New Beginnings Page 16

  “You may wish us joy,” interjected Bingley. “Jane has agreed to make me the happiest of men.”

  “Congratulations,” said Darcy and Richard as the sisters continued to glare at each other.

  “Sweetheart, we should get into the carriage now,” coaxed Bingley. “Darcy and Elizabeth will behave themselves, will you not?” Bingley gave Darcy an imploring look. Conflict always made him uneasy, especially conflict between sisters. He had seen enough female battles when growing up to know to steer clear of upsetting an already out-of-sorts female.

  “Of course,” said Darcy.

  Elizabeth nodded before muttering, “For now.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Richard cheerily, “my money is definitely on you next time, Elizabeth.”

  “As it should be,” retorted Elizabeth before they both burst into laughter.

  “Do I want to know of what you two are speaking?” asked Darcy.

  “Probably not,” said Elizabeth.

  “No, but I will tell you later,” said Richard.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  Bingley and Darcy climbed back into the carriage after bidding goodnight to their ladies.

  “Now,” said Darcy. “Tell me, of what were you and Elizabeth speaking?”

  “Are you sure you wish to know?” asked Richard. “It is a bit scandalous.”

  Darcy’s eyes narrowed, and he folded his arms across his chest. “I wish to know.”

  “Our comments were in reference to wagering about children.”

  “Children?” asked Bingley. “Whose children?”

  Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I am guessing ours, Bingley.”

  “Precisely,” said Richard.

  “But we do not have children,” said Bingley.

  “It is about who will produce an heir first. Am I right, Richard?” asked Darcy. Richard nodded.

  “Produce an—what?” Bingley sat bolt upright on his bench, and Richard could feel his glare penetrating the darkness. “Who speaks of such things with ladies? For that matter, who bets on such things?”

  “The same people who bet on engagements and kisses, Bingley,” said Darcy dryly.

  “There is no bet. It was all in jest, and I was not the one to bring it up. Elizabeth did. She seemed rather put out by our other bets and that I had not placed my money on her.” Richard laughed. “She told me if I dared to bet on who would have the first child, I am to inform her, and she will─and I quote─‘gladly do whatever I have to do to win.’”

  “I thought ladies shied away from such things,” said Bingley. “I have always heard that such, um, activities were the cause of fear for most young brides.”

  “Shy and fearful are not exactly words I would use to describe Elizabeth,” said Darcy.

  “No, considering what we saw upon opening the door tonight,” scoffed Bingley. “You do not suppose she is actually wanton?”

  “Bingley!” Darcy growled.

  Richard put a hand on his cousin’s chest, staying him from lurching across the carriage at his friend.

  “In my experience, gentlemen, wanton women do not beat up young men and leave them bound and bleeding in cloakrooms because they make inappropriate advances,” said Richard.

  “She did that?” asked Bingley in astonishment.

  “Technically she did the beating, and Jane did the tying,” said Richard.

  “Oh,” said a stunned Bingley.

  “Now women who are violently in love with the man they are to marry and are of the—shall we say—less retiring variety have been known to be, um,” Richard searched for the right word. “enthusiastic.”

  “To her credit, gentlemen, the carriage was not her fault,” said Darcy. “In fact, she has never been the instigator—except when causing Richard to lose his bet.”

  “Tsk, Tsk, cousin,” Richard chided in a teasing tone. “Shall I inform my mother of your behaviour?”

  “I sincerely doubt it would be of much use. She is the one who left us alone the first time—at your father’s request.”

  “My mother?”

  “Yes, your mother, Richard. And I think you can forget about telling Georgie either since she left us together the second time and blocked the door to keep your mother from entering.” There was a smugness to Darcy’s voice.

  “Darcy, you are incorrigible! Where is the man who was too frightened to make coherent speech in her presence, who was the pillar of propriety?” asked Richard.

  “Gone,” said Darcy. “The fear of losing her first to a gunman and then to the scheming of our aunt has totally driven him away.”

