by Wells, Linda
“There are plenty of people being turned away from the grandstands. Ever since that fool tried to attack a horse three years ago, attendance has grown. I should have known, the public loves to see blood.”
“Darcy, look there, is that your new friend, Bingley?
“He is not my friend, Stephen, and I wish that you would desist.” Elizabeth’s breath caught to hear his voice and she rose up on her toes to try and see his face. A man moved and as his head turned she saw him “Oh.” She whispered. Darcy’s eyes were fixed ahead. She followed his gaze and saw that he was watching the young man and his tormentors. She heard some laughter from the group, then watched as the man withdrew a large handful of notes from his coat and was counting it out, looking up to the ringleader, almost as if he were asking if the tribute he was paying was sufficient. Clearly he was being hoodwinked and it made her angry. She glared at the scene
“He seems to be laying down a bet or two.” Singleton observed with a knowing wink to his brother. “He had better be careful or he will be through his money before he even comes of age.”
“What do you mean?”
“His father died a year or so ago. There is a board of directors running his factories so he really does not do anything at all. Good thing for the business since he is still in school.”
“His father died.” Darcy said softly, and looked at him with a different eye. “And his mother?”
“I do not know. Why do you care?” Layton asked.
Darcy turned his head to respond and saw Elizabeth. His breath caught and he stared at her, recognizing the man from the exhibition at her side. He studied her face and saw that her eyes were flashing in anger, and following her gaze, realized that she was watching the same scene, and knew it was not right. Raising his chin, Darcy strode forward into the group.
“What is this, gentlemen?” He spoke quietly
“Darcy!” One man grinned and held up the cash. “Bingley here did not realize that there was a fee to stand here and watch the races, but as a member of the governing board, I offered to accept it from him now and let the incident go.” He chuckled and winked.
“Bosworth, return the funds to Mr. Bingley.”
“Darcy, you know that …”
“I know that this race is free to all who wish to observe from this area, and you are no more a board member here than you are of the club. You are taking advantage of Mr. Bingley’s ignorance and I find it distasteful.” Darcy stared at him. “Return the funds.”
“See here, who are you to say anything, you cut him just as much as the rest of us did at the club!”
“And I was mistaken to do so.” Darcy turned to Bingley. “Please forgive my behaviour, I regret it. Would you care to join my party for the race?”
Bingley smiled and nodded eagerly. “Yes, that would be excellent, thank you, Mr. Darcy.” Darcy nodded and led the way back to his dumbfounded family, introducing Bingley to them all. When he had a chance he glanced over to Elizabeth who was smiling warmly and approvingly at him. He smiled and returned her look, his chest puffing with the gift of her admiration. He began to move towards her when his arm was caught.
Lord Matlock spoke softly. “Your father would be proud of you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Darcy looked down then back to just spot Elizabeth’s small figure as she continued to look to him. He smiled and started to move towards her again when the first race began. The crowd surged forward to the rail, and he lost sight of her just as his uncle grabbed his arm again.
“Come, seats in the grandstands have opened up, bring your friend along.” Darcy stared at Lord Matlock in confusion. “Bingley.”
“Oh …oh yes, Bingley.” He looked back to where Elizabeth had stood and once again he realized he had lost her to a crowd. Lizzy …will you please stay still? Searching behind him, he tried to locate her even as Bingley spoke in his ear. He heard nothing of the conversation, and wanted nothing more than to return to his former location, but now as Bingley’s host, he had no choice but to stay with him. Frustrated was hardly a strong enough word for his feelings, but he sighed and resigned himself to his new friend. I have seen her twice, it is reasonable that we will meet again, is it not? He assured himself of that and hoped that her companion, a man that he hoped was a guardian and nothing more, was keeping her safe, and turned his attention to his new companion.
“I cannot thank you enough for intervening as you did. I rather suspected that they were having some fun with me, but I thought it would be best to just play along.”
