Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (45 page)

“Elizabeth!”  Darcy’s head hung.  “What have I done?”  He whispered, torn about what to do.  Her ring anywhere but on her hand made his heart twist, but it also hardened his resolve.  “She will see I am correct, and I do this for her own good.  I cannot allow my authority to be tested in this matter.  Not after hearing the men at the club.”   He glanced again at the ring, and picked it up.  It barely fit over the tip of his smallest finger.  Clutching it in his hand; he strode through the open door into the hallway, demanding the immediate delivery of his coat and hat.  While he waited, he stared at the steps.

“Sir?”  Lowry asked quietly, as he held out the coat, then handed him the hat. 

“Mrs. Darcy . . .” Darcy’s hat turned in his hands.  “Mrs. Darcy is unwell; please see to her until I return . . . I will not be long.  She . . . misplaced this.”  He carefully placed the ring into his butler’s palm.  “Please see that it is returned to her, she should not be without it.”  His jaw set, he placed his hat on his head and walked out of the house.

“Yes, sir.”  The butler bowed and watched him boarding the coach.  Glancing up at the house, Darcy looked for her face in a window, but saw nothing as they moved away.

As soon as she arrived upstairs, Elizabeth went to her dressing room, finding Judy mysteriously appearing from the servant’s stairs.

“I want to change my dress . . . the . . . the blue one.”  She pointed into the closet and Judy touched the dress.  “Yes, the one I brought from home.”  She started to sob again.  “That is all I am good enough to wear.”

“Mrs. Darcy . . .”

“And the boots, there, my old ones.”  She began tearing off the beautiful new gown she had just received from the modiste.  Helplessly, Judy dressed her mistress.  “Mrs. Darcy, is there anything I can do?”

Elizabeth shook her head, and wiping her eyes, she stared at her blotchy face in the mirror and spun away, pulling on her old coat.  Grabbing a bonnet that she knew he hated, she started for the door.  She paused with the handle in her hand when she saw how bare her finger was without her ring.  It felt so odd without it there.  Beginning to sob again, she held her face in her hands, and did not notice the door opening until she heard Parker’s softly clearing throat.  In his hand lay her ring.

“Mr. Darcy hoped that you would like this back.”  He placed it into her palm and stepped away.  Elizabeth wiped the tears and looked at the circle of gold; her eyes following the engraving, endlessly entwined flowering vines.  Drawing a shaky breath, she walked to the window, and standing away from the glass, watched his carriage depart.  The ring remained in her palm and looking back down, she noticed for the first time the engraving within. 

For Always, my love.  FD

“oh.” 

“Mrs. Darcy?”  Parker spoke gently.  “Are you well, madam?  May I fetch Judy back for you?”

“Mr. Darcy’s ring.”  Elizabeth looked up suddenly.  “The one he hides from me, he is not wearing it today.”

“No, madam.”  He added hesitantly, “He only wears it when you are separated; he removed it when he returned home.”

“Why?”  She demanded and walking past the valet went into Darcy’s dressing room.  “Show it to me.  Was it a gift from someone?”

“No, madam, he had it made . . .” Parker hurriedly pulled out the jewel case while Elizabeth waited impatiently.  “Here, madam.” 

She took it and gasped, her hand moving to her mouth.  It was a gold band, decorated with the identical vines from her ring, and boldly engraved on its face were their initials.  “How long has he had this?”

“I know that he began wearing it when you became engaged, madam.  It was his constant companion.”  She looked up from the band and to Parker for more.  “When he is upset he . . .”

“Rubs it.” 

“Yes, madam.”  He cast his eyes down.  “He will be missing it soon, if he does not already.”

“Why does he not wear it all of the time?”  She whispered.  “I would love to see this on his hand.”

“I believe madam, that he waits for something to happen first.”  The valet spoke barely above a whisper and kept his eyes to the floor.  Elizabeth felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she realized Parker knew that they had not yet consummated their marriage.

“How long have you been with Mr. Darcy?”

“Ten years, madam.” 

“You know him intimately, you know of his behaviour and his personality.”

“I would not presume to . . .”

“Parker.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Have you ever known Mr. Darcy to purposely hurt anyone who he cared for?”

“No madam, I have seen him go to the ends of the earth to protect those people.  He is fiercely protective of two people.”  Elizabeth looked at him and knew that she was one, his sister the other.  Parker hesitated and added softly, “He spent years protecting Mr. Wickham until he finally felt that he had done his duty.   Sometimes his loyalty is . . .” His mouth shut, but his opinion was clearly evident.

