Chapter 1
Posted on Saturday, 7 February 2004, at 11:47 p.m.
"Bingley, you've got to be kidding me," came William Darcy's shocked response.
Shaking his head with a rueful grin, Charles Bingley replied smugly, "Nope, this time it's for real."
Will's mouth dropped open in shocked silence as he tried to process the information he had just learned.
"Don't act so surprised, Darcy. In this day and age, and around these parts, finding a suitable bride is nearly impossible," Charles explained happily, continuing to rub down his horse.
"But a mail order bride? Come on Bingley, it's not all that bad out here. I know the women around here tend to be more money hungry than anything, but - but you don't even KNOW this woman," Darcy shot back in exasperation.
"You know, you're not getting any younger, either, Darcy," Charles told him, giving him a jovial wink.
Shaking his head and letting out a slow breath, he muttered, "I'll never understand you, Charles. Why you don't think things through thoroughly is beyond me."
Slapping his friend on the back, Bingley reassured him, "Just look at it this way, Darcy. I've left you your pick of the women in this town."
Grimacing and throwing himself up into his saddle effortlessly, Darcy muttered, "Thanks a lot."
Smiling through her tears, Elizabeth Bennett swiped at her nose and giggled in relief, dropping the long awaited letter from her sister into her lap. Jane was okay! She truly had married a gem of a man, and now she was living her "happily ever after" in Shady Brook, a small town in Wyoming. Rereading the letter, her eyes focused on a now familiar paragraph:
Dearest Lizzy, you must come and visit for the summer. I simply cannot wait to share my new life with you. Besides, I know how infuriating mother can be that time of year. Please say you'll consider my offer.
Smiling to herself, Elizabeth nodded her agreement. Mother could be infuriating. She had been the reason Jane had answered the add in the first place. Mrs. Bennett had insisted that Jane would never find a suitable husband at her age, that she was too much of an "old maid." With her husband long since in the grave, she could no longer care for the four females he had left behind. So, Mrs. Bennett forced Jane, her closest sister, to enlist as a mail ordered bride.
At first, the sisters had been furious and horrified. They had never wanted to separate and felt they could make it on their own - had even planned elaborate escapes to foil their mother's plans. But mild mannered, obedient Jane bit her tongue and followed her mother's directions. It turned out to be the best decision of her life, from the sounds of it.
Continuing on with the letter, she read:
And then there's Mr. Darcy! Elizabeth, if I weren't so smitten with Charles...well, no matter. Maybe we won't be separated after all! I hear he is even more wealthy than my beloved Charles, and quite unattached at the moment. Who knows what could happen when you arrive!
Rolling her eyes and not wishing to look further into that statement, Elizabeth murmured, "No, Jane, I'll be content sharing YOUR happiness."
Breathing in the fresh Spring air, Darcy smiled to himself as he stepped up onto the station platform. It had been a long day, but he never failed to appreciate the beauty as the once frozen earth blossomed into life once again.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy! Could you wait a moment, please?" came a sickeningly sweet voice from behind him.
Groaning his displeasure, Darcy steeled himself for another onslaught of over exaggerated female adoration. Would this never stop? If he had wanted a wife, he would have married already. But the way he saw it, he and his sister Georgiana were better off alone than with the jackals who were always nipping at his heels here. No, he would not be fooled by a pretty face again.
Turning to face the tall, birdlike creature making her way towards him, he felt his insides cringe. Caroline Bingley. The words rang in his mind like a plague. Forcing a taught smile to his lips, he replied with more warmth than he felt, "Well, hello Miss Bingley. Nice seeing you here today."
"Oh Mr. Darcy! Always the gentleman." Tucking her arm in the crook of his elbow possessively, she began walking forward with him towards the arriving coach. "I'm here to find Charles and that flea-bitten wife of his," she spat out venomously, readjusting the outrageously frilly hat that shielded her eyes from the sun.
Trying to avoid eating the feather that waved around comically in the top of the hat, Darcy ducked to the side and replied, "Now Caroline, I've had the pleasure of being in Jane's company for many occasions now, and I think she's delightful."
Sticking her lower lip out in what seemed to be a pout, Caroline replied, "Oh, but she's so - so - so BENEATH him," she finally stated distastefully, as if the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Sighing, Darcy simply held his tongue and rolled his eyes. He loved his friend Charles dearly, but his sister was another thing.
"You can tell she has come from nothing, and would have been nothing if Charles hadn't rescued her from that awful town in the East. What was it called again?" Scrunching up her face in a grimace that was very unbecoming, she replied, "Oh yes, I believe it was Longbourn."
Darcy was moving forward and about to reply when suddenly, the heel of one of Caroline's outrageous boots got caught in a crack on the platform. Letting out a terrified shriek, she grabbed on to Darcy's arm, surprising him and knocking him off balance. To his utter embarrassment, he felt himself knock into someone from behind and begin to fall to the ground. He grabbed on to the person to keep them both from falling, but failed miserably. Hitting the ground with a painful thud, Darcy groaned his protest as he held on to the person in his arms. Realizing immediately that the parcel he was holding was definitely softer than a man, Darcy slowly opened his eyes. Peering down at him were the most striking green eyes he had ever seen. They were widened in complete shock, causing them to shine almost like emeralds. The young woman's face was framed by a mass of brown curly locks that cascaded over him. Gently reaching up and touching one of the soft, silky ringlets covering him, he realized the fall had caused the pins to fly out of her hair. Without any warning, Darcy suddenly felt his whole body warm at the feel of this small woman lying atop him. They sat staring at each other in stunned silence until the raucous laughter drifted to Darcy's ears.
"Not enough that every woman in town is falling all over him, he's got to take to seducing the strangers, too," came one comment from the burly barkeep.
"Looks like another one's after his money," shouted another.
"He'll have a harem before you know it," came another.
Feeling the familiar anger burning in his cheeks, Darcy tried to sit up, but the woman seemed to be too stunned to move. Completely embarrassed now, he ground out angrily, "Get off of me, woman."
This seemed to snap the woman out of her daze. Her eyes immediately blazed fire and she stammered indignantly, "Wh-What?"
Pushing her roughly to the side, he snapped, "I said get off of me. What do you think you're doing on top of me out here in public like that. Don't you have any self-respect?"
The minute the words left his mouth, he immediately felt shamed. He didn't even know this pretty woman standing in front of him. Glancing back and sending a murderous glance to the old codgers still snickering at him, he began dusting himself off. It was then that he felt the stinging slap across his face, almost knocking him off balance once again.
"I don't know who you are, but I am NOT accustomed to being accosted in the open daylight and then being BLAMED for it," the woman stammered, heat rising to her cheeks.
Letting out what sounded like a frustrated growl, she whirled around and stalked off towards the station. Holding his cheek in amazement, he stared after the woman as she disappeared from the snickering crowd. Lifting his head a notch in defense, he muttered, "Crazy woman," and stalked off to his own ranch, forgetting the reason he had come, and also leaving a mortified Caroline behind.
"Oh Jane, it was horrible!" Elizabeth muttered angrily, setting her now torn gloves on the table beside her bed. "He didn't even have the decency to help me up. He just shoved me to the side!"
Shaking her head, Jane reached out and tried to sooth Elizabeth's anger. "He must have been a stranger. I've not met anyone in this town yet that hasn't been the epitome of congeniality."
Rolling her eyes at Jane, Elizabeth replied, "You find the good in everyone, Jane, whether they deserve it or not."
Shaking her head, Jane replied, "Well just wait until you meet Mr. Darcy. I do believe you two would make the perfect fit."
Looking at Jane as if she were mad, Elizabeth replied, "Jane, I am not in the market for a husband."
"Of course you are, Lizzy, don't be ridiculous." Giggling slightly, she murmured, "Besides, not even YOU could pass up a man like this."
Lifting her eyebrows curiously, Elizabeth asked, "Oh? Is he that easy on the eyes?"
"And he owns five times what Charles owns," she replied matter of factly.
Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth muttered, "You're sounding more and more like mother everyday. Besides, I don't want to marry if they're going to be anything like that insufferable man I met today."
"Oh, Elizabeth," Jane sighed wistfully. Smiling at her sister again, she hugged her fiercely and murmured, "Forget about it. We have dinner to attend. Charles and his sisters are undoubtedly waiting for us."
Looking at her appearance in the mirror, Elizabeth finally sighed and acquiesced. She had done what she could to freshen up from the long trip that lasted for weeks. She was simply thankful to be off that dusty coach. Taking Jane's hand, Elizabeth allowed her sister to drag her towards the hallway and down the steps.
"Jane, I can't believe you live here," Elizabeth gasped as she took in her surroundings. Being led through a large living room with beautiful handcrafted furniture, she commented in awe, "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this."
"Ah, here they are, now," came Charles friendly voice. Jane continued to pull her sister forward, who was still admiring the beautiful furniture placed all around the living room. "Jane, we have a pleasant surprise. Darcy just stopped by to drop off some packages for me, and he's agreed to stay for dinner."
Jane smiled and replied, "Oh that's wonderful news, Mr. Darcy! I was hoping you would be the first to meet my sister from the East."
Not completely paying attention to what she was doing, Elizabeth felt herself thrust lightly forward, with her face nearly colliding with a rather wide, masculine chest. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, Elizabeth slowly lifted her eyes and met a familiar pair of shocked brown eyes.
Oh no, it couldn't be, Elizabeth thought to herself as the memory of today's earlier fiasco came back to her mind.
"William Darcy, I'd like you to meet my new sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bennett."
Chapter 2
Squirming uncomfortably in his seat, Will Darcy felt his cheeks flame as Caroline's high pitch laughter filled the room again.
