Compromised! Page 2

  That was the last question he was expecting. Certainly, he had found comfort. Had she been willing, he would have gathered her even closer to his side and wrapped her in his arms, never letting her go. In her embrace, he had found a peace he did not know if he had ever felt.

  “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, I most certainly did.” It was simply spoken, but it was said with vigor.

  “Then, might Miss Darcy get the same benefit from yours?” As she asked, she looked him square in the eye, her right eyebrow raised in question.

  “I do not know. I have not held her since our father died five years ago. I do not know whether it would be welcomed.”

  “Do you have anything else to try, Sir?”

  “I do not.” He realized that other than his mother and his sister, he had never embraced a female like he had done Elizabeth. His reaction to his sister’s letter had moved him to act in a manner he had never done before, one that would have shocked him had he witnessed it in another. Darcy thought back on all the times, before the death of their father when Georgiana would crawl up onto his lap, snuggling as closely as possible to him. He thought of the times he would pick her up and twirl her around and around so he could see and hear her joy. She had always been affectionate. Might she miss the close contact they once had? He stood suddenly, not realizing it would unbalance the woman seated next to him. Reaching back, he helped right her on the log.

  “You are correct, Miss Elizabeth. Rather than withdrawing from my sister, I need to spend time with her. She needs to realize she is still as important to me as she always has been.” He started pacing as his thinking became clear. “I will return to Pemberley and travel with her to Scotland. If I stay in Derbyshire, business will consume me and we will have little time together. The winter months farther north will be harsh. Nevertheless, it will allow plenty of opportunity to draw close and learn to have confidence in each other.” The faster he talked, the faster he walked. Back and forth. Back and forth. Suddenly he stopped in front of Elizabeth and turned to her.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” he began, his voice firm. “You have witnessed something today which no other human has seen. I pray that all you have observed and heard this day will remain private, something that only you and I share.” At her nod, he continued. “I shall leave Netherfield Park as soon as my valet can pack. I do not know when or if I will be back in Hertfordshire. It would be my delight to introduce my sister to you if we do find ourselves in each other’s company in the future. May I presume to do so, Miss Elizabeth?” Again, she nodded, not able to take her eyes away from his.

  “Then, let us leave this area separately so there is no chance we might be spotted together in this place. I would not want to cause harm to either your reputation or mine.” With a definite task in mind, Fitzwilliam Darcy reverted to the Master of Pemberley. This was the Mr. Darcy who was most familiar to her.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” When he offered his hand to help her stand, Elizabeth accepted it. She was unprepared for the charge that seemed to travel lightning fast up her arm. She wondered if he felt it too. It was the same feeling she had when they had held each other so closely. Before she could release his hand, she heard a noise to the right of her. Darcy must have heard it at the same time, for their heads both swiveled to the sounds of crackling undergrowth.

  What came at them was their worst fear. It was not a wild animal, but one of Bingley’s footmen. He stood just inside the trees, his face bearing a smirk. “Miss, we have been searching for you. Your sister has awoken and is asking for your presence.”

  Elizabeth gathered her bonnet from the ground where she had dropped it and prepared to follow the footman back to the estate. As she started to tie the bow tightly, it hit her with full force. Consequences! She looked at Mr. Darcy to realize he had come to the same conclusion. They would not be leaving the glen separately.

  Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet were compromised.

  Chapter Two

  As Darcy and Elizabeth walked behind the footman, they were both appalled at the events of the past few minutes. Both knew the importance of reputation. With what had occurred at Ramsgate, Darcy had to be especially aware of the consequences of just one break in propriety. Elizabeth imagined he had spent years avoiding the machinations of scheming debutantes, grasping widows, and unscrupulous mothers and had felt confident in his ability to ferret out schemes to compromise him. His arrogance in company on the first night at the Meryton Assembly, convinced Elizabeth that he was rather proud of his abilities in keeping himself separate from those he felt undeserving. That he had allowed himself to go that far with her in the glen was a testimony to his emotional state upon receiving his sister’s letter. That she had allowed it testified to her putting kindness ahead of propriety. It was a decision she now deeply regretted.

  As they drew closer to the house, Darcy reached over and touched her arm, stopping her.

  “Eliz…, Miss Elizabeth, as you are most likely aware, the circumstances in which we were found do not look good for either of us. I am wearing no coat, hat, or gloves, your bonnet was on the ground, you have my letter in your hand, we were in a secluded part of the forest for a considerable length of time, we were standing much too close, and the evidence of emotional turmoil could easily be misconstrued as passion.”

  She immediately thrust the letter back at him as if that would remove the compromise. How ridiculous! Too little, too late. Passion? Just the thought made her stomach start to churn. Instinctively, she covered her middle with her forearm. She knew he was right. If only there was a way out of this arrangement. Though she did not particularly like Mr. Darcy, she knew him to be honorable. He would offer marriage rather than have his name damaged in the eyes of the ton.

  Elizabeth wondered at her own actions. In the glen, she had softened in her opinion of Darcy. To see him so vulnerable and pained caused her to think of him differently. Gone was the arrogance; the pride. In its place was a man who had desperately needed a friend. Now, she wanted to remove herself from him, to go back to an earlier time when she resented his very presence. Was there a way out that she could grasp in her small hands?

