Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (34 page)

“Yes, we will talk it over later.”  Darcy turned away and breaking open the note, he read.  A slow smile appeared.

29 November 1811

From a carriage outside of Netherfield Hall

My Fitzwilliam,

I know that I asked you to stay away, and you have held up your end of bargain admirably, but neither of us said anything of me staying away from you.  I therefore exercise a woman’s prerogative to act on my desires. 

Please open the door for me!

Your Elizabeth

“Minx.”  He whispered affectionately.  Hearing the servants bustling about, he tucked the letter into his coat, and entered the hallway in time to see the front door open and Elizabeth and Jane being greeted with moderate politeness by Caroline.  Waiting for the interminable apologies and insincere demurs to end, he finally stepped forward with barely hidden anticipation.  “It is about time you came.”

Surprised, she smiled and handing her coat and bonnet to the maid, took his outstretched hands. “I was sparing you; I hope you know that.”

“Are you well?”  They said simultaneously.  “The post came.”  They said together again.  Immediately their eyes lit up and they squeezed each other’s hands.

“Mine is from my uncle . . .”

“Mine is from your aunt.”  Elizabeth’s eyes dropped and his hands increased the grip.  “She warns me that I will regret marrying you.”

“Will you?”  He whispered.

“No.”  She looked back up to him.  “I will enjoy it just to spite her.”

“Well done, dear.  Hopefully you will have better reasons than that to be glad.”  Darcy studied her expression and worked to maintain the confidence she was trying to display with an encouraging smile.  Taking her arm, he noticed that they were alone.  “Where is everyone?”

“I saw Mr. Bingley take Jane into the parlour.”  Elizabeth laughed when his smile grew and Darcy, not one to waste an opportunity, dipped his head and kissed her.  “Fitzwilliam!” 

Darcy’s head wagged as his lips pressed over her increasingly warm cheeks and found their way back to her welcoming mouth.  Hearing her breathing hitch, his eyes darkened, “I did not like this separation, Elizabeth.  Do you realize how little time we have spent together over the past two weeks?” 

“Yes, I do.”  Her voice was soft.  “But I had to say goodbye, even if the expressions of farewell were more convincing from some family members over others.”  His eyes closed and reluctantly, he withdrew and rubbed his thumb over her hand.  “I know so very little of you, Fitzwilliam, and the life we will lead, but I also know that I will never be alone with my family again.  I hope that you understand.  I did not ask you to stay away because I do not wish to be with you.”

“I do understand, dearest.  We have a lifetime to talk; I do not begrudge your need to pay your respects to your family.”  He saw her smile a little and kissed her fingers.  “Have you made peace with your father?  I hope so.”

“I decided that it is best to leave Longbourn believing that he meant well, and to be grateful that his plans were unsuccessful.  We spent yesterday together, talking about so many things; he was very nostalgic and seemed to want to tell family stories.  I let him beat me at chess.”  Darcy smiled when she glanced at him.  Elizabeth let go of his hands and he easily drew her into his embrace.  “Something is wrong, I know it is.”

“He is feeling sentimental seeing his favourite child wed and leave home.”  Darcy rested his cheek in her hair and closed his eyes, imagining his last moments with his father.  “Did you say that you loved him?”  Elizabeth nodded and he blinked rapidly, holding her tighter.  His father’s face disappeared.  “He will never forget that.”

Feeling her move he looked down to her, and she reached up to gently brush his cheek.  “What else did Aunt Catherine have to say?”

“She will never forgive me for the devastation I brought upon your cousin.  She said that when we meet in Town, they will not acknowledge me, everyone of your society will note the cut, and they will shun me.”  Elizabeth spoke worriedly.  “Fitzwilliam . . .”

“Let her do her worst, Elizabeth.  We will be in London very briefly before leaving for home, and nobody of true importance is there now.  Besides, anyone who knows me also knows that I have avoided Anne for years.  Aunt Catherine is a disappointed mother, one of many.”

“Many.”  Elizabeth scoffed uncomfortably.  “What an ego you have!  I suppose that I will be running across the ladies you spurned?”

