Page 28 of Rumours & Recklessness (Sweet Escapes Collection #1)

Chapter 26

T he messenger arrived at Netherfield just after eight in the morning. Darcy had been prowling the drawing-room, chafing at the societal sensibilities which prevented him calling on the Bennet family any earlier. He would drop a comforting hand on Georgiana’s shoulder occasionally as he passed by, not failing to note her pale visage.

At the ring of the bell, both Bingley and Darcy sprang to the entryway. “Excuse me, sirs, I have a message for Mr Darcy from Colonel Forster,” the young officer explained. “I am to await a reply,” he continued.

Darcy, stroking his jaw with his hand as he had begun to read, acknowledged the statement with a bare nod of his head. He scanned the note quickly, and his expression fell into a scowl. Wordlessly he passed the note to Bingley.

“No!” Bingley cried as he read. A warning glance from Darcy silenced further outbursts. Chagrined, he dropped his eyes back to the page and finished reading. When he looked up, he caught his friend’s stony gaze.

“Wait a moment, and I shall have your answer for the colonel,” Darcy told the messenger. Bingley followed him into the study, and they closed the door.

“Miss King! She seemed such a quiet, proper girl!” Bingley exclaimed.

“And possessed of a fine fortune and an absent guardian,” Darcy lifted his brow.

“Do you think she is with Wickham? Forster did not sound so certain. Can he have compromised her?”

“Of course. I sincerely doubt, however, if that is the end of his devilry. He intends to marry her, I should think, to obtain control over her inheritance. The colonel had traced her coach toward London, but it is rather soon to discover if they have arrived or if they have journeyed beyond.”

“Yes, so I saw,” Bingley mused. He watched as Darcy paced, his hands on his hips and his mouth pressed tightly. “Well, I suppose we have seen the last of him, have we not? It is a pity, though, for poor Miss King.”

“You think we have? I think he has not abandoned his other quest but has only found a tool. Mark my words, Wickham will not be satisfied until he has wrought some further damage to myself and had the satisfaction of witnessing it.”

“I thought he had done an estimable job at that already.”

“Not by half.” Darcy sighed, dropping his fists. “I shall compose a reply. Would you be so good as to keep Georgiana company for a few moments? I do not like leaving her much alone today.”

“You will be certain the colonel tracks down Miss King’s uncle?”

“I imagine he has already endeavoured to do so, but I shall offer what assistance we can.”

“S top the coach! Wait, please!”

Caroline cocked her head at the distant shout from outside. “Did you hear that?” She glanced questioningly to the other occupants of the coach. Anne de Bourgh appeared to be asleep, seeming truly ill. Mrs Jenkinson looked as though she would have liked to agree with Caroline’s ears but dared not lift her voice.

“I heard nothing,” Lady Catherine declared.

Caroline furrowed her brow, listening carefully. “I hear it again. Someone is hailing us from without.”

“Nonsense. I do believe your head is addled, Miss Bingson. You must commence my doctor’s healing soup regimen.”

Caroline made a face. It was scarcely halfway into their journey, and she already wanted to commit the most dreadfully uncivilized deeds. If she heard one more bit of advice from Lady Catherine’s doctor…. “I am quite certain,” she repeated firmly. It is my carriage, after all!

“Daniels!” she put her head out the window. “Is there someone trying to catch us up?”

“Yes, Miss Bingley,” his voice filtered through the box. “A fellow what looks like a parson, on an old post nag. Not much of a rider, I’d say. Do you want I should wait? I worried he might be up to no good, Miss.”

Caroline strained her neck but could not see the figure apparently trailing behind them. A little more loudly now, she could hear another plaintive appeal for the carriage to stop.

“William Collins!” Lady Catherine announced. “Why did you not tell me he was trying to gain our attention? By all means, we must stop.”

Caroline rolled her eyes at the shutters and made the request of her driver. In very little time, the sweating, broad-faced man she remembered from the Netherfield ball had presented himself at the window of their carriage.

