Mr. Darcy's Promise (4 page)

“How could you say such a thing?” she bellowed.

What had he said?
“Georgie!” He entered the room and embraced her and barely got a chance to kiss her forehead when she pushed him away. Hurt and confused, he again wondered what he had said to convince her to finally open the door.

“Elizabeth is the most wonderful person I have ever met! And you think so too! Do not you try to deny it; I see the way you look at her!”

Darcy was keenly aware that Miss Bingley could be very near and listening. He closed her door behind them before turning sternly to Georgiana. He lowered his voice and said, “You must not say such things, you forget yourself.” Her tears started again and he reached for her, “I am sorry, dearest, I am just trying to understand what happened. Will you not tell me?” He wanted to divert the accusation that he had feelings for Elizabeth, because that was not a conversation he wished to have with himself— let alone one with his young sister!

“You like her, do you not?”

Sighing, Darcy appeased her, “Yes, I like her . . .”

“Very much?”

“Georgie, what is this about? I think Eliz . . . Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a fine lad
y
.
”
With beautiful eyes,
he thought,
one who has bewitched me beyond words!

Her eyes lit up and a small smile came to the corners of her mouth, “And does a fine lady deserve a fine gentleman?”

Getting a little suspicious, he warily said, “Yes, I am sure someday she will meet a fine man.” The thought of her married to someone else troubled him deeply. “But as for my feelings for her . . . wait . . . you . . . tell me again why you came to surprise me at Netherfield?”

It all came out in a rush. How after she got his letter talking of Elizabeth she knew she had to come. She told of how he had never written to her about a lady before and how she so badly wanted to meet this intelligent lady who teased her brother and was lively and full of wit. She hurried said all this,
then said how she was sure that he was in love, and how she wanted to meet her future sister.

His countenance dropped as she spoke but he couldn’t let her go on like this. “Georgiana, I must stop you there. There is no possible way that I could ask for Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s hand in marriage. I have a duty to you and our family to marry well. Miss Elizabeth just is not right for me, for us! She may be a very charming young lady who has most definitely impressed me but I cannot marry her. You saw her mother at church! By gads! Could you imagine introducing my mother-in-law to the
ton
?”

“But if you love her . . .”

“No. Just no. And we are not having this discussion.” He turned on his heel and left the room but Georgiana’s words kept ringing in his ears, “
But if you love her . .
.
”
He needed to think and grabbed his riding gear and hat. He heard Bingley calling out for him as he opened the door.

“Do not worry, Bingley, I am not going to Longbourn!” His heart was beating far faster than it should for not have even gotten on the
horse yet. Could he offer marriage? She had no fortune but that was hardly a concern. He reached the stable and saddled his own horse. There was no use waiting on a groom to do it when he had been raised in this knowledge. Yes, those problems— of horses and finances and managing Pemberley— he could manage very well on his own.

He tightened the last loop and with one fluid movement was up on Calypso, stroking her mane and giving her a gentle kick. Yes, his horse knew him too well, a gentle kick and off she went! He groaned as he felt the horse respond to each well placed foot and pull. If only the heart was like this horse! Tell it to go one way, and off it
goes. Tell it to stop, and just for emphasis, he reigned in Calypso and came to a complete stop . . . it stops. “See? It is not so hard is it?” “
But if you love her . .
.
”
He groaned loudly.

“Go Calypso! Run!” He gave her a hard kick. She took off fast and hard. He took her up the hills and down even into the small stream getting his pants wet above his boots. Yes, if only the heart could be turned like this horse. The wind feeling cool on the wet legs seemed to calm him some. He had felt completely in control of his heart and body just one month before! He knew what he wanted in life and how to get it. It was simple: hard work and fortitude. Except now he didn’t know what he wanted. No, that wasn’t true, he wanted her.
Just her.If he was truthful with himself, he didn’t care for th
e
to
n
or society when she was at stake.

But it wouldn’t work! This was not as simple as riding Calypso or appointing a new parson. Offering marriage was much more complicated than that. But he could think of nothing else. He could smell her fragrant toilette water as she danced with him, smiling and laughing. She had enjoyed it, hadn’t she? He could almost taste the scent now. He wondered if his imagination had gone wild.
No, this would not do.
He could not let his heart nor imagination run free without reins. Seeing he was in a field of lavender he now understood why his imagination was so keen. Lavender. That was what she smelled like. Fresh linen and lavender.

