Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 3 (25 page)

He smiled at her with such loving understanding that she felt her heart expand inside her. They had both been devastated by the humiliating incident of Elizabeth falling into Mr Wickham’s arms but they could both now afford to laugh at their folly, since the misunderstanding had been banished.

Tea was brought in and Miss Darcy took her place at the table, where she poured. She made a few small mistakes but otherwise conducted herself creditably in her role as hostess.

As she took her teacup, Elizabeth saw that Jane and Mr Bingley were looking at each other with a deep understanding. So! Mr Darcy had given them his blessing. Nothing now could prevent them from being betrothed, as they would have been at Christmas if not for Mr Darcy’s unwarranted interference, and the interference of Mr Bingley’s sisters.

As if reading Elizabeth’s thoughts, Mrs Bennet enquired after Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.

‘How are your sisters, Mr Bingley?’ she asked.

‘They are well, thank you,’ he said.

‘I am glad to hear it. We miss them at Netherfield Park. They were such good friends to Jane.’

This was not true, but Mrs Bennet did not know the full details and no one wished to reveal them.

At last the visit came to an end.

As the visitors rose to take their leave, Mr Darcy said, ‘Are you going to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball?’

The Duchess’s ball had been much talked about. It was to take place on 15
th
June and it promised to be a glittering affair.

The Bennets, of course, were not invited. Mr Darcy said, ‘A pity.’ Then he changed the subject and said, ‘My sister would very much like it if you would join us for a walk around the battlements. I do not know if you have yet been, but the view is worth seeing.’

They had not yet walked on the battlements, although it was a popular activity, and they all arranged to go together. Then Mr Darcy bowed politely as he bade his guests farewell. Miss Darcy curtseyed and made a pretty speech, thanking them for coming. Colonel Fitzwilliam added his thanks and good wishes. Mr Bingley bowed and wished them all well.

Then they took their leave.

There were a few wet days when they were confined to the house. Lydia and Mrs Forster joined them and Mr Bingley was a frequent visitor. He was embarrassed at first, and so was Jane, but soon their former ease was restored and they were comfortable with themselves and each other.

And then something truly startling happened, for they received invitations to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball.

Mrs Stacey could not believe her eyes.

‘Invitations to the Duchess’s ball are impossible to come by,’ she said. ‘Only the most exalted people will be there. It is the most eagerly anticipated ball of the year.’

‘This must be Mr Darcy’s doing,’ said Mrs Gardiner, as she looked at the invitation. ‘His aunt, Lady Fitzwilliam, went to school with the Duchess of Richmond.’ Then she looked at Elizabeth. ‘I think we have you to thank for this, Elizabeth. You are the one who knows Mr Darcy best. He would not have arranged for the invitation, except for you.’

She raised her eyebrows enquiringly but Elizabeth did not feel able to satisfy her aunt’s curiosity. Indeed, she did not know what it meant herself. His attentions had been all that was proper at their tea party, but they had been more than that. They had been so excessively gentlemanlike that she knew he had taken her words to heart.

Oh! Those words. How she wished she could recall them. What had she said to him? Something uncalled for, she was sure. She had been angry and insulted but she felt very differently now. Mr Darcy had removed his objections to Jane and Mr Bingley’s union – for it was obvious to everyone they would soon be engaged – and he had explained his conduct towards Mr Wickham, which had been justified. Indeed, it had been generous, considering the circumstances, for he had given Mr Wickham a great deal of money and he had also refrained from ruining him. And now he was behaving like a perfect gentleman.

Is all this for me?
she asked herself.

She thought that it was and she felt a warm feeling growing inside her. It meant more to her than the invitation to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball. The idea that Mr Darcy loved her set her soul aflame.

‘We must have new dresses,’ said Mrs Bennet. ‘Come, girls, we must visit the dressmaker at once.’

In the event, the dressmaker said she did not have time to make them new dresses, not even for the Duchess’s ball. But she promised to trim the dresses she had already made for them in a more luxurious style, as befit such a splendid occasion. They returned to Mrs Stacey’s house well pleased.

