Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' (19 page)

With each moment spent with Georgiana, Elizabeth felt more and more guilty for
what Mr. Darcy had done for her family where it involved Wickham. Georgiana was such
a sweet, brilliant girl that Elizabeth’s hatred for Wickham grew with every moment spent
with her also, yet so did her guilt. It was during a break in Georgiana’s lessons with Mrs.
Annesley that Georgiana confessed her history with Wickham.

“I understand that my brother has related this to you, Elizabeth, but I only wished
to impart the story myself, as you are my particular friend. I know why my brother had to
tell you, and I am grateful that some good came out of my misfortune. I understand you
were temporarily on good terms with the man, for I dare not call him gentleman.”

Elizabeth felt as if ice-cold water had been poured down her back. How much had
Darcy told his sister? Did she know of his proposal? It had been their subsequent
argument that had brought about the subject of Georgiana and Wickham.

“We cannot be ashamed for being deceived by such a man, Georgiana. I am only
embarrassed to have not trusted your brother at the time.”
“You should not be, my brother has confessed that he behaved abominably
towards you in the beginning. I wish that he had checked his behavior so that you might
have been friends earlier.”
A rush of emotions flooded Elizabeth when friendship was mentioned. Could it
have been disappointment?
“I, too, behaved poorly.” Elizabeth said, wishing that she could move on without
regret. “What of my sister’s marriage to Mr. Wickham? It does not upset you, does it?”

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“Only in that I am so very sorry that any young women must be subject to his
vices. I am sorry for your sister, Elizabeth, but I assure you that her actions and his do not
reflect upon yourself in either the eyes of my brother or myself.”

Elizabeth felt a calm sweep over her like she had not felt in ages. Georgiana was
more dear to her now than ever before.

With the newlyweds’ frequent disappearances and Darcy’s attendance to estate
matters, Elizabeth and Georgiana had grown inseparable. As hostess, it was required of
Georgiana that she plan several outings and activities for her houseguests, and Elizabeth
was more than happy to help. Thus, throughout the following weeks, the guests of
Pemberley were treated to magnificent picnics, carriage rides, and games; though it was
obvious that Bingley and Jane appreciated time to themselves all the more.

Elizabeth had not yet seen the newlyweds separated yet and neither before the
hour of lunch, which made Bingley’s solitary appearance in the breakfast room early one
morning very odd.

“Is something wrong, Bingley?” Darcy had noticed the irregularity as well. By

Bingley’s facial expression, Elizabeth was worried something was.
“Well, not exactly. It is nothing to do with Jane. I have only just learned that my
sister is again in correspondence with Georgiana.
“I understand they’ve had a few letters back and forth recently,” Darcy confessed.
“It is only that I am familiar with the Darcy way, that of propriety and politeness,
that is, but I would like ensure you that you are in no way obligated to extend to her an
invitation to Pemberley. Knowing my sister, she has doubtless mentioned a desire to visit,
but I would much rather her not come at all. I would see her once Jane and I are settled. I
have come alone with this request as I fear dear Jane would feel it was too harsh.”
“Indeed, Bingley, I will honor your wish if it is possible and I will speak to
Georgiana about her correspondence. However, such an invitation might not be possible
to withhold entirely.”
Elizabeth watched the exchange with some pleasure. Any discussion between Mr.
Darcy and Mr. Bingley were interesting due to their differences in personality and
address. Months ago, Elizabeth had been astonished that such different men maintained
friendship, but since, she had begun to see how their characters worked together.
“I knew you would say that, Darcy,” Bingley grumbled, “It is a wonder I
broached the subject.”
“While we cannot ignore such courtesy, we can postpone it for as long as
possible,” Darcy smiled at his friend.
“Poor Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth said as soon as Bingley was out the door.
“That adjective will be applied to us in a few weeks time,” Darcy remarked out of
the corner of his mouth, sending Elizabeth into a fit of hysterics.
“On a lighter note,” he said, “I have just received an order of new books, Miss
Elizabeth, if you care to join me in the library after breakfast. I have some letters to write
this morning and I would be grateful for your company.”

Elizabeth waited until she spied Darcy folding his final letter before speaking.
“Mr. Darcy, I must confess something that I know you will not like to hear.”

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“Have you invited Caroline Bingley to Pemberley?” Darcy mockingly demanded.
“No, sir,” Elizabeth rewarded him with a large smile, glad that he was so easy

with teases and smiles of late. “I must confess to the knowledge of your involvement with

Lydia and Wickham’s wedding.”
Darcy slumped in his chair and groaned.
“Please, sir, you must allow me to express my most sincere thanks for what you

have done for my family. We would surely have been ruined had you not taken it upon
yourself to secure my sister’s reputation.”
“I did not wish for thanks, Miss Elizabeth, that is not why it was done.”
“I know, but that does not stop me from issuing them. If my family knew, I would
have more than just my thanks to express.”
“As much as I respect your family, Miss Elizabeth,” he fixed her with a serious
expression, “it was all for you.” He got up and moved towards her, taking her hands in
his. “I would not have you cry as you did the night you left here. I would have done
anything in the world so that you might smile again.” He ran a warm hand down her
cheek, and left.