Out of pure need to control something, anything, he
pulled hard to the right, firmly prodded Calypso on the left and pulled hard to the left. First one way, then the other. He sped up, and then halted. He kicked Calypso again and took off hard and fast. He then leapt over a fence, and then landed hard, leaning far too forward to control the horse. “Whoa, Calypso. That fence almost did us in, almost.” He righted himself and slowed the horse. Fences were not hard to jump; he had done it many times. Most fences were there to keep sheep and goats in check, but not him. He could jump just about any fence. “
But if you love her . .
.
”
Now there was a fence he feared he could not jump.

Sighing, he leaned forward and thanked Calypso. She liked these hard rides just as much as he did. He got off the horse and led her to a stream, the same stream that had cooled his legs. He was sweaty and hot now. Yes, he could marry Elizabeth, but would his love be enough? Could he look past her relations: the relatives in Cheapside, the silliness of Mrs. Bennet, the ridiculous younger sisters? He realized that all his previous objections to her family and lack of connections seemed somewhat ridiculous now that he had considered his true feelings for her. She was a gracious and lively woman, and he could not ask for anything more than that. Her relations would be over one hundred miles from Pemberley. It would be difficult, but that was merely another obstacle on his course. He might be willing to jump that fence, if only because, and he said it out loud this time, “I love her.”

E

lizabeth had effectively dodged Jane since
yesterday afternoon. Every time Lydia would mention how handsome the officers were, Jane looked at Lizzy with arched eyebrows. Elizabeth even grabbed her book on two occasions when Jane came over to talk to her. Avoiding any discussion would and should help her nerves. She was certainly flattered, but Mr. Wickham was so bold! Sighing, she took her book in hand. No more looks from smiling sisters or fathers. No more shrill comments from her mother about how she would have liked to marry an officer in a red coat. No more gigging silly sisters who gave little to no thought of their actions. Yes, a walk was just what she needed.

She wandered down the road towards Meryton and just before she approached Lucas Lodge, she stopped and sat down on a fallen log. She didn’t actually want to talk to her friend Charlotte, but it was a fairly quiet road and she would be able to read alone. It was so quiet and peaceful, and with no one around she delved into her book. She felt the late afternoon sun warming her and she closed her eyes to feel it on her face.
This is more like it.
No one around to give strange looks that only confused her. No more smiles in varying degrees of charm. No more uncontrolled embarrassment and flattery. She took off her bonnet to allow more sun to shine on her face.

“
Ahh, now there is a sight for sore eyes.”

Elizabeth startled and stood upright and her book fell to the ground. “Mr. Wickham! Why, what are you doing here?” Elizabeth cried.

“Enjoying the sights.” He looked at her with the same smile that had made the color rise to her cheeks before. 

So much for wishing piercing looks, smiles, and embarrassment away.
She was suddenly self-conscious that her bonnet was off. She quickly put it back on, her fingers shaking all the while. Feeling the awkwardness of being alone with a man, she said, “I should be getting home.”

He said, “I was going that way anyway and there was something I wish to discuss with you.” He offered his arm to her and smiled another one of his smiles.

Curiosity and, yes, succumbing to a little of the flattery, allowed her to take his offered arm as they walked to Longbourn.

“I was surprised to see Miss Darcy yesterday. Has she been in town long?” he probed.

“No, she came and surprised her brother who is visiting his friend at Netherfield, an estate on the north side of Meryton.”

So Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley was in Meryton, right here in Meryton?
Wickham thought
. So why has he let Georgiana be intimate friends with these lowly country daughters of a gentleman? Darcy would not let her “mingle” with him last spring! There was something curious about this relationship with the Bennets.

“So tell me, how is she? Is her brother in good health?”

“Well, she left yesterday so hurriedly that we did not get a chance to get to ask after her health, but when I was at Netherfield the day before, both were well.” Elizabeth heard a horse ahead and tried to pull her arm out of his, but he reached for it and held it close. They walked in silence for a few minutes.

“So Mr. Darcy is in good
health, that is good. Are you fond of Mr. Darcy?” He was definitely curious, as she colored deeper than he’d ever seen her and he had made it his mission to see those pinks run scarlet.
Yes, there was something curious about the Bennets.