As Elizabeth looked around the room that afternoon, with Jane talking to Mr Bingley in one corner and Mary talking to Mr Manningham in another corner; with Lydia and Kitty talking over their many conquests and her mother, for once, entering into a sensible conversation with Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Stacey, she felt she needed only a fine day for their walk on the battlements to make her happiness complete.

To Elizabeth’s joy, the weather dawned fine and fair on the day they had set aside for their walk along the battlements. It was a favourite spot with visitors to the city as it gave a splendid view of the countryside round about. There was a pleasant breeze stirring the skirt of her muslin gown and fluttering the ribbons on her bonnet as she and her family reached the spot where they had agreed to meet Mr Darcy and his sister. The air was very fresh at such a height and they could look down on the bustle of the city without being consumed by it. The men on the ground looked like toy soldiers as they went about their business. There was a more military air to the city now and there were rumours that Napoleon would soon leave Paris.

‘What do you think of these rumours, Colonel?’ Mrs Gardiner asked Colonel Fitzwilliam, who joined them on their walk. ‘Are we safe still in Brussels?’

‘You will certainly be safe until the Duchess’s ball. She asked her husband if she might hold it and, as you know, he is in command of the reserves who protect the city. He assured her it was safe to do so. But after that, I think it would be wise if you ladies returned to England.’

Mrs Stacey said that her place was by her husband’s side and as long as he stayed, she stayed. Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed in acceptance of this decision.

‘However, I think we will take your advice,’ said Mr Gardiner. ‘I cannot leave my business for much longer anyway and although we have enjoyed our stay in Brussels immensely’ – here he bowed to Mrs Stacey, in token of thanks for their invitation – ‘we cannot remain indefinitely.’

And so it was decided. On Mr Darcy revealing that he intended to escort his sister back to England on the 20
th
June he suggested the whole party should travel together.

‘My sister would be glad of the company,’ he said.

Miss Darcy said that she would like it very much.

But the look that Mr Darcy cast at Elizabeth as he offered her his arm left no one in any doubt about the real reason for his wish to travel together.

Elizabeth took his arm and felt a wave of tingles rush over her from her head to her feet. After all the trials and tribulations of their time together, it seemed as though they finally understood one another.

They walked along in harmony, admiring the view and talking of everything they saw. Behind them, Jane took Mr Bingley’s arm. Miss Darcy took Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm. Mr Gardiner offered his arm to Mrs Bennet. Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Stacey walked together, while Mary walked along with Kitty. Lydia was not joining them as she was shopping with Mrs Forster.

Mary seemed unsettled and Elizabeth knew why. They had all expected Mr Manningham to join them.

‘Your sister is looking well,’ said Mr Darcy, following Elizabeth’s gaze. ‘She is less serious than the last time I saw her and her conversation is much improved.’

‘Yes,’ said Elizabeth.

She was pleased that Mr Darcy had noticed, and that he had a chance to see that her family was not always embarrassing. Jane was her usual lovely self and even Mrs Bennet, this morning, was more sensible than usual. She was talking to Mr Gardiner about the brilliance of the soldiers’ uniforms and the fine weather and the jolly sound of the bugles and drums, and never once did she talk of Jane’s marrying Mr Bingley, even though it was evident to all who saw them together that they would soon be married.

Mr Bingley confirmed this suspicion a few minutes later by saying that he would not be at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball because business took him back to England. His bright red face as he said this, and the way he ran his finger round the inside of his cravat, showed what his business was: he meant to ask Mr Bennet for Jane’s hand in marriage.

Elizabeth smiled at Jane and Jane returned the smile.

After all their heartache, things had at last come right.

But just as she was basking in the glow of this, Elizabeth’s pleasure was cut short by the sight of Mr Manningham hurrying towards them. It was evident from his expression that he had something unusual to impart, and that the news was not good.

‘Well, what is it, man?’ demanded Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘Has Napoleon left Paris? Out with it!’

