A Dangerous Courtship

by Anne Louise

  “Perhaps he made a mistake, but he also included a book that you have been interested in buying. I do not know why he thought I would read it, but I will keep all of these books. They are beautiful, and how can I do otherwise for a man who has done so much for us? I will not insult the man that way.”

  “Then you are not angry with me?”

  “Lizzy, I know the man is a gentleman and that he is not one to take advantage of young women. Nothing but a good man would have brought his doctor here to help our family and others. I will waive propriety this time.”

  “Good, Papa, keep these books here. Except for Mary, my other sisters will not be any wiser. Then all is settled.”

  “Not quite, Lizzy, for now I wish you to take my new book that you intended for yourself, and you must read it and tell me if I should do the same.”

  “I will be happy to do that, Papa, and thank you for not censoring me more. I did not want you to know he had given you the books and I never asked him to do so.”

  As Elizabeth went to her room, Mr. Bennet added more wood to the fire. It had turned colder, and was a cloudless night. Except for the temperature being much colder, the evening reminded Elizabeth of the night that she first met Mr. Darcy, and when they stepped out onto the terrace and saw the stars. Like Christmas Eve, that night was also a magic night, and she knew she was changed. Later, in bed, she had many reasons to be thankful, but her heart yearned to be near her friends in town and she wondered what they were presently doing.

  ****

  During their ride back to town the two men spoke of many things. “You know, Darcy, I am glad you asked me to help. It was good to see Thomas Bennet again, and his wife and Doctor Jones, but it was better knowing I could help those people. Most of them are poor.”

  “That reminds me, I must pay you for all you have done.”

  “But you do not understand, this is all gratis, Darcy. I told you before we left that it would be a delightful diversion and it was, and I enjoyed seeing these men and Fanny again and meeting the Bennet sisters. Darcy, I am convinced that Miss Bennet is the most intelligent young woman that I have ever met, but aside from her mind, she is a lovely woman, both inside and out. As your doctor, I should tell you that if you are a happy man, you will surely live longer. I believe you and Miss Bennet are destined to marry and I hope you invite me to the wedding. You do know that she is in love with you, do you not?”

  “We care for each other, and if in the future such a marriage occurs, you will be invited.”

  “Ha, Darcy, you are in love with her, and you cannot hide it. Does her family present an obstacle?”

  “I like her family but have a soft spot for Miss Elizabeth, but the ton would be hard on her if we married and my Aunt Catherine de Bourgh would never stand for such a marriage.”

  “And why would she feel that way? She has no say in what you do with your life.”

  “All my life she has proclaimed that her daughter, Anne, and I are engaged and that both my mother and her had decided on it years ago. Both Anne and I do not want to marry each other but neither of us has confronted her mother.”

  “So ignore the woman, or tell her you and your cousin do not want to marry.”

  “You are correct about my aunt. She is the sister to my Uncle Fitzwilliam. He would enjoy setting her straight if she causes me any trouble.”

  “Do not worry what members of the ton will say about your choice for a wife. As it is, you barely associate with most of these people anyway. The people who read those stories of you in the paper will see that you have chosen a woman out of love and not duty, and you would not lose any admirers should you and Miss Elizabeth marry. In fact, it would not be long before she would be adored by many.”

  “Now that, I can believe. We are back, sir, and thank you again.”

  “Darcy, it is you I must thank. Together we have helped many people. That is why I chose to be a doctor. Seeing old friends again was good. You have paid for my lodging and for my food and travel expenses, Darcy. There is no charge for my services and if you find such a situation in the future, I will help you if I can.”

  After leaving the doctor’s house, Darcy next continued on to Darcy House where Georgiana spotted the coach and ran out to greet her brother.

  “William, you have returned. Now tell me that Mrs. Bennet is well and that the rest of her family is not sick.”

  “All is better at their home and in the little village of Meryton.”

  Georgiana continued to ask for details and Darcy was happy to answer her questions.

  “You seem very pleased, William. Did you see Elizabeth a lot?”

  “Actually I did, and she asked of you.”

  “Have you reached an understanding?”

  “We both care for each other, if that is what you mean.”

  “I know that already. Was she changed because she was home?”

  “She was very concerned for her mother, but she was also concerned for her own doctor and for her neighbors. Elizabeth also worried that I might become sick.”

  “Did you see the Gardiners?”

  “Yes, the day after you left, I went over to visit Mrs. Gardiner and helped with the children and we went for a walk in the park. She is such a kind woman, and I adore the children. I only visited that one time.”

  “That reminds me, have you heard of any influenza outbreak in town?”

  “The paper said there was an influenza scare in Liverpool, but did not mention a problem in town?”

  “Did Miss Bennet receive my letter?”

  “I suppose the answer is no, or else she would have said so.”

  “That is strange, I sent it off two days after you left. And how was Doctor Williams?”

  “He was in good spirits. It turns out that Mr. Bennet knew him from their time together at Cambridge. Doctor Williams also knew Mrs. Bennet and Doctor Jones.”

  “Are we to celebrate this Christmas Eve alone? The last three years Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam have joined us.”

