Foiled Elopement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Renata McMann

  Elizabeth shrugged. That was a good question. “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, what did he say when you told him you love him?”

  She laughed at her own silliness. Another good question. “I haven’t told him.”

  “Oh.” Georgiana frowned. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know, really.” Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to admit she hadn’t realized she was in love until Georgiana asked.

  “Are you going to?”

  “I am.” She couldn’t. Not until they knew Georgiana’s state. If she told him, and he said it back . . . well, if their practice at behaving was any indication, avowing their mutual love would surely lead to misbehavior. “But I didn’t come here to speak of me. You were crying when I entered.”

  Georgiana let out another sigh, looking away. “I was.”

  Elizabeth’s hope dimmed. Pregnant women were often moody. “May I ask why?”

  “I was thinking of George. Rather, the man I thought he was, hoped he was.” She shook her head.

  Elizabeth felt deep sympathy for Georgiana. Darcy’s aloofness and lack of civility over the past several days had eaten at her heart. How much more devastating would it be to have affirmation that the miserable version of Darcy was the truth, the man she journeyed to Pemberley with a lie? Georgiana had suffered that heartbreak. “You have to let who you thought he was go. That man was never real.”

  She nodded. “I know. I did. I burned all of his portraits.”

  Elizabeth contained a gasp. She hadn’t seen the works, but with Georgiana’s skill, that was a great shame. “Did it help?”

  “It did.” Georgiana offered a smile, but there was no mirth in it. “Once I realized I wasn’t carrying his child, I knew there was no reason to keep any. If I was . . . maybe the baby would want to know, someday, what he looked like, but without a baby, there’s no reason to hold onto any of it.”

  Relief washed through Elizabeth. No baby. Georgiana would be spared that, and Elizabeth and Darcy, well, they could finally be man and wife. She felt a blush threaten at the thought. “You’re certain? You aren’t with child?”

  Georgiana nodded. “Quite.” Her tone had a hard edge to it. “And relieved not to be.”

  Still, tears pooled in her eyes. Elizabeth took her into another embrace, holding her while she cried.

  ***

  That evening, Elizabeth dressed in a frilly, French inspired nightgown she’d commissioned for just such an occasion. She left her hair loose, trailing down her back. Taking a deep breath, she marched to the adjoining door and knocked.

  Mr. Darcy opened the door almost immediately. Wearing only his shirt and trousers, he seemed to fill the frame. Elizabeth swallowed down her nervousness. She watched his gaze roam over her, head to toe.

  “Wearing that, I pray you’re here to tell me good news,” he murmured.

  “I have two things to tell you,” she said. She longed to tease him, but couldn’t suppress a smile. “One is that we no longer need to plan for the worst. Georgiana assured me of that.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “Thank God.”

  Elizabeth wondered which his relief stemmed from more, that they could now proceed as man and wife, or that they wouldn’t be called on to raise Wickham’s child. The first she felt was keener, but the second more enduring.

  A smile turned up his mouth as he looked her over again. He reached for her, but she took a step back.

  “I said there were two things.” Now she would tease him, to make up for his days of being ill-tempered. She composed herself into seriousness. “The second is very important.”

  He frowned. “Important enough that we need to discuss it now.”

  She gave an empathetic nod. “Assuredly. May I come in?”

  His looked perplexed but nodded, backing into the room. “What could possibly be more important than . . .” He trailed off, gesturing to her frilly nightgown.

  “You may want to sit,” Elizabeth said.

  He raised his eyebrows, but seated himself in an armchair. Elizabeth took a moment to survey his room more fully. The carpet was thick and soft beneath her bare feet. The large four poster bed was daunting. She turned her back on it, making a slow circle. An elegant marble fireplace was centered on one wall, unlit. Long windows filled another, shrouded in deep blue curtains. A tall writing desk stood between them. There was no wardrobe or mirror, but there was a door, which she assumed led to other rooms in his suite, likely laid out similarly to hers. Finally, she came back around to Mr. Darcy. He was watching her through dark eyes.

  “Do my quarters meet with your approval, Mrs. Darcy?” he asked.