“Why on earth would you think that?” Darcy asked in amazement. “You have enough going against you in this society, being labelled an easy mark does not help your reputation.”
Bingley glanced at the earl and viscount and whispered. “I know, I …you see, Mr. Darcy, I do not have a great deal of direction. I am the first of my family to be …well, raised a gentleman. Father had no idea what to do besides sending me off to school. I am the first at Cambridge, and he died before he could find an estate to purchase; my children will be the first to be born as gentry. Mother died three years ago and my sisters and I do not have much in the way of guidance.”
Darcy sighed, then looked him over. “No estate?”
“No sir, but Father saved nearly one hundred thousand pounds to purchase one.”
“Hmm, that is admirable. Your family is still in trade?”
“Yes sir, but when the estate is purchased …”
“Yes.” Darcy looked at him speculatively, thinking over how Lizzy had clearly disliked how Bingley was treated and how much she approved of his rescue. She would like him taking this boy under his wing, and for some reason he knew that his father also would. Maybe it would do him some good as well. “I will guide you.”
“Sir?”
“Well, I have essentially given you my blessing by publicly, very publicly, defending you today, so that is a major coup for you. You may be unaware but the Darcys are …”
“Oh, sir, I know all about your family, I asked about you after we met at the club.”
“You did?”
“Well sir, you may find it amusing but if one is to be cut, it is good to know that it came from one of the richest families in England. A mark of distinction.” Bingley grinned.
Darcy laughed outright, causing his family to stare. “Well, if that is something that makes you proud Bingley, I will not say anything. However, I suggest that your goals in the future address receiving the approving notice of the richest families instead.”
“I will keep that in mind, sir.” Bingley winked.
“Darcy.” He held out his hand.
“Darcy it is.” Bingley smiled. “I am in your hands.”
Chapter 4
“Say what is on your mind or desist from staring at me.” Darcy glanced up from where he had been looking intently out of the carriage window as they joined the parade of day trippers returning to London from Epsom. He had seen the eyes of the men alternating from looking at him to each other in the glass’s reflection. “I just cannot in any way understand what has come over you to accept someone so low …” Singleton began.
“So it is wrong to give a man a leg up?” Darcy murmured to the scenery. “A connection to greater things is such a sin?”
“It is shocking when only a day or so before you had openly disparaged him before your true peers.”
“I had not taken the time to know his circumstances then.”
“So knowing that he is an orphan makes him more acceptable?” Layton scoffed.
Darcy turned slowly to meet his eyes with cold fury. “Do not even attempt to pretend to understand this situation. Even if my aunt and uncle, forgive me sir,” He nodded to Lord Matlock, “were to die tomorrow, you are two and thirty years old. If you do not fully appreciate your duties and role now, it is the fault of a lazy student, not youth. You cannot judge my desire to help him.” He returned to the window. “I am hopeful that it might do me some good.”
With that stateme
nt hanging in the air the others remained silent. Lord Matlock crossed his arms and studied his nephew. “So by teaching Bingley the ways of society, you might find your path through yourself?”
“It will certainly clarify that which I do not already comprehend.” He said softly.
“You are a very intelligent man, Darcy. I admire your plan and approve. Please consider Bingley welcome to whatever affairs we might hold in the future, he is perhaps a little excitable, but I am sure that is youth as opposed to bad manners. No doubt you will correct him in your own particular style.” He chuckled and Darcy turned to look at him, his lips rising in a slight smile.
“I appreciate your confidence, sir.”
“And you two will leave him alone.” Lord Matlock looked at them pointedly. “I rather look forward to seeing what you make of this young man.”
“I do as well.” Darcy returned to staring out the window, his thoughts now turning to the long line of carriages, and wondering where in the convoy Lizzy was. She must be returning to Gracechurch Street, that man had to be her uncle …what was the name? Something from the outdoors, she likes to walk, she likes the park, Gardiner, yes, that is it. He closed his eyes and remembered the scent of her perfume as they stood so near to each other at the exhibition. I could have touched her. The lilac was so sweet, so delicate, so perfect for her. Why did I let her go today? You idiot! Dare I go to her relatives’ home and seek her out?