She then let out a laugh and raised her eyebrow at him quizzically.
Why should he pry into my feelings like that? I scarcely know him!
But no sooner had she thought it, she was answering his question! “Ha! Now there is one area I am quite decided upon! He must be the proudest man I have ever met!” She didn’t know why she was being so open with him, but she continued. “You know, the first time I heard him speak, he said I was not handsome enough to tempt him.”

“No!” and then he leaned in and
whispered, “Now I know he must not only be proud but blind too, as you are the handsomest lady I have ever seen!”

She heard what
was probably a rabbit in the brush to the left. She had not been fishing for a compliment and changed the subject quickly. “He is devoted to his sister, though.” She spoke softly this time.

He lifted his chin and decided he would have to investigate the question of Darcy a little more. Wickham tried his luck again. His curiosity was piqued, especially since Elizabeth had blushed a moment ago when asked about Mr. Darcy. “So does Mr. Darcy have a lady’s affections yet?” he inquired.

Her heart fluttered and thought about how he danced with no one but Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst at the Meryton Assembly and how he didn’t seem to enjoy himself then. She thought about how his eyes smiled when he danced with her at Netherfield.
But that was when no one was watching! He can have no feelings for you
!
The longer she took to contemplate Mr. Darcy’s different manner during the Meryton Assembly, versus the dance she had with him, the worse she got confused.

It was only at the sound of Wickham’s step that she realized she had not answered him. “I am afraid there is one particular lady who has her eyes set on him, but he does not seem to care to notice her in that way. In fact he seems to avoid her even though she is his best friend’s sister.” Feeling the shame of talking so rudely about Mr. Darcy to someone she barely knew, she said, “I am terribly sorry Mr. Wickham, I should not be talking so of someone when they are not here to defend themselves. I must be off.” She dropped his arm and nearly ran to the direction of Longbourn. She got around the bend and realized that she had left her book by Charlotte’s house on the road. She didn’t want to run into Wickham again so she waited half an hour to head back for it. All the while she thought about the nice Mr. Wickham and the proud Mr. Darcy. Why had she been so forward with her opinions? She usually held
those sort of unkind opinions close until she understood them better and even then she knew better than to gossip to someone else about it! Perhaps she felt even worse for saying such unkind things because she was not as convinced of Mr. Darcy’s prideful nature as she sounded.

*****

Darcy could not believe his eyes. What was Wickham doing here on the arm of Miss Elizabeth? He had recognized her light pleasing figure immediately before him and he led Calypso off the road and into the brush. They were walking his way when he soon recognized Wickham’s confident strut. Why was he here? And how did he know Elizabeth? How can it be?  The last he knew, Wickham was still chasing women in brothels and recklessly gambling any money he found.

As they approached, he heard his name spoken. “Are you fond of Mr. Darcy?” was the questio
n
. .
.
Hmmm, yes, what does Elizabeth think of me . . . what? Proud
?
A certain degree of pride was appropriate for the Master of Pemberley! He listened closer. Oh, no, she had heard him at the assembly say that awful comment about not being handsome! He had regretted it the moment it had left his lips, but he never imagined that it would have made its way to her ears. He listened closer as Wickham said something he could not make out and it made her blush. No! First Georgiana and now his Elizabeth? He reminded himself that she was not
his
Elizabeth, and from the sounds of it she wanted nothing to do with him. He sat down on the moist ground. They were out of earshot anyway.
My valet will not appreciate the grass stains on my breeches.
He sat there contemplating for quite a while what this meant. How could she not like him? Hadn’t she enjoyed the time at Netherfield? Hadn’t she smiled at him while dancing with him? And those looks! The half-smiles with one eyebrow arched in that teasing manner. Surely she has some feelings for him! So much for offering for her! How could she not at least admire him? He was wealthy, and many young ladies had commented to him about how they thought him handsome. He knew he was well-read, as was she, and they had shared a few conversations about books at Netherfield. She seemed to challenge his every thought, which was such a refreshing tone as most ladies just agreed with him and offered little intelligence to the conversation. He stood up
.
Surely she must care a little about me.

