The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (8 page)

When she glanced down, she realized he had unbuttoned her glove at the wrist and was removing it finger by finger. She gave a shaky laugh. “I had not realized that I was granting you license to indulge in further forward behavior.”

Now less concerned about her disapproval, Darcy continued his intimate attack on her hand. “You need only say the word and I will stop.” His voice was low and hoarse as he kissed her palm and the inside of her wrist. Shivers of pleasure ran up her arm and down her spine. He glanced up at her. “Does that feel good?”

Good is a completely inadequate word.
“Yes, it feels….” She could not imagine a way to complete that sentence which would not lead to impropriety, but he seemed reassured. Removing her other glove, he lavished the same attention on that hand. When finished, he simply held her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. The weight of his gaze was creating excessive warmth throughout her body. Beads of perspiration – which had nothing to do with the temperature of the day – dampened the collar of her gown.

Darcy gave a little shake of his head, as if willing himself to behave. After one more kiss to her palm, he tucked one hand under his arm – without restoring her gloves – and they resumed walking. Something had shifted subtly in their relationship, she realized – her acceptance of his actions had become a tacit agreement to his attentions. Part of her objected that she must not permit him to go too far, but another part welcomed, even cherished, his tender affection.

When he bid her adieu back at the door to Mrs. Radnor’s house, he kissed her hands gently and lingeringly before slowly restoring her gloves to their rightful place. A shudder of pleasure surged through her body. He lowered her hands, but did not break the gaze that was locked with hers. His nearness was intoxicating; she did not want him to leave. At that moment she knew that if he wanted to kiss her – here on the street—she would let him.
What is happening to me?

“May I call on you tomorrow?” His voice was low and husky. She nodded, not sure that her voice would work at all.

When he released her hands, she immediately felt bereft. He walked her into the home’s foyer where she was greeted by Mrs. Radnor’s butler. Darcy gave a short bow to her, turned, and exited the house. As she watched his departing figure, she mused that when she had agreed to a “new beginning” to their relationship, she had not actually anticipated ever developing sentiment greater than friendship. Now she was not certain what she felt.

Nodding hello to the butler, she slowly climbed the stairs toward her bedroom on the second floor. Then a thought struck her so forcefully she stopped halfway up the steps. Since she had met him, Darcy had often been in her thoughts, albeit frequently in a negative light. After Darcy left Netherfield but before she saw him at Rosings, she had dwelt on the injustices Darcy had done Wickham. But she now realized that she had focused her thoughts far more on Darcy’s ill manners than Wickham’s pleasing flirtations. Now she recognized that her reaction to him had always been personal – and intense. Certainly her conversations with him had challenged her like no others. She enjoyed lively conversations with Jane and her father, but neither was inclined to exert great effort in teasing out or questioning her opinions. Not like Darcy.

Originally she had believed her impertinent reaction to Darcy was the result of his satirical view of her, but she had been wrong about his opinion of her. Was she also wrong about her reaction? Was it rather because her heart had recognized a kinship and connection with him that her mind had not seen? Shaking her head as if to clear it of bewildering thoughts, she climbed to the top of the stairs. One thing was certain: she was confused about her feelings for Fitzwilliam Darcy. Life had been so much simpler when she was simply disgusted by his pride!

The next morning Darcy was awakened early by a rapid knocking on the door to his room. He groaned as he sat up, wondering what could possibly justify such urgency when the sun had barely risen. Then he heard Colonel Fitzwilliam’s voice, “Darcy! Open the door! I need to speak with you immediately.”

Now alarmed, Darcy threw on a dressing gown and opened the room’s worn wooden door. Richard strode in, already fully dressed and clearly agitated. “The treaty has been broken! England has declared war on France!”

Chapter 4

It took Darcy a moment to absorb the news and then he sank into the room’s only chair in dismay. “How did you learn of this?”

