Willow Hall Romance

by Leenie Brown

  “Is it a very overwhelming task?” Harris asked over the rim of his cup. He truly did not care, but such a question would make it appear as if he did. Now, if it were his own wedding, he might care a trifle more, but as it was, it was only Darcy getting married, so the details did not particularly interest him.

  “No, not very,” replied Elizabeth. “Mrs. Abbot and Aunt Gardiner are very good at organizing fetes.”

  “It must be a relief to have such capable help since you are marrying so far from home.” He lowered his cup. “Why did you not wish to marry from Hertfordshire? It seems it would have been more convenient, and I have heard Netherfield is quite grand and would make a lovely place to host a wedding breakfast. Mr. Bingley being a friend and all, I am certain he would have been delighted to be of service in such a fashion. Surely you will miss having some of your friends attend.”

  “My particular friend no longer lives in Hertfordshire, I am afraid. She married this past winter and is happily settled in Kent.”

  “You have no other friends?” he asked in surprise.

  “None that are close,” answered Elizabeth. “And Mr. Bingley has not been in residence at Netherfield for some months now.”

  “Oh, that is correct. Mr. Bingley left Netherfield, when was that? December?”

  “End of November,” said Elizabeth.

  “Right, that is what I had heard. Miss Bennet left for town with your aunt in December, was it not?” He smiled apologetically. “So many stories that have been shared in our acquaintance that I have managed to mix up the details.” He had done no such thing. He knew precisely when Mr. Bingley had left and when Miss Bennet had followed. But showing a sound knowledge of events would not serve him well when he wished to plead ignorant of any rumors that might surface.

  “That is to be expected. They are not your life events or even those of a family member, so one would not expect you to keep every detail straight,” said Elizabeth.

  Ah, an opening to broach his intent. He took a sip of his tea and then, with a smile at Jane, said, “True, they are not details related to me yet.” He saw Jane’s eyes grow wide. Good, she understood him. However, the way she shifted uneasily in her chair did have him somewhat concerned until he decided that being a shy sort of lady, she was merely uncomfortable with having a gentleman declare himself so openly.

  “Do you intend to marry my sister?”

  “Lydia,” Elizabeth hissed.

  Lydia scowled at Elizabeth and then returned her focus to Captain Harris.

  “I believe that is a topic to be discussed in private with Miss Bennet,” said Harris.

  “Was that not the meaning of your comment?” Lydia asked.

  Harris cleared his throat. There was a certain gleam in Lydia’s eye that was unnerving. “I believe Miss Bennet understood my meaning, and that is all that is required.”

  Lydia turned to Jane. “Did you understand his meaning to be that he was planning to offer for you?”

  “Lydia,” scolded Jane.

  Lydia shook her head and shrugged. “Well, if no one will answer my questions, I will assume that Captain Harris does indeed intend to marry Jane.” She sighed and said, with a scowl directed at Harris, “I do hope you are more straightforward in your speech when you become my brother. I do so dislike it when people are purposefully duplicitous. Jane, too, prefers people to be forthright and honest. I believe all my sisters do, as does my father.”

  Harris cleared his throat again. “As I said, Miss Bennet understood my meaning. I am sorry if you were not able to do the same.”

  Lydia’s eyes narrowed at the insult. “I understood your meaning, sir. I just wished to see if my assessment of your character was correct.”

  Harris’s cup stopped for a brief moment in the air before he continued to lift it, take a sip, and return it to its saucer. “And what assessment have you made of my character, Miss Lydia?”

  Lydia’s lashes fluttered, and a smile spread across her face. “Oh, I believe I made it obvious to those to whom it is important. If you missed it, well, that is too bad.”

  Oh, she was an infuriating little tart! He would be glad to see her brought low. That thought brought a smile to his lips. She would not be so superior when one and all knew how she had travelled with Wickham, and he would not refrain from sharing about her flirting in Brighton.