  “Perhaps the footman could be worked on? If he is loyal to the Bingleys, especially to Miss Bingley, it would be in his best interest to say nothing at all.” Elizabeth felt hope rise in her heart. While she no longer loathed the man, she did not believe there was any possibility of felicity with him either. The thought of being forced to marry Mr. Darcy completely robbed her of her natural joy and made her angry. Yes, she knew when she chose to go into that glen that propriety demanded she remain far away from him. She also knew she could not blame him for her decision, though in the secret person of her heart, Elizabeth longed to place full responsibility at his door. She was angry with herself.

  At twenty years of age, she, too, was aware of men who would try to marry themselves to a gentleman’s daughter to move themselves up the social ladder. It had not happened to any of her sisters, but her friend, Mary King, had received that type of attention when she inherited a large sum from her uncle. Men flocked to her as they had never done prior to receiving her large dowry. If it happened to someone of Miss King’s social standing, Elizabeth knew it would happen to Mr. Darcy. Would he think she was that type of woman?

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, Miss Elizabeth, but Bingley did not have enough household staff for his townhouse in London so took on extra help when he moved here. The first time I set eyes on this particular footman was when I arrived at Netherfield Park. I do not imagine he is loyal to anyone except to himself, at this point. It would be highly unusual if he were.” He exhaled loudly after speaking.

  Darcy admitted to himself that his feelings towards Elizabeth Bennet had overridden his inbred training. Since the first sight of her at the assembly, he had spent hours in private contemplation pondering her presence in his life and his home. By the time she arrived at Netherfield Park to care for her sister, he knew himself to be in danger of being
entrapped by her fine eyes. At what point had he decided she was his future? Darcy had envisioned that when he finally made an offer of marriage to a lady, it would be done with finesse and style—a romantic memory they could call upon for years into the future. Never had he thought to be placed in such a position. It burdened his heart that he could offer a worthy woman so little romance under the circumstances.

  Elizabeth looked up and caught his eyes. They held a fierce look of resignation and then determination. She was, at that point, unsurprised when he knelt before her, balancing on his right knee. Taking her right hand in both of his, he breathed deeply before he asked, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”

  “Before I give you my answer, Mr. Darcy, I have one question that I beg you to answer.”

  “Certainly, Miss Elizabeth.”

  She could tell he was not being condescending. His eyes never wavered from hers.

  “Do you believe there is any possibility for future happiness between us, Mr. Darcy?”

  He did not hesitate. “I do. We are both committed to the care of our family and we enjoy spirited debates on a variety of topics. Your liveliness will help me overcome my dislike of and discomfort in social situations, and I can provide security for your family when your father no longer can. I do believe many marriages have less of a foundation to build on, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Then I accept.” It was done.

  Darcy leaned forward and kissed the back of her hand before rising and putting her fingers on his arm. The footman had stopped just ahead of them and witnessed the proposal. Elizabeth knew he would have much to share below stairs that night. She sighed heavily as they started walking back to Netherfield Park. She had much to share with Jane as well.

  As soon as they arrived back at the manor house, Elizabeth went upstairs to her sister, while Darcy requested his horse be saddled for the trip to Longbourn. Elizabeth knew her father would be shocked and disappointed in her. She had long been his favorite and he knew to expect exceptional behavior from his two eldest. That he could not say the same about the three youngest was a matter of contention between Elizabeth and her beloved parent. She only hoped he would listen to Darcy and realize their compromise was a matter of circumstance rather than a lack of moral character. It might have been better for her to accompany Mr. Darcy, yet he had not asked it of her.

  Elizabeth refused to fret over what she did not know. When would the wedding be? What would her new sister think when she heard her brother was to take a wife outside their circle of society? What of the two aunts he had mentioned? She could not believe they would be pleased with the circumstances. Would they still travel to Scotland? Would she make a fitting Mistress of Pemberley? Would they find happiness, or at the least, contentment in their marriage? So many questions. No answers would be forthcoming until Darcy returned from her home.

  ***

  “Mr. Darcy offered for you? You have accepted him?” Jane was flummoxed. From the first night at the Meryton Assembly she knew Lizzy’s feelings towards the gentleman. When her sister had told her of Mr. Darcy’s comments about her being only tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt him, Jane had wished the words unsaid. She dearly loved Lizzy and did not understand why Mr. Darcy had not as well.

  “Yes, Jane.” Elizabeth was seated on the side of Jane’s bed and had just finished relating the goings-on of the past hour. “He has gone to Papa to request his blessing.” Elizabeth sighed. This was not how she imagined her great romance would be. She had dreamed of long exchanges of ideas and devoted looks, tender caresses, and time to rejoice in the process of courtship and an engagement. He would recite beautiful poetry and she would stitch his initials on large linen handkerchiefs. They would plan their life together and talk of their future with longing. Joy would fill their house along with the happy sound of children.