“A messenger arrived from General Norland a few minutes ago. Napoleon wished for Tsar Alexander’s assistance in negotiating a new treaty, but Parliament would not agree. The English navy is again blockading the French coast. We all must return to England at once. English visitors will be most unwelcome in France.”

Darcy admired his cousin’s gift for understatement. “Indeed.” His mind rapidly considered the implications of this news. “But Richard, surely your danger is greater than mine. Any military officers will be suspected as spies.”

Richard shifted his weight anxiously as he stood in front of Darcy’s still-open door. “Believe me, it has occurred to us. Broadmoor and Wilkins are packing. We are also taking a Major Brent with us. We secured a carriage to take us to Calais immediately.”

“Yes, you must leave at once.” Darcy rubbed his face, attempting to rid himself of his early-morning stupor.

“I am afraid we have no space for you in our carriage.” Richard’s face was flushed with anxiety as he gazed at Darcy.

Darcy waved that concern away. “I can fend for myself, Richard. The French government will be far less concerned with random English civilians.”

“But you must not delay. You should hire a carriage for Calais immediately. They will soon be in short supply.” Richard’s voice was low and insistent.

Darcy ran his fingers through his unruly hair and envisioned all of the English visitors in Paris attempting to depart en masse. There had to be hundreds, placing a severe strain on the city’s available carriages and horses. Many of those English visitors were as yet unaware of the outbreak of war, but the news would spread quickly. No doubt some travelers would be trapped in the city without any means of escaping.

Richard had stepped back to the doorway, but still watched his cousin anxiously, his hand gripped the doorframe tightly. “I will not rest easy until I know you have returned to English shores. Promise me you will not tarry.” His eyes focused intently on Darcy.

Darcy shook his head emphatically. “No. Believe me, I recognize the advisability of a hasty departure.”

A voice called Fitzwilliam’s name from down the stairs, causing Richard to turn, but he seemed reluctant to depart. “I must go.” His voice was full of regret.

“By all means. Go. Godspeed.” They clasped hands briefly and Richard was gone.

Darcy dressed quickly and started to pack his trunk. His valet, Haines, had remained in England because his mother was sick, but now Darcy regretted not having his assistance. As he folded and stowed his clothing in his traveling trunk, he reviewed the steps he must follow to ensure an expeditious departure: settle with the innkeeper; find a reliable carriage; and —

Then it struck him like a lightning bolt:
Elizabeth
! Why had it taken him so long to think of her? She would have no means of leaving the city. Even without the inherent dangers of a woman traveling alone in a strange country, she would barely have the means to hire more than passage on a post chaise – and those spaces were likely to fill immediately. Her aunt and uncle might return to collect her – when they had heard the news; however, they could not possibly return before tomorrow. How would she escape to England?

He closed the trunk with a bang and locked it. Shrugging on his coat, he rushed out of the room.

Twenty minutes later he was on the doorstep of Radnor house. Elizabeth and Mrs. Radnor, hastily gathered to the drawing room by his arrival, seemed surprised at such an early visit. Had he interrupted their breakfast? If so, they were most gracious. Mrs. Radnor gestured him to one of her ornate upholstered chairs, but he remained standing.

“Mr. Darcy, what a pleasure to see you again,” Elizabeth said, although her voice betrayed some anxiety at the sight of his agitated mien.

“I have come on a matter of great urgency,” He responded somewhat breathlessly. Elizabeth had gathered some embroidery, but it fell, forgotten, into her lap at his response. “England has declared war on France.”

Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth in horror. “What!” cried Mrs. Radnor. “When?”

“I believe the treaty was broken yesterday. But, I received the news only this morning.”

“So that is why Alexandre was called to meet with the Emperor,” Madame mused. She settled back on the couch, but her hands twisted in her lap anxiously. Elizabeth absently retrieved her embroidery while her eyes, wide with shock, were fixed on Darcy.

Darcy addressed Elizabeth. “It will not be safe for English citizens to remain in the country. Colonel Fitzwilliam and his compatriots have already departed. I have a carriage awaiting me at the inn, but I first wished to make you aware of the news.” He tried to calm the nervous energy flooding his body; it was all he could do not to grab Elizabeth’s hand and drag her out the door to ensure her safety.

