The Darcy Cousins (44 page)

He turned and looked at her now, straight into her eyes. "I can only hope that, once again, you can bring yourself to overcome your resentment--however well deserved--and to forgive me, even if this time, I hardly deserve forgiveness."

She shook her head vigorously. "Enough!" she said, sounding pained. "You were not so entirely to blame. We did lie to you. We did deceive you. And then I did not offer you any explanation at all. What were you to think?"

She hesitated. "I still do not feel comfortable telling you the truth.

Suffice it to say that we were visiting a young woman we know, and that I had promised not to reveal anything about her to anyone. You can reach your own conclusions about this, but I can assure you that we had no ulterior motives except to see her. I am sorry, but I do not feel that I can reveal our reasons to you even now."

"Then in heaven's name let us put the whole thing behind us!"

said Gatley. "I do not need to hear anything more. It does not matter. As you pointed out then, it is all a matter of trust. I can assure you now that I would trust you with my life."

"You say so now," said Georgiana, her brow creasing, her whole expression lacking conviction, "but how am I to know that the next time something like this occurs, you will not yet again point the finger of accusation at me? How do I know that it will not happen again?"

"If it ever should occur again, you must remind me of this moment. But beyond that, one can never be certain. I have given you my trust. I can do nothing else but ask you to trust me in turn."

She stood before him, considering.

He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until every doubt inside her dissolved, but he could not. He forced himself to stand 402

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apart, hands at his sides, until she reached her own conclusion. If she decided against him, he would surely have to accept her verdict.

If he could touch her, she would know how he felt about her.

If he touched her, however, he would not know how she felt without being swayed by him. He wanted the decision to come from her alone.

She considered for so long that his resolve began to crumble.

But then, with a strangled cry, she stumbled forward and put out her arms to him. He stepped into them and pressed her fiercely against him.

"How could I not trust you, when I love you so very much?" he said, his lips moving against her hair.

She burrowed her head into his chest. He relished the feeling for a single moment longer, then he pulled her away from him. He needed to know what she felt.

"I want to see your face," he said. It sounded too much like a command. "Please?" he said.

She looked up then. Her eyes flickered, different emotions rippling through the different shades in her hazel eyes.

"Can you bring yourself to trust me?" he asked again, since she had not answered. He had to know that at least, if nothing else. If she could not give him more, then so be it.

"I trust you," she replied shyly. Then, more confidently, with a smile trembling on her lips, she repeated, "Yes, I trust you, Mr Gatley."

It was the only answer he needed. To still the trembling of her lips, he bent forward and steadied them with his own. He meant only to kiss her gently, to give her just a hint of his feelings. But to his surprise she flung her arms around his neck and drew him closer, standing on tiptoe to intensify the kiss.

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His senses reeled. Only the certain knowledge that Darcy was in the house and would be upon them any moment, prevented him from surrendering to the moment. He pulled away from her gently.

"I think we ought to stop now," he said, "before matters progress too far."

She stepped back. He expected her to be embarrassed, but instead she had the look of a woman who is very well pleased with herself.

It put him at a disadvantage because he was not satisfied at all, not by a long margin.

"I am glad we have resolved things," he said with just a touch of vexation.

"But we have not resolved things at all," said Georgiana. "We have only resolved the question of trust."

"What more do you want?" he cried. "I have told you I love you. Does that count for nothing?"

Her eyes darkened again. "It counts for a great deal," she said.

"And?" he said, waiting for her to say something more. But she did not.

Everything was suddenly uncertain. The next few instants would determine his life. What if she meant to say no? He could not bring himself to say the words.

"Yes, Mr Gatley, I will marry you," she answered, even though he had not asked the question, at least, he had not asked it now.

Georgiana knew she had rushed into it. She had been driven by a compulsion to say the words because for a moment there he had looked so hesitant and there had been too many misunderstandings between them. Besides, he had already asked her before. So yes, she had jumped in and answered. Before he changed his mind.

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She expected him to look pleased, but instead a frown had settled on his brow.

"Mr Gatley?" He really was not behaving as she expected at all. He was quite inattentive. Or was it disapproving? Perhaps she ought not to have answered his question before he asked it.

Her temper flared. Well, if her outspokenness had put him off, it was really too bad. Because that was who she was. He had lectured her about being herself, and now that she was being herself, he was looking dissatisfied instead of being happy. It was a good thing she had discovered the truth, before it was too late.

"Actually, Mr Gatley, I take it back. I take it back. If you are to behave yet again like some boorish"--she could not think of the right word--"bull just because I anticipated your question..."

She started to walk off. He held onto her hand firmly and pulled her back, putting his arm around her waist and laughing.

"No, silly goose. You will not take it back. You have already given me your word, and I will not let you go back on it." He considered her affectionately. "I was upset at myself, not at you, since I realised that you deserved better than this."

Georgiana looked confused. He drew himself up to full length and gave her a lopsided smile. "You deserve a far better proposal than this. If I had known it, I would have prepared a speech."

A new, tender kind of laughter rose up in her at the sight of his rueful face.

"Oh, well--that," she said, sneaking her own arm around his waist and cherishing the feel of his strong muscles against her.

"Perhaps if you are really kind to me and you undertake not to deliver any more lectures, at least not until we are married, then I may overlook such a lamentable lapse."

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He stopped and turned towards her, his other hand now encircling her completely. He gave her such a long, searching glance that she almost pulled away.

"But are you sure of this? Do you really want to do this? Do you care for me, at least a little?"

Her breath caught in her throat. She was swamped by the emotions that had welled up in her at that question, by the uncertainty in his gaze.

Again, she stepped forward, pulling him against her.