  “It will just be us, but our aunt and uncle usually visit with us on Christmas.”

  “You had the servants put up some decorations. It looks like Christmas with all the greenery and the many red ribbons and candles. The house is very special this season.”

  Darcy had a couple of errands to run and after eating a light lunch he left the house. Two hours later he returned and took a hot bath and dressed for dinner. When he came downstairs he noticed he had a visitor.

  “There Darcy, I have come for our annual Christmas Eve gathering.”

  “Yes, cousin, that is all good. All we need now is for Charles Bingley to join us, but he is in Liverpool visiting relatives.”

  Darcy had no idea why his cousin was laughing but when he turned around he saw his friend walking toward him.

  “Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I seem to recall someone was discussing me.”

  “Yes, we were wondering if you were still in Liverpool.”

  “I arrived back home earlier today.”

  “Well, come in and get warmed. Georgiana will be down forthwith.”

  “So, Bingley, can you believe, my cousin has met a young woman and has a female friend.”

  “And how did you learn of this, cousin?”

  “Darcy, I read the story in The Times and heard my mother mention it. So where is this woman, cousin, and why is she not with us tonight? Mother told me she met her at the dance and she is young and is quite pretty.”

  “We will talk of this when Georgiana joins us in a few minutes. She met Miss Bennet whilst shopping and they are friends. And how was your visit in Liverpool?”

  “It was good at first, but I am glad to be back in town. Mainly, I am happy to be away from my sisters.”

  “So, are you still seeing the young woman you met in the fall?”

  “No, Darcy, I thought she was a possibility but she is now chasing an earl.”

  Georgiana next entered the room. “William, I did not expect we would have compan
y this evening.”

  “Come let me look at you, Georgiana, for you are the only attractive person in the room.”

  “I will second that, Colonel Fitzwilliam. You look very well, Georgiana. Do you think you can put up with us this evening?”

  “That will be easy as well as fun, replied Georgiana. After all, we have done this more than once.”

  “Mr. Bingley, when I entered the room you were speaking of a young woman.”

  “That is so, I told my friends that the young woman who I met last fall is now chasing an earl.”

  “My cousin can tell you about that,” Georgiana replied.

  “No, Georgiana, being the second son of an earl, I do not have women chasing after me. For that, I must refer Bingley to your brother. Now let us talk of the woman who Darcy has met, since the earl renders the previous discussion mute.”

  “But not so quick, Bingley has not given up that quest.”

  Bingley responded immediately and all could see the mirth written on his face. “I am not interested in that woman, Darcy, but I prefer to learn more of this young woman who has caught your eye.”

  “Georgiana, has that young, pretty thing ensnared your brother? Darcy, I thought you would have been more careful,” replied his cousin.

  Darcy was silent and walked over to the sidebar to pour a glass of brandy for his guests.

  “Well, Richard, it appears that your cousin is not very talkative, but I am certain we will learn of this woman before Christmas morning, and hopefully before he has had too much drink.”

  “You shall never see me again in such a state,” replied Darcy. “Last year I was much into my cups, but I have corrected that fault.”

  “Good, cousin, but if we cannot get the answers directly from you, we have Georgiana who can tell us.”

  “Brother, I will be silent if you wish.”

  “No, Georgie, you may tell them all you wish. There is nothing that I am ashamed of and I hope one day that my friends can meet Miss Bennet.”

  Georgiana next told the story of how Darcy and Elizabeth met and how she met the woman two days later.

  “Darcy, my mother said that Miss Bennet is very attractive. Is it her good looks that attracted you to her? I know how much you dislike these functions.”

  “She has that look about her that is welcoming, but she is also very intelligent. Cousin, Miss Bennet likely knows as much military history as you, but that is just the start. The woman is knowledgable on many things and I could listen to her speak for hours. She and Georgiana are fast becoming good friends.”

  “Then you must introduce us to her, cousin.”

  Georgiana then went on to tell of making friends of Miss Bennet and about her leaving for town and Darcy following the next day with his doctor.

  “Then I must conclude that her approbation of you has increased, said Darcy’s cousin.”

  “We are both pleased with one another.”

  “Then will you see her again anytime soon?” replied Bingley.

  “I hope to see her soon but her eldest sister will be the next sister to come to town and she will be followed by the other sisters.”

  “You must mean they come to visit with their aunt and uncle, do you not?”

  “Yes, they are the Gardiners and they have young children and the Bennet sisters come to help with the children.”

  “And how many Bennet sisters are there?”

  “There are five sisters and my friend Elizabeth is the second oldest.”

  “Cousin, you will likely see her eldest sister first. According to Elizabeth, Miss Jane Bennet will arrive early in the new year.”

  “Why did you leave town to visit with her? Was there a problem?”

  “Yes, Richard, Mrs. Bennet was quite sick.”

  Georgiana next spoke up for her brother and described in more detail why he followed his friend to her home.

  “That was thoughtful of you, Darcy. Does your friend know about all the risks in treating others with influenza?”

  “She does, Richard, for she has helped the local doctor treat the patients nearby, but once I heard that doctor was sick, I brought my doctor with me. Miss Bennet would risk her health in helping her mother and others and it was too much to expect that she could treat all these people without becoming sick.”