Finally he got up and took his horse and walked it towards Meryton. His mood was low indeed. He must find a way to warn Elizabeth about Wickham! He led Calypso on and almost mounted her when he saw a book in the grass. It was titled
Evelina
.
Is this not the same book Elizabeth was reading at Netherfield and tapping her foot so temptingly in the library?
He picked it up and paged through it. Yes, he was sure it was hers. It had the same water stain on the front leather. He remembered it well because as he was “trying” not to look at her in that library and “trying” not to be seduced by the gentle tapping of those tiny slippered feet, and “trying” not to watch her lips move with the words of the book . . . he focused hard on the book. Yes, it was hers. He knew it was at best a flimsy excuse to pay a call at Longbourn, but perhaps he could return it to her. He told Calypso, “Looks as if we will get to see her today afterall.”

He had hardly turned his horse around when he caught sight of her coming around the bend humming a bouncy tune. He knew that tune. It was the same one they danced to! Could she be thinking of him and their dance together?

He spoke then, obviously startling her as she looked up in alarm, “Miss Elizabeth, if I am not mistaken, this is your book. I was walking and found it, you must have . . .”

She closed the distance between them. “Oh! Yes, I dropped it when I ran into an acquaintance. Thank you.” She reached her hand out for it.

He hesitated, keeping the book near his person. “Perhaps I might walk you to your destination? The sun is getting close to setting and I would hate for you to walk alone in the dark.”
Please, please say yes!

“Oh, no, I just came back for my book.” She held her arm out again, but when he didn’t give it to her she raised her eyebrow and said, “Mr. Darcy, what do I have to do for you to give me my book?”

His breath caught as he smiled and thought of a few good ideas, but none of them involved her keeping her reputation intact.

She looked at him in as stern a way as possible and then bit her lip.
Why isn’t he giving me my book?
She dropped her arm and said, “Very well, if you insist, you may walk me back to Longbourn. But I insist you give me my book by the time we get there.”

“Agreed.”
He let out his breath. She was teasing him. That was a good sign. He must warn her about Wickham! “There is something I would like to talk to you about.”

Oh no, not another man asking probing questions that I do not want to answer!
She looked saucily at him and laughed. “This sounds a serious matter!”

Although he loved to hear her laugh, he was not in a laughing mood. “I will get right to the point, a Mr. Wickham . . . he is in town?”

“Yes, he is an officer stationed here; he mentioned that he knew Georgiana and yourself.”

He blurted out, “He is not to be trusted. You must avoid his attentions at all costs!”

“Mr. Darcy, it is not for you to decide who I am to be acquainted with. Is there a reason you have taken a dislike to him?”

He stopped walking and in doing so, so did she. She looked at him in that taunting look that said “defy me.” Could he reveal Georgiana’s near elopement with Wickham at Ramsgate? How much should she know? Would Georgiana appreciate him telling her new friend about her falling for such a mercenary man? All that man had wanted was her thirty-thousand pounds! He had not cared for Georgiana at all! Then he remembered Georgiana in her distress yesterday and how much it reminded him of that near-elopement. He still did not know the cause because Georgiana was still keeping to her room. “I must ask you a question first. Yesterday Georgiana came home from Longbourn prematurely and very tearful. Do you know what happened?”

Elizabeth had been so taken back by Wickham’s presence that she hadn’t had time to think about how suddenly Georgiana had left. “It was rather odd now what you mention it. I thought she was just being shy with strangers. No sooner had Lydia and Kitty came home that she left! I hardly had time to introduce her to . . .”

“So it was your sisters after all! I should have known.” He started walking quickly again, torn between poor Georgiana and his dear Elizabeth. He hadn’t taken but a few steps when suddenly he realized Elizabeth had not started walking also and he turned around to face her. She had her hands on her hips and her jaw was set. He knew that look. She had it in a more subtle form after every snide comment
Miss Bingley made about the Bennet relations. Remembering “Oh your uncle is in trade, that must be nice,” then that look. “Oh they live in Cheapside; at least they are in London,” then that look. He was going to get it for sure. He reminded himself that her family’s poor manners meant little to him now that he knew of his feelings for her. It was a new conviction, just days old, but he needed to be better about accepting her family for who they were. He recommitted himself to look past her poor relations and lack of connections. “Miss Elizabeth, I am sorry I interrupted you. Forgive me for what I said, I have just been so worried . . . wait, who did you introduce Georgiana to?”