Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (32 page)

“She is in the process of packing her things, sir. After we received the letter from Miss Bingley—”

Bingley interrupted, “My sister?”

Mercer’s eyes found his shoes. “Yes, sir.”

“Whatever would she write to you regarding?”

Mercer did not respond, though he looked as though he was trying to form an answer.

“Show me the letter please.”

Mercer glanced at the footman now coming into the foyer with Bingley’s luggage. “May we go to your study, sir?”

Charles nodded and began in that direction with the elderly man following. As soon as they had closed the door, the butler pulled a worn letter from his coat pocket. It was obvious that he had read it often since receiving it.

“I… I wanted to hear it directly from you, sir. But when I tried, I was informed that you were not in London and could not be bothered. I feared taking Miss Bingley’s word.” He stopped, embarrassed. “I am sorry, but you were the one who hired me.”

Charles nodded, taking the letter and silently beginning to read. With every line his colour rose along with his anger. Finally, he stopped and tore the offending missive into tiny shreds, strode to the fireplace and tossed the pieces onto the grate.

“Be assured that my sister does not speak for me! Never listen to anything she says about your employment or the employment of the staff again. Please assure everyone still here that their positions are safe. Now, just who has gone?”

“Mrs. Watkins, as you know, has not left as yet. Neither has Ludlow, the livery manager, two maids, Hilda and Joan, and Hinton, a footman. It was only days ago that the others left. However, they are all local people, and I may be able to reach them in a short while.”

“Please try! Then have Mrs. Watkins inform me of any we may have to replace.”

As though a huge burden had been lifted from Mr. Mercer’s shoulders, he breathed an audible sigh of relief before assuming his usual blank expression. “Very well, sir.” He walked towards the door.

“Mercer?” The butler turned. “I apologise for my sister’s actions.”

“There is no apology necessary. I assure you, Mr. Bingley.” For the first time in a long time Mercer’s smile was genuine as he vacated the room.

Charles was livid. Why would Caroline tell the servants to prepare the house for closure by the month’s end, informing them that they were not going to be paid beyond that date? Was she hoping that having to re-staff the house might dissuade him from returning to Netherfield?

