Page 39 of Fitzwilliam Darcy An Honourable Man

Liverpool

Barnwell’s Boarding House

A bedroom

Mr. Williamson sat on the bed as if in a daze. He had just spent a few precious minutes with Elizabeth while the others met with the constable and checked on the injured. Even so, he had barely had time to talk to her before being asked to leave to accommodate the physician. Instead of returning to the room in which the others would reconvene, however, he had retreated to his own bedroom to collect his thoughts—to consider what he would say to William about Lizzybet.

Though he had known for some time that she was alive, a combination of relief and sadness had washed over him when he finally stood face-to-face with her. The young girl he had known was now a woman—not much changed in appearance, but very different in manner. Her dark eyes now held a hint of cynicism instead of sparkling with insatiable curiosity. The girl, who had once asked him how to know if she was in love, had been replaced by a woman who knew far too much of love from a madman’s perspective.

When the vicar opened the door, a maid sitting in a chair just inside quickly stood and nodded towards the balcony. As he reached the balcony door, Elizabeth turned at the sound of his footsteps and, for a moment, neither of them spoke. She looked bewildered, so he offered, “Lizzybet?”

Convinced it was actually him, she began to cry and ran into his arms. “Father Williamson!” He cried, too, pulling her into a warm hug. She apologised against his chest, “I—I am sorry! I mean, Mr. Williamson!”

Pulling back to look at her, he soothed, “I know your father made you stop calling me that because he thought it was disrespectful, but I never felt it was—I cherished it!”

“ I was a child. I heard Gregory call you Father, and I wanted to do the same,” Elizabeth replied sheepishly. “I did not know it could be misinterpreted until my mother heard and scolded me. Then she told Papa.”

“ Since Gregory was lost at sea, there is no one to call me that endearment anymore. I would dearly love you to do so if you wish. I always thought of you as my daughter, and I know you called your own dear father ‘Papa’ so I do not believe he would mind.”

She shook her head, sniffling as she brushed the tears from her face. “Papa always respected you and our friendship, so I do not think he would mind at all. You realise that I have no family now, other than Jane, Charles and Peter and, of course, my aunt and uncle in London. I would dearly love for you to be a part of my family, as you have always been a part of my heart.”

“ Then so be it!” Williamson declared, clasping her again in a hug. “Henceforth, we shall be family in truth as well as in spirit.”

Elizabeth nodded vigorously against his chest, before leaning back to look up at him with a quizzical expression. “How ever did you come to be here? With Fitzwi—Mr. Darcy?”

It took several minutes to explain how he had met Fitzwilliam Darcy and the detour his life had taken afterward. Mr. Williamson began his story with finding William in despair at the cemetery and their shared sorrow, adding how much he had admired the young man from the very first time they had met. Then, his face transformed, his joy palpable, he spoke of learning she was alive and of William’s invitation to visit Pemberley to see her again. Finally, he related to her how they had come to be in Liverpool and about their efforts to recover her.

At the end, he declared, “I cannot believe it. My Lizzybet is alive! God is good!”

Reaching to hold both his weathered hands, Elizabeth suddenly seemed reserved, and her eyes dropped to the floor. “I—I cannot let you leave without telling you of my resolution. Please know that I contemplated the cost but have chosen my path. I daresay that you will not approve.” Her eyes found his again. “But, as part of my family, you have the right to know.”

He nodded solemnly—conscious from her manner that she was talking of something very close to her heart.

“ Every minute I was Stefano’s prisoner—over two long years—I longed for the man I truly loved—Fitzwilliam Darcy. I know now that he felt the same way about me.” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “It was his love that restored me. I would never have recovered had he not taken me into his home—into his life—and shown me unconditional love. And, foolish as I was to fall back into Stefano’s hands, I have been given yet another opportunity.” She squeezed his hands harder now, willing him to understand.

“ I am resolved not to squander this chance. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? When William comes to me, I intend to tell him that I do not want us to be separated—not tonight, not ever.”

Thinking of the implications, the vicar did not immediately respond, and Elizabeth let go of his hands, turning to walk away. “I have shocked you with my boldness.”

Williamson placed a hand on her shoulder, stilling her progress and turning her around. “Nothing on God’s green earth shocks me, child. I am a man of the cloth, but I am also human. I understand, truly I do.”

“ I am not a wanton. I have never—even with Stefano, I never ...” She took a ragged breath as she studied her shoes. “I do not wish to disappoint you, but I love William so very much, and I have come to care less of what society thinks. Society would never have given me this second chance for happiness with my only love.”

