One Love - Two Hearts - Three Stories Page 7

  He shook his head to bring his eyes into focus and noted that she was a petite woman of beautiful appearance. Kindness radiated from her features and Darcy had no other option but to trust her. He turned his sister over to her care.

  "Miss, might I ask you to point out to me if Mr. E. R. Bennet is in the crowd?" From his height, he could easily survey the men who stood to the side of them. None appeared to be a gentleman.

  At the woman's chuckle, he looked at her closely. It hit him all at once. Good heavens! The man he was looking for was a woman.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Dusk had fallen by the time Wickham had been dealt with. A room had been secured for the three travelers and Elizabeth was still with Miss Darcy. When Darcy and Richard finally walked into the sitting room of the suite, they were pleasantly surprised to hear a chuckle coming from Georgiana. It was the last sound they expected to hear.

  As usual, when the two men were together, it was Richard who spoke up first. The ladies made a pretty picture sitting close together on a small sofa and he could not keep himself from commenting on it. Georgiana was tall, as were all of the Darcys. However, like the Fitzwilliam side of the family, her coloring was fair with straight blonde hair and clear blue eyes. The lady seated next to her was petite of form with hair as dark as the richest chocolate with eyes to match. She had a dimple on her right cheek that peeked out as she sought to control the laughter they heard upon their entrance. Richard was enchanted.

  “What a lovely sight, dear ladies.” Turning to his cousin, he asked. “Do you not agree?”

  Darcy’s emotions were still too raw to appreciate what was before him. His concern for Georgiana was palpable and he, again, needed to be reassured that she was well. He also had questions that begged an answer. Walking over to the chair across from the settee, he settled in with his gaze firmly focused on his sister’s face.

  “Georgiana, I beg you to share with me your humor… and any other details of the day that might enlighten Richard and me as to how you came to be in Hertfordshire with that man!” Though he was not upset with Georgiana, Darcy was surprised at his sister’s actions. His irritation at the events of the day could not help but be reflected in his voice.

  Elizabeth Bennet observed the two men unobtrusively. Introductions had not yet been made, so her brief glimpses at the men revealed two gentlemen of the first order. Mr. Darcy was extraordinarily handsome, though his countenance was severe to match his attitude. The soldier, who Elizabeth believed to be a colonel in rank, looked to be approximately the same age as Mr. Darcy, but was rugged in appearance, though his face was more open and congenial. They both exuded duty and dignity and Elizabeth somehow knew they could be trusted.

  There had been no doubt in Georgiana’s mind that this interrogation was coming. It was well deserved.

  “Brother, I will explain all.” She felt Elizabeth give her hand a squeeze in encouragement. “When we arrived at the first inn between here and London, Miss Elizabeth … oh, please do excuse my lack of manners. May I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire?” Georgiana knew that her brother and cousin had to be curious about the woman by her side. “Miss Elizabeth, please allow me to introduce you to my brother, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, and my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, second son of my uncle, the Earl of Matlock.”

  At Georgiana’s introductions, Darcy had quickly stood from his seat and bowed to the lady in front of him. Richard had still been standing so was able to observe proprieties from his position beside Darcy’s chair. Elizabeth felt the tight squeeze of her new friend’s hand so remained seated, a slight dip of her head in acceptance of their greeting.

  “Please do be seated.” Georgiana felt comfort in practicing the conventions that she had been raised with from infancy. Still, she knew she had much to answer for. “As I started to say... when the coach first departed from London, Miss Elizabeth recognized that our reticules were similar in appearance. I was traveling with a bag I purchased in Ramsgate. My thinking was that its plain design would not draw attention to what it possibly contained. Miss Elizabeth also noted that I was in distress. Being one of five sisters in her household, she realized the possibility of my carrying precious correspondence with me that would provide directions to a close friend or next of kin. She was correct. I had your last letter to me inside, brother. When we had a few moments of privacy at the last coaching stop, we switched reticules.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam’s eyes were drawn to the brown bag on Georgiana’s lap. There was no matching reticule on Miss Elizabeth’s. He then recalled that Wickham had grabbed a brown bag from Georgiana on his way to the coach. The colonel did not recall seeing the bag after that.

  “So, might I ask, what happened to Miss Bennet’s reticule, Georgiana?” Again, he was surprised by chuckles from the ladies.

  “It appears, dear cousin, that Mr. Wickham must have assumed that it was mine. He had asked me to bring mother’s pearl brooch and a necklace along with my personal items. They are here, safe with me.” She patted the brown fabric. “When Wickham took the bag from me, he apparently tossed it into the coach with Mrs. Younge before it departed. Since we believe the coach to have continued on towards its intended destination of Scotland, Richard, the reticule must surely be somewhere to the north of us.”

  Richard instantly saw the humor. Darcy did not.

  “This is horrible!” Darcy looked from one young lady to the other. Focusing his intense gaze now on Elizabeth, he added, “You have lost your reticule with all of the valuables it contained.”

