Darcy hesitated. “Anything is,” he said cautiously.
Richard sighed. “It is a shame she does not have better fortune or connections. I should seriously consider making her an offer otherwise. She is a delight.”
“Are you…” Darcy paused as he considered his words. “Are you in love with Miss Bennet?”
“In love with her? No, I should say not. She is pleasant and charming though, and I am sure I should be in love with her if I were to spend more time with her. But you need have no fear. I am not like your friend Bingley who only needs a few pretty smiles for him to throw himself away on an imprudent match.” Richard laughed. “Have you spoken to him since? Has he recovered from his disappointment yet?”
“Not yet,” said Darcy shortly.
Richard looked at him. “Whatever is the matter? You do not regret your actions, surely? If the girl was unsuitable and did not care for him, you were right to persuade him to forget her. He should be grateful to have such a devoted friend.”
“No, I do not regret my actions. I did the right thing in separating Bingley from Miss — from the lady, and I rejoice in my success. But there is one matter that troubles me.” Darcy paused. “Bingley has always been the sort of man to fall in and out of love easily. I could never keep track of which lady was his current angel. But after a short separation, he always fell out of love just as easily. I saw this new lady in the same manner. I thought he would believe himself in love with her and be convinced he wished to marry her, but once apart from her, he would forget her and form some new attachment. Bingley is a man who must always be in love with someone.
But that has not happened this time. I believe he is still as in love as ever. His letters are full of reminisces about her and things she said or did. I am sorry for it. I never suspected his love for her was so deep. If I had known and if the lady had returned his affections, I should have put my own misgivings about her suitability to one side and given him my blessing.”
“Ah, poor Bingley. But you were not to know. As you say, he has often been in love before. You could not know this was different. Especially when you have never felt so about a woman yourself.”
Darcy had to glance away for fear of his feelings showing on his face.
“But what else could you have done? If you had not intervened, he would be married now and experiencing the misery of life with a woman he loves but who does not love him. The pain he feels now is nothing to that. It is temporary and will pass. Why, by next year, he may be married to a woman who adores him as much as he does her. And you will know you spared him a fate I would not wish on any man — the fate of being married to a woman he is hopelessly in love with, knowing she does not feel the same way. I would not wish such a marriage on my worst enemy.”
“Perhaps you are right.”
“Of course I am right,” said Richard cheerfully. “I always am. Now, are you sure there is nothing wrong?”
“Yes, I am sure. Come, let us find this lieutenant of yours so we can return.”
“If you are so eager to return, Aunt Catherine will take it as a certain sign you wish to be with Anne,” Richard laughed.
“I do not doubt it. Aunt Catherine sees everything only in the light of her own wishes.”
“And you are certain you do not wish to marry her?”
“I am certain. And I am certain she feels the same way.”
“Then perhaps you should tell her.”
“Yes, I suppose I should.”
Richard’s words echoed in Darcy’s mind. He did not owe an explanation to Lady Catherine, but he felt like he owed one to Anne. He and his cousin had been brought up with the idea they should marry since they were small children. He had to do the right thing and tell her there would be no engagement. Perhaps it might even allow Anne a chance to fall in love with a man worthy of her although Darcy doubted her chances with her controlling mother breathing down her neck and trying to direct her every move. But if Lady Catherine made life difficult for Anne, Darcy would do all he could to help her. He owed her that much.
He found Anne in the garden. Her eyes were shadowed and her face pale. Darcy felt his heart clench at the sight. Anne was five and twenty. She should still have a youthful bloom. She should be radiant with health and life. Instead, she seemed like a small shadow, a mere whisper who might disappear at the softest puff of wind.
Unusually, she was alone. Darcy looked around. He could see no sign of Mrs Jenkinson or Aunt Catherine. Excellent. If they saw him speak to her alone, they would certainly take it for a proposal, and that was not what he needed.
He hurried across to her.
