An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  * * *

  Elizabeth wondered if Mrs. Gardiner would admonish her for speaking to Mr. Darcy, but her aunt said nothing, and Elizabeth realised she was not looking well.

  “My dear aunt, is something wrong?”

  Mrs. Gardiner was wincing. “Oh Lizzy, I have been enjoying myself, but I now have a headache.”

  Elizabeth escorted her aunt to a chair at the side of the room. Mrs. Gardiner removed her mask and she looked very pale. “I must find my uncle and we should go home.”

  Mrs. Gardiner protested. “No Lizzy, I would not want to spoil your evening.”

  Elizabeth did not mind if they had to leave early. She was worried about Mrs. Gardiner. Her aunt had been afflicted with headaches several times since she had stayed. She wondered if they had consulted a physician.

  “Has uncle returned to the quiet room?”

  Mrs. Gardiner nodded and then wince. “I think so Lizzy. I rather think he indulged too much at dinner.”

  Elizabeth smiled. Her uncle did enjoy good food. “I will find him. Will you be alright if I leave you? I could ask a servant to stay with you.”

  “Oh no Lizzy. I would not like to cause a fuss.”

  Elizabeth slipped away. As she left the ballroom she asked a footman where she might find the quiet room. He directed her down a passageway and she hurried away to find her uncle.

  Elizabeth pushed open a door. She was expecting to see her uncle and some of the other gentlemen, but it was not what she saw at all. She was rooted to the spot at the sight that greeted her. A woman was lying on her back on a table with her dress about her waist, her chemise open with her large breasts hanging out. A man was poised over her, his clothes in disarray, one hand under the woman’s skirts.

  As the man turned she realised it was Viscount Langley.

  “Ah my fair maiden. Would you like to join us?”

  Elizabeth was inwardly shaking but she could not move. The woman stared at her with no embarrassment on her face. “Do you think she has lost her voice Vally?”

  The viscount laughed. “I think she may be jealous.”

  Elizabeth was appalled. She stumbled from the room laughter ringing in her ears. As she shut the door behind her, her legs almost gave way. How could he behave in such a manner? She had no idea who the woman was, but to consort in such a manner in the Duke’s house was quite disgusting.

  Elizabeth was frightened the viscount would come out of the room. She could not stay where she was. She hurried back down from whence she had come, hoping the colour that had suffused her cheeks would quickly disappear.

  As she entered the ballroom she was stopped by Lady Egerton. “Miss Bennet. We have had no opportunity to speak this evening.”

  Elizabeth stared at her as if she did not recognise her. She had no wish to speak to her ladyship after what she had witnessed. “If you will excuse me, my aunt needs me.”

  Her ladyship looked disappointed, but Elizabeth was too eager to join her aunt to worry about her ladyship’s feelings.

  She was relieved to see her uncle had returned to the room and was standing by his wife. “Elizabeth I do not want to spoil your evening, but I must take Mrs. Gardiner home.”

  Elizabeth did not demur. She was more than eager to leave.

  * * *

  Mr. Darcy had been looking forward to dancing with Miss Bennet again, but when he went to seek her out, he could not see her pale gold dress among all the others. He was disappointed.It was only in the carriage back to Darcy House that Lady Frances mentioned the Gardiners had left early as Mrs Gardiner was unwell.

  Dancing with Miss Bennet had been a mixture of delight and pain. Hearing her voice, seeing her laughter again he was more determined than ever to find a way to make her his wife.

  53

  “Miss Bennet, please watch the children near the water. I would not want them to get their clothes wet,” said Mrs. Bonner, as Victoria who was holding her hand was leaning perilously close at the edge of the lake.

  “We will be careful,” said Elizabeth, who was confident her young cousin was a sensible young girl and would not go plunging into the water.

