Page 3 of Reputation, an Easy Thing to Lose (Reputation Verse #1)
Chapter 2
Surprises
Gracechurch Street, Cheapside, Lo ndon
22 September 1812
E dward Gardiner was fully discomfited by the interview he had just concluded with his headstrong niece. Elizabeth was intelligent but young. She must not throw away her life before she was allowed to really live. Edward believed that Darcy held some tender for Elizabeth based on their frequent and intimate correspondence over the past six weeks, but he dared not speak of his suspicions to Elizabeth, as he did not wish to raise her hopes. It was entirely true that with Lydia carrying a babe out of wedlock, most in society would shun their whole family. Edward thought better of Darcy, but he did not want to be the instrument which would break Elizabeth’s heart any further.
Rising from his desk, Edward moved with his tea to the back window of his study and looked down on the mews. Elizabeth and Darcy were locked in a passionate embrace. It was both distressing and most wel come.
Edward was not one of England’s most successful businessmen due only to his sparkling personality. He was proficient at reading people. The moment Darcy had been introduced to him in the south rose garden of Pemberley, Edward knew he loved Elizabeth completely. Elizabeth’s feelings were harder to determine. She was too practiced at hiding herself from her overly excitable mother. Over the three days they spent in Derbyshire, Edward began to suspect that Elizabeth was receptive to Darcy’s attentions, but it was the drive to Longbourn that convinced him. Elizabeth was distraught over Lydia’s elopement and completely shut down while watching Darcy ride away from the inn at Lambton. Her demeanour during their trip home was forlorn. Both Edward and Madeline had tried to engage her in some conversation regarding Darcy and Georgiana, but Elizabeth evaded their questions. With less than one hour until reaching Longbourn, Elizabeth declared that they were unlikely to see the Darcys ever again, so further discussion of the acquaintance would be a waste of time. Her eyes told Edward all he needed to know. She was heartbr oken.
Edward ceased considering the matter until the day Darcy appeared at their door in Cheapside. He was initially shocked to see anyone at the door to his study, since the black drape had been placed on the door less than twenty -f our hours earlier. Propriety demanded that only the closest relations could come to a house newly in mourning. But there stood Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in the whole of England, with a reputation for following the rules of society without exception. And he looked drea dful.
He stayed for more than two hours in Edward’s study, listening to the whole of the tale and asking invasive questions about the welfare of the remaining family. At first, Edward was cautious. Though it was not his own daughter, if word got out to society in general that one of Edward’s wards was so wholly ruined, it could interfere with his business. The elite in society were uncompromising in their connections. But, when Darcy returned the next day, Edward decided to trust the young man.
Edward sent Darcy regular correspondence during the entire affair, and was pleased to invite the man back to his home, twice. Edward hoped that Darcy might still harbour feelings for Elizabeth, but was unsure if he would ever act on those feelings. Yesterday’s news about Lydia’s condition had certainly been a blow, and Edward had slept little last night, worrying over the ma tter.
Now, at least he had proof that both young people had their hearts in the same p lace.
As much as Edward wished to allow Darcy and Elizabeth a little bit of peace after so many weeks of heartache, they were engaged in a compromising position in his back garden, in full view of the mews. Ruination of another niece would be the end of all their livelihoods. So, Edward stepped into the kitchens, asked Cook to send a tray with tea, coffee, and toast for three to his study, and walked out into the morning sun.
B liss!
This was the only thought running through Darcy’s mind. Falling into her arms had been a shock, but the moment their eyes met it was clear that all his heart’s desires were within reach. Instinct told him to kiss her, and so far, it was progressing wonderf ully.
At first, she had been stiff in his arms, but she slowly began to respond. After a few moments, she snaked her arms up to the lapels on his riding jacket and was now clinging to him. Her whole body melted into his embrace, and he took a moment to savour the flavour of her lips. Tea with a bit of honey and milk. Somewhere in his conscious mind he knew he needed to end this and take her back into the house, but he could not give up the feel of her in his arms yet.
Tor ture!
Elizabeth clutched Darcy’s lapels and held on tight, but her body was acting on its own accord. How could she let him kiss her like this? It was torture of the sweetest kind. Darcy could not possibly know what he was doing. Lydia’s shame was complete, and all the Bennet sisters were now untouchable. Everyone was informed about her father’s death and had likely heard about Collins taking possession of Longbourn, but surely, he was unaware of Lydia’s condition. They had only learned themselves yesterday. Even if the gossip had spread to the Collinses, an express would have arrived at Rosings yesterday at the earliest, more likely today. Lady Catherine could not have informed Darcy yet. Once he knew, he would regret this kiss. He would ride away on that beautiful horse and never return. She could never blame him. Any connection with the Bennet family would ruin Georgiana, and he could not risk his sweet little sister for Elizabeth’s selfish des ires.
But she could not bring herself to pull away.
His long arms felt like a shield around her small body. In all Elizabeth’s life, she had never felt more cherished than right now in Darcy’s embrace. For a fleeting moment, she dreamed about riding away from all her troubles on Incitatus, with the wind in her hair as they left the scorn of society far behind. They could be happy, just the two of them, for the rest of their l ives.
But there was not just two of them. Georgiana was Darcy’s responsibility, and she was blameless in all of this; a victim herself of the vilest man Elizabeth had ever known. They could not take away her chances of a happy and prosperous life for so selfish a re ason.