Elizabeth appeared deep in thought, but murmured, “I thank you. I appreciate your delaying your departure for my sake.” Irrelevantly Darcy admired her calm reaction to the news. What a wonderful Mistress of Pemberley she would be!

Mrs. Radnor spoke slowly and thoughtfully. “I cannot leave without my husband…and the emperor will not wish him to leave….I must remain behind.”

“But, Madame – “ Elizabeth started to protest.

“No, Miss Bennet, we will be safe here. The Emperor holds my husband in high esteem. However, you must leave as soon as possible.” Mrs. Radnor’s face appeared serene, but she was compulsively straightening the folds of her dress.

“Agreed. But how is such a feat to be accomplished?” For the first time Elizabeth’s countenance betrayed anxiety.

“I am afraid I do not know. My husband has our carriage and we will have need of it. We could send you by post, but those carriages are likely to be full already.”

“What about the Gardiners?” Elizabeth asked.

“I thought about them,” Darcy responded. “When they hear the news, the will undoubtedly return to collect you. But they are better off departing immediately for Calais. They are much closer in Rouen than they would be here.”

“No, they should not return!” cried Elizabeth. “I would not have them expose themselves to danger for my sake!”

“They
will
return for you unless they are aware you have already departed,” Mrs. Radnor said firmly. “I know them.” Elizabeth said nothing, but her eyes revealed that she recognized the truth in the other woman’s statement.

“May offer a solution to this dilemma?” The conversation had arrived where Darcy had expected it to. “I can take Miss Bennet with me to Calais in the carriage I have hired. She will be quite safe.” Holding his breath, Darcy awaited the two women’s reaction. What he was proposing was highly improper under the normal rules of propriety, but he had no desire to follow such strictures if the alternative was leaving Elizabeth in danger.

Mrs. Radnor shook her head emphatically. “I appreciate the offer. But, I have been given responsibility for Miss Bennet’s reputation as well as her safety. I cannot allow her to travel unescorted with an unmarried man.”

Inwardly Darcy cursed the dictates of propriety, but he had also anticipated this objection. “Perhaps, you could spare a maid who might accompany us to Calais? I would gladly pay for her return passage on the post chaise.”

The woman thought for a moment. “Yes, yes, that might do. I could send Celeste; she would probably like a little adventure – and Miss Bennet is familiar with her. That would do quite nicely.” She stood abruptly and rang for a servant. “Excellent! We have a plan. Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I will have Marguerite pack Miss Bennet’s trunk and will make sure Celeste prepares herself.” The butler appeared in the doorway and she exited into the hallway to talk with him.

Now standing, Elizabeth gazed at Darcy awkwardly. “Thank you for your generous offer.” Elizabeth’s eyes met Darcy’s without flinching, but he saw a slow blush creep over her face. He had no doubt she was grateful, but the prospect of sharing a carriage with him did give her some unease. Darcy understood completely; he had no doubt he would find the trip most disconcerting.

“Do not be anxious. I will ensure your safety.” Closing the short distance between them, he took her hand in both of his and attempted to appear reassuring.

“I am not anxious. Not for myself. But, if something should happen to the Gardiners – they have four children and Mr. Gardiner’s business employees a number of people. It would be a tragedy if….” Her voice trailed away.

How like Elizabeth to think of others in a situation like this!
“Perhaps you should send them an express explaining the circumstances,” he suggested. “They must not return to Paris in search of you.”

“Yes, indeed! That is an excellent thought.” Elizabeth withdrew her hand from his and left the room hastily.

Within half an hour they had departed in a hackney coach for Darcy’s lodgings, accompanied by Mrs. Radnor’s maid. However, once they arrived, Darcy discovered the carriage he had hired was no longer to be found. “I begged him to stay,” the innkeeper explained. “But the other travelers offered him so much money, he did not wish to refuse.”