Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (25 page)

Stratton Park
Cheapside

The early morning mist had barely lifted when the carriage pulled up to the main entrance to a small park in Cheapside. Leaping out as only a nimble young man could, Richard Fitzwilliam walked towards his aunt with the self-assured stride of a military officer, gaining the notice of the few female occupants of the park at this hour as he progressed. He had spied her almost as soon as he quit the carriage, sitting upon a bench—Audrey Ashcroft was hard to miss. Every inch the refined lady used to wealth and privilege, she looked as though she hardly belonged in this place. Upon seeing his approach, she smiled and stood, smoothing her skirts. A maid stepped forward to assist, handing her mistress a gaily coloured silk parasol to shade her against the sun’s rays which had just begun to push through the haze.

As he got closer, Richard was relieved to find that she was accompanied by two burly footmen of Darcy’s employ, who stood guard several feet away. He chuckled to himself. He should have known that his cousin would never allow her to go anywhere alone, much less to Cheapside. This area of Town was known for having its share of beggars and other miscreants on the streets and often in the parks.

“Richard, thank you for coming so promptly.”

“When I got your summons, I left straightaway. Now, please explain to me why we were to meet at this ungodly hour and why this venue, when Hyde Park is just across from Darcy House? If you wanted exercise whilst we talked, it would have been much more convenient.”

Lady Audrey tilted her parasol in order to see her nephew’s face. Noting the glint in his eye and his barely contained smile, she withheld the remark on the tip of her tongue, instead replying, “I have learned that Miss Elizabeth Bennet loves to walk every morning. And since she has returned to her relations and they live near here, this is the logical place for her to accomplish that.”

“And how did you manage to glean that information in such a brief amount of time? After all, it was only a day ago that William confessed their relationship to you.”

“I have my methods, which shall remain nameless.”

Richard grinned widely. “Why do I believe it involves gossiping servants?”

“Since you are so astute, I shall confess. It was merely a matter of having one of my maids enquire of Miss Bennet’s habits from a friend who is a maid at Holmes House. I am sure you know of what I speak. My brother’s butler tells you every scrap of gossip that he learns from Darcy House, I have no doubt.”

“I believe it is you who is astute, Aunt!”

It was now Lady Audrey’s turn to chuckle. “That was an easy deduction. How else would you know everything that affects Fitzwilliam, almost as soon as he does? It is obvious that Rutgers respects you, though he has no use for Edgar and very little respect for my brother and sister. He makes the ideal sleuth.” Her eyes twinkled. “He is a very wise man. But, alas, we could waste all morning praising our methods and still accomplish nothing.”

“You are correct! So we have rushed here in hopes of catching William’s love in the park. And I have been included in this adventure because—”

“You have made her acquaintance, and she will be less suspicious if you introduce me. Once you have made the introduction, you shall find a convenient excuse to leave us alone.”

Richard feigned hurt feelings, his hand flying to his heart. “How easily I am dismissed.” At his aunt’s chuckle, he continued. “But have you considered that she may not walk out today for some reason or choose to come later?”

“She will be here this morning. I have a good feeling about it.”

“Then shall we walk about the park or sit on this bench?”

His aunt threaded her arm through his. “We shall walk!” 

Thus, they strolled slowly along the main paths, ever alert for a glimpse of Miss Bennet. Once they had finished two entire turns about the park, however, Richard was close to voicing doubt about their mission when he caught a glimpse of a young woman in blue out of the corner of his eye. Walking briskly along an intersecting pathway, the brim of her bonnet shielded her identity, though from her height and figure and the few tendrils of dark hair that had escaped, he was confident that it was the object of their search.

“Do not stare, Aunt, but I think that our prey is heading towards the fish pond.”

Lady Audrey’s surreptitiously observed the petite figure in the simple muslin gown now taking the gravel path around the pond. As she did, Elizabeth stopped to stare into the placid pool, and without warning, stooped to pick up several stones and throw them across the water, making each skip several times in the process. Memories of performing the same ritual when she was a young girl made Audrey Ashcroft smile.
I like her already!