  Eleanor who wanted to see if she could spot any fish was pulling hard on her other hand. Elizabeth gripped even tighter. “We will look for fish in a moment,” she said. Elizabeth was sure she heard Mrs. Bonner sniff behind her, but she ignored the governess. Besides there was little she could do as she was busy looking after the two youngest members of the family, George and William, who despite having promised to behave themselves were squabbling over the small hoop and stick they had brought with them.

  When Victoria had finished looking at the flower that had caught her eye, they walked a little further on and she helped her sister to look for fish. Seeing the two heads together looking into the water, Elizabeth smiled as she watched them. It brought back memories of herself and Jane hunting for flowers along the paths near Longbourn.

  As she watched her cousins she thought of the night before. The shocking incident with Viscount Langley she had pushed to the back of her mind. She never wanted to see him again. Her thoughts were with Mr. Darcy. Her feelings for him remained unchanged and she was angry with her father for trying to keep them apart.

  Elizabeth sighed as Eleanor squealed with delight. “Look cousin Lizzy. Look at this fish. It is huge.”

  She held out her hands while Victoria laughed. “That is not large at all,” she sniffed.

  “Yes, it is,” said Eleanor, her small face red with anger.

  “Come do not argue,” said Elizabeth quickly. “If you cannot speak nicely to each other, then we must return to the house.”

  “Another five minutes please. Come on Ellie.” Victoria took her sister’s hand and they moved on a little further.

  Elizabeth followed. She was watching them so closely she was startled when she suddenly heard a voice behind her.

  “Good afternoon Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth inwardly shivered as she recognised the voice. She swung around and was confronted by Viscount Langley. He was more soberly dressed than when she had last seen him and yet he still could not resist a touch of flamboyance with his over large neck tie.

  “Good afternoon sir.”

  She hoped the Viscount was going to pass by, but he did not. Suddenly aware she was talking to someone, the children came and stood warily by her side.

  “My cousins,” mumbled Elizabeth. “We are out for a walk.”

  The Viscount nodded, but he showed no interest in the children.

  “I wonder whether I could speak with you Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth wanted to refuse, but she was curious to why he was there. She gently pushed her cousins in the direction of Mrs. Bonner. “Tell her I will be with you in a minute.”

  Eleanor was reluctant to leave her, and Victoria was eying the viscount in a distrustful way, but she encouraged her sister to walk away.

  As soon as she was sure they could not hear their conversation she turned to the viscount. She was certain he was not in the habit of visiting Cheapside so why had he come?

  “How did you know where to find me?” she asked.

  The viscount looked amused. “I called at your aunt’s house. I believe she was not at home, but the housekeeper was very helpful, especially when I explained who I was.”

  Elizabeth felt annoyed. “And what was so urgent sir that you felt the need to follow me?”

  He did not miss the irritation in her voice.

  “Miss Bennet do not be angry. I wanted to speak to you. I have a proposal to make.”

  Elizabeth did not understand what he was talking about. She looked across to where Mrs Bonner was standing with all four children. The governess would not be happy if she kept them waiting very long.

  “Sir you will have to be quick. A proposal you say. And what would that be?”

  The viscount laughed. “Oh Miss Bennet, you disappoint me. From the first you struck me as someone who would speak the truth. You must know why I am here.�
��

  Elizabeth disliked it when people did not speak clearly. “I do not know why you are here and I wish you had not come.”

  The viscount’s eyes narrowed. He looked directly at her. “Very well. I came here today to make a proposal of marriage.”

  Elizabeth wondered whether she was dreaming. “What nonsense is this sir?”

  “That is a peculiar turn of phrase Miss Bennet. It is a serious proposal. I need a wife and I would like it to be you.”

  Elizabeth was stunned. It was not her first proposal, but it was certainly the worst she had received. The viscount was not even pretending that he had any affection for her. “But I do not wish to marry you. We have only just become acquainted.”