“ You could never disappoint me.” He lifted her chin, and she smiled. “And I understand your disillusionment with the dictates of society. Nevertheless, I believe I have a solution that will suit you and your young man. Do you trust me?” She studied him with a puzzled expression before nodding. “Then allow me to talk to Fitzwilliam before I send him here to you.”

A large sitting room

“What the devil possessed you to go to Tuscany by yourself, Cousin?” Richard growled, pouring himself a brandy and holding up the bottle to see if William wanted one. At William’s nod, he poured another. “You could have very well have been walking into a trap and been killed!”

William took the proffered glass and resumed pacing about the small sitting room as he had done for the last half-hour. “But I was not! Someone, be it God or an angel, told me to go back to the villa. The same voice warned me once before that Elizabeth was in trouble—at the inn on the way to Pemberley.” His face darkened. “You remember that I told you about that blackguard who tried to ...” Shaking his head to calm himself, he continued. “In any event, you and the others were so far ahead that I had no choice but to act as I did, foolish or not.”

“How in the world did you convince Stefano to face you with a sword? I had imagined you would be shot on sight.”

William shrugged his shoulders. “His pride, I suppose. In his arrogance, he wanted to show Elizabeth that I was not what he termed a champion .”

Richard guffawed. “That cocky arse challenged the fencing champion of Cambridge to a duel? You held the title until you graduated, and a number of your records still stand—unparalleled in the history of the university.”

William smiled despite himself. “Yes, well, Stefano never intended to let me win! He had an armed servant standing by, who appeared when I relieved him of his sword. It was only thanks to Elizabeth that I am alive to tell the story.”

“Elizabeth?”

“Yes. She was bound hand and foot, but managed to free her hands with a small knife she had hidden in her pocket. Then she untied herself and grabbed the pistol Stefano had placed on a table. Just as the guard aimed his weapon at me, she shot and killed him. As Stefano lunged for my pistol which was still lying on the floor, I finished him with my sword.”

“Amazing!” Richard exclaimed, raising his glass in a toast. “It seems the dear girl is no longer a victim but a victor!

At that moment, Evan, Mr. Williamson, and all of the servants, walked into the room.

“How are Avery and Judson?” William enquired, finally calm enough to take a seat.

Evan sank into the chair next to him. “According to the physician, Avery must take to his bed for quite a while, but he should recover completely from the wound to his shoulder. I have been arranging for his care until he has recovered sufficiently to allow a move to Rosewood. Your man, Judson, is resting comfortably in a room across the hall. He has a large lump on his head and a dreadful headache. Luckily, he was able to return here after Lord Stanton’s man knocked him out. From the size of the lump, it is a wonder the attack did not kill him!”

William began to stand. “Perhaps I should see to him.”

Evan grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Do not bother! He was sleeping when I left but a moment ago.”

William sank back into his chair as Mr. Williamson broke in. “Lieutenant Marbury has taken Stefano’s men and Mrs. Preston into custody. After consulting with the local constable, who it appears is an old friend of the lieutenant, they agreed that Marbury would escort the guilty parties back to London to be charged. Some of the servants, who were forced to board the coaches but did not wield weapons, will not be held.”

Then the vicar put a hand on William’s shoulder, causing him to turn. “What has Mr. Kennedy determined about our Lizzybet?”

William did not have time to answer, as the door to the adjoining bedroom opened just then, and everyone focused on the man who appeared in the doorway. Mr. Kennedy, the local physician, stood waiting, eyebrows raised in question, and it was obvious that he was not sure to whom he should report.

Mr. Williamson addressed him. “Would you kindly step into the next room with me, Mr. Kennedy. I am Miss Bennet’s vicar, and since she has no family here, I will be pleased to act on her behalf. I have known her since she was born—in fact, I christened her.” He smiled to see the disappointment on William’s face. “Mr. Darcy, since she has been under your protection for the last few months, perhaps you would join us?” Instantly, William brightened, jumping up to follow them into the empty bedroom.

After they had left the room, Richard leaned in to Evan. “What do you suppose Mrs. Preston’s punishment will be? After all, kidnapping is punishable by death, is it not?”

