Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (67 page)

She rose on tiptoes to brush her lips across his, prompting him to return the kiss by pulling her hard to his chest and kissing her until she was breathless. At length he let go with a wan smile. “Enough of this or you shall starve. There will be time for kisses later after we dine.”

He held out her chair, and as she took her place, she ran her fingers over the stunning white lace tablecloth that had been placed atop a deep scarlet one. She marvelled at its intricate design before her gaze moved to the multitude of silverware and crystal glasses, all reflecting the candles in the chandelier overhead.

As she tilted her head to look up at that magnificent fixture, she breathed, “So beautiful.”

“Yes… so very beautiful.”

The tone of William’s declaration caused her to look to him, and she found his gaze fixed on her. From that time on, there was very little conversation, except comments on the food, until they finished dining. When at last they were sated, William offered her another glass of wine and Elizabeth declined. Taking her hand, he then pulled her to her feet and back into an embrace, kissing her tenderly. Then, with one hand on the back of her head and the other splayed across her lower back, he pulled her against his body and rested his head atop hers. Content to hold her thusly, the drumming of their hearts was the only sound penetrating the silence for a long while. Finally, after a deep sigh, he spoke.

“Elizabeth, I cannot fathom how I will survive without seeing you every day. It is as though the moment you are away from me, I die little by little. Tell me we shall find a way to see each other.”

Staggered that the misery in his voice matched her own, Elizabeth murmured, “I have also dreaded parting from you.” His fingers dug into her back, and his grip tightened. “I do not know what shall transpire after my family learns what has happened with Mr. Wilkens. I am afraid they were set on our engagement. Then again, his rejection may force me in the direction of another gentleman they deem
suitable
.”

William growled into her hair, “NO! I shall not allow it.”

Her answer was muffled by his waistcoat. “I fear that you will have no say in the matter.” Then she tilted her head to look up into his anxious blue eyes. “They could also send me back to Meryton.”

“You know that I will travel to the ends of the earth in order to see you. Even if I do not have permission, I will find a way.”

“Our only hope is to tell Papa of our agreement. I believe he, of all people, will understand.”

William kissed her gently again. “I pray he will at least give us a chance to explain. Still a part of me—that which thinks of Georgiana as my own child—would completely understand if he forbade me from seeing you ever again, or in the worst case, shot me on sight.”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears and she pleaded, “Please do not say such things! I could not bear it.”

“Sweetheart, I am speaking the truth. We must think of how our love may appear to your father—to anyone that learns of it.”

She ran her fingertips gently over one cheek before cupping his face. “Papa has always wished for my happiness. Once he recognises how much I love you, that I do not wish to live without you, he will understand that I have no choice but to wait for you.”

William kissed her thoroughly now, his ardour rising with the declaration of her love. Passions escalated rapidly until he pushed away from her, his breath in ragged pants.

“Elizabeth Bennet! See what you do to me. My resolve vanishes the moment our lips meet.”

Elizabeth sighed dreamily. “It is the same for me.”

“Do
not
tell me that, my love. It will be hard enough having you under my roof tonight without coming to you.”

“You will not come? But we may not have another chance to be together after tonight.”

Pulling her back into his arms, William savoured the pleasure of her form melding into his. “Last night was torture. Had I awoken this morning with you in my arms—” He stopped to take a deep breath, and she felt his chest swell with the effort.

Unexpectedly he pushed her at arm’s length, searching her face for a hint of understanding. “I am only a man, sweetheart. The next time I spend the night with you, I may not be able to resist you. And I want to be able to tell your father the truth when we meet again—that we have never made love. Help me in this.”

She nodded despondently.

He tried to smile though his heart was not in it. “Thank you, my love.”

After another long, seemingly endless kiss that was more difficult to quit, he led her out of the dining room and up the stairs, stopping outside the door to her room. They stood for some time without speaking, neither wishing to be the first to say goodnight. Finally, Elizabeth took action.

“Please remember that no matter what happens in the future, I shall love you for all eternity, whether we are allowed to marry or not.”

“I have never given my heart to any woman save you, my love. Providence willing, you shall be mine in the eyes of God and man one day soon.”

