Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (6 page)

“I failed her as a parent, whatever I did that left her susceptible to Wickham . . .”

“If you blame yourself again, Darcy, I swear to God I will draw my blade and cut out your tongue!”  Richard growled.  The two cousins glared at each other and Richard, recognizing the stubborn set of his jaw, let out an exasperated breath.  “So this girl has agreed to these terms?  She must assuredly be a fortune hunter to agree to this!”

“She is no fortune hunter!”  Darcy said heatedly.  Richard watched his reaction with surprise.  Darcy’s face flushed with the insult.  “Besides . . . she does not know.”

“She does not know?” 

“No.”  Darcy sighed.  “I have not told her.”

“I am sure that she will be thrilled with the news, however, the riches she will achieve as Mistress of Pemberley are undoubtedly compensation enough.”

Instantly he snarled.  “If you insult Elizabeth again, Richard, I will call you out!  This will be my wife, I expect you to treat her with the respect she deserves, regardless of her origins or the circumstances of our marriage.” 

Raising his hand, Richard asked for calm.  He studied Darcy’s expression and twisting hands curiously, and reduced the derogatory tone in his voice.  “You could have simply proposed, and kissed her in celebration afterwards.  There is no doubt that she would have accepted you.” 

“Apparently not.”  He laughed hollowly.  “She disliked me with good reason it seems, and mistook my clumsy attention for insult rather than admiration.”

“You had to convince her to accept you?”  Richard was incredulous and Darcy nodded.  “And she knows nothing of your plans?”

“No, I begged her to trust me, and she . . . hesitantly agreed, and demands honesty sooner than later, but she did accept me.”  He thought of how she leaned into his arms and allowed his kiss when they said goodbye, and felt the tension leaving his body.  “She also does not know that her father was on the verge of marrying her off to a cousin, or that . . .” He realized that Richard would not be impressed with Elizabeth’s troubles.  “I took advantage of Mr. Bennet’s desperation.”

“Did you think she would refuse you?  Did you suspect her willingness, hence your action?”

“No, I . . . refusal was the last thing on my mind, but . . . I just did not wish to give her much choice.”

“And why is that?”  Richard pressed.  He examined his cousin carefully.  “You care for her.  You actually wanted her before you received this news of Georgiana.  You were considering her!”

Darcy’s face coloured.  “I . . . I felt the danger of my admiration.” 

“Danger.”  Richard snorted.  “You felt the danger of our elders’ displeasure, not to mention the reaction of our society.  Good Lord, Darcy.  You let infatuation get the best of you.  And now you are tied to her.” 

“I tell you for the last time, do not dare to speak against her.”  His voice took on a dangerous edge.

“I did not.  But I pity the woman.  She is in for a hellish introduction to society.  If you cared for her, you would have left her alone.”

“No . . . I think that I saved her from far worse.”  Darcy’s shoulders slumped as he hoped he was correct.  “I like her.  She is the most impressive woman of my acquaintance.”

“You like her.  Live with your delusion if it makes you feel better.  But she would probably like to know what your reasons are for selecting her.”

“I promised to tell her all . . . after we are married.”  Hearing Richard’s laugh he hung his head again.

“So she cannot run away from being mother to your sister’s child?  I do not see her appreciating this.”

“I have no doubt that she will not hesitate to express her opinion.”  Darcy said softly and Richard’s brow creased as he saw a small smile appear. 

“What of our family?”

Darcy’s eyes closed.   “I will send notices to the papers immediately.  I will write to your parents and Lady Catherine as well.  Uncle Darcy . . .”

“Is in Town, court is in session.”  Richard’s head tilted.  “What will he say?  He loves Pemberley.”

“He lives there, of course he does.  He holds it dearly, just as I do.”  Darcy looked up to a portrait of his father.  “Uncle will understand.  I marry Elizabeth to save my sister.”

“From his son?”  Richard laughed.  “That is not a convincing argument.  I suggest that you do better before facing him or you will be down to one relative who supports you.”  He stood and clasped Darcy’s shoulder.  “I will accept this Elizabeth because you have asked me to do so.  I am unsure of this course you have taken, Darcy, but I will fight to the death your right to be a fool.”  Darcy rose to his feet and the men embraced. 

“Thank you, Richard.  I hope that she wins your good opinion.”  He laughed softly.  “I pray that I do not lose hers.”

Richard clapped his back.  “I was under the impression that you have yet to earn it!”