“Your ladyship!” He swept off his rented horse and stooped a low bow. “I flatter myself, nothing but Providence could have brought me into your ladyship’s company for the present journey!”

“Collins! Where have you been? I required you two days ago!”

“But… your ladyship, I had only just departed Hertfordshire…. I must acquaint you with my most joyous news! I have secured the hand of the fairest creature who ever walked! I have the very greatest confidence, my lady, that when introduced to the vision who is my dearest Miss Charlotte Lucas, daughter of Sir William-”

“Never mind that, Collins! What are you doing following us back to Hertfordshire?”

He reddened a little, a sheen of perspiration on his brow despite the cool weather. “Why, I thought to attend your ladyship! When I returned to Hunsford and was notified your ladyship had set out, of course, I took it upon myself to… and when I called at Darcy House, I was told...”

“And I suppose you have no idea what that chit of a cousin of yours is up to all this while? I am surprised at you, Collins! You ought to have known your duty to the de Bourgh family!”

“Y-yes, my lady,” he bobbed his head, clutching his hat. “Of course, by all means, it is incumbent upon me to… forgive me, I have not the pleasure of understanding your ladyship,” he faltered at last.

“Insolent fool! Why, you must have seen your way to stop this charade, this stain upon my nephew’s account! That silly little minx is your kinswoman, is she not? You must have exerted your influence to impress upon her father what a foolish, insulting notion she had got into her head! To think my nephew could be imposed upon in such a fashion!”

“Naturally, your ladyship is quite correct,” he bowed his head, chastised. “Your ladyship must comprehend, however, that Miss Bennet’s father….”

“Is not worth my regard! If he cannot keep his daughters in check and their expectations confined within their own sphere, I have no sentiments to spare the man. We have stopped here long enough! Daniels! Drive on, and Collins, do you keep up. I shall require you to make the introductions at Longbourn.”

Caroline ground her teeth in irritation. Lady Catherine certainly made free enough with a carriage and a driver which were not her own! A start pricked her awareness. The noblewoman remembered everyone else’s name and every detail of every conversation with electrifying precision, but Caroline’s own name came out bungled every time. Is that how it is going to be? Her white hands clenched inside her muff. Caroline Bingley was nobody’s doormat.

“M r Gardiner, I thank you for agreeing to speak with me.” Darcy took the offered seat in Mr Bennet’s study, carefully evaluating the other man’s manner.

“My niece informs me,” Gardiner eased himself into another chair, “that she will make my existence miserable should I fail to hear you out.”

Darcy’s eyes widened in mute surprise, triggering a sly chuckle from the older man. “Fear not, my dear sir, she did not put it quite so plainly! I know my niece, however, and have had cause in the past to regret when I did not put faith in her judgement. She told me you had something of rather great import to discuss.”

Darcy bit back a long sigh, straightening in his chair. “Indeed. Firstly, sir, I must again beg your forgiveness for the events of yesterday. I assure you, I do not make a habit of compromising young ladies.”

“Nor does Lizzy have a history of permitting such liberties. If it were one of the younger girls you had settled upon, we would be having a much more serious discussion, as I would be entertaining doubts about your good sense.”

“I understand, sir.” Darcy tried to contain a small twitch to the corner of his mouth. Perhaps Mr Gardiner would prove even more amiable than he had hoped. “My sister, as well, is apologizing to Miss Bennet as we speak. I hope you comprehend, sir, with what profound consternation I observed her behaviour to El… to Miss Bennet. She is exceedingly remorseful, I assure you.”

“That is as it should be, but I think it hardly necessary.” He paused, looking penetratingly at the humbled man before him. “I had a long talk with my niece, Mr Darcy, and she conveyed to me what she knew of Miss Darcy’s history. You may be assured that I shall keep this knowledge in strictest confidence, but Lizzy felt it necessary to the preservation of my sympathies toward your family.”