"Oh, Mr. Darcy, you are simply superb," came her nasal voice as she placed her bony fingers lightly on his shoulder.
The evening was turning out to be a completely miserable waste. He had seen the immediate recognition and spark of fury in Elizabeth's eyes at their introduction, rendering him completely speechless in the middle of the floor. To his immense relief, she had masked her emotions and simply curtseyed politely. It was at that moment that Caroline had burst into the room, immediately latching on to his arm and chattering away aimlessly. It was the first time in his life he was grateful for Caroline's interference.
And it quickly dissipated once she tugged him to the dinner table and claimed him her "dining partner" for the evening. Wincing slightly as she let out another annoying peel of laughter, Darcy realized that he would gladly take the wrath of Elizabeth Bennett over this torture any day.
Lifting his eyes absently to take in the light conversation around the dinner table, he felt his gaze gravitate towards her as she listened tentatively to Bingley's story. She really was a lovely woman. Her curly locks were pinned to the top of her head, with attractive ringlets dangling enticingly around her face. Her cheeks were slightly pink in the warm room, and her laughter was mesmerizing. But her eyes...Darcy couldn't seem to tear his own away. He had never seen such a deep green before, and their depths seemed to hold an innocence that he wasn't accustomed to seeing in the women he met.
And then suddenly, those green eyes were staring directly into his.
"Isn't that right, Darcy?" came a voice from the trance he seemed to be in.
Shaking his head as if to clear it, he stammered, "Wh-what?"
Glancing at his friend in amusement, Bingley commented, "It seems our company isn't too stimulating for my good friend tonight."
A look of annoyance swept across his handsome facial features as he replied, "Bingley, when you have as much to do as I do, it's hard to keep your mind focused on things other than work at times."
"Well Mr. Darcy, one would think that you are the only one who has important things to think about," Elizabeth suddenly replied innocently, drawing his eyes back to her face.
Although her tone was pleasant, the contempt flashing in her eyes was enough to set his nerves on edge once again. Clearing his throat, he replied, "That's simply absurd. I only meant that I had much to think about today."
"Are you so self..." she paused for effect and stressed, "FOCUSED, that you can't lay your work aside for a moment to join the rest of us in bit of conversation?" She lifted her eyebrow in slight amusement, waiting his reply.
"Lizzy," Jane suddenly hissed beside of her, giving her a warning glance, which Elizabeth plainly ignored.
Grimacing as he felt the heat of embarrassment rush to his face, he replied, "Of course not, but I hardly doubt that the cost of bolts of calico are enough to hold my attention at the moment."
"Well, Mr. Darcy, when that subject actually comes up, we'll be sure to warn you so you can be excluded," she replied smoothly.
Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, he looked back to find Bingley turning red from holding his laughter at bay. It was then that Bingley explained, "We were speaking of the girls' family, Darcy."
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he turned to apologize, but found that everyone was standing to their feet. Sighing and rubbing his now aching head, Darcy, too, stood, glancing down at his feet. How many more times would he be stuffing those into his mouth today?
"Elizabeth, you're being too harsh," Jane replied gently as the ladies were relaxing in Elizabeth's room later that night.
"Too harsh? The man all but told me he cared nothing for knowledge of our family," Elizabeth replied incredulously. "I have no use for men who have too much in their pockets and not enough in the skull."
Shaking her head, Jane replied, "You know nothing about William, Lizzy. He was simply preoccupied tonight. He's normally very warm and friendly."
"He'd have a rattle on his tale if he were any friendlier," Elizabeth muttered, beginning to unpin her hair.
Jane bit her lip lightly to pause, and then offered hesitantly, "Maybe he was just nervous."
"Why would he be nervous?" she scoffed, studying herself in the mirror.
Shrugging, she told her, "Didn't you notice how he was staring at you all night? He couldn't keep his eyes off of you."
Laughing, Elizabeth turned to her sister and replied, "I slapped the man, Jane. He was probably plotting how to get even with me."
Shaking her head, Jane replied, "You're just too harsh, Lizzy."
Rolling her eyes, Lizzy simply smiled and replied, "Good, loving Jane. If only we could ALL see the world through your eyes."
Chapter 3
Standing on the huge back porch of his home, Darcy kicked a rock off of the wooden floor his very own father built as a young man. He had followed the trail in hopes of beginning a new life with his family, but became entranced with the beauty of the area. So, he claimed a piece of land and never left, like so many others along the way - officially naming him the founder of Shady Brook.
Staring down at the boards somberly, he replayed the past two weeks' events in his head and couldn't help but sigh in aggravation. Never in his life had he behaved more awkwardly! Sighing again and playing with a piece of leather he had braided earlier, he wondered why it was with this particular woman that he had become so socially inept. All week, every time he had come across the path of Elizabeth Bennett, he became so tongue tied that he stumbled over his words. He had tried to apologize time and again for his first mishap, but always seemed to miss the opportune moment or just fail miserably.
Leaning against the post of his porch, he let his eyes roam absently over the gently rolling land behind his house. Who was she to him, anyway? Why did it matter so much that she disliked him so strongly?
The problem was, Darcy wasn't stupid. He had watched the relationship between Charlie and Jane grow in the matter of months into something that was amazing for both of them - something that he had grown envious of. And that had everything to do with the special woman God had given Charlie.
Rubbing his jaw and grimacing at the days growth of beard that scraped his hand, Darcy furrowed his brow and tried to convince himself that Elizabeth was not a worthy woman of his attention. He tried to justify that all women were alike and were only out to take advantage of him and get what they wanted, but he had seen enough of Jane to know that wasn't true. Not only that, he had seen enough of Elizabeth to know it wasn't true. Both women carried an inner beauty and upstanding character he had yet to see in any other women. The truth was, Elizabeth Bennett was no ordinary woman.
He had seen her two days ago with Charlie's head cook, and had been amazed at her willingness to drop what she was doing and lend a helping hand. She had even taken care of his rowdy children with a loving but firm hand - something that even the children's parents tended to avoid at times. Chuckling softly to himself, he crossed his arms across his broad chest and remembered how her laughing green eyes had turned to Bingley when he was tripped by the youngest child - landing square in the horse trough. Their eyes had met in laughter for a moment, and there seemed to be an immediate connection that took his breath from his body. But she had looked away, her cheeks blushing the most becoming shade of pink.
"This is ridiculous. I have every woman in this community falling all over me except for the one worth any merit," he muttered glumly. Looking back up at the sky, he asked, "I don't have any problem in front of those other women. Why Elizabeth?"
But he knew the answer. It was because she was the only one that he wanted to make a good impression for. Of course that made him nervous. Taking a deep, determined breath, he sent a prayer heavenward and hoped for the best. It was time to calm down and show her just what a Darcy was truly made of. Hopefully, she'd like it.
"Why George Wickham, it's so nice to see you again," came a woman's loud voice from the front of the store.
Elizabeth looked around the mercantile with interest and found a rather handsome man standing in front of the counter, flirting with the cashier. Watching him cautiously, she began to move forward with her purchases, listening intently to the idle conversation the two were having.
"You know I can't stay away from you for long, Mrs. Rhodes," he told her smoothly, his deep voice flattering the older woman.
"Oh George, if I weren't married," she teased, placing her hand on his arm flirtatiously.
Elizabeth watched the exchange with great interest, feeling a bit alarmed at the familiarity between the two. When she came to the counter, George turned his hazel eyes towards her, which seemed to flair with a hint of something Elizabeth couldn't explain. Clearing her throat uncomfortably, she nodded slightly and turned to place the material she had chosen on the counter.
"Well hello, Miss. I don't believe I've had the privilege of meeting you yet," he told her warmly, tipping his hat politely in her direction. "I'm George Wickham."
Smiling slightly, she murmured, "Hello Mr. Wickham, I am Elizabeth Bennett, Jane Bingley's sister."
"What a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Will you be staying long?" he asked her as she signed for the materials.
Turning to answer him and catching him studying her figure appreciatively, she lifted an eyebrow suspiciously and replied coolly, "My length of stay has not yet been determined."
"Well, I hope you'll decide to stay for a while. We could use a beautiful lady such as yourself to brighten this small community," he told her, fully expecting her to fall for his charm. When she began to reach for her packages, he stopped her and quickly picked them up for her. "Here, let me take care of that for you," he told her with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Wickham, but I can manage on my own," she told him, glancing outside to see if Jane and Charles were anywhere nearby. She wasn't liking the rather forward attention of this man.
"But I insist, Miss Bennett. A woman such as yourself should never be left without an escort, and I am most obliged to offer my assistance," he told her, giving her that same sickening smile and stepping closer to her.
Feeling her patience running out and her uneasiness growing, she looked around to find any excuse she could to get away from this man. Suddenly, a deep voice from rumbled from behind, "I believe Miss Bennett has already stated that she doesn't need the help, Wickham. I think it would be best to say your goodbye and leave her be."
Turning to look behind her, Elizabeth found William Darcy standing with his arms crossed over his chest and a firm look on his face - one that clearly showed his authority. Feeling a shiver run down her spine, Elizabeth watched in amazement as Wickham first registered a dangerous flash of anger, and then a controlled nod of his head. "Of course, Mr. Darcy," he replied evenly, placing Elizabeth's purchase back on the counter. Turning to smile once again at Elizabeth and bowing gallantly, he murmured, "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope to see you again very soon."
Nodding to Wickham as she watched him quickly disappear out the door, she turned back to Darcy, who was now placing his own goods on the counter. He gave her a sincere look of concern and told her, "I'm sorry if he gave you any problems. He's one of my ranch hands, and he doesn't have the best reputation. I'm afraid we've had to take some disciplinary action against him in the past that he still doesn't agree with."
