Unforgiving Temper (69 page)

Elizabeth laughed lightly. “A long
engagement? Being paraded around the neighborhood by my mother like
a prize mare while pretending not to hear ill-concealed remarks
about my scandalous behavior? No, sir, a long engagement is not
what I would wish for by any means! Besides…” She stopped abruptly
and began to rise, but Darcy held her back.

“Besides?”

Elizabeth looked down, playing with a corner
of the bedsheet as a bright pink colored her cheeks. “Besides,” she
whispered, “I can think of no greater pleasure than that of
becoming your wife.”

If Elizabeth could have met his eyes at that
moment, she would have seen how well an expression of heartfelt
delight became him. Although she could not bear to look at him, she
could feel the comforting squeeze of his hand and hear the joy and
pleasure in his voice as he replied. “Then I shall speak to your
mother, and we shall marry as soon as may be!”

“You – speak to my mother?! I do not think
that a very good idea. You do not know how truly difficult she can
be!”

“I know well enough how to approach her,
believe me. I have had years of practice with the most determined
mothers of marriageable daughters that society has to offer, and
now I can finally put that experience to good use.”

“Very well, you may try – and if you are
successful, you are a better man than I thought! When shall you
speak to my father?”

“I will send a note this evening asking him
to call on me here tomorrow morning. If you will ask Mrs. Bingley
to extend an invitation to Mrs. Bennet for lunch, then I shall
be able to speak with her shortly after I have secured your
father's permission. I will send Denham to London with instructions
for completing the arrangements I started, and all should be ready
in four or five days.”

“That seems a very good plan, indeed;
however, I would ask one condition.”

Darcy's brow rose cautiously. “And what is
that?”

“Nothing as remarkable as yours, I assure
you! I only ask that I speak with my father before he comes
tomorrow. This is all quite astonishing – even for me, and I have
had
some
prior knowledge of your feelings for me. I fear
your request for my hand, without the slightest hint of its coming,
would be too great a shock for him.” She lightly traced the
stitching on the cuff of his shirt before raising her eyes to
examine the effects of her words. “Would you mind terribly? Of all
his daughters, he will feel my absence the most. It would make me
very happy if I could ease the separation just a little.”

“I live for no other purpose than to make you
happy,” Darcy replied with a smoldering look, “Is there anything
else you wish?”

“No, sir, that is all.”

“Then it is settled and I should like to seal
the bargain.”

He quickly pulled her in, stopping any
further conversation with his lips. Elizabeth eagerly returned the
kiss, completely lost in the utter delight of knowing he was
everything she had ever wanted and that he would be hers for the
rest of her life.

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam's face hardened
as Pemberley's impressive façade came into view. In a matter of
minutes, he would be greeting its master. Had it really only been a
little more than a year since their last meeting? It seemed a
lifetime ago that he stood in the tiny Meryton church, signing his
name as witness for Darcy's marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. He had
scarcely discharged his duties as best man when news of General
Wellesley's advances in Spain arrived, calling him back to his
regiment. Within a few short weeks, he had found himself in Spain,
facing the French forces at Vitoria.

Slowly dropping his gaze, Richard noticed a
perfect miniature of his grim countenance staring up at him from
the polished knob of his walking stick, and he forced his features
into a more agreeable expression. It was imperative he not allow
any weakness to show.

The Darcys were well aware of his crippling
injury and difficult recovery, thus he anticipated a full measure
of doting sympathy from them. It would be unavoidable.
Nevertheless, he would not tolerate any pity nor would he be
treated as an invalid. Richard threw a stern glance to the valet
seated across from him as the carriage rolled to a stop.

“I shall manage this on my own, Daniel. You
may see to the luggage.”

“I am sorry, sir,” the younger man braced for
yet another battle with his employer's son, “Lord Matlock's
instructions were to attend at all times. Any further injury to
your leg would –”

“Nevertheless, you will keep your distance. I
agreed to bring you simply to appease his Lordship, nothing more.
If and when I need your assistance, I shall ask for it.”

“Colonel, your father was quite explicit. If
I should fail in my duties, I shall be dismissed.”