  The viscount was smiling once more. “That is not important Miss Bennet. After we are married we will have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

  Elizabeth took several steps away from him. If she was not careful she would find herself falling into the lake. “Sir I am honoured ….” The words faded away. She could not continue. It was not true. She did not feel honoured that he had invited her to be his wife. She tried again. “You pay me a great compliment in offering me marriage, but it is not possible. I do not know your reason for asking, but I would not make you happy sir.”

  The Viscount tugged at the over-sized cuffs of his jacket. “You are mistaken Miss Bennet. You and I will be happy. I have spoken to your father and he has agreed that we can marry as soon as possible.”

  Elizabeth felt her legs go weak. “That is a lie sir. He would never agree a marriage between us.” Her heart was thumping hard. “My father has no wish for me to marry anyone.”

  “Miss Bennet we will not argue on this matter. “You and I will be married I assure you.”

  “No!” Elizabeth did not want to raise her voice, but she was angry that he would not listen to her. It was reminiscent of when Mr. Collins had proposed. He too had been certain she would agree to marry him. How arrogant these men were. “We will not marry sir, ever. I do not know the reason for you making such a suggestion, but I implore you not to mention it again. I would never marry a man such as yourself.”

  The Viscount smirked at her. “Is that a note of disapproval I hear in your voice, Miss Bennet?”

  Elizabeth could not lie. “Yes sir. Your behaviour at the Duke of Roxborough’s ball confirmed to me that I would never marry a man such as you.”

  Elizabeth knew her father would not be pleased she had spoken in such a manner to someone of the viscount’s importance, but she did not care. Her father had not seen him as she had done. The scene she had witnessed still caused her to blush.

  She had no wish to see the viscount again. Leaving him standing near the lake she hurried over to Mrs. Bonner who was waiting patiently with the children. Elizabeth grabbed Eleanor's hand. “We should go home.”

  “But can we not walk a little more cousin Elizabeth?” asked Victoria.

  “Not today,” said Mrs. Bonner firmly.

  Elizabeth was grateful to her.

  “Who was that man?” asked Eleanor.

  “No one.” Elizabeth could hardly tell them the truth.

  * * *

  As soon as they were back at the house Elizabeth went to her room and locked the door. She threw off her coat and bonnet and started to pace around the floor. She was shocked by what had happened. How dare the viscount believe he could propose to her and she would accept. Even if she had not promised herself to Mr. Darcy she would not have wanted to marry him. Had her father really given his permission for them to wed? She did not believe it, but even if he had, she had no intention of accepting.

  54

  Elizabeth wondered whether to speak to her father about the viscount’s proposal, but he was not in his room and Mr. Gardiner informed her that her father had gone out. Elizabeth was tempted to confide in her uncle but decided against it.

  Elizabeth had hoped they would be dining alone that evening, but it was not to be. Mrs. Gardiner’s nephew Sam came to the house with two of his fellow officers and despite her misgivings they all spent a pleasant evening together.

  When she finally retired Elizabeth fell asleep quite easily but she woke several times in the night haunted by the Viscount Langley’s proposal. She could not dismiss the anger she felt towards him. How could he possibly believe that she would welcome his attentions? Nothing would induce her to marry him. Her father had not returned so she had been unable to ask if he had really given his permission.

  On the fourth time she opened her eyes Elizabeth realised that she had been woken by a noise. For a moment she could not think where she was. It was the early hours of the morning. She listened in the darkness. She could hear voices and someone ran past her door.

  Her curiosity aroused she got out of bed and pulled on her robe and fastened it. Padding over to the door, she opened it a fraction. She could hear voices below, but she could not make out what they were saying. She cautiously took a step forward and leaned over the bannisters so she could view the hall below.

  Mr. Gardiner was there with the housekeeper. He was dressed in a thick tweed gown and a night cap.

  Elizabeth crept down the stairs, hoping they would not realise she was there. “Will you send for the doctor? And no one is to speak of this. I do not want my niece worried.”

  Elizabeth immediately tensed. She stood up and carried down the stairs.