The alarm shown clearly in her eyes as she asked, "Disciplinary action?"
Nodding, he explained, "It was a while back, but I still don't trust him."
Turning to study the tall man beside her as he bent to sign for his packages, she murmured, "Well, thank you, Mr. Darcy."
Giving her a warm, dimpled smile, Elizabeth felt her heart flip in her chest as he tipped his head and murmured, "Any time, Miss Bennett." Glancing to the packages on the counter, he asked teasingly, "At the risk of being turned down like Wickham, can I help you with your parcels there?"
Grinning at his good natured teasing, she nodded slightly and murmured, "Only if it won't be a problem with your own."
Glancing at the counter, he smiled and shook his head, telling her, "No Ma'am, won't be a problem at all."
Completely stunned by his easy going, friendly manner, Elizabeth watched in admiration as he easily lifted her packages and added them to his own. Where was the cold, judging Darcy she was accustomed to seeing? For weeks he had done nothing but stare at her, refusing to speak a single word to her. It was as if he were a completely different person.
Following him outside, she heard him ask from behind an armful of packages, "Where can I take these for you, Ma'am?"
Glancing around, she spotted the restaurant where she was supposed to meet Charles and Jane, and pointed up the street. "I'm meeting the Bingleys up there. They have their carriage parked around the corner of the building. Can you take them there?" she asked, glancing up at him tentatively. Focusing on his muscular arms, she found herself wanting to reach out and touch him. Realizing that he was watching her, Elizabeth's cheeks suddenly reddened when she saw that she had been caught staring.
What was wrong with her? It's not like she had never seen a muscular man before. Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, she felt a warm sensation flush through her body. The fact was, she had never seen that build on such a handsome man before.
Grinning and feeling his own cheeks redden, Darcy replied, "No problem." Watching her out of the corner of his eye as they walked up the street, he smiled slightly, pleased that she seemed to be more friendly towards him.
They continued on in silence for a bit, Elizabeth finally asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what was Mr. Wickham's offense?"
A clouded look came over his face, and his easy smile disappeared instantly. "It's a bit of a long story. But I can assure you it was enough for me to never trust him around women again."
Alarmed, she murmured, "Then why is he still employed?"
Shrugging, he let out a sigh and explained, "His Father was my father's right hand man. George and I grew up together, and George's father later died from a lethal kick to the head from a spooked horse."
Gasping, Elizabeth covered her mouth in shock, her green eeys widening in concern.
Looking down into her compassionate gaze, he felt his heart twist and suddenly wanted to unload the full burden - but was afraid of how she would react.
Licking his lips, he continued, "Dad was grief stricken and took George in as his own son. However, George turned rebellious shortly after his father's death, making our own lives miserable. When my own Father died a few years later," Elizabeth watched closely as a mist of pain covered Darcy's dark brown eyes and listened as he continued, "Wickham left with the rest of his inheritance to make a life for himself. He only recently came back to ask for help, because he had blown all of his money and gotten into some serious problems with gambling."
Clearing his throat again, he explained, "His father was a good man, so out of respect for him, I gave him a job to help pay off his debts. He was furious because I wouldn't simply pay them, but he had no other choice but to bend to my will. And so I decided to show him mercy because of his father," he concluded, purposefully avoiding a certain part of the story.
Stopping to place her hand on his arm, she looked up into his intense brown gaze and murmured, "But that doesn't explain about the woman."
She watched as a flash of pain crossed his face, then he sighed and looked away. The words he spoke next were so soft, she almost didn't hear them. "I caught George and my fiancé together alone in the barn about a year ago, and there was no question as to what was going on."
Gasping in shock, Elizabeth looked up to him and reached out to gently touch his arm. "Mr. Darcy, I'm so sorry."
Looking down into her compassion filled expression, he shifted the packages in his arms, also shifting his feet uncomfortably. "Better to find out before we were married than after," was his only reply.
Sensing his discomfort, Elizabeth nodded as an awkward silence fell over them. Lost in thought, she suddenly noticed him shifting the packages again and exclaimed, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Darcy, you must be getting tired from holding those packages still!"
"Oh no, it's no problem," he replied, a smile coming to his handsome features as a package began to slip from the top.
Reaching out to take a few of the lighter packages from him, she laughed a bit and then explained, "The carriage is just over here."
Following her to the horse post, they quickly worked together and deposited the packages on the floor of the carriage. "There you go," he announced, smiling shyly at her, backing away from her a bit.
Smiling back at him, she told him, "Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Darcy." Looking at him for a moment, she found herself not wanting to depart from his company just yet. Impulsively, she found herself asking, "H-have you eaten lunch yet?"
Shaking his head, he replied, "No, not yet."
Giving him a tentative smile, she asked, "Would you consider dining with the Bingleys and I? They're waiting inside, and I'm sure they'd welcome your company."
Letting a slow smile cross his face, he shook his head and murmured, "Although I'd love to accept the invitation, I need to get back home to the chores." Lifting the package in his hand, he explained, "I have a sick horse I need to tend to."
Feeling a keen disappointment, Elizabeth smiled again and replied, "Well, maybe another time then."
"Certainly," he replied with a smile, tipping his head in a respectful bow.
"Thank you again, Mr. Darcy," she told him as he walked back in the direction they had just come. Watching him disappear around the corner, Elizabeth began to chew her lip thoughtfully, digesting what had just happened. That certainly wasn't the Darcy she was used to.
Standing from afar, George Wickham watched the couple slowly make their way down the dusty street and narrowed his eyes. So that's why Darcy had defended the lady so much. Darcy's regard for the girl was written all over his face. Grinning evilly, Wickham nodded his head and murmured, "Well, well, well, Darcy, you didn't get enough the first time. This conquest will make it all the more fun now, knowing that you care for the girl." Laughing to himself, he continued on towards the saloon.
"Jane, one polite conversation means absolutely nothing," Elizabeth argued, setting her book down on a nearby table. She felt she was trying to convince herself more so than Jane.
"Lizzy, how can you say that? The man poured out his heart to you and all but explained why he's so stand-offish," Jane replied in exasperation.
Feeling her heart warm at the memory of his dimpled smile, Elizabeth replied half-heartedly, "So, Mr. Darcy has a soft side. That does not excuse his propensity to isolate himself from those he feels are beneath him."
Plopping down on the couch across from her, Jane replied, "Did you ever consider that maybe he's just really shy?"
"Jane," Elizabeth replied in aggravation. "You're worse than mother!" It wasn't helping that Jane continued to make the same arguments that Elizabeth had used herself all day long.
Holding her hands in surrender, Jane stood to her feet and replied, "Okay, Okay. I'll leave you be." Walking to the door, she turned to add, "But I suggest you give Darcy a fair Chance. He's a good man, Lizzy."
Watching as her sister disappeared through the doorway, Elizabeth continued to stare absently at the door, long after Jane was gone. Good man, indeed.
Had she misjudged Darcy? After all - she really hadn't interacted with him much. If she were truthful with herself, she was just as much to blame for that as he. She hadn't actively sought him out to rectify her opinion of him. But he should have apologized for the incident on her first day. He had been so rude!
Shaking her head and picking up her book, she stared unseeingly at the page, trying to force the thoughts from her mind. Whatever the answer was, it wouldn't be solved tonight.
Chapter 4
The next day, Elizabeth found herself waking early to the smell of bacon wafting up to her bedroom. Smiling, she quickly washed and dressed, then headed to the kitchen. Finding her sister preparing breakfast, she moved to kiss her cheek and told her, "Good Morning, Jane! What can I do to help you this morning?"
"Good Morning, Lizzy," Jane replied with a sweet smile. "If you'd like to prepare the table, that would be great. Charles has a few of the men from around town coming to help him raise the new barn. We're running out of room in the old one."
Nodding, Elizabeth moved to the dishes and asked, "How many place settings?"
"Probably about ten," she replied absently.
"Ten?" Elizabeth asked in amazement, reaching for the cabinet that held the dishes.
Giggling, Jane looked over her shoulder and told her sister, "Yes, Lizzy, ten. It takes a lot of men to get one of those things up."
"Did you ever imagine you'd be preparing food for so many people, Jane? We could barely feed the mouths of our own family, much less those around us," Elizabeth murmured with a smile as she began laying out the plates.
Smiling and flipping the bacon, Jane replied with a happy sigh, "I have been so fortunate, Lizzy. God has been so good."
Nodding, Elizabeth told her teasingly, "I dare say, you must be the happiest woman in all of Shady Brook right now."
"She better well be," came Bingley's happy voice from the kitchen door. "Because I'm certainly not letting her go now."
Moving to kiss her husband's cheek, Jane replied sweetly, "I don't plan on going anywhere."
Grinning mischievously at her sister, Elizabeth replied teasingly, "Yeah, the only place she'd have to go is back home, and I can assure you that would be more torture than [i]anyone[/i] can bare."
"Lizzy," Jane admonished with a smile. "You're too hard on mother."
"You're married, Jane, she leaves you alone." Staring at the last plate bleakly, Elizabeth replied, "If I go back without a husband, I'll never hear the end of it." Shaking her head and looking at Jane, she asked, "Do you know what she had the nerve to say as I boarded the coach? She actually told me that your rich husband would '[i]throw me into the path of other rich men[/i]'. Can you believe that?"
"You can't blame her for wanting the best for her daughters," Jane interjected.
Shaking her head, she replied, "Maybe if she were more concerned for our welfare than her own, but you know she's simply wanting to have an empty nest so she can move back to her sister's land."
