Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (71 page)

Deflated, Fitzwilliam looked at his hands.  “Because she did experience that terrible marriage and the man who is interested now is not the one she knew before.  And he has had his share of terrible experiences and hopes that maybe he could try to live a quiet life and make some lady happy for the rest of hers.”  His confession was met by silence and he looked up to see Evangeline with a handkerchief pressed to her mouth.  Not knowing what to do he bent towards her.  “Mrs. Carter, forgive me for speaking so plainly, I know that it is wrong of me.  I just wished to make my intentions clear from the outset.  I . . . I have always known that for me to marry at all, it would have to be to a woman of some means.  I have never accepted support from my father, except for taking advantage of his hospitality, and I know that it pains my parents terribly to worry for my future.  However, my injuries in the last battle were grave and I have for the most part recovered, but I will never return to war again.”

“I am happy to hear that, sir.”  Evangeline said softly.  “We have known each other but hours.”

“I am not proposing, Mrs. Carter . . . I am . . . well yes, I am proposing.”  He drew himself up and looked her square in the eye.  “I am proposing that we begin a courtship and  . . . now that you know my thoughts and . . . motivation, you might consider them as we grow to know each other and weigh them against your own.  I . . . I believe that we might have a very comfortable friendship and perhaps . . . it might be more.”  He smiled and raised his brows.  “What do you think?”

Evangeline smiled at this hopeful bear of a man.  “I think that I would like very much to be your friend, colonel.  But I am in no hurry to marry; I will have to think long and hard about taking such a step again.  I must decide if my wish is to remain a doting aunt or if I wish to take the risk of motherhood.”

“Of course, your sister’s death is on your mind.”  Fitzwilliam said softly.  “Forgive me for thinking only of life as a couple.  Marriage carries many more burdens for a woman than a man.”

She studied his downcast eyes.  “I read that Mr. Darcy married your cousin.”

He stood and stalked to the window.  “No, Mrs. Carter, he is not.  She is ill and believes that to be so, the tongues of the uninformed have spread that rumour and our family is taking steps to counteract it.  One solution was offered to me.  I was given the opportunity to marry her to gain her estate, and I refused.”

“And why is that?”  She watched his shoulders bend.

“I would never feel comfortable there.  The marriage may have been legitimate from the standpoint of law and church, but to me . . .it would have been a false ceremony, done for gain and without feeling.  My cousin never would have known, she is not cognizant of her environment, but I would have known, and that matters to me.”

Evangeline closed her eyes.  This man was the absolute opposite of the one she had married, and somewhere in her heart, she felt some of her protective armour fall away.  “So, what do we need to do next, Colonel?  If we are to be friends . . . or more?”

Richard turned to see her smile, it was different, softer and perhaps a little shy.  “I am not sure.”  He laughed.   “Does a widow need a chaperone?”

She laughed with him.  “I do not know.  I will have to consult an etiquette book!”   

SINGLETON KICKED HIS HORSE and picked up the pace a little.  “Come on Audrey, keep up.” 

“This is not a race, Robert.” 

“That would be difficult with this crowd.”  He smiled and looked over to see her smile briefly then gaze ahead along the riding path through Hyde Park.  Trying again, he chose another safe subject.  “Is that a new riding habit?  It is very becoming.”

“It is the same habit I had last Season, you have just not ridden with me for a long time.” 

“I am trying Audrey.”  He said quietly. 

She relented from her caution.  “I know, I am sorry.  Thank you.”

“Singleton!  Where have you been?  We have not seen you at the table in weeks; I want a chance to win my purse back!”  Singleton closed his eyes then turned to the man.

“I have been occupied with more pressing matters, and I think that my days at the tables are over.” 

Glancing at his companion the man laughed loudly.  “What, are you afraid that your wife will hear?  Come on, you are not changing your ways for her, are you?  Be a man!”

“That is precisely what I plan to be.”  Singleton kicked his horse again and moved ahead, then regaining control of his anger he looked back to where Audrey was following him.  “Audrey, I . . .”

“Thank you.” 

“I do not wish to end as Carter did, dead on a field of honour for no honourable reason.”  He spoke looking straight ahead.  “Your brothers have made it clear that they will hound me forever if I misstep again, and perhaps that is a good thing, to be afraid.”