  “He has done it again, Bingley. He has given such a sensible answer that makes it impossible for us to tease him.”

  “Oh, I think there is still one thing he fears, Richard.”

  “And pray tell, what is that, Bingley?”

  “A long engagement.”

  Darcy groaned as the others laughed.

  Chapter 14

  Darcy surveyed the assembly hall. Aside from the decorations of the season, it looked very much the same as it did when he had first entered it with Bingley. Then he was a stranger, a spectacle at which to gawk, a wealthy gentleman in want of a wife. Much had happened between that day, a fortnight after Michaelmas, and Twelfth Night. He was no longer a stranger, and he had no want of a wife, or at least soon he would not. The assembly hall was still crowded with noisy people enjoying themselves, but this time, Darcy was one of them. Elizabeth stood beside him with her hand resting on his arm. He covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze.

  “Mr. Darcy, are you well?” asked a startled Elizabeth.

  “I have never been better, my love. And I do not think I have ever enjoyed an assembly as much as this one,” he said as he smiled down at her.

  “Miss Elizabeth, I hear I am to wish you joy,” said a fine looking young man escorted by a lovely young lady.

  “Thank you, Mr. Marsden. May I present my betrothed, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy, this is Mr. Marsden of Fairview in Hertfordshire and Miss Weston.”

  “Marsden?” repeated Darcy.

  “I see you have heard of me, Mr. Darcy.” He smiled sheepishly. “To this day, I shy away from cloakrooms.”

  “I believe I owe you a debt of gratitude, sir.” Darcy extended his hand and gave Mr. Marsden’s a firm shake. “It seems your, uh, lesson in self-defense proved useful in apprehending a scoundrel.”

  “Ah, yes, I had heard about that. The arm is all healed, Miss Elizabeth?”

  Elizabeth coloured slightly. “Yes, thank you. A bit of a scar, but nothing worse.”

  “I should warn you. I happened to overhear your father sending any who wish to dance with your younger sisters to you for approval. A few have already slunk off.” He bowed and said, “Again, joy to you, Miss Elizabeth and good luck, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Now you know why I was one of those ladies sitting on the sidelines at your first Meryton assembly. Fear kept me there—not mine, but theirs.” Elizabeth laughed.

  “Some of us bear the scars which remind us why we should remain fearful, Miss Elizabeth,” said another young gentleman, who rubbed a hand across a white scar just at his hairline in front of his left ear.

  “One should not sneak up on another and threaten to run them through and not expect to be injured,” said Elizabeth.

  “Yes, our band of pirates never could capture your ship, now could we?”

  “Indeed, you could not. I had the best sword-wielding deck hands in all of Hertfordshire. It is a good thing our swords were only made of sticks, is it not?” said Elizabeth.

  “Had they been made of anything stronger, I shudder to think of what might have happened to me when you spun around and knocked me on the head.”

  Elizabeth turned to Darcy who was listening in amusement. “Mr. Darcy, this former pirate is Mr. Joshua Lucas, Charlotte’s eldest brother. Joshua, this is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”

  Joshua bowed to Mr. Darcy. “It is a ple
asure to meet you, sir. Miss Elizabeth’s father has sent me over here to gain approval to ask Miss Kitty for a dance.” He turned to Elizabeth and added, “I can assure you I will be a perfect gentleman.” He looked around her. “However, it appears you are without your sword tonight, so I should be safe.”

  “Aye, but it could be stashed in the cloakroom with my wrap,” teased Elizabeth. “You, of course, have my blessing, Joshua. Go enjoy yourself, but know that I will be watching unless otherwise distracted.”

  “Perhaps I could be of assistance, Mr. Lucas. I feel as if I may wish to dance, Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a wink to Joshua. The young man nodded his appreciation and hurried off to find Kitty.

