by Lane Cossett
Her fear was growing. She had never seen her father like this.
“Father whatever it is will you please tell me.”
Mr. Bennet looked so sad she wondered if he was about to weep. “I have been very foolish Elizabeth I am in debt, a great deal of debt. If I do not pay back what I owe, we will be disgraced.”
Elizabeth listened carefully. It was hard to take in what her father was saying. She knew their finances were not plentiful, but they still managed to maintain a house with servants.
“But how is this possible?” she asked.
“I have gambled your future away. I thought I would make some money, but I have not been able to dose and now I have no choice but to pay my debts.”
Elizabeth’s mind was working frantically. “And Viscount Langley has agreed to settle your debts for you?”
Mr. Bennet gave a wry smile. “No Elizabeth. It is to the viscount that I owe the debt and I agreed more than a year ago, if I could not pay he could marry one of my daughters.”
Elizabeth was speechless. When her father had told her she could not marry Mr. Darcy she had thought it was the greatest shock of her life, but this was much, much worse.
“So you have sold me to Viscount Langley?” her voice hardly sounded like her own.
Mr. Bennet flinched at the word ‘sold’. “I know this is difficult child, but he is wealthy, and I am certain you will have a good life.”
Tears of anger slid down her face. “You do not know anything of the sort father.”
So she was to be married. In her heart she had been hoping her father would change her mind about Mr. Darcy and she had dreamed of her wedding day. Now he was lost to her forever.
Mr. Bennet reached out for her hand again, but she pulled away from him.
“And if I do not marry the Viscount?”
“Then he will call in his debt, as will others” said Mr. Bennet. “There is nothing left and we will lose our home. I am afraid the workhouse will beckon for all of us.”
Elizabeth wondered whether her father was making one of his droll comments, but he was not.
The workhouse? There was one on the outskirts of Meryton. Although she had never visited, she knew of its reputation. People who went there rarely returned and were only ever spoken about in hushed tones. She could only imagine her mother’s hysterics and the pain it would cause Kitty and Mary. There would be no chance of any of them being wed and they would be shunned by all their friends. Their lives would be over.
A thought suddenly occurred to her. “Your accident was not an accident was it? You were attacked.”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “Yes, I was, but Lizzy you should not be concerned. I will recover.”
Lizzy stood up. She needed to leave the room. She did not want to hear anything more from her father. “Was your accident caused by Viscount Langley?”
Her father looked over her shoulder as he spoke. “No Elizabeth, it was not.”
Elizabeth did not believe him.
58
In the past when Elizabeth had any troubles she had always discussed them with her aunt and uncle. Looking back she realised now how trivial her problems had been. Nothing could compare with the position she now found herself in.
When she went back to her room she found Phoebe there, laying out her clothes for the evening. She looked at them in shock. She had forgotten that they had another invitation to dine. It was with the Sopworths. She dismissed Phoebe and hung the dress back in the wardrobe. She had no intention of going out to dine. She had too much to think about.
She thought she would cry, but there were no tears. The news her father had delivered was too shocking. He was right, she had always held respect for him despite his treatment of her mother. But now that was gone. She had not asked him why or when he had started to gamble it did not matter. He had been foolish and gambled their future away.
Why had he not been honest with her? To deceive her in such a manner hurt her greatly and she would never be able to see him in the same way again. He’d said he loved her, but for the first time in her life she doubted whether it was true. He had lost everything and unless she married Viscount Langley they would all be ruined.
Last time their family had been in trouble Mr. Darcy had come to their rescue. It could not happen again. No one could know what had occurred. It would be too humiliating. She had to accept her dreams of marrying Mr. Darcy were now over and she was destined to become the wife of Viscount Langley.
An image of Mr. Darcy flashed into her mind, but she quickly pushed it away. He could play no part in her future and she had to forget him.
Elizabeth was deep in thought when there was a knock on her door. Mrs. Gardiner came into her room. Her face was wreathed in sadness.
Unasked she sat down on the window seat. “Elizabeth I am so sorry.”
Elizabeth did not speak. At that moment she had no desire to converse with her aunt. She was now certain her aunt and uncle must have known about Mr. Bennet’s plans all along. She was almost as disappointed in them as she was in her father.
“Would you like to talk about it?”
“What is there to say? The life I had hoped to have is not to be.” Elizabeth tried but failed to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
“I know it must be very difficult,” said Mrs. Gardiner adjusting the shawl she had around her shoulders. “But Viscount Langley is not a bad man.”
Elizabeth gave a snort of disgust. “There is no need for you to try and make the Viscount appear to be better than he is. You know I would no more choose him as a husband than I would have Mr. Collins.”
“It is a sorry business,” said Mrs. Gardiner sadly. “Elizabeth, I can understand you must be feeling bitter.
“I wish I could say I was not, but it would not be true. I find that my family have conspired against me to arrange a marriage I want no part of.”
“Oh Lizzy that is not true.”
