Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (72 page)

Lord Elderton spoke first in response to his nephew. “Fitzwilliam, you are completely out of line coming into my home and demanding such a thing of me and Edmund. However, I assure you, I have no desire to ever be in the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet again. She is a disrespectful, vulgar person. The first time I met her she was flippant about the peerage.”

“Is that why you told her a lewd joke? For heaven’s sake, she was younger than Georgiana. Believe me, I am not being flippant when I say, you may be a peer, but you are not a gentleman.”

Lord Elderton shrugged his shoulders at Darcy’s accusation. “Furthermore, how can one be alone with Miss Jane Bennet when her guardian angel is practically perched on her shoulder? This Bingley, he is a friend of yours? What is he to Miss Bennet? She does not seem to appreciate his heavenly protection.”

Edmund decided it was time to chime in on the conversation. “Oh, Darcy we have had this discussion before. Miss Elizabeth did not know her place, and she threw herself at me. I do not understand why you even care about these women. Miss Bennet is far too old and buxom to excite me. She will make a tasty morsel for the Earl, though. The other one, even when she looked the perfect specimen, was not as enjoyable as I had imagined. Our bastard is quite lovely though.”

Darcy pulled back his fist and punched his cousin in the face with such force that he went flying across the room, smashed into the door and crumpled on the floor. Darcy felt tremendous pain in his hand, but refused to give his uncle any evidence of his discomfort.

Lord Elderton sputtered, shook his fist and said, “Darcy, how dare you. You are not your cousin’s equal. I knew when I married Cassandra; it would someday come to this. Your father was forever threatening me. Why did I ever marry into your untitled family?”

Darcy was the taller of the two men, and he looked down on his uncle with a face worthy of Lady Sneerwell. “If I am not mistaken, you needed my aunt’s dowry, just as you and your criminal son needed Lady Wolfbridge’s dowry. Neither of you could even begin to understand how to manage an estate and keep it financially sound. All you really seem to be able to do is put yourself out to stud. Of course, the Viscount seems to be negligent in that field as well.” Darcy laughed at his pun and continued, “Yes, and speaking of fields… he does not seem to understand it is about lovingly planting seed… and not about inflicting pain and humiliation.”

His expression was a mixture of disdain and fury. He steeled his voice to ensure his determination was not missed. “The only time Edmund was successful, he forced his seed on a child, and I took the heir. Uncle, if he ever mentions Bethany or Miss Elizabeth again, I will not just punch him, I will challenge him to a duel; and you can ask your other son just how proficient I am with blade and pistol.” Darcy pointed to his cousin, unconscious on the floor. “This despicable wasted life has never bothered to become proficient in anything except cruelty.”

Darcy turned to Richard and said, “Cousin, I am sorry to leave you with this mess, but know I want you back at Darcy House. Please make your father aware of the derision that would befall the Fitzwilliam name if his son’s perversion is ever revealed. If you would like to bring your mother and Lady Wolfbridge for dinner, please do. It is time I returned to the ladies and my children.”

50 JUST GIVE ME SOME KIND OF SIGN

Bethany Darcy and Lewis were in the solarium pretending to be jungle explorers when she heard voices in the entrance hall. It sounded like ladies. She hoped it was Miss Lizzy and Aunt Georgie, and ran to greet their arrival with her brother close behind. Millie’s warnings to slow down went unheeded. When Bethany saw the third woman in the entrance hall, she stopped abruptly and stared at her. She looked as much like an angel as Mr Bingley.

The little girl, who came bounding into the hall, had a gaze so intense that it caused Jane to look away; but then her head jerked back in the direction of this child. The conversation with Mr Bingley about Mr Darcy’s daughter was replaying itself in her mind. With a wide eyed look of alarm, she exclaimed, “Lizzy, I must talk with you.”