“THANK YOU, MR. BINGLEY.”  Jane smiled as he led her to a seat in the dining room.

“It is my pleasure, Miss Bennet.”  He smiled just as brightly and looked up to see Elizabeth hesitating at the door.  “Miss Elizabeth, please, take this seat beside me.”  He held the chair opposite Jane and waited for her to be seated, and then stood behind his chair.  “I am rather enjoying playing host.  I will be very sorry to see you leave this morning.  Is there any way that I might persuade you both to stay?”

“Really, Charles.”  Caroline sniffed.  “Miss Bennet is clearly well, and surely her family misses her.”  Looking towards Elizabeth, she glared.  “And Miss Elizabeth certainly was never needed at all.”

“My sister was a great comfort to me, Miss Bingley.”  Jane said quickly before Elizabeth had a chance to speak.  The sisters exchanged glances.  Elizabeth had told Jane of Darcy’s observations of Caroline and they had agreed not to antagonize the jealous woman, the meal the evening before had been tense enough. 

“I believe that your mother was of a mind that her presence was unnecessary.  Clearly it was, since she spent her time beguiling Mr. Darcy instead of caring for you.”

“I hardly set out to ensnare him, Miss Bingley.”  Elizabeth said coldly and received an exasperated look from Jane.  “The nature of his proposal was as much a surprise to me as it was to everyone else in this room.”

“Then why did you accept?”  Caroline demanded.

“She would be a fool not to.”  Hurst snorted and tore open a roll to slather with butter.  “It is Darcy after all.  Bingley, did not Darcy say something about the Bennet girls?”

“Undoubtedly.”  His eyes darted uncomfortably between them and he looked at his brother pointedly.

“Yes!”  Caroline crowed.  “Mr. Darcy said that their relations in trade would materially lessen their chances of marrying men of any consideration in the world!”

“Then Pemberley is an estate of little consequence?”  Elizabeth asked sweetly.

“Pemberley of little consequence?  Why, Miss Elizabeth, I realize that you have never been, but surely you would discern from our conversation that it is a home of great significance.”  Caroline rolled her eyes at Louisa.

“Oh forgive me; since you pointed out that I and my sisters were unlikely to marry distinguished men, I assumed that you meant Mr. Darcy.  I am engaged to him, am I not?” 

“That is not what I meant.”  Caroline snapped.

“Oh?”  Elizabeth took a sip from her glass of wine.  “What did you mean?  Did you mean to quote something that Mr. Darcy said, or should I say misquote or take out of context something that he said in order to turn me against him?  I assure you Miss Bingley, any attempt on
your
part to intimidate me from him will fail.  Somehow I do not see you as his mouthpiece.”

“He did speak of your fine eyes, Miss Elizabeth.”  Bingley jumped in hurriedly.

Elizabeth blushed and spoke shyly.  “Well, that is a quote I am glad to accept.  Thank you, Mr. Bingley.” 

“He did disdain your connections, Miss Elizabeth.”  Caroline declared.  “Only days ago!  How he could suddenly propose to you, I do not know.  What did you do to him?”

“Do?”  Elizabeth laughed.  “You witnessed the entire event, Miss Bingley!  And this statement of my connections that he made only recently, I cannot help but wonder what he was thinking as the words left his mouth.  However I will not presume to understand his mind.  I do believe that his proposal to me should give you cause to rejoice.”

“Rejoice!”  She gasped.

“Miss Elizabeth, how can you possibly make such a statement?”  Louisa demanded.

“Easily, Mrs. Hurst.  You are agreed that Mr. Darcy is a man of consequence, are you not?”

“Yes.”  She said slowly and exchanged glances with Caroline. 

“And he has chosen me, whatever the reason, despite my unfortunate connections?”

“Yes.”  She sighed impatiently.  “What is your point?”

“Why simply this, my connections to trade are only through an uncle, yours and Miss Bingley’s are through your father, an even more significant relationship.  If Mr. Darcy might entertain marrying a person like me, then perhaps some other gentlemen will consider you, Miss Bingley!  What happy news for you!”  Elizabeth smiled widely and looked to Jane who was shaking her head. 

Hurst snorted loudly and reached for his glass.  “She has you there, Caroline.”

“I can hardly be compared to Miss Elizabeth!” 

Louisa nodded.  “I should hope not!”

“Could we please change the subject?”  Bingley begged.  “Miss Bennet, I hope that you will be well enough to enjoy the ball I am planning.”