  Affecting an aloof look, she nodded. “They’ll do.”

  “Oh? For what?” His grin was touched with wickedness.

  Elizabeth fought not to blush. She was meant to be the one doing the teasing. “Anything they may be called on for, I should imagine.”

  “Do you really wish me to remain here, in this chair, while you stand quite so far away?”

  “I do. I haven’t told you the second thing yet.”

  “Out with it, then. I won’t have secrets between us.”

  Elizabeth drew in a slow breath, suddenly nervous. It occurred to her she might say it, and he might not say it back. She studied his eyes, taking in the intensity of his gaze. Surely, he would say it back.

  Abruptly, he stood. He crossed to her, his arms sliding around her. He leaned his head down, his breath warm on her ear. “What is it you want to tell me, Elizabeth?”

  A shiver of delight went through her at the sound of her name on his lips. His strong arms fortified her. “I want to tell you that I love you, Mr. Darcy.”

  He drew back, face very grave. “That is very important.”

  Was he going to say it? “I assured you as much.”

  “I don’t believe I needed to sit, though,” he said.

  “I thought it might shock you,” she murmured, dropping her gaze.

  “Hmm.” He cupped her cheek in one large hand. “No, it doesn’t shock me.”

  “Oh.” Was he so confident, or simply unconcerned?

  “Does it shock you to know that I love you too, Elizabeth?”

  Her head snapped up. She had only a moment to take in the mixture of amusement and love on his face before their lips met and her eyes fluttered closed. No, it didn’t shock her. It delighted her.

  Chapter Twenty – Departures Made

  Darcy and Elizabeth happily returned to their habit of meeting in his chamber at the end of each day. Thankfully, she was no longer required to leave for either the benefit of her sister or his. Admittedly, they now didn’t begin these meetings with talking.

  His happiness was increased doubly. With Elizabeth at his side, he no longer had sleepless nights. He hadn’t slept a full night without hours of wakefulness ever since Ramsgate. He told her he couldn’t sleep well unless she was with him and that he first encountered this phenomenon when he slept in the carriage when returning from their wedding, claiming he never slept in carriages before.

  They generally did find time for words before sleeping. Darcy enjoyed discussing his days with his wife. He quickly learned to value her insights.

  “I take it you broke the news to Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth asked.

  She snuggled against him, his arm wrapped loosely about her shoulders. These were Darcy’s happiest moments of the day. If he could somehow rid them of their house guests, he would spend more time in bed, holding Elizabeth.

  Darcy nodded. “I didn’t expect him to leave immediately, but it’s for the best.” He’d finally found time to take Richard aside and inform him not only of Georgiana’s happy state, but that Miss Bennet had already made up her mind, and her inclination was Bingley.

  Elizabeth sighed. “He looked so grim at dinner when he said he must return to his neglected military duties tomorrow.”

  “He’ll find someone else. He did ask me if your other sisters were anything like you and Miss Bennet
. I had to remind him I’ve never met them.”

  “Oh dear.” Elizabeth laughed. “I can’t picture him with any of them.” She went silent for a moment. “Maybe Kitty, if she could be dragged away from Lydia’s constant silliness.” Her tone was contemplative.

  “My dear Elizabeth, you do not need to find a wife for every one of my acquaintances. Even you don’t have enough sisters for that.”

  “No, but I have three more.” She sighed. “I wouldn’t want Colonel Fitzwilliam to think Jane chose as she did because of Bingley’s income. She told me she fell in love with him the moment she saw him. She couldn’t know his income then.”

  “Never fear. Your sister’s saintliness is not in question.”

  “I should hope not, or I would need to defend her, for Jane will never defend herself.”

  She fell silent. Darcy’s eyes drifted closed.

  “How was your ride today?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Hmm?”

  “Your ride, with my father, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst.”

  “I think all three were genuinely interested, which surprises me,” he said. He’d taken them out to one of his tenant’s farms, where he was trying an experimental new crop.

  “I know why my father wanted to go. He’s been reading about that seed and wants to try it.”