Lewis was clinging to Lizzy’s leg, and Bethany was looking up at her. “Miss Lizzy, Lew and I want to spend time with you. We have not seen you since church on Sunday. Mrs Mary said you were ill, and then Papa said you had to come here. We are worried about you.”

“Bethany, Lewis, this is my sister Miss Jane Bennet. I must speak with her. As soon as we have spent some time together, I will come to you. Go up to the nursery and have Millie help you find a book you would like me to read. There is no need to worry. I am no longer ill. I came to London to help my sister, and she needs me right now.”

Bethany looked miffed but did as she was told. If she wanted this woman to be her mother, she thought she should obey her commands. Besides, the angelic lady did look like she was going to swoon. It must be true, she needed Miss Lizzy’s comfort more than she and Lew did right this very minute.

When the children had climbed the stairs with Mrs Annesley and Millie, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and said, “Use Will’s study. I will tell him where you are when he returns, so he does not barge in on you.”

Elizabeth said, “Is there another room where we could go. I fear unpleasant memories would haunt me there, and I need to stay focused on what I say to Jane. She has been my best friend for so many years, and I have treated her abominably. Would it be possible for you to ensure we could be alone in the solarium? I pray the flowers will calm her.”

As Elizabeth expected, Jane was in awe of the room. She walked around looking at the abundance of plants. She was particularly enthralled with the many specimens of orchids.

After allowing Jane to explore the wonders of the solarium, Elizabeth encouraged her sister to join her in the front of the room. She seemed a great deal less agitated than when she first saw Bethany. Once seated beside each other on one of the sofas, Lizzy took her sister’s hands. The rigidity of Jane’s shoulders and the lack of pliancy in her hands did not bode well.

“Are you that little girl’s mother?”

Elizabeth could only hope her sister would respond favourably—once she heard the entire truth. Elizabeth spoke softly. “I am sorry I did not confide in you six years ago, but I was so very frightened that what happened to me would become public, and our whole family would be ruined…”

Jane interrupted her sister. “You have not answered my question. Is Mr Darcy that child’s father, and are you her mother?”

Elizabeth stiffened at her words, but answered her sweetly, nonetheless. “I am Bethany’s mother, but Lord Wolfbridge is her father. He raped me in this house six years ago. Mrs Darcy allowed him access when Mr Darcy was not home. She also persuaded me, once it was known I was with child, to give them the baby. That was the source of my inheritance.”

Jane’s tone was a little less accusatory as she said, “Where was Aunt Gardiner?”

“Cousin Susan was ill, and my aunt and I had been in Mrs Darcy’s home several times. She sent me along by myself. Neither of us thought there was any danger… a carriage was coming to pick me up, and I thought we had become more than acquaintances… it seemed to me we had become friends.”

Jane looked at her sister’s face, and remembered the hint of sadness that had been etched there for so many years. The disappointment, anger, and confusion that had plagued her since Mr Bingley’s abandonment seemed to be seeping from her body—to be replaced by simple sorrow. She put her face in her hands and began to sob softly. The tears were for everything the two sisters had been through, both together and apart, since Tom’s death. At some point, Lizzy folded her in her arms and began rubbing her back. They stayed this way until finally Jane was beyond an outward display of grief.

Elizabeth pulled apart and searched her sister’s face. “Jane, when you wrote you had met Lord Wolfbridge, I was panic stricken that you would be hurt. The Earl is no better, and Mr Darcy and the Colonel believed he was the greater threat to you.” Elizabeth turned her eyes to the floor and whispered, “The Viscount likes childlike women, and that is why I was so appealing to him at fifteen. Lord Elderton has had numerous mistresses, and they have all been tall, fair, willowy and very beautiful.”

“Did you think I was so desperate that I would agree to be his mistress?”