A chaste kiss sealed their vows, and as Elizabeth slipped into her room, William stood for a long time with his hand clenching the knob, before retiring to his own room.

~~~*~~~

Darcy House
The next morning

The servants were up and about early, all working so quietly below the main floors as to be unnoticed by the occupants of the upper ones. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes had no expectation of seeing the Master or any of their party until much later, as it was their custom to awaken later than usual when they first arrived in Town. In addition, the knocker on the front door had not been put back, as the family never received visitors for at least two days after their return. It would remain off until Lady Ashcroft or Mr. Darcy instructed them to restore it. 

Nonetheless, even under those circumstances, someone had the audacity to rap on the front door just after eight o’clock, stunning the staff. Mrs. Barnes was standing in the foyer when the offending noise made her startle.

Mr. Barnes rushed from the back of the house, thinking his wife must be below stairs and had not heard the commotion. Seeing her staring in the direction of the door, he stopped short and addressed her.  “No sensible person would call on a house with the knocker removed. Do you suppose there is some crisis?”

Jarred out of her trance, the housekeeper nodded slowly. “You could be right. Even Colonel Fitzwilliam would not call at this hour if he knew the Master was in residence, unless it was urgent.” She hurried to grab her husband’s arm as he stepped towards the entrance. “But keep in mind it could also be another ploy by Mrs. Darcy.”

Mr. Barnes hesitated. Gisela Darcy had tried an infinite number of ways to gain entrance in the past. However, while he vacillated about what to do, the sound of someone outside the door shouting Miss Bennet’s name made them both cringe. Aware that the Master would not appreciate anyone making a scene on his doorstep, they tensed with anticipation and dread. Though it was obviously not Mrs. Darcy’s voice, neither could place who it might be.

As the shouts increased in volume, Mrs. Barnes shook her head in bewilderment. “We have no choice, but do not let her in until we determine what she wants.”

With nods of agreement, both stepped to the door, and Mr. Barnes cracked it open. As soon as it was breached, however, an older, heavy-set woman with red hair generously sprinkled with grey, pushed past them into the foyer. Butler and housekeeper alike were too astonished to react as she continued her rant inside the house.

“Where is she? Where is my daughter?” Crossing the foyer towards the grand staircase, Mrs. Barnes finally came to her senses and hurried to cut her off. Managing to get in front of her, the housekeeper effectively blocked her progress. This infuriated the intruder and she barked, “I DEMAND Mr. Darcy produce my daughter this very minute!”

Meanwhile, Madeline Gardiner and Jane Bennet, who had hurried in right behind Fanny Bennet, were trying to stop her by tugging on her sleeves.

“Fanny, please. I told you we should handle this discretely!” Mrs. Gardiner practically whined, shaken at her sister’s daring.

“Mama,” Jane pleaded, “Please calm yourself. Be reasonable.” She turned to glare at her aunt. “I told you that you should not have offered her the use of your carriage.”

Mrs. Bennet rounded on Jane. “I have the right to confront the man who has led my daughter astray!”

Mrs. Barnes had armed herself with a parasol from a nearby stand and rolled up her sleeves in anticipation of keeping Mrs. Bennet from ascending the stairs, when two footmen hearing the commotion came running.  They advanced beside Mr. Barnes in anticipation of securing the lady from the rear. Suddenly, out of the blue, the sound of Lady Ashcroft’s authoritative voice could be heard coming from the top of the stairs. Instantly, it quieted the melee below.

“Mrs. Barnes, if you will direct our guests into the blue drawing room, I shall speak to them there.”

All the uproar in the foyer came to an abrupt halt as the calm, commanding statement prevailed over the pandemonium. Even Mrs. Bennet did not give the lady any argument as she adjusted her bonnet and began to follow Mrs. Barnes towards the drawing room. Mrs. Gardiner and Jane could do naught but follow.

Taking in the exquisite furnishings of the house as she followed the housekeeper, Elizabeth’s mother began to calculate Mr. Darcy’s worth even before she entered the elegant drawing room. Quite pleased with herself for not listening to Jane or her sister when they tried to tell her to wait and let Mr. Bennet handle the situation, she took a prominent seat and waited for the lady who was obviously in charge to appear. Jane and Madeline Gardiner took their seats in a much more timid manner.