“Probably, but you make it sound much worse than it was.  Besides, I am not so very important, just a landowner, not a Duke.  I really am not so grand.”  Chuckling at her exasperated sigh he shrugged.  “I speak in comparison to the society I inhabit.  You mock in comparison to the society you know.  The important point is that you will be on my arm, and wearing my ring.” 

“So I will.”  Elizabeth laid her head against his chest for a moment and drew confidence from his solid warmth.  “And what will you have of mine?”

Darcy kissed her temple and smiled enigmatically.  “Oh, that is up to you to provide.” 

“Are you two joining us?”  Richard called from the parlour door. 

Straightening, she took Darcy’s arm when he let her go.  “Does joining you involve an interrogation?  If so, I would rather remain here.”    

Richard’s brow rose and looking back to the parlour, he stepped into the hallway to stand before them.  “Miss Elizabeth, I beg your forgiveness.  I had an assignment that I took on far too zealously, and I hurt you.  Can you appreciate my desire to protect my cousin?  Can you accept my desire to measure your mettle?”

“I can, but I do not appreciate your methods, nor your timing.  I hope that you can appreciate the incredible burden you have placed upon yourself, sir.  Because now it is
you
who must prove yourself to
me
, along with whoever charged you with this
assignment
as you call it.”  Elizabeth noted his surprise and looked up when she heard Darcy’s soft laugh.  “Fitzwilliam?”

He lifted her hand and kissed it.  “I said before that you know how to make me feel better, and once again you have.  Come, let us join the others.” 

“Will you not defend me?”  Richard demanded as they walked. 

“From a woman who barely reaches your shoulder?”  Darcy raised his brows.  “I think not.  She has you.”  Letting go of her arm, he watched as Elizabeth greeted the rest of the party.  “You sent your opinion to Uncle.”

Richard watched him watching her.  “Yes, I was complimentary of Elizabeth, but honest.  Would you expect less?” 

“No, but it resulted in a rather lacklustre response.”  Darcy removed the letter from his coat and handed it to him.

29 November 1811

 Berkeley Street

Dear Darcy,

I have heard from the colonel and he has pronounced Miss Elizabeth Bennet to be acceptable and sincere.  I fear that he has measured his words.  He was most careful in his choices when describing her family, but for the lady herself, he was hopeful, and certainly glowing in his assessment of your attachment.  He saw no artifice on her part, which was good to know.  We certainly see enough of that amongst society, but he appreciated that her presentation to you was genuine.

 I cannot help but take this last, undoubtedly useless opportunity, to point out the importance of our family name.  Bringing a woman of such low standing into the family is an insult to all the Darcys have built over these past centuries.  Yes, I will support your right to be a fool over a woman, but I pray that it does not bring about your demise.  Forgive me for sounding so ominous nephew.  I am very fond of you, and I am attempting to fill my brother’s shoes in his absence.  I am sure that you can appreciate that.

As the colonel does report genuine feeling between you and Miss Bennet, I believe that this marriage may have occurred regardless of your sister’s situation.  I beg of you one last time to please reconsider your decision to make Wickham’s chanceling your heir.  Darcy blood it will have, but not from a man, it is not the same!  Do not pollute Pemberley with this product of a criminal act.  Marry your choice if you must, but reconsider this plan!

No news of Wickham to report, the bastard remains as slippery as an eel, but the search continues.  Mrs. Younge was discovered murdered in her boarding house several days ago.  I have heard of no connection to our situation, but a woman who would help in the absolute ruin of my dear niece has surely met the end she deserves.  I would certainly let off the person who performed the duty should he appear before me.

Despite my misgivings, please believe my sincere wishes of joy on your wedding day.  Bring her around when you come to Town.  I promise to treat her with the respect that the Mistress of Pemberley deserves, and always will.

Your uncle,

Harding Darcy

Richard cleared his throat and folding the letter handed it back to Darcy.  They exchanged glances.  “I believe that he read more into my letter than I wrote, Darcy.  I was quite complimentary of Elizabeth.”

“I cannot wait to hear from your parents after you write to them.”  Darcy said dryly and put the letter away.  “Mrs. Younge murdered.”

“Fascinating, that.”  Richard happily latched onto the subject.

“Well, if Uncle says there is no connection, than I am sure that there is not.  But it leaves us no closer to Wickham.  I hope we have something before I take Elizabeth home.  Something I can tell to Georgiana.” 