Standing in the doorway out of sight, William felt his chest tighten and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He hadn't meant to stop and eavesdrop, but as he had moved onto the back porch, the conversation that floated to his ears completely captivated him. Was Elizabeth only out to find a rich husband or were those merely the words of her mother? He had always been told that the apple didn't fall far from the tree...was that the case now?
Snapping out of his thoughts as the door swung open, he came face to face with the woman herself. "Miss Elizabeth," he stammered, his cheeks reddening guiltily.
Looking at him in shock, she stepped back a bit and replied, "Mr. Darcy! You frightened me. I didn't realize you were here."
Nodding awkwardly, he replied, "I - ah, just arrived. Are the others in for breakfast yet?"
"I'm going to get them now. Jane mentioned that they were by the old barn," she murmured, studying the odd expression on his face curiously. They fell into an awkward silence, with Darcy searching her eyes intently. Finally, he gave a curt nod and moved past her into the house.
Looking after him in confusion, Elizabeth shook her head in exasperation. "Even the richest of men can have the worst of manners," she muttered to herself, moving towards the barn. She wasn't sure what she had done to offend the man so, but he seemed to be back to his brooding self. "I think I'll just steer clear of him today."
When the men finally sat down at the breakfast table to eat, Elizabeth and Jane tried to escape to allow them enough space, but the men insisted that they eat with them. They squeezed Jane in next to Charles and Elizabeth sat next to a man they had nick-named "Lucky."
Glancing at him curiously, Elizabeth asked, "So, how did you inherit such a name?"
Grinning a gap toothed grin, the old codger replied with a scruffy laugh, "Because I'm Lucky, Darlin'!"
Laughing, Thomas, who sat on the other side of Elizabeth, replied good-naturedly, "You better believe it, Miss. He's faced death and survived it so many times, you'd think he was a ghost."
"He's got more lives than a cat," someone else added as the group laughed together.
"I still remember the day he was struck by lightening when we were repairing Mrs. Reynolds house," came Darcy's familiar voice from two places down on the opposite side of the table. Elizabeth lifted her head and met his eyes with a delighted smile, and he nearly forgot what he was explaining. Clearing his throat, he smiled tentatively back at her and continued, "He was repairing the roof as a storm rolled in, lifted his hammer in the air, and became the perfect target."
"I got the shock of my life!" the old man hooted, elbowing Elizabeth jovially.
Grinning affectionately at Lucky, Darcy finished, "He laid on the ground for a good five minutes, and everyone thought he was dead. Then suddenly, he coughed, got up and dusted himself off, then walked away like nothing had happened."
Looking at Lucky in astonishment, Elizabeth asked, "You [b]do[/b] have quite the streak of luck, don't you?"
"Yes ma'am! Ain't no whipper snapper going to get one over on me," he replied, shoving another forkful of eggs into his mouth.
The group broke off into their own conversations, but Elizabeth felt her eyes being pulled back in Darcy's direction. They made eye contact briefly, but William quickly looked away. Her laughter had sounded like music to his ears, leaving his heart racing as her beautiful smile lit up her eyes, and he simply hadn't been able to take his gaze off of her. Then, as she had glanced in his direction, he had looked away, reminding himself of the earlier conversation.
Confused by his behavior, Elizabeth simply shrugged and returned to her breakfast. Darcy, on the other hand, would contemplate the effect her laughter had on him for the rest of the day.
Running his arm across his forehead to wipe the sweat from his eyes, Darcy glanced up to the spring sky, amazed at the already high temperatures they were experiencing. Glancing at their progress so far, he smiled, enjoying the feeling of accomplishment that working with your hands could bring. It was then that he noticed the ladies bringing out tall classes of water.
Smiling thankfully, the men began to call out their appreciation as they approached. Distributing the water, Elizabeth noticed two men on the roof and moved to climb the ladder to reach them.
"Lizzy, that's too dangerous," Jane called out, shaking her head.
"I can do it, Jane," Elizabeth assured her, placing her foot on the first rung.
Suddenly, Darcy stepped up behind her, placing his hands on either side of her on the ladder. Looking up into her eyes as she slowly lowered hers to his in confusion, he murmured in his soft, deep voice, "I don't think you should do that. It's too easy to fall and hurt yourself."
Narrowing her eyes defiantly, she replied, "I can handle myself quite well, you know."
An amused smile teased the corner of his lips as his warm brown gaze took her in. She looked extremely cute with her nose turned up like that, but he was sure he'd get slapped if he mentioned it. "I'm sure you can, Miss Elizabeth, but it would make all of us men feel much better if you'd allow one of us to help you."
Feeling her cheeks flame at his nearness, she swallowed and felt herself growing light-headed. Maybe she should take the help he offered. At this rate, she wouldn't be able to make it up with her hands empty!
Nodding mutely, she allowed him to take a glass from her, then climbed up to where the ladder met the side of the building. Darcy had followed her the whole way, stopping only two rungs below her, bringing his head level with her own.
Feeling his warm breath caressing her ear, she shivered involuntarily, breathing in the woodsy smell of his soap. Closing her eyes momentarily, she swallowed in an attempt to calm her pulse.
Darcy wasn't fairing any better. Having his face so close to her silky curls and the fresh smell of lavender in her hair that wafted through his brain nearly caused him to lose his own hold on the ladder. Being this close to her afforded him the pleasure of gazing at her soft, creamy white skin, leaving him with the desire to drop a kiss on her exposed neck.
"Thanks, Miss Elizabeth," came Thomas' voice as he took one of the glasses from her.
Turning to look at Darcy, she smiled as her cheeks turned a deep shade of red and asked, "May I have the last glass, please?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, here," he replied sheepishly, handing her the glass. He hadn't been paying attention, and she knew it.
Grinning at the thought that this man might have any type of attraction towards her, she teased him gently, "The sun must be getting to you, Mr. Darcy. Your complexion seems a bit flushed."
Catching the teasing light in her eyes, he narrowed his own gaze with a slight smile and murmured, "If I'm not mistaken, Miss Elizabeth, you, too, are blushing. I've been out in the hot sun all morning, but you've only been here a few moments. What's [i]your[/i] excuse?"
Her eyes widened as a lazy grin spread across his lips, unable to answer.
"Darcy, I need that hammer!" came a sudden voice from the ground, breaking the spell between the two.
"Coming," he called, as he winked at Elizabeth and made his way back down the ladder. As Elizabeth followed, he took her elbow and helped her gracefully to the ground.
Glancing up at him underneath her eyelashes, she murmured softly, "Thank you, Mr. Darcy."
"The pleasure was all mine," he murmured to himself as he tipped his hat to her. Her mother may be man hunting for her daughter, but he suddenly found himself wondering if it would really be so bad to be caught by such a woman. Shaking his head, he grinned and continued on with his work.
Chapter 5
By the time the men had finished their work, it was nearing dinner time and the wives had arrived to help prepare dinner for the hungry bunch. As the men stopped to wash the build up of dust and grime from their weary bodies, Darcy found himself growing excited to see Elizabeth again. He'd nearly smashed his thumb to bits as his concentration drifted back to the intoxicating scent of lavender that permeated her hair. He didn't think he'd ever smelled anything quite as wonderful.
"Come on, Darcy, we don't have all day. There are starvin' men behind you, waiting to eat! Get your mind off that pretty lady and get a move on," Lucky called, elbowing Darcy out of his thoughts.
Grinning good-naturedly, he replied, "What are you talking about, Old Man?"
"You heard me boy, now move out of the way," he replied, shoving his way to the water pump, an incorrigible grin on his face.
Laughing as he was jostled out of the way, he dried his hands and face on the provided towel and moved towards the kitchen. It was then that he heard the familiar grating sound of a woman's high pitched laughter. Stopping and closing his eyes in dread, he realized that Caroline had returned from shopping in town. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he shook his head and moved towards the kitchen.
"Well look who's arrived!" came Jane's bright voice as the men began filing in. "I don't remember sounding the dinner bell."
Grinning, Charlie moved to kiss his wife on the cheek and warned her, "You better have something ready or I may not be able to protect you from the stampede."
Laughing, Jane replied, "Supper's on the table in the dining room. Everyone go sit down and we'll eat."
As soon as Darcy walked in the door, he had zeroed in on Elizabeth, who had managed to busy herself grabbing more glasses. He was walking towards the dining room when she suddenly turned to move in the same direction, nearly colliding with him.
Grinning easily, he caught her by the arms before she could fall backwards from the impact and held her closely against him, cushioning the glasses between them so she wouldn't drop them. All she could do was stare up at him in wide-eyed wonder, unsure of what to say or do.
"Can I help you with those?" he asked softly as his eyes glanced over her, noticing the pulse beating wildly at the base of her neck.
Biting her lip and swallowing, she shook her head no slowly, unable to move her gaze away from his. The firm grip he had on her upper arms turned to more of a gentle caress and his eyes turned serious. "Miss Elizabeth, I wanted to ask you," he began, suddenly becoming uncomfortable.
"Why Mr. Darcy, I thought I'd never find you!" came Caroline's grating voice from behind the two.
The spell broken, Elizabeth blushed furiously at having been so close to him and pulled away quickly to hide her embarrassment. Darcy watched helplessly as she skirted around him and moved to the dining room, leaving him face to face with Caroline. Sighing in defeat, he let his shoulders slump and he murmured, "Hello, Caroline."
"My dear brother tells me that you've been working hard all day on that new barn of his," she chattered sweetly, slipping her arm through the crook of his. "You'll just have to sit next to me at dinner and tell me all about it," she told him, pressing her body against his own.
Inwardly groaning, he nodded slightly and escorted the woman into the dining room. No reason to cause a scene in front of the boys. Charles was his best friend, he didn't want to do anything to embarrass him in front of the townsfolk.