  “I would be delighted to stand up with you, Mr. Darcy, but first…” She turned to speak to a frightened looking young gentleman who had approached her. “Mr. Crenshaw, am I to assume you would also like to dance with one of my sisters? Miss Lydia, perhaps?”The gentleman in front of her nodded his head. “You are free to ask her,” said Elizabeth. “Your brother has told you what happens to those who do not treat others well?”Again the gentleman nodded his head vigorously.

  “Good, remember it,” cautioned Elizabeth.

  “I think he was petrified,” said Darcy.

  “After what I did to his brother, he should be.”

  “And what did you do to his brother?”

  “He was tormenting a servant girl. He had stolen her basket and was holding it out of her reach, delaying her and putting her in peril of facing who knows what discipline if she lost the basket or was late in returning home. I got the basket back.”

  “How exactly, did you get the basket back?”

  “Did you know that if you strike a person just here,” Elizabeth placed a hand on her stomach. “He will double over in pain and anything he has been holding over your head is suddenly within reach? In fact, his hold on it and ability to speak diminishes substantially as well. But you must be careful not to hit too high or too hard as it could do severe damage.”

  “I am beginning to understand why Mr. Marsden wished me luck,” teased Darcy as he took her hand to lead her towards the dance floor.

  “After this dance, I believe I may need to have a short discussion with my father. Sometimes his sense of humor goes beyond what it should. You will soon be wondering what kind of harridan you are marrying.”

  “I already know,” said Darcy with a twinkle in his eye. “One who has the good sense to like me, and one who has captured my heart.” He lifted her hand and gave it a kiss. “And, Elizabeth, you are not a harridan. You are a protector with an over-developed competitive spirit, which, should Richard and Thad actually make that bet, I will only encourage.”

  “Mr. Darcy!” said Elizabeth in mock astonishment. “You surprise me, sir.” She laughed as she took her stand opposite him in the line.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  “Oh, what an enjoyable assembly, is it not, Darcy?” Bingley placed his plate on the table and sat next to his friend.

  “Indeed it is,” said Darcy. “And you, Richard, are you enjoying the assembly?”

  “I am. A beautiful lady at my side and good friends with which to share my good fortune make just about any event enjoyable.” He leaned back contentedly in his chair.

  “Before the ladies return,” said Thad. “Richard and I had a long talk with Father today. He knows of Richard’s selling out, and he approves of both Charlotte and Anne as future daughters.”

  “And Sir William is pleased with the idea as well. The only hold outs to our happiness are our ladies as we have not yet spoken to them, and, of course, our Aunt.” Richard rolled his eyes. “Charlotte is returning to London with us in the morning. Mother has invited her to attend Lady Matlock’s Annual New Year Soiree.”

  “I cannot believe Mr. Collins is dancing at an assembly on his wedding night,” said Darcy shaking his head as he watched the newlyweds gathering their supper plates. “I am glad to see them married, though. You know Elizabeth was going to call off our courtship to appease Lady Catherine just so her sister could get married?”

  “No,” said three male voices. Darcy just nodded his head and sipped his lemonade.

  “So the fear of losing her has diminished, cousin?” asked Richard.

  “Indeed it has. Although it will not completely go away until we have said our vows and been pronounced man and wife.”

  Richard clapped Darcy on the shoulder. “Darcy, you have experienced enough loss in your life, you deserve this happiness. Do not allow worry about the what if’s take that happiness from you.”

  “I shall try not to let it, but I may need some help not sinking into worry.”

  “Count on us, Darcy,” said Bingley. “Just say the word and we will be there for you, just as you always have been for us.”

  “Thank you, Bingley,” said Darcy. “Ah, here comes our happiness, gentlemen.” A smile suffused his face as they rose to greet the returning ladies.

  “It just seems strange,” said Elizabeth to Charlotte as they approached the table.

  “What seems strange?” asked Richard.

  “You really might be too curious for your own good,” said Elizabeth.

  “Elizabeth was just saying she cannot understand why Mr. and Mrs. Collins are spending their wedding night dancing at an assembly,” said Charlotte.

  A ripple of laughter went around the group of men.