  “Yes. I promised to send him a sample before next year’s planting season.” Darcy smiled. It pleased him that Elizabeth took an interest in such matters. She knew nearly as much about the new seeds as Mr. Bennet did.

  “Why were Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley interested, do you think?”

  Darcy shrugged. “Hurst has a small property he’s looking to get more out of. Bingley was going on about possibly buying some estate his sister keeps telling him about. Netherling Park? Northfield Park?”

  “Netherfield Park?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Yes, I think that’s it. Do you know it? Is it suitable?”

  She laughed. “Oh yes, quite.”

  “Suitable, yet amusing?” he prodded, guessing from her laugh that she knew more.

  “It’s in Hertfordshire, near Longbourn. Jane mentioned it to Miss Bingley some time ago. I didn’t realize she was so keen on the match.”

  Darcy hugged Elizabeth closer. “I suppose, now that she knows I am not available, she’s settled on your sister as the next best way to make the connection.”

  “I’m surprised she didn’t settle on Georgiana,” Elizabeth said, wrapping her arm more tightly about him.

  “Georgiana and Bingley have never shown the slightest interest in each other.” Darcy shrugged. “Add to that my sister’s ill-concealed distaste for Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, and I’m not surprised. Miss Bennet will be a much more convivial in-law for them.”

  “That reminds me, did you see Georgiana’s sketch of Miss Bingley?”

  “I did. It’s extraordinary. It’s Miss Bingley, but I don’t think I’ve seen her with such an expression on her face. She looks . . . happy.”

  Elizabeth laughed.

  Darcy smiled, finding her amusement infectious, even if he didn’t know the source. “What?”

  “Georgiana was having trouble finding that expression. Then she told me she saw Miss Bingley looking at herself in the mirror.”

  “That would explain it,” Darcy said. “I also noticed that while she drew Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, she’s begun an oil painting of Miss Bennet. That will take quite some time to finish.”

  “It was Miss Bingley’s idea. My father has been hinting about returning to Longbourn. I don’t think Miss Bingley intends to permit Jane to leave without a match.”

  “And Georgiana went along with one of Miss Bingley’s schemes?” He frowned. “Does my sister seem different to you lately?”

  “Less shy and withdrawn?”

  He nodded, though he knew Elizabeth couldn’t see him. “I thought, if anything, she would be more so now, after what happened.”

  “Of course, I only spent a short time with her before, but I believe she’s changed, realizing she’s not with child.”

  “I could see that being a source of relief, but not sociability,” Darcy admitted. He was relieved too. Foremost for his sister, but also because he wouldn’t have to raise Wickham’s child and live with a reminder of his inability to keep Georgiana safe and of a man he despised. Laying there with Elizabeth in his arms, Darcy was also relieved he had someone in his life to explain the incomprehensibleness of human nature.

  “I think it’s due to two things.” Elizabeth sounded amused again.

  “Two things again, is it?” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not getting out of this bed to take a seat.”

  “Then I shall try not to shock you, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Tell me the two things, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “I think she feels she’s been given a second chance at happiness, which she has,” Elizabeth said, tone thoughtful now. “And then there’s her art. That’s the second thing.”

  “Her art?” Maybe he wouldn’t be able to understand human nature after all, even with Elizabeth’s help.

  “She is really very good, extraordinarily so,” Elizabeth said. “I think she’s finally realized that. It gives her confidence.”

  “Hmm.” Darcy mulled that over, tracing idle fingertips over Elizabeth’s shoulder while he thought. She sighed, snuggling against him. It suddenly occurred to Darcy that he could spend time thinking about his sister in the morning.

  ***

  Darcy was unsurprised the following morning when Richard stood as soon as the meal was over. “Well, I’m off. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, my compliments on your hospitality.”

  “It’s been wonderful to meet you,” Elizabeth said, standing to go to Darcy’s cousin. “Please join us whenever you may.”

  Richard nodded. A plethora of farewells followed in the wake of Elizabeth’s.

  Finally, Richard turned to Darcy. “Thank you for the loan of your carriage. I’ll send it back soon.”