"Of course I am sure," she said in a choked whisper. "I love you. I do not know how or when it happened, but you cannot imagine how miserable I have been, thinking I might never see you again."

His arms tightened. He kissed her on the brow, aware that they could be seen from the house. He let go of her and took her hand.

"Come then, we should tell the others," he said.

They walked hand in hand towards the Manor, laughing and retracing the past they had already built with each other.

"I have been a bit in love with you since that first moment I saw you in church," said Gatley. "You looked so chagrined at your cousins' behaviour and wished yourself someplace else entirely."

Her lips twisted at that. "And there I was, thinking you were passing judgement on me."

"I was," he said. "And my judgement was that you were the most adorable creature I had ever set eyes on."

They slowed down to a crawl, wanting to prolong the moment as much as possible, and reluctant to face all the questions that they knew were coming. But it was inevitable, and eventually they reached the steps and began to ascend.

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"I would suggest that you put on your boots before you speak to anyone," said Georgiana. "And you should find yourself a cravat."

Gatley stared down at the stockings that had become dirty and half-torn without him even noticing.

"Stockings," he said grandiosely, "who needs them? They are far more interesting as handkerchiefs."

The two of them dissolved into laughter.

He let go of her hand as they entered the house. Georgiana felt bereft of that warm contact immediately. Until now, Georgiana had only half believed in what had happened. But now that they were to tell everybody, she knew that it must be true.

"Would you mind very much if we inform my mother first?"

said Gatley. "It may come as a surprise to her, and I would rather tell her in private."

"Of course," said Georgiana. "But you need to change first."

When he came down a few minutes later, his cravat was hastily knotted and not at all up to his usual standard. Georgiana refrained from pointing it out however. She too was too nervous to delay their announcement any longer.

They inquired about Mrs Gatley's whereabouts and were informed that Mrs Gatley was upstairs in her bedchamber, taking her afternoon rest.

"Shall we go, then?" said Gatley.

Georgiana took a deep breath and nodded. "I will wait for you outside in the hallway. You can talk to her first, and then you can call me in when you are ready." Gatley scratched at the door and entered.

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"Mother, you should be the first to know--I have told no-one else yet. Miss Darcy and I are engaged to be married. I hope you have no objection."

Mrs Gatley's eyes wrinkled in a smile. "Thank heavens! I have expected this news for some time now. I knew you would come round eventually. You have an obstinate streak, but fortunately you have too much sense to let it affect you when your future happiness is at stake. Where is Miss Darcy? Why did you not bring her with you? I would like to congratulate her."

"She is waiting outside," he said, "I just wanted to be sure of your approval first."

"Of course I approve. Why do you think I invited everyone to stay at Ansdell? I was hoping you would show up at some point and put an end to all this folly."

Gatley gave a rueful smile and went to the door.

"My mother would like to congratulate you. She is very happy for us," he said, smiling.

Georgiana stepped into the room, hoping that Mrs Gatley was indeed as happy as he believed.

"Come in, come in, Miss Darcy. Or should I call you Georgiana?

Best wishes! You cannot believe how delighted I am to know the daughter of my dearest friend is to marry my son." Tears gathered in Mrs Gatley's eyes. "I know your mother would have wished it very much if she were still with us. And my dear husband too. I really miss them at times like this."

Georgiana felt her chest tighten. Mrs Gatley's words reminded her keenly of her absent father, and her mother too.

"I suppose you can call me mother now," said Mrs Gatley, wiping away her tears.

The words could not have fallen on more receptive ears.

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"I would be more than happy to do so," replied Georgiana, taking the hand Mrs Gatley held out to her and pressing it firmly.

"You cannot call her mother yet," said Gatley. "It would be rather improper to do so before the wedding. In fact--"

"For goodness's sake, Gatley! I do not know how you came to be so strait-laced! You certainly did not get it from me!"

"Strait-laced? Surely you are not referring to me?" he said in mock astonishment. "Next, I suppose, you will be calling me a curmudgeon. What do you think, Miss Darcy? Do you still think me a curmudgeon?"

"As a matter of fact," said Georgiana, "if you will allow me to be completely candid, you are. Just a touch, mind."

Mrs Gatley's laughed. "I can see you will do very well together, especially since you seem to have taken his measure, Georgiana.

There will be no surprises."

"Oh, I would not be as sure as all that," said Gatley. "She has sprung a few surprises on me already."

Georgiana protested laughingly and said it was because he had wilfully misunderstood her.

"Well, Georgiana," said Mrs Gatley. "Have you found what you were looking for?"

Georgiana's eyes sparkled. "Yes, indeed I have," she replied.

Buoyed by Mrs Gatley's happiness at their news, the couple headed downstairs to announce it to Georgiana's family. As they reached the hallway, the footman informed them very officially that Mr Darcy was awaiting their presence in the drawing room.

The chilly reception they received quickly smothered the smiles on their lips. Darcy and Elizabeth stood by the window. Darcy's 409

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expression held rigid disapproval, while Elizabeth looked decidedly grim. Clarissa put down the book she was reading rather ominously, and squirmed uncomfortably.

Georgiana, bewildered, searched her mind for a reason behind the dismal mood in the room.

"Mr Gatley, I hope you have a perfectly good explanation for taking my sister upstairs unaccompanied," said Darcy harshly. "It seems to me we still have unfinished business. I believe, the last time we met, we agreed to fight a duel. We never resolved our disagreement in the The King's Arms. You owe me an apology or I am afraid my honour will need to be satisfied."

Georgiana's mouth fell open in dismay. She could feel Gatley stiffen next to her.

"As a matter of fact--" he began.

Everybody in the room burst out laughing.

"My dear Gatley," said Darcy. "I hope you do not intend to call me out again, for I do not think I can resist it this time."