Elizabeth’s cheek burned for hours after Darcy had caressed it, as though his hand
were still there. The action had left her with an empty feeling in her stomach, an ache in
her heart, and a massive headache besides. She hoped desperately that the love he bore
her months earlier had not starved away, and she resolved to make her own feelings
known, for she could no longer deny that she loved him most ardently.

Chapter 33

In the following weeks, Elizabeth saw much of Darcy, but the time was shared
with all the other current residents of Pemberley. It seemed to Elizabeth that Bingley was
determined to make the most of their stay before his sister arrived. Elizabeth attempted to
show Darcy her regard, or at least a preference for his company, but was finding this
difficult after the revelation that she loved him for she grew slightly nervous in his
presence.

It was in the early hours of a very foggy morning that they were rewarded time
alone together during a morning walk.
“I did not think you would come out this morning, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said,
matching his stride to hers.
“Fog will not deter me. In fact, it makes the grounds look quiet mysterious, Mr.
Darcy, don’t you think?” She saw him look around at the dense mist that had settled
about them, clouding nearly everything from sight.
“Enchanting, at the very least,” he observed.
“I have never enjoyed a place so much as I have delighted in my stay at
Pemberley, Mr. Darcy. No praise has done the place justice.”
“I hoped you would come to love it, Miss Elizabeth.”
They stopped and each made an effort to look at the other without success.
“I do.” Elizabeth added timidly.

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“And what of its master? You have heard him both praised and criticized, but how
have you come to think of him?” He lifted her chin lightly so that their eyes met, each
boring into the others ardent stare.

“Neither the praise nor criticism does him justice, either,” she stated boldly but
with a light blush darkening her cheeks. Darcy grinned, drawing a likeness between
himself and the small boy Elizabeth had seen in the old family portraits. “And so
Pemberley and its master have much in common.”

“I would like to hear if you have come to lo…” he trailed off at the sound of
pounding horses’ hooves in the drive, and carriage wheels stressed and squealing from
the pace. They both turned to find the source of the sound, but could glimpse nothing
through the fog.

“Caroline, perhaps?” Elizabeth guessed.

 

“We shall see,” Darcy replied, taking her gently by the arm and letting his other
hand rest on hers.

As they approached the drive, they could hear a woman’s shouts of directions. It
could be none other than the bark of Lady Catherine.
Darcy attempted to turn back and escort Elizabeth safely to the other side of the
house, but Lady Catherine and her beady eyes had already spotted them.
“Darcy!” She screamed, coming towards them hurriedly. She sent daggers at
Elizabeth as she approached, finally saying, “So it is true! You have brought her here!
How dare you!”
“Lady Catherine, I am afraid…”
“Nephew, I will deal with you later. My business is with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
You will leave us until I send for you.”
“I will not be ordered about at my home, Lady Catherine. Miss Bennet is an
honored guest here, and I will see to it that she is treated accordingly.”
“Very well, I suppose you shall hear what I have to say to her. Miss Bennet, you
can have no doubts as to why I am here.”
“You are mistaken, Lady Catherine, to what can I attribute this honor?”
“Foolish girl! Your words will not save you once Darcy is done with you, but that
is exactly what I have come to hasten forth. My concern is that a report of a most
alarming kind has reached me, and it has no doubt met others’ ears that you have
received an offer a marriage from my nephew. Though I know it must be a scandalous
falsehood, though I would not wish to injure him by believing it, I have come at once to
hear it contradicted.”
Darcy moved to step between them, but Elizabeth stood to her fullest height,
signaling that he move back.
“If you believed it to be impossible, I wonder you took the trouble of coming so
far.”
“To see it contradicted!” Lady Catherine returned.
“Your coming here will be rather of confirmation of it, if, indeed, such a rumor
exists,” replied Elizabeth coolly.
“If! Has it not been industrially circulated by yourself? You are the only one that
stands to benefit from such a report. Can you likewise declare that there is no foundation
for it?”

