Deception

by Ola Wegner

  “Oh, Miss Elizabeth.” Hill approached her quickly. “We have guests. Mr. Brooke has called. He has been asking after you.”

  “He has?” Elizabeth handed the housekeeper her bonnet and gloves.

  “Yes, he has.” Hill reached for Elizabeth’s coat and looked critically at her hair. “I heard Mr. Brooke saying that he would wait till you return home from your walk. Mistress asked to tell you to go directly to the drawing room the moment you are back.”

  Elizabeth raised her brow. “She did?”

  “Yes, Miss Elizabeth.” Hill seemed to be appraising her gown now. “That dress must do, there is no time to put on your new muslin. Mr. Brooke is waiting.”

  Elizabeth looked in confusion at the housekeeper. She had an odd feeling that something unusual was happening here. Hill went ahead and opened the door to the drawing room for her.

  “Ah, Lizzy, dear child, here you are!” her mother exclaimed, nearly jumping from her place at her sight, rushing to her. “We have been worried about you.” Mrs. Bennet took her by the arm and led her to the sofa, sitting her between herself and Mr. Brooke. “You should not walk so far, especially so early after the accident you suffered at the ball from that odious Mr. Collins.”

  Elizabeth stared in utter shock at her mother. Had someone charmed her? She was so astonished that she barely registered that Mr. Brooke stood up from his place and bowed deeply in front of her.

  “I am fine, Mama.” Elizabeth found her voice at last. “I visited Charlotte. It is a short walk to Lucas Lodge.”

  “And how is she?” Mrs. Bennet asked in a voice of false kindness. “I guess Lady Lucas is delighted to have caught Mr. Collins for her daughter.”

  “I think that both Charlotte and her family are well pleased with the engagement.”

  Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips. “And they should be, for nothing better could happen to them. Charlotte is so plain.”

  “Mama!” Elizabeth cried angrily.

  “Shush, my dear.” Mrs. Bennet patted Elizabeth’s hand. “I know that Charlotte is your friend, but neither she nor her sister can match my daughters so far as beauty and accomplishments are concerned. It is well known here that Jane is said to be the jewel of the county, and you, Lizzy dear, more than once I have heard you named the most accomplished and intelligent young lady in this part of England.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she stared at her mother, her mouth half open. “Mama,…” she whispered. Her eyes went to Jane, who only shook her head slightly at her, her expression tense, as if she had wanted to say something to her with her eyes only.

  “I see that you are well recovered, Miss Bennet.” Elizabeth heard Mr. Brooke’s voice, which made her move her eyes from her sister to the man beside her.

  “Yes, I thank you, Mr. Brooke.” Elizabeth focused on replying coherently to the gentleman. “I am happy to be able to walk again. I missed my daily rambles.”

  “Ah, yes.” Mr. Brooke gave her a friendly smile. “You mother mentioned to me that you enjoy walking. I have not seen the park and the gardens here at Longbourn. Would it be too much, Miss Bennet, to ask you to show them to me? Not today, of course, you have walked enough, but tomorrow perhaps. Would tomorrow morning be convenient?”

  Before Elizabeth managed to answer, Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands together, exclaiming enthusiastically. “What a splendid idea it is, is it not? Is it not, Lizzy? I assure you, Mr. Brooke, that Elizabeth knows every nook and corner here. She will be more than happy to accompany you.”

  Elizabeth could not stop staring at her mother, till Mr. Brooke’s voice drew her attention again. “Will that be all right, Miss Elizabeth?” the gentleman enquired politely.

  “Yes, of course, Mr. Brooke,” Elizabeth answered distractedly at last.

  “I thank you, Miss Elizabeth.” To Elizabeth’s surprise Mr. Brooke stood up, took her hand and bowed deeply in front of her, squeezing her fingers gently.

  “It is time for me to leave, I am afraid,” he said, bowing in front of Jane and Mrs. Bennet. “I am sorry I could not see Mr. Bennet today.”

  “Oh, I am sure that my husband will be delighted to have a private conversation with you tomorrow.” Mrs. Bennet winked meaningfully at Mr. Brooke. “But, perhaps, could you not stay a little longer? I believe you have no had opportunity yet to hear Elizabeth to play the pianoforte.”