  “You’ve called for it?” Darcy asked.

  “I have. It should be loaded and waiting.”

  “Let me see you out.”

  Richard nodded. He turned to Miss Bennet, giving her one last, lingering look. She didn’t seem to notice, as she was watching Bingley. Darcy gestured for Richard to precede him from the parlor. As they left, the others moved about, breaking off into smaller groups, Richard’s departure signaling an end to breakfast.

  “Mr. Bennet, may I have a word?” Bingley said, his voice echoing down the hall. “In private.”

  Ahead of Darcy, Richard winced. Darcy felt a stab of sympathy for his cousin. He agreed with Richard’s decision to remove himself from the object of his unrequited desire. Also, selfishly, he wanted Richard back in London.

  Richard was to meet with Darcy’s man of affairs and take over their ongoing investigation into Mr. Wickham. Though they had enough complaints and petty wrong doings collected to see Wickham jailed or transported, they still couldn’t locate him. After leaving the Sleeping Cat Inn, Mr. Wickham had disappeared. Though he tried not to think on it, not knowing where George Wickham lurked was a constant agitation in the back of Darcy’s mind.

  In the foyer, Richard turned to Darcy and offered his hand. They shook, Darcy’s butler standing by with Richard’s coat, gloves and hat. “So, we’ve come out of this one relatively unscathed.”

  “For now,” Darcy agreed, his mind on Wickham.

  “I’ll find him for you, Darcy.”

  Darcy offered a hard smile. “I know you will.”

  Richard gave him a speculative look. “You haven’t mentioned Aunt Catherine.”

  “She never answered when I wrote.” Darcy shrugged. He didn’t look forward to his aunt’s reaction to his marriage. Though he’d never considered the idea binding, he knew she’d long expected him to marry her only child, his cousin Anne. That Aunt Catherine was slow in replying was to be taken as a boon, not questioned. “Anne did, so I know the letter arrived. She offered her congratulations and h
ope of meeting Elizabeth, along with the warning that her mother didn’t take the news well.”

  “Yes, I know the letter arrived. Aunt Catherine wrote me.” Richard’s smile was mirthless. “She’s not speaking to you. I’m sure I was meant to tell you as much, so you would know.”

  “A wedding gift in itself,” Darcy said.

  Richard cleared his throat. “She’s asked me to marry Anne.”

  Darcy raised his eyebrows. “Will you?”

  Richard looked past him, down the hall toward the parlor. “I haven’t decided. Obviously, I don’t love Anne. Not like that. She’s pleasant enough, though, and, well, there’s her considerable wealth.”

  “There’s also Lady Catherine to deal with, likely daily.” Darcy had to suppress a shudder at the thought.

  “I’ve always gotten on with her better than you.” Richard accepted his coat. “I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for military service, Darcy. Only so much luck a man can hope for.”

  “True.”

  Taking his hat, Richard shoved it on his head. “I don’t consider myself an avaricious man, but it would be pleasant to have my own carriage, not borrow yours or my brother’s.”

  Darcy nodded. “You have my full support, whatever you decide.

  Darcy’s butler handed Richard his gloves. He pulled them on, his gaze lingering on the hall leading to the parlor again. “Keep an eye on Bingley for me. You know he’s a bit fickle. If he breaks that sweet girl’s heart . . .” Richard shrugged.

  “I think he’s in love this time, Richard.”

  “Yes, well, let me know how it comes out. After the papers are signed, I’ll make up my mind about Anne.” Richard mustered a smile. “And don’t fret over Wickham. A man like that can only contain his nature for so long. He’ll reveal himself, and we’ll have him.”

  Darcy nodded. They shook hands again. Richard marched out.

  It didn’t surprise anyone when, later that afternoon, Bingley and Miss Bennet announced their engagement. On the heels of that news, Mr. Bennet informed them he and Miss Bennet would be returning to Longbourn, where the banns would be posted. The wedding would take place in Hertfordshire, the date set two months out to give Mr. Bingley time to move into Netherfield Park, which he was in the process of leasing with the intent to purchase.