by Ola Wegner
Elizabeth noticed that the carriage was approaching the street where Darcy House was situated. The driver must have assumed that they wished to return home.
“Georgiana, please tell the driver that I want to return to my aunt and uncle’s house.”
The girl was silent for a moment. “Are you certain, Lizzy?”
“Yes. I cannot see him now.”
Chapter Seventeen
Darcy had been closed in his study since the early morning, diligently penning responses to the correspondence which had come yesterday from Pemberley. As he was not to return home for the next three weeks or so, he needed to give his detailed opinion about the matters which his steward was asking about in his letter.
He hoped to finish early, just as Elizabeth and Georgiana were to return from their last planned shopping trip before the wedding. He anticipated a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of his ladies. Perhaps they could walk to a park after tea. Elizabeth had little opportunity nowadays to take the long strolls she enjoyed so much.
Out of nowhere, the door fell open and Georgiana barged into the room. Her violent entrance made his hand shake, causing him to make a large ink blot in the middle of the page. The letter was ruined, and he would have to start it all over again.
He stood up, giving his sister his best frown. “What is the meaning of this, Georgiana?” he demanded in a harsh voice. “You should have knocked. You never behave in such a manner.”
She seemed not to hear what he said and ran to his desk. “Oh, brother, you must go and see Elizabeth!” she cried. “Now!”
He instantly felt a painful squeeze in his chest, rising to his throat. “Good God, what happened?” he exclaimed. “Where is she? Is she well?”
“She is not well. She had us take her to the Gardiners.”
“Is she hurt? Was there an accident?” He looked his sister up and down. “Are you hurt? You were supposed to be together the whole time.”
Georgiana shook her head. “Not physically hurt, but she is very upset.” She took his arm and began pulling him in the direction of the door. “Come, you must go and see her. I have already asked the stable boy to ready your horse.”
“I will go. Of course I will go. However, first you need to tell me what has happened,” he stared down at her.
She bit down on her lip. “It is difficult to explain.”
“Try.”
“I do not know how.” Her eyes pleaded him. “It is rather embarrassing.”
“Georgiana,” he warned, his voice going flat. “Can you tell me what has happened?”
The girl lowered her head, avoiding his eyes.
“What has happened, Georgiana? Speak!” Darcy pressed.
“We met your… your.... mistress in the shop,” she murmured, stuttering.
“Excuse me?” He bent his head, thinking he had surely misheard.
She lifted her gaze at him, acute embarrassment written all over her face. “We met your mistress in the shop,” she repeated slowly. “She was buying a hat.”
“What are you speaking about?”
“We saw your mistress.”
He blinked rapidly. “That is not possible. You cannot possibly know who my….” he started, and then silenced himself, realizing it was his baby sister he was talking to.
“I do not know her name; still I know who she is. Tall, very beautiful, pale blonde hair. I met her a year ago.”
“What do you mean, met her? Where?”
“I was shopping with Mrs. Younge about a year ago,” she explained. “We were at Madame la Fleur’s shop. I noticed a very beautiful lady who was staring at me, smiling. Later, I overheard a conversation between the Madame’s assistants; they were gossiping, amused, laughing that a lover and a sister met in the same shop at the same time.”
“Why did you not tell me about it?” he asked gently.
She lifted her shoulders only to drop them down. “I was mortified. I would not know how to even begin such a conversation. I only saw her one more time after that, again in the shop. She smiled, but said nothing to me.”
Darcy ran his hand over his face. He could not believe that Annette could have done such a thing, that she had actually attempted to come close to his sister. Two meetings could not be an accident. Moreover, Georgiana noticed her interest. Even if Annette and Georgiana had happened by accident to be in the same place at the same time, Annette should have left instantly. She knew the rules.
“So, what happened today?” he asked, already dreading the answer.
Georgiana took a long breath. “I noticed her as soon as we entered the shop. I told Elizabeth that I had a sudden headache and asked her to leave. She agreed, but insisted on speaking with the owner, informing her that we would come another time. Then…” Georgiana bit her lip, frowning.
“Finish, please.”
She stared at her feet. “That woman took one of the hats, and threw it on the counter. She asked to deliver it to her house, and send the bill to Mr. Darcy, as always. Elizabeth heard every word, because that woman said all of this looking into her face.”
“That bitch,” Darcy hissed, hitting the desk with his fist. “I will kill her for that.”
Angry could not even remotely describe what he felt at that moment. He was furious. It could only be compared to the last summer, when he had discovered Wickham’s vile intentions towards Georgiana.
“What was Elizabeth’s reaction?” he asked quietly, once he was able to control his voice again.
“She was calm while we were in the shop. In the carriage, she asked me what I knew, and I told her exactly what I have just told you. She did not wish to return here with me. She began to weep as we were approaching her uncle’s house.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Thank you. I knew you did everything in your power to prevent it. We will talk later, but now I must go.”
He hurried through the house, Georgiana following him. Only in the foyer, he noticed the many large boxes placed on the side tables.
“What are these?” he asked.