“Are you saying that you did not know?” asked Elizabeth,
Mrs. Gardiner’s face was flushed. “I did not know anything until recently. When your father refused an engagement between you and Mr. Darcy, I did not know why, but as your father has always loved you I believed he would have a good reason for it.”
“Good?” asked Elizabeth incredulously. “My father has a greater love for gambling than he has for me.” Tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes. Elizabeth swallowed hard. She was determined not to cry.
“Elizabeth this is very sad, but I do not like to hear you talk so. In time I believe you could be happy with Viscount Langley,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
Elizabeth was beginning to believe she was surrounded by madness. She would marry the viscount, but she knew it would never be a happy union. None of them had seen his behaviour at the Duke of Roxborough’s home. Perhaps If they had, they would view him differently.
Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “We are supposed to be dining out this evening.”
“I cannot do that now.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked as if she was about to argue, but she did not. “I will send word that we cannot attend.”
She got up from her seat and dropped a kiss on Elizabeth’s head as she left. “You are a brave woman Elizabeth.
Elizabeth swallowed a lump in her throat. She did not feel brave at all.
* * *
With her aunt gone Elizabeth reached for her writing paper. She wrote a short note to Viscount Langley asking him to call as a matter of urgency. She read over what she had said and then sealed it.
As an unmarried woman she was breaking all conventions to send such a note, but it was something she could no longer worry about. The Viscount was a man who defied conventions of what was deemed to be gentlemanly behaviour, so she was certain he would be neither shocked or offended when he received it. It was imperative that she saw him as soon as possible.
She rang for a maid and when Phoebe appeared asked her to see that her letter was delivered to Lady Egerton’s house at once. She could only hope the Viscount was not too
busy indulging his love of cards to read it.
59
Two days had passed and Elizabeth had heard nothing from the Viscount and she was growing increasingly worried. She worried that the viscount had accepted her rejection of his proposal and was now considering someone else.
She spent some time of every day with her father who was still in bed, though he was beginning to say that he should get up.
“Father you need to rest,” she said.
Mr. Bennet had smiled wryly. “I believe you wish me to remain in bed so I cannot gamble.”
Elizabeth could not deny it. “Father it has to stop. We are already ruined.”
Mr. Bennet pushed aside the covers. “But if I could try Lizzy, just one more time. Perhaps things would change.”
Elizabeth had settled him back in bed. She did not understand why her father would wish to gamble at all after what had happened.
She had left him promising to return later and read to him and gone downstairs to join Mrs. Gardiner in the parlour. Her head was aching she had so many things to worry about. How were they going to manage if the viscount no longer wanted to marry her? She did not share her troubles with Mrs. Gardiner but tried to concentrate on her work. She suddenly looked down and exclaimed in horror.
“What is it Lizzy?”
Elizabeth held up her work. “The stitching is all wrong.”
Mrs. Gardiner put her own work aside and took it from her. “Let me put it right for you.”
Elizabeth thankfully accepted her help. She pushed back her chair and got up. She was feeling restless.
There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Turner came in holding a card which she handed to Elizabeth. She took it in surprise. Her heart started to thump. “It’s Viscount Langley,” she said.
Mrs. Gardiner looked relieved. “Will you show the viscount in Mrs. Turner.”
The housekeeper nodded. Elizabeth took a deep breath. She had been planning what she was going to say to him, but now he was here she felt surprisingly nervous.
Moments later the viscount entered the room. “Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, I hope I find you in good health.”
“You do sir,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. The viscount’s large neck tie was not properly tied, his hair looked as if he had been running his hands through it and he had dark circles under his eyes. He caught her looking at him, and he gave a slight grin though he said nothing.
Elizabeth turned to her aunt. “I would like to speak to Viscount Langley alone.”
Mrs. Gardiner dropped her voice. “Elizabeth, it is not right.”
Elizabeth’s eyes pleaded with her. She had no wish for Mrs. Gardiner to bear witness to their conversation.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “I will be outside.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as the door had closed on them, Elizabeth looked directly at the viscount. “I am grateful for you coming today.”
“I very nearly didn’t, but I was curious,” he admitted looking around the room.
Elizabeth saw no point in trying to prevaricate. “Sir, I asked you to come here because I have spoken to my father. I did not know that he had agreed you and I should wed.”
The viscount smirked. “I told you he had.”
“I understand that now.”
The viscount sat down on her uncle’s favourite chair and yawned loudly. Elizabeth could barely hide her disgust. How rude. She quickly sat down herself.
“So have you sent for me because you have changed your mind Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth would not lie. “No sir, I have not I have no wish to marry you, but in order to save my family I will do so.”
The viscount played with the end of his neck tie as if considering what she had said.
Elizabeth quelled her irritation.
He suddenly looked up. “Perhaps I no longer wish to marry you Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth felt sick inside, but she was determined not to show it. “I can only think you speak in jest sir. When we met in the park you made your intentions very clear. What you did not say was why you wished to marry me.”
