Truth about Mr. Darcy (12 page)

Darcy paused to kiss her and then sighed. “As for my aunt, if there is one thing we can rely on in that quarter, it is Lady Catherine’s absolute secrecy in this matter. As you may already have surmised, she is extremely concerned with appearances and familial duty. She would never wish to have my name or that of Pemberley linked with a scandal. It would only serve to taint my cousin Anne and, therefore, Rosings and her by association, since any rumor of a union between my cousin and me has long been purported exclusively by her own mouth for many years now. Believe me, no matter how much my choice may displease her, and no matter how vehemently she may vocalize her disapprobation to my face, Lady Catherine will remain the soul of discretion when in company.” He brushed a stray curl from Elizabeth’s cheek as she nestled against his coat.

Elizabeth drew comfort from his closeness. “I hope you are correct. I will have to trust you in this, since I am not acquainted with either lady, but I cannot undervalue my own cousin’s vindictive determination to expose us to censure and scorn. I believe, sir, where your aunt is concerned, Mr. Collins can be faithfully relied upon to do nothing by halves.”

“We need not concern ourselves with Mr. Collins today. I doubt the weather will show any sign of improvement before nightfall; therefore, you may consider him every bit as stranded at Lucas Lodge as we are here at Netherfield. No word will reach my aunt for several days at least, and by then I will have obtained the license and made the proper arrangements. All will be well, my love. Until then, let us talk of more pleasant things.” Darcy gave Elizabeth a warm look full of love and longing, which she could not but return with equal sincerity, and they did, indeed, proceed to engage their mouths in far more pleasant musings, though no conversation could be discerned by anyone happening to file out of the breakfast parlor.

***

Darcy had been correct in one particular aspect—the storm did not abate, and by the close of the evening, Jane and Elizabeth found themselves required to extend their stay at Netherfield one more night, much to the delight of Bingley and Darcy. All four lovers had to admit, however, their daytime activities would have been passed in a far more agreeable manner had Bingley’s sister, Caroline, been stranded at his brother-in-law’s house in Town rather than at Netherfield with them.

After experiencing countless days of continued frustration in which Miss Bingley could no longer ignore the fact that Darcy, much like her brother, now all but lived at Longbourn—as well as all the disturbing implications to be associated with such marked attentions—she had begun to grow agitated and distressed. Since witnessing Darcy’s scandalous behavior toward Elizabeth at the ball, she had longed for an opportunity to be alone with the master of Pemberley without the overt interference of Elizabeth Bennet. When Darcy and her brother opted to spend the previous day at home rather than travel to Longbourn, Miss Bingley had believed providence had finally granted her just such an opportunity, but her hopes were soon dashed by the arrival of the two eldest Miss Bennets.

Though she was well able to tolerate Jane’s society with some small degree of insincere civility, she had yet to master the art of extending such a courtesy to Elizabeth, and after having finally rid herself of one ailing Bennet not many weeks earlier, one could hardly have expected her to be anything less than incensed to learn of another—and her least favorite, at that—falling ill shortly after arriving at Netherfield. Her only consolation with such a repetition of history had come from the knowledge that even someone as reputedly impertinent as Elizabeth Bennet could hardly continue to influence Darcy with her charms from the confines of her guest chambers abovestairs. If she had only known how very wrong she was!

It was with great irritation that Miss Bingley forced herself to think back to the distasteful events of the previous day. Shortly after Elizabeth had retired to rest herself, Miss Bingley had sought out Darcy, eventually tracking him down in the library, where he appeared to be pacing in agitation, a worried frown creasing his countenance. Immediately, she imagined him to be worrying over Elizabeth, which vexed her to no end. Consumed by her jealousy and a poorly directed ill humor, Miss Bingley soon found herself making disparaging remarks at the expense of the second-eldest Miss Bennet, a terribly unwise tactic to use on Darcy at such a moment.

“I certainly hope, Mr. Darcy, you are not troubling yourself unnecessarily over the indisposition of Elizabeth Bennet”—she smiled—“for I daresay her fine eyes will not long suffer the ill effects of having traveled a mere three miles in a coach.”

Darcy pursed his lips, opting to say nothing in response, concentrating his efforts, instead, on holding his temper in check.