“If that is what is required for you to change, then I am grateful for it.  I can only hope that it lasts.”

“You are a beautiful girl Audrey, when I see you around nearly anyone else you are joyful and so happy, but when you are near me, you become silent, your resentment is difficult to bear.”

“I am trying as well.”  She blinked back the threatening tears.  “I am afraid to give you more should you revert back, that you might drive me away.”

“Into the arms of another?”  He asked in a strained voice.

“I hope not.”  She stared ahead the same way he was.

“If your brother can change, so can I.  I am not foolish enough to demand that you trust me.  I know that it must be earned.”  He reined in his horse and at last looked her in the eye.  “All I ask is that you tell me if I disappoint you, no matter the reason.”

“You would care for my opinion?”

“I would.” 

“Singleton!”  He glanced up to see another old gambling partner. 

“Shall we return home?”  He smiled shyly.

Audrey nodded and smiled in return.  “That sounds wonderful to me.” 

“Singleton!”

“You are popular.”  She observed. 

“Losers always are.” 

15 JUNE 1809

Pemberley

Dearest Elizabeth,

I received the gift of your letter and the horror of my Uncle’s.  I will leave at daybreak.  All is in hand here, my place is with you.  I should arrive the afternoon the day after you receive this.  Stay where you are my love, I will have you in my arms very soon.

Yours always,

Fitzwilliam

“Thank you.”  Elizabeth whispered.

15 June 1809

Pemberley

Dear Uncle,

What the devil has happened?  Is it possible that my cousin’s addled mind is not a product of her illness but something from her mother?  She allowed this delusion to continue?  What did she think I would do, fly down to Rosings to marry Anne?  I am unconcerned about the reasons; the unmitigated gall of the woman astounds me!  I regret that I was not with you to confront her!  I know my Elizabeth, she is a strong woman but she is also so afraid of something happening to end our engagement.  I will never forgive my aunt for this.  At least she is gone from Rosings.  I heartily suggest that you speak to our lost cousin de Bourgh and recommend that Collins be sent on his way post-haste, and if Mrs. Jenkinson requires a new position, I will be glad to find her one.  I am incensed, Uncle!  We leave at daybreak.  I know what I must do.

Sincerely,

Darcy

“What does that mean; he knows what he must do?  He said that before when he nearly began to court Miss Gannon.  I hope that he will not do anything rash.”  Lady Matlock asked when she took the letter from her husband’s grasp.

“I believe that it means the master of Pemberley is not going to play by anyone’s rules but his own.”  He shook his head and smiled.  “We have done all that we can now, Helen.  It is in his hands.”

Chapter 26

“C
ome inside Darcy, Father will want to speak to you.”“I am going to Elizabeth.”  Darcy said stubbornly.  “I will speak to your father tomorrow.”

“It is very possible that she may be inside.”  Layton stood by the carriage door and watched his cousin struggle with a decision, then heard him swear as he climbed out.  “I knew that would work.”

“If she is not here, I will be gone in fifteen minutes.”  Darcy growled then looked up to his driver.  “Wait here, I will send out word if I am to stay.”  The man nodded and watched the cousins enter Matlock House.

“Son!”  Lord Matlock stood from behind his desk and embraced Layton.  “Darcy!  You made excellent time; I did not expect to see you until late this afternoon.  You must have driven your horses to the limit.”

“I did Uncle, and they will be well-rested before they go out again.  Is Elizabeth here?”

“No, she is with the Gardiners, I suppose.”  He saw Darcy turn to leave.  “Where are you going?”

“To my Elizabeth.” 

“We have much to discuss, please stay, take some refreshment . . .” Lord Matlock’s eyes widened to receive a cold hard glare.  “Now that is an interesting talent, Son.”

“I will see you tomorrow.”  He began to walk and stopped.  “Thank you for all you have done in my absence.”  In a moment he was gone. 

“Harrowing trip home?”  Lord Matlock asked Layton.

He sank into a chair and sighed.  “Ruthless.  He was determined to get to her side.  How has it been?”