Evan sighed heavily. “I shall have to discuss this with Elizabeth and Darcy. Personally, I would like to see her sent to the penal colony in Australia for the rest of her miserable life. I think that would almost be a fate worse than death to her, but I could not assume to make that recommendation without first hearing their thoughts. In any event, we can only suggest a punishment, as the ultimate decision is left to the courts. The way I see it, she deserves whatever punishment she gets, and she will earn no sympathy from me.”

~~~*~~~

“Apart from the cuts on her wrists and on her cheek, both of which I treated, there is only one thing I can find wrong with her.” Both William and Mr. Williamson stilled, completely focused on the physician’s unsmiling face.

Suddenly Mr. Kennedy smiled and added, “I am afraid she is quite sick of me! She seemed terribly anxious for me to leave so she could see someone, though I shall not hazard a guess as to who it might be.” He chuckled and grabbed his bag. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to check on Mr. Avery again before taking my leave.”

Neither of Elizabeth’s protectors stirred until the man was completely out of the room. But the moment the door closed, William whirled about, heading to the door to the sitting room, obviously determined to see her without further delay.

“May I have a word with you?” Williamson dared to ask, putting a hand on William’s arm to stop him. “I had several minutes with Lizzybet prior to your return from your conference with the constable and Mr. Kennedy’s arrival.” William looked puzzled as he reluctantly halted.

“I know that you are anxious to see her, but I pray you will indulge me for but a minute. Will you?”

William could not object and as he nodded with a wan smile, Williamson chuckled. “I do not imagine I will have much opportunity to speak to either of you once you are reunited, so now must suffice.”

The vicar’s features softened at the look on Darcy’s face. He knew that the young man standing before him truly loved his Lizzybet and would do whatever it took to protect her, even from herself. “Have you considered that she might feel more secure if you stayed with her tonight?”

William’s eyebrows rose along with the colour in his face. The truth was that he had been contemplating how to sneak into her room tonight, just to hold her—to comfort her. Was the vicar actually suggesting he do just that?

Williamson chuckled at William’s expression. “My boy, I am a man as well as a servant of the Lord. And I was married to a woman I loved, so I know how you feel towards Lizzybet.”

Embarrassed that the older man had read his mind, William found himself stuttering, “I—I was going to see—to ask Elizabeth what she wanted.”

“I already know what she wants.” At William’s discomposure, Williamson smiled. “She told me minutes ago that she does not want to be separated from you—not even for the night. However, I am sure you wish to do the honourable thing.”

William’s features darkened. “I love her—I wish to marry her.”

“Excellent! You have the special license and your mother’s ring; it would be no problem for you to marry—secretly if that is your wish—then you may simply repeat the marriage vows in a public display later. It is not completely unheard of to have two ceremonies.”

By this time William was smiling broadly. “If Elizabeth agrees, you may arrange whatever you wish. I had her name legally changed to Elizabeth Elise Lawrence before I obtained the special license. My attorney assisted me in recording it; she had only to agree. As for keeping it secret, I think not. If there are public displays planned, let it be celebrations of our marriage in whatever manner Elizabeth desires—even a renewal of our vows.”

“I have no doubt she will agree, and I shall be delighted to organize the event. Now, I imagine that she is very unhappy, thinking that you have forgotten her. Go and reassure her while I make the arrangements.”

William reached the door in a very few steps. Before he opened it, he looked back over his shoulder. “If I am to marry today, I would like the ceremony to be as early as possible.” A huge smile spread across his face, both dimples clearly visibly as he winked at the vicar, then exited.

With one hand Williamson stroked his face, puzzling over what he had seen. “I never knew the man had dimples!”

A private dining room

Early Evening

“And Richard had the coach in the rear pulled to the side of the road by the time we reached him. He had already managed to kill three guards, leaving only two servants, Mrs. Preston, and a young maid in the carriage. Naturally as soon as we rode up, he took off after the other coach as though his horse’s tail was afire!”

There was laughter and kidding among the men as they enjoyed refreshments and relaxed in the one room that was large enough to accommodate all of them. Most of those present knew exactly what had transpired that morning, but they enjoyed hearing Evan and Richard recount the story to Mr. Williamson who had just joined them.

Evan took another sip of brandy. “So, we left one man as a guard and went after the other coach.”

“It appears we were the lucky ones!” Mr. Williamson declared, nodding at the man who accompanied him to the ship. “We had only to wait until everything was over and arrive here unscathed.”

“But had either one of those coaches gotten past us, you might have been in the thick of it!” Richard offered in the vicar’s defence before answering Evan’s tease. “As for my horse’s tail being afire, you caught up soon enough.”

Evan shrugged. “That was only because Lieutenant Marbury had blocked the road with a carriage.”

“Yes, Marbury deserves to be rewarded! He and his men had stopped the coach that held most of the guards and had managed to kill or wound half of them before ever I fired a shot!”

“And when we caught up with you once more,” Evan poked Richard in the chest, “what did you do? You took one look and headed back in the direction from whence we had come—without a word of explanation!”

Richard chuckled. “I realised that my cousin was not among you—just as he is missing now! What did you do with him, Vicar?”

Williamson smiled. “I have not done anything ... yet.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Richard and Evan said almost simultaneously.

“You will just have to wait and see,” the vicar replied with a knowing smile as he picked up a leg of chicken.

Elizabeth’s Bedroom

“You really do not mind being married as Elizabeth Elise Lawrence?”

“No. Except for my association with Papa and Jane, my surname holds painful memories. I care not what is on the license. My only desire is to be Elizabeth Darcy.”

“And you do not mind marrying on such short notice? I do not want to rush you or make you do anything you do not—”

Soft lips, driven into his, erased every syllable of William’s speech from his memory as he succumbed to her spell. Their bodies melting into each other as Elizabeth ran her hands over his chest, eager to touch him, she began unbuttoning his waistcoat. At the same time, William traced the curve of her spine with his fingers before sliding them down to the soft roundness of her bottom. With a groan, he pulled her hips tight against his, lifting her slightly so she could feel his growing hardness.

“Oh, Elizabeth!” William gasped, as he scattered hot, wet kisses to her ear, down her neck and across her décolletage. There he tugged the neckline of her dress down a bit, attempting to savour even more of her soft skin. “Tell me to stop!”

Instead, she responded even more passionately. Having succeeded in unbuttoning his shirt, she ran soft hands over his bare chest, and it was with great effort that William remembered that they were only one door away from a roomful of people. Pushing her to arm’s length, he pleaded hoarsely, “Please, darling, let me regain control of myself!”

Nonetheless, seeing the desire in her ebony eyes, his lips claimed hers again. At length he broke the embrace, pulling her across the room towards an overstuffed chair. Roughly, he sat down, drawing her into his lap and clutching her so tightly she could scarcely draw breath. For some time he sat with his head buried in the crook of her neck, both of them listening to his laboured breathing. Once it returned to normal, William lifted his head and pulled her forward so he could kiss the tip of her nose.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you? How much I desire you?”

Tears pooled in her eyes. “As much as I love and desire you.”

Their lips could not stay parted, and they met again, but this time the kiss was gentle. “If we are to marry today, I must leave you to prepare.” Elizabeth nodded. “I shall ask if there is a maid who can help you dress.” Suddenly, he drew back to look at her. “Will you mind not having a proper dress?”

Shaking her head vigorously, she kissed him lightly, eliciting a small groan. “As long as you are the groom, I care not for the trappings.”

His response was a passionate kiss. He ran his tongue inside her mouth, exploring every inch of the velvety surface before her tongue began to duel his. Close to losing control again, William quit the kiss and stood, causing her to slide off his lap. He caught hold of her, bringing her into a tight embrace and rubbing his arousal against her, smiling roguishly.

“If I do not leave this instant, I shall take you here and now, and Mr. Williamson’s preparations will be for naught!”

Elizabeth giggled as he pulled her with him to the door. With a very quick kiss, he exited, closing the door behind him. She was still staring at it when a soft knock drew her attention. Opening it, she expected to find William, but instead, found the proprietor’s wife, smiling from ear to ear.

