Darcy's Temptation (55 page)

When he called at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley, although surprised to see him, welcomed Darcy with all civility. “Darcy,” Bingley offered the familiar greeting,“it is pleasant to have you here.”

“Mr. Bingley.” Darcy gave him a proper bow. “I am sorry to come to Netherfield unannounced; I wish to speak to Mrs. Darcy.”

Bingley looked at his old friend in astonishment. “I am afraid, Sir, that is impossible; your wife is not here.”

“Is Mrs. Darcy with her parents? I understood Mrs. Bennet refused Elizabeth because of a misunderstanding.That is why I came here; the reason for Mrs. Darcy to come to Hertfordshire does not exist.” Darcy's confusion was obvious.

“Mrs. Darcy has not arrived; we expected her earlier in the week, but my Jane received a post yesterday saying your wife was delayed at Pemberley.” Bingley became anxious.

Darcy's own agitation consumed him. “I assure you, Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Darcy is not at our home; Colonel Fitzwilliam is there.”

“Let me get you a drink, Darcy.” Bingley indicated a nearby chair. “I will ask Mrs. Bingley to join us, and I will send my carriage to Longbourn for Kitty.”

Darcy accepted the seat to which Bingley indicated. “Thank you, Mr. Bingley; it seems I owe you much.”

Bingley acknowledged Darcy's comments with a nod of the head before exiting to find Jane Bingley. Darcy sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. Stepping into Netherfield brought him multiple images of Elizabeth; just turning his head, he could see her standing in a doorway or on the top of a staircase or walking in the garden. It made him want her even more than before, and he feared he let their love slip through his fingers.

“Mrs. Bingley.” He stood in acknowledgment when Jane entered.

“Mr. Darcy.” She dropped a curtsy and then gestured toward the chair once more. As she seated herself across from him, she added,“Mr. Bingley tells me you thought Lizzy to be here.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam is at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds says Mrs. Darcy left the estate nine days ago.” Darcy filled her in with what he knew.

“My sister wrote she was delayed at the estate.What can this mean, Mr. Darcy?” Jane wrung her hands.

“Mrs. Bingley, I wish I knew.”

“Do you know why Lizzy left, Mr. Darcy?” Accusations were evident.

“Mrs. Bingley, I admit to allowing myself to appear to change my affections for your sister, but it is all a misunderstanding. I kept company with people whom I thought would advance my sister's position in society; little did I know I would become the victim of some sick game, which, unfortunately, hurt Elizabeth. Yet, I swear to you, Mrs. Bingley, there is no truth to what your sister believes.”

“I pray you speak the truth, Mr. Darcy.”

“You know me well enough, Mrs. Bingley, to know I abhor every form of deception; I speak the truth when I say I want your sister in my life.” Darcy tried to convince her.

Jane offered a reprimand. “You do not deserve Lizzy, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy dropped his eyes; he paused with the realization of the truth of Jane Bingley's words. “You are right, Mrs. Bingley, but I want her, and I want for nothing.”

“I am pleased to hear it.Then let us find Elizabeth as soon as possible.”

 

Kitty Bennet had little to add to what they already knew. She expected Elizabeth to follow within the week. Hearing how carefully Elizabeth planned their departure told Darcy finding his wife would be more difficult than he first expected.

“Mr. Darcy.” Kitty faced him. “You once told me kissing Lizzy was like coming home.Then how could you hurt her so badly?”

“I thoroughly deserve your censure, Miss Bennet, but please help me find Elizabeth,” Darcy pleaded with her.

“Elizabeth not only knew of that scandalous letter from Miss McFarland, she had letters from your own sister describing your constant company with the lady and a description of your confrontation with our uncle at the theatre.” Darcy flinched with the knowledge his actions created this chaos. “Add to that Lizzy's hearing your conversation with the good colonel about your desire to send my sister away after her delivering your heir.”

“I never said any such thing!” he protested, but then Darcy realized what Elizabeth must have heard.“I supposedly had this conversation with my cousin?”

“That is what Lizzy disclosed to me.”

“I swear the conversation had nothing to do with your sister. It dealt with Lord Suterland's affair with Lady Midland.” Darcy now understood everything. “Mrs. Darcy was deceived, and she deceived herself. I must find her, Miss Bennet, before Elizabeth does something foolish.”