“Misplaced, but still true, even to those who do not deserve it.  Thank you, Parker.”  Elizabeth whispered, and slipping her wedding band back on, she then put on his ring, so large that it slipped easily over her own.  “If Mr. Darcy is looking for this, he will have to come and retrieve it.”

Parker’s eyes widened.   “Where madam?  It will be dark soon.” 

“He knows where.”  She turned and left the room, and walked down the stairs.  “Mr. Lowry, please find me a cab.”

“Madam?”  He stared and seeing Mrs. Gaston appearing in the background; cleared his throat.  “Perhaps when Mr. Darcy returns, you could go in the carriage, it is not safe for you to travel alone.”  Elizabeth glared at him.  “Madam, please . . .  Mr. Darcy will be furious with us . . .”

“Are you finding me a cab, Lowry?”

“Madam . . .” 

Frustrated, she pulled on her gloves, and opened the door.  She walked out to the street and seeing a gentleman about to board a cab down the block called out to him.  “Sir!”  She smiled beautifully when he looked up.  “Oh thank you so much!”  He gaped as she climbed inside.  “Please close the door, I am in quite a rush.”  He closed it and stared as the cab set off. 

“Wait!”  He cried. 

Mrs. Gaston pushed a footman out the door.  “Go with her!  The master will kill us if we let her go alone!  And send back word when she alights somewhere!” 

Running, he took off after the cab, and slowed by the traffic, he easily was able to grab the handholds in the back and climb aboard.  When the cab stopped at the intersection with Oxford Street, he heard the driver yell down to Elizabeth.  “Ma’am, where are you headed?”

“Gracechurch Street, number ten.”

“Yes, ma’am!”  He snapped his reins and they were off. 

“WHAT IS IT UNCLE?”  Darcy demanded impatiently when he practically burst into his study. 

Judge Darcy looked up in surprise and steepling his fingers, studied him curiously.  “Is something bothering you?”

“Yes, I should not have left home.”  He breathed forcefully through his nose, uncannily resembling a bull stamping before a matador waving his distracting red cape.  He strode angrily around the study and reached for his ring, then swore when he saw it was missing.  That instantly brought the memory of Elizabeth’s ring off her finger to mind and he kicked himself once more.  His hand went to rub over his chest and catching sight of his uncle watching him, he straightened.  “Well, I am here.  Say your piece Uncle, have you found him?  If you have not, I am leaving.”

“Trouble in paradise already?”  He observed calmly and poked at him, “Or is this just a man who has decided he has foolishly given up his husbandly rights and has rethought the issue.  Am I seeing a spectacular display of sexual frustration?”  Darcy shot him a look of warning and the judge laughed, “You are anxious to begin your duties, you have at last seen the light!  Good for you!  Excellent!”  Rising to his feet, he held out his hand.  “I am proud of you.  Now, get Georgiana recovered, and I will work on Samuel, we will have them married this month . . .”

“Uncle, I do not want to hear another word of your opinion of my marriage or my sister’s child.  Do you have news of Wickham or not?”  Darcy growled.

“He was spotted . . .”

“Is he in custody?  Has he been questioned?  Is he dead?”

“No.” 

“Then I am wasting my time, excuse me.”  He spun and went to the door, then turned back and glared at his Uncle.  “Do not summon me without cause again.  Do not lead me to believe that something of significance has occurred when it is nothing but the same tired demands.”

The judge’s face reddened.  “Do you know who you are speaking to?”

“Do you know who
you
are speaking to?”  Darcy’s fiery gaze matched his uncle’s perfectly and he strode out of the house and back into his waiting carriage. 

Samuel met him on the sidewalk and smiled.  “Darcy, this is a pleasant . . . what is wrong?” 

“I have to return home.”  He stopped and glanced at the house.  “Your father is not in a good mood, can I drop you somewhere?”

“He sent for me . . .”

“His reason is nonexistent.  I imagine he will not be pleasant company this evening.”

“I am not worried about my father.”  Samuel’s brow creased as he studied his clearly infuriated cousin.  “Is Elizabeth well?”

Darcy visibly deflated.  “Your concern is where mine belongs.” 

Samuel watched as Darcy climbed into the carriage and it was off.  “I hope she is well, Cousin.”   

“Mr. Darcy . . .”  Lowry tried to catch him as he flew inside and took the steps two at a time. 