“Will you at least listen to your uncle’s request to give up the notion of pretending to have fathered this child with Elizabeth?”  Richard whispered. 

Darcy said nothing, watching Elizabeth appreciating some nonsense that Bingley was spouting.  She had her hand to her mouth, and was failing utterly in containing her laughter, and even picked up a pillow to embrace.  He imagined a baby in her arms, their baby.  A boy possessing her bright, intelligent eyes.  “How can I forsake you, Son?”  He whispered.

Richard nudged him.  “Darcy?” 

“You seem a little lost, Mr. Darcy.”  Elizabeth turned to Samuel. 

“We will be family tomorrow; I think that you might start calling me by name now.”  He tilted his head.  “Samuel or Sam?”

“Sam!”  Elizabeth laughed and from across the room, Darcy woke from his contemplation.  “Oh no, I could not!  Samuel is a proper name for a gentleman, and you most certainly are one of the best examples I have ever met.”  Samuel’s face lit up.  “You must call me Elizabeth or Lizzy.” 

“Elizabeth, an honour.”  He beamed. 

“Now . . . are you lost?”

“I suppose I am, a bit.”  He watched a maid entering with a tray of tea things.  “I am rather uncomfortable in people’s homes.”

“Why is that?”  She smiled as she took in the pleasantly talking group and turned back to him.  “Do not tell me that you resemble your cousin in more than looks, now?”

“Ah, William.”  He sent a quick look across the room to where Darcy remained with Richard.  “He is uncomfortable because he is an object of interest.”

“William.”  Elizabeth said thoughtfully, and returned her gaze to Samuel.  “He claims that he is not so interesting because he is not so great.”

Laughing, he shook his head.  “In comparison to the nobility, certainly, but in comparison to most of the rest of this country, he is hardly of the poor.  I, however, am much closer to you than he.”  Looking around the parlour, he smiled.  “Netherfield, while half the size, or probably less, than Pemberley, is still overwhelmingly great to me.” 

“So that is why you are uncomfortable?”

“Oh, well I am used to Pemberley itself, but . . . no it is the family dynamic that overwhelms me.”

“Have you siblings?”

“Not anymore.”  He spoke softly.  “My elder brothers, and three younger sisters, died within the same week when I was almost five years old.” 

“Oh my!”  Elizabeth took his hand in hers.  “I am so very sorry!”

Samuel smiled.  “It was long ago, and I do not remember them at all.  It is my parents who suffered.  My father changed after that, became harder.  And Mother was never able to bear another child, even though she did not become ill.  Heartbroken, the doctors said.”

“Were you sick?”

“Mildly, but for some reason I did not become deathly ill.  Of course William did not become sick at all, being safe in the manor house.  Mother told me once that Father was angry his brother did not seem to appreciate enough the loss of his family, but she said that he forgets how many miscarriages my aunt Anne had suffered.”  He shrugged and looked up to find Darcy staring at their clasped hands.  He let hers go and saw her blush when she caught Darcy’s expression.  “Father expects a great deal from me as a result.”

“To be like him?”

“I suppose.”  Samuel sighed.  “Adulthood has awakened a bit of a rebellious streak in me that he does not like.”

“Too bad.”  Elizabeth whispered and nudged him.  “I have one, too.  I say we rebels make the world much more interesting.”

“I have found a friend in you!” 

“Have you?  I am pleased to hear that.”  Darcy at last joined them and possessively took Elizabeth’s hand.    “I thought that you came here to visit
me
.”

“I did, but you were busy whispering to that blue-coated interloper you call Cousin.”  She lifted her shoulders.  “I am not responsible for my actions when I am left to my own devices.  After all, I am a mere empty-headed woman; one Darcy is very likely as interesting as another.”  Elizabeth winked at Samuel.

He grinned and bowed his head.  “Interchangeable, I suppose.”

“I will have to distinguish myself then.”  Darcy looked between them.  “Empty-headed, my foot.” 

“Well as of tomorrow, I am not to have another independent thought, am I?”  She looked down at their hands and spotting a ring on his left, knitted her brow as she tried to read the engraving.  Darcy noticed and cleared his throat.  Elizabeth looked up.