Compromised! Page 11

  It was Lady Catherine, her daughter Anne, Lord and Lady Matlock, and an unknown man about Darcy’s age. At the same time Darcy identified the passengers, Richard and Elizabeth stepped outside Longbourn. A quick glance at the windows showed the faces of Mrs. Bennet and her youngest daughters pressed against the glass.

  Before the confrontation began, Darcy jumped out of his carriage and mouthed “Jane” to Elizabeth. He watched as her eyes sparkled in pleased surprise at his arrival. She then stepped back inside the house and brought her sister out. Taking Georgiana’s arm, he quickly helped her from the transport and walked her to Miss Bennet, leaving his sister in her care. Jane hurried the young girl into the house and up the stairs to her bed chamber, a distance which would protect her from her angry relatives.

  He looked at his aunts and his uncle after turning to stand next to Elizabeth. She was flanked by Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he asked calmly, though his voice was firm. He would not be on the defensive. Darcy had learned years ago from his cousin how taking the offensive tack was the only way to get to the true nature of an encounter. “I demand to know this instant what brings you to the home of my betrothed.

  Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock began speaking at once. The stranger stood directly behind Lady Catherine and repeated every word she uttered as if it was his own. Unexpectedly, Anne de Bourgh moved to stand on the other side of the colonel. This served to increase the ire of Lady Catherine and his uncle.

  Richard leaned down to his cousin and whispered, “Well done, Anne.” She wrapped her arm inside his elbow, hanging on for strength. Tucking her hand close to his side, he vowed to protect her. He glanced down at her and was shocked at her wan appearance. The travel had weakened her to a point he had never seen. Richard could feel her shaking and suddenly knew it was not fear. His cousin was on the verge of collapse.

  Lady Catherine had been rendered speechless when her daughter moved past her. However, it was only a temporary condition. As she opened her mouth to express her extreme displeasure, Darcy held up his hand with his palm out.

  “Silence!” He started walking towards his aunts and uncle. Elizabeth, Anne, and Richard followed as one unit. “You will return to your carriages and leave. We will speak in the morning. The inn in Meryton will keep you until the morrow. Richard and I will arrive after breaking our fast. Anne will stay tonight with Georgiana. Only if she is strong enough to travel will we bring her with us.” His gaze moved over the adults in front of him, ignoring Mr. Collins. “We will not keep you any longer.”

  Bowing slightly out of respect for their positions, he spun on his heel and offered his arm to Elizabeth. The four of them walked to the doorway and stepped inside, not looking back.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Caroline Bingley tossed the last of her perfume bottles at the fireplace hearth with vigor and strength, surprising even her. The initial explosion when the liquid hit the flames served to increase her anger to the boiling point. How dare her brother think he could control her life!

  She had returned from a series of unfortunate calls when Bingley arrived from Hertfordshire with his plan. Earlier, Caroline had first gone to Millicent Coburn’s home where the parlor was filled with gossiping ladies anxious for the latest news. Silence had fallen when Caroline’s name was announced. The looks the ladies sent her would have unnerved a lesser woman, but Caroline Bingley oozed confidence in her own self-importance. She walked into the drawing room and seated herself despite the absence of welcome. Staying the required fifteen minutes amidst the silence broken only by occasional snickers, was a form of torture, but it was done. The same happened at Sally Brockminster’s house and Cora Pratt’s. They were fools! It was when she arrived at Abigail Thornton’s door when she finally understood she was being cut by all of polite society. There, she was refused admittance all together. Her humiliation did not lower her viewpoint or expectations of herself. It was their loss, not hers.

  “Caroline, I would speak with you in my study.” Her brother was nervously twisting his fingers and she wondered how he could be worked on. It was never pleasant when a conversation started in this manner but she typically— rather she always— won the moment.

  Once they were both seated, Bingley thrust the newspaper at her and pointed at the advertisement. Caroline read it with terror at his plans.

  “You would not, Charles!” Canada? Three ready-made children? Caroline was stunned that this plan of action would even cross her brother’s mind.