~~~*~~~

Abby Barnwell was a very refined looking woman. She dressed in gowns that were more elegant than was customary for an innkeeper’s wife, and she had an air about her that mirrored her upbringing as a gentleman’s daughter. Though she was still quite handsome at fifty, there was noticeable grey in her dark brown hair. Her green eyes, however, twinkled with genuine friendliness and concern. Over the years, she had made preparations for many weddings, the Barnwell’s personal parlour having been the site of many a ceremony among their family and friends, and she was determined that the small event she now supervised would be perfect—or as perfect as could be had on such short notice.

As she surveyed the still elegant space, she sighed to think of how things had changed. Her family had once been of Mr. Darcy’s circle before her father had lost everything by gambling and had run off leaving them penniless. In fact, George Darcy, a Cambridge classmate of her father, Martin Burris, had helped her mother purchase this old manor and turn it into a boarding house so that they would have an income.

Now, examining her handiwork—the polished silver, the linens and flowers—Mrs. Barnwell smiled. Fitzwilliam Darcy probably did not know their connection, especially since they had changed the name of the establishment when she and Mr. Barnwell married. If he did, he had never given any indication of it. After all, he was just a small child when it happened whereas she was a young woman. But with her mother’s constant talk of Mr. Darcy’s intervention, Mrs. Barnwell would never forget and being aware of their connection, she was determined to partially repay his father’s benevolence by hosting a wedding for his son.