Darcy went straight to Elizabeth’s door.  He stopped and drew a deep breath, straightened his coat, and knocked.  Hearing nothing, he knocked again and opened the door.  “Elizabeth?”  He entered and looked around the empty room.  “Elizabeth?”  He looked in her dressing room then walked out to their sitting room and on to his chambers.  He stood still, unsure where she might be.  “The library?” 

Starting to leave he turned back and went into his dressing room.  Finding his jewel case, he opened it to retrieve his ring.  “Where is it?”  He started pawing through the stickpins and cufflinks, finally picking up the case and dumping the contents onto the dresser.  “
WHERE
is it!” 

“Mr. Darcy, sir.” 

Spinning, Darcy faced his valet.  “Mrs. Darcy has your ring, sir.”

His eyes widened, “Mrs. Darcy has it?  How did she? Where is she?”

Parker steeled himself and addressed his waistcoat.  “She said that you would know where she is and that you could retrieve your ring there.”

“
Pardon?
” 

“She left, sir.” 

“She left me?”   Immediately his eyes went to the window and he felt his chest grow tight as his heart began to pound.  Without a word he flew from the room and down the stairs.  Parker heard him interrogating Lowry before seeing Darcy yelling orders to his coachman and climbing inside.  He returned to the dressing room and began to clean up the scattered jewels.  Opening the empty box that usually held the ring; he looked at the velvet before closing it up with a snap.  “Don’t worry, sir.  She wants to be found.”

Chapter 15

“L
izzy!  What a surprise to see you today!”  Mrs. Gardiner hugged her and stood back, beaming and holding her hands.  “Let me look at you!”  She hesitated, noticing her dress and boots, then as her smile faltered, she looked over Elizabeth’s shoulder, “Where is Mr. Darcy?  We are so looking forward to meeting him.”  Elizabeth burst into tears and Mrs. Gardiner held her tightly.  “Whatever is wrong?  Lizzy?  What is it, dear?”

“Oh Aunt . . . I do not know what to do, we had a terrible argument and . . . and he left . . . and . . . I left . . .”  Mrs. Gardiner noticed her husband entering the room and closing the door behind him. 

“What’s all this, then?”  He smiled and held out his arms.  “There, there, you have not cried in my embrace since you were a little girl.”  He spoke softly and squeezing her, let go and led her to a sofa.  “Now then, what is this about?  Where is your husband?”

“At his uncle’s home.  The judge.”

“I see.”  He looked at his wife and back to Elizabeth.  “And you fought?  Can you tell me the subject of your disagreement, or is it private?”

“I am sure that all of the servants heard it.  What they must think of us.”  She wiped her eyes and looked up to see their concerned faces.  “Mr. Darcy heard of your invitation and refused me permission to come for dinner.”  She stared down at her hands and missed the couple exchanging glances.  “He told me that Mrs. Darcy does not go to Cheapside.”  Her anger rising, she jumped up.  “How dare he tell me that I cannot visit you!  His family is hardly without fault!”

“Did he cut off our connection, Lizzy?”  Mr. Gardiner asked quietly.

“No, he said that you may pay a call, but that we may not dine together . . . that he is
protecting
me from gossip.  Gossip spread by
his
aunt!  And the way he said it, in such a superior manner!  As if I should be grateful for his condescension to allow that much!  It is the most ridiculous, unreasonable, horrible . . .”

Mr. Gardiner held up his hand.  “Mr. Darcy is quite right.  Mrs. Darcy does not go to Cheapside to visit, if anything we, as the lesser party, would come to you.  It is our mistake for inviting you here.  We forgot that your position has changed.”

Elizabeth stared.  “What are you saying?  There is nothing low about you!” 

“In comparison to your husband, yes dear, there is.  Your uncle is a successful man, but he is not gentry, nor will he ever be.  That is just the way things are, and it really should not surprise you.   If your husband appears proud, it is with reason.  If he is saddled with an aunt who does not like you, it is very likely that he is indeed protecting you from giving her further fodder.”  Mrs. Gardiner watched Elizabeth struggling to accept her statement.  “I told you that I once lived near Pemberley.  You have married into a very great family, and in Derbyshire, the name is revered, and I imagine it is quite important in London, as well.”  She smiled when Elizabeth’s brow creased.  “Even
your
husband is subject to the divisions of class.  He is not titled; I imagine that there are those who find him unacceptable.”  Defiance appeared in Elizabeth’s eye and her aunt nodded her approval.  “I was so delighted and amazed when I learned who you would marry.  Such fortune you have.”