  “I do not see how that is funny.” Elizabeth smoothed her skirt as she sat down.

  “Oh, but it is as Darcy made the same comment not five minutes ago,” said Bingley.

  “So how long is it until the wedding?” asked Thad as he assisted Anne in taking a seat.

  “One week, four days and ten hours,” said Elizabeth. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Charlotte, who had barely caught her laughter. “In one week, four days, and ten hours I shall not have to listen to my mother go on and on about endless tiring details.”

  “Yes, I am sure that is all that you were thinking about,” teased Charlotte.

  Elizabeth’s face burned with embarrassment. “Charlotte Lucas, just you wait until your turn comes, I will remember this.”

  “I have no doubt about that. So in for a penny, in for a pound,” said Charlotte. “Colonel, did you notice she did not deny what I said?”

  “Quite right, Miss Lucas. Now, what else could she have been thinking about?”

  “You are both horrid!” Elizabeth rose quickly from her chair startling those who sat with her. “I need to walk,” she stated before stalking off, trailed by Darcy.

  “Oh, dear.” Jane twisted her napkin. “Mother really has been a trial, although that has not been the only source of frustration.” A chuckle went around the group. Jane blushed. “Yes, that…and she is quite worried about how she will be received in London. As you know, there are two ladies in particular who may have spent the last two and a half weeks poisoning the pool, so to speak.”

  “I had not thought of that.” Charlotte drummed her fingers on the table, her face full of concern. “She will not do anything as foolish as trying to abandon ship if she thinks the waters have been too poisoned and pose a threat to Mr. Darcy? Do you?”

  “You know as well as I, she will put everyone’s well-being ahead of her own,” said Jane.

  “Then we must convince her that more harm would come to Darcy from her defection than by any poisoned social waters,” said Richard. “His greatest fear at present is losing her. I honestly do not think he would recover.”

  Bingley nodded. “Yes, he said as much right before you returned to the table.”

  “Perhaps we worry needlessly,” said Thad. “Perhaps, Darcy will not let that happen. Look at the way he chased after her just now. Have you forgotten his protective side or his determination once his mind is set? I say have faith in him. He would move heaven and earth for her, and you know it.”

  “Quite right, brother. But, we shall still keep an eye on them. Miss Lucas, would you care for a walk? I think I saw them h
ead down the west corridor.”

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  “Elizabeth, my love, what is wrong?” Darcy reached out and caught her by the elbow. “It is more than your mother. You could still accept teasing when she was upset with you about Mr. Collins. Please tell me. I want…no…I need to help you. You are my world, Elizabeth. If you hurt, I hurt,” said Darcy turning her towards him.

  “That is just it,” said Elizabeth. “I am afraid I will hurt you.”

  “Exactly how do you imagine you will hurt me?” Darcy drew a breath and braced himself for her reply.

  “Your aunt and Miss Bingley have had more than two weeks to spread all sorts of stories about me. Your standing among your peers could be damaged because of your association with me.” Elizabeth’s bottom lip quivered, and she turned away.

  “Elizabeth.” Darcy’s voice held a warning. “You will not walk away from me because of what some group of people think or do not think of me. I do not care about them or their opinions. I could gladly live my life without ever socializing with them again, but I cannot and will not live my life without you. The only way you could hurt me is by leaving. I need you, Elizabeth. I love you. Please tell me you will not leave me.” Darcy grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him.

  “But Georgiana’s coming out . . .” said Elizabeth softly.

  “There are places other than the ton to find a husband. In fact, I am beginning to believe other places are preferable.” He smiled softly at her. “I know I found the best woman in the world at a country assembly.” He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes. “You will find even your determined spirit is no match for me when I have set my mind to something as important as this.”

  Elizabeth looked deeply into his eyes and read the truth of his statements there. Though her eyes glistened and her lips trembled, she attempted to give him an arched smile. “Well, then, sir, it is a good thing I favour your position on this so we will not need to test who is more determined.” The tears could be contained no longer. “I love you,” she whispered.