  “Caroline, how was your welcome in town this afternoon?”

  She looked at her brother and realized he knew the answer before he even asked the question. How could he have known? What is the meaning of this?

  “Charles, what do you know about my calls?” The calmness of her voice belied the tumult churning inside Caroline. Both siblings had the same reddish-blonde hair and green eyes. Both had the tendency to display pink patches on their neck and jaw when they became irritated. The patch on her brother’s neck was flaming red.

  “Before I left Hertfordshire, I asked Darcy to write to Lady Matlock with the request that you not be allowed to use the Darcy name to obtain admittance to the homes of those above our station.”

  “You did what!?” Never had her brother stood in opposition to her. Never! “Why would you do such a thing, Charles?”

  Bingley understood that his history of giving in to his sister was for the purpose of a peaceful existence. It made his life easier if he allowed her to do as she pleased and then spent as little time with her as possible. This time, she crossed an invisible line where he was forced to take a stand. He would not permit her to be in the presence of Elizabeth Bennet or Darcy again.

  “It was you who forced my hand, Caroline. Your collusion with Lt. Wickham was deplorable. The impact of your actions on Darcy, the Bennet family, and poor Miss Lucas will be long-lasting. It is time you reap what you have sown, dear sister.” The last was not said with affection. He loved Caroline only because she was his sibling. Had they not been related, he would not have chosen to be in her company—ever.

  “But, Charles.” A whiny tone had unwittingly entered her voice. It was an unpleasant sound. “There has to be another way.”

  “What would you suggest I do? You have offered no apology for the reproach you have brought upon the Bingley name. Because of you, I will no longer have the welcome I did here in town. I have been rejected by the only woman who has ever caught and held my attention, Caroline. This has become very personal to me and I will see you are disciplined until you realize the extent of your error.”

  “But, Charles.” The whine grew in intensity. Catching sight of her brother rolling his eyes, she decided to change her approach. “I am not suited to live in the wilderness. And, three small children? You know as well as I that children and I do not get on. Therefore, it would not be a kindness to pursue this course.”

  “Then, again, I ask, what do you suggest I do?” Bingley was ready to be done with this conversation. He longed for the isolation of the room to lick his wounds. His heart was crushed, and the person responsible for it was seated in front of him. He would not back down.

  Caroline got up from her chair and paced back and forth in front of him, the only noise in the room the crackling of the fire and the movement of the swish of her silk gown. It took little time to formulate her own plan. Darcy’s writing to Lady Matlock solidified his rejection of her. Of a certainty, it was a degradation that he had chosen Eliza Bennet over her. It lowered the man in Caroline’s esteem and she was now pleased to not be attached to him in any way. Nevertheless, she needed to see to her future and possibly elevate herself above the Darcys. Yes, that was it.

  “Brother, while at the Coburn home this morning I overheard a bit of news which might help me in this situation. The Duke of Winston has died, leaving his son to inherit his title. The heir is not married and is currently living outside Scarborough near the home of our aunt Agnes.” In her m
ind, Caroline could already see herself hearing the Darcys address her as Her Grace Caroline Smyth, Duchess of Winston.

  “No!” In this Charles Bingley would not be moved. “Caroline, you are not fit for polite society. If you travel to our aunt’s home it will be for removing yourself until you learn your proper place. You will not be moving in the same circles as the Duke’s son. Put that out of your mind.” He pondered his earlier decision. “I do think it wise of you to have considered the children. For that you are to be commended. I also understand you not wanting to place yourself in the hands of a man traveling a great distance from England.”

  Caroline was pleased he was so quickly coming around. She failed to detect his determination.

  “Now that you have mentioned traveling to the home of our aunt, I realize the best situation is not Aunt Agnes, but Aunt Maude Bingley.”

  “No!”

  The first impression their aunt Maude left upon a new acquaintance was bitter rejection of polite society and fashion. She was a highly religious woman who lived in an isolated area on the west coast of Ireland, frugally saving her money and spending her time in constant Bible study. Her home was bleak and luxuries were non-existent. “Please, no.”