‘No. It is not that,’ said Mr Manningham. ‘I have just seen Colonel and Mrs Forster, and I am sorry to say that . . .’ He looked embarrassed but then he continued. ‘Miss Lydia Bennet has eloped with Mr Wickham!’

There was a moment of horror as everyone took in the enormity of this statement. Elizabeth’s spirits plummeted into her shoes. Just when everything had been going so well, Lydia had to spoil it.

‘I do not believe it. Only the other day, Lydia said Mr Wickham had asked her to elope with him to America and she said no, she wanted to marry a prince or a duke!’ said Kitty.

Elizabeth shook her head in despair. Her family was behaving worse than ever! What must Mr Darcy think?

One look at his set features confirmed her worst fears, and a moment later she felt him gently but firmly remove her hand from his arm.

Oh, no!
she wanted to cry in despair. But etiquette forbade it. So she swallowed the lump in her throat and took comfort from the warm feel of Jane’s hand on her arm.

Mr Darcy gave a quick bow and said he had just remembered some urgent business and that he had to be elsewhere.

‘I, too, have business to attend to,’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘Come, Georgiana. I will escort you home.’

He made a quick bow and Miss Darcy, looking confused, dipped a curtsey, and then they walked away.

Mrs Bennet was by this time in hysterics, saying, ‘My poor, poor Lydia! Go after her, brother. Make Wickham marry her! If he refuses, challenge him to a duel!’

‘Hush,’ said Mrs Gardiner. ‘Mr Gardiner will see to everything, never fear. Now let us return home to await Lydia who, I am sure, will soon join us.’

In this way she managed to quiet Mrs Bennet, although no one believed that the matter would be resolved so quickly.

Mr Gardiner bowed and took his leave.

Mrs Stacey looked horrified but proved herself a true friend by saying that all would be well. And so, between them, they managed to return to Mrs Stacey’s home without attracting too much attention

‘The least said about this matter the better,’ said Mrs Stacey, as she led them into the drawing-room and ordered tea. ‘No one knows of it but ourselves and a few other people who will, I am sure, say nothing about it. Now Mr Manningham, tell us all if you please.’

Mr Manningham had loyally remained with them and helped them bundle Mrs Bennet into a horse-drawn cab so they could be indoors as quickly as possible. Now he told them the full tale. He had been walking towards the battlements, in order to keep his engagement to walk with the Bennets, when he had seen Colonel Forster running along the street looking harassed. He had offered his assistance, thinking it must be some military emergency, only to find that Miss Lydia Bennet had eloped with Mr Wickham.

‘But she was
determined
not to run away with him,’ said Kitty. ‘She said she preferred to marry a prince or a duke!’

‘I am afraid that princes and dukes do not take sixteen-year-old ladies seriously, particularly if they come from—’ He stopped short, but Elizabeth guessed he had been about to say
inferior families
. She flushed with mortification. Lydia had made a laughing stock of them all. And, if she was not found quickly, she would ruin the reputation, not only of herself, but her sisters as well.

Mr Gardiner had already departed with the intention of speaking to Colonel Forster so that together they could work out what to do.

Mrs Bennet, now that she had recovered from the first shock, became more vocal, and said that her brother must make Wickham marry Lydia.

Elizabeth decided to encourage her mother to retire to her room, for there was a danger the servants might hear if Mrs Benne remained in the drawing-room. Mrs Bennet was not a discreet woman and she did not keep her voice low, as the others did. But Mary surprised Elizabeth by suggesting that exact thing just before she herself suggested it.

Mary has grown up a lot over the last few weeks
, thought Elizabeth.
Going out into the world has improved her immeasurably.
She glanced at Mr Manningham.
And so has the attention of a respectable gentleman.

It was lucky she had these thoughts to distract her, for Lydia’s folly and Mr Darcy’s reaction would have been enough to cast even Elizabeth, with her usual cheerful nature, into despair. His face when he had bowed and left them had been unreadable, but she did not need to be able to read it to know what his feelings towards Lydia were, and how they coloured his view of her family. He had been disgusted and he had decided he wanted nothing more to do with them. He had withdrawn at once and his cousin had withdrawn, too. They had both most likely wanted to protect Miss Darcy from such company. And, in low spirits, Elizabeth thought she could not blame them.