“Darcy … Darcy!” Lord Matlock called and Layton kicked him. Darcy turned to face them. “When do you return to Pemberley?”
The weight of duty fell upon him. “In four days. I will take care of some business and then we will depart. I hope that you will come to enjoy some shooting with us this autumn, and yes Uncle, I will be scheduling hunts all winter for the vermin.” He smiled slightly. “I have learned my lesson.”
“Good man.” Lord Matlock chuckled. “You will be fine, Son.”
“SO, HOW WAS THE RACE?” Mrs. Gardiner looked between her husband and niece. He chortled and nudged her.
“Go ahead Lizzy, gloat away.”
“I won twenty pounds!” She giggled.
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Gardiner clapped. “However did you do that?”
“She chose the winner, and I laid out the funds. I promised to split our winnings. Pan won.” Mr. Gardiner grinned. “So our trip was free from my end and our niece made a tidy profit.”
“Well dear, what will you do with such a handsome fortune?” She led the way into the drawing room where tea was waiting.
“Oh, I …I think that I will save it.” Elizabeth blushed. “It would be foolish to waste such a sum. If it was less …much less, I might buy a book or two, but this much, I cannot bear to waste.”
The Gardiners exchanged approving glances and smiled. “I think that is very admirable, Lizzy.”
“I want to change out of these things, I will return soon.” She practically ran from the room and Mrs. Gardiner handed her husband a cup then poured her own.
“What else happened?” She asked knowingly.
“She was staring again, as she did at the exhibition. I could not tell who it was, but undoubtedly it was the same young man who caught her eye there.” He smiled as he took a sip. “Our little girl is grown.”
“I hope that she is prepared to be disappointed when this man does not return her looks.”
“But that is just it, I think that he does. Why else would she be smiling so? It is not a smile of one who admires; it is one of a woman communicating a message to an active participant.” Mrs. Gardiner’s brow knit. “She was not flirting, Marianne. This was different, a connection was formed. I only wish that I knew who it was.”
“I suppose that asking her would be unwise.”
“She likely has no idea who he is. Just leave it be; no harm was done.” Mr. Gardiner smiled. “I wonder at her need to go upstairs, she already spent the last three hours staring dreamily out the carriage window, I suppose she needs to dream a little more.” The couple laughed and glanced up at the ceiling.
4 June 1808
I saw Mr. Darcy today at Epsom Downs. He came to the aid of a young man who was obviously in great need of a strong arm to rescue him from his own good nature. I am young, but I hope I am not as naive as this gentleman appeared to be! Mr. Darcy saw that he was in trouble and strode right into the fray; gave the instigators a look that would melt steel and set things right. He even retrieved the gentleman’s money. And then he turned and saw me. Well of course I smiled at him! I was so proud of his behaviour. Such a good man he must be! He looked as if he wished to come and speak to me. My heart was racing so! But an older man kept stopping him from coming my way, and then the races started, and I lost him again in the crowd. Why cannot this man just stay in one place? It is so frustrating! And Papa wants me at home next week. I hope that when we walk in Hyde Park tomorrow Mr. Darcy will be there. It is such a miniscule chance, but oh how I wish to see him again! Even for just a moment.
Elizabeth read her note and sat back. Receiving Mr. Darcy’s attention this time was different from the last. He recognized her instantly, and sought her out twice. This was more than just noticing a girl; this was a gentleman looking at a lady. She felt somehow different with that realization. When she stood up from her writing desk she moved with grace, and when she entered the drawing room to join her aunt and uncle, she sat down quietly and smiled warmly at them. Mr. Gardiner tilted his head. “I believe that a woman has entered this room.” He stood and bowed. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I am very pleased to meet you.”
