Darcy had nothing. Even the horse he rode belonged to the estate. If he took the horse, even with a promise to return it, Miss Donnelly would likely send the constable after him.That certainly would not get him back into good graces with his father, and his belongings left from the robbery were of little value for selling. Darcy’s quandary—his escape from the situation in which he found himself—rested in a positive response from his father. He would simply delay his departure from Darling Hall until the fateful letter arrived.
The thing that shook his being, even more this morning than his confrontation with Miss Donnelly last night, was the dream in which he was lost to the woman. Darcy knew it was the same woman—the woman of whom he dreamed each night. Only last night, he finally saw her in the dream—not just felt her presence—actually saw her face. Next to him, the woman was petite and lilt, and his thoughts of her body next to his sent sensations coursing through him even now. If he could possess such a woman, then he thought he could feel contentment.
Mr. Collins’s departure sent Miss Donnelly into a tailspin. She knew it would be only a matter of days before someone knew of her plans. What would she do then? Needless to say, Mr. Collins would send a dispatch to Mr. Darcy’s real family, and then she would be found out. So, for several days she hid in her room, expecting Mr. Darcy and his loved ones to demand to see her.Yet, a week passed without notice, and she eventually returned to her usual routine, although she still avoided Darcy.
Had she known more of Mr. Collins she would know he did report seeing Mr. Darcy to his family. He told the person to whom he owed his living: Mr. Collins told Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine determined if her nephew wished to leave Elizabeth Bennet for a more appropriate match, then who was she to interfere. After all, her nephew demanded she stay out of his personal affairs, and, on this, she would honor his wishes.Therefore, no one knew of Darcy’s whereabouts but his aunt and her faithful servant Mr. Collins.
First, Mr. Harrison came to the estate to help the ladies with the running of Pemberley. A few days later, Jane and Mr. Bingley reappeared. Finally, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne came to stay. Although Elizabeth appreciated their kindness upon her behalf, part of her wanted them to just go away. Darcy had been missing for nearly six weeks, and Elizabeth’s nerves frayed with the effort to maintain her composure.
The end of March approached, as well as the end of Elizabeth’s fifth month of pregnancy. Her girth expanded, and her need for Darcy’s assurances multiplied with each additional pound added to their child’s growth.
“Edward,” she asked over tea,“why are you here?” Elizabeth knew the answer before she asked the question.
“I came to see how things at Pemberley progressed without my cousin here.”
“May I translate for you, Colonel? Lady Catherine wanted you, as Georgiana’s guardian, to assure I did not corrupt the Darcy line with my presence here.”
The colonel blushed with her accusations. “You know my aunt too well,” he chuckled. “Yet, I did want to see how you fared; you were always a favorite of mine, Mrs. Darcy, and I wanted promises you did not lose hope.”With the kindness in his voice, the colonel undid her natural defenses.
“I miss Fitzwilliam,” she sobbed, allowing herself the comfort of knowing Edward would not judge her for this display of femininity.
The colonel came around the table to take Elizabeth’s hand. “It is a time when a woman would naturally feel the stress of everyday life; your taking on the running of this estate in my cousin’s absence says he was a very astute man for having judged your real worth.” Elizabeth collapsed into his outstretched arms, tears flowing freely.
“I cannot go on without him,” Elizabeth’s voice broke with emotion. “It is not fair—three months is not long enough. Fitzwilliam and I wasted all those months fighting each other when we should have been together, building a future.”
“He will come back.” Edward stroked her cheek before using his handkerchief to dab away Elizabeth’s tears. “If he is able, my cousin will return to you and to Pemberley.”
The colonel’s words, once she knew he spoke honestly, brought Elizabeth a new resolve. She squared her shoulders once again.“Thank you, Edward, I needed to hear those words from someone who knows my dear husband as well as I. As long as he is alive and safe, I will be happy.”