Heartened, Miss Bingley sniffed disdainfully. “I, for one, cannot see that it could possibly be anything of a serious nature. Elizabeth has always been of a healthy, robust constitution, not at all out of the common way for others in her station, mind you. Certainly, these country people have been bred to withstand such trifles as colds and indisposition. Of course, I would not be surprised in the least to hear she is not ill at all, but merely acting the part, no doubt to further ingratiate herself with my generous brother. Poor, naïve Charles! As if being taken in by the likes of Jane Bennet has not been punishment enough for all of us.”

Though Darcy was obviously seething with anger by this time, Miss Bingley somehow managed to misinterpret his dangerous look, going so far as to lay her hand upon his arm in a rather forward manner as she cooed, “Mr. Darcy, allow me to give you some friendly, heartfelt advice, for it has been my experience, sir, that a wealthy gentleman such as yourself, who is sought after by every manner of society, can never be too careful when thrown into company with such scheming, mercenary people as one is sure to find in this part of the country.”

Darcy fixed her with an icy look and said coldly, “No more so than one often finds in Town, as well, I daresay. Would
you
not agree?”

Miss Bingley felt the slight but was too stunned to credit it. Her smile faltered, however, and Darcy continued in the same vein. “Though I cannot pretend to be so presumptuous as to speak for your brother, Miss Bingley, in the future I would thank you not to speak ill of Miss Elizabeth Bennet or her family in my presence. I find it to be most offensive and ill-bred, and as I have just become engaged to be married to Miss Elizabeth, I am sure you can understand how I could very easily come to interpret such ill-mannered criticism of my future wife as a personal slight to me, as well.”

Miss Bingley could only gape at him in outraged astonishment, to say nothing of her undisguised horror. With a small but satisfied smirk, Darcy firmly muttered, “Good day, Miss Bingley,” and removed himself from her company, leaving his friend’s sister quite alone to contemplate those of her actions that had succeeded in causing trouble and misery for no one but her.

***

On their second night together, though in a different room, as Bingley was certainly not of a mind to allow his friend the luxury of having his bedchamber adjoin with that of his betrothed for a second night, and well past the hour when the other occupants of the house had retired for the evening, Darcy lay in Elizabeth’s bed. His body curled around hers from behind as he stroked the soft skin of her arm with his fingertips, their clothing long since discarded upon the carpet in front of the fire.

“I have been thinking, my love…” he began tentatively.

“Of what, my dearest?”

“Of what will happen when I remove to Town to obtain the license. I will have to be gone for several days at least, as I also have some business I should probably attend to with my steward once I am there, and then there is Georgiana. I really ought to spend some time with my sister.”

Elizabeth rolled away from him and propped herself up on one elbow so she could search his troubled eyes. “What exactly are you trying to tell me, Fitzwilliam?” she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

“Come with me, Elizabeth. We can be married in London almost immediately, and then we shall not have to part again. You will be my wife; nothing will bring me more joy than to have you with me every day for the rest of my life.”

Elizabeth could not immediately answer him. After a few moments of silent contemplation, she entwined her fingers in his and said, “Just like that, Fitzwilliam? Abandon everything and everyone whom I have ever known and loved without a care in the world as to what the consequences will surely cost us or our relations? Do you not think, my love, that we have already acted rashly enough without further adding to our current plight?”

Darcy lowered his eyes and looked away. “No. Of course not. You are correct. It was selfish of me to even suggest such a thing. But is there no other way, Elizabeth? I dread parting from you, especially if you should happen to become with child from our nights together. What if something unforeseen should happen to you because of it? What if you need me and I am unable to reach you due to the weather or some other unforeseen circumstance? I could not bear it. No, I wish for you to be with me. It is the only way I shall feel completely at ease.”

Both were silent for a time, each deep in his or her thoughts. “Is it so important to you to be married so soon?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy nodded and brushed her lips with his own. “You are important to me.”

“And you to me.” She hesitated another moment. “Fitzwilliam, I may know of a way that might enable us to marry very soon and without the need to disclose any of our actions to my father, as well as cause any further harm or anxiety to any of our relations, but I fear it could try your patience severely.” Elizabeth bit her bottom lip.

“Elizabeth, the only thing that could possibly try my patience is to have to wait any longer for you than is absolutely necessary.”

“Very well then,” she said as a wry smile graced her mouth. “You could invite my family to Town for Christmas under the pretense of acquainting me with my future home. While we are there, we can arrange for an intimate ceremony and marry discreetly with both of our families present. I know my mother would not be opposed to such a scheme, especially since she will also see it as an opportunity to shop for wedding clothes for Jane and me. Perhaps Mr. Bingley could also join us. What do you think? Could you put up with my mother’s effusiveness for a fortnight or two?”

