Confounding Caroline Read online

“Yes.”

  “I beg your pardon?” He blinked as he was pulled from his contemplation and looked down at her smiling face.

  “Yes,” she repeated before adding, “I would be pleased if you returned to Netherfield, provided you are not alone and even if Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst must join you.” She looked down at where her hand lay on his arm. “You said you would explain your meaning about fearing that helping your friend find his happiness would cause your misery.”

  He nodded. “I did.” He drew and expelled a great breath. “I left Hertfordshire because I believed that my heart was leading me away from where duty said I should go, for I found myself enamoured with a lovely, temptingly handsome young lady, who, though she was all that I could wish for in a wife, was not what I thought my family would expect. She did not have great wealth or connections, but, I realized as I spent many an agonizing hour in town, she had my heart.”

  His lips curled up into a slight smile. He had thought revealing so much of himself and his desires would be more difficult, but to his surprise, he felt at ease — completely and entirely at ease with Elizabeth at his side.

  “I thought that remaining in town would cure me of my infatuation, and so I worked to keep my friend in town with me. How could I return to where her spell would be greatest? How could I encourage my friend to pursue her sister when in doing so, I would be binding myself to either a life of misery in seeing her but never having her or the pain of being separated from one who is as close as a brother?”

  They had come to the end of the corridor and so stopped and just stood together looking back down toward the other end.

  “As time passed, I came to realize that I could not be so selfish as to risk being the cause of my friend’s enduring the same longing I was. My sense of honour would not allow it. It was just at this time when I learned of your sister’s call at Bingley’s home, and I realized then that my belief of her being indifferent toward him, for I truly had not noticed any partiality on her part toward my friend, was grievously in error.”

  “You did not suspect her regard for Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.

  Darcy shook his head. “No, I did not, but once I knew the truth, I also knew I could not conceal my error from Bingley. So, I confessed all to him and prepared to be separated from him forever because I could not witness your loving another who was not me.”

  Her eyes grew wide.

  “Bingley is a good friend and would hear nothing of a separation. He refused to let me leave until I had seen reason. Who is master of me to approve or disapprove of my choice of a wife if I am so fortunate as to ever secure the affections of the one I love? None, save me. My estate is my own, as is my fortune, and I would rather be separated from my relations than from my heart.”

  “You love me?”

  He smiled at her tone of incredulity. “Shocking as it may be, yes. I love you, most ardently.”

  “But what of…” she clamped her mouth closed as her eyes grew wide.

  “My cousin Anne?” he asked. Wickham had likely told her about his supposed betrothal.

  Her cheeks grew rosy, and she nodded.

  “It is the wish of my aunt that we marry, but we are not betrothed, nor do I have any plans to ever be betrothed to my cousin.”

  “I should not have listened to him,” Elizabeth whispered.

  “I have already forgiven you for that,” Darcy replied. “I am most happy to set straight what he has twisted in his attempts to disparage me.” He turned to look at her fully. “I wish for you to question me so that I might defend myself with the truth. Please, do not feel ashamed and hide any of it from me.”

  “Are you certain?”

  Darcy nodded. “As surely as the sun shines in the day and the moon, at night.”

  Her lips curved into a relieved smile. “You are so different from what I thought.”

  “I am different from the man I presented to all of Hertfordshire, and yet, I am also the same. I am not a man without faults. However, I am a man with faults who would beg you to give him a second chance to prove himself worthy of your regard. Please?” He sucked in a breath and held it as she searched his face.

  “You love me?”

  He nodded as his heart picked up its rhythm and his cravat suddenly became an uncomfortably warm and restrictive piece of clothing.

  “I do not know how,” she muttered.

  “Nor do I, in truth, but I do,” he replied.

  She shook her head and chuckled. “My mother will never believe it.”

  “Does that mean you will give me a chance?” His heart felt like it was going to climb its way up his throat and out his mouth if she did not relieve his anxiety soon.

  Again, she shook her head and chuckled before turning a beaming face toward him. “Yes, Mr. Darcy, I should like to see if we are indeed companionable.” She bit her lip and tilted her head. “Do we call this a courtship or a friendship?”

  He knew a ridiculously large grin was spreading across his face. “Both.” He lifted her hand from his arm and kissed it. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  Down the hall, the library door opened, and Sir Matthew, Caroline, and the Hursts exited before Jane and Bingley, who walked arm in arm with their heads close together.

  Elizabeth sighed as she saw it and shook her head. “No, Mr. Darcy, thank you, for being willing to suffer loss so my sister could find happiness.” She paused and then looked up at him with merriment shining in her eyes. “And for confounding Miss Bingley, so that Jane and your friend could be rid of her.”

  He chuckled and pulled her a bit closer to him as they made their way to where Bingley and Jane stood with Mr. Bennet.

  “Am I to assume from your happy expressions that I have not one but two daughters who will be delighting their mother by having secured such handsome and wealthy gentlemen?” Mr. Bennet asked.

  “I have not yet secured your daughter,” Darcy replied. “However, she has given me permission to make an attempt at delighting Mrs. Bennet.”

