Alias Thomas Bennet (34 page)

“How can you say such a thing? Would you have left me and Mary friendless in a strange land?” Her voice quavered.

“I would not have left you; Bennet had asked me to look after you.”

“Would you have deigned to marry me if it were not for your will to hide your identity? I smelt of the shop!” she cried. Tears were now leaking from her eyes. His anger broke as he realized the anguish he was putting on his wife.

“Fan, Fan, shhh, shhh,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. She struggled but he held her fast. “I am sorry that I let my pride overrule my sense. No matter what, I would have found some way to marry you. I was already in love with you.”

“What have we done?” she sobbed into his shoulder. “We should have acknowledged your name when we inherited Longbourn. That way the scandal would have been forgotten by now and we would no longer need to worry about you being found out.”

“Shhh, my love,” he said softly while rubbing circles on her back. “We had no choice but to take Longbourn instead of Shelton to hide my identity; it was too soon after the duel, and Malcolm’s father would have had enough influence to have me prosecuted.”

“You cannot know that for certain. You also had some good friends who would have stood up for you. But now poor Lizzy is being sacrificed for revenge of the bitterest kind!”

“It will all be well. I will go to London—”

“No, please—” She pulled back to look at him, eyes full of worry. He gently cradled her head and put it back on his shoulder.

“—and I will take every precaution I can while I am there. You are right about the consequences of my being recognized. I will try to keep to the Gardiner and Darcy homes, and I will draw the curtains in the carriage on my way between them. You need not fear for me.”

“You can stay here and have my brother and Mr. Darcy look for him just as easily,” she protested, a new wash of tears escaping her eyes. “They will help us to save Lizzy.”

Bennet shook his head. “Our family will be needed to help in any case, but our daughter needs
us
.”

“Sir, I ask you to reconsider. This is too impulsive and too risky!”

“Because of what happened in Kent, and what Maria said about Wickham’s intentions, I am convinced that Lizzy is very much in danger. I need to be there to plan our tactics with Darcy, and in case, there is no other option but to involve me. I would risk everything for those girls.”

“As would I!” she cried. There were a few moments where not a word escaped the mouth of either.

“Then you must come with me,” Bennet said quietly. “We must both travel to London on Monday morning.”

“But what of Kitty and Lydia? If Mr. Wickham comes back to Hertfordshire, he may try to hurt one of them.”

“Wickham is moved by money. Lizzy and Jane are the ones at risk.”

Mrs. Bennet reluctantly acquiesced. “Very well, but please talk to me before you do something foolish that will expose your identity.”

“I will discuss it with you if I should feel the need to risk being seen in public. Now I must go and have the coach readied for your transport tomorrow. I have determined that the threat to Lizzy is so worrisome and urgent that I am resolute to go on horseback to Mr. Darcy’s townhouse at first light.”

Alarmed, Mrs. Bennet looked up at him. “Horseback? You just said you would be hidden in a carriage!”

“I cannot get an express to Darcy earlier than I can ride to London, and it must not be delayed. You heard Maria; Wickham has been in Town for several days at least. I must travel expeditiously so as to see Darcy as soon as is possible. I can mask my face for the trip and take care around the villages and coaching stops along the way.”

“Please, Thomas, come with me in the coach!” she insisted, but her husband quietly denied her wishes.

“I cannot, my love. It is a delay I cannot afford to make. Trust me on this. My concerns are the same as yours, and I promise you, I will take all possible precautions to keep our secret.”

“But husband, promise you will heed my warnings. Remember that the importance of not being found out is not only for your comfort but also the girls’ acceptance.”

“I can promise you that much,” he concurred.

“Very well. I will let the Akuetes know that we will be away.” She then appealed to her husband once more, “And after your meeting with Mr. Darcy, you will go directly to the Gardiners’ and stay there without leaving if at all possible?”

“I assure you, that is my intention, my love.”

Chapter 21:
A carriage ride home from the ball.

April 1812
London

Elizabeth was surprised that she had been able to steal away from the ball alone with her betrothed. She could only suspect that it had been overlooked in the mass confusion of arranging various people to their carriages in the rain during the wee hours of the morning. Although her aunt and uncle had occasionally allowed them a few moments alone in the hall while she saw her lover off for the night, for the most part, there was rigorous attention to ensuring that the obviously passionate couple not be allowed any opportunities to explore more than was appropriate prior to their marriage. As such, Elizabeth expected to be escorted back to the Gardiners’ home with at least one chaperone, but now found herself inside the carriage with Darcy rapping the signal indicating for the driver to proceed, leaving the rest of their party to the other carriages.

The festivities that evening had consisted of a glorious ball hosted by Lord and Lady Matlock in honour of the Ladies Jane and Elizabeth and their husbands-to-be. Lady Matlock, who had no daughters, was delighted to have young women to spoil and hosted the best gala seen in Town that Season. Elizabeth was grateful for the compliment to her and her sisters. In the week she had been in London, Elizabeth had met many of those in attendance but, even so, had been nervous about this important event; she was still new to being one of the fashionable set in Town. Nothing in her previous experience at the small balls attended with the Gardiners had prepared her for the
en vogue
of London ballrooms.

Elizabeth had been quieter than was her habit as she and her sisters prepared for the evening, but her appearance was not her concern. She, Jane and Mary had each been attended to by a separate maid, a situation they were unused to; at Longbourn, the three had to share the same lady’s maid. Her gown was the most beautiful she had ever worn—a white silk embroidered with silver threads—and her accessories were equally beautiful, of the finest quality that could be obtained in such a short time. Her hair was piled high on her head in an elegant style highlighted by hairpins with tiny crystals, and she looked like a faerie with stars in her hair. Likewise, Mary and Jane were most beautifully dressed in outfits suiting the complexion and tastes of each, the former in ivory and the latter in blush. But throughout all the preparations, Elizabeth ruminated over being the centre of attention that evening and worried about her inability to predict how she would respond.