When they'd sat down to the table, to his dismay, he found Elizabeth seated beside of Jane on the opposite end of the table. He had hoped he'd be able to carry on a decent conversation with her, but it seemed that Caroline Bingley was trying her best to monopolize his attention.
So he suffered through an agonizing dinner, casting wistful glances down the table, watching Elizabeth in amazement. She would throw her head back and laugh, feeling her joy to the depth of her soul, it seemed. Her eyes sparkled with mirth, and he wondered what it would take to have that full blown smile appear because of him.
As if she had heard his thoughts, she turned and locked eyes with him, her bright smile illuminating something that had been dark inside his heart for quite a while. But to his dismay, the smile faded from her lips as she continued to be caught in his intense gaze. He wasn't sure how long they stayed this way, watching the other, entranced and unable to remove each other's gaze, but it was Caroline's annoyingly insistent voice that pulled his attention back from Elizabeth's captivating eyes. Sighing in resignation, he threw one more glance in Elizabeth's direction, not noticing how flustered she'd suddenly become.
"Oh, Jane, I am so confused," Elizabeth whispered as they sat on her bed later that night. "It was like I couldn't look away from him. I've never behaved this way around a man before in my life!"
Smiling gently, Jane murmured, "It sounds to me as if you're developing feelings for Mr. Darcy."
Gasping, Elizabeth stood to her feet and began pacing around the room, "Be serious, Jane! I could not possibly loathe a man more!"
"Really? Then why did you blush when he sought you out after dinner to compliment your 'delightfully wonderful' cooking?" Jane asked inquisitively, trying to keep the knowing smile from her face as she repeated Darcy's words from earlier. "And you can't tell me that the smile on your face was one of annoyance when he specifically took your hand in his to say goodnight. I don't know what you would have done if he had kissed your hand."
"Oh, stop it, Jane. You're being ridiculous," Elizabeth retorted, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. But her mind was churning. Could she possibly have feelings for Mr. Darcy? She couldn't deny the fact that his smile and kind manners as of late had left her heart beating rapidly more than once. Not to mention that a simple touch or accidental brush of his arm would leave her breathless for several minutes.
Jane slowly stood, trying to suppress the grin forming on her lips. "I need to get to bed, Lizzy, but just remember this. The heart never lies. Stop and listen to what it's saying," she told her softly, moving to the door. "Goodnight, Lizzy."
Sighing, Elizabeth murmured, "Goodnight." Sleep didn't come for many hours.
The next day, Elizabeth found herself staring absently out the kitchen window to the men who continued to work. Jane's observations had set Elizabeth's mind to warp speed, and she couldn't seem to stop thinking about the tall man with the dark curly hair and broad shoulders. His dimpled cheeks and warm smile sent her heartbeat wildly racing. And more than once, she had wondered what it would feel like to be held with such strong arms.
"Elizabeth, stop it," she muttered to herself, shaking herself from the direction her thoughts were headed in. Glancing at the stove, she decided she needed to make a trip to the cellar to get more butter. As she made her way outside, she recognized voices nearby. Lifting an eyebrow, she paused to listen as her name was mentioned.
Sighing, Darcy closed his eyes and took a drink from the water bucket that Jane had brought out to them earlier that morning.
"I saw the way you were looking at Elizabeth last night," Thomas teased Darcy, taking a drink also.
Panic immediately filled his chest, and Darcy vehemently shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, nearly choking on his water. The last time they had caught wind of his interest, they'd blown it so out of proportion that he'd regretted it for the next year. His friends were more anxious to see him get married than he was.
"You can't lie to me, Darcy, she's a gorgeous creature, Jane's sister. You should call on her while she's here," Thomas told him, elbowing him with a leering grin.
"What would I want to do that for? I don't need to entertain the attentions of a husband hungry spinster," he replied hotly, trying to hide the blush coming to his cheeks.
"Spinster? I'd hardly call her a spinster, Darcy," Thomas retorted, shaking his head. "I'd snap her up myself if I didn't already have my Kathy." Giving Darcy a side-long glance, he asked, "Is this got anything to do with your fiancé and George Wickham?"
Sighing, Darcy shook his head and replied, "No, George simply saved me from making a mistake." But it certainly did have him skittish where women were concerned. Anne had been concerned only with his money. She assumed that she'd be able to spend his money while sleeping around behind his back. Shaking his head, he let out a snort as he remembered her soft, Christianly feminine behavior.
"Then why are you brooding, Darcy?" came Thomas' soft reply.
Swallowing another drink of water, he replied, "I'm not brooding. I'm just not going to get married to another woman who wants me only for my money or to simply grab a husband. I want to marry for love."
"How do you know you wouldn't be able to find that with Miss Bennett?" he asked again.
Shaking his head, Darcy tried to reply but couldn't. The fear was that he would find that happiness with her. But what if he wasn't enough to hold her attentions? Would his money be enough? Why couldn't he find someone who could care less about his wealth? Because women were all the same. By Elizabeth's own admission, if she didn't return home with a husband, her mother would throw a fit. A wave of doubts flooded him as he tried to reconcile what he had seen of Elizabeth and his deep fear of being hurt again.
"Because women are all the same," he verbalized, his eyebrows furrowed in a determined scowl. At that moment, he stepped around the water bucket and behind the cellar and nearly ran into a small figure standing rooted to the spot. Looking down into the shocked eyes of Elizabeth Bennett, Darcy opened his mouth in surprise. Dread came over him at the pale color of her face, and realized she had once again heard what he'd been talking about.
"Miss Elizabeth," he murmured with a guilty nod, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat.
Her eyes seemed to flash for a moment, as if she were ready to lay into him. But looking up into his uncertain eyes only confused her more and her anger melted away. Swallowing, she replied softly, tears beginning to fill her eyes, "I'm not in the market for a husband, Mr. Darcy, no matter how rich he is."
Closing his eyes as his suspicions were confirmed, Darcy felt all of the blood drain from his face. "I didn't mean-" he began, but opened his eyes to find that she had fled. Looking around for her in confusion, he heard the back door of the kitchen slam. Would he go after her?
"Darcy? You comin'?" came Thomas' voice from around the side of the building.
Sighing, he sent one longing glance towards the house as his heart constricted in his chest nd returned back to call to Thomas, "Yeah, I'll be right there." Kicking a rock near his foot, he dropped his gaze sullenly and made his way back to the others.
Chapter 6
"How do you know you wouldn't be able to find that with Miss Bennett?" he asked again.
Shaking his head, Darcy tried to reply but couldn't. The fear was that he would find that happiness with her. But, what if he wasn't enough to hold her attentions? Would his money be enough? Why couldn't he find someone who could care less about his wealth? Because women were all the same. By Elizabeth's own admission, if she didn't return home with a husband, her mother would throw a fit. A wave of doubts flooded him as he tried to reconcile what he had seen of Elizabeth and his deep fear of being hurt again.
"Because women are all the same," he verbalized bitterly, his eyebrows furrowed in a determined scowl. At that moment, he stepped around the water bucket and behind the cellar, nearly running into a small figure standing rooted to the spot. Looking down into the shocked eyes of Elizabeth Bennett, Darcy opened his mouth in surprise. Dread came over him at the pale color of her face, and he realized she had once again heard what he'd been talking about.
"Miss Elizabeth," he murmured with a guilty nod, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat.
Her eyes seemed to flash for a moment, as if she were ready to lay into him. But looking up into his uncertain eyes only confused her more and her anger melted away. Swallowing, she replied softly, tears beginning to fill her eyes, "I'm not in the market for a husband, Mr. Darcy, no matter how rich he is."
Closing his eyes as his suspicions were confirmed, Darcy felt all of the blood drain from his face. "I didn't mean-" he began, but opened his eyes to find that she had fled. Looking around for her in confusion, he heard the back door of the kitchen slam. Would he go after her?
"Darcy? You comin'?" came Thomas' voice from around the side of the building.
Sighing, he sent one longing glance towards the house as his heart constricted in his chest and returned back to call to Thomas, "Yeah, I'll be right there." Kicking a rock near his foot, he dropped his gaze sullenly and made his way back to the others.
Rushing into the back room of the house, Elizabeth furiously wiped at her eyes. "Hateful man," she spit out, choking on a sob as a fresh torent of tears slid down her already puffy cheeks.
How could he say such cruel things without even knowing her? Picking up her apron and wiping again at her eyes, she feverishly began picking up all of the laundry into the basket, determined to work out her frustration. Grabbing the washboard and soap, she quickly made her way out to the river, which was a good ways behind the house.
Finally reaching it, Elizabeth set her things on the bank and began climbing down the steep incline to her favorite rock. Moving into the cold river, Elizabeth gasped at the momentary shock of cold water pulling at her skirts. Allowing her body to adjust, she went to work, scrubbing each garment as if it had been a year without cleaning.
As her ire began to dissipate, she began to think upon his words and why they had affected her so violently. Had she truly come to care for him? He had been so kind in the past few days, seemingly showing her extra attention. Had she mistaken the look of interest in his eyes those evenings at dinner?
Shaking her head sadly, she recalled once again the words from the day he had rescued her from the attentions of George Wickham. Could he be so hurt that he was afraid to trust? After all, he had made the blanket statement that women were all the same.
"That dress won't wash itself, you know," came a deep voice from behind her.
Starting in shock, Elizabeth twirled around, losing her balance and falling flush into the river. Screaming at the shock of ice cold water engulfing her, Elizabeth came up sputtering, clinging to the garment tightly.
Wiping away the water from her eyes, she shook the excess water away and looked up to see the eyes of George Wickham surveying her with a dangerous glint to his eyes. His soft laughter reached her ears and immediately set her on edge.