“Anne,” he said urgently, taking the seat beside her.
Anne started and eyed him warily.
“Darcy,” she said. “What is it? Mrs Jenkinson has gone for my shawl, but she will be back soon.”
“That is fine. I only need a few minutes.”
“Perhaps I should search for her. She has been gone longer than I expected.”
Anne made to jump up, and Darcy reached for her hand. She tensed, and he noticed the look of horror on her face.
“Darcy, please…”
“You do not want this either, do you?” he asked.
Anne stared at him in confusion, then her wary look faded to one of hope.
“You mean…?”
“I am not here to propose to you.”
“Oh!” She sat back down again. She stared at the lawn and released a breath. “Thank goodness for that.”
Darcy laughed. “Your relief is most unflattering.” As she started to apologise, he waved it away. “I am teasing you. I am happier than I can express that this news gladdens your heart. We are not right for one another, are we? And while I have the greatest respect and fondness for you, neither of us feel how a couple to be married should feel. Now we have released one another, we are free to find people we are more compatible with.”
“I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear this,” said Anne. “I have been on edge since you arrived, knowing how determined Mother is that you should propose. I did not know what I should have done if you had.”
“I hoped you would have turned me down if it was not what you wanted. I would not wish to force marriage on a woman who does not want me.”
Anne laughed. “It would not have been you forcing marriage on me, Darcy. We both know that.” Her eyes flicked towards the house where her mother sat in state. Darcy followed her gaze.
“I want you to know, if your mother makes things difficult for you as a punishment, you must tell me at once, and I will do all I can to help you. No matter where I am, as soon as I hear from you, I will come to you at once. I do not like to see you trapped here.”
Anne looked at him, her young face tired. “You do not know what peace it gives me to hear you say that,” she replied. “I am afraid of Mother’s response. It is a great comfort to know I have a friend.”
“You have several. Do not doubt mine and Richard’s and Georgiana’s affection for you. If you want to stay with us at Pemberley or in London, you are always welcome.” He lowered his voice. “You need not live your life under your mother’s dominance.”
Anne started at his words. She looked up sharply, her eyes scanning his face. She smiled, but there was a hopelessness about it that tore at Darcy’s heart. He covered her hand with his.
“I mean what I say. I will do whatever I can to help you. You need only ask. I hope you do ask. And do not fear your mother’s response. I will make it very plain to her we will not wed in a manner that will make it impossible for her to blame you.”
Anne swallowed. “Thank you, Darcy,” she said in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
Darcy smiled. It was the longest and most intimate conversation the two had ever had. Who would have thought it would come about by them choosing not to spend their lives together?
“I think I hear Mrs Jenkinson coming back,” said Anne urgently. “You must go now, or she will report our conversation back to my mo
ther who will take it as a proposal.”
Darcy rose at once. He turned to leave. On impulse, he turned back to his cousin and gave her a swift kiss on the forehead before hurrying away. Anne smiled after him feeling more at peace than she had done for a long time. She amended her smile and restored her usual tired and cross expression before her companion could see her and know something had taken place.
Anne’s feeling of peace was not to last. When they returned to the house, her mother was waiting for her. She nodded to Mrs Jenkinson to leave them alone and took her daughter by the arm to lead her to an alcove where no passing servants could hear them.
“It is my wish you should walk in the woods this evening,” she told her.
Anne blinked. “I’m sorry, Mother?”
What was she about this time?
Lady Catherine huffed. “The fresh air will do you good. Your cousins walk in the woods as does Miss Bennet and look at the good it does them. You need to put roses back in your cheek, my girl. Come, you will enjoy it. There is a pretty little clearing near the path to Hunsford Lodge where you can sit for a while. I insist you go there.”
“Should I ask Mrs Jenkinson?”
“No, it is time you learned to walk by yourself. You are not a child to be coddled. A woman of your age can manage a simple walk alone on your own estate.”