  The next few minutes were spent on meaningless trivialities — the weather, the flowers and how they were blooming, when he would be returning to Brighton, and the like. Everyone seemed to be participating in the discussion to some degree except, Harris noticed, his cousin Mary Ellen. She was unusually quiet and kept blinking as if she were trying to overcome the threat of tears.

  “Oh,” said Lydia with excitement, “before you return to Brighton, you must introduce me to that lady of whom you spoke.” She scrunched up her face and tapped her lip. “Misty. I believe that was her name. I should like to hear about her season. I have never had one, you know, and now that I am to be an old married lady, I fear I never shall. Even if I do, it will not be with the excitement of the hunt.”

  The ladies of the room held their collective breath when Lydia finished her little ramble and looked expectantly at Captain Harris, whose eyes had grown wide.

  His gaze flicked briefly to Mary Ellen. If Miss Lydia had been speaking of that story, he knew exactly why his cousin was upset. “I do not think she is home,” he hedged. “Perhaps another time.”

  “That is too bad.” Lydia pouted. “I had so hoped to meet her, but it cannot be helped, I am sure. She can call on me at Aldwood Abbey after Michaelmas. Be certain to tell her if you do see her.”

  “Oh, I will,” Harris replied, “although I do not know when I will see her.”

  “I am not going anywhere,” Lydia assured him with a smile. “I am here to stay unless I visit my mother or Marcus decides to take me to town. Oh, would that not be fun, Lizzy? We could go together — you, me, Georgiana, Mary Ellen … ” She clapped her hands in delight.

  Harris checked his watch and rose. “I believe I have stayed over my time, but before I go, I must apologize for my haste in leaving you ladies the other day. I had an appointment.”

  “Mr. Darcy explained,” said Jane, “and we were delivered home safely as you can see. Will we see you tomorrow?”

  Harris affected a downcast look. “I am afraid I have promised myself to a friend tomorrow, but perhaps the day after, I might be available.” If he had expected Jane to look disappointed, he was to be disappointed himself, for Jane simply smiled politely and wished for him to have a safe trip.

  It was odd how she looked so very serene and nearly happy that he was not going to be calling. The thought disquieted him for some time after he left. Something about the whole meeting had been off, and if he had to guess the cause, he would have to say it was due to Miss Lydia Bennet and her big mouth.

  He might not be available to call for a few days, he decided. It might be best to bide his time until the rumours he knew to be circulating reached the ears of the Bennets. Then, with Mr. Bingley discredited and Jane desperate for a match, he would dutifully play the part of her hero. He chuckled. Her hero — that should be a useful thing once they were married, for how could she deny him a thing when he was the one to save her from spinsterhood despite her ruin?

  Chapter 13

  Bingley paced the length of Pemberley’s great hall. From one of the rooms at the far end, a clock chimed out the hour. Georgiana would now be preparing for dinner. Richard would be finding a glass of port and setting up the billiard table in anticipation of a game before bed, and Darcy would be busily tucking papers and ledgers back into their proper places before dashing up to dress.

  At least that is what they would be doing if this were a normal day; however, today, things were different. Georgiana was preparing for dinner. Richard was probably longing for a glass of port, and Darcy was accompanying his coach to Willow Hall to gather his guests.

  At the end of yesterday’s picnic
, it had been decided that the whole lot of them — the Dobneys, save for Mr. Dobney, the Bennets, the Abbots, the Gardiners, and the Darcys, including Bingley and Richard — would gather for dinner at Pemberley. The ladies would perform. They would walk in the garden. It would be a most delightful time. But that was yesterday, before Mr. Williams’ visit, before Bingley’s decision to deal with Wickham himself.

  Bingley paused in his circuit to look out the window across the front lawn toward the road that led to Pemberley. His bags were packed. He was ready to leave as soon as the sun rose in the morning. He would have left earlier, but he could not — would not — leave without seeing Jane first. His letters had been sent: one to his associate in town and another to Hurst. All that was left now was to meet with the scoundrel responsible for this mess and see him off to a foreign port.