During the week Miss Donnelly hid herself away in her room, Darcy took advantage of the reprieve to find out more about her, the estate, and her family. From the servants he learned of the demise of Miss Donnelly’s parents and of the legal binding for her marriage, although the specifics regarding the additional bequest were not clear. He learned many of the staff left the estate with her takeover because of Miss Donnelly’s temper tantrums and her fetish about cleaning. Darcy witnessed this firsthand. Reportedly, only Mr. Lansing could reason with her, but most felt he abused his power and lined his own pockets. As Darcy suspected, the estate had money problems, and Miss Donnelly sold off some family heirlooms to keep it afloat.
What was even more surprising, Darcy learned he was not at Darling Hall prior to his attack. He suspected as much for a long time, but now his suspicions regarding Miss Donnelly’s deceit became truths.The question still remained why she did what she did, and, more importantly, who was he really?
Mr.Addison called one afternoon to check Darcy’s progress. When he had the opportunity, Darcy questioned the man.“Mr. Addison, I understand you to say you are new to the area?”
Addison examined the wounds to see how they healed. “That is correct, Sir.”
“Then you do not know Miss Donnelly’s family?” Darcy tried to sound nonchalant.
“Darling Hall is one of the biggest estates in the area. I appreciate Miss Donnelly’s support,” Addison answered instead of responding to the question.
“I understand your candid remarks, Mr. Addison,” Darcy assured him. “Yet, do you know whether the Donnellys have family in Hertfordshire?”
Mr. Addison put his medical instruments in his bag. “I cannot say for sure, but it would not seem so. From what I know of the family, they have deep roots in this area.”
“It is just as I suspected,” Darcy nearly mumbled, deep in thought. “I have memories of a different family from the one Miss Donnelly described to me. What should I do about this discrepancy?”
“May I ask what you mean?” The doctor seemed naturally curious.
“Miss Donnelly tells me I have an older brother who inherited my father’s estate while I remember a younger sister, an elderly father, and I am the person in charge. Which memory should I believe, Mr.Addison?” Darcy looked confused.
The doctor asked kindly,“Do you dream, Sir?”
“I dream often of the family I described and of a woman I first thought to be a fantasy, but now I think she is real.” Sharing his inner thoughts embarrassed Darcy.
“Memories and dreams are closely related.Your dreams are more reality than you realize, Sir.”
Darcy shifted his weight uncomfortably; the images of the woman flitted across his mind’s eye. “Again, I thank you, Mr. Addison; you gave me much to consider.”
Based on what he already knew, when the post returned his letter sent to Lord Donnelly in Hertfordshire, Darcy took it in stride. He planned how he would face Miss Donnelly and demand the truth from her. Tomorrow would be the day he would confront her.Tomorrow, Darcy would learn her secrets.
Elizabeth sat at Darcy’s desk going over the books for the estate when a maid brought in the post. At first, she thought she would wait until later to read the letter, but she recognized a familiar script and took it in her hand, touching the directions with her fingertips. “Ah, Charlotte, if we could go back to a gentler time,” she mused out loud.
Elizabeth broke the seal and unfolded the paper to read the news from Charlotte Collins. Their relationship once was so close, but with Elizabeth’s refusal of her cousin’s proposal and Charlotte’s eventual marriage to the ostentatious Mr. Collins, Elizabeth lost resp
ect for Charlotte. Elizabeth knew Charlotte, never a romantic, chose Mr. Collins because she reasoned she possessed so few marriage offers his would be the best she could do. Elizabeth understood Charlotte’s motives, but she hated to see her friend saddled with the supercilious Mr. Collins.
She leaned back in Darcy’s chair. The finely worn leather gave Elizabeth comfort like no other piece of furniture in the house did.The chair held his form etched in the cushions, and Elizabeth often curled up in the chair to nap because she felt Darcy’s form around her, holding her close to him. It was a silly idea, but she learned to hold on to silly ideas of late.
My dear Lizzy,
I hide away in my room writing this for I want neither Mr. Collins nor Lady Catherine to know I send this to you. Lady Catherine would remove my husband from his position if she finds out I share this, so I beg you to never tell from where you learned this information. Mr. Collins recently returned from Brigg. He was summoned there by a Miss Elizabeth Donnelly to perform a wedding between Miss Donnelly and her cousin, reportedly the son of a lord. Mr. Collins was anxious for such an honor, but he did not perform the ceremony. Miss Donnelly sent him away immediately when Mr. Collins recognized the groom to be your Mr. Darcy. Miss Donnelly introduced the cousin to Mr. Collins, but Mr. Darcy did not seem to recognize my husband.