A radiant smile overspread Darcy’s face and he kissed her soundly. “Elizabeth, if it means that I shall have you for my wife within a few short weeks, and under my roof in the meantime, I believe I could put up with a great deal, including your mother, almost indefinitely.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Be careful what you wish for, my dear! Remember, you are marrying
me
, and once
my
mother sees your comfortable house in Town, she may never wish to leave us!”

Darcy rolled his eyes and expelled a sardonic laugh. “Heaven forbid!” he exclaimed before pulling her body close and claiming her lips in a passionate kiss that went a long way in reassuring Elizabeth he was, indeed, quite serious about bringing her entire family to London as quickly as possible.

Having been confined to Lucas Lodge while the storm raged and, ultimately, waned, Mr. Collins, though he was by no means ready to be separated from his betrothed, was finally seen departing Hertfordshire for Kent two days later, no doubt eager to relate the news of Darcy’s unequal alliance to his esteemed patroness without further delay. It was with much relief that the report of his removal from the area reached Longbourn, though there were four persons at Netherfield who could not, in all good conscience, feel the restoration of their peace of mind once he had actually gone.

After ascertaining that, rather remarkably, there appeared to be no untoward gossip yet circulating in Meryton, Darcy left quickly for London to procure a special license from the archbishop and to alert his staff of the impending arrival of Elizabeth and her family. The Bennets, the Bingleys, and the Hursts were to follow at the end of the week—though it was only the former who would be staying in Grosvenor Square at Darcy House. Bingley and Miss Bingley would be staying with the Hursts, who had their own house a short distance away in Grosvenor Street.

Upon his arrival, Darcy was met with affectionate enthusiasm by his London housekeeper. Mrs. Hildebrandt was a plump, motherly sort of woman who had enjoyed the honor of doting on him since his adolescent years. “Welcome home, master!” she exclaimed as she relieved him of his greatcoat and hat. “I believe you will find everything to be in order. My, but you look a sight! Shall I have Mr. Stevens draw you a nice, hot bath, sir?”

Darcy laughed good-naturedly, pleased to see her, as well. “I thank you, yes, Mrs. Hildebrandt. A bath sounds like an excellent idea, but I am afraid I will have to do without Mr. Stevens for the time being. I rode on ahead of him this morning and do not expect to see him for another three hours, at least. Perhaps you could ring for Mr. Jackson in his stead in, say, half an hour?”

“Certainly, sir. I will tell him directly and arrange for lunch to be served in an hour, if that pleases you?”

“Yes, that is fine, but make it an hour and a half. I would like to see my sister in the meantime. Is she at home?”

Just then the delicate sound of a pianoforte being played with proficiency floated into the foyer. Darcy smiled. “Ah. I see she is. Excuse me, Mrs. Hildebrandt.”

Darcy slowed his eager pace when he reached the open door of the music room, pausing to lean against the frame, his arms crossed over his chest. A young lady with features as fair as Darcy’s were dark sat at the pianoforte, her normally reticent demeanor replaced by a passion for her music, which had only just begun to reassert itself since her ordeal the previous summer at Ramsgate.

She finished her piece, a movement by Mozart, and was met by soft applause. “Fitzwilliam!” she exclaimed as she rose and ran to him, “You are home at last! I am so happy to see you, Brother!”

Darcy enfolded her in his arms for a long embrace, placing a kiss upon her head. “And I you, dearest. Your playing was beautiful. I see you have been practicing a new piece.”

“Yes. I have been spending a great deal of time on my music, actually. It has brought me much pleasure, but not nearly so much as seeing you affords me. Please say you will be staying in London for Christmas. Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Henry are sure to have their usual dinner parties and family gatherings, and I have no wish to attend by myself.”

“By yourself? Is Richard not in London?” Darcy inquired, referring to the cousin who shared in Georgiana’s guardianship.

Georgiana gave him a look filled with sisterly love and admiration. “Oh, yes, Richard has been in Town for nearly a fortnight. Please do not tell him I said so but, though I do love him dearly, Fitzwilliam, making due with Richard in your absence is by no means the same as having you here, Brother.” Darcy smiled at her and kissed her cheek as she continued to press him for an answer. “So, will you be staying?”

“Yes. I will be remaining in London, I hope, for some months.” Georgiana’s eyes lit up with pleasure at the prospect of spending so much time with her brother. Darcy led her to one of the sofas and seated himself beside her. “I have invited some guests to join us—friends from Hertfordshire.”