  He turned and resumed his walking. And Richard would see to the other blackguard with the flapping jaws. Harris. Bingley scowled even at the thought of his name.

  “May I join you on your walk?” Richard asked.

  Bingley gave a sharp nod of his head.

  “I have written the necessary letters and had them posted. I will proceed as if the response is favourable,” said Richard.

  Bingley nodded again. “You do not expect any trouble, do you?”

  “He will be gone,” Richard assured Bingley. “It is simply a question of where he will go.” He stopped at the window again with Bingley. “I could go with you.”

  Bingley shook his head. “No, you must not delay your discussion with Harris.”

  “I will not receive word for a few days, and if I am in town, I might receive it faster.”

  Bingley leaned against the window frame. “They are here,” he said as a carriage could be seen just beyond the stand of trees at the beginning of the park.

  “My bags are ready,” said Richard.

  “I must be the one to follow through on my word.” Bingley’s face was grave. “He does not think me a serious threat.”

  Not that anyone ever had. His classmates had not until he had sent one or more of them sprawling. Caroline, obviously, did not think him capable of anything unpleasant. And to be honest, as he thought of it now, he had been much too pleasant where she was concerned — but she was a girl and his sister. It was not as if he could punch her in the nose, even if he wished to do so.

  Richard clapped Bingley on the shoulder. “He would be wrong, and I would not interfere — unless you requested my help. He’s a slippery louse.”

  Bingley nodded. It could be helpful to have Richard as a companion.

  “And you can attend me when I see Harris.”

  Bingley’s brows rose. “You would trust me not to level him?”

  Richard smiled. “No, I would expect you to give him his due, and I would not interfere. He should also know that he has underestimated you.”

  The corners of Bingley’s mouth curled slightly as he pushed away from the window. “Then be ready to leave at dawn.”

  Grinning, Richard gave him a salute.

  Bingley shook his head and chuckled as he went to meet the carriage.

  ~*~*~

  Darcy had explained about his uncle to Elizabeth on the drive to Pemberley, and though she was not happy to have the wedding postponed, she was understanding of the need. So it was that when they entered the drawing room to await the arrival of the others, it was the topic of discussion. Things could easily be shifted. Philip would have to be informed, of course.

  “And Bingley should be returned by then,” said Darcy.

  “Mr. Bingley is leaving?” asked Elizabeth in surprise.

  Darcy grimaced. “My apologies, Bingley. That was your news to share.”

  “No harm done,” said Bingley as cheerfully as he could. “I have a bit of business to attend to in town. It is rather a sudden thing and truly cannot be delayed. I would be sorry to not stand with Darcy, so it is fortunate that Lord Matlock is insistent on this pause in plans.”

  “You will return?” Jane asked softly.

  “Always,” Bingley said, grasping her hand. “I will always return to you as long as you will allow it.”

  No one batted an eye or made a motion of any sort other than to smile when he tucked Jane’s hand in his elbow and excused himself from the room. He led her down the hall to the library.

  “I wrote to your father. I have not sent it, for I need your consent.” He turned and took both of her hands. “Jane, I cannot be patient. I will not lose you again. This time you will know my heart before I leave.”

  Jane smiled brightly at him. “I believe I already know it.”

  “I should hope that you do, but there will be no misunderstanding me this time. I love you, Jane Bennet. From the moment we met, I knew there was no other lady so well suited to me. I would have sworn my undying love to you last November had I not been persuaded to do otherwise. I have been a fool. I am not even a true gentleman, and I do not deserve someone as good as you, but I would beg you to allow me to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I am not completely unworthy. Marry me.”

  Jane’s heart fluttered, and tears stung her eyes. How had she been so fortunate to receive a second chance at such happiness? Had she been more forthcoming with her admiration, he would not have been persuaded away. This time, she would leave him without one shadow of doubt as to her feelings. She pulled one hand free of his grasp and laid it gently on his cheek.