Jane Austen,
Mansfield Park
, 1814

Darcy reluctantly spent the night at Netherfield Park, but civilities did not come easy to him. He retired to the guest room early, still haunted by thoughts of Elizabeth in this house. He departed for Pemberley at the crack of dawn. By the time he arrived at his estate, Elizabeth had been gone for nearly a fortnight. How could he find her after such a long time? Where could he begin to look?

 

“Darcy, I am glad you are here. I found out Mrs. Darcy told the coachman her mother went to Bath for the medicinal waters. He left her there.” Edward greeted his cousin with the news.

“Could she still be there? It has been eleven days. Elizabeth must have planned her disappearance for some time.” Darcy paced the room.

Edward looked frustrated.“I know not who else to ask.”

“As early as possible, I will be off to Bath,” Darcy thought out loud.“At least, it is a beginning.”

“Hannah reports Mrs. Darcy took few personal belongings. From what I know, it appears Elizabeth took none of Lady Anne's jewelry or other gifts.”

Darcy set his jaw line.“Elizabeth never wanted the jewels. It is not in her nature. Edward, I think I will see if I can find any clues in Elizabeth's rooms; I will join you after for dinner.”

Edward was right; few things were missing from his wife's room. Frustrated, he forced himself into their shared sitting room. Walking to the mantel, he rested his head on his arm while drinking in heat of the dying embers. “Elizabeth,” he whispered her name. “Why did you do this?” Looking up at last, he saw the corner of the letter, his initials clearly in the familiar flourish of his wife's script. Darcy grabbed the letter and took it over to the light to read.

His wife's words rushed through him. Elizabeth loved him enough to leave him because she thought him unhappy with her. She also feared his wrath. What had he done to her that Elizabeth would so fear and distrust him? What kind of husband was he to her? Darcy thought of their child—a child he would never know—never hold. Evidently, from what Kitty told him, Elizabeth thought he meant to send her away after the child was born. Contempt filled his heart as he wandered aimlessly to the nursery designed for their child.Walking to the window, in the dying light of the day, he could clearly see the field of wildflowers Elizabeth started especially to give him pleasure. Fully in bloom, the blossoms danced as the breeze rustled the growing stems. Tears misted his eyes as he grieved for what he lost. Somehow he must find her before she disappeared from his life forever.

A late post arrived from Georgiana, and Darcy for a few minutes considered not opening it. The posts brought him nothing but pain of late, and he knew he had no news, which Georgiana would want to receive in return.

Darcy nearly sank to his knees in defeat. “What if Elizabeth took passage already?” he asked as he turned to Edward, who sat reading Georgiana's letter. “She is alone; how will she survive the birth of our child?”

“Mrs. Darcy will not risk losing the child, Fitzwilliam,” Edward assured him. “At least, we know Elizabeth is going to Bristol; otherwise, she would not go to Bath.”

“Maybe she wants us to believe her in Bristol; Elizabeth could take a public conveyance to Liverpool,” Darcy reasoned. “My wife went to a lot of trouble to disappear completely.”

“Then what do you propose we do, Fitz?”

However, before Darcy could answer, a maid announced Mr. Bingley's arrival.

“Darcy.” Bingley greeted him with a quick bow before turning to the colonel. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am pleased to see you.”

“Welcome, Mr. Bingley,” Edward stammered.

“I am sorry, Darcy,” Bingley returned his attention to his old friend,“to come unannounced, but Mrs. Bingley insisted I follow you to Pemberley to help find Mrs. Darcy. Jane worries for her sister's safety and demands my participation in her recovery.”

Darcy actually looked relieved. “We welcome your help, Bingley.” Darcy forced himself to return to the familiarity of his former friend's name, hoping to resume Mr. Bingley's devotion.

“Have a seat. Let me order you some refreshments, and then we can map out a plan to recover my wife.” Darcy knew Bingley to be a man he could trust.

They decided Bingley would travel to Liverpool; he would check the bill of lading for ships leaving for the Americas. Bingley would pay special attention to single women taking passage. Elizabeth had Hero with her; they knew not whether she planned to take the dog aboard ship, but it would be a clue. Colonel Fitzwilliam would do the same thing in Bristol. Darcy would go to Bath to see if Elizabeth waited there before departing to the seaport.

Elizabeth hated sitting around at the inn she chose, but she had little choice. She could not be seen out and about in Bath. She had been there five days; by now, it was likely Darcy knew of her leaving Pemberley. She knew not whether he would follow her. Part of her wished her husband would come for her—to love her once again. Yet, another part of Elizabeth hoped he would let her go in peace.