Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (8 page)

Mrs Darcy often complained of feeling anxious, so Lizzie prepared a basket of some of the lavender sachets, lavender toilet water as well as a special chamomile tea blend. It tasted quite pleasant, as Jane had added bits of dried apple and cinnamon. Once in the carriage, Lizzy presented her gifts and told her hostess how her sister had created the tea for their mother. Throughout their acquaintance, Lizzy had entertained Mrs Darcy with descriptions of her mother’s fluttering nerves and how they would come and go with spectacular speed depending on what was happening. The tea had always been quite helpful to calm her, but the best thing to dispel her mother’s anxiety was a visit from her Aunt Phillips with delicious gossip.

As they began their journey toward Grosvenor Square, Mrs Darcy took the opportunity to propose that the two begin using their given names. “I have never had a young lady so close in age to me as a friend. Please call me Anne… and please tell me you have no objection to allowing me to address you as Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth readily agreed and even added, “My family and close friends call me Lizzy.”

A momentary lull in the conversation while Anne examined the contents of her gift basket, prompted Elizabeth to think more deeply about the threshold she and Mrs Darcy had just crossed. They had certainly become more than common acquaintances and for her part she enjoyed Anne’s company. Despite her position as a wealthy young woman from a distinguished family, Lizzy was moved to feel compassion for her—especially when she admitted she lacked confidence in social situations. As someone who rarely felt ill at ease in company, Elizabeth could not truly understand the young matron’s anxiety but determined to help her in any way she could. The gifts she had brought had been selected with that in mind. Though not a great beauty, Mrs Darcy was handsome and amiable enough. And in Lizzy’s evaluation, her appearance had been steadily improving during the past month. She had recently engaged a French maid who was very skilled in arranging her locks in the most modish styles. In contrast, the Bennet sisters dressed each other’s hair. While Anne’s looks were not as robust as hers, she did not appear to be of such a sickly constitution that she was unable to pursue those accomplishments expected of young women in her circle. Elizabeth wondered whether Anne would engage a master to teach her to play an instrument, or perhaps learn to draw, now that she was in London and away from her mother. Elizabeth smiled as she acknowledged her own mother’s most ardent desire when she admitted to herself that Mrs Darcy was very fortunate to have a handsome husband with an engaging sense of humour, although she had to admit he did seem a bit distant toward his wife. She recalled his kissing her hand that night at the theatre and knew not what to make of his gesture… or even if she believed marriages of convenience were wrong… or whether one should only wed for the deepest love.

Anne reopened the conversation by sharing with Elizabeth the progress that had been made in finding a tiger to accompany her when out driving her phaeton. Mr Darcy preferred she engage a proper groom, but he did not seem determined to prevent her from realizing her most fervent wish. She reported that Lord Wolfbridge had begun asking around among his acquaintances for a suitable candidate, and he had purchased a pair of black beauties for her at Tattersalls. Her husband had immediately had them sent to Rosings so she could learn to handle them on familiar terrain. Anne enthusiastically promised Elizabeth she would take her for a ride around Hyde Park’s rotten row in her phaeton once she returned from her Easter visit.

Thoughts of seeing her mother shifted the discussion to one of their favourite topics…whose mother was the most distressing. While the two young women had been together quite often in the past month, they had been forced to remain circumspect in their discussions of their mothers. Today they could be much more open out of the hearing of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Lizzy knew her mother was just mildly obsessed with marrying off her daughters while Anne’s mother had felt the need to control every aspect of her daughter’s life. She had even refused to allow her to participate in the Season in London or be presented at court. Money was not the issue for Lady Catherine the way it was for her father. In truth, a debut and a Season for five daughters would have been an exorbitant expense for a man of his means. Anne had only been allowed to socialize with her family. Elizabeth was not sure love was the motive for Mrs Darcy’s mother’s behaviour. Somehow it just seemed she had a need to be in charge and cared not for her daughter’s happiness. Listening to her friend’s litany of complaints, Elizabeth realized Mrs Bennet’s preoccupation with marrying off her daughters had at its core love and wanting to protect them from a life of reduced circumstances.