Though Elizabeth’s eyes were hidden, her smile showed that she was pleased with her accomplishment. And just as quickly as she had stopped, she turned and proceeded down the path that led into the woods.

“Come, we shall cross the park and meet her when she exits the copse.”

And they did. As Elizabeth emerged from the shadows of the tall trees, her head down in concentration, she almost collided with them.

“Pardon me!” she declared breathlessly, taking several steps backwards. “I was not attending to where I was going.”

“Nonsense! It was as much our fault as yours. We were directly in your path,” Lady Audrey replied softly, a friendly expression on her face. 

Elizabeth laughed, her eyes twinkling in amusement. “I thank you, but my father says that I am too apt to walk with my head down, and I am afraid he is correct!”

Suddenly she noticed the man standing beside the older woman and her smile vanished, replaced by a look of apprehension. Colonel Fitzwilliam had to have known what transpired between his cousin and her at the ball. Could it be that he was here to reprove her? At any rate, her courage rose to the occasion and a look of boldness replaced the one of dread. Performing a quick curtsey, she mumbled, “Colonel Fitzwilliam,” then turned this same brave expression on the woman.

Immediately she recognised what she had not seen before—the resemblance to Mr. Darcy. Could this be his mother? The lady looked every inch a member of high society
,
from her elegant coiffure to her jewellery and expensive gown; even the way she held herself spoke of wealth and privilege.  Elizabeth’s heart began a furious drumming.

Trying not to smile at the determined expression on Elizabeth’s face, Richard declared, “Miss Bennet, how good to see you again. Allow me to introduce my aunt, Lady Audrey Ashcroft. Aunt, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Meryton in Hertfordshire. We met at Lord Holmes’ residence several days ago when she and I were visiting. She was also at the Holmes’ ball, and you may have met her there.”

Lady Audrey could barely disguise the admiration in her reply. “I did not have the pleasure of meeting you at the ball. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bennet.”

The name Ashcroft sounded familiar, but Elizabeth could not recall where she had heard it. “Milady,” she murmured bobbing another small curtsey.

The older woman’s discernible inspection was unsettling, and Elizabeth was about to excuse herself and walk on when Richard spoke again.

“As I was just saying to my aunt, I must return to my office. The general expects a report from me this afternoon. What good fortune it was to meet you here! Would you mind greatly allowing her to continue her walk with you?”

There was no polite way to refuse. “No. Not at all,” Elizabeth murmured.

“Wonderful!” Then addressing his aunt, Richard continued, “I suppose I shall see you this evening. You will be present for dinner, will you not?”

Lady Audrey leaned forward to receive Richard’s peck on the cheek. “I would never miss the opportunity to dine with you.”

Richard’s gaze shifted to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, thank you for allowing my aunt to continue her walk. I wish you both a good day!”  With that, he tipped his hat and started across the large expanse of green towards his carriage.  And it was at that very moment that Elizabeth remembered where she had seen the name Ashcroft—on the letter that Mr. Darcy left in the book delivered to her at Longbourn. She turned to her new acquaintance with a puzzled expression.

William’s aunt smiled. “I hope my company is not that hard to bear.”

At first mortified that her misgivings were so marked, the woman’s ready smile caused Elizabeth to calm. “I am sorry if I appeared to be unhappy with your company. But I must confess that I was startled by your resemblance to a gentleman of my acquaintance; the likeness is remarkable. You could be his mother.”

“May I ask if you are speaking of Fitzwilliam Darcy?”  At Elizabeth’s nod, she smiled. “Fitzwilliam’s mother, Anne, was my sister, and I am told that we favoured each other a good deal, just as he favours her. Both his parents died years ago. The only immediate family that he has left is his sister, Georgiana, who is but fourteen.”

Elizabeth was mortified to feel relief that the Georgiana mentioned in the letter was his sister and hurried to change the subject.

“I must be candid. I have the feeling that our meeting was not happenstance.”

“No wonder my nephew is in love with you. You are not only very pretty but very intelligent.”

