Pride and Precipice
Page 21
Nathaniel scowled at her retreating form and swung out of the saddle to follow. He easily caught up to her in a few long strides.
“May I join you?” he asked.
Her bonnet hid her glower. “If you would like,” she said politely, her voice cool. She picked up the pace, which he easily matched.
“Have I said something to offend you, Miss Bennet?” he asked at the decidedly frosty silence that stretched between them.
“Whatever would give you that idea?” she replied sarcastically.
Nathaniel was taken aback. His mouth hung open for a moment before he snapped it shut, stunned into silence. In all his twenty-seven years, no woman had ever spoken to him so!
He had encountered simpering misses, who agreed with every word that came out of his mouth, and accomplished flirts who enticed and teased with every utterance. But no woman had ever treated him with such disregard. If he did not know better, he would think that she did not wish for the privilege of his company!
He puzzled over how to respond to her comment. “Miss Bennet, if you truly do not wish for my company, I assure you that you may say so freely.”
She turned her head to look at him, still walking furiously. “I– ” Her foot caught on a root in that instant and she went stumbling forward.
There was no time for thought, only for action. Nathaniel, every bit the gentleman he had been raised to be, immediately stepped before her to prevent her from tumbling to the ground.
She fell into his arms with a cry. He grunted as her full weight hit his chest and closed his arms around her to steady her.
“Are you all right, Miss Bennet?” he asked solicitously.
She raised her head to meet his eyes, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I believe so, Lord Rockingham. I am dreadfully sorry.”
With the immediate danger past, Nathaniel could not help but notice how delicate her petite frame felt in his arms. Her eyes were a deeper shade of green today, he realized, and in their depths he could see chagrin and a lingering trace of hurt. He wondered at that hurt and was opening his mouth to speak when a cry from down the lane drew both of their attentions.
“MISS BENNET!” Mr. Collins stood at the end of the lane, where it intersected with the main path, his mouth agape.
Nathaniel was suddenly aware that he still held Miss Bennet in his arms, most inappropriately. He released her immediately, a sinking feeling in his gut appearing as he realized how their stance would have looked to the parson.
Kitty hurriedly took several steps away from Lord Rockingham, confused by the sudden bereavement she felt as Nathaniel let her go.
Mr. Collins advanced down the lane toward them, his short legs carrying him as fast as they would go. Despite the gravity of the moment, the absurdity of his movements elicited a strangled giggle from Kitty. Nathaniel turned to look down at her dancing eyes and could not help but grin in return.
He sobered quickly as the diminutive man stopped in front of Miss Bennet and drew himself up to his full height. “I am ashamed, Miss Bennet, to call you my cousin! I had thought you to be an upright woman, bound by propriety. But I find instead that I have been harboring a harlot!”
Kitty gasped at the strong words, and Nathaniel felt his own ire rising at the pompous fool.
Mr. Collins continued, “You are no better than that scandalous sister of yours, trying to seduce a member of the Quality! You will return to the house at once and pack your belongings! I will not have a temptress in my household, influencing my wife and child! When I complete my business with Lady Catherine, I will expect you to be ready to depart for the stagecoach immediately!”
Nathaniel watched in horror as the young woman bowed her head and hurried off in the direction of the parsonage, her cheeks burning with embarrassment and rage at the undeserved disparagement.
Nathaniel braced himself for a similar barrage to be heaped upon him as Mr. Collins shifted his focus to him. Instead, he stood in shock as the man proceeded to heap apologies upon him for Miss Bennet’s supposed advances. He was repeatedly assured that the young woman would be dealt with properly and that there would be no damage to his own reputation.
His mouth settled in a grim line as he listened to the man. Was Miss Bennet to hold all the blame for the compromising encounter, with no opportunity for explanation? And was he to be completely absolved of all responsibility, simply because of his status as a peer of the realm?
The discrepancy was too great, even for his privileged mind. Troubled, he cut off Mr. Collins. “I have some matters of business to attend to, Mr. Collins, and I believe you have a meeting with Lady Catherine. I recommend that you appear punctually, as that great lady does not like to be kept waiting. Please excuse me.”
He turned his back and walked away, leaving the little man to bluster and sputter his compliments incoherently. He had some matters to discuss with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
*****
Kitty’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and righteous indignation as she began the process of packing her trunk. Charlotte had offered her the help of one of the maids, but she preferred to complete the task herself.
Insufferable man! The audacity! To accuse her of such filthy things, without even asking for an explanation when he stumbled upon them! It was not as if they had done anything wrong. She had stumbled, and Lord Rockingham had caught her. There was nothing improper in that. It was all a simple misunderstanding.
But she knew that in Mr. Collins’ eyes, she was already ruined. It mattered not what the real story was. He had jumped to conclusions and condemned her. The tale would spread. Mr. Collins was incapable of keeping any tidbit of gossip to himself. Lady Catherine was undoubtedly already aware of her disgrace.
That lady would do her best to spread the gossip, to ensure her humiliation in all the best society. Her hatred for Lizzy had already shown itself to extend to her relations. She was to be sent home in shame.
As for Lord Rockingham- she banged the lid of the trunk down angrily- that man would suffer no ills from the occasion. Only her reputation would be damaged. Compromised, that was what she was now. Damaged goods. No one would want her.
She knew him better than to think he would offer for her. He was too far above her. Why should he- a Marquess- align himself with her, a little nobody from Hertfordshire?
She sat down heavily on the trunk and wept bitterly for what might have been.
* * *
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About the Author
Lelia M. Silver is a Jane Austen enthusiast who went to school for architectural design. Originally from Ohio, she now lives in eastern Kentucky with her husband. She rediscovered an old love for writing in 2011, and hasn't been able to stop since. She enjoys writing the same type of books she enjoys reading- sweet, clean romances. Her current repertoire includes traditional Regency romances and Pride and Prejudice continuations, but she will soon be expanding into contemporary romances as well.
Learn more about Lelia M. Silver's books at her official website: http://www.leliamsilver.com