Darcy's Temptation (53 page)

Elizabeth closed the letter, using the Darcy seal in the hot wax. She left the message on the mantel in their joint sitting room. Others would not find it there, but Darcy would discover it; he regularly stood in front of the fireplace enjoying the heat of the flame; he would see it there.

After a restless night, Elizabeth boarded the small coach, having feigned news of her mother's worsening health. Mrs. Reynolds clearly did not want her to leave, but Elizabeth, who packed most economically, assured both Mrs. Reynolds and Hannah she would be gone no longer than necessary, which was a back-door lie, but a believable one. Taking Hero made the deception more plausible, and by midmorning Elizabeth was on her way.

Her condition required her to spend the night at an inn. The next morning she told the coachman she received news her mother was taken to Bath for its medicinal waters, and she instructed the coach to take her there.

Arriving in Bath, Elizabeth disembarked at a moderately priced inn.Assuring Darcy's staff she would not need them any longer because her father's coach would serve her needs, she sent Darcy's men home. Reluctantly, they obeyed. Finally, she was alone with no one to which to turn.

Jane Austen,
Mansfield Park
, 1814

Darcy kept hours at his club, having put into action his plan to reestablish Elizabeth's reputation as his wife. He drummed up conversations, turning each discourse to a description of his “amazing” Elizabeth. A few of his closer acquaintances made comments, which indicated they thought his inclination to be elsewhere. Darcy hated the fact his headstrong nature created such a Gordian knot. He wished for nothing more than to be at Pemberley with Elizabeth, but until he could check the rumors surrounding him, he would remain in London.

 

Mr. Harrison called upon Georgiana as he promised. She greeted him with delight; despite how it might look to others, she rode out with him. They drove through Hyde Park, and then he took her to Gunter's for the cream ice. Young men risked life and limb waiting on the various carriages peppering the east side of Berkeley Square.

As was proper, Mr. Harrison stopped the curricle and climbed out. Unmarried couples could not sit together in a carriage and talk, but a young man could stand beside the carriage and speak to his ladylove without raising too many eyebrows. A waiter scurried over, and Mr. Harrison turned on his charms, ordering each of them a flavored cream ice and a strong English tea. The waiter disappeared behind another
carriage, adroitly darting between the harnesses.

“Miss Darcy, may I speak of your loveliness today?” Harrison smiled up at her.

Georgiana returned his happiness. “It seems, Mr. Harrison, whether I agree or decline, you already made your thoughts known.”

He laughed lightly. “So, I did, fair maiden,” he teased. “Was that not a most advantageous move on my part?”

“You are fortunate, Sir, I possess the disposition to forgive your teasing nature,” Georgiana added.

Harrison overexaggerated his bow to her as he said, “A goddess of beauty and a forgiving disposition—I am blessed among men.”

“Do not forget it, Sir.” Georgiana gave him a pretend pout.

“Never, fair lady.” Harrison's eyes came to rest upon her, and he lowered his voice so others could not hear. “You, Miss Darcy, are my imagination—my dreams—come to life.” His voice was husky with desire.

Georgiana blushed, but for once, she did not look away. She drank in his face, caressing each line with her eyes. “Mr. Harrison, I should reprimand you for your boldness,” she started.

“Yet, you will not,” he said, in assurance.

“I will not—never to you,” she whispered, unable to remove her eyes from his countenance.

“Georgiana.”The use of her familiar name was an intimate gesture.“I made a promise to your sister Mrs. Darcy, but I now feel that promise to be void.”

Georgiana for a few seconds was lost to the sound of his voice, and Harrison's words did not register at first.“A promise to Elizabeth?” she asked.

Mr. Harrison blushed slightly. “You are aware I promised Mrs. Darcy I would not declare myself to you until your next birthday, but if you are to receive offers in London, I must let you know my dreams lie in your hands.”

“Mr. Harrison,” Georgiana stumbled over the words, “I cannot go against my sister's wishes; Elizabeth would not ask this of you unless she feared for my future somehow. I trust Elizabeth's instincts. However, I will promise you this—I will accept no others until my next birthday.”

“Even if your brother insists?” Harrison's face showed the pain he felt at those words.

“Fitzwilliam will not force me into an unwelcome marriage,” Georgiana tried to assure him.

The waiter returned at that moment, carrying a tray with teacups.They took the offering, amused by the novelty of sharing the tea publicly. When they finished, Mr. Harrison joined Georgiana in the curricle once more and began to maneuver the horses through the crowded street.As they cleared the worst of the clamor, Mr. Harrison leaned toward her. “Georgiana, if Mrs. Darcy was not around, would you feel differently?”

“Why would Elizabeth not be around?” Georgiana looked confused.

Harrison paused, not wishing to betray Elizabeth's confidences, but needing to claim Georgiana's affections. “Mrs. Darcy will not, I think, wait for your brother to send her away.”

Georgiana took in his words in all seriousness.“My brother stays in London only to squelch the rumors; otherwise, we would be returning to Pemberley.”