Yes, Anne could manage that. It was her mother who had always insisted she could not, and that she needed a companion. It was also her mother who convinced her too much fresh air was dangerous to her delicate health and that walking would tire her out.
This sudden change in attitude could only mean one thing. Her mother hoped Anne would encounter Darcy in the woods and it might prompt a proposal. Perhaps she even hoped that an evening stroll would compromise her enough that Darcy would be forced to marry her. She would not put it past her mother to have such schemes in mind. If she did not tell her they had decided not to marry, Lady Catherine would never cease trying to throw her and Darcy together. She squeezed her fists at her side to gather her courage and drew a deep breath. She looked at her mother and opened her mouth to speak the words.
The words would not come. As soon as she met her mother’s flint-like eyes, her courage drained away at once. The idea of standing against her mother’s wishes so directly and being the target of the enraged response that was sure to follow left Anne feeling defeated and exhausted even before she began. She could not do it.
But, with a flare of hope, she recalled there was no need. Darcy had already promised her he would take care of it. She almost smiled at the thought of having an ally. How good it felt to know she had a friend to support her.
“Yes, Mama,” she said meekly instead.
Lady Catherine nodded in satisfaction and swept away. Anne stared after her. She might not have the courage to face her mother directly, but she could find one way to defy her. She would not go on this walk this evening. She would retire to her room and let her mother believe she was following her commands.
Chapter 6
A night free from Rosings Park! Elizabeth silently rejoiced at the unexpected news that they had not received an invitation. Mr Collins could not share her joy.
“Do you think Lady Catherine is displeased with me? Have I made her unhappy?” he asked everyone so continuously, Elizabeth decided to go for a walk as soon as she could so she would not have to listen to any more of his plaintive laments.
For the rest of the party, the atmosphere was positively festive. Charlotte ordered a splendid meal and decided they would all enjoy it early rather than waiting to satisfy Lady Catherine’s notions of proper dinner times. They were free to talk and laugh without bringing a cantankerous woman down on them to demand to know what they discussed so she might correct and guide them.
Elizabeth was also free from having a grave pair of dark eyes fixed on her with that inscrutable expression. What a welcome relief.
The evening was still bright when they had finished their meal. It was a time of day Elizabeth adored, and she had precious few opportunities to enjoy it since she arrived in Kent. A walk through the woods in the evening to watch the sunset was just what she most wanted. And at this time of day, she was surely not likely to encounter Mr Darcy. No doubt Lady Catherine would not let him out of her sight. Elizabeth was free to sit in her glade and enjoy her solitude without dealing with the odd moods and silences of a taciturn man she could not like.
She had retired to her room after dinner to write a letter to Jane first while the rest of the family were in the parlour. When she finished, she debated whether she should inform her hosts of her plans, but it only took her a moment to decide against it. Who knew what kind of strictures Mr Collins had about young ladies walking in the evenings? Elizabeth was not prepared to hear them. She slipped out a side door and ran down the lane, her bonnet swinging from her hand.
Once in the woods, she took a deep breath of the fresh, cool evening air. The sun was close to setting, and it lit the sky in vibrant pinks and purples. The first stars were twinkling. She had perhaps an hour before dark, and she planned to make the most of it while she could. Goodness knows when she could see an evening sky like this again from anywhere other than Lady Catherine’s drawing room window.
Elizabeth ran towards her glade, determined to spend as much time there as possible before it grew dark. She intended to lie in the grass and breath in the soft, sweet air while listening to the birds sing their evening chorus. It was the perfect antidote to those tiring evenings at Rosings Park.
She ran into the glade and looked around with satisfaction. For once, it was empty. No interruptions by Mr Darcy and no Mr Collins to come huffing after her. He believed her in her bedchamber and would not look for her. He was far too worried about having courted Lady Catherine’s displeasure anyway to wonder about his cousin. She could have a peaceful time here before she had to return.
