Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (102 page)

“I . . . I do not know what you are saying?  I do not wish to leave Pemberley.” 

“No?  Odd, from the way I heard you disparaging me and my abilities as mistress, I could have sworn that you were unappreciative of the great favour we are granting you with our invitation.  It is not Georgiana nor my husband who you should be wishing to claim as your friend, is it?  Neither of them desire your unending compliments, you remind me of Mr. Collins.”  Elizabeth held her eye. 

Unwisely, Caroline struck out.  “So you were to marry Mr. Collins and he was cheated of you, his prize.  Is that why he wrote to Mr. Darcy bragging about his wife’s pregnancy?  He wanted to rub his nose in it, since you had not given him anything at all.”  She looked around the room.  “You all heard the letter.  Did he not suggest that Mrs. Darcy was unwilling to fulfil her duty to her husband?”

Elizabeth stared and unconsciously, her hand went to her stomach.  “He read you the letter that he sent to my husband?” 

“No, Mrs. Darcy.”  Louisa spoke up quickly.  “Lady Catherine wrote to him, it seems, after you spoke to her.  She . . . if she had been present, I have no doubt that Mr. Collins would have felt the force of her cane.  Her fury was terrible enough to hear when Miss Lydia read it aloud.”

“Pardon?”  Elizabeth looked away from Caroline’s blotchy face.   “Lydia read the letter aloud?  How did she come to have it?”

“Mr. Collins was reading it out and stopped.  Mary took it away . . .” 

Elizabeth held up her hand to Jane.  “Yes . . . Mary told me.  She failed to tell me that the entire family and guests, apparently, were treated to it as well.”  She drew a steadying breath. 

“I am so glad that you did not marry him, Elizabeth!”  Georgiana said fervently. 

“So am I.”  She closed her eyes and willed Darcy to come upstairs.

“So . . . your trip to Scotland . . . was it just to honeymoon or was it something else?”  Jane watched Elizabeth’s head turn to regard her.  “It was suggested that you miscarried, and that Mr. Darcy took you there to recover.  That is why he did not invite us to join you there when we were so close by.”

“In the first place, Jane, the information of if I was or was not carrying Fitzwilliam’s child is completely private.  That you could participate in such speculation tells me that you are not the same sister I knew when I last visited Longbourn.  And second, I . . . Why would I want you to join us on our honeymoon?  Georgiana was with us, but that was because we had no companion for her yet, and Fitzwilliam is more her father than brother.  When did you become so sour, Jane?” 

“I am not sour!”  She cried.

“You are not pleasant, either!  Yes, Papa died.  You knew that would happen.  Why do you behave as if you should be martyred for aiding him and I should be pilloried?  If Mr. Bingley had not been the dear gentleman that he is, he could easily have denied you permission to devote your time to Longbourn instead of him.”

Jane bristled, “I am the eldest; it was my position to sacrifice.”

“Sacrifice!”  Elizabeth stared.  “You were to marry well . . . you had the best chance because you were so beautiful . . .  Sacrifice!  That is the most ridiculous notion I have ever heard.  You were perfectly yourself after Mary and I were married; it was not until your wedding that you changed.  I think that you were jealous of me for being gone.  You wished it for yourself!”

“No, of course not!”

“Papa never doted on you.  He appreciated your beauty, he appreciated his first child, but he never gave you his attention, Mama did.  You were perfect in every way to her.  I know, I was forever told how inferior I was.”

In the hallway, Darcy kept his hand on Bingley’s shoulder.  Not quite holding him back as giving him support as he heard his wife being revealed to him.  Hurst stood out of sight of the women, and watched the scene unfold.  Elizabeth was leaning forward, staring unflinchingly at Jane.  And Jane had her head bowed.  The other women were absolutely silent. 

“You were correct; we should have left this to speak about privately.” Jane murmured.

“At least you are present; apparently every aspect of my life has been dissected for the amusement of Longbourn and Netherfield and nobody put a stop to it.”  She saw her sister’s eyes well up with tears.   “If I hurt you, I apologize.”  Elizabeth closed her eyes to take a hold of her raging emotions and then opening them, gratefully saw Darcy in the doorway.  He entered the room and moving to stand behind her, rested his hand upon her shoulder.  Elizabeth reached up and drew strength from his touch.  Hurst took a seat beside Louisa.  Bingley hesitated, and then seeing Jane’s distress, sat beside her. 