Elizabeth suddenly felt a surge of homesickness and wished she could hug and kiss her whole family. She realized that despite their financially precarious situation they were lucky girls to be so loved by both their parents and each other.

When they arrived at Darcy house, they did not go to the solarium, but instead went upstairs to a sitting room in the family quarters. For the first time, she was able to closely observe the two landscapes. Anne was knowledgeable about the artists.

“My husband inherited a love of art from his mother. She started a collection, and he continues to add to it. These two are recent additions. The one on the left of the country town is by Constable and the larger one on the right of an approaching storm is by a man named Turner,”

Anne laughed at some reflection before she continued. “The Darcy’s are a family of collectors. My father-in-law collected first edition books and Mr Darcy also enjoys adding to his collection. Even his sister, Georgiana, collects dolls. I have not yet decided what I should collect—though I am thinking I may take over my late aunt’s love for orchids. Mr Darcy is very busy, and he seems to prefer books and art. What do those in your family collect?”

Elizabeth fingered the cross at her throat as she spoke. “My father collects insects and books. He has a few first editions, but he is more interested in reading the books than preserving them. Thankfully he is very generous in letting his children share. Papa uses his insect collection to illustrate his favourite theological point. When someone asks him what he knows about God. He always answers that the only thing he is positive about is that God seems to be quite fond of insects since he made such an infinite variety of them. He then proceeds to tell them he is attempting to capture every species in order to ensure his entrance into Heaven. Most people do not know what to make of his cynical reply. My sister Mary thinks his remark borders on the sacrilegious. She is very devout and collects sermons.”

Elizabeth got a nostalgic look on her face as she continued, “My childhood friend Tom, aided by my sister Jane, collected butterflies and moths before he died. My father heartily approved of their endeavour. I guess I collect voices. I try to learn to imitate unusual voices I hear, and then I use them when I tell stories to children. I am particularly good at scary voices. My youngest sisters collect ribbons. I am sure you have realized by now that our collections are suited to people with limited funds. You have many more options than we.”

Anne laughed at her lively friend. “If you ever meet my mother, you will be able to collect a prime specimen with her frightening voice.”

Elizabeth looked at the painting of the approaching storm one more time. The way the artist used light made the storm both beautiful and menacing at the same time. She shivered with a feeling of something akin to impending doom as she looked at the painting. She wondered if it was a premonition that it was going to rain. She hoped her new kid slippers would not get wet.

Anne and Elizabeth were served tea and chatted for a while. Anne was encouraging Elizabeth to accompany her the following week on a shopping expedition; thinking Elizabeth should buy a few gowns before she returned home.

“Elizabeth, you must see this new gown I had made. I think the style will suit you well. Excuse me while I take your wonderful presents to my room. I promise I will return shortly with the dress. You will see what I am talking about…the fabric is luscious, and the cut of the gown is most flattering for those of us not so buxom. I will only be gone a short time.”

Elizabeth thought it odd that Anne left by the door to the hall, but assumed maybe the sitting room was not one that was exclusively hers. Elizabeth wandered around the room while she waited for Anne to return. She noticed a pile of books on a table and decided to indulge her curiosity and see what the Darcys were reading. She noticed one was
Les Liaison Dangereuses.
She heard the door to the hall open and close. Turning around in expectation of being rejoined by Anne, instead, she saw Lord Wolfbridge. Though the Viscount favoured her with one of his brilliant smiles, his eyes had that peculiar look she had noticed during the exchange with his father regarding heads and the French Revolution. That day she had not understood the two men’s meaning but had worried their words were improper. She had forced herself to forget the incident and had never raised her concerns with her aunt and uncle in the interest of being allowed to continue an acquaintance with a family of such prestige and consequence. Still, his presence in this room was very wrong. She remembered as she stared at Lord Wolfbridge’s amused expression, the other times he had asked her questions about whether her father had often had occasion to punish her. Those odd queries had also been conveniently dismissed as just the teasing of a man who she had charmed with her impertinent wit. Dread was threatening to undo her, as Lizzy fervently prayed Mrs Darcy would return and save her from the impropriety of being alone in a room with Lord Wolfbridge. That would allow her not to offend this great man.

