Page 23 of A Letter in the Wind (Mayhem and Scandal Collection #1)

Elizabeth seethed at her guest’s accusation of entrapping Darcy. If she were not mistaken, before her was Darcy’s family. She had already met Lady Catherine. Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed amiable at the theatre but thus far had remained silent. He did not have any looks of malice on his face. Instead, he closely scrutinised the whole room. Elizabeth supposed that the older gentleman was Darcy’s uncle, the earl, who was brother to Lady Catherine. The other woman was the countess, and the unknown young man must be their eldest son, the viscount.

“She did nothing of the sort,” Darcy said. “I will not allow you to insult my bride or her family. Now, state your business.”

“I thought it rather obvious or has that harlot addled your senses so much you cannot conceive the most basic truths?” The earl glared at Elizabeth. “This marriage would be an abomination to the family and your legacy.”

“I am in perfect command of my faculties,” Darcy countered. “This is folly. The engagement is quite well known and was announced in church. It is impossible to break it at this point without considerable damage and scandal.”

Lady Fitzwilliam waved her hand. “Who would know or care? A small market town in Hertfordshire? No one I have heard of is from here.”

The earl nodded. “No one would hold any of it against you. They would congratulate you for finally coming to your senses. Pay her off and be done.”

Elizabeth held her breath. They had several good points. Nothing but Darcy’s honour had ever beholden him to her. No one who spread or heard the gossip would have expected him to marry her. Darcy held her hand, and she could feel him tense. He was silent momentarily as though fighting for control before speaking.

“If this is the entire reason for your presence, you have come on a fool’s errand,” he said firmly. “I will wed Miss Elizabeth Bennet tomorrow, no matter your intentions.” He turned to look at Elizabeth. “Nothing shall stop me from uniting with this virtuous young lady who has more character than any of you, save Richard, could dream of possessing.”

Elizabeth blushed at Darcy’s praise.

Colonel Fitzwilliam held up a hand. “I am certain Miss Bennet is far superior to me.”

“You, sir,” Lord Fitzwilliam said, pointing at Mr Bennet. “Although perhaps you were party to her plan, do you not feel your daughter deserves better treatment than the scorn of all society? Who are the Bennets of Longbourn to marry Fitzwilliam Darcy, master of Pemberley, relation to an earl, and the descendant of a barony?” He tsked. “You have no pedigree, no connections, and little money. Yes, I know your wife’s portion will be divided between all your daughters, and you have been incapable of adding to it. Your second child has gained my nephew’s notice by enticing arts and will be treated as the tart that she is.”

“How much money would it take to make her acceptable?” Mr Gardiner unexpectedly asked.

Elizabeth immediately shot him a quelling look, but he continued speaking.

“Your circle marries for wealth and connection, correct? You need neither, but do not wish to lose face in society—it is probably better to bully them. Elizabeth’s portion is ten thousand pounds. I am prepared to raise it to twenty thousand pounds.”

“Uncle, no!” Elizabeth cried. He wished to take the extra money from one of her sisters. She had not given up hope yet.

“Edward,” Mr Bennet said. “If they are so cruel, perhaps it would be better—”

“May I remind you, Mr Bennet, that the papers have already been signed.” Darcy interrupted. “I will not allow you to cry off now.”

Elizabeth’s father shrugged. “If you brought a suit, we clearly have the money to pay for it.”

“What of her reputation?” Darcy asked, evidently astonished.

Mr Bennet raised his brows before replying coolly, “That would not be of your concern.”

“Finally! Someone who speaks sensibly,” the earl exclaimed.

Darcy whirled to face Elizabeth. “Do not let them do this.”

He sounded desperate. She understood that his honour meant everything to him. She met his eyes and gave him a slight smile. “I will marry Mr Darcy without a settlement, then.”

The look of awe and gratitude on his face amazed her. She would have spent more time to revel in it except for the continued stupidity of others.

Her father frowned. “You are not of age, Lizzy.”

“But I have already given my consent,” Mr Gardiner said. “I would be willing to risk a court upholding the validity of my right as her guardian.”

Elizabeth had allowed everyone else to speak for long enough. “Papa, we both know that you will not stand in the way of this wedding. Mama would never forgive you and make your life miserable.” Deliberately, Elizabeth met the eyes of each occupant. “I am prepared to meet the ton with only my credit to recommend. I am not afraid of censure.” She squeezed Darcy’s hand. “Mr Darcy has such superior character that he enjoys genuine friendship, which you cannot conceive. Even if they do not remain loyal, I only wish for his approval.”

“Here, here!” Colonel Fitzwilliam cheered.

“He will regret you, and then you will have lost the minuscule support you had.” The earl waved at his son. “Francis knows all about lamenting one’s choice in wife.”

The viscount’s face twisted. “At least she came from the right stock, Father. A baron’s daughter is nothing to sneeze at.”

“I will never regret marrying you,” Darcy said to Elizabeth. “Come, let us leave this room of vipers.” He held out his hand for her, and she gladly accepted it.

“Darcy, if you leave or do not heed us, there will be penalties,” Lady Catherine said. “Georgiana will—”

“Ah, and this is why I am here,” Richard said while standing. “I will never go along with any plot to take Georgiana from Darcy. As I am her other guardian, you do not stand a chance of convincing the courts.”

Lord Fitzwilliam glowered at his son. “Are you certain? I am very friendly with members of the court.”

Darcy let out a noise that bordered on a growl. He tugged on Elizabeth’s hand and directed them across the room, where he threw open the door. Elizabeth followed her betrothed without a backward glance. Once in the hallway, he briskly led them to the door and, after silently motioning to a startled servant, helped her with her bonnet and shawl.

