Trapped at Rosings

by Emily Russell

  Darcy was at home in Netherfield in the library when the door opened, and a footman announced a surprising visitor. He rose at once and stepped forward eagerly to take Colonel Fitzwilliam’s hand.

  “You are most welcome,” he said with enthusiasm. “Are you here for the wedding? You are a little early if that is the case.”

  “Not for the wedding although I am determined to be here for it. I will not allow you to stand at the altar shaking with nerves without my support, never fear,” said Richard.

  Darcy invited him to sit down and poured him a drink.

  “What is it then?” he asked. He grimaced. “Has Aunt Catherine been making a nuisance of herself?”

  “Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl and a lady of the very highest standing,” said Richard, looking outraged. His face relaxed into a grin. “Of course she has been making a nuisance of herself. She turned up in London and tried to force Anne to return with her.”

  “Anne did not leave?” asked Darcy.

  Richard shook his head. “Not a bit of it. She refused point blank and told her mother she would never be under her rule again. You should have seen her, Darcy, she was magnificent.” Richard shook his head, an awed look on his face. “I have always valued Anne, but she is so altered. She speaks and laughs, and her health has improved to the point where she is blooming. And her spirit when she spoke to Aunt Catherine, standing up to her in a way I am sure no one else has ever done before! It was a sight to behold.”

  There was a light in Richard’s eyes. Darcy recalled he and Elizabeth’s speculation that the two might come together. He wished she were there now so he could share the moment with her and exchange smiles that they had been right.

  “I should have liked to see it myself,” said Darcy. “And I am glad she stood up to our aunt. It was high time it happened. But if this is not the reason for your visit, what is?”

  Richard played with his glass, looking suddenly shy. There was a slightly foolish smile about his lips.

  “I have asked Anne to marry me, and she has said yes.”

  Darcy stared at him in astonishment then jumped from his seat to embrace his cousin and thump him on the back.

  “Well, done, old friend. Congratulations. I have no doubt of you doing very well together.”

  Richard found it hard not to smile.

  “And what of you and Miss Bennet?” he asked. “Dare I hope you and she have found happiness in your match, unexpected though it was?”

  This time it was Darcy’s turn to smile. “I have a feeling we shall be very happy together. Elizabeth tells me so all the time.”

  “That is wonderful news. I always thought you had feelings for her, you know.” Richard hesitated. “But I have other news. Lady Catherine returned to London a week after her first visit and asked to see me alone at her house. I thought it was to speak with me about returning Anne, and I met her so I could tell her once and for all that Anne will not return to her. But it was not that.” Richard sighed. “It seems our august aunt is being threatened by some petty criminal.”

  Darcy stared at his cousin in disbelief. “That is outrageous. Do you believe her?”

  “She showed me a note.” Richard shrugged. “It was on cheap paper and so badly spelt I hardly knew what I was looking at. But it demanded five thousand pounds or the person would reveal something Aunt Catherine had done lately. The fellow insists he has a note she sent him that will provide proof.”

  Darcy shook his head. “That is ridiculous. Aunt Catherine of all people consorting with lowlifes! I can hardly imagine her speaking to someone lower than Mr Collins. Come, you must admit it is diverting to imagine Lady Catherine frequenting taverns and consorting with criminals. Unless she has another life we do not know about.”

  Darcy’s smile faded at the look on Richard’s face. He clearly did not find it amusing.

  “You did not see her, Darcy. She is frightened. She looked close to tears when she showed it to me.”

  “I cannot imagine Aunt Catherine crying at all,” said Darcy. He looked shocked. “I always imagined her response to Uncle Lewis’s death was to scold him for the inconvenience.”

  “Are you persuaded to believe her as I am?”

  “I confess I am.” Darcy looked troubled. “What does she want you to do?”

  “The fellow has demanded she leave money for him. She is too afraid to do so or to ask anyone else. She hopes I will do it so she can keep it in the family. I would like you to come with me, Darcy.”

  “Me?” Darcy was astonished. “Richard, my wedding is this month. I have much to do, and I do not wish to be away from Elizabeth. Is there no other man you trust to bring with you? Surely one of your army fellows will do?”

  “I am sorry to ask, Darcy. I know this is a busy time for you. But there is no-one else I would trust to ask. If there were, I would have done so. But it should not take long. The deed is to be done on Saturday. If we were to leave for Kent tomorrow, we could capture him, and you will be with your lady again within a few days.”

  Darcy still looked doubtful. Richard leaned towards him.

  “I know what you think because it was my initial thought as well. You think whatever this is, Lady Catherine has brought it on herself. Or it is a ploy to win our attention. But you did not see her as I did. She looked terrified and utterly broken. She is an old lady alone and frightened. I cannot turn my back on her.”

  Darcy sighed and lay his head against the back of his chair to stare at the ceiling.

  “Neither can I.”

  Chapter 31

  Richard joined Darcy on his visit to Longbourn. Elizabeth was delighted to see him again, and she received the news of his engagement with joy. She received the news of Darcy’s going away with somewhat less enthusiasm.