While he was angry enough to ride directly back to London that night to confront her, he determined he would not let Caroline ruin his plans. NO! He was going to see his angel if it was the last thing he did. Thus, grabbing a riding crop from the edge of his desk, where he had left it when last at Netherfield, he headed back to the foyer for his hat and coat. There was no time like the present to get one thing settled—an engagement!

~~~*~~~

London
Darcy House
The Study

Richard Fitzwilliam crossed William’s study to pour himself another brandy. Picking up the cut-glass decanter, he held it up in a questioning manner.

“No, I do not drink this early in the morning, and I have to wonder at your need for one.”

“Nonsense, Cousin!”  Richard guffawed, proceeding to pour an even larger glass than he had intended just to make his point. Replacing the stopper on the decanter, he smiled smugly at William as he sauntered over to sit back down in the chair in front of the desk.

“Only an officer would know the advantage of having a stiff drink early in the day. It has kept me going many a time when I felt I could not put one foot in front of the other. Try sleeping on the rocky ground for weeks, often in the rain, I might add, and see how well you function without a drink in the morning!”

“I did not mean to disparage you,” William sighed. “It is just that I worry about your ability to consume so much liquor. Besides, it is not as though you are sleeping on the ground at this time.”

“And this from a man who practically depleted his entire stock of French brandy when he returned to Town from Netherfield!”

“That was not my usual habit as you are well aware. I was just… disappointed.”

“Disappointed? You were crushed! And I had to concern myself with the fact that the best brandy France has to offer was being wasted on a drunken binge.”  Richard chucked to see a scowl mar his cousin’s face. He held the glass of caramel liquid to the light. “I have to admit that those blackguards have perfected the art of distilling brandy.”

“And did you come here just to sample my brandy and praise the French?”

“No, actually, I wanted to inform you that my spies have placed Wickham at your wife’s house several times in the last few weeks. I thought he had moved on after their first fling.”

“What in the world would he be doing at Gisela’s now?”

“Other than keeping her bed warm, I imagine conspiring against you.”
“I would not be surprised, although I thought she had progressed to more lucrative targets, such as Attenborough. That pompous fool would be aghast if he knew she was sleeping with someone so common. Why would she risk alienating him to be with Wickham?”

“Why indeed—unless she needs his skills as a thief, a liar and general trouble maker?” Richard rubbed his chin. “I do not like the thought of them keeping company again, so I have decided to have her followed in addition to having her house watched.”

“I appreciate your diligence, but at this moment, I do not want to be reminded of her. Would it be possible to change the subject to something more pleasant?”

“As you wish. Let us discuss the lovely object of your affection, Miss Bennet. I have just returned from York, and I have yet to hear the latest gossip. Mother and Alicia both left for Bath before I returned. Father and I never talk and Edgar… well, you know how often we converse.”

“Edgar and you are still not speaking?”

“Not since I got into an argument with that wife of his over my attentions to Miss Cooperton at Mother’s dinner party. The nerve of that harridan, lecturing me on the kind of woman I should pay my attentions to! It is not as though I do not know what is expected of me!” He calmed, wagging his brows. “I was just being charming, as usual. No harm done.”

“Frances would never forgive you if you married someone who did not fit well in her little troop of slanderous gossips. She feels it is her duty to guide you. After all, since she married the viscount, she has tried to dictate to all the family, including me.”

Richard laughed. “I remember how quickly she learned that you do not take orders! I shall never forget the look on her face when you told her in no uncertain terms that you had no intentions of attending any family events alongside Gisela. And right in front of Father and Mother!”

“Yes, well, I could have been more diplomatic, I suppose, but I was not in the mood for a lecture on family loyalty after what I had endured. I can only wonder why Aunt Eleanor tolerates her controlling ways.”

“Mother is only trying to keep peace because she dearly wants grandchildren.” Richard paused, and then raised his glass in a salute. “Oh, you are good! You successfully changed the subject! Let us get back to discussing Miss Bennet, shall we?”

William sighed heavily. He threw the pen that he had been absentmindedly twirling down on the desk. “There is nothing to talk about. She is gone!”

“Gone? As in already married? Gone back to Hertfordshire? How is she gone?”

“She has accompanied Wilkens’ sister to Ramsgate—to Gatesbridge, his estate. It seems that his aunt, Lady Hawthorne, is having a birthday celebration, and as her only close relations, he and his sister must attend. He is the woman’s heir, you know.”

“Yes, I remember Father mentioning her name once at White’s when he and his cronies were finding fault with the Earl of Hampton. His remarks, if I remember correctly, were to the effect that it was a shame that a fool such as Wilkens would inherit her wealth and properties and effectively double his worth.”

“Thank you for reminding me.”

“That is still nothing compared to your worth, Darcy.”

William shrugged. “In any event, his sister insisted Elizabeth accompany her to Gatesbridge Manor, according to what she told Georgiana and Aunt Audrey when she was here.”

“She was here? In your home?”

“Yes. Surprisingly, Georgiana and I were in Hatchards’ bookshop, and while I was inspecting one section and she another, she met Elizabeth. They felt an immediate affinity, and Georgiana invited her to tea. I did not expect her to actually follow through once she knew of our connection, but she, Lady Holmes and Lady Wilkens did call a few days later.”

“How did you handle seeing her again—having her under your roof?”

“Not well, I fear. I thought I had convinced myself that I could let her go—that it would be for the best. But once I realised she would be near enough to touch, it was all I thought about. I acknowledge it was as though I had lost all reason. I managed to get her alone for a few precious moments when they were leaving, and all my feelings came to the surface. I confessed that I love her… that I had loved her since first we met.”

“And?”

“She admitted her love for me.” William took a ragged breath as the sting of her words tortured him anew. “But she allows that it changes nothing.”

“And she accompanied his sister to Gatesbridge even afterward?”

William sighed, dropping his head in his hands and rubbing his eyes wearily. “Yes.”

A low whistle escaped Richard’s lips. “That does not bode well, Darcy. It sounds as though she is resigned to doing her duty. Moreover, I do not trust that rogue with Miss Bennet as his prisoner—I mean, guest.”

“Neither do I, but Aunt Audrey and Georgiana are on the way to Ramsgate as we speak. You remember the art lessons?” At Richard’s nod, he continued, “Aunt Audrey has pledged to keep an eye on Elizabeth in my stead.”

William stood, moving to the windows, where he stared into the garden. “I fear that she may agree to marry that… that cad. It takes all my strength not to have my horse saddled and go after her.”

Richard moved to stand beside him, clasping his shoulder. “If I thought you could get away with it, I would encourage you to kidnap her and take her to your estate in Scotland.” Suddenly an idea popped into his head. “Do you want me to travel to Ramsgate, just to keep an eye on things? I can always get clearance by feigning a need to consult with Colonel Harris, who commands the troops in that sector.”

Slowly William’s head swung back and forth. “As a friend to Lady Hawthorne, Aunt Audrey contends she will be in the thick of all the social gathering that will no doubt include Elizabeth. She and Georgiana are even going to stay at Hawthorne Hall. I can only pray that Elizabeth will feel comfortable enough with our aunt to confide in her if something goes amiss.”

By now, Richard had procured a small glass of brandy for William. As he tendered the drink, he offered words of comfort. “Take heart, Darcy. At least you know she is in love with you, not Wilkens.”

William did not refuse the drink this time, but his growing despondency was evident. “I am beginning to wonder if that really matters in the grand scheme of things. Can you name any of our acquaintances who married for love? I cannot.”

He downed the contents in one swallow. “Just look at me.” 