A frown darkened Georgiana’s features. “Oh, no. You did not invite Caroline Bingley, did you?” Upon noticing her brother’s stunned expression, she added, “I meant, how lovely. Of course, it will be delightful to see Mr. Bingley… and his sisters.”

Darcy suppressed a smile. He had always suspected his sister’s opinion of Miss Bingley coincided with that of his own, and was now gratified to see the proof it. “Yes, it is always an unparalleled experience to be in company with Bingley’s sisters; however,
they
are not the guests I wished to allude to.” Darcy chuckled. “Have no fear, Georgiana. Miss Bingley will be taking up residence in her brother-in-law’s house, not here in ours, but tell me, Sister, what you would say to spending Christmas with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her family?”

The change in Georgiana was instantaneous. “Oh, yes, Fitzwilliam! Truly? I have for so long wished to meet her. Is Miss Bennet really to come here, to London, to stay with us?”

Darcy smiled at her enthusiasm. “Yes, truly. But keep in mind her entire family is to come, as well. As you may well remember from some of my earlier letters, Elizabeth’s mother can be somewhat… enthusiastic, not to mention extremely trying at times, and her family, as a whole, is often completely overwhelming, to say the least. Do you think you can bear their coming in order to gain such an excellent sister?”

“
Sister!
Has Miss Bennet accepted you, then?” Her eyes sparkled at the prospect as Darcy grinned.

“She has. We are to be married as soon as possible, hopefully within a month. I have no wish to wait longer than that. Does this please you, dearest?”

Georgiana squeezed his hands tightly in her own, positively beaming. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, if you are finally to know such happiness, then nothing could please me more than to receive such a sister.”

Darcy could not have asked for a better response. “I daresay you will be gaining
five
sisters, dearest, and though they may not all be precisely what you may have imagined, I can promise you will be just as pleased with Elizabeth’s eldest sister, Jane, as you will be with Elizabeth. She and Elizabeth are extremely close, and she has a sweet disposition, generous heart, and elegant manners, not unlike your own. She is to marry Charles Bingley.”

“Oh, how wonderful! I do hope they will both grow to love me, as well.”

Darcy kissed her forehead. “I daresay they will.”

In the next instant, a wry smile could be seen crossing Georgiana’s pretty face, and it was with no small degree of slyness that she said, “Fitzwilliam, do you not find it diverting that after all this time Caroline Bingley will finally be able to call herself my sister?”

Darcy could not help but laugh at her wit. “Yes, it is excessively diverting, is it not? But I hardly think
this
particular arrangement is quite what Miss Bingley had in mind these many years during her pursuit of such a notable alliance with you!”

“No!” she said and laughed. “I should say not! Poor Miss Bingley!”

***

The arrival of the Bennets was everything Darcy had feared it would be. Mrs. Bennet’s effusive approbation for all the splendor and wealth before her could not be ignored as her voice rang shrilly throughout the many halls and corridors of Darcy House, seemingly without pause. Her boisterous enthusiasm, coupled with that of Kitty and Lydia, was, in turn, followed with the dignified dry humor of Mr. Bennet as he calmly exchanged pleasantries with his future son-in-law over the impossible din of his wife and two youngest daughters.

Though Georgiana was certainly shocked by such an outward display of energetic behavior—particularly from people whom she had only just met and was determined to think well of—she observed that Mr. Bennet appeared serenely unaffected by the actions of his wife and youngest daughters, treating it simply as though it were a perfectly natural occurrence. She noticed the same could not be said for her brother, however, who seemed to be struggling in order to maintain a calm demeanor. Elizabeth and Jane, she also observed, appeared to be equally mortified, and out of concern for the deepening distress of her two prospective sisters, Georgiana soon recovered herself enough to don a nervous smile, enacting the daunting role of hostess.

The sheer pleasure Darcy experienced upon being reunited with Elizabeth was evident to all who took the trouble of observing them together, mainly, those who loved them best—Jane, Georgiana, and Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth’s happiness was by no means less than that of her future husband, and given Elizabeth’s embarrassing lack of interest in nearly every aspect of her future home—with the noted exception of her betrothed—Georgiana was soon reassured beyond measure that theirs was most assuredly a love match.

