Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (29 page)

She had lost track of the times that she had almost written to the Gardiners to say that she was coming to London.
Almost
. Only one niggling aspect to Lizzy’s letters had made her refrain—though her sister’s missives were always cheerful, it was as though the cheeriness was forced. Then two day ago, her mother had shared news that Lizzy had failed to disclose to her in the last letter—she was being courted by a Lord Wilkens. An
earl,
for heaven’s sake! Suddenly all her misgivings had been validated.

Why would her beloved sister not have told her? Why must she learn of it from Aunt Gardiner’s letter to her mother? There was only one logical answer. Lizzy was being forced into a courtship she did not desire. A sinking feeling deep inside caused Jane to wonder if she was about to lose what little she had eaten that morning.

Would Lizzy marry someone she did not want in order to further my prospects? And, if Lizzy is willing to sacrifice, should I not do the same and marry John Lucas for my family’s sake?

Taking a ragged breath, Jane pulled her knees even tighter to her chest and sobbed in earnest now. There seemed no other course. She must accept her lot in life and give up the fantasies that she and Lizzy had clung to since they were old enough to dream of being married. The next time John Lucas asked if he could court her, she would assent.

There is not going to be a prince on a white horse to rescue either of us!

~~~*~~~

London
Darcy House
William’s Study

While he feigned occupation with his estate problems, every fibre of William’s being was aware of who sat merely a few doors down in the music room—
Elizabeth!
  With her arrival this morning, it had taken all of his strength not to walk into the foyer to greet her, so eager was he to see her again. But Georgiana had been adamant when they spoke this morning! These were her visitors, and she would brook no interference from him as she and Aunt Audrey entertained their guests.

Interference!
He fumed.
As if I would disturb them!

Directly after Georgiana’s spontaneous invitation at the bookshop, a formal invitation for tea at Darcy House had been delivered to Holmes House, but after an answer had not arrived that afternoon or the next day, William had begun to wonder if she would actually accept. Nevertheless, the following day the reply came—Elizabeth, Lady Holmes and Lady Wilkens would be delighted to have tea with Georgiana and Lady Ashcroft.

Forced to stay in his study and attend his affairs, William had nevertheless opened his door in hopes of catching a bit of their conversation when they moved from the parlour to the music room, as was Georgiana’s plan. Fortunately, his strategy had worked.  When the ladies had made the transition about an hour ago, he had heard Elizabeth’s melodious laughter, and it had warmed his heart. Even now, with the sounds of the pianoforte echoing through the house, he was plotting how to
accidently
encounter her when they gathered in the foyer to take their leave. Surely his sister would not begrudge him a chance meeting!

William’s deliberations were suddenly interrupted by an enthusiastic greeting.

“Darcy! What luck to find you available! Your servants are tyrants when it comes to interrupting you whilst you are at work. However, even Mr. Barnes could not deny me access with the door standing wide open. Besides, a footman let me in and I got ahead of your dutiful butler!”

The man in question hurried into the room at that very moment, looking very embarrassed. “Excuse me sir, I was answering Miss Georgiana’s summons and was not aware that Mr. Bingley had arrived,” Barnes cut his eyes to Charles as he was very perturbed not to have announced him.

“There was no harm done! Carry on.”

The butler backed to the door, bowing slightly before he exited. “Yes, sir.”

Bingley’s attention was on the servant and when he turned to see William’s scowl, he sobered. “Have I come at a bad time? Would you rather I return another day?”

“No, Charles,” William replied, taking this opportunity to stand and stretch his weary body. He had been so focused in his efforts to listen to what was happening in the rest of the house that he was totally unaware of how tightly his muscles had coiled.  “I was just shocked to see you; that is all. I thought you were still in Liverpool.”

“I left Liverpool so quickly that there was no time to send a letter. I just wanted to get back to London and obtain your perspective on my troubles.”

William sat back down and waved towards a chair. “Have a seat.”

“Do you not wish me to close the door first?”

“Actually, I would rather you leave it open for now.”