Darcy felt a wry expression growing. He found it ironic that to secure the good opinion of Elizabeth’s family, his own mistakes and secrets must be laid bare. In any other family, the opposite would have been the case. “I have confidence in your discretion, sir, as I have the utmost faith in Miss Bennet’s. The reason she spoke of such things to you is that I had hoped to secure the assistance of your family in repairing the damage to my sister’s reputation.”

Gardiner pinched between his eyes, a pained expression in evidence. “Lydia...” he muttered under his breath. “She is currently confined to her room. I shall be keeping a tight rein on my niece, for the time being, I assure you.”

“In truth, sir, I had rather hoped you would not.” Gardiner’s forehead puckered in interest as he listened to Darcy’s plan.

G eorgiana had looked forward to the call with fear and trembling, but instead of the affronted and indignant family she had every right to expect, she found herself welcomed with open arms. Elizabeth had been the first to greet her with a warm embrace and a sincere smile. Jane and Mrs Gardiner had rapidly followed suit.

Mary Bennet, curiously, remained somewhat aloof but would not suffer herself to be very far parted from Georgiana. Though largely silent, she remained constantly nearby—a dispassionate bodyguard, as it were. Bingley immediately retired to a corner with Jane, and Georgiana quickly found herself once again at ease with the remaining family. Perhaps not all was lost, after all.

In some wonder, she glanced about the room after several minutes. “Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, but is your mother unwell this morning?”

“You need not address me so formally, Georgiana,” Elizabeth winked. “However, Mama is quite well. She is very busy, I believe, with some personal matters.”

“Oh, I see.” Her brow furrowed. She did not see, in fact, but felt it rude to inquire further. It was, however, not long before she would receive her explanation.

The housekeeper appeared at the door of the sitting room, beckoning Mrs Gardiner. “Mrs Stewart requests your attendance, Ma’am.”

Georgiana shot Elizabeth a questioning glance as Mrs Gardiner excused herself.

“Aunt Gardiner thought it best to begin soliciting Mama’s advice on colours and lace,” Elizabeth supplied. “With Papa ill and so much to contrive, Aunt Gardiner suggested it might be in better taste that the dressmaker might come to Longbourn for the morning. It is indeed a distinction, for the last time Mrs Stewart made a house call was for the wedding of Miss Keston of Mayweather when she wed that wealthy gentleman worth eight thousand a year.

“Mama intends to spend a few hours at least looking over samples. Unhappily for me, she has no faith in my taste in fashion, so I expect I shall be consulted at some later date. I believe Mrs Hill’s kitchen has been entirely commandeered.” Another small wink accompanied these remarks, and Georgiana began to understand. Elizabeth and her aunt were geniuses of the first order.

Shortly thereafter, her brother appeared again in the sitting room, accompanied by Elizabeth’s uncle. Georgiana tensed involuntarily. The gentleman, however, came to her directly and offered a bow. “My sister, Georgiana,” William drew her forward. “Georgiana, may I present Mr Edward Gardiner.”

“Delighted, Miss Darcy,” Gardiner smiled with genuine affability.

She glanced quickly toward her brother. His intentionally light manner helped her to understand how to receive the man. “I am delighted as well, Mr Gardiner,” she answered humbly. “I thank you for your hospitality.”

“The pleasure is ours, Miss Darcy.” Gardiner cast a surreptitious eye toward Bingley, who had drawn close and was hovering with some anxiety, rather like a hopeful puppy. With a tightly hidden smile which was only perceived by Elizabeth, Darcy performed the introductions.

“Mr Gardiner,” Bingley began, a little anticipatory tension in his voice, “may I trouble you for a few moments of your time?”

Gardiner cocked a mirthful glance at Jane. “By all means, my good sir,” he replied, and the two departed.

Darcy caught Elizabeth’s gaze with a significant look. She nodded and left the room. Georgiana watched their exchange with growing wonder. “William?” she whispered questioningly.

He took her hand and gave it a cheerful squeeze. “All will be well, Sweetling. Take courage,” he murmured softly.