  “I do not understand why you have to go to Kent,” she said. “You know how your aunt reacted the last time we saw her. What if this help she requires is just a ploy to keep you away from me?”

  “I admit I am concerned about that as well. But I could not rest easy if I turned my back on her,” said Darcy. He took Elizabeth’s hand. “It gives me no pleasure to leave you, but I will resolve the matter as soon as possible and return to you.”

  “But what matter can your aunt possibly have that requires you to travel all that way?” said Elizabeth. “Surely she has advisors who can assist her? I am uneasy about this.” She lowered her voice so her family would not hear their discussion. “I suspect it is more than a matter of business.”

  “I do not doubt it in the slightest. But, whatever it is, she is alone now. I must go, or I will not feel easy. You understand that, do you not?”

  Elizabeth sighed and relented with a smile. “Considering your unwavering sense of duty is one of the qualities I love most about you, it would be remiss of me to pout when you display it. But hurry back to me. I have grown used to having you near me. It will be strange to know you are so far away.”

  “Not for long,” said Darcy. He glanced around the room to make sure no one was paying them any attention, then gave Elizabeth a swift kiss on the lips before anyone saw.

  Later that morning, Darcy sat with Jane to help her with a translation from an Italian book. Richard walked with Elizabeth in the garden.

  “I am sorry I am taking him away from you. It will not be for long,” he said.

  “Make sure you keep that promise,” Elizabeth warned. “I admit, I fear for both of you. Your aunt has always been determined to have her way. I worry she looks for a way to keep you both from marrying where she does not approve.”

  “Have no fear for us, Miss Bennet. I am a soldier, and Darcy is a renowned fighter. Even if our aunt has hired thugs try to lock us away in a dungeon to prevent our marriages, they will not come out the better for it.”

  “Is Darcy a renowned fighter?” Elizabeth was wide-eyed with shock.

  “Surely you knew that. He protected you, did he not?”

  “Well, yes but I did not know he was renowned for it. It loo
ks like I am about to marry a brawler.”

  Richard was about to protest, but he caught the laughter in Elizabeth’s eyes.

  “Oh, you speak in jest.” He exhaled in an exaggerated display of relief. “Thank goodness. Darcy would never have forgiven me if he thought I had defamed him to you of all people. No, Miss Bennet. I am teasing. Darcy was well known for being one of the best boxers at Cambridge, but he only uses those skills when necessary, and only to protect himself or others. He is most protective of the people he cares about.”

  “Well, as long as he does not always use his fists to do so,” said Elizabeth with a twinkle in her eye.

  Richard laughed. “Not at all. He is too clever to need to. And most of those situations do not call for force, anyway. Why, only a few months ago, he protected his friend from an imprudent marriage, and he did it using only words and influence. You know him. Mr Bingley.”

  Elizabeth froze. She took a moment to master herself before speaking. “Oh yes? What did he do to save Mr Bingley?”

  “It seems the man had fallen in love with an unsuitable lady. He wished to marry her. He planned to propose, but Darcy talked him out of it. He was most proud of himself for helping his friend in such a manner.”

  “Was he indeed?” Elizabeth felt herself grow cold. “How thoughtful of him. And what was his reason for preventing the marriage?”

  “It was some time ago, but if I recall, there were some strong objections to the lady’s family. The mother was a fortune hunter desperate to catch a rich husband for her daughter. Poor old Bingley had a lucky escape.”

  “I see,” said Elizabeth. She glanced up at the window of Jane’s bedchamber where she had spent many hours consoling her heartbroken sister. No doubt Jane was there now doing her best to not think about the man she loved.

  She drew her arm from Richard’s and dropped him a brief but distracted curtsey. “If you will excuse me, sir. I think I am wanted in the house.”

  She turned and fled before her angry tears could come.

  Darcy returned to Netherfield, his head full. He had wished to say goodbye to Elizabeth again before he left, but she refused to come out of her room despite her mother’s demands, pleading a headache. Darcy left feeling greatly disappointed. He did not tell her the entire truth about why he and Richard travelled to Kent as her whole family had been in the room. He had a particular reason to wish to sit with Jane for a while, and had told himself he would have time to speak with Elizabeth privately before he left. As his future wife, he did not wish to keep his real plans from her. As soon as he returned to Netherfield, he excused himself to Bingley and Richard and repaired to the study to write a note to Elizabeth, explaining the real reason for his journey to Kent.

  Once that had been taken care of, Darcy was free to contemplate with satisfaction that a matter that had been bothering him for some time might now be resolved. For the past few months he had congratulated himself on saving Bingley from his desire to marry Jane Bennet. He had always believed the lady only accepted his attentions because her marriage-obsessed mother forced her to do so. He informed Bingley of this, but to his dismay, Bingley had not forgotten her and was still heartbroken all these months later.

  To Darcy’s further dismay, as he grew to know Jane better, he recognised that while she appeared serene, enough to give the impression her heart was not easily touched, she felt deeply and was only shy about expressing it. He should have understood that, being a similar person himself.

