propose to complicate the matter by announcing to the staff your indiscretion. Have you no shame?You prove my point with this display. I assure you Conrad’s silence in this matter, but if you do not leave now, your actions will readily become public knowledge. Now, I suggest you leave my room posthaste. We will never speak of this incident again. Do I make myself clear?”
Darcy’s head remained only inches from her upturned face. A stranger coming upon the scene might think he stumbled upon a moment of intimacy between a man and a woman; however, Darcy felt nothing but contempt for the lady standing in front of him. He fought hard to keep that emotion out of his voice when next he spoke. “Conrad will escort you back to your room, Miss Donnelly. Have a pleasant evening.” He placed his hand on her elbow to guide her toward the bedroom door, opening it precipitously. With a flick of his wrist, he motioned for Conrad to escort his employer back to her bedroom.
“I do not want that man near me,” she demanded as she looked back at the truly stunned servant.
“Then I will summon your maid.” Darcy pretended to pacify her.“Of course, that will add to your duplicity. I guarantee Conrad’s loyalty to this estate and to your family; I cannot speak as such for the other servants. Now, do you still wish for me to summon your maid? I suppose if you insist, I could escort you wrapped in my bedclothes, but I do not see how that will nullify the situation.What shall it be, Madam?”
Shocked, she shrieked at the top of her lungs, pulled the gloves from her hands, threw them on the floor at her feet, and heavily stamped to her room. As instructed, Conrad followed at a respectful distance until she entered her chambers and slammed the door.
Miss Donnelly sat at the desk of her study. She had not seen Darcy all day. He took breakfast in his rooms. She must think of some way out of this mess; her mind raced, looking for a solution. If she could not seduce Darcy, he would not marry her; then where would she be? Her thoughts dwelt on the embarrassment of the previous night, and she was unaware of the maid’s presence at the door.
“Miss Donnelly,” the maid said, waiting for the mistress’s attention before continuing. “There is a gentleman from Kent to see you.”
Shaking the cobwebs from her mind, she said,“Send him in.”
The short, pudgy clergyman entered the study and made Miss Donnelly an ostentatious bow. “Miss Donnelly, I am Mr. William Collins. Your request through my father Sir William Lucas to officiate over your nuptials honored me.To marry the son of a lord is a rare distinction.”
“Ah, Mr. Collins.” Miss Donnelly made him a curtsy. “I forgot you arrived today.” She tried to put on a face of confidence, but Miss Donnelly wondered what to do with Mr. Collins now that Darcy rejected her advances.
“Of course, I came as quickly as possible. My esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park kindly released me of my duties this week so I might attend to your needs. My curate will deliver my sermon to my flock at Hunsford tomorrow.” Mr. Collins spoke quickly, trying to impress with his connections. “We may do the ceremony early Monday morning.”
“Mr. Collins,” she finally interrupted his speech,“my cousin and I wish to marry immediately.We were to marry previously, but armed highwaymen attacked Frederick, forcing us to postpone.” Why she just did not admit there would be no marriage even surprised her.
“How awful,” Collins gasped.“I assume your cousin is with health now.”
“He is recovering quite well, thank you.” She offered him a seat.“May I offer you some refreshments, Mr. Collins?”
“No, thank you, Miss Donnelly. Might I, however, meet your intended? I believe it is part of my responsibility as a spiritual leader to counsel my charges. Lady Catherine de Bourgh highly agrees this to be a part of my duties. In fact, she encourages it. I am currently providing such services to her daughter Miss Anne de Bourgh and her intended Colonel Fitzwilliam, who is actually the son of Lord and Lady Matlock.”
Miss Donnelly thought she never saw such a pompous nincompoop in her life, but if she could still convince Darcy to marry her, she would tolerate anything. So, did it matter whether Darcy would visit her bedroom or not? That activity did not particularly interest her anyway. She would approach it as a business deal; Darcy would marry her, and she would give him part of the inheritance.There was still hope this could be resolved.About that time Darcy came down the main staircase. She quickly moved to the study’s door and called to him. “Frederick, would you come here a moment? I have someone who wishes to meet you.”
Darcy rolled his eyes at her request, but he did as she asked. He entered the doorway of the study and said, “Yes, Madam.”
Mr. Collins jumped to his feet expecting to see a refined gentleman, but the surprise of seeing Fitzwilliam Darcy standing in the doorway froze the man in place. He knew from Lady Catherine and from his wife’s family in Hertfordshire that Darcy had been missing for five weeks.To find him here in Brigg actually stifled Collins. “Frederick, this is Mr. William Collins. Mr. Collins, this is my cousin, Frederick Donnelly.”
Darcy, much to Collins’s surprise, did not change his expression. He made a quick bow before speaking. “Mr. Collins, welcome to Darling Hall. I am afraid, Sir, you caught me at an inopportune time; I must excuse myself. I am sure my cousin will entertain you nicely.” Before anyone could respond, Darcy left the room and the house.
Miss Donnelly tried to cover her embarrassment. Obviously, Darcy’s anger had not subsided.“My cousin is very busy with the estate,” she stammered.
“Your cousin?” Mr. Collins’s voice rose in disbelief. “That man is not your cousin!”
“You are mistaken, Sir. That man is my cousin Frederick Donnelly.” She forced her voice to remain even.
“Madam,” Collins said as he began to pace the floor, “that man is Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Master of Pemberley, the nephew of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh. What kind of deceit are you trying to practice here?” His accusations hit Miss Donnelly fully, and she steadied herself with the back of the chair.
Repeating her earlier remark, she mumbled. “You are mistaken, Sir. He is my cousin Frederick.”
“Madam, he is my cousin! Mr. Darcy is married to my cousin Elizabeth Bennet from Longbourn. It is an estate entailed to me upon her father’s death.What makes you think I know not this man?”
Miss Donn
elly whispered in disbelief,“He is married?”
“My cousin Elizabeth is with child,” Collins added triumphantly.
“Mr. Collins,” Miss Donnelly recovered quickly,“I will have my men bring my coach to take you back into town.” She rang the bell for a maid.
“Miss Donnelly,” he began to protest, but the woman left the room without even a by-your-leave.Within seconds, a staff member ushered him from the room and the house. Collins had no opportunity to speak to Darcy again.
CHAPTER 12
“A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love,
from love to matrimony, in a moment.”
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Darcy rode the horse hard across the lands surrounding Darling Hall; agitation remained from the previous night. He had not slept after physically removing Miss Donnelly from his room. Her desperation meant he must be cautious. Having the foresight to have Conrad sleep in his rooms saved him last night. He would continue to do so. That would stymie her efforts to seduce him into marriage.
He pulled up the horse and dismounted. Looking back at the house from the rise to the left, he could see Miss Donnelly’s coach leaving with the man he met in the study. This Mr. Collins was dressed as a clergyman so Miss Donnelly, obviously, had not abandoned her plans for marriage. The image of the woman standing in his room last night sent revulsion pulsing through his body.“She actually wore gloves to my bedroom,” he muttered.“How could I even consider marriage to such a woman?”
Momentarily, Darcy thought of marrying Miss Donnelly and immediately having her committed for the mentally inept, but he knew that would mean being married until her death—even if she were no longer in the home. No, he simply wanted away from her—away from Darling Hall. The problem he faced was a lack of funds.
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