A scarce moment later, a thunderous clamour arose from the stairs. Lydia and Kitty Bennet had been sprung from their prison. Georgiana’s tension began to return, but William placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“La, it is about time!” Lydia was declaring. She addressed herself immediately to her bonnet and gloves in the hall, overlooking their guests entirely, but a ring of the bell distracted her. “Why, it’s Maria!”

Elizabeth had rejoined the party in the sitting room by now, wearing a conspiratorial smirk reserved for Darcy.

“Thank you for your note, Lydia!” Miss Lucas’ voice came through from the hall. “I could not wait to see your new bonnet!”

“New bonnet?” Lydia’s muffled voice replied. “But I have no new bonnet!”

“Oh, but you have! You told me it was the latest fashion in velvets!”

“La, you are so strange, Maria! You must mean that one we admired in the window yesterday, but it was so dear! I declare, Papa does not give me enough allowance.”

“But I was quite certain….”

Elizabeth interrupted the girls here. “Lydia, Kitty, dears, do come in here!” she called from the doorway.

Three girls, half decked out in outerwear, followed Elizabeth’s voice into the sitting room. They all stopped upon beholding Georgiana. “Oh!” Kitty ejaculated; the first articulate utterance heard from her since she had emerged from her confinement.

Darcy smiled graciously at his future sisters. “Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia.” He bowed. “And Miss Lucas! I am most delighted to see you again so soon.”

His magnanimous greeting caught the girls off their guard. They paused hesitantly, various warm articles dangling uselessly from their hands. “What a happy thing it is you could join us,” Darcy continued. “I feared we might have missed you.”

Lydia perked up primly. “Why, not at all, Mr Darcy,” she returned, attempting a hint of her older sister’s disdain, but not succeeding quite so gracefully. “Me and Kitty were just about to go to town. We are sure of meeting with good company there .” She lifted her nose fractionally.

Kitty attempted no such raillery. She merely shrank closer to Maria, glancing with significant amusement in Georgiana’s direction.

“Pray, do not go just yet,” Darcy invited. “I beg you would indulge me for just a moment—Miss Jane, and Miss Mary, as well. I had hoped to present an early Christmas gift to my future sisters. I saw no point in waiting halfway through the cold months before you were able to enjoy the use of… well, I perhaps oughtn’t to spoil the surprise. If you will excuse me only a moment.” Darcy stepped outside, and with a word to a manservant waiting at the coach, returned.

He was followed by five of Bingley’s footmen, each toting two large parcels. A few audible gasps accompanied them. “Ladies,” Darcy gestured invitingly, “I shall be required to return to London very shortly, for how long I do not know. As my plans are yet uncertain, I have asked your uncle’s blessing to present these today. He did not think it improper, in light of my understanding with Miss Elizabeth. Please accept these with my warmest felicitations. Let me see… ah, this one is for you, Miss Lydia.”

He presented each little stack of boxes in turn. With the exception of Elizabeth, the Bennet girls each received, to their complete amazement, a beautiful new woollen cloak and one of the most delicious new offerings from the millinery shop. An additional pair of boxes was set to the side for Mrs Bennet, but none wished to disturb her labours at the moment.

Kitty and Jane both thanked Darcy graciously. Mary’s stony face softened as her fingers reverently stroked the thick cloak. It was far finer than the second-hand one her mother had passed her from Jane. She rose grateful eyes to the gentleman and offered him a shy smile.

Lydia, for once, was struck speechless. She stared at Darcy as though he had grown a second head while Maria Lucas did full justice to the lovely bonnet in her hands. Such peace did not last long, but the reprieve was long enough for Mr Bingley and Mr Gardiner to emerge, each appearing well satisfied with the other. Many in the room fixed the pair with blatant stares, but by them, nothing was mentioned other than their mutual felicity in the acquaintance.

While they were yet speaking so, the crunch of gravel outside roused everyone’s attention. Lydia, possessing less tact than many others, was the first to rush to the window and peer out. “Jane, Lizzy, look!” she beckoned them all to the window. “The most enormous carriage has arrived!”