“Elizabeth’s new dresses and hats. She refused to take them with her.”
Darcy stared for a long moment at the parcels, before storming out of the house. Thankfully, his horse was waiting for him, saddled. She did not want the clothes he paid for. He feared to consider what this could mean.
***
“Miss Bennet is home?” he barked, rushing into the Gardiners' house, nearly tripping over the servant who had opened the door for him.
“Yes, sir, but she said she admits no calls today,” the young maid explained, looking at him with round eyes.
Darcy walked towards the narrow staircase, looking up.
“Is she in her room?” he demanded.
“Yes, sir, but she said that she was unwell.”
He glanced at the girl. “Is Mrs. Gardiner home?”
“No, sir, she had just gone to the park with children.”
It was all Darcy needed to hear, as he ran up the stairs. He heard the maid’s voice from behind him, protesting, but he ignored her. He knew that Elizabeth’s room was somewhere in the second floor, next to the children’s room, but he had no idea which one it was. He opened the first two doors, finding the nursery, and what looked like an unused guest bedroom. At last he pushed the third door open to find Elizabeth’s slight form curled on a bed.
“Sir!” the maid cried from the door, out of breath.
“You can leave us alone, Jenny,” Elizabeth spoke quietly.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth.” Obviously relieved, the maid stepped back, closing the door.
Darcy stepped closer. “Georgiana told me everything.”
She slipped from the bed, standing in front of him. A sound slap on his cheek echoed through the room.
“I deserve that,” he acknowledged gravely.
She shook her head, looking at him as if she had seen him for the first time. “I cannot believe how someone can be so deceitful. I should have listened to my heart and min
d, as I see clearly now that my first impression of you was correct. There is only one matter which I cannot understand… why you lied to me, why you pretended to love me. You wanted a toy to play with? If that was your wish, you certainly succeeded.”
“I did not lie, and I pretended nothing when I spoke about my feelings for you. Allow me to explain.” He tried to take her hand, but she did not allow it, stepping back.
“You could have told me that you needed a wife to bear you a legal heir, who you would leave in the country so she could raise your children while you enjoy yourself in London. My family is in such a desperate situation that I would have agreed to that. At least I would have known from the beginning what I was consenting to.”
“Do not say such things,” he moaned. “It is a gross untruth.”
“Is it? You made no secret you want me in your bed! For what else would you have picked me? I have nothing, no money, no connections, no father to protect me!” she exclaimed, tears brimming her eyes. “You wanted a quiet little wife who would sit home at Pemberley with your sister and say nothing as you whore about London. Admit it. What I cannot comprehend is why you tried to delude me into thinking that you loved me. If it is to be a business arrangement, let us be honest with one another.
“And what about poor Georgiana? Have you ever thought how she would feel? She loves you so much, and yet you parade that woman right in front of her.”
He came to her, gripping her forearms, to keep her in place. “You are being unreasonable. Let me explain as this is all a misunderstanding.”
“No, I do not wish to speak to you, listen to you or look at you,” she spat out. “I want you to leave.”
“No, I am not leaving—not until this is settled between us. Elizabeth, you must allow me to explain. I knew nothing about any of this. Annette did it all behind my back, I have not seen her since…”
She gave a short, bitter laugh, interrupting him. “Annette. Is that her name? How delightful. She is so beautiful, it fits her perfectly, I dare say,” she spoke mockingly, but was unsuccessful in removing the hurt lacing her voice.
“Elizabeth, please,” he shook her gently. “Just listen to me…”
She looked into his face. “Leave. I do not wish to speak to you.”
He shook his head, not loosening his hold on her.
“Go away or I will scream so loud that my uncle will hear in his office on the other side of the street,” she threatened.
“Lizzy, it is all misunderstanding. I ended it six months ago, sweetheart… as soon as I realized how much I loved…” he tried to sooth her.
He did not finish, because she opened her mouth and a high pitched screech came out of it. It rang in his ears - he could not believe that such a small person could scream so loud.
Without second thought, in attempt to silence her, he put his hand gently across her mouth. It only angered her more. A second later he felt a piercing pain in his groin, like he had never felt before in his life. He had no choice but to let her go, lowering on his knees in agony. She must have kicked him with her knee. He could not believe it! He was aware that she had a temper, but to be so violent… and strong too. God, how that hurt. He sincerely hoped that he would be able to father children after that.
As he was trying to regain his breath, she marched past him to the door, opening it wide. “Goodbye, sir.”
Panting quietly, he lifted himself up, trying to somehow regain his dignity. She walked a wide circle, making a point to avoid him, and stood by the window.
“I will come tomorrow so we may talk once you have calmed down,” he assured when he was by the door, wanting her to know that this conversation was not over.
A small vase full of flowers flew right by his temple and crashed against the doorframe. Had she aimed an inch closer, his head would have been cracked in half. He began to fear her.
He took it as a sign that it was best to leave her alone for now. He knew that her temper ran hot but was usually short lived. He would return tomorrow.
