Page 22 of A Letter in the Wind (Mayhem and Scandal Collection #1)

On Tuesday, Darcy looked out a window in Longbourn’s drawing room and stared at the drive. His family would arrive soon. Yesterday, they sent word that they would come a day before for the wedding. Darcy could read between the lines. They wanted him to jilt Elizabeth.

He squeezed his eyes shut as Elizabeth’s sisters argued with one another. Kitty and Mary, he reminded himself. The youngest and loudest was, thankfully, on a holiday with friends. He could only imagine how much worse it would be with her present.

The Bennet household lacked any semblance of restraint. Darcy recognised it as a visitor to the area. Residing in the house exposed it even more. What was even more unbearable was that they were entirely oblivious to it. If it were not for the rational presence of the Gardiners, Darcy might have done something foolish such as demand the rector marry them on Monday and leave the house without a backward glance.

His eyes sought Elizabeth. She sat in the corner of the room with her aunt and Jane. They added new trim to bonnets for the wedding on the morrow. He had not realised before how much time and effort went into things he considered trifles. He could hardly tell one from another. Although Elizabeth appeared anxious and stressed since their arrival, he understood these things were typical and meant much to her. She would have regretted it if he had swept her away, depriving her of departing from her father’s house and a ceremony in her home church. Although he had little respect for Elizabeth’s father, Darcy considered how he would feel if someone absconded with Georgiana. Indeed, he could recall the time such a thing was planned.

The wedding festivities had begun on Sunday when their impending nuptials were announced to the congregation at Easter service. Afterwards, Darcy stood silently as the area ladies “congratulated” Elizabeth—and, more importantly, Mrs Bennet.

The general attitude was disbelief and suspicion. They had doubted that Elizabeth would ever marry, let alone to someone as prestigious as him. How had he not noticed the locals’ disdain for her last autumn? He thought back to the first ball. Elizabeth had rarely danced, and even when she sat out, she had only one friend. Indeed, the lady was older than her. It had later occurred to him that the gentlemen were imbeciles for not courting Elizabeth. Darcy had not considered that the ladies had actively mistreated her.

Monday’s events only made things worse. Mrs Bennet insisted that Elizabeth go shopping in the morning. In the afternoon, he accompanied them on calls to various neighbours. They welcomed him with sufficient awe, asked intrusive questions regarding his income, and followed up by prying about Bingley. A common inquiry was if Darcy had any single male relations.

Hertfordshire society was not so different from London in most of these ways. Even the thinly veiled barbs at Elizabeth were reminiscent of the haute ton . He had never seen a mother who could twist everything so neatly and make herself a martyr. At each house, Mrs Bennet recounted some apparent grievous incident Elizabeth had committed, making her mother sure she would never marry.

A logical person would refrain from such stories—which seemed highly fabricated or embellished—for fear of discouraging her daughter’s suitor. Of course, Mrs Bennet navigated that by extreme flattery and presenting Darcy as a long-suffering and compassionate but stern and instructive betrothed. There was no mention of the gossip in town and a scandal that hung over them like a summer cloud ready to open its belly with thunder and torrential rain.

This morning began the same way. When they returned to the house, Darcy all but dragged Elizabeth on a walk despite Mrs Bennet’s protestations. They did not get far before he led his betrothed off the path and pulled her into his arms. He did not know who needed the embrace more. The treatment Elizabeth endured from her family greatly disturbed him. He needed to feel as though he could keep her safe. He needed to remind himself that she was his to protect, and he would be well within his rights to never expose her to such insult again.

Once inside again, Darcy had taken up his post at the window. At the same time, Elizabeth went directly to her aunt and sister. Behind him, someone approached, and he tensed. He did not think he could bear an annoying conversation just now.

“Join me in Bennet’s study,” Mr Gardiner said from behind.

Darcy’s shoulders heaved up and down. He might as well. He was in a foul mood and could probably tolerate gentlemen better than ladies.

He turned around. “I will go shortly,” he said.

Gardiner left, and Darcy approached Elizabeth’s side. “Your uncle has asked that I join him and your father in the study. At the first sound of a carriage, I wish to be retrieved. Of course, I will leave earlier if you need me.” Or merely want me, he wished to add. But he knew she did not crave his presence the way he desired hers.

She smiled up at him, although it did not reach her eyes. “Try and enjoy yourself.”