“Get in my way and
I
shall send you
packing. Do I make myself clear?”

Daniel stubbornly returned Richard's stare
for a moment, then gave a curt nod. “Very well, sir.”

In the next moment, a footman approached the
carriage, opening the door and letting down the steps. Giving one
final look to Daniel, Richard turned his attention to exiting the
carriage with as much grace as his leg would allow. Every muscle in
his body tensed in anticipation of what was to come.

In spite of his cane bearing most of the
weight, bolts of white-hot pain shot through his leg as he stood,
escalating to agonizing spasms when he stepped down to the graveled
drive. Standing next to the carriage, he was forced to pause,
allowing for the searing pain to settle back into a more tolerable
ache before he attempted the broad flight of steps before him.

A minor disagreement between the head footman
and Daniel, which skillfully diverted the remaining servants'
attention away from Richard's situation, signaled an opportune time
for him to begin the arduous climb. Locking his jaw in staid
determination, he managed to complete the task without any outward
signs of distress, and paused only when he finally entered
Pemberley's main hall.

His leg was throbbing in tandem with his
pounding heart and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. A
footman cautiously came forward to take his coat, making Richard
realize he must look as terrible as he felt. If he had this effect
on a servant, what would Darcy and Elizabeth think? Quickly he
wiped his brow and took several fortifying breaths. He was grateful
he had recovered tolerably well by the time Darcy and Elizabeth
appeared.

Darcy's warm greeting was accompanied by a
gentle clap on the back. “Richard, we did not expect you until
tomorrow! It is good to see you at last! I am glad you finally
decided to accept our invitation.”

“Welcome, Colonel,” Elizabeth added with a
concerned smile. “I hope the journey was not too difficult. You
look a little tired.”

“Thank you, Darcy, I am glad to be here. And
I thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Darcy, but the journey was no
more than expected. A small price to pay for the pleasure of
visiting Pemberley.” Richard saw the apprehension that their smiles
could not hide and returned the greetings with a resolute
enthusiasm. “I thought it time I come and see how you two are
faring. Obviously marriage suits you both very well!”

“Yes, indeed! Marriage, and living at
Pemberley.” Elizabeth beamed. “The country air will do you good as
well, Colonel. Much more than the dirty, smoke-filled air of
London. You shall see.”

“I am feeling better already! Pemberley has
always been my favorite, you know.”

“Then I hope your stay with us will be a long
one; but let us not stand in the doorway!” Elizabeth took Richard's
arm and gently guided him down the hall. “Come have some tea and
tell us all the news. How are your parents – are they well?”

They entered a sitting room Richard
recognized as one that had not been used since the death of Darcy's
mother. Except for a few minor changes that were distinctly
Elizabeth, the room was as he remembered it. He smiled at the
thought of it now being used by the new Mrs. Darcy.

Following her direction, Richard took a seat
in a wing chair covered in deep blue silk as Elizabeth settled
herself on a matching couch opposite him. Darcy glided smoothly
down next to his wife. Without appearing to even think about it,
they moved in a perfect, seamless complement to one another. A
spark of envy flared in Richard's chest at the idyllic life Darcy
had found – something the future was not likely to hold for him,
not now.

“My parents are both in excellent health,
thank you. Mother sends her love to you, Mrs. Darcy; but I am to
say, for you, Darcy, she sends no regards.” Richard leaned back in
his chair, stretching his leg and walking stick out before him.
“She is cross with you for having lured me into the country instead
of coming to town yourself. But I dare say she will get over it
soon enough. She never could stay angry with you for long.”

“Fortunate for me,” Darcy grinned
shamelessly. “I have already explained that Georgiana has elected
to wait another year before being presented at court, and quite
honestly, we are glad for it. We have other, more pressing business
here at Pemberley this year.”

Richard saw the brief, enigmatic smile that
lit Elizabeth's face as she spoke. “Besides, the thought of missing
Pemberley in the spring was too much to contemplate.”