  The reality of her situation was that Mr. Darcy would need an heir. What great man did not? As unfamiliar with the process as most maidens were, she knew it involved a closeness that would be shocking to her girlish sensibilities. She could not imagine it would be Mr. Darcy who would give her the kiss she would remember all her days; her first kiss. Her heart mourned the loss of all her imagination had created.

  “He will come to love you dearly, Lizzy. I know he will, for who could not?”

  Jane, sweet Jane. Who could not? Elizabeth wanted to laugh, but she knew the sound would be bitter. “Jane, Mr. Darcy does not love me. I do not believe he even likes me. We have not been able to have a conversation in the past few days where there has not been confrontation.” However, as soon as the words were out of Elizabeth’s mouth, she realized they had spoken kindly to each other in the glen.

  “I believe he needs you, Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth thought about the openness of their exchange. He had not once spoken down to her, nor had he disregarded her opinions. Darcy had listened. Not only had he accepted her input, he seemed to welcome it. His willingness to quickly incorporate her ideas astounded her now she could ponder their conversation. He had also, even in his heightened emotional state, been concerned about her feelings before proposing marriage. Elizabeth believed he would have worked to help her see reason had she not accepted him. She could respect a man whose mind was efficient and who was willing to listen to a woman. Had he learned this from his parents? He certainly had not learned this unpopular course from his peers in the ton— where women were to be seen and not heard.

  “I do hope you are correct, Jane, for it will be a miserable life if we are not able to draw close.” Elizabeth knew there was a reason for hope. Maybe a small reason, but it was there.

  ***

  It was not until after dinner that Elizabeth was able to speak, albeit briefly, with Darcy about his visit to Longbourn. From his furrowed brow and the tension of his jaw, she could see it had not gone well. She sighed, closing her eyes in frustration that her father would finally take a stand as a parent for the wrong daughter. If only he would do the same to the youngest two, in particular. That was, apparently, too much to hope for. Be that as it may, Elizabeth longed for details, yet knew Miss Bingley would not leave them alone long enough to thoroughly discuss the matter.

  “Miss Bingley, might I have some refreshment?” Darcy decided a small measure of subterfuge was required. Caroline was an attentive hostess. As soon as she turned to walk to the table with the tea service, he drew closer to his betrothed.

  “Your father wants you at home, Elizabeth.” He whispered, leaning slightly towards her with his eyes looking straight ahead.

  “Surely not.”

  “When I explained that Miss Bennet still needed care, he offered Miss Mary as your replacement.” Darcy took a breath. “I refused.”

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy closely, knowing all that had happened that day, and her heart was moved. “I am sorry, sir.” She whispered.

  He leaned closer to her, his deep baritone voice soft enough she had to lean towards him as well. “You have nothing to be sorry about, Elizabeth. In the end, he gave his permission, though we do not have his blessing. It is enough.”

  “Will we marry soon?” She had to ask.

  During the ride back from Longbourn, Darcy had considered the warm feelings filling his heart. He was pleased with his choice of bride, for he had indeed chosen her. Had it been Caroline Bingley or another woman who wandered into the glen, Darcy knew his behavior would have been much different. Yes, though it was not the start he had envisioned for himself, he realized he would have done it exactly as it had happened to procure Elizabeth for his wife.

  He spoke fast as Miss Bingley approached with his tea. “I leave early on the morrow for London to purchase a special license and arrange your settlement. We will be married in one week. Your father provided the name of the rector in Meryton. He chose not to have you marry from Longbourn chapel.” He saw the pain reflected in her beautiful eyes. “I am sorry, Elizabeth. Truly sorry.”

  It was all they had
time for, but as Mr. Darcy said, it was enough. Miss Bingley’s presence had been ignored to the point she was tapping her slippered foot on the floor in front of them, endeavoring to eavesdrop where she was not wanted. Darcy took the tea cup from her hands and placed it on a small painted table next to him. Then, he turned to the room and cleared his throat for attention, looking beyond their hostess. Standing next to him, Elizabeth glanced at the other drawing room occupants. Mr. Bingley was seated next to Jane on the settee closest to the warm fire. Jane had been tired of being in the bed chamber and hoped to spend at least a short time with the man she admired. Elizabeth did not think she would come to any harm. Bingley’s eldest sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, were seated across the room from each other, separated by as much distance as the large drawing room allowed. Caroline still stood in front of Darcy, trying to draw his focus to her.

  “If I might have your attention.” Mr. Darcy spoke clearly, loud enough for all to hear, including the Hursts. “I am pleased to announce that earlier today I offered Miss Elizabeth Bennet my hand in marriage and she has accepted. We are engaged and will marry from Meryton on Saturday next. It would be our pleasure to have you there to witness this special occasion.”

  Jane had known the announcement was coming, but Miss Bingley and the others had not. It was Miss Bingley who reacted first. Her eyes rolled back into her head and she fainted. She would have dropped to the floor had Mr. Darcy not caught her.

  Chapter Three

  The turmoil in Elizabeth's mind kept her awake during most of the night. She had slept in Jane's room, though her sister's health was much improved. As the dawn broke over the eastern sky, Elizabeth gazed out the window to freedom—freedom from her thoughts and freedom from circumstances that left her feeling decidedly unsettled.