As they entered Matlock House, she had glanced at Jane and tried to absorb some of her sister’s calm. Elizabeth was more self-assured with meeting new people and entering into new situations than Jane, but she had always admired her sister’s ability to appear composed as she quietly and politely responded to well-wishers. Elizabeth wanted to lessen any possibility of a
faux pas
during the evening in view of the fact that she was unable to escape the not-so-subtle examination of those attending the soiree.

Fortunately, she relaxed and forgot all her concerns as soon as she saw Darcy. His subtle smile revived her spirits. Placing her small hand upon his arm, Darcy ushered her into the ballroom with the confidence of someone who was greatly experienced with the scrutiny of such an assembly of fine personages. He entered with his usual dignified and enigmatic comportment, complemented by her easy manner and becoming smile, and all heads turned to look at them. The room was in awe.

The happy couples opened the dancing, and she and Jane were subsequently introduced to many curious and admiring gentlemen who were clamouring over one another to request a dance. During the breaks, the capable Countess of Matlock guided her through the crush, steered her away from the ingratiating Caroline Bingley—despite the warnings from Mr. Bingley to spare Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth her cloying attentions, she was always close at hand—and introduced her to the cream of London society.

The evening flew by at an amazing pace, and Elizabeth said her goodbyes as she waited with the others for the queue of carriages to collect the tired revellers. Although her family knew that Darcy was to escort her to the Gardiner home, somehow he managed to find her wrap and take her to the carriage before anyone realized they had left without a chaperone. She was in no doubt of his intentions and looked forward to them.

Almost immediately after entering the carriage, Darcy drew the curtains, and Elizabeth found herself in his arms and the recipient of the firm embrace she had come to expect. She put her arms around his neck anticipating the amorous advances she so enjoyed.

Their previous clandestine moments had involved slipping away for stolen kisses under the pretence of needing air or brief minutes left alone while bidding each other good night. Those had been insufficient for Elizabeth, and it was clear to her that Darcy also sought chances to spend more time anticipating the passion that would follow their marriage. His hand was no stranger to the curves of her body, but it had always been through handfuls of muslin, and their explorations had to be abandoned in order to return to others before they were missed. She could not resist the opportunity to go further than had been possible in the allotted time allowed in the past.

As the carriage struggled to move through the throng leaving the ball, she leaned back against the squabs of the richly-appointed conveyance as Darcy’s body covered hers. His fingers threaded through her hair, and she closed her eyes and moved her face towards his for the expected kiss.

But this was no ordinary kiss. There was no delicate prelude, no gentle caresses up and down her arms, no kisses on the sides of her mouth before softly sliding silken movements on her lips that left her breathless. It was not like the sweet, savouring kisses where he tenderly coaxed her lips apart and teased her with his tongue, gently nipping and finessing and eventually deepening into purely blissful sensations with firm yet tender lips, as his body moved sensually against hers while he gently stroked the curve of her bottom and wrapped his long fingers around her breast. This kiss was decidedly more than she had ever experienced.

His lips crashed down upon hers abruptly, plundering and self-indulgent, as a starved man who knew no other way to satiate his hunger. His mouth seized hers, feverish and expectant, and his tongue took control as it twisted and tangled with hers, her lips bruised by his urgency. She tasted whisky and smelled the manliness of him, all earthy with a faint chocolaty scent of cigars. One hand held her so closely that she could feel his heart throbbing in his chest and through every plane of his body while the other dragged dangerously over her curves, leaving a trail of tingling sensations as it firmly flowed along the hills and valleys it encountered. He groaned from deep in his chest.

It was at this point that Elizabeth knew she had lost all control. Her passion burned right through her, and she felt molten, wanton. The hairs on her neck stood on end, and she felt the rush of blood to all the sensitive places on her body. She was not breathless; she was breathing hard and fast, and every time their lips came apart, she slammed hers back onto his, biting, licking and giving him back everything he demanded, claiming victory over his mouth. There was a heat under her skin and pulsing wetness between her legs that exceeded all the fiery urges she had encountered before.

Secure against the interference of well-intentioned chaperones, there was no need to hold back every daring caress, no danger of being caught in a moment that could be looked upon as unseemly, and he feverishly ran his hands over her shoulders, her breasts, her waist, her hips, her buttocks. She barely noticed that she moaned when he pressed his hips into her body and she felt the length of his hardness against her. Although the sensation was not new, in tandem with the demands of his mouth, it was like nudging a smouldering fire with an incendiary essence to create a hot, crackling, burning inferno. She could not help but clasp his buttocks to grind herself against him. His unchecked desire made her restless and expectant, and sliding a hand under his waistcoat, she felt the heat of his skin and the sinewy muscles beneath his shirt. It was beyond sensual. Every nerve in her body was tuned to him.

An unexpected delay due to the many carriages ahead of them stopped the coach, but the occupants were oblivious. Darcy’s tongue stroked the tender spot he had discovered below her ear, and she stretched out her neck to give him better access as he nipped with his lips on the way down, down, all along the soft skin revealed by the low cut of her bodice. His hand caught her breast and massaged it. Her nipples had never been harder, and she was relieved when he rolled one between his fingers through the fine silk of her dress. He slipped his fingers below the edge of her bodice, struggling to free her breasts from their prison inside her beautiful ball gown. In order to save the dress and the embarrassment that would come from entering the Gardiners’ home with a torn gown, she stopped his movements and reached behind her to free the top of her gown and corset. In short order, Darcy’s prize was revealed, and he resumed kissing, pinching, massaging, suckling, and wanting more. Elizabeth panted.