“The family will be disappointed, you know.
Mother tells me you have been very little in town since your
marriage and they are all quite anxious to spend more time getting
acquainted with Darcy's bride. Having said that, I suspect you are
much better off staying here at Pemberley. I believe the real
motive behind Mother's invitation was to have an accomplice in her
quest to push me into society. She has the mistaken impression that
I am still a desirable prospect for the ladies.” Richard fought to
keep the bitterness from his voice. “But I am a realist. No one is
in the market for damaged goods – and a second son to boot! Your
invitation to Pemberley was vastly more appealing than a season in
London.”

Coming had indeed seemed more appealing than
remaining at his father's house and facing the ton, but now that he
was here, Richard was beginning to think this choice would prove to
be the more painful of the two. The tenderness in Elizabeth's voice
as she spoke again only made his own circumstances all the more
dismal.

“This is the perfect place for you right now,
Colonel. Pemberley's fresh air and a little exercise will go a long
way in improving your leg – and your spirits. You must not give up
on the ladies just yet.”

“As I said, I am a realist. It only took one
dinner party to dispel any doubts I may have had. While the ladies
may be amiable for the sake of a wounded soldier, I can tell you
that facing the charge of a French cavalry is nothing compared to
the charge of marriage-minded mothers who see an unwelcome suitor
engaging their daughters in conversation.” Richard snorted softly.
“No, unlike my mother, I have no false hopes.”

The spark flared in his chest once again as
he watched Darcy's arm unconsciously encircle Elizabeth in a gentle
embrace. He was at least grateful there was encouragement and not
pity in his cousin's next words.

“I am told the doctors have every hope your
condition will improve substantially. It is only a matter of time.
Perhaps next season will be a better time for you – after you have
had more time to recover. Injuries such as yours require patience
to mend properly.”

“Yes, I suppose you are right. But patience
is one commodity I seem to have in short supply these days.”
Richard stifled a sigh. This season or next, he would never be
fortunate enough to find so perfect a match as he saw in Darcy and
Elizabeth. In spite of his morose thoughts, he could not begrudge
their blissful union. He truly wished them every happiness. With
renewed determination to enjoy his visit, Richard summoned a
cheerful smile. “So, tell me what has happened since I went away.
Did the inquiry into Wickham's death go well?”

Darcy's face darkened. “Yes, well enough.
Mrs. Younge was sent to Newgate almost immediately. You can
well imagine the conditions there. She tried to blackmail her way
out, threatening to disclose the details of that summer in Ramsgate
if I did not help her.”

Richard bolted forward, the action pulling
painfully at his leg. “Not Ramsgate…not Georgiana?!”

“Yes, I am afraid so. Of course, I could not
allow it, and so I agreed to see what I could do. I began inquires
to have her shipped to the penal colonies instead of going to the
gallows. It turned out to be an unnecessary effort as two days
later I received word that she had fallen into a fever. She never
recovered, and took her information to the grave.”

“Thank heavens for that,” Richard growled.
“Even as far away as Australia she would have been a threat. She
would have found some way to bleed you dry, Darcy. Forgive me for
saying so, Mrs. Darcy, but Younge and Wickham got what they
deserved. Good riddance, I say.”

Elizabeth's brow furrowed thoughtfully. “I
wonder what it is that drives one to be so unfeeling, so bent on
seeking revenge at any cost. Mrs. Younge, Lord Grissholm,
and especially Mr. Wickham... they all had opportunity to make
something of their lives; yet they wasted it by blaming others for
their failures. The thirst for vengeance prevented them from
realizing a happy, productive life was within their power at any
time. And in the end, they all paid a terrible price.
Lady Catherine still lives, but I cannot say it is a pleasant
existence.”

Darcy's arm tightened protectively around
Elizabeth. “Nor does she deserve one after her despicable behavior.
To think of the outrageous, contemptible things she – ” Elizabeth
laid her hand on Darcy's arm, sending a gentle, unspoken message.
Biting his lip in frustration, Darcy took a deep, cleansing breath.
“Elizabeth is of the opinion that Aunt Catherine deserves our pity.
I cannot bring myself to be so generous! The earl has her under
lock and key; but the truth is she still lives, no matter how
wretchedly. That is more than she would have given Elizabeth, and I
can never forgive her for that!”