  Her brother held his hand up to stop her pleadings. “I will not be moved on this.” At least, he hoped he would not be so moved. Standing to face her, he continued. “I will put the plans in place for your departure from London as soon as possible. Pack your bags, Caroline. To Ireland you go.”

  ***

  Fitzwilliam Darcy sent his man to Meryton early the next morning to arrange suitable accommodations for the family meeting—a large private upstairs room at the back of the inn, preferably one which was isolated. The night before had been spent closeted with Richard in Netherfield Park’s sparse library where the memory of Elizabeth sitting and reading quietly in the days she cared for her sister kept creeping into his thoughts, distracting him from the task at hand.

  It was after one of these moments that his cousin started teasing him. He kept at it until Darcy inadvertently stumbled on an unexpected reaction when he mentioned Elizabeth’s sisters.

  “What is this, Richard?” Darcy knew his cousin’s circumstances and had repeatedly offered to gift Richard a small estate close to Pemberley so he could leave his life-threatening military service behind. His offer had always been spurned and soundly refused. For him to think of a woman as more than a flirtation was unparalleled. It would mean a change would be necessary as he could not see the colonel taking a wife to live in the barracks. “Did you, like Bingley, fall under the charms of the lovely Miss Bennet?”

  “What is this about Bingley?” The colonel almost sputtered the words out his mouth as he sat forward in his chair. It was not a casual question.

  “I believe Bingley made an offer to Miss Bennet not too long before your arrival, Richard.” Darcy did not elaborate nor share with his cousin the fact that Elizabeth had told him how Bingley had been rejected. Richard looked like he had just swallowed his tongue. Darcy had never seen him so unsettled. Finally, after enjoying being the one teasing rather than the one teased, he relented. “She refused.”

  Relief rushed out of the colonel as if a dam let loose on a raging, flooded stream. Darcy walked over to where he was sitting and solidly smacked him on the shoulder on his way out of the room. “What are you prepared to do with that information, Richard?” His grin grew to a smile as he climbed the stairs to his bed chamber. He hoped to dream of Elizabeth tonight and wondered if Miss Jane Bennet would appear in Richard’s.

  ***

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh loved her daughter as much as a mother could whose child had been raised by the staff who attended them. It had long been her dream to see Anne as Mistress of Pemberley. With Anne settled in distant Derbyshire, Lady Catherine would have complete reign over Rosings Park in Kent. The true delight of her heart was power and position. Surrounding herself with sycophantic fools fed her desire for adoration and subservience. One of this sort was Mr. William Collins.

  He had received his orders soon after completing his Oxford years. It had been his father’s dream to have an educated son. Like the father, the son was lean of intelligence and understanding so University had been a daily struggle where Collins had been teased and tormented by smarter boys. He was a tall, heavy-set man in his mid-twenties with plain features and a fragrant aura who was grateful to have been offered the living at Hunsford. After a year of serving Lady Catherine, he believed himself well enough instructed by the great lady to be able to properly manage an estate of his own. Longbourn.

  The brief glimpse he had of Mr. Bennet the day prior gave him to believe that man was in good health so the only opportunity to obtain an estate of his own was to marry one of the daughters. He was unable to see the major flaw in this thought. A wiser man would have discerned how Mr. Bennet retained control of Longbourn until his death, whereupon Collins would receive the inheritance no matter who he had taken as a wife. He would not receive immediate benefit from marrying a Bennet. However, this did not occur to the clergyman. By his calculations, after his patroness was done with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, even she would be available if he wanted her. And, want her he did.

  ***

  Darcy hoped Elizabeth would avoid the meeting. In truth, he was not intimidated by his relatives. He was his own man and so was Richard. Neither of their futures were dependent on Lady Catherine or Lord Matlock. The only control the Darcy’s aunt and uncle had was over Anne, who was happily ensconced with the rest of the Bennet sisters and Georgiana in one of the downstairs rooms.

