Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (22 page)

Suddenly, the first set was over, and as Wilkens led Elizabeth from the floor, Lord Holmes moved forward to claim his set. Ever mindful of the direction of William’s gaze, Richard knew the exact moment his cousin’s eyes found the woman he loved. Had he not known what was transpiring, he would have thought that William had slipped into a trance—his body went so rigid that he could have been taken for one of the statues in his own gardens. At length Richard felt compelled to ask, “Darcy? Are you well?”

Only a tightening of the muscles in his jaw belied William’s awareness of the question, and when he fixed his gaze on Richard, emotions flashed in his eyes in rapid succession—not the least of which was misery. Without bothering to give an answer, he stalked towards the open French doors that led onto the terrace. Meaning to take to the gardens, his vaulted control collapsed once he was outside, and he halted where the steps began, holding on to a column for support.

Catching up, Richard clasped his shoulder. “Forgive me, Darcy. Evidently I was wrong.”

William seemed to struggle to understand his meaning. “Wrong?”

“I met Elizabeth Bennet in this very house when I called on Walter the other day. She was a guest.”

“And you recognised her?”

“How could I forget that name? She seemed to signify so much to you. So, I questioned her. Learning that she was from Meryton, I asked if she had met Bingley, and when she said she had, I was certain it was she—the woman you had come to love.”

“You knew all along, yet you did not tell me.”

“I was trying to
save
you.”

William answered with no little sarcasm. “Save me? From what were you trying to save me?”

“From yourself! If anything, you are too good, too decent. I have only to mention your marriage to Gisela as my case in point!”

William’s irritation waned as Richard continued. “You analyse everything and put everyone’s welfare above your own. You love her! Of that I am sure, and I am just as certain that you would not have come tonight had you known she would be here. All in the name of what is
best
for Miss Bennet… what is
best
for everyone. I think you feel she would be better off forgetting you. Am I right?”

William did not answer. Instead he looked up into the velvety star-filled expanse, wondering how the same stars he studied from his balcony every night, could appear so much more beautiful now that she was in London. He took a deep breath of the cool night air. Even the air tasted sweeter! Did he dare consider what he desired now that she was close enough to touch?

Richard persisted, interrupting his thoughts. “You deserve her, Darcy! You truly do! And she deserves someone like you, not that pompous arse Wilkens.”

“Wilkens? Earl of Hampton?”

“The very one! Mark my words; he has set his cap for your Miss Bennet. He showed his jealousy the evening I met her, practically daring me to ask her for a set.”

“But, he is well known for his temper! Most of White’s shun him when it comes to games of chance because he is such a poor loser, and there is talk that he cannot keep servants because of his rages.”

“I am not privy to all the rumours at White’s, but what I do know is that he is an arrogant fool and not someone the fair Miss Bennet should marry.” 

“Surely, you jest! Eliz—Miss Bennet could never esteem such a man!”

“Come down from your ivory tower, Cousin. Miss Bennet lives in another sphere, and what she desires will matter not a whit! In her world, a lowly squire’s daughter with nothing to recommend her but beauty and intelligence is left to the mercy of whoever deigns to offer for her.”

At William’s glare, Richard held up both hands. “I am only repeating what you related to me—she has little dowry and no connections.” As William acknowledged those facts with a nod, Richard pressed his point. “And to her family, John Wilkens would appear an excellent match. I imagine that Wilkens thinks he will incur none of the problems he did in the pursuit of more socially appropriate candidates. I heard Alicia tell Mother that Miss Christensen, Miss Hartwell and Miss Norwood—all the daughters of earls—rejected his request for a courtship. And you are well aware that my sister is never wrong when it comes to tittle-tattle.”

William bristled. “Elizabeth was not meant for such a man as that!”

“She was meant for you! And if you cannot see it, I can! Divorce that wench you are shackled to, and marry the woman you want! Marry Miss Bennet!”