He gave her a slight nod and departed. Once in the office, Gardiner offered him refreshments, but he could not stomach anything. His gut twisted in knots. For several minutes, the three gentlemen sat in silence. With the door shut, he could barely hear the noise down the hall.

“I think we are very similar, Darcy,” Mr Bennet finally spoke.

Darcy gaped at him. He hoped he was nothing like Elizabeth’s father.

“Neither one of us enjoys our routines altering and our lives upending. We come to firmly held opinions through intense and logical study. We hate banal small talk and required niceties that force us to endure people we hate.”

Darcy chose to remain neutral rather than vehemently disagree for Elizabeth’s sake. “Is there something you wished to say?”

Mr Bennet scrubbed his hand over his face. “I wanted to thank you for tolerating my family. They are a silly lot but harmless enough.”

From the corner of his eye, Darcy noticed Mr Gardiner’s lips briefly twist. He stared hard at his brother-in-law. Was there something they were not telling him?

“Sir, I disagree with you. I do not blame your daughters for their behaviour. It is the effects of the parents. While your want of resolve concerns me, it is nothing compared to Mrs Bennet. Why does she hate Elizabeth so much, and how can you tolerate it?”

Bennet’s face turned red. “You do not know us yet judge us so freely.”

“Thomas, perhaps if you told him—”

Mr Bennet held up his hand and interrupted Elizabeth’s uncle. “No. Do not feign perfection to me, Darcy. I was attempting to meet you on the middle ground. Your arrogance and condescending attitude are also the effects of parenting and are much harder to relearn. Despite this, with your age, education, and experience in the world, it is evident that you have been exposed to other ways of living and choose to remain as such.”

Darcy flinched at the words. Indignation filled him. The man had no idea what Darcy had gone through. It was not a choice to be unemotional; it was quite literally beat into him, and he saw the most devastating effects of being too free with one’s emotions. He clenched his fists and his jaw. He would not speak again until he had mastered himself.

“You did not request him here to berate him,” Mr Gardiner said.

“I have signed the marriage articles.” Mr Bennet thrust the packet of papers at Darcy. “I will not contest anything, but I am surprised at how generous you are—even before you knew about her money. Is it wise to allow her such a large allowance? Should you not put some money aside for future children?”

Darcy stood. His business here was over. “I have it all well in hand. Thank you.” He gave the barest of bows and left the room, breathing deeply once in the hallway.

Mr Gardiner was on his heels. “Thomas is under considerable strain. Do not judge him too harshly. He really does love Elizabeth…in his own way.”

Darcy assumed that was supposed to make it all allowable. “And who loves her in the way she needs?”

Gardiner looked at him sadly. “Miriam and I have done what we can. I would have done more, but Thomas would not permit it.” He met Darcy’s eyes with firm resolve. “When you leave here with her, it will be your duty to be the one to offer that love. When I met you, I feared you would never be able to do that. I counselled her against this marriage.”

Darcy’s temper flared once more.

Gardiner held up his hand. “Despite that, I have been observing you the last few days and feel differently now. At the very least, I know you will treat her with the respect she has always deserved.”

“Good heavens!” Mrs Bennet screeched from down the hallway. “Mr Bennet!”

“You will have to protect her from more than her family,” Gardiner said as sounds of commotion came from the drawing room. “Between your family and the ton, the devil she knows may be preferred.” He looked down the hall. “You go on. I will collect Thomas.”

Darcy’s attention shifted to the arrival of his family. Matters with Elizabeth’s parents could be thought of later. He briskly joined Elizabeth in the drawing room. When he gathered her hand in his, he felt her tremble.

“Do you remember my fall in the woods at Rosings?” He whispered to her. Elizabeth looked at him in confusion but smiled, nonetheless. “Do you recall what a tantrum I threw at the wind? How preposterous I was! Then, as you saw to my wound, I pouted and behaved no better than a little boy.” Her smile grew. “I almost whined while you cleaned it. I was so proud of myself when I manfully tore my breeches for you.” Elizabeth let out a giggle. “Did I ever tell you how Lady Catherine reacted when I returned to Rosings?”

Elizabeth turned to thoroughly look at him. “Your aunt saw you?” Finally, she freely laughed, the light entering her eyes at last. “Tell me!”

He pulled her a little closer and squeezed her fingers. “She said that if I was going to look and act like a donkey to go to the stables with the other livestock.”