DARCY CLOSED HIS JOURNAL and closed his eyes at the same time. His fingers were itching to turn back and look at that worn page again, but …that journal was from the year before and resided on the bookshelf behind his desk at Pemberley. Instead he imagined the page with her name and address, and pictured her person, and then remembered the warm approving smile she gave him. His heart began to race with the thought of seeing that smile before him, inches instead of yards away, and then closer …he panted as he imagined what the feel of his lips caressing that smile would be like, and then to hear her sigh with his touch. How does your kiss taste, Lizzy?
“Mr. Darcy?”
He startled and stared at the open door, then gathering himself together cleared his throat. “Yes, Foster?”
“Sir, there is a gentleman here, I was not sure if you were at home.” He stepped forward and handed him a card.
“Bingley, oh yes, please show him in.” Darcy cleared his throat again and straightened his neck cloth, pulled at his topcoat, nervously looked down to his breeches, and took a deep calming breath. Bingley appeared cautiously, and he stood. “Mr. Bingley, please come in.” He stepped from behind the desk and extended his hand. “Did you have any trouble finding the house?”
Bingley laughed. “Hardly. My sister pointed it out to me some time ago.” Darcy’s brow creased, and he shrugged. “She is greatly enamoured of status.”
“Is she married?”
“No.”
“ah.” Darcy settled down in his chair and Bingley took one. “Well, I hope she is successful in finding what she desires.”
“I am as well.” Bingley winked. “Are you in the market …”
“Bingley.”
“I had to ask!” He laughed and Darcy relaxed. “You were saying yesterday that you are returning to your estate, which should have answered my marriage question.”
“I am also still in mourning.”
“Yes.” Bingley smiled with understanding. “It is a long year.”
“I feel that it will be a lifetime. Do you not miss your parents?
“Honestly, no I do not. We were never particularly close. Mother was busy climbing society’s ladders, and left us children to the governess. Then I left for school, Eton, so when she died, I was really only seeing her for a few months of the year. Father, well, he was determined that I be a gentleman, so he taught me next to nothing of the business. We rarely spent time together, and when we did, it w
as to listen eagerly of the experiences I had. He liked to hear of the people I would meet …it sounds cold I suppose, but I do not miss them since I barely knew them. I guess that what I miss is having a base, a family, even if it is in name only. I have relatives in the north, and my sisters of course, but that is all.”
“Forgive me Bingley, but that sounds even sadder than me missing my parents who I loved so well.”
“Ah, well, love was not a word that was tossed around in our household.” He shrugged. “You cannot miss what you have never known, can you?”
“I suppose not.” Darcy inexplicably felt great sadness for this young man. “Well, your sisters, they are both unmarried?”
“No, my eldest sister, Louisa, married Gerald Hurst about two years ago. He is heir to a small estate near Bath. My other sister, Caroline, is the one on the hunt. She is one and twenty.”
“How is she handling the Season? I suppose that the Hursts are sponsoring her?”
“Yes, but they both hope for greater connections to give them entré to the higher circles.” He looked at him apologetically. “They will be very interested in my meeting you.”
“Must they know?”
“Well, I suppose not.” He smiled. “You mentioned a sister?”
“Yes, she will be twelve soon.” Darcy’s face clouded over. “Georgiana is a great challenge for me. I am trying to … give her more than simply a governess, but I admit to not being very sure of myself, and greatly employed with the duties of the estate. At what age did your sister Miss Bingley, come out?”
“Well, unfortunately Father died so she had to wait for last year, this is her second Season. She has a substantial dowry and attended a fine finishing school, but there are no takers yet. I am not sure what the problem is.”
“How substantial is the dowry?”
“Twenty thousand.” Darcy’s brows rose. “So you understand my concern.”
“Quite.” Darcy bit his lip, already suspecting that either Miss Bingley possessed no beauty or no personality. That was quite a dowry to leave untaken after two Seasons.