Elizabeth had just settled in the grass and rested her head back against a tree when she heard someone clear their throat. She looked around in alarm and could barely conceal her scowl when she saw Mr Darcy standing there.
“Oh, for…” she began. She bit back the rest of her frustration and rose to her feet. She dipped a curtsey with minimum courtesy.
“Miss Bennet.” Darcy took a step towards her. He hesitated and lapsed into silence. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.
“Can I do anything for you, sir? I had hoped to enjoy this place in solitude. I did not expect to find anyone else here so late.”
“No, no.” Darcy shook his head. “Please forgive my intrusion. I would not — I did not — did you come here earlier?”
“Yes. As I have told you, it is a favourite walk of mine.”
Why did he not take the hint and leave? And what on earth was wrong with him? Why did he seem so agitated?
“Well, I will not keep you from your walk,” she said. She inclined her head and made to turn away when to her astonishment, Darcy caught her hand. He dropped it at once, looking mortified.
“Forgive me. I did not mean to — Miss Bennet, if you will allow me, there is something I must— “
He swallowed and took a deep breath. He gazed at her with such intensity that Elizabeth felt an unexpected jolt of excitement that unnerved her. If it were any other man, she might have feared he was about to take advantage of the situation, but the idea of Mr Darcy of all people doing such a thing was laughable.
But then why was he behaving so strangely?
“Miss Bennet— “ he began again.
His next words were interrupted by the sound of several approaching footsteps running in their direction. Elizabeth and Darcy sprang apart at once. Elizabeth looked around, expecting to see Mr Collins. Her eyes widened with astonishment when a group of men spilled into the clearing. They wore hats with brims pulled down almost over their eyes and kerchiefs on the lower part of their faces.
Elizabeth felt a pulse of unease she could not explain. Surely they were labourers from Lady Catherine’s estate?
Nothing to be afraid of. She inclined her head and turned to leave. Darcy frowned and discreetly took hold of her hand to prevent her walking away from him.
“I will accompany you back, Miss Bennet,” he said in a low voice.
Elizabeth was about to refuse but she could not. Something about the situation felt wrong, and for once, she was glad of Darcy’s presence. She took his offered arm. The men looked as though they were about to keep walking. Just as Elizabeth relaxed, they suddenly turned around and gathered around them.
“Clear out of the way,” said Darcy in a steady, cool voice. Elizabeth could not help but admire it. Her throat was so dry, she was sure if she spoke, the best she could come out with was a croak. Darcy made to push past the men, but they pushed back at him. His jaw clenched in fury, and he pulled Elizabeth behind him. “You have a chance to walk away, and nothing more will happen to you,” he said. “If you do not, you will regret it.”
The first man laughed. He was a short man but broad and powerfully built. Though most of his face was covered, his brown eyes had a coldness about them that made Elizabeth shudder. “Hear that, boys? He thinks we should just leave. Why then, of course, Your Lordship. Your wish is my command.” He swept a mock bow, moving too close to Elizabeth. He straightened up and grinned at her then reached out to grab her arm.
“Well, aren’t you pretty…”
With a growl of fury, Darcy lunged at him and caught him by the throat, at the same time, pushing Elizabeth clear. The rest of the men lunged at Darcy, and he swung around to face them. Elizabeth was almost mesmerised to watch this strait-laced gentleman fight several thugs. He ducked and weaved and threw punches, sending some of them sprawling to the ground. One man landed a blow on him, and Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth, biting back a cry before Darcy sent him reeling to the ground.
Elizabeth was about to cheer at his triumph when a pistol shot rang out just as Darcy stumbled. She screamed in horror, thinking he had been hit. Her legs almost buckled in relief when Darcy glanced at her, then threw himself at another man but before she could do anything, a pair of hands grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream before a hard hand was clasped over her mouth. She struggled and kicked and tried to break free until she felt something small and hard pressed to her temple. She heard a click, and her stomach dropped in terror.
Trapped at Rosings Page 4