Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (19 page)

Dr Wilder and Mrs Hinton visited Mrs Darcy to reinforce the belief that she was with child. The first time they called after Elizabeth’s arrival, Mr Darcy invited Dr Wilder to join him in his study for a conference.

Mr Darcy looked a bit uncomfortable as he began questioning Dr Wilder. He had been struggling to suppress memories of Miss Elizabeth, and he hoped hearing details of her avaricious behaviour would dismiss those kind of thoughts from his mind. Not wanting to appear unfeeling of her circumstances, he started by asking after her health and whether the trip to Derbyshire had been taxing for her. After dispensing with the requisite niceties, he decided it was time to broach the subject he desired to have confirmed.

Dr Wilder struggled to keep his annoyance at bay when Mr Darcy began asking what he considered very inappropriate questions. He knew he must not allow him to know he disapproved, but it was the first time in his acquaintance with the man that he thought him to be discourteous. Dr Wilder kept his face immobile as Mr Darcy asked, “Does Miss Elizabeth seem happy about the circumstances of receiving payment? Is she making plans for what to do with the money?”

Dr Wilder replied, “No, I have not heard her refer to the money at all. We often spend an evening enjoying music—she plays the pianoforte very well for one so young. Her daytime hours are spent looking after Mrs Hinton’s children. Did ye know she is an amazing story teller? I am not certain how the children will survive when she goes away; they have quite fallen in love with her. She is still able to run and play with them, but I assume that will be coming to an end soon.”

Dr Wilder continued, his face devoid of the objections he had for Mr Darcy’s query. “She and I quite enjoy discussing history. I gave her Edmund Burke’s
Reflections on the Revolution in France
to read.” Jamie allowed himself to chuckle as he continued with his observations. “It appears she does not agree with that great Irish politician. She grimaces as she reads and sometimes even mumbles something about his ridiculous theory of prejudices and snorts.” Jamie decided he would take a little liberty with his reflections. He said, “Ay, she is a very brave young lass and seems to be determined to come through her ordeal stronger. Mr Darcy, I am certain your investment will be safe.”

Mr Darcy stiffened at his disclosure. He was suddenly aware that Dr Wilder’s comments made him appear to be somewhat less than gentlemanly.

15 STOLEN PLEASURES

Lizzy and Jamie were practicing their bandalore skills in front of the house in preparation for their students the next day. Besides practicing, they were discussing the slave revolt in Saint-Domingue that had eventually led to the establishment of the black republic of Haiti. Jamie told Lizzy of the tremendous fear that the successful slave rebellions and the retaliation against the white plantation owners had sent through the colonies. As they talked, unconsciously both would punctuate their comments with the bandalore.

Lizzy was deep in thought and instead of being horrified at the brutal attacks the rebellion had unleashed she felt a kinship with the slaves’ need for revenge. She started to comment on what Jamie had told her. “I would hope the success of the revolts in Haiti would hasten the abolition of the slave trade, and maybe even slavery in the colonies. They are, I have heard, debating these issues in Parliament.” Elizabeth looked toward Jamie, smiled and continued, “One day slavery will be gone with the wind… and to my mind it is an example of one of numerous injustices that plague the world… whenever it is done away with will not be a moment too soon.”

Just as she said, “not be a moment too soon,” with vehemence, she unleashed her bandalore, and it flew out on a swift horizontal flight and then came back to her with a snap. They had been so engrossed in their conversation, that neither had seen Mr Darcy arrive. Elizabeth’s bandalore just missed hitting Mr Darcy at a spot about six inches below his waist. Jamie could tell she was mortified, but he also realized she was too naive to understand the significance of her target. He could barely repress a smile at the thought of her actually hitting that spot. Silently he chastised himself… he was, after all Mr Darcy’s physician.

A startled Mr Darcy jumped back. Once again, Miss Elizabeth had befuddled him. He had expected to see her gleefully making plans to build her solarium or perhaps talking about buying gowns galore, but instead she was discussing slavery and slave rebellions while being amazingly competent with a toy he had never seen before. She wore no bonnet, and her complexion glowed with health and a bit of a tan. He could see the slight protrusion in the front of her dress, and once again noticed she continued to look more womanly.