  Mr. Bennet chortled. “I wish you success, young man. Now, shall we depart? Or do any of you wish to dance more?”

  It was agreed that no one wished to return to the ballroom, and after sending a footman to locate Richard, Darcy exited the Johnson’s house, leaving behind family expectations and moving forward with the lady who held both his arm and his heart into what he hoped would be a very happy future.

  With the Colonel's Help, Chapter 1

  If you enjoyed stories were Darcy finds help in friends and relations to convince Elizabeth to give him a second chance, you might enjoy With the Colonel’s Help. After creating a bit of an issue by telling Elizabeth about Darcy’s part in separating Jane and Bingley, the colonel finds himself needing to right a wrong. Little does he know that his help will be required much farther than just smoothing out a small misunderstanding.

  ~*~*~

  The sun shone bright and warm on Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam as he stood before Rosings. He turned and looked back in the direction from whence he had come. The slow but persistent twisting of his stomach continued its work in making him feel very uneasy. There was something not right in how Miss Elizabeth Bennet had responded to his information regarding his cousin Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. The story he had told had been told with an intent to promote his cousin — for it was a viable example of the caring sort of friend Darcy was. However, Richard had the distinct impression that his comments had, in fact, done just the opposite.

  He paced toward the side of the house, thumping his walking stick in a very intentional fashion on the ground. He had just lifted the stick to give the earth another resounding thud when the path of what must be done became apparent. He beat that one last note on the path and then, with a twirl, tucked the stick under his arm and hurried to the house.

  “Darcy, we need to talk.” Richard deposited his outerwear with a footman and taking his cousin, who fortunately was in the pass
age, by the arm, nearly dragged the poor fellow down the hall and into the billiards room.

  Closing the door behind him, Richard placed himself between it and his cousin. It was time to have a discussion that was well past due. However, he knew it was a discussion in which his reserved cousin would not be an eager participant, and that, coupled with the man-handling Darcy had just received, would likely cause his cousin to seek escape. But escape was not an option.

  “What are your intentions regarding Miss Bennet?” Richard began.

  Darcy sucked in a quick breath and looked at Richard warily before folding his arms and, to Richard’s amusement, attempting to look nonchalantly annoyed. “I know not of what you speak. I assure you I have no intentions in regards to Miss Bennet.”

  Richard cocked a brow. He had not thought his cousin able to prevaricate without some show of distress. “No intentions?” His tone was doubtful. “Come, now, Darcy. It is not like you to tell such falsehoods,” he said, pressing his point.

  Darcy swallowed. “I speak the truth. I have no intentions toward Miss Bennet.”

  Richard’s lips curled into a small smile. Darcy was shifting from foot to foot, which was a sure indication that while what he said was true, it was done in an attempt to conceal something else. “No intentions toward Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” He asked. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the lady in whose presence you become a blundering fool and whose person your eye rarely leaves — you have no intentions towards her?”

  Richard crossed his arms and leaned against the door. “Might I remind you that you can answer my questions forthwith and we will be on our way about the remainder of our day; or I can call for some port and we can enjoy enough of it to make your tongue more easily persuaded to tell me what I wish to know. Either way, as I am certain you are aware, I will get my answers. Therefore, I suppose the correct question is, do you wish to have a headache tomorrow or not?”

  Darcy eyed his cousin cautiously.

  Richard’s gaze was unwavering as Darcy again shifted from one foot to another and his jaw clenched and unclenched. “Which will it be, Darcy?”

  With an exasperated sigh, Darcy shook his head. “Very well, I shall answer your questions. I have no desire to spend an entire trip to London in a closed carriage with you while feeling as if the carriage has run over me.” He gave Richard a severe look. “My answers go no further than us. Is that understood? If Aunt Catherine even thinks we are hinting at the things about which we are about to speak, things could become quite uncomfortable for many people — you and me foremost.”

  Richard nodded his consent. The seriousness of the situation magnified in his mind as he realized his cousin was likely considering marrying Miss Bennet. “I would not ask if I did not think the answer imperative.”

  Darcy crossed to the window and stared out across the lawn toward the groves. He ran a hand through his hair. “I like her, Richard. I like her very much — in fact, I am quite certain I love her.”

  He turned to look at his cousin and shook his head. “But, it cannot be. I must not love her. She is not an acceptable choice,” his shoulders slumped, and he turned back to the window. “However, I am also convinced that I will be utterly miserable without her.”

  Richard shook his head. The situation was indeed serious, for he suspected that the lady who had stolen his cousin’s heart was little disposed to the same emotions written in Darcy’s posture and voice. “I neither see why you must not love her, nor do I see how she is an unacceptable choice.”

  He knew what Darcy’s reply would be, of course, but he also knew it was time to challenge the way in which his cousin thought. For if Darcy did not change his thinking, he would be as he had just claimed he would be — miserable. That was not something Richard wished to see happen. His cousin had endured enough heartache.

  Darcy turned to face Richard again. “You know what is expected of me when I marry.”

  “You mean you are expected to marry Cousin Anne?”

  Darcy shook his head. “You know very well that I do not intend to marry Anne, nor does she intend to marry me.” Disdain coloured his tone as he continued. “Only Lady Catherine wishes for such an arrangement.”