Mr. Bennet!
Fanny scoffed to herself.
He would be useless in negotiating with this man. Had not Mr. Darcy fooled him once before when he kept Lizzy out all night in a rain storm? That is likely when this whole affair began. No! I will not leave the negotiation up to my husband! I know how to deal with Mr. Darcy!

Suddenly the grand lady appeared, her expensive silk skirts swishing as she entered the room. She looked every inch a general in charge of his troops as she passed them and took her seat in a regal chair at the head of the room. All the interlopers tensed as she studied them as though they were mad. Under her piercing blue eyes, even Mrs. Bennet began to pale, wondering at just what she had put into motion and hastily began to introduce herself.

“I am Fanny Bennet, Elizabeth’s mother. You cannot be ignorant of who my daughter is, as she is the talk of London. I suppose you are Lady Ashcroft, as my sources say you reside here.” Fanny gestured to Jane and Mrs. Gardiner as she introduced them as well.

Audrey Ashcroft’s stony gaze was fixed on Mrs. Bennet, but she said not a word. As her eyes flicked in her direction, Jane gave an apologetic look. While Lady Ashcroft nodded slightly in response, she did not smile at Mrs. Bennet or the other woman, ignoring them for now. 

Mrs. Bennet noticed that Lady Ashcroft barely acknowledged her introductions and had not called for refreshments. Her ire rose. “I suppose you know why I am here?”

Lady Ashcroft stiffened. “Suppose you tell me.”

“I am here because my daughter, Elizabeth Bennet, has been carrying on an illicit affair with Mr. Darcy, who, I understand, is your nephew. In fact, I suspect that she returned from Ramsgate in his coach and spent the night here.”

“Mr. Darcy is my nephew, but you are thoroughly mistaken in your assumption of their relationship. Miss Elizabeth returned as my guest and in my coach. She has never carried on an
affair,
as you imply, with my nephew.”

“Not according to the rumours circulating around Town. John Wilkens, Lord Hampton, was courting Lizzy, but apparently she had been dallying with your nephew behind his back! Now that Wilkens is dead, there will be no one to save her reputation or her sisters’ fate, as Mr. Darcy is married already.”

Ignoring the gossip, Lady Ashcroft focused on the information. Her brows furrowed. “John Wilkens is dead? I have not heard of this.”

Madeline Gardiner spoke timidly. “My cousin, Penelope Holmes, was at my doorstep this morning to inform me of the awful circumstances. She and Wilkens are cousins by marriage.”

Lady Ashcroft barked a laugh. “Awful circumstances? On the contrary, that horrible man deserved whatever tragedy befell him. I only rejoice that Elizabeth was able to escape from his clutches and return to Town with us, or she might have died too!”

“So she is under this roof as we speak!” Mrs. Bennet’s voice rose indignantly. “I knew it! I am not a simpleton! I know how these rich men use women such as my daughter and then toss them aside. Poor Lord Hampton probably had a heart ailment after Lizzy left Ramsgate with your nephew.”

Audrey Ashcroft was about to answer Mrs. Bennet’s dim-witted assertion when the door flew open and Mr. Bennet hobbled into the room with the help of his cane. He was followed closely by Charles Bingley, who was almost out of breath from trying to keep step with his charge. He gave Jane a small smile that was quickly returned.

Having no trouble hearing his wife’s accusation through the closed door, Thomas Bennet was livid.  “Mrs. Bennet!” he exclaimed. “Be silent!” The woman in question seemed to cower and hushed. Instantly, he addressed Lady Ashcroft. “Forgive me, madam. Mr. Bingley tells me that you are Mr. Darcy’s aunt. May I beg your forgiveness for my family’s part in disturbing—”

Jumping to her feet, Fanny cried, “Mr. Bennet, you do not know what Lizzy has done, how she has ruined us all. Madeline has just received word this morning that Mr. Wilkens is dead. Who is left to marry Lizzy now? Since Mr. Darcy has been carrying on an affair with our daughter—an affair about which the whole of London knows—he should be made to pay!”

“No more, Mrs. Bennet!” Mr. Bennet exclaimed, turning to Charles. “Please escort my wife and her sister to their carriage immediately!”  More softly, he said to Jane. “Please go with your mother. Lizzy and I shall return to Gracechurch Street shortly, and you can see her then.”