  As he grew to know more of her, he recognised the same heartache he saw in Bingley. When his name was mentioned in her presence, she started and tried with difficulty to compose herself. He had seen how she looked at Bingley at the ball and the hurt in her eyes when he would not speak with her; his reason being that he did not trust himself near her for fear of having his heart broken again.

  Darcy had taken pains to speak more with Jane and find discreet ways to introduce Bingley to the conversation. Her reaction to hearing of him told Darcy all he needed to know. Jane was as much in love with Bingley as Bingley was with her. He had made a dreadful mistake in separating them. And now, before Darcy left for Kent, he would correct the wrong he had done.

  He found Bingley in the drawing room and quickly informed him of his plan to travel to Kent. Bingley took the news with some surprise, but to Darcy’s relief, he didn’t ask many details. Since Caroline had left to arrange her wedding, Bingley had lightened considerably, but there was still a wanness about him that never lifted.

  “I must tell you something else, Bingley,” said Darcy. “I have spoken to Miss Bennet. It has been a pleasure to know her better.”

  “Oh yes?” Bingley looked up sharply at the mention of her name.

  “You did not speak with her at the ball.”

  Bingley sighed, and his shoulders slumped. “I did not. I did not trust myself near her. It is why I have called at Longbourn as little as possible. It would be too painful to fall in love with her more than ever and know she does not feel the same for me. I have wondered if I made a mistake in coming here. If it were not for your wedding, I would have left Hertfordshire as soon as I knew how difficult it felt to be in her presence.”

  “Well, as to that.” Darcy took a breath. “It seems I was mistaken. The lady loves you as much as you love her, and loves you still.”

  Bingley started. His eyes were wide with emotion, and for a moment, he said nothing. He looked at Darcy and fumbled with his cravat before he composed himself enough to speak.

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I have seen her reaction to you and the pain in her eyes is the same as the one in yours. I was wrong, Bingley. I am sorry. She loves you. It is why she was in London last winter, hoping she might see you.” Darcy sighed. “And I knew she was there. I should not have kept it from you.”

  “No, you should not.”

  Darcy raised his eyes to meet Bingley’s, expecting to see hurt and anger there. Instead, his face was lit with joy.

  “She loves me? Really, she loves me? You are certain?”

  “She does, and I am. I wanted to be sure before I spoke with you. I did not want to risk either of you being hurt again. And if I were you, I would not waste time on the matter. You have already lost many months together through my interference and that of others. Do not delay any longer, Bingley.”

  The two men shook hands, and Darcy left to call the carriage. As he was about to climb in, a footman hurried out of the house.

  “Some letters have just arrived for you, sir. I thought you would like to take them with you.”

  “Thank you, James,” said Darcy. Distracted and eager to get to Kent so he might return as soon as possible, he placed the letters under his seat, not noticing one addressed to him in a lady’s flowing hand.

  Chapter 32

  Elizabeth stared at the paper in front of her. She was too angry and confused to go to Darcy and demand an explanation. Besides, he would be preparing to leave for Kent by now. She took her aunt’s old advice and gave vent to her feelings in a letter, hoping it would help clear her mind and understand how she felt.

  “Dear Sir,

  I have just discovered that it is you who has ruined the happiness, perhaps forever, of a most beloved sister. For many months now, I have wondered why you and the Bingleys left Hertfordshire so suddenly last winter. I even asked you about it several times and always received an evasive response.

  Now I discover it was you. You persuaded Mr Bingley to give Jane up, believing she was not good enough for him. You believed she wished to catch a rich husband and did not care for your friend. Apart from being completely wrong, how could you cast Jane in such a light? How could you dishonour her so by casting such aspersions on her character? My sister is the sweetest, gentlest soul who ever lived and when she loves, she loves deeply, but her shy nature makes it difficult for her to show it. But she did love your friend; the same friend who now avoids her. She grieved for Mr Bingley, and she grieves still though she tries to hide
it. You sought to secure your own happiness in marriage, all while knowing you destroyed my sister’s.

  I confess I am glad you are gone away. I do not know how I feel about you after this, and I fear what it says about your character. The thought of spending my life with a man who can behave thus disturbs me. It is a prospect I dread.”

  Elizabeth put her pen down. She leaned back in her chair and pressed the bridge of her nose to relieve the headache that was forming there. A wave of grief threatened to overwhelm her, and she drew a shaky breath as she did her best to push it down. She would not give into despair. But she loved Darcy, and a part of her wished she had never learned the truth. She, who always prided herself on being brave enough to face the reality of a situation, no matter how ugly or painful, now wished she did not know it so she might have continued her plans to marry the man she adored in blissful ignorance.

  But how much happiness could she have found with a man who would behave in such a way? A man who thought it his place to interfere in the lives of others and who thought nothing of ruining the happiness of others just because they did not live up to his notions of correct behaviour? How soon after their marriage would she have been affected by it? Was it possible the man he presented himself as at the beginning of their acquaintance was his true self after all?