  “You are no fool,” she began. “Nor are you unworthy of my love. What must one do to earn love? Is it not freely given?” She brushed her thumb against the fine stubble on his cheek. “Must I earn your love?”

  He shook his head and would have spoken if she had not lain a finger on his lips.

  “I love you, Charles, and I have since last autumn when we met. You are everything that I think a gentleman should be — honorable, amiable, admirable, patient, and loving. And once you have purchased your estate, you will be a gentleman to everyone else. But know this. You were my gentleman in my heart long before society deigned to grant you the title. It is I who is fortunate to have received your attentions.”

  And then with only a moment’s hesitation and a heart that raced at the thought of being completely improper, she rose up on her toes and, leaning forward, kissed him lightly on the lips. “I will marry you. Send your letter, my darling, and make me your wife.”

  A smile split Bingley’s face. “You are certain?”

  Jane laughed. “I am. I do not go around kissing gentlemen. In fact, you are the first.”

  Bingley sighed and wrapped her in his embrace. “And the last.”

  “And the last,” she assured him. She peeked up at him. “You could kiss me.”

  He smiled at the bright flush of her cheeks. How could anyone believe this woman a wanton seductress when she blushed at the thought of a kiss? The thought almost made him pause and begin the next necessary discussion before he kissed her. It almost made him pause, but it did not.

  With a joy that he thought would overwhelm his heart and cause him to do something quite embarrassing like cry, he captured her mouth and granted her request with several pleasurable kisses.

  “How long will you be gone?” Jane asked sometime later as she stood still wrapped in his embrace.

  “No more than a week,” he said, rubbing small soothing circles on her lower back. “Less time if I can manage it.”

  “Is it a very pressing matter?”

  “Mmm hmm,” he mumbled. “I would have been gone already except that I would not go without seeing you first.”

  “Oh, I should not keep you from your responsibilities,” she argued.

  “You are my responsibility, Jane, my greatest, most important responsibility.” He placed another kiss on her lips when she tipped her head up to look at him and give another argument. “You are also my greatest joy.”

  She smiled. “Then, I am glad you did not leave before now. We should get back. I think I hear Lydia in the hallway.” She bit her lip, and
her eyes sparkled with a dash of impertinence. “She is drowning out the beautiful beat of your heart, which,” she lay her head against his chest again, “may be my favourite sound.”

  “It is yours,” said Bingley, releasing her and taking her hand. “Forever and always yours.” He held open the door to the library. “There is a bit of unpleasant news that will be shared now that Lydia has arrived.”

  Jane stopped and turned toward him.

  He drew a deep breath, and as he released it his shoulders sagged. “Perhaps, I should not have asked you to marry me before you knew.”

  “What is it?” Jane’s heart raced with fear.

  “Rumors started by my sister. They are terrible. I would not blame you if you chose to change your answer, and you may. I will not hold you to our understanding.” He kissed her lightly. “Come. It is best if it is all dealt with before we eat.”

  “You are frightening me,” said Jane.

  Bingley could not move another step without sharing with her the essence of what Caroline had said regarding Jane’s abrupt departure to London.

  Jane’s face paled, and Bingley quickly moved her to a pair of chairs on the side of the corridor. “That is what the whispers were about this morning?”

  “What whispers?” Bingley asked as he sat next to her, holding her hand.

  “At the shops. It was as if they did not wish to serve us.” She stood slowly. “Lydia thought they must have been about her because she said she was the only one to have done something worthy of gossip. I had forgotten that you do not have to do anything to be worthy of gossip when someone wishes to do you harm.”

  “I am sorry,” said Bingley.

  “It is not your fault,” said Jane firmly.

  “But she is my sister,” said Bingley.

  “And Lydia is mine,” said Jane. “The Lord knows I have scolded her for her behaviour, but she has not listened. Sisters are sisters. They will often do as they wish regardless of the wishes of their sisters or mothers or brothers or fathers.”

  “You do not blame me?”