“I am pleased to hear it. Mrs. Darcy has my deep respect.”

Georgiana taunted,“Even if my sister keeps us apart?”

“I can tolerate much if I am allowed the opportunity to present myself to you properly.” Harrison brought the carriage to a halt in front of Kensington Place.

Georgiana smiled largely at him. “You will be granted the opportunity, Sir.”

Harrison handed her down from the carriage, allowing himself the pleasure of letting his fingers rest on her waist a few seconds longer than propriety required. “I will be patient, Miss Darcy.”

Henry Dorchester appeared at Kensington Place after dinner. Neither Darcy nor Georgiana expected his call. “Dorchester?” Darcy offered his hand in greeting, but Dorchester returned only a polite bow.

Immaculately dressed, as usual, Henry Dorchester glided to the seat offered by Darcy. Georgiana sat quietly in a corner, attending to her embroidery. Dorchester took out his handkerchief to wipe the glass of port Darcy handed him while Darcy sucked in his breath in contempt.“Dorchester, this is an unexpected pleasure.” He seated himself across from the man.

The visitor looked about the room, allowing his eyes to come to rest on Georgiana. “Maybe, Mr. Darcy, we should speak without an audience.”

“I have no secrets from my sister, Dorchester.” Darcy's voice indicated how unhappy this conversation made him.

“Very well then,” Dorchester began, “some of what I have to say involves Miss Darcy as well.”

Darcy offered the man no encouragement; the expression on his face showed no emotions. Finally, Dorchester cleared his throat.“Mr. Darcy, my mission is a delicate one, and it pains me to come here this evening.” Darcy did not respond; his expression did not change, but if Dorchester knew him better, he would recognize the danger in angering him. When Darcy offered no comment, Dorchester took the freedom of taking the conversation to the next level. “My family takes offense, Sir, with your actions toward my cousin Cecelia. You played poorly by her.”

“I take offense,
Sir,
your family thought I might be so debased as to defile my marriage vows. My wife,
Sir,
owns my heart now and forever.” Darcy fought the urge to physically remove the man from his house.

Dorchester flushed, not expecting Darcy to respond as such.“I see; you do not intend to even apologize to my cousin for your actions?”

“I do not see I have anything of which to apologize, but if I offended Miss McFarland, I will plead ignorance of my offense.”

“That is not the same as an apology, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy now displayed an amused smile upon his face. “It is the best I can do under the circumstances.”

“And what of Miss Darcy's shameful actions today?” Dorchester's voice rose in inflection. Georgiana's head shot up; she did not want Darcy to know about her afternoon with Mr. Harrison. “You cannot expect me to offer your sister my regard if she carries on so in public.” Dorchester puffed up with disdain.

“My sister is a fine lady.” Darcy seethed with anger.

“Then you gave your permission for her accompanying a gentleman in public?” Dorchester accused.

Darcy shot his sister a quick glance, and he saw Dorchester's truths playing on her face. Instinctively, Darcy knew with whom Georgiana spent her time. “Mr. Harrison is a dear family friend; I trust him implicitly with my sister.”

Dorchester did not expect Darcy to give his permission to Georgiana.As her guardian, Darcy must approve of her outing. “I still cannot consider such an alliance under the circumstances, especially if your friendship lies with the likes of Chadwick Harrison.”

Darcy accepted all the censure he would tolerate. Criticism of his actions was one thing; he deserved it, but Georgiana did not. “Then I suppose this conversation is at an end.” Darcy stood to show Dorchester to the door. “Your disdain is noted, Sir, but I am not of the habit of being told to whom I may offer my friendship. Mr. Harrison always treats my family with respect, and I return it gratefully.” By now, Darcy held the door open for Dorchester.

“Well!” Dorchester huffed, as he quickly exited the room and the house.

Darcy growled,“Insufferable poppycock!”

“I am sorry, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana sobbed.

He crossed the room, taking her hand and pulling his sister to her feet. Darcy encircled her with his arms, clutching her to his chest. “We will have no more words of apology, Georgiana,” he whispered.

Georgiana moaned, “I should have never gone without a chaperone.”

“Did you do anything of which you should be ashamed?”

She gasped,“No, Fitzwilliam—never!”

“Then it is done; I cannot criticize you for I did so much worse.” Darcy buried his face in her hair.

“Elizabeth will be ecstatic to have you home.” Georgiana kissed the side of his cheek.

“Will she?” Darcy's voice held his worry.

“I have not changed my opinion,” she assured her brother. “You and Elizabeth have a great love; you simply must find each other again.”

“I pray you are correct, my Dearest One.” He kissed her hand. “Now, come sit with me and honestly tell me about your day.”

 

From the time the Darcys severed their connection with the Dorchesters, a week passed. Darcy and Georgiana continued to attend art displays, concerts, and the theatre.They enjoyed the company of several of Darcy's friends from his university days. He claimed an allegiance of those he knew for many years. He abandoned the “show” much of the
ton
regularly displayed. He secured his position in society, but Darcy shunned the frivolity found by the Dorchesters and others of lesser consequence.