Swallowing nervously, she clutched the garment to her body, knowing full well that her every asset would be visible to Wickham if she lowered the dress.
"Well, Miss Bennett, something tells me you weren't intending to take a swim today," he told her easily, moving down the side of the bank slowly.
Shaking her head, she snapped back, "I wouldn't have if someone hadn't startled me.
"I assumed you heard me approaching," he replied easily, standing at the water's edge. Reaching out his hand to her, he replied, "Let me help you."
"No, that's quite alright. I can manage myself," she replied tightly, trying to avoid his eyes.
He then entered the water, moving slowly towards her, "Don't be obtuse, Miss Bennett. I only want to help you out of the water."
Her eyes widened and she took a step back, stumbling in the water. She immediately began to fall back and released the garment she was holding. Before she could fall completely, George had caught her up effortlessly in his arms.
Grinning down into her wide eyes, he murmured, "I like the way this dress fits you, Miss Bennett." Her eyes widened even more in fear as his voice dropped lower and he murmured, "As a matter of fact, I like the way you feel in my arms."
Trying to pull away from him, she snapped, "Let go of me, you over-grown bully!"
Chuckling, he tightened his hold on her and gently ran a finger down her cheek, "Hold still so we can get better acquainted."
"I don't want to get better acquainted," she nearly shouted, pushing at him more forcefully.
"Too bad, Elizabeth. I get what I want," he growled, his demeanor suddenly turning devilish as he gripped her even tighter against him. Before she could reply, he had crushed his mouth against hers, brutally kissing her.
Desperately trying to escape from him, she began pushing at him wildly. He merely pulled his mouth away and began to laugh harshly, knowing that her strength was nothing against his own. He then began dragging her back to be concealed by the bank above them.
His eyes flashed maliciously as he trapped her against a rock, pinning her arms behind her back with one strong arm. She tried to struggle against him as she screamed, but he merely snarled, "It's no use. No one can hear you all the way out here." He cruelly took her mouth with his own again and yelped when she bit his lip hard.
Tasting blood, he grinned and replied, "I like a woman with spirit."
"Why are you doing this?" she demanded, tears now streaming down her face.
"Besides the fact that you're young, beautiful, and hiding an amazing body underneath all of those skirts," he replied with an evil grin, "I know Darcy wants you. And I intend to ruin it for him."
Gasping, Elizabeth tried to argue but he had quickly begun to pull her skirts up out of the water. Panic seemed to rule her movements as she struggled against him, but her cries and screams seemed to fall upon deaf ears.
Hearing a terrified cry for help nearby, William looked up in shock, trying to find the direction. He had come this way to take a quick dip in the river before going in for dinner.
What was going on? Breaking into a sprint, he headed towards the river from which the sounds came. Stopping at the river's edge, William's eyes landed on the scene below, terror ripping immediately through his body. George Wickham held Elizabeth in a death grip below, quickly trying to rip her dress from her body.
Throwing himself into the river, William came upon George before he even realized someone had joined them. George was strong, but was no match to William's strength. Jerking the man away from Elizabeth, he planted a firm punch into George's midsection, causing him to double over.
Elizabeth clutched her now open bodice to her chest and fled to the side of the bank, trying to escape the fight. George came back up and tried to swing at William's face, but he was too quick and ducked, sending another painful punch to George's jaw. He stumbled back against the rock and groaned in agony as William laid another punch into his stomach, and another, and another. His rage blinded him and he continued to pound into George, oblivious to the fact that the man had sunk into unconsciousness before him.
"William!" came Elizabeth's terrified voice behind him, snapping him out of his angry bashing. Looking back to her, he found her trembling on the bank, shaking her head. "Don't kill him or they'll try to hang you," she cried out, tears streaming down her face.
Swallowing the outrage he felt, he hoisted George's limp body over his shoulder and made his way to the bank. Throwing him mercilessly down to the ground, he took one of the ropes from the clothes basket and tied George's hands tightly behind his back, leaving him face down in the dirt.
Turning around, he moved towards Elizabeth's huddled form and was surprised to find her stand up and throw herself into his arms.
"Oh William, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come," she sobbed, burying her face in his chest as his arms tightened protectively around her.
Pressing a kiss against her wet curls, his heart tightened at the use of his Christian name and rage swept through him once again. "I'll kill him for touching you," he threatened darkly, causing Elizabeth's sobs to come even harder. Closing his eyes at the heart breaking sound, he tightened his embrace and whispered, "Shhh, it's okay. I've got you, now." He couldn't let his anger frighten her more than she already was.
Her sobs racked her body as she trembled in his embrace, clutching his shirt front tightly. "It's okay now, Elizabeth. You're safe," he continued to whisper in soothing tones, lightly pressing kisses against her temple.
When she finally began to quiet down, William let his cheek rest against her damp curls, closing his eyes as the enormity of what had just happened hit him. "Are you okay?" he asked in a strangled tone, tears now stinging his eyes.
She nodded and murmured against his shoulder, "You came just as he was...he...he..." and she broke into another sob as the memory flooded her senses again.
"Shhh," he whispered, pulling back to look down into her face. He cupped her swollen cheek in one of his large hands and whispered, "It's okay now. I won't let him hurt you." Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he continued, "We'll take him to the authorities and have him arrested."
When she had calmed again, he murmured, "What on earth were you doing out here alone in the first place?"
Shrugging, she replied, "I needed to do laundry."
"You should never come out to a place like this by yourself, Elizabeth. What were you thinking?" he scolded lightly, still holding her tenderly in his embrace.
Shaking her head in embarrassment as she remembered her angry trip to the river, she stammered, "I was up-upset."
Suddenly remembering the last time he saw her as she just had, William let out a groan and murmured, "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I didn't mean for you to hear those words."
Feeling her cheeks flame, anger filled her again and she pulled away from his embrace, snapping, "But you meant them none the less?"
Watching her helplessly as she moved towards the bank, he called after her, "Elizabeth, please, wait."
"Mr. Darcy, I would just like to go home right now, if you don't mind," she snapped as she gathered the basket of clothing and stood glaring at him. "I've suffered enough humiliation in one day!"
Sighing in defeat, he rubbed his eyes and replied softly, "I'm sorry. I'll see you safely home and take him to the authorities immediately."
The excitement that evening at the Bingley's home was almost too much to bare. Everyone had gathered around Elizabeth, extracting as many details as possible while fussing over every concern she may have. Jane was in tears, Charles was livid, and the men who had finished the barn didn't seem to know what to think. William had delivered her safely to the house, then quickly carted the groggy Wickham into town, and she hadn't seen him since.
Although she was angry with him, she had not wanted to leave the safety of his strong arms - the ones that had rescued her from certain danger. She remembered his masculine scent as he'd held her, a mixture of wood and sweat from his hard work, and the thrill she had felt when he'd called her by her name. Those moments in his arms had been the most wonderful experience she had ever had, especially after such a terrifying event.
Looking around mournfully, she wondered where her rescuer had gone. She hadn't meant to snap at him in indignation, but his loving attention against such biting words earlier had stung her pride. After such an emotional ordeal, she had reacted in the only way she could release her fear and frustration. She had lashed out at him.
"Lizzy, Dear, is there anything I can get for you?" Jane asked a while later when all the commotion had died down.
Shaking her head, she gave Jane a weak smile, murmuring, "No, thank you, you've fussed over me enough, Dear Sister."
"I can't believe that wretched man tried to attack you," Jane replied, shaking her head. "If it weren't for Mr. Darcy," she trailed off, shuddering at the thought.
"Where is Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked softly, fingering the mug of hot cocoa in her hands.
Glancing out the living room window, she replied, "I believe he may be in town with the law still."
Nodding absently, she asked softly, "Do you think he'll be back this evening?"
Searching her sister's lowered face, Jane felt a smile tug at her lips as she replied, "I don't know, Elizabeth. Would you like him to?"
Biting her lip and trying not to cry again, she evaded the question and replied, "I think I need to go to bed."
Not wanting to push her sister, Jane nodded and replied, "I think that's a great idea."
Chapter 7
Standing on the front porch nervously, William looked down at the hat in his hands and swallowed the lump in his throat. Should he even be here? Of course he should. He was concerned about Elizabeth and wanted to see if she was alright with his own eyes.
He stepped forward to knock.
She had been terribly upset at him for his harsh words earlier in the day. She probably wouldn't react too kindly to his appearance that evening. Letting out a tortured sigh, he stepped back from the door and closed his eyes, slapping his hat along his thigh. But he had wanted to leave word with them, at least, to let them know what was happening with Wickham. For that reason alone, he should be there.
Stepping forward again, he lifted his hand to knock.
Then her angry face flashed before his eyes again, and he froze. He was already on bad terms with her. Would this push her over the edge? Thinking back to that conversation by the river, he recalled her reason for going alone in the first place. He had upset her. It had been his fault she had gone off by herself.
Letting his hand drop to his side slowly, he stood in stunned silence, realizing the direction of his thoughts. He had upset her with those stupid words he'd spoken, never dreaming that she'd hear them. Closing his eyes and resting his hand on the door jam, he breathed in a shuddering breath as pain sliced through his chest. If he hadn't have been so stupid, she would have never been in that position in the first place.
Swallowing to relieve the sudden dryness in his mouth, he tried to steady himself as the realization of how closely he had come to causing her personal harm. He had never wanted to do anything to hurt her. This crisis had solidified in his mind and heart just how deep his feelings for her went.
And if he were completely honest, the only reason he had come here tonight was to make sure she was alright - and he knew he wouldn't be able to leave without seeing with his own eyes that she was indeed happy and okay.