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“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask
questions which I choose not to answer.”
Elizabeth stood stronger than ever, dwarfing even Darcy’s incredible stature in
her wake. He watched and waited, ready to step in at any moment, but not wishing deny
either their say.
“I insist on being satisfied! Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?”
Lady Catherine barked, ignoring said nephew altogether. Darcy was glad of it, he was
shifting uncomfortably, unsure of where this conversation would end.
“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.”
“If so, you are coming between an alliance between my nephew and daughter that
has been planned since their infancy. He may keep you on as a fiery little plaything, but
the shades of Pemberley as the public is concerned will not be thus polluted! Once and
for all, are you engaged to my nephew?”
“I am not.” Elizabeth felt Darcy stiffen beside her.
“And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?”
“I will not and I certainly never shall.” Elizabeth heard Darcy make a sound
beside her but she could not determine what it was.
“Why, you are the most unreasonable…” Lady Catherine spit, searching for
words until Darcy interrupted her.
“That is enough, Lady Catherine. Miss Elizabeth has answered all of your
questions with more respect than they deserved and now you can have nothing more to
say.”
“Darcy, you cannot mean to…” Lady Catherine started, “surely her arts and
allurements could not have tempted you into…”
“Miss Elizabeth possess many qualities besides which have recommended her to
me. Miss Elizabeth is an honored and invited guest at the request of Georgiana and
myself. As you have sought to disparage my guest on my property and in my presence, I
have no choice but to demand you leave at once. I would not have believed you capable
of such cruelty. You may leave in peace knowing that Miss Elizabeth and I are not
engaged, but you must also know that if we were, I would be the luckiest man in the
world.”
He took Elizabeth’s arm and marched her past Lady Catherine, gaping and frozen
in place. Once safely inside Pemberley, Darcy closed the door, and located the nearest
footman.
“Lady Catherine will be leaving now. See to it that preparations are being made
for her timely departure.”

Darcy resumed his hold on Elizabeth’s arm and guided her to the library, where
they sat together in front of the warm fire. Darcy relaxed his hold on her, and reached to
hold her hand in his.

“Dare I hope, or did the fog cloud my judgment? One word from you will silence
me forever.” His eyes were deep pools of longing, every fiber of his being concentrated,
and waiting for her answer.

“One word gets me silence, and what of a kiss? I suppose that would render you
silent also. I shall have to consider a moment, by what means I should like to gain my

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silence.” She smiled at him, enjoying the look of utter astonishment and elation that
spread over his face.

He moved to cover the distance between them, to at last press his lips against
hers, but they were interrupted when the library door flew open suddenly. Darcy jumped
back, startled, but kept Elizabeth’s hands firmly in his own.

“Elizabeth! William!” Georgiana cried as she flew to them. “Mrs. Reynolds has
just told me about Aunt Catherine. Elizabeth, allow me to express my apologies for her
behavior.”

Since entering the room, Georgiana noticed Elizabeth’s hands tightly wound in
her brother’s grip.
“Are you alright, Elizabeth?” she asked with sudden concern, worried that her
brother’s attentions were extended merely to soothe her.
“I am, Georgiana.” She slid her hands gently out of Darcy’s hold and smiled at
them. “Your brother was very kind in allowing me to disparage your own flesh and blood
just outside your home, and he was very generous in ordering her to leave for my benefit.
I certainly cause a lot of excitement wherever I go. And now I will extend my apologies
for driving a wedge in your family circle. It does not do to quarrel with family.”
“The fault is none other than Lady Catherine’s,” Georgiana assured her. “Would
breakfast or rest be the best remedy for such a tumultuous morning?”
“Rest, I think,” replied Elizabeth.
“William, would you mind escorting Elizabeth to her room? I will see to it that
the Bingley’s are informed of what has happened and you might serve to wear off any
other disruptions.”
Georgiana left them in silence, but Darcy let out a stifled laugh when she shut the
door.
“She is so changed since you’ve come, no one will recognize her,” Darcy said of
his sister. “And she has done me a great favor in securing more time with you this
morning.”
“Oh, was that her object?” Elizabeth teased, nervous warmth spreading through
her. He stood and helped her up, escorting her out of the library and towards her room.
As they neared the door, Elizabeth tensed in anticipation of what was to occur. As they
stopped in front of it, however, Darcy shifted slightly to stand in front of her, stiff and
formal.
“I should leave,” he said, searching her face for some sign that he should not.
“How can you be sure that Lady Catherine is not hiding under my bed, awaiting
my arrival, and ready with another series of allegations?”
Darcy reached to open the door and Elizabeth took pleasure in the proximity. He
smelled of leather, writing ink, and a hint of smoke.
They entered, Darcy mock-searching potential hiding places and afterwards
signaling to Elizabeth that no intruder was found. She sat on her bed to watch him,
laughing at his efforts.
The only place that remained unchecked was underneath the bed.
“You are spared, for the time being,” he assured her, looking up at her from the
floor. He got up on his knees and positioned himself near her, leaning with one arm on
the bed beside her.
A cold tingle ran up her spine when their eyes met.