“No, I was hoping my sensible sister would be able to see through them, but I was frightened because you were not yourself. Heartbreak was clouding your judgment, and I know from experience both those men can be very charming.” Elizabeth faced her sister again and passion shone from her eyes. “I love you, Jane. I had been so tragically silly and was fooled by their consequence. I did not want to leave anything to chance. Your words to me last night at the theatre… that these important men would put you in company with other important men… were not my sister’s words. You have never cared about someone’s status. You have always cared for someone’s worth as a human being, regardless of his or her place in society. Mr Bingley is a good man, and after his diligence to protect you, I am persuaded he loves you and wants the same things you do. Hopefully, he will tell you that himself later. For now, Mr Darcy wants to apologize for his behaviour. Stay here and enjoy the plants, and I will go find him.”

Mr Darcy had been informed where all the residents of his house were when he returned home. He had a note sent round to the local surgeon. He needed to confirm whether his hand was broken or not. He seemed to be able to move it, but the ache was fierce. The skin had been broken when his hand had collided with Edmund’s face. Despite the pain, Darcy smiled at the thought of his cousin lying in a heap on the floor.

While he was waiting for the doctor, he went to the nursery to see Bethany and Lewis. Bethany rushed up to him and said, “I saw another angel today. She would be perfect as a wife for Mr Bingley. She is Miss Lizzy’s sister.”

Her father tried to put on a stern face as he responded to his daughter. “Bethany, why do you feel the need to be a matchmaker?”

His face must not have been very stern, for his daughter laughed at his question. “I am not sure what a matchmaker is. Hmmm… I only want you and Mr Bingley to be happy. He is a very nice man, and I think this new angel lady will be nice like Miss Lizzy and Mrs Mary. Papa, she looked a bit sick when I met her, and Miss Lizzy needed to comfort her.”

“She is a nice lady, and you are right, she does look like an angel. I also think she would make Mr Bingley a fine wife. Let us say a prayer that everything turns out for them.”

Lewis, who had been quiet as he listened to the conversation between his father and his sister, began jumping up and down and laughing almost uncontrollably. “I am going to say a prayer that you marry Miss Lizzy. She is scrumptious. Bethie taught me that word.”

His father joined in his son’s laughter. “That is a very good word. Miss Lizzy is indeed scrumptious.” For some reason, at that moment, he felt some optimism with regards their marriage… or maybe his judgment was clouded by the throbbing in his hand. Regardless of the reason, he said rather imprudently in front of his children, “Lewis, I will pray also that Miss Lizzy will agree to marry me.” As Darcy reached down to tousle his son’s hair, he winced with pain.

Bethany noticed his hand and said very gravely, “Papa, what has happened to your hand?”

“I hit it against something disgusting. That word means the opposite of scrumptious. I am sure it will be fine in a few days.”

Bethany gingerly took her father’s hand and brought it to her lips. “There, Papa, that will make it better.”

On his way down from the nursery, he stopped in the billiard room. Richard and Charles were having a game. Neither was playing with much concentration, but both seemed quite buoyant, and there was an air about them that seemed mighty pleased with a job well done. Richard was sporting a very malevolent grin as he said, “I was just telling Charles that one of my brother’s beautiful teeth broke—not to mention his bloody nose—when he recklessly hit your fist. I think you might have fixed it so he will never again be thought of as the dashingly handsome Lord Wolfbridge. You would have made a damn fine soldier after all. Bravo, Cuz!”

Darcy beamed with satisfaction at the Colonel’s praise. Quickly, he remembered to ask about the most important part of Richard’s clean-up detail. He pulled him aside while Bingley was busy sizing up his next shot. Though he kept his voice very low, the seriousness of his question was not lost on his cousin. “Do you believe the Earl grasps the need for secrecy?”

“Yes, I stressed how dishonoured the Fitzwilliam name would be if the depraved details of Edmund’s behaviour became known. I think even a dedicated lecher like my father realizes his scion crossed a line that even the decadent
ton
might be unwilling to forgive. There is nothing more important to Lord Elderton than prestige—and being known as the father of a son who enjoys trapping, raping and inflicting pain on the underage daughters of gentlemen would not put him in good standing.”