Stepping up with new resolve, he knocked on the front door before he could change his mind again. She may not want to see him, but he'd make sure she was okay. Then he'd leave before he could cause her any more distress. Charles came through the living room and smiled at his friend through the screen door.
"Hey Will, I'm glad you stopped back by," he said quietly, opening the door and letting him in. "Any word on that scoundrel, Wickham?"
Shaking his head, he gave a disgusted grunt and replied, "He's sitting in jail for now, but refusing to say anything to anybody. Of course, the broken jaw he has probably isn't helping that any."
"Oh how heroic of you, Mr. Darcy!" Caroline suddenly called, coming from the kitchen at the sound of his voice.
Letting out a sigh, William glanced up at her and gave a brief smile. "I wish I wouldn't have had to have been," he answered solemnly.
Coming and latching herself to his arm, she replied, "But you're the hero for the day, none the less! May I get you something to eat or drink? I have a rhubarb pie that I just made waiting in the oven."
Trying to keep the scowl from his face at the mention of such a disgusting desert, he replied, "Ah, no thanks. I'm not hungry."
Clearing his throat, Charles suddenly interrupted and told her, "Ah, Caroline, Jane's getting ready to carry some things in from the ice house. Could you please go help her?"
Sending an angry look towards her brother, she stammered, "But Mr. Darcy just arrived and -"
"Now, Caroline," he told her forcefully, a pointed look on his face.
Sighing angrily, she replied acidly, "Of course, Charles. I'd be happy too."
Clearing his throat once again and chuckling softly, Charles turned to William and said, "I suspect you're here for different reasons."
Nodding and leaving his hat on a nearby table, he looked nervously towards the steps and asked, "How is - I mean, is she...?"
"Elizabeth is okay. She's sleeping soundly right now. Jane just left her to begin preparations for supper," he explained softly, reaching out to pat his friend comfortingly on the shoulder.
"I'm sure she's exhausted," came his hushed reply, his eyes still glancing towards the steps.
Jane suddenly appeared around the corner from the kitchen, and she smiled at him as tears filled her eyes. She immediately threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Dear William, for saving my sister's life," she told him passionately. "I don't know what I would have done if you'd not rescued her from that horrible man."
Shrugging uncomfortably, he murmured, "I wish I could have been there sooner."
"She was asking for you before she went to sleep," she told him with a smile as she pulled back, wiping at her eyes.
Lifting his eyebrows in shock, he asked, "She did?" Glancing towards the stairs again, he looked at Jane briefly, the hesitantly asked, "Can I - I mean, would she-"
"You can go and peek in on her, William. I know you're just as worried as I, and seeing her for yourself will make you feel better," Jane told him. Glancing at Charles to sense any objections, she included, "In fact, if you'd like to sit with her a while, it will be more than alright."
Nodding, he felt relief fill his heart as he looked back to the steps. "Thank you," he told them quietly, and then moved to make his way upstairs.
When he reached her doorway, he slowly moved inside the now darkened room and swallowed nervously. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Reaching for the nearby chair, he sat down beside her and simply watched her sleep.
The next morning, Elizabeth stretched as sunlight streamed in on her. Opening her eyes, she found an empty chair next to her bed and looked at it strangely. That hadn't been there when she had went to bed, had it?
Shrugging, she found herself a bit sore, and the events of the day before seemed to flood into her mind. Closing her eyes and thanking the Lord for safety, she glanced back to the chair and wondered...could Mr. Darcy have been there? Shaking herself, she realized there was no way he would have come. Not after how she had treated him. He had saved her life, and she had lashed out, treating him as if he had been the one attacking her!
Sitting up in the bed, she muttered, "No wonder he doesn't trust women. I certainly didn't help our reputation as a whole, did I?" Shaking her head again, she stood and began her morning ritual.
Coming downstairs, Elizabeth was met with Jane and Charles' curious eyes. Caroline sat quietly on her side of the table, keeping her eyes down on her food and eating sullenly.
"Are you okay, Lizzy?" came Jane's concerned voice as she got up to hug her sister.
"I'm fine, Jane," Elizabeth replied with a small smile. "I'm still a bit shaken up, but thanks to Mr. Darcy, I'm fine."
Glancing up from his food, Charles asked, "Did you have a good visit with him last night?"
Looking at him in confusion, she glanced at Jane and asked, "Pardon me? He was here?"
Nodding, Charles answered, "Yes, for a very long while. We assumed that since he had stayed so long, you all must have spoken for quite a while."
Shaking her head as a small seed of hope sprung in her chest. "No, I slept like a log last night - I didn't know he was there."
"He stayed several hours. He wanted to make sure for himself that you were alright," Charles explained, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Blushing, she took her place at the breakfast table and admitted softly, "I wish I hadn't missed him."
"He mentioned that he'd stop back by today sometime and let us know what happens with Wickham," Jane assured her, reaching out to squeeze her hand comfortingly.
Shuddering at the mention of his name, Elizabeth took a deep breath and murmured, "I hope he stays in jail."
The day passed by with Elizabeth resting for most of the day. Her mind couldn't seem to stray from the tall, dark haired gentleman that had come to her rescue. He had been so sweet and protective! A blush came to her cheeks as she remembered the way she had clung to him, calling him by his Christian name. Did he think her shameless?
Sighing she closed her eyes and shook her head. He wasn't interested in a relationship. He had said so himself. Putting down her book with a sigh, she wondered if she could change his mind. Could she convince him that not all women were fortune hunters?
"Lizzy? You have a visitor," came Jane's voice from the doorway.
Looking up, her heart quickened as William stepped into the room, who ducked to avoid knocking his head on the door jam. A tentative smile graced his lips as he murmured, "Good morning, Miss Bennett."
Feeling her own cheeks flush as he sat down in a wooden backed chair next to her own, she replied, "Good Morning, Mr. Darcy."
Looking down at his hands and then back up at her, he murmured, "Please feel free to call me William."
"And you can call me Elizabeth," she replied with a soft smile. They sat in awkward silence for a moment before Elizabeth suddenly announced, "I was thinking of taking a walk now that the evening air is moving in and it's cooled off a bit. Would you care to go with me?"
Smiling and standing to his feet, he nodded and replied, "I'd be more than happy to escort you."
The two made their way outside, walking in silence for a good bit, each trying to find something to say that would be neutral ground for them. Finally Elizabeth murmured, "I never thanked you properly for saving my life the way you did, William."
Feeling his cheeks redden, William glanced over the flat land and replied softly, "There's no need to thank me, Ma'am. I would have sacrificed my own life if the need had arisen."
Smiling wistfully, she teased, "Ah, the gallant gentlemen. Not many of you left in the world, as Wickham proved."
"Gallant Gentleman? You of all people know me better than that, Elizabeth," he commented, kicking a rock at his feet. "I never got to properly apologize for what you overheard," he murmured, unable to meet her eyes.
"Water under the bridge," she replied, feeling her heart constrict at the memory of his tirade. "My time here is quickly drawing to an end, and I think we should simply start over, Mr. Darcy."
"William," he corrected with a soft smile, his eyes meeting hers with a measure of hope. "And I would love to have the opportunity to be friends." Grinning as he rubbed his jaw ruefully, he told her, "You haven't exactly seen my best qualities since being here."
Laughing softly, Elizabeth replied, "But you were clearly left with the short end of the stick."
Grinning, he replied, "I would like to believe so, yes. We didn't exactly meet under the most normal circumstances."
Looking at him from the corner of her eye, she asked him, "Why did you bark at me that day at the train station?"
Feeling his cheeks flush once again, he groaned and replied, "I'm terribly sorry about that." Sighing softly, he explained, "I've got quite a reputation in this small town with all of the women."
Lifting her eyebrows in surprise, Elizabeth choked on a laugh and stammered, "Wh-what?"
Shaking his head as his eyes widened, he replied quickly, "That didn't come out the way I meant for it to."
Laughing softly, Elizabeth placed a reassuring hand on his arm and replied, "If the way Caroline throws herself at you mercilessly is any indication, I believe I know what you really mean."
Enjoying the feel of her small hand on his arm, William smiled and placed his hand overtop of hers, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. "Caroline is that noticeable, huh?"
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, she replied, "She couldn't be more obvious if she slapped a sign on your back that read 'He's mine' on it."
Elizabeth enjoyed the sound as he threw his head back and let his hardy laughter fill the air. Smiling at him she tightened her hand on his arm and continued, "Next you will find yourself hog-tied and staring down the barrel of a shot-gun and a preacher at your side if you're not careful."
Continuing his laughter, he shook his head, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. "You are too much, Elizabeth, my Dear," he told her as his laughter slowly died down.
Blushing at the endearment, she smiled and looked away as silence once again enfolded them. Letting out a soft sigh, she finally asked, "Can you tell me what's happened to Mr. Wickham?"
A scowl came over his face as he muttered, "I wish I could tell you that he's been tarred and feathered and ran out of town."
Biting her lip, Elizabeth closed her eyes and nodded, replying, "I'd be lying if I didn't say I agree with you." Searching his face hesitantly, she asked again, "So have they done anything?"
"They'll be shipping him off to the East with a US Marshall to try him and hopefully put him in jail for a good long while," he replied darkly.
"I certainly hope he won't be going on my train," she replied, shuddering slightly.
"He's not leaving that jail cell until the US Marshall actually arrives, which won't be for another month at least," he reassured her, squeezing her hand again. Clearing his throat, he asked tentatively, "So when will you be going back?"
"In two weeks," she murmured, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "I wish I didn't have to go," she murmured softly.
Clearing his throat, William felt his heart beat speed up and his palms grow damp. "Can't you stay on with Charles and Jane?" he asked softly, unable to meet her eyes.