Lord Matlock resumed his seat and folded his hands.  “What you would expect.  The gossip is so ripe.  Darcy is hardly a renowned public figure, but the idea of an extremely rich young man engaged to a girl with nothing then jilting her for his cousin is just too enticing to die off quickly.  We could parade Elizabeth around for weeks and talk until we were blue in the face, but with him absent, the talk was free to grow.  Do you know his plans?  We discussed a large wedding breakfast to be held here.”

“Oh he would love that.”  Layton said sarcastically. 

“Well inviting the world to the church is vulgar, as your mother has proclaimed.”

Layton laughed.  “Well, he has not divulged his plans.  I could barely get a word out of him the entire way back.  He just stared out of the window and twisted that ring he has.”  He stood up and walked to the study door.  “Let him see her and be reassured that she is well.  There is time to fix this.  Any news from Rosings?”

“Anne’s fever broke, but the damage is done, I think.  She is very weak.”  Lord Matlock pushed back from his desk and crossed his arms.  “Catherine refuses to leave Rosings, claiming that her daughter needs her.” 

“Darcy wants to throttle her.” 

“He is not alone in that, your mother and I are furious with her, but we decided to stay by Elizabeth instead of haring down to Kent.  Once the rumour left Rosings the place to deal with it was here.  We will see what Darcy wishes to do but I will handle Catherine, this is my duty, not Darcy’s.”  Noting his son’s expression he smiled slightly.  “Yes, I am aware that Darcy will feel that it is his, but I doubt that he would want to be separated from Elizabeth again once he sees her.  I have formulated a plan.  Captain de Bourgh will be in London tomorrow and will be staying here; fortunately his ship was in Portsmouth.  I will escort him to Rosings; I would like you to join us.”

“As unappealing as that sounds, I will gladly represent my cousin there.” 

“How does Pemberley fare?”

“It will be fine.  His staff loves that house as much as he does.   I paid attention to how he treated them, it was an education.”

“I look forward to hearing all about it.”  Lord Matlock seemed ready to listen then and there and his son smiled. 

“Later, I need to change and wash, and greet my wife.  Is she home?”

“She is.  Stephen.”  Layton turned in surprise to hear his name.  “Alicia seems happier.  Keep up the good work.”

“I will, sir.” 

DARCY STEPPED OUT of the carriage in front of his townhouse, and ordered that a horse be saddled and ready in a half hour.  He realized after leaving his uncle that his horses and coachmen would not appreciate the hours of waiting that would come with his visit to Gracechurch Street, and also decided that Elizabeth would prefer him in a fresh shirt. 

He had barely approached the door when he heard quick steps and felt his shoulder pulled back.  “YOU BASTARD!”

Darcy’s hand flew up just in time to catch Stewart’s fist before it landed on his face.  “What the devil are you doing?”  He bellowed.

The two tall men struggled until Darcy broke free long enough to strike Stewart’s stomach.  He doubled over and the footmen who were unloading the carriage arrived to lend whatever support was needed.  Stewart stood bent and gasping.  “How could you?”  He panted.  “How could you abandon her like this?”

“Abandon?   Who?”

“Elizabeth!”  Stewart straightened and ran for Darcy.  Grabbing him, the footmen held him steady.  “I supported you!  I helped you!  I stepped away when it could have been so easy to come between you.  And now you marry your cousin and leave her to the derision of society!  Damn you, Darcy!”  He spat.  “I never should have walked away.”

“I am NOT married to my cousin!”  Darcy roared.  “I am engaged to Elizabeth Bennet and I am going to marry her.  At what point did the ravings of the gossip columns become the truth?”  He saw Stewart’s confusion then watched his eyes narrow with suspicion.

“Where have you been?”

“Pemberley, there was a fire.”  Darcy said tiredly.  “If I had been here, do you really think that I would have remained passive?  I did not know this until three days ago when I received my uncle’s letter.”

“You left immediately.”   Stewart deflated, and Darcy nodded to his footmen to release him. 

“Yes.  How did you come to be here?”

“I saw you at Matlock House, I walked over here.”  He rubbed at his sore stomach and watched Darcy considering him; at last he spoke, “It was an impulse.”