Mr. Collins shared the knowledge with Lady Catherine, but she swore him to secrecy.That is why I implore you to keep knowledge of my involvement from others. Yet, I could not sleep if I kept this news from you. I love you, Lizzy, as I would my own sister.Your friend forever,
C. C.
Elizabeth’s hand shook so badly she could barely read the words on the page, but she forced herself to reread the letter again to be sure she saw it correctly. She was unsure where Brigg was, but Elizabeth knew it to be near Hull, which made sense. She screamed for a maid, knowing she could not stand on her own.
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy.” The maid appeared immediately.
“Send Miss Darcy and my family in to see me—now!” she demanded.“Find Colonel Fitzwilliam also.”
The maid dropped a quick curtsy and then went off at a near run to check the various rooms for family members.
Jane and Mr. Bingley were the first to enter. Elizabeth’s distraught appearance scared Jane, who first thought it to be a problem with the baby. She rushed to Elizabeth’s side, and Bingley poured a glass of water.“Is it the child?” Jane gasped.
“No,” Elizabeth began to stutter, “read . . . read the . . . read the letter.” She shoved Charlotte’s letter into Bingley’s hand.
Immediately Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared in the doorway, followed closely by Georgiana. Darcy’s sister rushed to Elizabeth’s side.
By now Bingley perused the letter. His voice shook, but he exclaimed, “Capital, I knew Darcy lived!”
The colonel snatched the letter from Bingley’s hand and started to read, but Georgiana asked him to read it out loud. He started; yet Elizabeth stopped him to ask Jane to close the study door first.“I want this news kept within this room.”
Slowly and meticulously, the colonel started his recitation again. He cursed with the knowledge of Lady Catherine’s involvement. “Thank you for keeping Anne out of this, Elizabeth,” he offered.
“It is important to me to protect Charlotte. I do not care what happens to Mr. Collins, but Charlotte does not deserve Lady Catherine’s censure.”
“We must go after Fitzwilliam at once,” Georgiana spoke up first.
The colonel agreed. “We will tell everyone Mr. Howard’s inquiries finally paid off, and we heard where Darcy might be. We will not mention Mrs. Collins to anyone; does everyone concur?”
“Of course.” Georgiana came around to look at the letter herself.
“I would like to go with you, Colonel,” Bingley added. “Darcy is my best friend.”
“I am going also,” Georgiana stated.
Elizabeth started forward, but Jane caught her hand. “Elizabeth, you cannot think of going.You are too far with child to go.They must travel quickly, and you will just slow them down.”
“But Jane,” Elizabeth started, although she knew the truth of her eldest sister’s words.
“We will bring my brother home.” Georgiana encircled Elizabeth with her arms.
“Then waste no time,” Elizabeth began to usher them toward the door.“I will order the coach. Please hurry, Edward; I am so frightened. If Fitzwilliam did not openly recognize Mr. Collins, that could mean he is in some kind of trouble.”
“We will not come back without Darcy,” Bingley added with an air of bravado.
Then the three were out the door and headed to their rooms, leaving Elizabeth with her steadfast sister Jane. “Elizabeth, have a seat.”
“I cannot, Jane; Fitzwilliam could be home within a few days. I think I will go help Georgiana.There are things I want her to say to my husband. Why do you not go help Mr. Bingley? We may speak more once they are gone off to Brigg.” Elizabeth held the door open. “Come, Jane; my prayers have been answered.”
Darcy descended the staircase as quietly as he could. Of late, Miss Donnelly made a point of disappearing when he approached a room. Today, he wanted the opportunity to finally face her. The door to the study stood ajar, but Darcy recognized the two figures that occupied the room.
His first inclination told him to enter immediately, but his instinct told him to hold back. So, he stood near the open door and listened to their exchange.