She was laughing when they heard the knock on the front door. “Thank you,” she said breathlessly. “You put me at ease. How did you know laughter would calm my nerves?”

He squeezed her hand again. “What makes you think that was my intention? I have always held you as impossible to ruffle. What I have done is entirely selfish.” He leaned even closer to her ear. “I delight in making you smile.”

The look of adoration she gave him stole his breath just as the door opened to his family with disapproving frowns, Lady Catherine leading the fray.

“I insist on speaking with Elizabeth Bennet alone!” she cried to the general room before even setting more than a foot into it.

“That will be impossible, madam.” Darcy stepped in front of Elizabeth as if to shield her from a physical assault. Unfortunately, unless she left the room, he could do nothing about her hearing the impending insults. “If you speak with anyone alone, it will be me.”

“This is not to be borne!” She stamped her cane on the wooded floor.

“Would you move aside, Catherine?”

The woman obeyed, allowing an ageing man who carried himself erect and with pride to appear. He and Darcy shared the same nose, and he hoped very little else. The earl had never been one that Darcy admired. Next came his wife, who was festooned with jewellery that was illogical for travel but probably meant to intimidate. Behind her, their eldest son, Viscount Albemarle, emerged. Bringing up the rear was Richard. His eyes met Darcy’s with an apology.

Without a word, the Bennets stood and curtsied. The younger girls scurried away from the sofa, allowing their guests to sit. All but Lady Catherine did. She looked about the room and approached Mrs Bennet’s chair, glaring down at her. Darcy secretly thrilled at his future mother-in-law being cowed into submission—even if it was by Lady Catherine.

“Now,” she said with a tap of her cane, not nearly as effective on the cushioned carpet. “You can be under no disillusion as to why we have come. If you do not send the others from the room, I will not be responsible for them hearing things their sensitive ears and little minds will not enjoy hearing.” She moved her eyes from one occupant to the other. “Will we be quite safe here, my lord? One never knows how these sorts of people will react at hearing unpleasant things.” She shuddered.

The earl looked at Darcy, who raised his chin in defiance. Then, he turned his attention to Mrs Bennet. “Madam, you and your chits may stay if you choose. We will not be speaking with any concern for your sensibilities. I am of the mind that people need to be aware of their circumstances, and you have certainly forgotten yours.”

“And what is that?” Mr Gardiner asked from the doorway. As he entered, Mr Bennet followed behind. “Perhaps your tongue will be more civil if a gentleman is present that can hold you accountable.”

Lady Fitzwilliam huffed. “Our nephew Darcy would be more adept at that than you. What a fool you are, Edward Gardiner, importer from Cheapside.” She ended with a sneer.

The viscount yawned. “Are we going to exchange insults all day or get to business?”

Darcy gave Elizabeth an apologetic look before releasing her hand and approaching Gardiner. He dropped his voice. “I would recommend getting the family to leave. There is no need for you to stay; I can handle this alone.”

Gardiner glanced sharply at him. “Maybe you can, but it does not mean you should have to.” He looked back at his brother-in-law before making eye contact with his sister and then his wife. “Fanny, Miriam, take the girls to another room while we have a discussion in here.”

“I will not—” Mrs Bennet began to argue until her husband’s voice boomed from the doorway, where he had remained.

“Yes, you shall.” Mr Bennet marched over to his wife and pulled her by the hand, then proceeded to nearly push her out of the room. A swift glance sent the other women scattering. Elizabeth stood without moving, resisting her father’s looks.

At Gardiner’s slight jerk of his head, Darcy approached his betrothed. “I would rather you not stay here. They will be abominably rude and unkind, and I hate for you to hear it.”

She met his eyes. “Will the rest of society be any kinder?”

“Not behind your back,” he admitted. “It is possible they will be more polite to your face.”

“Then, I will remain.”

Seeing that there was no changing her mind, Darcy looped his fingers through hers. Bennet shut the door behind Kitty, who had looked back to peek at the viscount.

“Darcy, do you see how foolish and headstrong she is?” Lady Catherine said with another stomp of her cane.

“Yes, I can be,” Elizabeth addressed her. “However, marrying Mr Darcy is not an example of such.”

“Of course, you do not think so, silly girl,” the viscount said. “You will wish to keep your clutches around him. You probably planned the entire thing!”