“If you have come on Mr. Darcy’s behalf, I must warn you that I do not wish to discuss him.” She began walking purposefully and Lady Audrey hurried to join her.

“I confess that this meeting was planned. Forgive my boldness, but I only mean to be of service. I was in the garden that night at the ball and could not avoid overhearing your conversation with my nephew. I am convinced that you are as in love with Fitzwilliam as he is with you.”

Elizabeth’s pace picked up briskly. “Love built on lies is not love at all. I no longer respect him, so thankfully any tender feelings I had towards him will be short lived.”

“Will they?”

Elizabeth halted, seemingly confused.

“And even if short lived, I thought you more inquisitive than that. Do you truly wish to go through life with no understanding of the man? Not even for your own peace of mind? I can assure you that no flaw in your character caused you to trust Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Elizabeth began a slower pace. “I...I wish I could believe that.”

“Know this! I would never defend a dishonourable man, even if he were my relation. But I have known Fitzwilliam since his birth. Who better than I to tell you the truth of his situation?  If you choose to hate him afterwards, that is your prerogative. Society tries to keep our sex ignorant under the guise of
protection
. I have always ascribed to the notion that it is better to know the truth than to hypothesise for the rest of your life. And I have lived long enough to know that regret is a hard taskmaster.”

Elizabeth stopped dead, considering her words. “I am certain that you love Mr. Darcy very much or you would not be here. Do I have your word that you will not embellish the explanation in order to promote his cause?”

“You do. I would never lie for him nor would he want me to! All I ask is that you never repeat what I shall relate to you. I am certain that, once given, you keep your word, otherwise you would not be the kind of woman my nephew could esteem.”

“You may trust me. And I shall listen, but only because I want to understand my own foibles.”

“I understand completely.”

Thus, Lady Audrey spent the next half-hour telling Elizabeth of her nephew’s disposition and of his dedication to his family which led to his sham of a marriage. She did not share the part about Georgiana’s paternity, something that she had just learned, but simply that Gisela was extorting him with some personal letters belonging to his mother. At some point in time, Elizabeth was so affected by the story that she stopped walking and dropped down onto a nearby bench. She did not try to hide the tears that slid from the corners of her eyes. Lady Audrey took the seat beside her, and once the account was finished, they sat silently for some time.

“He… he would do all this to keep from breaking his dying mother’s heart and to protect his sister? It is hard to believe any man could act so selflessly.”

“Not
any
man. My nephew is a special breed.”

Elizabeth stood shakily. “I… I thank you for caring enough to tell me this. And I am relieved to find that his character is not so dissimilar to what I had sketched at the start of our acquaintance. That helps to restore a bit of faith in my own judgement. But why would he not have been honest with me from the beginning.”

“Am I correct to assume that he did not lie, but he omitted to tell you that he was married?”

“Yes.”

“I surmise that he fell in love with you against all reason, and for once in his life, he wanted to know how it felt to be truly in love, if only for a short while. Everyone familiar with him knows that he has held himself under strict regulation since his marriage, making certain never to be alone with any eligible woman. Your experience in the flood and afterward was something completely out of his control. However, I am confident of my nephew’s character. I dare to say that he never meant to harm you, nor did he act the cad while you were alone. He did not take advantage of you.”

“No, he did not.”

“Precisely! He left Meryton straightaway. If he were a cad, he would have stayed and exploited your feelings, as many men of his station have done to innocent young women.”

“You say he is in love with me. Why has he not sought me out to explain?”

“He was trying to protect you by letting you go, but he has not been able to put you out of his mind. Then when he learned that your family was prepared to accept the likes of John Wilkens as a possible suitor, he knew he could not allow it.”

When Elizabeth did not reply, William’s aunt stood too. “He has resolved to divorce Gisela. It may take years before he is successful, but when he is free, I have no doubt that he will search for you.

“Men like him only love once. I know because my late husband was cut from the same cloth. I would never attempt to give you advice, but I will say that if you truly love him, it would be well worth the wait to have such a man. That kind of devotion comes along only once in a lifetime, if at all.”