“What happened to the cleric?” Mr. Lansing demanded as he paced back and forth.
Miss Donnelly looked frustrated. She unconsciously removed her gloves and then replaced them, pulling the kid covering on one finger at a time.“I sent the pretentious ass away.”
“But why?” Darcy was surprised at the familiarity with which Lansing addressed his mistress.
“He knew Frederick’s real identity,” she confided at last.
Lansing stopped in front of Miss Donnelly and took up a dominant position.“That was a costly mistake.”
“How was I to know his cousin was married to the man?” Miss Donnelly nearly whined.
Darcy listened carefully. Obviously, they spoke of him, but he possessed no memory of the clergyman he met several days ago nor did he know anything of a wife.
Miss Donnelly pressed down the seam along each finger of the right glove with the other hand. “The plan fell apart at that point.”
“The plan fell apart when he threw you out of his bedroom,” Lansing accused.
Miss Donnelly began to sob.“I made a mess of everything.” She covered her face with her hands, indicating her remorse.
Lansing moved in closer and placed his arm leisurely around her shoulders. “There is no need for tears,” he began and then cleared his throat before speaking again.“We may still fix this.”
“But how?” Miss Donnelly buried her face into his shoulder for comfort.
Her behavior appalled Darcy.The man was the steward for the estate; he clearly overstepped his bounds, and Miss Donnelly accepted his attentions willingly. However, even though Darcy disapproved, he did nothing because such actions on the part of Miss Donnelly could easily be justified as grounds for terminating their engagement if she chose to make an issue of it. Although Darcy knew their relationship was a sham, he still had trouble delineating what was real and what was not.
“Miss Donnelly, you must by now realize my regard for you,” Mr. Lansing tried to assure her. “We both know you had your heart set on marrying a fine gentleman, but the codicil your parents placed on the inheritance simply says you must marry. It does not stipulate to whom. If you will consider it, I would offer myself as an alternative.”
Miss Donnelly raised her face to look squarely at Mr. Lansing.“Are you sure that will work?”
“We may have your solicitor review the document, but I read it.We could take over the estate together and run it as we should.” Lansing took the woman’s gloved hand in his.
“Would we then get the monetary s
ettlement?” she asked unbelievingly.
“I am persuaded as such,” Lansing told her. “So, will you accept my offer?”
“It seems I have no other choice; it would, therefore, be my honor,” she whispered. Lansing took her in his arms, carefully making a point not to touch her skin on skin.
At this point, Darcy made his entrance, capturing their tender moment forever in their minds. “It seems you, Madam, chose to leave my affections behind.” Darcy’s voice boomed through the room.
Miss Donnelly looked aghast, but Mr. Lansing did not release his hold on her. The man found his voice first. “Miss Donnelly did nothing wrong. You must realize there was a mistake made on your behalf.”
“A mistake?” Darcy accused.“A mistake, Sir, is a result of an accident—something unplanned—you and Miss Donnelly planned to deceive. Did you not? I heard you say as much a few moments ago.”
“I never meant to hurt you.” Miss Donnelly turned to Darcy, her tear-stained face showing some regret, but Darcy wondered whether it came from a result of the pain she caused him or from the fact her plan failed miserably.
“You lied to me.” Darcy stepped closer to emphasize the point. “You said my name was Frederick Donnelly.What is it in reality?”
Lansing helped the lady to a seat before she answered. Her voice quivered with emotion.“Your name is Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
Darcy demanded,“How do we know each other?”
“We met in London at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst about a year ago,” she explained. Lansing sat beside her and took Miss Donnelly’s hand in his.
“I remember no one by the name of Hurst.”
“I did not know who you were when we found you on the road—only after we brought you here. We spoke often at the party so I remembered you. That part makes sense—unfortunately, the rest does not. I need to marry to secure an inheritance. Your memory loss made it so easy to exaggerate the truth. Foolishly, I thought you would not deny me, even if your memory returned—you would owe me a debt.” By now, the words were peppered with Miss Donnelly’s sobs.
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