“Oh Mr. Bingley, you surely do not have to hold a ball to satisfy my sister’s request.”  Jane said softly.

“I must indeed; I will never disappoint a lady, even one as insistent as Miss Lydia.”  He relaxed and smiled.  “I was thinking we would hold it on Tuesday next, that would serve as a fine celebration of your pending nuptials, Miss Elizabeth.  At last perhaps, you might accept a dance from my friend?”  He cocked his head when she blushed.  “He would be delighted, I am sure.”

“I would be glad to accept him at last.”  Elizabeth said to her plate.  “If he asks once again.”

“I will be sure to tell him that upon his return.”  He winked and looked to Jane.  “And you Miss Bennet, I hereby beg for your hand for two sets.  The ball is in celebration of your recovery after all!”

She smiled gently, “Thank you, Mr. Bingley; I will be honoured to dance with you.” 

“Mama will be pleased.”  Elizabeth nudged her foot under the table, and received a kick in return.

Caroline and Louisa listened to the conversation and exchanged glances.  Darcy may be lost, but it was not too late to save their brother.

“WELL, WHAT IS THIS all about, Fitzwilliam?”  Judge Harding Darcy asked as the gentlemen took seats in his study Sunday afternoon.  “I was surprised to receive your note last night, but shocked to see you sitting across the aisle in church this morning, perhaps you Richard, more so than your cousin.”  He smiled and Darcy smirked when Richard shrugged. 

“I am not the most diligent churchgoer, at least when Mother is not about to make me feel guilty.  When I marry and have children to chivvy, then I will behave.” 

“I find it hard to believe anything will make you behave.”  Samuel Darcy grinned and gave Richard’s shoulder a friendly shove as he walked by.  “You have been ruined by the Horse Guards.”

“Never criticize a man in blue.  We may be younger sons, but that does not make us any less hardy.”  He patted his sword.  “Not all of us are useless.”

“Not all of you had your places handed to you.”  Harding nodded with appreciation.  “You make me proud.”

“Thank you, sir.”  Richard nodded.  “So I am forgiven my less than admirable churchgoing practices?”

“You will require a strong woman to be your partner in life.”  Harding laughed.  “Lest we ever see you settle down.”

“If I find a sweet woman like Mrs. Darcy, I will be lucky indeed, sir.” 

“Hmmm.”  Harding nodded at the reference to his wife.  “Well?”  He looked between them.  “I had no expectation of you returning to London for at least another month.  That was the plan.  You were to be away from Pemberley so there would be no requests to visit and to allow Georgiana to recover undisturbed.”  His sharp eyes moved between the two young men.  “Has something developed in her quarter?  Have you learned anything of Wickham’s whereabouts?”

“No, sir.  He is still at large, and we have no confirmation of a wedding.”

“After all this time, I think that we can assume that no wedding took place.”  His relief was obvious and he turned to his son and clapped his back.  “Samuel is prepared to marry his cousin immediately.”

“Father . . .”

“It is agreed that this is best plan for all of us.”  Turning to Darcy he caught him studying Samuel.  “What is the news?”

“Well.”  Darcy looked away from the uncomfortable young man and sat forward while clasping his hands.  “It seems that our worst fears have come to fruition.  We believe that Georgiana is with child.”

“Damn it!”  Harding’s face instantly reddened.  “Are you sure?  How do you know?  She had no symptoms when you found her.”

“Aunt Susan wrote to me at Netherfield with her suspicions, she waited some time to tell me, as Georgiana waited to tell her, but it seems that she may be just over a month, at least less than two, along.” 

“Susan wrote to you?”  His eyes widened in surprise.  “When was this?”

“I received the letter on Friday.”  Darcy saw a flash of anger in his uncle’s eyes.  “I was devastated as well.”

“Yes . . .  So this is likely the result of her last days with Wickham, after months as his supposed wife, it happened just as she was found.”  His voice became low and dangerous.  “If I ever find him . . .”

“I am afraid you will need to join the queue, sir.  Darcy has first dibs, and I assure you, I am right behind him.”  Richard growled.  “If Darcy was not hell bent on bundling Georgiana off in the carriage the moment she was found, I would have torn that village apart finding him.”

“If he had not made his ransom demand, I doubt that we ever would have located her, at least until he abandoned her and she somehow managed to send us word.  I still fail to understand him, why he did not marry her and demand the dowry . . .” Darcy closed his eyes and drew a breath.  “I am avoiding the subject.  The fact remains that she is with child.”