  “Perhaps some other time, madam. I would be delighted to hear Miss Elizabeth play.” Mr. Brooke bowed again in front of Elizabeth and directed himself to the door.

  “I shall see you to the entrance, sir,” Mrs. Bennet cried after him and fled from the room.

  Jane and Elizabeth were left alone. It was Jane who spoke first, looking with concern at her younger sister. “Oh, Lizzy, dear.”

  Elizabeth blinked and shook her head, still astonished with her mother’s behaviour. “Jane, am I dreaming? What is happening here?”

  Jane moved from her place and sat by her side speaking quickly. “Mr. Brooke suggested he was ready to court you.”

  “But how?” Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “When?”

  “Before you came. Mama was talking to Mr. Brooke, telling him how ungrateful you were refusing Mr. Collins, especially now, when we have learned that Charlotte is engaged to him. Finally, Mr. Brooke said that she should be pleased that you had refused our cousin, as there was another man, as he put it, in this very house, who would be honoured to court you. Mama stayed silent for a moment or two before the understanding of Mr. Brooke’s words seemed to dawn on her, I believe, but later she became so very pleased and she started to…”

  “Jane, Jane...” Elizabeth interrupted her, a frown on her face. “That cannot be. You must have misunderstood Mr. Brooke.”

  Jane shook her head slowly. “No, Lizzy. I think that this is exactly what he meant to say. He wants to court you. You heard yourself that he wanted to speak with Father.”

  “There has to be some misunderstanding to this,” Elizabeth insisted, but before Jane managed to answer, Mrs. Bennet returned.

  “Oh, my dearest child.” She went straight to Elizabeth and hugged her in manner her daughter could scarcely recall since she had been a little girl. “Such a man! Such a man! My girl!” She rubbed Elizabeth’s arms. “Such a man! Fifteen thousand a year! But why have you not said anything? You must have known for some time already that he admires you.”

  “Mama, pray believe me, I had no such suspicions. It is true that Mr. Brooke has always been very kind to me, but certainly not to the point to… He never said it outwardly. It must be some misunderstanding.”

  Mrs. Bennet continued her raptures, as if she was not listening to what her daughter was saying. “You sly little thing.” She patted Elizabeth’s cheek affectionately. “I knew that you were not so smart for nothing. But I never thought that you would be able to catch such a man. What carriages, what gowns, what pin money, fifteen thousand a year at least, a house in town and an estate in the country, fifteen thousand a year.” Mrs. Bennet was murmuring to herself, like an enchantment, pacing the room.

  “Mama, do not agitate yourself so much,” Jane said softly.

  However, Mrs. Bennet ignored her words and exclaimed with new energy. “I must go to Meryton this instant! It is such a shame that your father took the carriage today, but it is nothing. I shall walk. I have to tell my sister Philips about the news. Hill, Hill, bring my coat and fur hat!” She cried, running out of the room.

  “Jane, we must stop her!” Elizabeth cried, panicked. “Before nightfall, half of the county will know about it.”

  “I think it is a bit too late for that, sister,” Jane said softly, giving Elizabeth a compassionate look. “We cannot keep Mama home against her will, after all.”

  Elizabeth bit her lower lip and said nothing for a few moments. Next she stood up abruptly and walked to the window. Turning back to her sister, she asked. “Janie, how can I get out of this now?”

  ***

  The next day, shortly after ten o’clock in the morning, Mr.
Brooke was announced at Longbourn. The ladies of the house were gathered, as was their everyday custom, in the smaller parlour.

  Elizabeth raised herself first, even before her mother, and met Mr. Brooke’s gaze with a challenge in her eyes. Mrs. Bennet welcomed the guest effusively and proposed tea. However, Mr. Brooke had a different idea.

  “I think that it will better for me to first talk with Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Brooke said, looking at Elizabeth, who flashed him an angry look.

  “I know for sure that Papa is busy now with his steward, sir,” Elizabeth spoke, her voice decided and firm. “Perhaps you would wish to see the park and gardens first, as it was agreed yesterday.” She did not even wait for him to answer, but left the room quickly.

  “Certainly, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Brooke agreed promptly, following her.

  They were already outside the house, on the path leading to the park, still within the view from the windows, but far enough not to be heard but anyone, when Elizabeth looked up at the man beside her and spoke.