~~~*~~~

Longbourn

As Charles crossed the creek that marked the separation of Netherfield and Longbourn, his heart began to race. Soon he would see his angel! Purposely not taking the main road between the two estates, he had opted instead to get there faster by way of a shortcut. He was in no mood to prolong the separation from Jane by even a few minutes, and this route would end near the gardens at the back of Longbourn, rather than the front drive.

Weeks of separation had left him worrying that her affections might have waned, though his love for her had never faltered. However, accidentally encountering Miss Elizabeth in London and gaining her assurance that Jane would welcome his return had caused his hopes to soar. He had even spent the greater part of the trip back to Meryton practicing what to say when he pressed his suit. Now nearing her home, he began once more to practice the various ways to begin the most important conversation of his life.

Miss Bennet—Jane, I must tell you how ardently I love and admire…   

No! That sounds more like Darcy than me.

Dearest Jane, I have thought of nothing these last few weeks but seeing you again. You must agree to… 

No, no. I must ask, not demand.

My love, I am determined that my family shall not dictate…

That will never do! Why mention that my family will not approve when it has no bearing on what I decide. Oh my, I should have settled on a course before now!

At that very moment, Bingley rounded the last copse of oaks near Longbourn and was shocked to find the woman of his dreams sitting in the garden with another man—John Lucas, if he remembered correctly.  As he reined in his horse to observe, Lucas leaned across a small iron table, holding out a handful of roses to Jane as an offering. She took the flowers in one hand while her would-be suitor captured the other and brought it to his lips.

Good Lord! He is courting my Jane!

Charles was livid! Despite his practiced professions of love, his reaction was completely spontaneous and nothing like he had planned. He kicked the stallion into a run, charging ahead like a madman going to do battle, his expression determined—face set like flint!

Lucas, whose back was to Bingley, was completely unaware of his approach, while Jane had a clear view of everything.  Over Mr. Lucas’ shoulder, she could clearly see Bingley galloping towards them, and her eyes grew wide as saucers. Unable to utter a sound, she unconsciously held her breath in expectation of what was about to happen.

Only upon hearing the approaching hoof beats did Lucas turn to ascertain what fool might be leading an assault on their position.  Scrambling to get on top of the bench, he was too frightened to decide whether to run or stay on his perch. While he was thus occupied in saving his life, Jane moved to stand on the far side of the table, exactly where Mr. Bingley’s stallion was headed. When it became clear that he was not going to stop but only to slow down, she held her breath. Meanwhile, Bingley swooped down to grab her around the waist, pulling her onto the horse, turned the beast and spurred the creature into a full gallop back into the woods.