  He paced a circle around the billiard table. “I had always hoped to find a lady among the ton who would fit the criteria of having both wealth and position and who would be someone whom I would be able to love. However, I have been through several seasons and have found none. Many have the pedigree, but none have captured my heart.” He stopped and stared past Richard to the door as he continued. “And then…”

  “You met Miss Bennet,” supplied Richard.

  Darcy nodded slowly. “She is enchanting.” He smiled as he said it and then turned grim once again. “But she has no connections and very little wealth. I have turned these things over in my mind — day and night, truth be told — arguing the side of my heart and then the side of duty. I have come to no acceptable answer.”

  Richard’s voice softened as he saw the turmoil of such thoughts etched on his cousin’s face. “You cannot reason away love. Even you must be able to fathom that?”

  He had left his position at the door and now stood close enough to Darcy to lay a hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “You cannot give up a life of happiness out of a sense of duty.”

  He moved away and began setting up the billiard table. “Consider. Who will be affected? Lady Catherine — she will not be happy unless you marry Anne, no matter what the lady’s pedigree. Perhaps my father — but even if he does not approve at first, he would be hard-pressed not to be charmed by Miss Bennet.”

  “You have not met her family,” Darcy interrupted. “Her oldest sister is just as well-bred as Miss Elizabeth, but her younger sisters are extremely silly and ill-mannered. And her mother.” He closed his eyes and shook his head as if pained by some memory. “Her mother, Richard, is always going on about things in the most inappropriate fashion. Her father is intelligent and possesses a quick wit, but he is neglectful in his duties, and both his family and his estate suffer for it. In addition to all that, she has an uncle who is a county solicitor and another who is involved in trade. How would connections such as these be thought of as anything but an affront to our family and a disadvantage to Georgiana’s prospects in the future?” He sighed deeply. “It is not just my happiness with which I have to be concerned.”

  Richard’s tone was once again firm. “And how happy will Georgiana be if she knows you have sacrificed your happiness for hers? She will be devastated.” He held up a hand to stop Darcy’s rebuttal. “No — do not tell me she will not be aware of your unhappiness. She has already suspected something is not right with you. She has told me so in her letters, and she thinks it is her fault.”

  Richard looked at Darcy levelly. “If you do not follow your heart, you will seriously damage hers, and I think you know that. For once, Darcy, put duty second and do something for yourself. It will not make you a lesser man. In fact, if Miss Bennet is involved, I would wager it would make you a better man. She is suited to you like no other and will be the making of you, I am certain of it.”

  Darcy narrowed his eyes, took up his cue, and studied the table.

  Richard waited patiently. He knew his cousin was not just studying a shot. Darcy’s mind was weighing what Richard had told him, but the agitation of that mind needed to be released in movement so that clarity could be achieved.

  Darcy took his shot and circled the table once more. “You are likely right.”

  Richard bit back a smile at Darcy’s unwilling admission.

  “I could not put Georgie in that position,” Darcy continued. “She would never forgive herself. There is but one choice, and, as foreign as this sounds and feels, I must put duty second.”

  Richard did not attempt to hide his smile at his befuddled cousin’s countenance. “While I am happy you have finally come to the right conclusion, I must now move on to why I asked for such a confession in the first place.” Richard shifted uneasily. “In my des
ire to help you appear in the best light to Miss Bennet’s eyes, I may have put my foot in it.”

  Darcy sagged and closed his eyes as he shook his head. While Darcy was uneasy and rather silent in the presence of ladies such as Elizabeth, Richard was often quite the opposite — at ease and loquacious nearly to a fault.

  “What did you say to her?” Darcy asked.

  Richard took the cue from Darcy’s hand. “It would be best if we sat for this and that you were not armed.”

  Darcy raised a wary brow but took a seat as Richard had suggested.

  “I met Miss Bennet today while touring the park.” Richard lay Darcy’s cue on the table. “We walked and talked for some time, and from what I gathered from her comments, you have not made a favourable impression on her. ”

  He came to take the chair next to Darcy. “I might like to know what you did or said when in Hertfordshire to so sour her impression of you, but I suppose that can be delved into later.”

  “The point, Richard,” Darcy said in exasperation.

  Richard grimaced. “The point is I wanted to leave her with some positive note regarding your character, and so, I chose to tell her about your loyalty to your friends.”

  Darcy’s brows furrowed, and Richard could see that he was attempting to figure out why such a story would cause an issue.

  “I may have told her about how you helped Bingley avoid an imprudent match.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened, and Richard hurried on with his explanation.

  “Miss Bennet did not approve of the interference. She thought it was rather high-handed of you to decide such a thing for your friend. And then she became a bit withdrawn and quiet, claiming a headache from fatigue as the reason. She was not fatigued. It was apparent that what I said had distressed her greatly. Her sister, who has been in town — the one she asked if you had seen — is Bingley’s angel, is she not?”

  Darcy held his head in his hands. “Yes,” the anguished reply was soft.

  Richard’s own heart broke at the sound of that word. He had definitely made a jumble of things. “Why did you separate them?”