The viscount opened his mouth to speak, but she continued to speak.
“I understand it was a bet between my father and yourself and that is a matter for you both. We will marry as soon as possible, but only if you agree to certain conditions.”
The started to laugh. “Your conditions, Miss Bennet?”
“Mine,” said Elizabeth firmly as a red blush crept across her face. “I do not wish you to speak of this arrangement. From the outside world it will look like a real marriage.”
The viscount stretched out his booted legs. “Oh it will be a real marriage my dear Miss Bennet. You have no idea how much pleasure it will be to me to have you in my bed.”
Elizabeth inwardly shuddered. It was detestable to think of this man touching her. “I am willing to become your wife, but in return I ask for discretion. I would ask you do not flaunt other women in front of me.”
“Is there anything else?” asked the viscount his shoulders shaking with laughter. “Are you going to ask me not to gamble?”
“A gentleman’s business is his own,” said Elizabeth stiffly. She assumed the viscount had a great deal more money than her father and could afford to gamble.
“I only ask you do not follow my father’s lead and leave me in penury.”
“Miss Bennet, I would not do that. I would hate to see you in a workhouse dress.”
The amused tone in his voice made Elizabeth angry. Her entire future was ruined and yet he seemed only to find humour in the situation.
“Is that it?” asked the viscount as her words ground to a halt.
Elizabeth lifted up her chin. “Yes sir.”
“Then Miss Bennet, I believe we are engaged.” The viscount leapt to his feet and made a sweeping bow. “I do believe I am going to enjoy being married to you.”
Elizabeth felt a wave of nausea run through her. She clenched her fingers tightly together.
“When do you expect this marriage to take place sir?”
“Soon Miss Bennet very soon. But now I must go. I need some sleep.”
He was about to turn away, when Elizabeth asked the question that was at the forefront of her mind.
“Did you do it sir?”
The Viscount stopped, but he did not turn around. “Do what Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth crossed the room and stood with her back to the door to bar his way. She was determined to get the truth from him. The Viscount stepped back in surprise.
“Are you trying to prevent me leaving Miss Bennet?”
She ignored his words. “My father has had an accident. I believe he was badly beaten. Was it on your orders sir?”
“No Miss Bennet it was not.”
Elizabeth stared directly at him. It was the first time since he had arrived that there was no humour in his voice, but she was not certain she could trust him.
“How do I know you are speaking the truth?”
A wry smile crossed his face. “You do not Miss Bennet, but beating a man up is not something I would do…
Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but he forestalled her. “And nor would I ask anyone else to beat someone on my behalf.”
He sounded sincere, but there was something about his manner that grated.
“But who else could have done it?” she said, almost to herself.
“My dear Miss Bennet. I am not the only one who your father owes money to. Some of the people he plays cards with are not men to be trifled with.”
That Elizabeth did not doubt. She had demanded the truth from her uncle and some of the things he had told her had filled her with horror.
She stepped aside from the door. The Viscount smiled at her mischievously. “For a moment I thought you were going to ravish me.”
Elizabeth was horrified. “Sir I would ask that you do not speak to me in such a manner.”
“One more o
f your conditions?”
She nodded. It was difficult to believe the man was a viscount. He behaved like a man of the street.
“I am going to enjoy taming you.” Before she could stop him, he had grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on the back of it.
She snatched it away. “Please leave at once.”
The viscount yawned again. “You could not keep me here. I will speak to your father about the wedding.”
Elizabeth opened the door and the viscount swept through it.
Elizabeth stayed where she was. Her legs felt as if they would give way. She reached out for the nearest chair.
“Lizzy, what happened?” asked Mrs. Gardiner coming into the room.
Elizabeth raised her eyes to her aunt. “It is done. I am engaged to Viscount Langley.”
She was grateful Mrs. Gardiner did not offer her congratulations.
60
Later that day Elizabeth set off to visit Jane. Mrs. Gardiner had not wanted her to go. “Your news can wait Lizzy,” she had said.
But Elizabeth had been insistent. “Jane would be very hurt if she heard it from anyone else. I have asked Viscount Langley for his discretion, but you know….”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded sympathetically. “He is not the only one who will be surprised at the news.”
Elizabeth knew she was referring to Mr. Darcy, but she did not want to think about it. She could not think about it. She was going to hurt the man who had declared his love for her. What would he think when he heard she was engaged to another man? It was unbearable.
Before she had left Cheapside she had seen her father and told him of the engagement. Mr. Bennet had only said. “My dear, I know how much this hurts.”
She had waved away his sympathy. She would never be able to look at him without thinking about what she had lost.
With Phoebe to accompany her Elizabeth caught a stagecoach and they got off several stops before their final destination as she had wanted to walk for a while. Phoebe did not think it was right, but Elizabeth reassured her they would be quite safe. She had chosen to walk not to observe the streets but to give herself some more time to think about what she would say to her sister.