If Only In His Dreams (4 page)

“After one set of dancing and less than two hours since you met for the first time, and you are certain that Elizabeth is the woman of your dreams.  I find that quite difficult to believe, Mr Darcy.”

“And if someone had come to me with the same story, believe me; I would be questioning his sanity as well.
Believe me;
I am well aware of how ridiculous I sound.”  Darcy began to pace, moving towards the window and back to where Alex stood.
“I am not a lunatic, Mr Bennet,
even though I know I sound as if I belong in Bedlam.  The truth is that I know that Miss Elizabeth is the lady of my dreams and that she is the one I am to marry.  I wish to ask you for an arrangement to be formalized as soon as possible
for me to marry your sister.”

This is what he had hoped for, though not quite what he would have wished for his sisters.  Here was an eligible young man, wealthy and with his own estate, claiming to be in love with Elizabeth.  If only he had not spoken of his falling in love with Elizabeth in a reoccurring dream.  And Alex would have preferred for Mr Darcy to have spent a few weeks getting to know Lizzy before making the claims that he was in love with her.

“Mr Darcy, I believe that you are a decent man, and from the sounds of it, I am inclined to believe you are able to provide for my sister.  I am also inclined to believe you feel you are in love with my sister.  If I am to agree with you to an understanding between you and Elizabeth, I will insist in a long engagement, perhaps six months or a year, to allow my sister to know you better and learn what will be expected of her in your world.”

Smiling, Darcy nodded his head.  “I can do that, Mr Bennet.  I would prefer six months,
though I can accept a year, so
long as I can claim the right to be known as her fiancé, as I wish be able to
show her my affection.”

“I will agree to your stipulation.  I will also ask that you allow me until tomorrow morning to prepare my sister for the news.  It is not something I wish to announce here tonight.”

“Of course, it is only right that it be discussed at your home in privacy.
And you stated that your parents have died; may I inquire as to how long ago?  I ask simply in the case of knowing if your sister still grieves terribly for one or the other of your parents.”

“My sister never truly knew our mother, as she died when Elizabeth was near three.  Our father doted on Elizabeth, a slight bit too much in my opinion.  But our father was heartbroken over the loss of our mother.  He died
when Elizabeth was near fourteen, over five year ago.”

“My sympathies, Mr Bennet, for
I am quite familiar with becoming a gentleman with an estate and a younger sister for which I am responsible.”  Darcy acknowledged.  “My own dear father has been gone nearly the same amount of time as yours.”

“Now I must admit to you, Mr
Darcy that
I know who you are and, though I have never been to Pemberley myself, I have visited Lambton, where my aunt was born and raised.  We went as a family the year after Father died.”

Darcy was slightly taken aback.  “And you agreed to this arrangement due to your knowing my value?”

“Indeed, no, Sir.  I know of your family.  My aunt speaks very highly of your parents and the respect that everyone in the area has for your family.  To know that you are the type of landowner who takes care of his tenants as well as his staff speaks highly of the sort of man you are in general.  My aunt has told me that to gain a position as a member of your staff or one of your tenants is highly coveted.  It is the same sort of landowner I hope to be as well.  I have long held the beliefs that a man who relies on others for his living and comforts should treat those responsible for the work with respect and kindness.  How can I expect someone to perform their best if they are treated poorly?”

“You are correct, Mr Bennet.  I was taught the very same
from a young age, as was my father before me.  And your aunt, the one from Lambton, can you tell me her family’s name?”

“My aunt was born Helen Blaine.  I believe her father owned the mercantile in Lambton until his death.”

“I knew the man well in my youth.  He was a kind and fair man; always had a smile and gave me sweets when I was a young boy and went with my father.”

Alex smiled.  “I know that my aunt will be pleased to know you have fond memories of her father.  So, you see, I am very well informed in regards to your family, and, should I wish to know more, I would have no difficulty finding people to answer my questions.  The fact that you have not asked of my sister’s dowry also speaks highly, as you obviously care more for her than what she can do for you by wealth or connections.”

“To be honest, since I caught sight of your sister, nothing else seems to matter.  I have been quite lapse on asking more about her or your family.”

“Would you care to visit first thing in the morning and we shall chat before I speak with Elizabeth?” Alex inquired.

Darcy smiled and chuckled lightly.  “I am afraid I am of a different opinion as to what first thing in the morning is in comparison with most people of the Ton.  Usually I am awake and out of the house before sunrise.  Another reason I dislike visiting London, city hours are much different than those of country life.”

“Well, you have that in common with not only me, but my sister as well.  Elizabeth goes for a walk every morning, preferring to see the sunrise from the top of Oakham Mount
,
which is near our home.  I am usually found on horseback at that time of the day.  Then we usually arrive at the house near the same time and enjoy breaking our fast together.”

“Shall we say nine tomorrow morning for me to arrive?  That should give you and Miss Elizabeth plenty of time to have your morning constitutional before my arrival.”

Alex nodded his agreement and the men shook hands before returning to the assembly.  The smile on Darcy’s face mat
ched the one which Alex wore, both pleased with the agreement which had been made for Elizabeth.

The young lady in question was amazed to find that Darcy approached her for a sec
ond dance.  Her eyes grew large;
as such a gesture would surely speak of some particular attachment.  The only answer she could give was in the affirmative, as to decline with no just cause would forbid her from any further dances that evening.    She had noticed that Mr Bingley had requested a second dance with Jane, so perhaps it was safe and the young men from Netherfield, being new to the area, preferred to dance with the young ladies that they had met rather than meeting more young ladies.