“Finish with that silver now, Margaret!” she prodded one of the maids. “There is no reason the candelabrums should not shine as bright as the mirrors. Did Maddie find the vases for the flowers?”

“Yes, madam,” the younger girl answered. “She is putting them in water, and then she is going to bring the linens for the tables. The pianoforte has already been dusted. Will you be playing some wedding music?”

“I believe I may, if the couple would like it.” She smiled thinking of the times she had heard her mother talk of entertaining guests in this very room. “I have not played nearly enough this last year, so I shall practice the pieces quickly, if you do not object to listening.”

She did just that, to Margaret and Maddie’s delight, since the older maid returned in time to hear as well. After several minutes, it was evident that she still remembered the beautiful songs she had played for the last wedding. Satisfied, Mrs. Barnwell headed to the door.

“I must see how Carrie is coming with the gown, if Cook has finished the cake and how Aggie is managing with the cottage. Now, keep busy, girls! We have only until seven o’clock!”

As their mistress exited the room, the two maids giggled, Maddie declaring, “One would think the Mistress was marrying off her own daughter the way she is carrying on!”

“She even brought the young miss over to the family’s rooms to get dressed. Well, we had better hurry,” Margaret noted, placing one of the clean linen runners on the sideboard. “She will be back before we know it, wanting to know why we have not finished!”

A bedroom in the private quarters

Elizabeth stood on a small stool as the maid went around pinning up the hem of her dress—or rather, the dress Mrs. Barnwell had found for her. Upon learning that she did not have a decent dress in which to be married, the kind proprietor had insisted that she try on a satin and lace confection that once belonged to her daughter. Elizabeth had to admit that it was certainly lovelier than any of the muslin frocks that she had stuffed into her bag.

“My Pauline wore it only once! She outgrew all her clothes the summer she turned eighteen. She is almost as tall as her father now! I have kept it all these years, as it cost me a fortune, and I did not have the heart to have it redesigned. I was hoping to have a granddaughter who might need it.” She laughed. “That will never happen.”

She watched Elizabeth run a finger over the bruise and cut Stefano had left on her cheek. “Do not fret, dear. I have powder to cover that.” She searched through a drawer, quickly pulling out a jar. “Here is what we need!” She took a very small brush and dusted a flesh coloured powder over the wound making it almost invisible.

At last the maid was finished with the hem and stepped back. Abby Barnwell sighed. “Oh, miss. You look like a princess!” Elizabeth blushed. “Now, where did I put those pins with the tiny flowers on them? They will look wonderful in your dark hair!” She began pulling items out of other drawers of the dressing table, first one thing out and then another. “Oh, here they are!”

“Carrie, take the dress and hem it quickly, while Suzanne and I arrange Miss Elizabeth’s hair! Carrie laid the dress carefully over her arm and started from the room. “Make haste, girl! We do not have much time!”

A sitting room

Mr. Williamson joined Richard and Evan in the sitting room that connected their bedrooms. They were making plans to leave in the morning and wanted to discuss who would be riding in William’s coach. He did not mention the plans that he had executed, nor would he, as it was not his secret to reveal.

“I assume I shall ride back with William, but I have not spoken to him about it,” he replied casually in answer to Richard’s query.

“Where is my elusive cousin?” Richard complained. “I imagine I shall have to forcibly remove him from Miss Elizabeth’s room so that she can get some rest.” Everyone chuckled at his jest.

“I, for one, want to leave at first light!” Evan proclaimed. “Ana will be worried, and I do not want her to suffer unnecessarily. Besides,” he said candidly, “I miss my girls.”

Richard chuckled. “I was about to say that, when you volunteered the information! You would never make a soldier—having to be gone for months.” He had ordered a bottle of brandy and had just poured himself a drink, holding up the bottle. “Would either of you like one?”

Mr. Williamson stated, more calmly than he felt, “I would love a small glass.” Richard proceeded to pour two fingers and handed him the glass just as a knock came at the door.

Evan opened it, revealing the innkeeper’s wife, Abby Barnwell, smiling brilliantly and looking very satisfied with herself.

Seeing Mr. Williamson over Evan’s shoulder, she raised her chin and winked at him, raising the other men’s suspicions. And just as Richard and Evan exchanged quizzical glances, she made an announcement.

“The happy couple awaits you in the family parlour, Reverend. Everyone, just follow me, if you please.”

Richard heard the glass shatter as his drink crashed into the hard wood of the floor.

~~~*~~~