  “Sir, would you be so kind as to enlighten me on one matter? I was informed after you had left yesterday that you had clearly declared yourself as a suitor to my hand. You did that without my knowledge, not to mention my consent. How could you suggest such a thing to my family before first asking me ? Can you imagine into what an awkward and difficult position it has put me.” Elizabeth paused to calm her breathing, and added, her voice breaking slightly through emotion. “I am asking you, sir, who gave you the right to do this?”

  Brooke looked down at her, his expression serious. “Miss Bennet, please calm yourself.” He made a move with his hand as if he had wanted to touch her, but eventually his arm dropped by his side. “It was not my intention to upset you.”

  Elizabeth stared at him, her features tense. “Sir, I have trusted you and you breached my trust.”

  “Miss Elizabeth.” He stepped closer to her, leaning his head down, his voice deep. “You can always trust me. I do care about you. I do not want to harm you. As I said, what I did and said yesterday was neither intentional nor previously planned.”

  “I thought you were my friend,” Elizabeth cried, the pain clear in her voice and eyes.

  “I am your friend,” Mr. Brooke stressed, trying to catch her gaze. “Please let me explain what induced me to tell your mother of my admiration for you yesterday.”

  Elizabeth walked to the nearest bench, sat on it, and said, her chin high in the air. “I am listening, sir.”

  Chapter Nine

  John Brooke looked down at the petite young woman sitting on the garden bench in front of him. Such spirit and defiance in such a small body he thought. He had, perhaps, acted too hastily yesterday, he concluded. Now he had to repair the damage he had done and gain her trust anew.

  “Miss Bennet.” He folded his hands behind his back and started pacing in front of her, glancing at her from time to time in order to emphasize his words. “What I did yesterday was entirely the result of my own impulsiveness, I dare say. You see, I called yesterday hoping to see with my own eyes that you are well recovered. When I was told that you were not home, but visiting friend, I decided to wait for you. Your mother and elder sister kept my company,” he paused, considering how to mention Mrs. Bennet’s comments about Elizabeth in a most delicate way. “You mother made some remarks concerning your rejection of Mr. Collins’ suit, stressing what unhappy consequences it would cause to your entire family. She was quite, I must say, ruthless in assessment of your conduct. I reacted, perhaps too violently, upon hearing this. Forgive me, but I found your mother’s words unjustified and unfair towards you, Miss Bennet!” With the last words, he looked straight into Elizabeth’s eyes.

  Elizabeth stared at his face searchingly, her fine eyes narrowed, her forehead creased. “Mr. Brooke, you do not have to explain this to me,” she said, her tone not showing the signs of softening. “I can imagine very well what my mother likely said about my rejection of Mr. Collins’ suit. I have been hearing it for two weeks now.”

  “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Brooke spoke softly, almost pleadingly, sitting on the bench beside her. “I felt I could not listen to it passively. I care about you, and I admire you. All I wanted was to protect you from those hurtful words. That was the only reason for which I suggested, utterly on the spur of the moment, that you could, madam, expect a much more advantageous proposal in the future. I made myself clear that your family might expect my interest in your person and that my intentions towards you are entirely honourable. And I stand by what I said yesterday. I am ready to go to your father and ask for the honour of officially courting you and eventually marrying you.”

  During his speech, Elizabeth lowered her eyes, and the gentleman beside her noticed with satisfaction the blush developing on her lovely face. “Mr. Brooke, I can understand, I believe, that your intentions were honest,” she said slowly after a considerable moment of silence. “If you wanted to protect me in your own way, as you say, I thank you for that. But, sir, I do not need either your pity or your protection.” She looked straight into Brooke’s eyes. “I have not given you the right.”

  Brooke’s expression clouded. “It was not pity. It simply touches my heart when I hear, forgive me, that your own mother speaks in such terms about you. I cannot help it.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath before speaking again in a well measured, even voice. “Mr. Brooke, it should not bother you. I thank you for your concern, but my affairs are not your business, sir. I do not want to be impolite and rude, but as I have already said, nobody has given you the right to act as my protector.”