Mary and Mrs Gardiner managed to persuade Mrs Bennet to retire to her room, where she could be attended by the reliable Hill. Then Mrs Stacey ordered luncheon.

‘I hope you will join us, Mr Manningham,’ said Mrs Stacey.

‘If I am not in the way, then gladly,’ he said.

‘You are not in the way at all,’ said Mrs Stacey.

‘You have proved yourself a true friend and I know Mrs Bennet would thank you herself if she had not been overcome,’ said Mrs Gardiner.

‘I am glad to have been of service,’ said Mr Manningham with a bow and an affectionate glance at Mary.

Mary smiled in a way which changed her face entirely, making it seem good humoured and surprisingly lovely. Although she did not have Jane’s beauty or Elizabeth’s fine eyes, there was nevertheless a suggestion of both in her face, for she came from the same family. Her loveliness had been obscured previously by unflattering hairstyles and clothes, and a sombre expression, but now her own type of beauty – understated and less noticeable – was able to shine through.

‘Then that is settled,’ said Mrs Stacey.

She sent orders to the kitchen, and then they made their way through into the dining-room where they tried to make polite conversation while they wondered what the outcome of the day’s events would be.

Mr Darcy, as soon as he heard Mr Manningham’s fateful words, that Miss Lydia Bennet had eloped, took a swift leave of his companions and strode from the battlements with decision. The martial atmosphere intensified his own need for action and his instinct for battle was roused by all the drums and bugles around him. He had finally found Miss Elizabeth Bennet again, and overcome all the misunderstandings between them, and he was not about to let one silly young lady stand between him and happiness – even if he had to go to war with his nemesis, George Wickham, in order to resolve matters.

He found it hard to believe that only a few short months ago he had seen Lydia’s thoughtless behaviour as an impediment to his relationship with Elizabeth and he had thrown Lydia’s silliness in her face.

He was horrified to think of it.

It was not Elizabeth’s fault that Lydia was a common flirt, nor was it Elizabeth’s fault that Mr Bennet was lazy nor that Mrs Bennet encouraged Lydia.

Elizabeth - dearest, loveliest Elizabeth - was blameless.

In a way, he was glad that Lydia had run off with George Wickham because it would allow him to show Elizabeth how much he had changed. He had listened to her words – her just and necessary words – when she had rejected him, and he had set himself out to change. He had shown her that he could behave like a gentleman by introducing her to his sister and arranging for her to be invited to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, as well as being polite to her friends and relations.

In this, he had had a pleasant surprise. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were not like Mr and Mrs Bennet. It was true, their money came from trade, but they were nevertheless refined and sensible people. Mrs Stacey was an elegant and intelligent woman, and he knew of Mr Stacey by reputation, thereby knowing that Mr Stacey was an efficient and necessary part of the war effort.

He had also corrected his behaviour where Jane Bennet was concerned. He had invited Mr Bingley to Brussels and he had let Mr Bingley know, without actually saying so, that he approved of Miss Jane Bennet. He had spoken of her elegance and beauty, and he had told Mr Bingley he thought her out of spirits, adding that she was always in very good spirits when they were in Meryton. ‘It must be the company that agreed with her,’ he had said with a meaningful look at Bingley.

That had done the trick. Mr Bingley had needed nothing more. Indeed, Mr Darcy suspected that Mr Bingley would have made a move to see Jane Bennet again soon anyway, for it was clear that Mr Bingley was very much in love with her.

He smiled as he thought that that was one affair, at least, which was going well, for he did not doubt that Mr Bingley’s “business in England” was a desire to see Mr Bennet and ask for his permission to marry Jane.

So that would end happily.

And his own affair with Elizabeth would end happily too, he was sure of it, once he had rescued Lydia Bennet and restored her to her family.