As the evening came to a close, Elizabeth was shocked even further to find Mr Darcy handing her into the carriage instead of her brother.  “Until tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth.” was all that Darcy stated before stepping away from the carriage as it began to take the Bennet family home.

“Alex, what did Mr Darcy mean by that statement?  Is he coming to Longbourn tomorrow?”

“Oh, yes, he is coming in the morning.  I will ask that you wear one of your nicer dresses for his visit.” Alex knew that Elizabeth would be furious, so he looked out the window before she began her tirade.

“What have you done, Alex?  Have you business with Mr Darcy tomorrow or have you made some other arrangements?” Elizabeth had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she would not like his answer.  “Alex, did you make an agreement with Mr Darcy which involves me?  Please brother, tell me I am imagining things and that you and Mr Darcy are planning to start your horse business together.”

“That would be a wonderful prospect, Lizzy.  I will make sure to speak with Mr Darcy of your suggestion.”

“You are avoiding my question, Brother.  Just why is Mr Darcy coming to Longbourn tomorrow?”

“He will be coming to become more acquainted with his betrothed.” Alex knew that his sister would be beyond furious at this information.  “I have promised you to him.  He wishes for your hand and I have given my consent.”

Jane gasped at the news.  “Alex, we only met Mr Darcy a few hours ago.  Could it not have waited for days, even weeks, before such a decision was made?”

“Jane,
you are not helping the situation.  Why did there have to be a decision made without my opinion rendered or taken into consideration?” Elizabeth was nearly shouting at her siblings.  “Why do I have no say in my own life?”

“Elizabeth, you are nineteen.  And a gentleman, who has his own estate, which, by the way, is one of the finest in England, and is quite wealthy, has asked for your hand in marriage.  Such an attachment is nearly a miracle.  I made the decision for what I saw to be the best possible future for you.  Please, Elizabeth, understand that I am not doing this to bring you pain.  I wish to ensure the best possible future and I believe that Mr Darcy to be the best possible husband for you.  The man is in love with you already.  Within moments of meeting you, he wished to speak to me and make known his intentions.”

Tears were spilling from the rims of Elizabeth’s eyes.  “Oh, Brother, how could you do this?  You have taken my freedom of choice from me and condemned me to a marriage of convenience.  You knew that I did not wish to wed without the strongest of loves.”

“It is time to grow up and face reality, Lizzy.  You need to realize that I am doing the best thing possible for you.  Now, I will stand no more argument tonight.”  The carriage had arrived at the front of Longbourn.  Alex stepped from the carriage and turned to hand his sisters down.  Jane gratefully accepted his assistance; Elizabeth refused to allow her brother to aid her and she stomped her way into the house, up the stairs, and into her bedroom before slamming the door shut.

Once inside, Elizabeth threw herself on the bed and cried herself to sleep.

Chapter 4

Waking early the next morning, Elizabeth dressed quickly and made her escape before her brother woke.  She desperately needed to be on her own, spend some time gathering her thoughts.
  Fortunately, she could walk to Oakham Mount blindfolded, so she need not concentrate on watching her step.  Finally, she arrived at her favorite spot, well before sunrise, and sat down on the tree stump.  She pulled her shawl tighter around her as a chill ran down her spine. 

How could her brother make such an arrangement for her life without speaking to her first?  How could he make arrangements that would involve the rest of her life without any consideration for her feelings?

Hot, angry tears flowed down her cheek.  And Jane, no, her sister was by far no assistance in this matter.  How could Jane accept that whatever their brother decided for them was what would be?  Did she truly not care to have a loving relationship?  Was she so practical as to give up her hopes and dreams to do as she was told to do?

A sound brought Elizabeth’s attention back to the present.  Turning, she saw none other than Mr Darcy walking towards her.  Her temper began to rise inside her, wishing to explode and blow this man out of her life.

“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me.  I was planning to meet with your brother this morning, though I realized that I have not taken the time to truly speak with you.  You must be quite angry with me, if your brother told you of my request.”

“You mean your request to possess me for the rest of my life along with all of your other possessions?” Elizabeth stated with fury.

“Not possess you, Miss Elizabeth.  I admit that it will be difficult to believe me, but I found myself falling in love with you the moment I found you.  Or I should explain, it is much more than this.  Would you allow me to sit and tell you my tale?”

“I do not own this land, so I have no authority to refuse you to sit.”  Elizabeth stated without looking at him.

“Please, Miss Elizabeth, allow me to tell you everything and answer any questions you may have of me.”  Darcy looked for any sign that she was willing to hear him out.  Finally, he sat down as close to her as he could without being overwhelming.  “Miss Elizabeth, I must tell you a bit about who I am to begin.”

“I know who you are, Mr Darcy.  My family has been to Lambton and we have seen your estate.  I am young, but I know that you come from quite a wealthy and well known family.”

Smiling, Darcy nodded.  “Indeed, I have a very old and established family.  My parents were very happy together.  They were blessed with a son and a daughter.  My sister is a great deal younger than I,
and she lives at Pemberley with my mother.  We plan to have masters come to Pemberley to instruct my sister beginning this year.  Mother is frail and she has never taken to London’s air, so they remain on our estate.”