“It seems that we missed quite a discussion.”  Darcy murmured, rubbing his thumb along Elizabeth’s throat. “As uncomfortable as it is right now, I prefer to have this exposed tonight, rather than dancing around it under the guise of politeness for the length of your stay.  As my wife has opened the door in her inimitable way, I will continue through.  Miss Bingley, you are being given a great opportunity to forward your chances to marry, I suggest that you spend your time preparing for it.  Unending compliments only set my teeth on edge and do nothing to encourage a future invitation.  I think that I need not mention your behaviour towards my dear wife.”  Caroline nodded and then looked down at her hands.  His turned to Jane.  “Mrs. Bingley,” clutching her handkerchief she managed to look up, “I have learned that expressions of disappointment contain the same message as effusions.  My wife loves you; otherwise she would not speak so harshly.”  Jane looked to Elizabeth.  “I hope that over the course of your visit, your friendship will be repaired.”  

Elizabeth watched as Jane’s gaze moved to Bingley.  His love for her was heartbreakingly clear.  He offered his hand and as she clasped it, he stood, bringing her with him.  Nodding to the room, Bingley said quietly, “Please excuse us.” 

Hurst puffed out his cheeks when they had gone.  “I do not envy the walls in that room tonight.”

“If they talk, then it will be exactly what they needed to do months ago.”  Darcy leaned down to kiss Elizabeth’s cheek.  “You, however, have done enough talking for one night, love.”

“Have I?”  She said softly.

“mmhmmm.”  Tugging her hand, she stood and he guided her around the sofa and into his arms.  He held her close and rubbed his hands over her back.  “I will take a cue from my friend and wish you all a good night.”  He smiled at Georgiana over Elizabeth’s head resting against his chest.  “You are hostess now.”  Georgiana’s already wide eyes grew like saucers.  “Train her well, Mrs. Annesley.”

“Mr. Darcy . . .” Caroline began and was immediately silenced by his instantly cold stare.  “Good night.”

“Good night, Miss Bingley.”  He smoothly guided Elizabeth out the door. 

“You may close your mouths now, ladies.”  Hurst said with admiration in his voice.  “You have to hand it to the man.  He does nothing by halves.” 

“THIRTY MINUTES.”  Darcy pronounced as he drew out his watch and consulted the time.

“Far too long.”  Elizabeth leaned heavily on his shoulder as they strolled along with their arms around each other.  “You must pay a tribute, sir.” 

“I like the sound of that.”  He watched as her hand wandered over his coat and one-by-one, freed the buttons. He cocked his brow.  “Are you undressing me, Mrs. Darcy?”

“I thought that I would do in fact what you were doing with your eyes all night.” 

“You noticed?”

“I think that everyone noticed.”  Their eyes met and he leaned to kiss her. 

“How was it?  It seemed that emotions were running very high.”  Darcy murmured as soon as they were out of earshot of the room.

“I do not know what came over me towards the end, but I felt so violated, and you know what happens when I am frightened.”  Worried eyes examined her and he nodded.  “Do not mind me, I was not serious.”

“Yes, you were, love.  And you are very tired.”

“Why does everyone keep telling me that?  This afternoon I explained to Samuel that a woman does not appreciate being told that she looks anything but perfect by her suitor.” 

“I am not your suitor, I am your husband.”  His eyes warmed as hers narrowed.  “And I heard the verbal sparring that was underway.  I am absolutely speechless about what has been discussed of us, though considering the source . . . Your reaction was entirely justified.”

“Jane did not apologize.”  Elizabeth said sadly.

“She will.  You know that she will.  She is not used to sparring with anyone approaching your talent.  When Bingley came in, she wilted like a flower.  Miss Bingley was silenced; I admire that more than I can say.”

“As you told me, I had to state clearly whose home it was.  I thought that I had established my position with Miss Bingley in London, particularly with Lady Catherine’s assistance, but it seems that I needed to remind her here.  After all, Pemberley was her ultimate goal.”  Darcy frowned and shook his head.  Elizabeth touched the scar on his cheek.  “And I suppose that it did not occur to me that it would be necessary to do at all with Jane.  I am sorry that I lost my temper.” 

“Do not be, you needed to express yourself.  I hope that what was said does them some good.”

“I hope that he kisses more than her hand.  Jane needs a lesson in passion.”  Elizabeth smiled and leaned against his shoulder as he kissed her hair.  

“He was voicing what sounded a great deal like regret when we were alone.”  Darcy sighed.  “I was sorrier than I could say to hear him.”