Elizabeth had sisters to think of too. Lydia was going to need someone to take her baby after it was born. If all the Bennets kept their heads down for the remaining months until her confinement, they may be able to find a respectable merchant acquaintance of Edward’s to adopt the child. And while Elizabeth was too old to reasonably consider ever marrying, Mary and Kitty were young enough to avoid spinsterhood. The year after Lydia’s confinement, if the girls moved to London, Edward should be able to find them husbands within the merchant cla sses.
And Jane was so beautiful. Surely, someone would want Jane if for no other reason than to sit peacefully in their parlour after dinner and look upon her serene face.
Yes, Elizabeth’s family may have fallen so low as to be totally out of reach of the Darcys, but they still had a lot left to lose. It was time to end this charade and face Darcy’s indignation. She must find a position before she brought more shame upon them all.
Darcy finally pulled away from Elizabeth’s warm lips but only moved far enough to place his cheek upon her forehead. His arms tightened around her small waist, and he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair soap, lavender and r oses.
“Elizabeth, my love, tell me this is not a dream from which I will shortly wake! Tell me that you are really here in my arms and can forgive all my transgressions against your family. Please dearest, tell me you will ease my suffering and agree to become my wife!”
Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes at his heartfelt declaration. This would be the moment she lost him forever. Another rejected proposal, but so different from his last. This time his words were beautiful, and she wished to accept with her whole being. But it could neve r be.
“Mr. Darc y, I…”
“Ahem! Darcy, Lizzy. I believe we should take this conversation inside my study. Come along, pl ease.”
Edward stood at the corner of the house, by the door to the kitchens. “Give that horse to the mews boy and stop gaping at me. It is still early and unlikely that any of the neighbours are yet at their breakfast, but the day is coming fast. It will not do to have yet another scandal on our h ands.”
Elizabeth scurried into the house while Darcy walked Incitatus back to an open stall in the mews. Edward waited until Darcy walked past him into the house before taking one last look around the back garden and returning inside him self.
Once all three were inside the study and seated at the low table, laden with a tea tray, Darcy spoke. “Edward, I know that it must be disconcerting to have seen myself and Elizabeth in such a tender moment, but I assure you, I am prepared to protect her reputation, immedia tely.”
Elizabeth began to panic. “Mr. Darcy, I cannot imagine how you have come to address my uncle so informally, but I promise I have never given you leave to address me thus! Uncle, I swear to you I have not had any contact with Mr. Darcy since we left Lambton, and I have never before been in such a disgraceful position. I know that it is impossible for Mr. Darcy and I to be wed, and will accept any consequences you choose to inflict on me, but I am sure that no one observed us, so further damage to our family is improb able.”
Darcy’s heart sank at her rushed words. He turned to her and reached for her hand, but Elizabeth pulled out of his reach. “My love, what are you saying? I was sincere in my proposal. I want to marry you, today, if you will have me. Why would our marriage be imposs ible?”
“You don’t know what you are saying!” Elizabeth exclaimed, with tears in her eyes. “My family’s situation is even worse than you can possibly unders tand.”
“Good God! What more could ther e be?”
Edward cleared this throat. “Lizzy, please modulate your voice. We do not want to be overheard by the staff. Now, I believe that there are some misunderstandings present that need clarification. First, Lizzy, you should know that Darcy and I have been corresponding for many weeks now. I gave him leave to call me Edward more than a month ago. Second, he is fully up to date on the Bennet family situation, including Lydia’s condition, of which I informed him yesterday. Finally, while I can plainly see that you two are in love with each other, I agree with Lizzy that a marriage between you is, at this time, imposs ible.”
“Edward, you can’t be ser ious…”
“Corresponding for weeks! Already knows about Lydia? Why…?”
“Calm yourselves,” Edward interrupted. “I am perfectly serious, Darcy. Lizzy, frankly, I told him because I trust him, and the man needed to know. Now,” he stood up and brushed a crumb from his jacket. “I must leave in order to meet with the Royal Inspector at my warehouse in forty minutes. You two have much to discuss if you are ever going to come to an understanding. I believe it would be best if we kept this liaison between us for now, so you cannot possibly stay in the house while I go. If you both come with me to the warehouse straight away, we will arrive before anyone else, and you can continue your conversation in the unoccupied office at the end of the front hall near the side entrance.” Edward checked his watch and drained the last of his tea, placing the cup back on the tray. “I will join you as soon as the inspection is complete. It may be irregular to allow such a meeting to take place behind closed doors, but I believe you both responsible enough to avoid any real consequences, and this discussion must take precedence if we are to help my ni eces.”
With that, Edward ushered Elizabeth and Darcy back into the kitchens from the servants’ entrance and out the door into the mews. The warehouse for Gardiner Imports was on the next street east from the Gardiners’ house. As the hour was still quite early, the three made their way across the street, down the alley, and into the side entrance, without meeting an yone.
Darcy and Elizabeth were silent as they walked, each lost to their private thou ghts.
So happy not a quarter of an hour ago, Darcy was now wallowing. He wrung his hands and let his head hang low, not wishing to meet anyone’s eyes. Will Elizabeth ever accept my hand?!
Elizabeth was not faring much better. How can he believe that I am marriageable? This is worse than believing him indiffe rent.
Before either were really ready, Edward unlocked the door to the unused office once belonging to his father, and ushered them inside. Darcy was handed the key and instructed to open the door for no one but Edward. The door was closed and locked. The silence was deafe ning.