“O ne can see, my lady, the very agreeable countryside of Hertfordshire is most suitably furnished with serviceable roads, and I flatter myself, all have been skilfully maintained even in the wet seasons. Your ladyship will surely appreciate the many abundantly productive orchards to be found in this country. Your ladyship will no doubt be quite expertly acquainted with the ideal type of land suited for growing….”

Caroline wanted to cram her fingers in her ears. That sycophant had not ceased his prattle since the moment he had fallen into league with them. Lady Catherine kept the window on their side of the carriage open so she could listen to his droning. Caroline shrank further down into her furs, shrugging her layers up over her ears and cheeks.

A glance across the carriage at just the right time revealed Anne de Bourgh peeping at her through half-lidded eyes. Caught, Anne immediately closed her eyes again and assumed once more the aura of the sleeper. Caroline arched a brow thoughtfully. Perhaps Anne de Bourgh had contrived a way to avoid conversing with that insipid mother of hers!

Caroline briefly toyed with the notion herself, but another glance out the window revealed a landscape all too familiar. They were very close to their destination. Caroline felt a quivering thrill in anticipation of the triumph she was about to witness. No, she could not sleep now, nor even pretend to!

Lady Catherine sat up suddenly in interest. “Collins! Is that the estate up ahead?”

Caroline was, of course, handicapped by the awkward angle of the window, thanks to her unfortunate placement on the rear-facing seat, but she had been through the area often enough. She could see Collins, however. The parson must have had weak eyes, for he squinted carefully before answering.

“Your ladyship is as discerning as ever! Why, yes, it is. your ladyship must quite agree that, while nothing to the glory of Rosings Park….”

Caroline finally succeeded in blocking him out. She began to smile, the first time she had done so all day. Arrogant and poorly bred as Lady Catherine was, she was firmly on Caroline’s side of matters. This was going to be an encounter to remember.

“M ama, Aunt, we have guests arriving.” Elizabeth bit her lip painfully. How she wished she did not have to call her mother away from her amusements! Darcy, however, had clearly recognized the coach and desired that the lady of the house should be present to welcome it. She had silently pled against such a course but recognized that he was correct. Anything less would be bad form. Her mother would have to be alerted to the presence of their visitors.

“Guests, my love?” Mrs Bennet was all tender affection for the bride-elect. “They must have come to wish you well, is that not so? Come, my dear, we shall be happy to receive them!”

By the time Elizabeth had emerged from the kitchen with her mother and aunt in tow, their guests had already entered the drawing-room. Elizabeth braced herself. Such a large carriage could only mean….

“Darcy! There you are!” a strident voice carried to her. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door aside. Elizabeth, her aunt and her mother filed silently into the sitting room behind the new arrivals.

The figure before her turned sharply at her entrance. “Colonel Fitzwilliam!” she greeted him joyfully.

“Miss Elizabeth!” He swept her a bow. “Darcy, you must allow me to perform the introductions. Father, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy’s betrothed. My father, Miss Elizabeth, the Earl of Matlock.”

Elizabeth dipped a curtsey. “I am honoured to make your lordship’s acquaintance.”

“The honour is mine, I assure you, Miss Bennet,” the earl offered a reserved smile.

“May I present my mother, my lord?” Mrs Bennet was truly aghast. Pale and speechless, she fumbled a curtsey to the earl. Somehow it had escaped her notice that the handsome colonel she had so roundly abused on the previous evening was the son of nobility. That, to her mind, was enough exoneration to secure her good opinion of him. Elizabeth had momentary reason to hope that her mother’s excitable spirits might suffer enough of a shock to diminish them through the duration of the earl’s visit.

Elizabeth discreetly found her way to Darcy’s side as he took it upon himself to make the remainder of the introductions to his uncle. She recognized a calculating gleam in his eye and began to relax some. Perhaps he had planned this, too!