  “That was the right call. You needed a doctor for her and her mother.”

  “Darcy, is that why you earlier asked if there had been any reports of influenza in Liverpool?”

  “Yes, Bingley, that is exactly the reason why I asked that question. I also asked Georgiana if there were any reports of an influenza outbreak in town.”

  Except for Georgiana, who went to bed before midnight, the others lasted until past two before the comfort of their large leather chairs and too much brandy lulled them to sleep in front of the fire.

  The friends celebrated that evening and most of the next morning before Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam left with a headache. Darcy did not have that much to drink and apparently had learned his lesson from the previous year.

  On Christmas, Darcy’s aunt and uncle arrived and invited their niece and nephew to join them for dinner, but first Darcy had to retell of his history with Elizabeth Bennet and tell of his visit to Longbourn.

  That night, just like all the other nights since he met Elizabeth, Darcy wondered what things were like back at Longbourn and Georgiana asked if he planned to see Elizabeth soon, but he had no answer for her question.

  ****

  He could not have known it, but back at Longbourn, Jane and Elizabeth were talking about the Darcys as they took turns brushing each others hair before bed.

  “Lizzy, it must be painful knowing Mr. Darcy is not close by?”

  “Jane, I never knew that I had these feelings. I am so emotional, just like mama was for so long. Now she is the calm one and I am the one getting upset.”

  “You have every right to be upset, Lizzy. It is all so romantic the way that you met him and his sister.”

  “But you will meet Miss Darcy when you visit the Gardiners.”

  “I do not want to leave you but I do look forward to getting away. Tell me Lizzy, now that you have met Mr. Darcy, can you see a time when he will not be in your thoughts?”

  “That is what scares me so much, the thought that he might one day break my heart.”

  “But that does not seem to be the case. Look at what he just did.”

  “I know, Jane, but I have so much of my heart invested in him. I knew that I was vulnerable to his charms and that we did not have a future together, yet I allowed myself to love him.”

  “Then you should take comfort knowing that he loves you. It is still not midnight, Lizzy, and I can again wish you a Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas, and good dreams of your new friends.”

  “Yes, Jane, and I wish you a Merry Christmas as well.” Both sisters soon were asleep.

  Christmas was different without the Gardiners, but Mrs. Bennet continued to get stronger. The day after Christmas, Elizabeth received a letter from Georgiana and immediately wrote her back. The letter and the celebration of Christmas took her out of her doldrums. The pattern of cold weather accompanied the start of the new year but two days later it warmed up and days later Jane left for town.

  CHAPTER 4

  Darcy’s father had often talked of having a home overlooking the channel and in the years following his father’s death, Darcy had begun to think that a home situated on the coast might be good for his family. The only problem with that thinking was he was single, and he lived with his sister. After meeting Elizabeth and learning of how much she enjoyed her only visit to the coast, he thought again of his father’s dream and began to consider such an investment, and he even spoke with his housekeeper about it. So it was a surprise when early into the new year on the very day that Miss Bennet arrived in town, Darcy received a letter from an attorney representing the estate of Lord Henry Burgess. The man owned Burgess Manor, a mansion on the coast with spectacular views of th
e Cliffs of Dover. It was a large property of over a thousand acres of mostly dairy farms run by tenants. Darcy would always remember the one time his father and him rode out to see the estate. He now recalled his excitement on first seeing the water and the cliffs and he remembered how much he enjoyed his stay. His father visited the home several times and Darcy understood his father’s joy and his desire to have a home near the water.

  The letter mentioned that Lord Burgess had promised old Mr. Darcy would be given the first opportunity to purchase the property, but since Lord Burgess knew that the elder Darcy wanted his son, Fitzwilliam, to ultimately be the owner, Lord Burgess, who was dying, wanted the younger Darcy to have first choice at buying it. Mr. Fenton, the attorney provided directions where Darcy could meet him and Darcy wrote a letter and sent it by express saying he would arrive at the time the letter had requested.

  He prepared for being away for almost a week and figured it would take him over two days to arrive and two days more to agree and complete the paperwork, if he could get agreement on the price. He carried some cash on his person and the proper identification to obtain other money if necessary.

  The second day he left later in order to rest his horse as much rest as he could. The day was not cold so he relaxed as he read the directions and turned onto the lane and past the two old oak trees described with the directions. He next followed the lane until he saw a smallish stone gatehouse tucked in the woods fifty yards off the lane. This must be what the attorney called a gatehouse. It looks like a stone guard station. Anyway, I assume this is what he calls a gatehouse, but it has not been used for a long time.

  Finally, he dismounted and approached the stone gatehouse. Darcy looked at the letter once again. Apparently the gatehouse had not been used for many years and a new road bypassed the gatehouse to the mansion. Anyway, he had followed the directions and next heard the sound of something moving coming from the woods in front of him. He looked in front of him and past the gatehouse and suddenly he had an eerily feeling that he was not alone. When he next heard his horse neigh, Darcy turned just in time to receive a blow to the head and next there was pain and then darkness.