Bingley’s brow furrowed. It was not like Darcy to talk business with the door open. “As you wish.”

Meanwhile William inspected his friend. “From the looks of you, I would say you came directly here without going home. Is it that important?”

“I did and yes it is! Mr. Carter has located the last ship that was reported lost.”

“Located it? Where?”

“Docked in Bristol Harbour.”

“How singular! So it was not lost at sea.”

“No. Apparently it has been in Bristol since it arrived in England under another name.”

“Then how was he able to locate it if the name was changed?”

“It seems Humphrey Grier is still the ship’s captain. He had not bothered to change
his
name. Carter located him which led to the ship. In fact, Grier was so confident of not being discovered that he was readying the ship for another voyage. Nonetheless, with help from a disgruntled sailor, Mr. Carter was able to prove that the ship had been sailing under another name and got an order from the local magistrate seizing it until all claims are settled.”

“And your goods?”

“The ship’s manifests were still in the captain’s quarters under the original name of the ship—that is the evidence Carter has in his possession. However, as of his last letter, he has not found the bills of lading to ascertain where the goods were delivered.”

“I have a distant cousin in Bristol who is a barrister. I am sure that at my request he will assist you. I shall write to him today.”

“Thank you, Darcy. I was confident that you would know someone in Bristol that I could rely on. You have friends and relations under every rock in England.”

“Not every rock, Charles,” William answered dryly.

“Well, very near every one,” Bingley declared, his eyes twinkling.

Just at that moment the sounds of lively female conversation caught both men’s attention. Without a word to Charles, William jumped up and practically ran to the door and out into the hall. Quickly recovering from the shock of his friend’s sudden departure, Bingley followed, catching up with William when he stopped near the grand staircase.

“What is it, Darcy?” Charles whispered, curious as to what emergency spurred his friend to act so swiftly.

“Shhh!” William cautioned, bringing a finger to his lips. His anxious expression did nothing to assure Charles that all was well. 

Suddenly, a group of ladies rounded the opposite side of the staircase. Ignoring them, William quickly faced Charles, his back to the group as he proclaimed loudly, “Charles, I certainly understand your desire to get home and rest since you have been on the road for so long. I shall see you tomorrow then?”

Despite being caught unawares, Charles quickly picked up the charade. “Yes, Darcy. I appreciate the invitation to dine, but I must go home and wash the dust off. And our business can certainly wait until tomorrow.”

William winked at Charles when Georgiana exclaimed from behind, “Brother?” 

He turned, hoping his innocent look was convincing. “I hope I have not interrupted your visit.  I was just seeing Mr. Bingley to the door. I believe you have all met.”  His eyes, now pitch black with longing, unsurprisingly drifted to Elizabeth and stayed on her while he spoke.  “I am so very pleased that you ladies accepted my sister’s invitation—Lady Holmes, Lady Wilkens…
Miss Bennet
.” Her name was uttered in a lower tone, almost as a prayer. “It is a pleasure to have you in my home.”

As he addressed each woman in turn, William made a show of taking their hand. He ended up holding Elizabeth’s, and held it a little longer than proper. Lady Holmes did not notice his partiality as she was still spellbound by his attentiveness; after all, Mr. Darcy was a strikingly handsome man and cut a fine figure. For her part, Lady Wilkens had felt his magnetism so intensely that she had followed his progress as he moved to stand before Elizabeth. She was perplexed that Elizabeth seemed so affected she could not speak, and was pondering the significance of that when Bingley stepped forward to break the spell.

“Miss Bennet! Upon my word, it is good to see you again. What are you doing in London?” Charles’ declaration caused William to let go of Elizabeth’s hand and step back. Recovering her composure Elizabeth turned, warily studying the gentleman who had deserted Jane. 

“I am visiting with my aunt and uncle in Cheapside, though this week they are out of Town, so I am staying with Lord and Lady Holmes,” she swept a hand towards Alfreda, “as a guest of Lady Wilkens.” 

“And your sister, Jane? Is she also in London?”

“No. Jane has not left Meryton since Mr. Darcy summoned you from Netherfield.” 

William and Audrey Ashcroft exchanged knowing glances. It was obvious that Elizabeth was testing her theory as to why Charles had deserted Meryton. Oblivious to it all, Charles acquitted himself and William without realising it.