  The housekeeper nodded in her direction and Mr. Gardiner suddenly saw her.

  “Elizabeth, what are you doing here?”

  “I was woken by the noise. What has happened?”

  Her uncle nodded at the housekeeper who disappeared through the door which led to the servant’s quarters.

  “Elizabeth you should not be here. Please return to your bedchamber.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. She did not like to defy her uncle, but she had an uneasy feeling. “Uncle what is it? Please do not hide whatever is wrong.”

  Mr. Gardiner sighed and taking her by the arm guided her into the parlour, shutting the door firmly behind them. “Elizabeth you should not have risen. I will explain to you in the morning, but I cannot now.”

  “It is my father isn’t it?” Elizabeth sat down on the sofa. She was determined not to leave until her Uncle had told her what was happening. “You said that you did not want me to be worried.”

  Mr. Gardiner sighed and sat down beside her. “Elizabeth your father has been in an accident. He has been injured and I have called for the doctor.”

  Elizabeth was horrified. “What sort of accident sir?”

  “I do not know. He was found in the street hurt and someone brought him home.”

  Elizabeth did not understand. “But where has he been? It is very late.”

  Mr. Gardiner’s brow was furrowed. “Elizabeth that is not important now. The doctor will call and see to his injuries and you may speak to him in the morning.”

  “But I must see him now.”

  Mr. Gardiner shook his head. “No Elizabeth. Your father needs to see a doctor. Please go to your room and stay there. I will speak to you at breakfast.”

  Elizabeth had never heard her affable uncle sound so firm or look so worried. She got to her feet. She didn’t like it at all. If her father was injured then she should see him immediately.

  “But if he should ask for me ….”

  “If he does then I will see you are called,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Now go … please.”

  Mr. Gardiner opened the door and held it for her as she passed through. None of what he was saying to her made any sense. Her father hurt in the street in the middle of the night. What could have happened? Had someone tried to rob him?

  Mr. Gardiner accompanied her to the bottom of the stairs. “Goodnight Elizabeth.”

  “Goodnight uncle.” Elizabeth went slowly up the stairs. She kept looking back, but Mr. Gardiner had not moved. He was waiting for her to go.

  Elizabeth went unto her room and taking off her gown, got into bed. She did not attempt t
o lay down again but sat up against the pillows playing with the end of her long plait. Her aunt had told her not to worry about her father, but how could she not when he was behaving so mysteriously. And now this. Ever since they had arrived in London, nothing seemed to be right.

  As she sat there, the door opened again, and Molly came in with a glass of warm milk. “Mrs. Turner thought you might be finding it difficult to sleep.”

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth did not want it, but she took it all the same.” Molly curtsied and was going to leave when she asked casually; “How is my father?”

  Molly stopped. “Your father Miss Bennet? I do not know. Mrs. Turner asked me to bring the milk.”

  Elizabeth knew she was not telling the truth, but there was little she could do.

  She slowly sipped the warm liquid and tried once more to think of a reason for her father’s strange behaviour. How she wished Jane was with her.

  55

  Elizabeth rose early. Her first thought when she woke was of her father. As she left her room the rest of the household was yet to stir. She went downstairs to the drawing room. As was her habit she sat down at the pianoforte and started to play, but it only held her attention for a few minutes as her fingers stumbled over the keys. She wished her uncle had allowed her to see her father. Was he very badly hurt?

  She abandoned the pianoforte and closed the cover over the keys and went to see if her aunt was downstairs. Mrs. Gardiner was in the parlour, writing letters. Elizabeth knew that she wrote weekly to her sisters and brothers, all who lived in Derbyshire.

  She looked up and smiled. “There you are Lizzy. Did you sleep well?”

  Elizabeth did not answer. “I was wondering how my father is.”

  Mrs. Gardiner put down her quill. “Come and sit down Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth did as she was asked and pulled a chair next to the desk where Mrs. Gardiner was sitting.