  Georgiana had greeted him with a ready smile that morning and Darcy could already see the effect of Elizabeth on her sister-to-be when the first thing out of Georgiana’s mouth was, “If I had but known how delightful it was to have sisters, William, I would have exchanged you years ago.” He chuckled as he was supposed to.

  As Darcy embraced Georgiana, he looked beyond her to Elizabeth. It was then that he knew he would give in to her request. He wanted her by his side. No, he needed her by his side. Not for strength or courage, as he had those when facing his family in abundance. Elizabeth’s kind heart would serve as a reminder to him of the possibilities and the potential for felicity. She would soften him if the circumstances called for it. And she would comfort him if it did not.

  Next to Elizabeth stood her sister, Jane. Darcy glanced at Richard and saw him enraptured. It was the second time he chuckled that morning and he knew with confidence that his relatives waiting at the inn would be livid if they were aware how unaffected he was by the threats he knew they would make.

  “Let us be away, Richard. We have business to care for this morning.” He took Elizabeth’s coat from the waiting butler and helped her with it, lingering over smoothing the fabric over her shoulders. Mr. Bennet must have come out of his library as he heard the man clear his throat behind him. Darcy could not stop the blush from creeping up his collar and noticed the same on his betrothed. It was good they would be marrying soon.

  Now, the three stood before the door of the inn where Lord Matlock, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Collins were waiting. Darcy had no doubt of what he needed to see him through the confrontation. He had not let go of Elizabeth’s hand since they started down the long hallway. Turning to his cousin he barked, “Look away, Richard.”

  Used to command, the colonel did so.

  Darcy immediately pulled a willing Elizabeth to him and kissed her thoroughly. She swept his hat off onto the floor where it bounced with a loud thud, burying her hands in the curls at the back of his neck. For both of them, the time they had been apart had been intolerable. Since Darcy’s arrival in Meryton they had been surrounded by family with no time to be alone.

  The noise of the beaver chapeau hitting the hardwood floors in the quiet of the isolated hallway alerted their aunt and uncle to their presence. The door quickly swung open. What greeted them was a shock to their senses.

  “Darcy!” both siblings yelled at the sa
me time.

  Elizabeth could feel his smile against her lips. She pulled back slightly and whispered, “You planned that, sir.” His smile grew. She had wondered why he had left his hat on when they entered the building. Now, she knew.

  Darcy quickly kissed her again before stepping back and wrapping her hand around the crook of his elbow. Richard had picked up Darcy’s chapeau and walked behind them, setting the hat on the table along with his own.

  “Darcy, what have you to say for yourself?” his uncle demanded.

  “Oh, I have much to say Uncle Hugh.” He smiled down at his Elizabeth as Richard moved to the other side of his betrothed. “Yes, I have much I want you to hear.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lord Matlock was as tall as his youngest son with the same broad shoulders and straight spine. He had the reputation amongst the House of Lords for being a fierce orator. He was a demanding father, husband, and master of his household. As such, he had commanded his wife to remain in her room. Not because he did not think she would have stood beside him, only because he could do so. It was a rare man who voluntarily went toe-to-toe with him and he expected his nephew to cower before his presence. Until the door opened.

  Lady Catherine was the first to regain her voice. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! You step away from her immediately,” his aunt demanded, coming at him with her bony finger extended, wagging like it had a mind of its own. “She will claim compromise and you will have the Devil’s own time separating yourself from her. Get away from her, I say.”

  Darcy gently squeezed the hand that was tucked in his arm. “Ah, but you see, Lady Catherine, you are several weeks too late. I have already compromised Miss Elizabeth so your warning is wasted on us.”

  “Are the shades of Pemberley to be polluted? Have you no respect for the wishes of your mother? What of the demands of your family? Of society? Of Anne? You have treated your cousin poorly, Darcy. She will most likely not recover from this blow and the bloodguilt will be on your head, Nephew.” Lady Catherine’s voice rose with each question in concert with a ruddy hew about her shoulders, neck, and jaw. Her nostrils flared as her chin lifted. It was certainly not her best stance from the point of those facing her.