The earl quickly fell into easy conversation with her uncle Gardiner, a fact which readily surprised Elizabeth. She still felt the gentleman’s eye upon her rather frequently. She found herself wishing that her younger sisters had made an opportunity to excuse themselves to town before the earl’s visit, but even Lydia was sensible to the import of such a call. The girls settled on the sofa but mercifully remained somewhat mannerly—if one overlooked the occasional inexplicable giggle and bold stares originating from that region of the room. Even Mrs Bennet was in sufficient awe that Mrs Gardiner was usually able to tactfully direct her.

“Richard,” Darcy drew near his cousin, “how did you find Her Ladyship your mother?”

“Why, she is… she is well enough, Darcy.” The colonel’s eyes narrowed curiously. Darcy never referred to his aunt by her title when he could help it. Why would he make a point of doing so now?

“I thought you had told me she was doing rather poorly? I am glad to hear you found her improved.” Darcy levelled an arched brow at his cousin.

“Oh…” the colonel inhaled sharply. “Yes, she suffers somewhat, the poor dear, but she rallies as best she can.”

“Are you to take over the management of your grandfather’s estate, then? Her Ladyship had some concerns about the steward, the last I heard.”

“Why… not as yet, Darcy.” Fitzwilliam tilted his head, confused at his highly private cousin’s mention of family affairs before a public audience. Darcy flicked his eyes silently toward the youngest Bennet sisters, who had ceased their quiet chatter and leaned forward in earnest attendance. “I recall,” he added cautiously, watching his cousin’s face for signs of approval, “that she did make mention of securing a pension against old Bayard’s coming retirement.”

“Yes, of course, that is proper. When you are ready to interview potential new stewards, I shall be glad to offer you any recommendations.”

“Darcy, you know I have not inherited the estate in my own right—Grandfather left it to Mother, you know, as there was no entail. She desires it to come to me eventually, but for now, any changes are surely up to M... Her Ladyship,” he corrected himself at a look from Darcy. “She would take your advice over mine; I am not involved at all.” Richard glanced about the room. By now, more than the youngest Bennet sisters overheard their conversation. Mrs Bennet eavesdropped shamelessly, and he could see even his father and Elizabeth’s uncle were sparing some attention for Darcy’s remarks.

“That is not how she was speaking of the matter at her last visit to Pemberley,” Darcy continued, drawing a nearly horrified expression from Fitzwilliam. What had come over his cousin? “Do you not recall?” Darcy gave another meaningful cock of his eye. “She was rather insistent that a certain nameless gentleman in our family should continue to pay court to Lord Ellsworth’s daughter to secure a future heir for the estate.”

“Darcy! That was y—” he coloured and broke off, darting his eyes to the earthy beauty standing at Darcy’s side. Closely at his side. Evidently, a deal had happened in a day. Her dark eyes sparkled roguishly, and she cast him a barely perceptible wink. He looked back to Darcy, who pinned him with a compelling gaze. What the devil is the old man up to?

“Georgiana!” Darcy beckoned abruptly. “Why have you not yet greeted your cousin?”

Richard turned, thoroughly befuddled. Georgiana drew near, her light blue eyes cast to the floor and her hands clasped before her. “Dearest Georgie!” he welcomed his cousin. At least her, he would be able to comprehend.

“Good morning, Cousin,” she acknowledged him softly, offering her hand for him. Her eyes remained cast down, her cheeks stained brightly, but she smiled a little at the carpet as he took her hand. Georgiana too bashful to look up to him? What was going on?

“Richard,” Darcy brought his attention back, “I am glad you are here. I find it necessary to return to London for a few days. Georgiana wishes to remain to further her acquaintance with Miss Bennet, but of course, she cannot do so without one of us nearby. Might I presume to hope that you would be able to look after her for a few days while I am away?”

“Why… of course, Darcy, by all means. I expect Pater will return just after you; he only intended a short visit, but I have several days’ leave.”

“Excellent, I thank you.” Darcy directed his gaze toward Elizabeth, pointedly leaving Fitzwilliam alone with Georgiana. Fitzwilliam shot him a brief curious glare, then turned his attention to the less mysterious of his two cousins.