His Lordship flashed his teeth again and said, “Miss Bennet, what a pleasure to see you. You are certainly very spring-like today. I hope you will be warm enough going home. The weather has taken a turn for the worse. It has gotten quite windy outside, and it looks like a storm is moving in.”

“You need not worry about me, Lord Wolfbridge. I have worn my cloak. I am experienced enough to know how changeable the weather is this time of year.”

“Oh yes, old enough…but you must promise me, Miss Bennet, that you will not get any older. You are quite perfect as you are.”

Elizabeth knew she could no longer wait for Mrs Darcy and must do something about the impropriety of her current situation. Still smiling at the Viscount she said, “Lord Wolfbridge, I think I must be leaving.” She cautiously, and she hoped casually, walked toward the hall door. Lord Wolfbridge looked at her as though she were daft. However, he did not try to stop her. As she approached the door, he appeared to be holding his breath, waiting for a desired reaction. React she did when she turned the knob and realized the door was locked. The look of panic on her face seemed to be worth the wait for Lord Wolfbridge.

Elizabeth was unsure what to do next. She could feel her eyes welling up but refused to cry. He seemed to like her distress, and she was sure tears would make him even happier. He obviously wanted something from her, but she could not figure out what that was. Was this the way men seduced women? If it was, why did he seem to enjoy seeing her suffer? She would have thought the object would be to charm her into forgetting what he was about… reading poetry… telling her of the beauty of her eyes… asking for a lock of her hair. Instead, Lord Wolfbridge just kept smiling at her with those teeth she had thought so beautiful. How silly she had been to think a viscount found her someone worthy of knowing.

“Your lordship, why are you here?’’

“I want you.”

“What do you mean, you want me? Surely you do not mean you desire marriage.”

His laughter filled the room. “Oh silly, silly girl, of course not. My situation in life, my title, my connections are entirely too substantial to consider wedding someone like you. As I entered, I witnessed your snooping to learn what books I am reading. Upon your recommendation, I am enjoying
Les Liaisons Dangereuses.”
Waving his finger in mock admonishment, he continued, “You are a very naughty girl, Miss Elizabeth.” She heard him cluck disapprovingly and shake his head, “… to have read such a book. Having just finished the part where the vicomte visits young Cecile in her bedchamber, I became inspired to act out such a scene with you when I found you here alone, I am a viscount like Valmont and you are a little girl in need of training and possibly even a bit of punishment.” He smiled lasciviously and finished his speech with, “I am just the man to provide that for you.”

Elizabeth shuddered. “Please do not compromise me. I have four sisters and a scandal would be disastrous for their prospects. Please, I beg you, let me leave. I will never tell anyone what you just said.” She gritted her teeth to stop the tears. “Please, I am but fifteen. Please, Lord Wolfbridge, I just want to go home. Please, I am afraid.” Lizzy realized immediately she had said the wrong thing. She saw the look of pleasure that crossed his… could she have really thought him so handsome.

The Viscount came over to her and put his hand around her upper arm. His hand was huge compared to her arm. She smelled port on his breath. With practically no effort, he pulled her toward the connecting door. The door led to a bedchamber that smelled of pipe smoke.

Elizabeth realized Anne had not taken her to her own, but instead to Lord Wolfbridge’s sitting room. Anne had said she was her friend. She realized in that instant her situation was hopeless. He was more than twice her size… perhaps even three times. She was afraid to try to fight him… she was afraid to scream. The Darcys’ servants would come and find her alone with him in his bedchamber. None would believe Anne’s role, and all would think she had agreed to be here with him. She was still fighting back tears when she came to a decision. If she went along with him, perhaps an opportunity to escape might present itself.

Lord Wolfbridge calmly sat down in a chair and proceeded to light his pipe and sip his port. “Now, little girl, I think it is time for you to disrobe. I want to see just how deliciously girlish you are.”