“Where are we doing?” she asked once outside.

“Either to Gretna or the rector’s house.”

Elizabeth’s legs turned to jelly. “Do you jest?”

Darcy ceased his movements and gathered both of her hands in his. “Why should we wait to legalise our union with so many that seek to separate us? If Mr Lincoln marries us today, we can hold the ceremony tomorrow for others to witness. If not…my horses are swift.”

Elizabeth could barely comprehend what she heard. Did he fear that his family would do something drastic? If Mr Lincoln did not consent to marrying them, Darcy wished to elope to Scotland. It was so passionate…and something that he would regret later. It went against his nature.

“We can ask Mr Lincoln to marry us right now,” she agreed. “Even so, if he desires to wait until tomorrow, I want to abide by that plan. Surely, we can withstand one evening of cruelty.”

Darcy stepped forward and placed his forehead against hers. She breathed in his masculine scent.

“I am not afraid of them,” she said. “William, have they always tried to rule you in this way? Have you ever had any friends except for the colonel among them?” She knew by how his body tensed and his breathing changed that the answer was no.

“Support and friendship are not things my family has ever pretended to value.”

He said it without a twinge of sadness or despair in his voice. Elizabeth could now see beneath his surface, under the aloof exterior churned intense emotions which he only sometimes could restrain. It was why he hated circumstances that he could not control.

She squeezed his hands tightly. “You have intimately observed my family now. I, too, do not have many friends.”

“You deserve so much more,” he said. “When we marry, you need never put up with such treatment again. I will not—”

“It is well,” she said before releasing his hands and wrapping her arms around his waist. She placed her head against his chest, her ear above his heart. It beat rapidly and ferociously as his arms instantly enveloped her. “I know you will protect me. I will protect you, too. You will no longer be alone.”

He let out a sudden breath. One second, she felt much of the tension in his body leave; the next, he tightened his arms around her. “Marry me?” His voice shook with emotion.

“I am marrying you.” She lifted her head a little so she could see his eyes.

“Marry me not because you fear your reputation or that of your sisters. Can you marry me because you feel something for me? Elizabeth, I—”

“Lizzy!” Jane called from the doorway.

Elizabeth quickly looked over her shoulder and saw Jane staring at the sky, but her face and neck were bright red. Then, there was movement behind her as Darcy’s family emerged. Elizabeth’s gaze returned to her betrothed. He had been about to say something important.

“What were you saying, William?”

Disappointment lit his eyes, and suddenly, he seemed distant and aloof. “It is of no matter.”

“I wish to hear it.”

She searched his face for a long time, but his inscrutable mask was back. He had erected a wall around his heart again. Was that because of Jane’s interruption or because of his family? Or was it merely because he was uncomfortable displaying his emotions so openly? He had become vulnerable, and it terrified him. How much could she admit to him without risking rejection and experiencing heartbreak?

She reached forward and stroked his cheek. His eyes snapped to hers, and he exhaled. “I greatly esteem you and wish for no other husband. That is why I am marrying you.” She was an utter coward, but it was all she could confess out loud at the time.

He closed his eyes, but she could not perceive if it was out of relief or remorse. “I greatly esteem you, as well, and wish for no other wife.”

He took a deep breath and then released her. One hand trailed down her arm and found her hand, sending goose bumps all over her body. He stepped forward and then wordlessly raised her hand to his lips. Turning it over, he kissed her palm. Keeping his eyes on hers, he copied the movement with her other hand. A shiver ran over her, and she thought she might pass out.

“Come, you have made me see reason. We will wait until the morrow as planned. Let us say goodbye to my family. It will be the last we see of them until they learn to treat you respectfully.”

His voice was stern and commanding, but the shreds of anger and hurt were no longer present. They arrived at the house just as the carriage came around.

“We take no leave of either one of you or the Bennet family,” Lord Fitzwilliam announced. “Darcy, you have sealed your fate this day. When you come to see better, it will be too late. Your mother would mourn your behaviour.”

“Do not tell me about my mother,” he said.

His stony expression returned, his jaw tensed, and fists clenched. Elizabeth could not help but wonder why the comment about his mother upset him so much. It was manipulative, to say the least, but this emotion seemed to run deeper than that.

“We desire no notice from any of you,” Darcy continued. “I have nothing more to say other than that despite your abuse, I pray you have a safe journey back to London. Should you wish to apologise, we will go to Pemberley soon after the wedding.”

“Never!” Lord Fitzwilliam shouted.

Darcy held up his hand. “Then we will not delay your departure. Goodbye.” He pulled Elizabeth along, but upon reaching the interior hallway, he seemed at a loss about what to do.

“Shall I play for you? You could read a book as you listen.” He gave her a grateful smile. “Father has all the recent newspapers and collections on various topics: agriculture, history—he even has poetry and novels.” She glanced at Darcy. “Not that I would suspect you of being interested in those.”

“Thank you,” he said with a look of genuine gratitude. “Do you mean I do not strike you as gothic novel fan?”

“I am afraid not.” Elizabeth feigned remorse over the fact. “You are much too serious and only interested in facts and figures. The mere idea of reading about a heroine’s trials as she navigates the balls and soirees of London and fends off multiple suitors sends your stomach into knots.”

Darcy grinned. “You are not very far off. Do you comprehend me, then?”

“I think I am beginning to do so, William. And what is more, I have the rest of my life to do so.”

She squeezed his hands before entering the drawing room without a backward glance. She had hoped her words helped put him at ease and that her playing would be a soothing balm.