By the time they had finished an ample lunch of cold meats and other savory fare, followed by cake, as well as various fruits of the season, Georgiana had become equally enamored of her future sister, and Elizabeth just as delighted with Miss Darcy. They passed the afternoon agreeably with a tour of the house, ending in the music room, where Darcy and Georgiana entreated Elizabeth to play for them on the pianoforte. Though she lacked the practiced proficiency and polish that can come only with constant dedication, such as Georgiana’s, she played with a natural talent and much obvious enjoyment. When she finished her song, Elizabeth found her performance met with great enthusiasm by Miss Darcy, who remarked upon the delight she had received from the sensitivity and feeling Elizabeth expressed so effortlessly.

Later, after the tea things had been cleared away, Mrs. Bennet, Jane, and Mary retired to their rooms so they might rest themselves before dinner, while Kitty and Lydia disappeared to their own chambers, clutching the latest issue of
La Belle Assemblée
between them, overflowing with talk of London fashions and the number of officers they were certain to meet with while in Town.

Finally free of the incessant chatter that had accompanied him since his departure from Hertfordshire that morning, Mr. Bennet was entirely content to install himself in Darcy’s library, the quietude of a good book and a glass of port being the only companions he desired.

Elizabeth and Georgiana spent the rest of the afternoon in companionable conversation. Darcy sat as near to Elizabeth as he could without violating propriety, but doing so in any case by brushing her thigh with his hand as he smiled at the sisterly bond that was already beginning to form between the two most important women in his life.

***

After he had seen his guests settled for the night in their respective chambers, Darcy, knowing sleep would not come easily, retired to his study. He found himself missing Elizabeth’s physical presence so much he had begun to feel it as a dull, almost insistent ache. He very much wanted to go to her but was in a quandary over how she might wish for him to act in such a situation—her parents and all her sisters, not to mention his own sister, being under the same roof. He sighed and silently cursed the fact she was installed within such a close proximity to her family in the guest wing. If he had been less of a gentleman, he realized, then perhaps he could have summoned the necessary audacity to have ordered a servant to
accidentally
place Elizabeth nearer to the family wing instead. At least there, he mused, there would have been next to no one to bear witness to his slipping into her room late at night or to observe his leaving in the early hours of the morning.

It was with these particular thoughts that Darcy’s mind was so agreeably engaged when he was joined, quite unexpectedly, by the lady in question.

“Fitzwilliam, why have you not yet retired, my love?”

Though she was still dressed in the gown she had worn at dinner, after sweeping his gaze over her form, Darcy noticed Elizabeth had removed her slippers and stockings. He found it strangely erotic to see Elizabeth’s bare toes peeking from beneath the hem of her gown, burrowing into the thick carpet pile in his study. He swallowed hard and moistened his lips with his tongue, his mouth suddenly parched as he began to feel the familiar stirrings of arousal. At that moment, he could not decide whether he was more pleased by Elizabeth’s appearing before him in such a state or worried someone might interrupt them should he choose to act upon the thoughts that seemed to come unbidden to his mind. He glanced at the clock upon the mantle and noted it was, indeed, very late—late enough for the entire house now to be abed.

Elizabeth slowly advanced, coming to stand just inches from him, her dark eyes sparkling with wit and intelligence… and more than a hint of passion. Darcy, breathing in her faint lavender scent, raised his hands to caress the curve of her neck and the skin of her shoulders.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, entreating him to lead her to a place where all else would soon fade into oblivion, where nothing mattered but their love.

Without uttering a word, Darcy brushed his lips against hers. He repeated the gesture, gradually deepening his kisses as she swayed before him. His hands continued to travel along the lines of her shoulders before wandering lower, down her arms to her hands, where he entwined his fingers with hers, wrapped his arms around her waist, and drew her body against his as they continued to kiss in a sweet, unhurried fashion.

When at last they stopped, they simply held each other. Darcy stroked her back with deliberate slowness, while Elizabeth caressed his hips beneath his tailcoat. Not wanting to start something he knew they could not likely continue, Darcy released her to move toward his desk. “I have something for you,” he said in a low voice. “I had hoped to present it to you this afternoon, but I did not have the pleasure of a moment alone with you.” He removed a small box from a locked drawer and handed it to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled at him, touched that he would think to get her a gift, and removed the lid. Her breath caught as she beheld a beautiful ring set with a single, creamy pearl. It was large in diameter but by no means ostentatious, surrounded by many shimmering diamonds, which, though considerably smaller in comparison to the pearl, were exquisite all the same. “Fitzwilliam, it is truly lovely. Never in my life have I owned anything so beautiful.”