  At this point, both females burst into laughter. Richard did not know what they had found so funny, yet he could not help but be drawn in. Soon, his rich baritone joined in the glee.

  Elizabeth, seeing that Mr. Darcy was both confused and a bit put out by their hilarity, took in a deep breath to calm herself. “Mr. Darcy, my bag contained a letter from my father requesting my presence home. Since your sister has shared private information with me about her reasons for being in Hertfordshire, I feel free to share the contents of the letter with you. It was a summons to return and accept an unwanted proposal of marriage from a cousin who I have yet to meet. The man is to inherit my home upon my father’s death and this action will save my family from destitution should that happen. It is this information that Miss Darcy’s former companion will read when she opens the missive.”

  “Also inside my reticule was a small tin of chocolates, which is my secret pleasure, a few coins, my hair comb, three or four hairpins, and a handkerchief that I had embroidered poorly. So you see, the loss of my bag was, to me, minimal. I have no desire to marry my cousin. Surely, he is a fine man who happens to hold the living in the small village of Hunsford in Kent. The chocolates were an indulgence and the other items are a small sacrifice made on behalf of a valuable new friend.”

  “Hunsford!”

  Elizabeth drew back in surprise at the exclamation of her three companions. “Do you know of him?” Again, she felt Georgiana squeeze her hand, tighter than the last time.

  Darcy replied, slowly shaking his head back and forth. “Miss Bennet, our aunt holds the living at Hunsford and we are, all three of us, aware of the type of man your cousin, Mr. William Collins, is.” Darcy felt this day going from bad to worse. Lady Catherine de Bourgh had long endeavored to attach her sickly daughter, Anne, to him as the new Mistress of Pemberley. If his aunt ever got wind of there being possible damage to Georgiana’s reputation, the consequences and repercussions would be severe. Lady Catherine would push ever harder for the marriage. Mr. Collins was a small-minded man with a propensity to gossip. His extreme level of obedience and submission to their aunt would guarantee he would share his own interpretation of these events should they become known to him. That Miss Elizabeth Bennet was known to someone so connected to his aunt was a cause for distress. “Though I would much rather speak of the events of earlier today, I believe we need to determine how to control the possible damage that might result from t
hese events.”

  Darcy’s heart ached and his head throbbed at the thought of all they stood to lose. His emotions were agitated. He looked again at Miss Elizabeth Bennet and realized what a small world their corner of the planet was and how she would now play a vital role in their future.

  “Miss Bennet, Darcy, Georgiana, I have a plan.”

  All eyes turned to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Even though the realization of the potential for damage hung like a dark cloud over the room, he had a small smile on his face.

  “Miss Bennet, would you agree that you, a young unattached female, writing a letter to a single man she is not engaged to breaks the rules of propriety?”

  Elizabeth was quick to respond. She was aware that to some her actions would be considered a compromise. Nevertheless, under the circumstances, she felt she had no choice. “Yes, but…”

  Richard cut her off before she could finish. “Also, do you not need someone to rescue you from being married to the most ridiculous man of my acquaintance, while still guaranteeing the protection of your family?”

  Elizabeth had no idea where these questions were leading. However, she knew that she did not want to spend the rest of her life with a ridiculous man, even if it meant providing a future home for her siblings and mother. “Yes, colonel, I do.”

  “Now, Georgiana, I can only guess at the reason why you were headed towards Scotland in a carriage with those two particular companions. Do you not see the wisdom in having a reasonable explanation for your actions, one that would be acceptable to society?”

  At this, Georgiana dropped her head, her face red with mortification. Her whispered affirmative was barely heard by the others.

  “And, Darcy, you are aware of the consequences to the Darcy name if word of these extraordinary events becomes known. And you are also aware of how horrid your life will become if Aunt Catherine can hold this over your head, which she most certainly will do, as soon as it becomes known to her?”

  Darcy had not taken his eyes off his sister. He nodded to confirm that he had heard.

  Richard Fitzwilliam rarely had the pleasure of holding all of the cards against his cousin. As he took a deep breath in, he relished the gratification he was feeling. The matter really was quite simple.

  “Then, to remove the compromise of the letter, to explain the reason a childhood friend and loyal companion escorted Miss Georgiana Darcy to Meryton in Hertfordshire, to keep Miss Bennet from marrying her cousin and to provide her family a home at the death of her father, along with protecting the Darcy name, I propose…” Oh, he was enjoying this moment! The colonel rocked back on his heels, completely satisfied with his outstanding reasoning. “I propose that you get a special license on the morrow and get married.”

  “Married!”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Darcy, Georgiana, and Miss Bennet began talking at once. Richard stepped back and watched their reactions closely. He could see Darcy’s temper rise and expected to see steam come pouring out of his ears as Darcy tried to regulate his emotions. The colonel was unaware that he leaned closer, his eyes intent on Darcy’s ears just in case. Then, he looked at the hope budding in Georgiana’s eyes. She well knew the need for keeping her good name as pure as newly fallen Derbyshire snow. It started to upset him that she seemed to feel relief that the cost to cure this muddle was not going to have to be paid by her. Nevertheless, even though Richard was almost double her age, he well remembered the turmoil of those middle years. Her immaturity could be pardoned. For now.