He had by this time reached the foot of the battlements and he strode round to the stables, where he ordered his stallion to be readied at once.

If Wickham intended to elope to America then there was only one road he would take out of Brussels and as he would be travelling in a hired carriage he would not be able to travel as fast as a man on horseback – particularly as, with the small means at his disposal, Mr Wickham would not be able to hire a vehicle with swift horses. More likely, he would have to take one drawn by an old nag.

Once his horse was ready, Mr Darcy mounted quickly and then he was away. He took the road that he knew Mr Wickham and Lydia must have taken, calculating that he was probably little more than an hour, or two at most, behind them. He rode swiftly, his fresh horse eating up the miles and making the journey seem effortless.

He stopped along the way at various coaching inns, to enquire if a lady and gentleman had passed that way, and received encouraging news. He allayed suspicion by saying that he was a relative who had arranged to meet them and been delayed, but was now going to join them.

At last he came to an inn where the news was exactly what he hoped for. Yes, a young couple had arrived less than half an hour before and had ordered luncheon. They were in the private parlour but they had asked not to be disturbed unless they rang.

Giving the innkeeper an imperious look, Mr Darcy said that he was always welcome where his cousins were concerned and told the innkeeper not to bother himself, adding, ‘I will show myself in.’

The innkeeper retreated before this display of haughty arrogance and Mr Darcy went down a tiled corridor to an oak door at the end. It was set with thick iron studs and there was an iron ring for a handle. Mr Darcy turned it and went in, to find Lydia sitting on Wickham’s knee. Wickham’s coat was on the settle at the other side of the room, along with his cravat, and his shirt was undone. He was in the process of helping Lydia to a similar state of undress.

‘Darcy!’ said Mr Wickham in surprise. Then he began to laugh. ‘Come to join the fun?’ he asked with a wide grin.

Mr Darcy was tempted to call him out, but he fought the impulse and refused to rise to Wickham’s bait.

‘I hear you are heading for America,’ he said.

‘I am,’ said Wickham. He squeezed Lydia and she squealed and giggled. ‘We both are.’

‘Have you bought your ticket?’ asked Mr Darcy, with a lift of one eyebrow.

‘Ah. Now that might prove difficult. I am in low water at the moment. Money is scarce. Would you care to help?’ asked Wickham provokingly.

Mr Darcy put his hat on the table. He pulled off his gloves, one finger at a time, and rested them on the side of his hat. Then he took a wallet out of his waistcoat pocket. He opened it and counted out a pile of notes, placing them on the table.

Mr Wickham’s eyes grew round with greed and he reached out a hand.

Mr Darcy put his riding whip on the money.

‘Not so fast,’ he said. ‘You may have the money —’

‘That is very generous of you, Darcy,’ said Mr Wickham. ‘But I know you. There’s bound to be a catch.’

‘You may have the money, or you may have Miss Lydia Bennet, but you may not have both.’

‘Oh, come now, Darcy, I must have someone to travel with,’ protested Mr Wickham. ‘And if she doesn’t elope with me, she will only elope with someone else.’ He turned to Lydia and pinched her cheek playfully. ‘Won’t you, my little doxy?’

‘Miss Lydia Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter and you would do well not to forget it,’ said Mr Darcy severely. ‘Even now, her uncle is heading for this very inn and he will not be as generous as I am. He will see you clapped in irons for this.’

‘What? For taking a young lady for a drive?’ smirked Wickham.

‘No. For abduction,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘Now, which is it to be? I suggest you make your mind up quickly, before her uncle arrives. Once he does so, it will be out of my power to help you. Will you have the money for a ticket to America and a new life in the New World? Or will you have Miss Lydia Bennet?’

‘Me, of course,’ said Lydia, putting her arms around his neck. ‘We are —’

But she got no further, for Mr Wickham had pushed her off his lap, leapt up, taken the money, put it in his pocket, wrapped his cravat around his neck and shrugged on his coat in a matter of seconds, and by the time she picked herself up he was heading for the door.