William took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Do you not think that is what I want? That I do not think of it every waking hour? It is very difficult to divorce, as you are well aware, but I believe I have sufficient proof to win a civil trial, and your father’s cousin, the Bishop of London, would agree to preside over the ecclesiastical court or appoint someone favourable to me. Of that I am certain. But the worst of it would be getting Parliament to pass the bill allowing me to marry again. It could be a long, drawn-out battle, and if your father opposes me—”

Richard interjected, “I believe, if it comes to that, Father would support you. But if not, you can do this without him! You have Landingham’s support and soon Holmes will be in the House of Lords, and there is Lord Houghton, Lord Pearson, Lord Dearing, Greenlow’s uncle, Powell’s father. Deuce, half your classmates from Cambridge have fathers in the House of Lords. I could name two dozen of my fellow officers that have family members in their ranks. Besides, it will not be the first time you have faced a battle. Is she not worth the fight?”

“She would be worth any trial! But you forget what I am pitted against.”

“Pray enlighten me.”

“There is still the matter of Georgiana’s paternity. How she will react knowing she is not Father’s child?”

“Thanks to Aunt Audrey, Georgiana is not the child she was two years ago but a young woman. She is maturing and it is time you gave her credit for being worldly enough to know that these things happen. She is still her mother’s child and your sister, and she will survive the revelation. And, frankly, I think she should be informed, especially when Gisela is the one holding the truth over your head as a bargaining tool. Tell her before someone else does.”

William began to pace and run his hands through his hair. “And what would my love for Elizabeth accomplish? Am I selfish to want her for my own? I anguish over dragging her into this misery and fear it would be kinder to steer her towards another—some man more worthy than Wilkens.”

“And who would that be? Do you have a farmer in mind? A tradesman? An officer? Most gentlemen of consequence—those of the
ton
—will not give her any consideration beyond that of a mistress.”

Richard might have been exaggerating a bit, but he wanted to make his point, and the scowl that was William’s reply would have cowed most men. However, he stifled a smile as he stated, “Face the truth! No man will ever love her as you do.”

“If I take this chance and Gisela learns of my love for Elizabeth, she will do everything to destroy her—drag her name through the mud, embarrass her, perhaps even confront her. And most of the
ton
would be glad to help, as they love a good mud-raking! Elizabeth would be ruined and her sisters with her. And in the end, it could very well be years before we could marry… if we could marry.”

“Mother and Aunt Audrey can handle the
ton
. And Mother would take your side if you took as drastic a step as divorce, I assure you. Furthermore, despite what you may think, your wealth, family connections and status are enough to protect you in the long term. The
ton’s
censure moves quickly on to the next victim, the next scandal.”

William considered his words, and Richard continued his argument a little less stridently.

“As for Miss Bennet’s sisters, you could prove their saviour—providing them with larger dowries and connections. But in any event, why do you not give Miss Bennet the opportunity to decide her future? She may be happier waiting for you than married to another man, or God forbid, married to Wilkens. Speak to her! Find out what she wants.”

Hope filled William’s heart. “I… I suppose it could not hurt to speak with her.”

“Exactly! And YOU should inform her that you are married. It will not go well if she learns it from someone else.”

William’s face softened as his heart began to hope.

Richard patted his back. “Come, let us return to the ball before the affair has ended, and you have missed the opportunity to speak to your amour.”

With an arm around William’s shoulder, Richard led his friend back into the crowded ballroom. They had gotten no more than fifty feet when they encountered the throng leaving the dance floor as the second set ended. 

“Richard, I am so glad you were able to come, even if you were late!” Lord Holmes reached to shake Richard’s hand, chuckling at the surprise on the colonel’s face.

“It was Darcy’s fault! You know how averse he is to receiving lines!” Laughter ensued among those observing the exchange, as Holmes turned to study William.
“Ah, Darcy!” he began, reaching out to shake William’s hand. “It has been far too long since we were in each other’s company. I am pleased that you decided to join us.”

William, a little put-out to be the object of so much attention, smiled wanly. “Thank you. I am pleased to have been invited.”