Elizabeth’s embarrassment gave way to an expression of confusion as to why Mr Darcy was there, but her look of bewilderment was quickly replaced by pleasure at his presence. Dr Wilder wondered if there was something he did not know about their arrangement.

Elizabeth reined in her conflicting emotions and said, “Mr Darcy, I am sorry I almost struck you; but we were quite preoccupied with our conversation and our practice. We are to teach the children how to use these new toys tomorrow… I hope everyone at Pemberley is well.”

Mr Darcy had also regained his composure and said, “No, Miss Elizabeth, all are well. I thought I should come and welcome you to Derbyshire. Have you been to the peaks yet?”

“Oh yes, Jamie… eh Dr Wilder and the Hintons took me last week. It was heaven being up so high and surveying the surrounding countryside. I have a favourite spot near my home, Oakham Mount, where I go when I need to think. It is not nearly as lofty as the peaks. Lizzy’s eyes twinkled with mischief as she said, “I am certain if I lived near them, I could make truly spectacular decisions.”

Mr Darcy, who was wearing his stone face, was inwardly perturbed that she called Dr Wilder, Jamie. As usual, he did not understand why he cared; but he felt envy all the same. By the time Miss Elizabeth had finished her witty observation of the peaks, her irreverent enthusiasm had caught him unawares, and a slight smile with dimples broke through his mask. He said, “What else have you been doing to occupy your time out here in the wilder part of Derbyshire?”

Elizabeth’s face broke into a teasing grin and she said, “Mr Darcy, I do believe you made a pun.” She watched as even more of his dimples were displayed. “We are just enjoying the summer, and luckily for me, there are no neighbours around to observe and wonder at my presence.”

Darcy’s smile faded slightly as he said; “I think it is lucky for me as well.”

Elizabeth was unsure how to react to his statement, so she ignored it and continued with, “As to what I have been doing precisely, I must admit most of my time has been taken up with the Hintons’ children. Mostly we play games, and I tell stories or read to them. Lately, because of the heat, I have been accompanying them to a swimming hole in a creek that runs through the woods in the back. Grif and Ang are great swimmers. I have never known children who swim so often. Back home, it is a stolen pleasure; but Mr and Mrs Hinton encourage them to play in the creek. Dr Wilder or Mr Hinton always accompanies us because I do not swim and would not know how to help them if something went wrong. The most I do is take off my shoes and stockings and wade.”

Elizabeth was disconcerted by the fact that he continued to smile at her ramblings. She remembered Mrs Darcy’s observation that as a child he had dearly loved to laugh. Suddenly she had a totally misplaced desire to see if she could make him laugh. “I was quite startled one evening when Mrs Hinton, whose parents had moved from Wales with Mr Davies and his wife, told me that legend has it that Welsh children who cannot sing are drowned. She then told me with a very wicked look that neither Grif nor Ang can carry a tune; but she expected it explained why they were great swimmers.”

Elizabeth was successful. Mr Darcy laughed, and for the second time in their acquaintance, she thought to herself how very handsome he was.

Mr Darcy was also indulging in thinking her delightful when suddenly her eyes went round with alarm. He heard her say, “Ooh” and grab her belly. Without thinking, he moved toward her. As he moved in her direction, she drew back.

She put up her hand with fear in her eyes, and said quite forcefully, “I am fine. I am just startled. It is the first time I have felt the baby move so enthusiastically. I think the babe kicked me. Jamie has been telling me for the last several weeks to expect something more than the little movements I felt. But, I thought it would be much more gradual. This seemed as though he or she has been thinking and planning the best way to get my attention… perhaps even chastising me.” Elizabeth said the last thinking of her improper thoughts just before the baby made its presence known.

Elizabeth allowed Dr Wilder to approach her. He wanted to make sure it was a kick she felt, and not something more problematic. He stood quite close to her and asked her quietly to describe the feeling precisely. She answered him just as quietly. For a few moments they ignored Mr Darcy.

The master of Pemberley reverted to his mask. Inwardly, he was annoyed she had acted afraid of him. He resented that she did not have the same fear of Dr Wilder; and what was more, she had reverted to calling him Jamie. When they returned their attention toward him, he declined an invitation to join them for some tea. It was time he left. For months he had not understood his feelings for Miss Elizabeth, and he was suddenly overwhelmed with just how disastrous it was for him to have come.