***
“Annette!” Darcy roared, banging with his fist at the front door of her house in Hammersmith. “Open this door!”
A short moment later, the door let go and she welcomed him with wide smile. “I knew you would come!” she exclaimed, trying to wind her arms around his neck. He pushed her aside without ceremony, roughly, and stepped inside, shutting the door behind them.
He strode into the small parlor, waiting for her to follow him. He could barely look at her. He had never raised his hand to a woman, but he was very close to doing that just now.
“Are you out of your mind?” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm. “What were you thinking? How did you know that they would be there in the first place?”
She stared at him, seemingly unperturbed by his enquiries.
“Answer me!”
“I paid one of the girls at the store to let me know when they would be coming.”
“Why? What were you counting on?”
“I wanted to see her.” She narrowed her eyes. “Your Lizzy.” She spat with contempt in her voice.
“You had absolutely no right to interfere in my private life. We were finished a long time ago; you know that. I have not been with you since last December, and even then it was a grave mistake.”
A slight frown appeared between her elegantly drawn eyebrows, but she said nothing.
“Why are you doing this to me?” he questioned, running his hand over his face. “I was always fair to you.”
“You will not be happy with her. She is small, thin and mousy. She will not be able to please you. I know women like her. She will allow you to raise her gown to her waist, and will be laying like the dead beneath you. You will be bored with her after half a year, if not sooner.”
“How dare you? Do not speak of her!”
She stared into his eyes, stepping closer. “I love you.”
He laughed. “You love me, and yet you want to destroy me?”
“I wish you no harm. On the contrary, she is no good for you. I can give you a child; you can marry me…”
He lowered on the nearby chair, and began to laugh in earnest. “Marry you? You are mad! Do you truly think that I would bring a whore to my ancestral house, making her the Mistress of Pemberley?”
“Do not say that!” she exclaimed. “I had no choice in where I came from, that my father abandoned my mother even before I was born. Not everyone has such luck like your Lizzy, or your sister, to be born a gentlewoman in a perfect little family, with an estate, pianoforte lessons, balls and tea parties. I worked hard for everything I have now in my life.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Indeed, you work very hard, on your back mostly,” he remarked coldly.
With interest, he noticed that she actually blushed at his last words. He would have never thought that she could be capable of showing even a hint of embarrassment.
“Such things happened before. Do not laugh at me,” she argued. “What about Emma Hamilton? Her father was only a blacksmith. She was an actress and a mistress to some wealthy gentlemen before Sir William Hamilton married her. Now she is said to be the love interest of Admiral Nelson himself.”
Darcy examined Annette’s face, the sincerity written in her expression, becoming more and more convinced that she truly came to believe in what she was saying. “I will not even grant that a comment. I will only say that I am marrying Elizabeth not because of her family, or connection, but because I love her.”
“What can she know about love? She is but a child. Sickly and pale. What do you see in her? She looks younger than your sister.”
He lifted his hand at her. “Not a word about my wife.”
“She is not your wife yet.”
“I said, not a word about her,” he bellowed, hitting his fist against the polished surface of the small table.
She looked down, her features twisted in an ugly grimace.
“Do you even realize how much trouble you have caused for me?”
&nb
sp; She smiled with obvious satisfaction. “I can imagine. Did she end the engagement?” she questioned with hope.
“That was your intention?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “You are indeed stupid. You do not understand that I will not allow her to break with me. I will grovel at her feet as long as necessary till she takes me back. And you, you are finished. One word from me to my acquaintances about what you did, and no sane man will take you. You will end up on the street, or as a kitchen maid.”
“Fitzwilliam,” she ran to him, kneeling by the chair he was seated on. “I did it because I wanted you back. I needed her to know about me. Now, even if she marries you, she will secretly dislike you. You will be unhappy with a moody wife and coming back to me in no time.”
He stood up, walking away from her. “You cannot have me back, because I was never yours. I do not know what kind of delusion you created in your head. If I ever see you again, or hear from my family that you tried to approach them again, you will pay dearly. Understood?”
“I am not afraid,” she spoke with conviction, as she lifted to her feet, and joined his side. “You are a kind man. I knew that you liked me more than the others. You are only hesitant to admit it.”
“If my sister or wife as much as sees you across the street, I will hire someone, and they will make sure that your beauty is gone forever.”
Her eyes widened, but she shook her head. “You would not do that.”
He took her hand, twisting it painfully, before unceremoniously shoved her to the floor, so she slid against the wall, hitting it.
“Stay away from me and my loved ones, or you will regret it for the rest of your life.” He lashed out before walking out.
He heard her crying his name, but he did not turn around to look at her.
***
It was late evening when Darcy finally returned home that day. After leaving Hammersmith, he went straight to White’s. He was not a big enthusiast of sitting in a club, finding it rather tiresome and boring; but still he visited regularly when he was in London. His father had been a member of White’s, and his wish had been for his son to join as well. It allowed Darcy to keep relations with his university friends and strengthen the social bonds with some influential people. He was not a fool, knowing well that a man could never guess when the friends in high places might be needed in life.