“Regret that they had married?”  When he nodded, she became quiet and he tilted his head.

“What are you thinking?” 

“I imagine that he is disappointed in himself as much as Jane.  He kept hoping that she would return to the girl he fell in love with, but I imagine he never said a word while it was happening.  I wonder if he did not notice until the damage was done and then did not know how to repair it.” Elizabeth said thoughtfully, smiling when she observed Darcy’s attention.  “What did I say?”

“That thought never occurred to me.” 

“Now, that is a surprise.” 

“Why?”  He demanded.

“Because you are a master of feeling disappointed in yourself when you miss some detail or other.  You suppose yourself the seer of all things in your world.”  Her eyes sparkled.

“Hmmm.”  Darcy hugged her waist.  “I disliked being seated so far away from you tonight.”

“No paddy fingers under the table.  No stockinged foot sliding up your thigh . . .”

“Hmmmmm.  And tonight I think that we both needed it.”  She saw his lips twitch.

“What are you thinking?”

“It is a surprise.”

“Tell me!” 

“No.”

“Tell me . . .”  She whispered seductively.

“ooooh.”  His eyes lit up.  “Hold that thought.” 

“I can think of many things I would enjoy holding.”  Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled.  “And tasting . . .”

“Lizzzzy.” 

“I need you.”  She whispered.  “I want you.”

“Lord, help me.”  Darcy bent his head and breathed in her perfume.  “Why were you not seductive last night, when the house was still ours?”

“Perhaps I enjoy torturing you?”

“Perhaps?”  He chuckled.  “I hope that you ate tonight, so that you may keep up with all my imagination is conjuring.”

“I do eat!”

“Do not even attempt to protest.  Your habits are my business.”  Their eyes held and disregarding the footman stationed at the end of the hallway, he bent and caressed her cheek before tenderly brushing her mouth with his lips and just barely tasted her tongue.  The thrill of that slight touch ran down both of their spines.  Darcy drew away, “Peppermint?”

“Do you prefer ginger?” 

“As long as it is from your tongue, love . . .”  Smiling, he kissed her temple.  “Can you tolerate cider, do you think?”

“What is on your mind, Mr. Darcy?  You know what cider does to me!”

Chuckling, he signalled the footman and placed his order.  Turning back to her he was grinning.  “I do.” 

Her hands landed on her hips.  “This will be a long night with little sleep.”

“I certainly hope so.”  Darcy’s gaze travelled over her and he took her hands back into his.  “You promised me this morning, remember?”

“You are undressing me with your eyes again.”  Elizabeth whispered.

“Mmmm.  No.  You are quite . . . quite . . . bare already.”  His grip tightened and glancing at his breeches, Elizabeth shifted to conceal his arousal. 

“Do not worry about hiding that, love.” Pulling her closer, he nuzzled her ear.  “I know the perfect place.” 

“I ASKED PARKER about it this morning.  We had plenty of time to talk; he said that Darcy and Elizabeth were sleeping late.”   Bingley drove as closely as he could to the base of the cliff, and then setting the brake, helped Jane down from Elizabeth’s curricle.  “With the angle and the leaves on the trees, you cannot really see it from the drive above, but he said that it should be visible from the bottom.”    Taking her hand, they walked over the uneven ground until they found the faint path that lead to the cliff.  Together they stood with their heads back, looking over the craggy face.  At last he spotted something.  “Look there!”  He pointed. 

“Where?”

“That boulder there . . . about ten feet from that lone pine stuck in a fissure, I see a piece of the curricle.  Do you see?”

Jane strained and the gasping, her hands went to her mouth.  Bingley stared and put his hand around her waist.  “Mr. Darcy was stuck
there
?  No wonder he was so terribly hurt.”

“Good Lord.”  Bingley whispered.  “Do you know the odds of him being discovered, let alone living long enough for Elizabeth to demand that they find him?”

“She did not ever give up on him.”  Jane whispered.

“From what I heard from Parker this morning, everyone else had.  When those men who died were brought to the manor and he pulled back the blanket, expecting to see Darcy’s battered body . . . Poor Elizabeth, the horror and then the hope she must have felt in just moments.  Everyone else was cold and tired, but she would have climbed up here alone.  From what I understand she was on her way before the men knew what she was doing.”  Bingley looked away from the spot where his friend had nearly died and found Jane with tears running down her face.  “What are you thinking?”