At that moment, Penelope Holmes moved to take her husband’s arm, declaring, “Mr. Darcy, it is good to see you. Richard said he would try to entice you to join us.”

“On the contrary, I am delighted to be here, Lady Holmes.”

Lord and Lady Holmes had hindered the crowd departing the dance floor when they stopped to speak to Richard and William. Now as the throng began to move around the four of them, Penelope reached into the crowd to pull someone to her side.

“Oh, Miss Bennet, you simply must meet this gentleman while the opportunity presents. He is so seldom in London or in company when he is here. Let me introduce—”   

Elizabeth now stood directly in front of him, looking even more beautiful than when he first spied her in the bookshop. For a moment, William was dumbstruck, his heart pounding in his throat.

For her part, as Lady Holmes pulled her aside, curiosity quickly changed to dread when Elizabeth saw William. Her beautiful smile faded, and in the depths of the ebony eyes he adored, he saw traces of heartbreak and resignation instead of happiness. And both emotions were replaced by a look of defiance by the time Lady Holmes finished, “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Shaken by the changes he had just witnessed, William mumbled, “It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet.” Then he bowed curtly.

“Likewise, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied woodenly, barely curtsying.

He was about to speak again when her escort, Lord Shackelford, said haughtily, “Come, Miss Bennet! You wished for some punch, did you not?” With a glare at Darcy, the pompous aristocrat directed Elizabeth away, and still in shock, she did not object.

“Well, I suppose Lord Shackelford considers everyone competition for Miss Bennet’s attentions. How amusing!” Penelope Holmes observed.  “I suppose it should come as no surprise, though, as she is quite lovely and refreshing with her charming country manners.”

Jealousy shone from Darcy’s eyes as he followed Elizabeth’s departure with Shackelford. Meanwhile, Penelope kept rambling. “I do think that Lord Wilkens has the advantage though. I have it on good authority that her family likes him tremendously. I believe that will be the match for her!”

Luckily, their hosts were distracted as more of their guests began to vie for their attention, and they walked on, leaving William and Richard alone once more.

“That was awkward.” Richard declared, glancing at his cousin. “Miss Bennet must be angry for some reason. I secured the last set with her, fully intending for you to take it, but I am afraid that may not be enough time to repair whatever grievance she carries. Perhaps you should ask for an earlier set as well, if there is one available.”

“I think it best if I leave her alone until the last set. That way, if she is disinclined to forgive me, she may refuse me the set without injury to herself.”

Richard sighed. “As I said before, you are far too noble for your own good.”

~~~*~~~

London
Holmes House
The ball continues

Only those who knew John Wilkens well would know what the set of his jaw and constant clenching and unclenching of his fists meant. Though he showed no visible expression as he surreptitiously watched the woman he had decided to marry while she performed to strangers, he was livid.

It was not supposed to be that way. Elizabeth Bennet was supposed to be grateful for his attention and take no notice of other men. Instead, she seemed perfectly content to flirt with first one and then another, though clearly each was of such rank as to consider her no more than a diversion. The only man who had not behaved as though he was mulling over her suitability for his mistress was Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Wilkens had watched as Elizabeth was introduced to Darcy and noted that that gentleman had ignored her—not that he expected anything different. Well acquainted with the master of Pemberley, he knew that Darcy would never consider Elizabeth for a tryst because he would never lower himself to indulge in such diversions. They had once had a heated discussion about the merits of mistresses, in particular married men keeping mistresses, and Darcy was adamantly against the practice, saying that it ruined trust between husbands and wives and destroyed families. Wilkens had argued that he fully intended to keep his mistresses when he married, as he saw no need to forego pleasure just to acquire an heir. That pronouncement had garnered the laughter and approval of the majority of the men gathered around them at White’s and Darcy had stalked off. The memory made Wilkens smile for the first time tonight, though no one would be able to tell. Anyone with secrets to hide needed to be able to conceal his emotions in public, and he had perfected the art.