  Then he noticed Miss Bennet. Richard could not help but admire her. There was not one single woman in their sphere, or married woman for that fact, who would not jump at the chance to secure Darcy’s protection. Miss Bennet was not jumping at anything.

  “Married?” Elizabeth’s voice was the loudest of the three. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, why would you believe I would have the inclination to marry a man I have known for only a few minutes any more than I would be inclined to marry a ridiculous cousin?” She shook her head at him, a frown on her face.

  “Married!” After the word exploded out of Darcy’s mouth he stood still as a statue; almost lifeless.

  Richard recognized that pose. His cousin, who had initially dismissed the thought, was now pondering it from every possible angle. Darcy was the most honorable man Richard knew. He was one of the wealthiest landowners in England who happened to care deeply for those under his authority. Fitzwilliam Darcy would make a fine husband to a woman who would appreciate Darcy’s many fine qualities.

  Yet, Miss Bennet’s protests of the match were genuine. Richard could see that she was just as upset as Darcy and he suspected that she would not hesitate to offer her opinions on the matter. Miss Bennet had shown uncommon sense in exchanging the reticules to seek information, writing to Darcy with an almost illegible hand, and running after Wickham, distracting him from getting into the coach with Georgiana. Yes, there was much to admire.

  The thought of how close they came to losing his young cousin sent chills down Richard’s spine. He visibly shivered. Their situation was precarious; however, Miss Bennet’s was not. It was Richard’s hope that she was not a card player and would not recognize a bluff.

  “Miss Bennet, have you reached your majority?” The question seemed innocent.

  “Do you not think I look old enough to have done so, Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Miss Elizabeth’s Bennet’s reply was curt, her eyes boring into his.

  By answering with a question, she had put him in an untenable position. He knew from experience with his younger sisters that asking a lady about her age was about as acceptable as telling one of his sisters that their new gown made their backside look large. He shuddered! She was quick. Richard knew Darcy would admire that in a woman. He also knew how Darcy would admire a woman who did not chase after him. And, he knew the importance Darcy placed on a woman who was kind, intelligent, personable, and pretty. Richard had observed all of those qualities in Miss Bennet with her care of Georgiana. How to make this work?

  Richard lifted his eyebrow at the recalcitrant woman, a trick he often used with new wet-behind-the-ear recruits. After a long pause, Elizabeth confirmed that she was not yet one and twenty years of age. Richard had approximated her age correctly. They would require the permission of her father for his plans to proceed.

  Georgiana looked from her brother, to Richard, and then to Elizabeth. Silence would be her best defense at this point. Apparently, without explanation, they surmised what she had done. Her regret at causing such a consequence to her brother and to Miss Elizabeth pained her. She looked back to her cousin and wondered what he was up to. It was then she noticed the twinkle in his eyes. She dipped her head, focusing her gaze on her hand enjoined with Elizabeth’s. She would encourage nothing that would hurt her friend. Before she could speak up, Elizabeth did.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I believe that you wanting to know my age can mean only one thing; that you truly believe that a marriage would be the only answer. I, however, do not believe such. Is it not true that the only people that are aware of my letter are right here in this room? Is it not also true that my handwriting was scribbled in such a way that it might not be considered to be mine? Also, is it not true that my signature in no way indicates that it was me who wrote the letter? After all, my dear father’s name is Edward Robert Bennet. E. R. Bennet?” She raised both brows at that and tilted her head slightly so that he would see she wanted him to get her point.

  He did. Yes, she would be the perfect match for Darcy.

  “And when did you study law, Miss Bennet?” was his counter.

  Darcy glanced up at this, his attention caught. Miss Elizabeth put Darcy in mind of his uncle, Judge Samuel Darcy, whose ability to discern the antics of his young nephews pursuing mischief with just a few well-placed questions was, until this moment, thought to be unique to the older gentleman. What a clever woman!

  “As you are well aware, Colonel Fitzwilliam, it is not allowed for a woman to read the law. But…,” She rose t
o her feet and took a step closer to him, the index finger of her right hand pointed at the middle of his chest. “I know what you are about. You seek to place me in a position that I do not desire, over a trifle. I will not…” She stepped even closer. “… marry unless there is respect and admiration between me and my betrothed.” She took one more step, almost completely closing the gap. “Only the deepest love will move me to accept an offer of matrimony. Not some trumped-up charge.”

  Elizabeth poked his chest. She actually poked his chest! Apparently, by the last turn of phrase, she was, indeed, aware of the game of cards; both trump and a bluff. Fire shot out of those eyes and Richard’s inclination was to check in the mirror to make sure there were no singe marks on his uniform. He was no longer as enchanted as he had been a few moments before. This woman put him in mind of some of the sharpest generals he had served under — and his mother, the only woman he knew who had eyes in the back of her head. Richard had never been able to get away with anything with his mother and he calculated he would not with this woman either.