“Darcy sent for me?” He chuckled aloud. “Oh my, I can just imagine it might have looked that way. But, actually he was just passing along a message from my solicitor. You see, one of the ships that transport my dry goods was reported lost.”

Elizabeth’s voice could barely be heard. “Lost? Lost at sea?”

“Exactly! And this was the second one!  In fact, I have spent the better part of the last few weeks in Liverpool, assessing my warehouse there in light of the fact that there will be no new items delivered for quite some time. And, I have just today returned to London.”

“I… I see,” Elizabeth said hoarsely, glancing nervously at William. She found herself trying to make sense of the look on his face.

Audrey Ashcroft nodded to her nephew before addressing Elizabeth. “Fitzwilliam often advises his friends on business matters.”

Bingley laughed. “Yes, milady. I am afraid I would have made many an error in judgement without his help.”

William stiffened at the praise. “Please, that is enough tribute. I did nothing extraordinary. Beyond advising him whom to contact, there was nothing he could not have handled.”  Then addressing Charles, he stated, “I shall expect you in the morning then, at eight?”

“Eight, it is!” Bingley turned to the ladies. “Lady Ashcroft, Lady Holmes, Lady Wilkens, Miss Darcy, it is always a pleasure. Miss Bennet, I hope to talk with you again soon, as I intend on returning to Netherfield, and I would like to know your thoughts on the matter.”

Elizabeth smiled in earnest now. “I would welcome it. However, I am travelling to Ramsgate next week with Lady Wilkens, so you will have to call on me within the next few days if you wish to talk.”

“I shall do that!”  Charles exclaimed, donning his hat and giving it a pat.  “I bid you all adieu.”

Only seconds after Charles had gone, the women began their farewells. William was still in a daze, digesting the news that Elizabeth was accompanying Lady Wilkens to Ramsgate, the location of their family estate. He was very aware that this meant that she was most likely going to accept Wilkens offer of marriage.

Audrey Ashcroft was giving instructions for a footman to summon the carriage, while Mr. Barnes came forward with the ladies cloaks and a maid handed them their gloves. She managed a quick glance to a stricken William, as she directed everyone onto the portico. Georgiana led the way and the visitors followed. Elizabeth hesitated only a second before she, too, walked out the door.

William could not let her leave without a word, so he called out, “Miss Bennet, I think you forgot something.”

Elizabeth turned, taking a few steps back. His aunt engaged Lady Holmes and Alfreda Wilkens in conversation as she quickly took Elizabeth’s place and followed them onto the portico, partially shutting the door behind. Effectively this left Elizabeth in the foyer and out of view and hearing of the others.

William stepped closer, his emotions soaring at the nearness of her. Several dark curls had defied her bonnet and he yearned to untie the offending object and bury his fingers in her unruly mane. Instead, he lost himself in the two dark brown orbs now studying him. Clasping her hands, he intended to pull her into an embrace.

Her voice was breathless as she resisted, “Sir, I do not think that I forgot—”

She ceased speaking when William stopped to bring first one then the other of her hands to his lips, kissing both with great deliberation. His voice was rough with emotion as he whispered, “Forgive me. I know that I have no right, but your presence in my home has made me so very happy, Elizabeth.”

Lowering her eyes as they filled with tears, she replied, “You should not call me—”

“Please do not forbid me,” He pleaded, bringing her hands to his heart. “I felt I must take this opportunity to tell you how I feel—how I have felt about you since the first time I saw you.  I can no longer deny my love for you. I love you… most ardently.”

Seeing his eyes ablaze with hunger, Elizabeth entwined her fingers with his and pressed them tenderly. And as she met and held his gaze, tears escaped despite her attempt to hold them.

“You cannot imagine how deeply those words gladden my heart, Fitzwilliam… indeed, my very soul. So often my circumstances have caused me to despair, but to be assured that you love me… love me as I love you—” Her voice softened as his grasp strengthened. “Nonetheless, the truth is that you are married and I… I do not have the power to choose my future. I hope you will find some comfort in knowing that you will always own my heart.”  Her voice broke at the last few words, and she pulled from his grasp to hurry from the house.