  Brooke reached for the small gloved hand and closed it gently into both of his. “But I want it to be my business. I want it to be my right,” he stressed, trying to meet her dark eyes, which were stubbornly avoiding his gaze. “I want to protect you, keep you safe…”

  “Mr. Brooke, I do not wish to hear any of this.” Elizabeth stood up abruptly, removing her hand from his grip. “I hold you in a high esteem, sir, but as a friend.” She looked up at him and stressed, “Only as a friend.”

  Brooke leaned towards her, his voice sounding pained, and perhaps even bitter. “Why do you say this, Miss Elizabeth? You think me unsuitable for yourself, perhaps not worldly enough, not educated enough?”

  “No, Mr. Brooke.” Elizabeth turned towards him, speaking more softly. “I do think highly of you. I respect your mind and sensibility, as well as many other of your admirable traits. I am also sure that you can make a woman perfectly happy and content, but I am not that woman.”

  “Why not?” he asked very quietly after a moment, carefully judging her expression.

  Elizabeth averted her eyes. “I cannot explain it, but I know that I could never feel for you as wife should feel for husband.”

  He stepped closer. “You do not know me well enough, perhaps in time…”

  “No, that is not possible.” She shook her head decidedly and walked a few steps away. “But after what you said yesterday to my mother… Right after you left, she went to Meryton herself and informed my Aunt Philips about your visit and what you had said. Now the entire neighbourhood is aware of your intentions towards me.” She brought her hands to her face. “What am I to do now? Everyone will expect us to…” She sighed worriedly and went silent.

  “I understand you want to have nothing to do with me,” Brooke murmured darkly, his eyes never leaving her small form.

  For a short moment he considered the possibility of using his current advantage and forcing her into an engagement. However, observing her distressed, pale face, he opted against it. She was so adamant in her refusal. Clearly she had to imagine herself to feel something for Darcy. He could have her now. Her father seemed to be unwilling to marry her off quickly, but Brooke believed that despite his silly pose, Mr. Bennet was not so foolish as to refuse a man of his means the hand of his daughter.

  As for Elizabeth, he wanted her willing, sweet and compliant when she would come into his house and bed as his wif
e. Forcing her into marriage now, he would likely end up with a hostile, moody, bitter and generally very unhappy lady by his side. It was not something he looked towards. Time was his ally. A few months of constant wooing and she would be his. He would play on her tender heart, and she would soon forget that snob from Derbyshire.

  “No, I value your company, but… now my father expects you would talk with him about me.” Her soft voice brought his to reality.

  “I see. Miss Elizabeth, it is my most desirable wish to ask your father for the right to court you, but, of course, I will not do anything against your wish,” he said pleasantly, confident with his plan. “I will talk with your father privately and explain the whole misunderstanding to him. I will assure him I am more than ready to take full responsibility for my words and actions, at the same time informing him about your rejection of my intentions.”

  Elizabeth looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “Can I trust you on this, sir?”

  Brooke bowed. “You can. You have my word. You must believe it was not my intention to put you in an awkward situation. I believe that if we ignore all the gossip and speculations, the entire matter will calm itself down in a few weeks. There will be other affairs to feed people’s curiosity.”

  “I can only hope you are right, sir,” Elizabeth said doubtfully, but visibly relieved. Brooke did not like that look of relief on her face, but for now, he could not do much about it. Patience was the key to her.

  ***

  To Elizabeth’s contentment, Mr. Brooke fulfilled his promise to talk to Mr. Bennet. When she visited her father in the library later that day, he even made fun of her, teasing her because of the staggering number of admirers wishing to marry her recently. Elizabeth laughed at her father’s jesting, assuring him she had no intention of accepting any offers of marriage in the nearest future. Mr. Bennet seemed to be pleased with her assertions, kissing her head and calling her his Lizzy girl.

  Elizabeth felt a little guilty, remembering the look of raw disappointed on Mr. Brooke’s face when she had made herself clear that she had seen no future for them. Mr. Brooke’s attentions flattered her own pride, but she knew that her future could not be by his side. Despite his obvious interest in her, she felt nothing for him. However, just hearing the name of a certain gentleman from Derbyshire continued to make her heart race. She convinced herself to bury the hope of meeting Mr. Darcy ever again, hoping that in the course of time she would forget him, and in the future, she would be more cautious when engaging her heart.