His words were abrupt, and addressed only to Dr Wilder. “I must be returning home. My reason for coming was to bring Miss Elizabeth some volumes of Shakespeare from my library. I know how much she loves him, and I remembered you saying at your last visit to Pemberley that reading was one of her main occupations.”

Elizabeth tried not to frown. She was standing right in front of him, and he was talking as though she were not present. Once again, her impression was that he was displeased with her. He had seemed to admire her only moments before, and then just as quickly he seemed to disapprove.

She thanked him for the books, smiled, and curtsied to him as he left. He bowed, but said nothing as he mounted his horse. Elizabeth sighed once he was gone.

“Lizzy, what is there between ye and Mr Darcy? You and he seem to have a simultaneous attraction and antipathy for each other.”

Lizzy shrugged her shoulders and looked at Jamie sheepishly. “You are right; at least with regards me. From the moment I met him, I felt very strongly that I wanted him to think highly of me.” Elizabeth chuckled as she continued. “Of course, I also wanted Lord Wolfbridge and Mrs Darcy to approve of me, and I could not have been more mistaken in that desire. Somehow, I felt the interaction with Mr Darcy was different.”

Elizabeth’s face reflected her introspection. “With Lord Wolfbridge and Mrs Darcy, I was proud that persons so important would have an interest in me. I probably was more like my mother than I care to admit. I know I relished the thought that I could brag about my important acquaintances once home in Hertfordshire.”

Jamie could tell she was trying to come to terms with her feelings. “With Mr Darcy, however, I thought he was reacting to me as a kindred spirit. He seemed pleased by something that was much beyond the surface. Sometimes I think it was my wit, and sometimes I think he envied the joy I felt that evening. At the time, I did not think he had romantic feelings for me; nor did I think our conversation was at all inappropriate, despite his being married. But my ability to judge characters… something I always considered one of my best traits… has proven to be woefully lacking.”

Elizabeth reflected for a moment on her interaction with Mr Darcy since their meeting at the theatre. She told Jamie what she could remember. “He followed me home from his house the day I was violated. Whether he was being protective of me or his family is unclear. He could not keep from staring at me the day I asked for compensation; but he, even more than Lord Wolfbridge, seemed revolted by my audacity to demand money. Sometimes he seems drawn to me… like today.” She thought of one last piece of the puzzle. “You know, Jamie, I even suspect he might have watched me play with Davy and Marianne in the park near Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s house on occasion. Now I am not certain what he sees when he appears to like me, or what he is repulsed by when he seems to be displeased.”

Elizabeth looked unrepentant as she continued. “I do understand my motives. Today I was trying to make him to laugh, and even to admire me. It makes my decision to relinquish this child easier. It will ease my anxiety when I am back in Hertfordshire if I can believe he does not think ill of me.”

Jamie took Lizzy’s hands and said, “Why were ye afraid of him?”

“Because he looks a great deal like his cousin, and I panic at the thought of being touched by men.” She squeezed his hands and smiled as she said, “Jamie, you are an exception. As soon as I met you, I realized I had no choice in the matter, so I decided to get over my fears sooner rather than later.” Lizzy’s smile became a chuckle as she continued. “It helped that you are such a pleasant man.”

Jamie returned her smile and said, “Thank ye for the compliment; but I have been meaning to ask ye a very serious question. Elizabeth would ye like to keep this babe? I will marry ye to make it so.”

Lizzy captured his eyes, “How kind and compassionate you are to offer.”

Jamie looked searchingly at her and said, “Lizzy, from the moment my cousin told me of the circumstances of your being with child, I have wanted to help ye in any way I could. Ye are very courageous, and your actions have been amazing considering your youth and the rank of Lord Wolfbridge. I have heard from my mother and Bronwyn that ye suffer nightmares. Please know ye have this choice.”

Elizabeth seemed to be collecting her thoughts. She stared at Jamie for several minutes before she spoke. “I must say no on several counts. First, I have responsibilities to my family, and our marriage would appear very suspicious to them. I prefer my family never learn of my humiliation. Besides, it is August and it would not be very believable if I wrote to them and told them I was married and expecting a baby in December… and by the way, I plan to live in Derbyshire for the rest of my days. Such news would create a rupture with my father, mother and sisters that I believe could never be healed. I have come to realize how much I need my family. I made this bargain to solve a financial dilemma for them and that is what I must do.”