"As much as I'd like to, I'm afraid my mother will hear none of it," she replied quietly. "She expects me to come home and marry." Feeling her heartbeat quicken, she asked him suddenly, "What about you, William? Don't you want a wife and children?"
William's eyes widened in sudden shock, and his mind went back to a very similar conversation several years ago, one that ended in complete heartbreak for him. Was Elizabeth only searching for a way to separate herself from her mother? She couldn't possibly care for him the way he had come to care for her. She wanted to use him for an escape. The thought hurt him terribly, causing his eyes to shut briefly in pain as they walked.
Shaking his head, he told her quietly, "I don't intend to marry. After my fiancé's betrayal, I don't believe I can ever trust my heart to someone ever again." Turning to look her seriously in the eye, he wet his lips and murmured, "No matter how sorely tempted I am."
She looked deeply into his eyes a moment, silently understanding the pleading look in his eyes. Finally moving her eyes from his, she murmured softly, "Not all women are the same, William."
"That may be so, but I also have a younger sister that I must look after and think of. She was heartbroken after that betrayal, because she became very close to her in such a short time. I can't put myself or her in that position again - not even a chance," he told her silently.
Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she decided to change the subject. "Why have I not yet met your sister?" she asked him, watching their feet slowly move in step.
"She's been away for the summer, visiting relatives back east," he explained, thankful for the change in conversation. "You would have loved her, I'm sure. You two have a lot in common."
Nodding, she smiled softly and murmured, "I would have enjoyed meeting her very much."
Glancing up at the setting sun, he smiled and murmured, "Gracious. It seems we've been out here for quite a while."
Nodding, she replied, "I'm sure they're wondering where we are."
"As much as I hate to, I guess we better head back," he commented, glancing at her with a sad look in his eyes.
She agreed softly, and they walked back in silence, both dreading her approaching departure.
Chapter 8
Two weeks later, Elizabeth found herself helping Jane in the kitchen. "Lizzy, will Mr. Darcy be visiting you again this evening?" Jane asked her sister, a teasing glint in her eyes.
Looking at her sister with a sad sigh, she replied, "I don't know, Jane."
Watching her with concern, Jane suddenly asked, "Elizabeth, what's wrong? I thought things were going well with you two?"
Nodding, Elizabeth sat down at the kitchen table and replied, "Yes, Jane, things have been more than wonderful these past few weeks. He comes and walks with me, and we always have a lovely time."
"Well then, what's the problem?" Jane asked her, confusion knitting her brow.
Sighing, Elizabeth replied forlornly, "Jane, I'm leaving in two days time, and he refuses to acknowledge his feelings for me."
"Maybe he's still unsure of your feelings, Lizzy. He's not going to be willing to offer his heart to a woman again if he doesn't think you return his feelings. Have you been aloof?" she asked, sitting down next to her at the table.
Shaking her head, she replied, "No, Jane, I have been as agreeable as an unmarried woman can be."
"Well, give him time, Elizabeth, give him time," Jane repeated, standing to her feet and moving back to the sink. "Care to help me with the dishes?"
Sighing, Elizabeth replied, "Sure."
The next two days went on as usual. William came and visited with them, always taking Elizabeth for a walk to the river and back, but never quite addressing the subject of Elizabeth's leaving again. She subtly tried to pull it out of him, but he refused to even broach the subject again. What she didn't realize was that each time she tried to address the subject, she was solidifying in his mind her false reasons for wishing to stay. Each day she found herself more in love with the man, while he stubbornly refused to believe she could honestly love him for himself.
Exasperated by the silent man beside of her, Elizabeth announced on their evening walk, "Well, I am to leave on the morning train to return to my mother."
William felt his chest tighten at the thought, his heart breaking at the news. Just ask her, his mind screamed as they continued to walk in silence. It doesn't matter if she's only out for the money! But he couldn't, and he knew it. There was too much at stake - his heart, the heart of his sister, because he knew she would love Elizabeth as dearly as he once she met her. That's why he'd spent all the time he could with her while she still remained. He could not deny himself the pleasure of being with her during her final days here.
Looking at her sadly, he murmured, "I'll hate seein' you go. Do you think you'll be returning soon?"
Shaking her head and looking away from him, she explained, "No, I'm sure it won't be for a long time. My mother is determined to marry me off and out of the house so she may go and live with her sister in New England." Twisting her hands in her skirts, she murmured, "No doubt, she has a suitor waiting when I arrive home."
Letting out a long sigh, he murmured, "I suppose that's best."
Becoming infuriated, she stopped and glared at him. He looked back at her, confusion drawing his eyebrows together. "What?" he asked her, searching her face and trying to find the reason for her sudden anger.
Shaking her head, she told him softly, "William, what are you so afraid of?"
Looking away and feeling his cheeks flush, he replied, "I don't know what you're talking about." He turned to continue walking, but she stepped in front of him, stopping him short.
"You most certainly do know what I'm talking about," she retorted, hands on hips, eyes flashing up at him.
He would have laughed at the sight, if it weren't him that she was cornering. Clearing his throat, his eyes hardened and he replied, "Elizabeth, stop being ridiculous."
Feeling the sudden sting of tears fill her eyes, she asked softly, "Ridiculous? You think me ridiculous?"
Looking away from her pleading eyes, he replied, "I think we better head back to the house." If he stayed with her much longer, he knew he'd end up giving in. He couldn't, just couldn't. He could not offer his heart up again.
Watching his retreating back, Elizabeth stayed in place, her arms crossed over her chest. "Fine, run away, you coward!" she shouted after him stubbornly. He paused and his shoulders stiffened, and he slowly turned to face her.
"I am not a coward," he shot back, his face contorted with anger.
"That's what it looks like from where I'm standing!" she argued, hands on hips and eyes flashing angrily.
Walking slowly back to her, he came to a stop inches before her and glared down at her. "I am not a coward," he repeated softly, his own eyes showing his anger.
Swallowing at his nearness as her heart sped up, her eyes flickered slightly and she challenged just as softly, "Prove it."
His eyes narrowed and he growled something unintelligible before he pulled her roughly against him, one arm around her waist and one cupping the back of her head. He roughly pressed his lips against hers, capturing her lips with his own in a demanding kiss. But the minute he tasted the sweetness of her mouth, his heart seemed to soar within his chest and he groaned in pleasure. Softening his kiss, he cradled her against him as she slipped her arms around his neck and buried her fingers into his soft black curls. Moving his mouth over hers, he gently caressed her full lips nibbling and tasting what he'd been dreaming about practically since he'd first met her.
Finally dragging his mouth away from hers, he whispered on a ragged breath, "Elizabeth, we can't." His chest was heaving as he closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers.
Elizabeth was fairing no better after the kiss as she tried to recapture her own breath. "No, it's not 'we can't,' it's you won't," she murmured softly, running her soft hand down the side of his slightly scruffy face.
Dropping another soft kiss against her lips, he lingered, enjoying the sensations the mere touch awakened in his body. Sighing softly, he whispered, "No, Elizabeth, I can't. I wish you could understand." Caressing the soft skin of her face, he murmured, "Please understand."
Sighing softly, she forced herself to pull back from his embrace. The minute she did, her body seemed to scream out for his comforting arms to be around her once again. But he had made his choice, and she knew there was nothing to be done now.
Looking him sadly in the eye, she told him softly, "No, William, I will never understand why you held the gift of love in your very own hands and pushed it away for no good reason but a fear that has held you paralyzed for years." Lifting her head a notch, she told him more firmly, "I've enjoyed our time together, Mr. Darcy, but I'm afraid that I must get back. I have a bit more packing to do, and my train leaves early."
Watching her in pained silence, he nodded his head slightly and replied, "Then let us go back to the house."
The rest of the walk was made in silence. He longing to hold her in his arms again, she fuming from the stubbornness of the man beside her.
The next morning proved to be terribly emotional as the Bingleys gathered to send Elizabeth off. Jane and Elizabeth tearfully hugged, insisting that they would see each other again soon.
She had stubbornly held out hope that William would still come for her and tell her it was all a mistake, but he never showed. She loaded onto the train, promised to write, and headed back to home. She never saw the lone man sitting on his horse, watching the whole affair in the dark, tears streaming down his face.
Chapter 9
"No, William, I will never understand why you held the gift of love in your very own hands and pushed it away for no good reason but a fear that has held you paralyzed for years."
Her words seemed to constantly echo through his mind. Rubbing at his eyes, he growled in frustration and wondered for the thousandth time if she had said the words in earnest or simply to force his hand in marriage.
"William Darcy, what is wrong with you?" Georgiana Darcy called from the living room.
"Nothing," he replied angrily, stomping through the house towards his office.
Standing up and following him into the office, she watched him with a frustrated look on her face. "What happened while I was gone?" she asked him, leaning against the office door.
Sitting down at his desk, he replied quietly, "Nothing."
"Will, please," she pleaded softly, walking in and standing next to him at his desk.
Sighing and dropping his head into his hands, he murmured, "It's nothing that you should concern yourself about, Georgie. It's over now, anyway."
Getting frustrated, she asked, "What's over now? Will, something has you so wound up that you can't even think straight!"
"Georgie, please, just drop it," he muttered, still keeping his head in his hands.
Lifting an eyebrow, she replied, "Fine, you won't tell me? I'll just ask Jane. I know she and Charles will know what happened and will be more than happy to tell me!" With that, she whirled around and headed for the door, disappearing before he could stop her.
Sighing, he murmured softly, "When is this nightmare going to end?"
It wasn't until the end of that week at church that Georgiana received the chance to speak with the Bingleys. Smiling at them, she called out, "Jane, Charles! It's good to see you again!"
Smiling in delighted pleasure, Jane rushed over and hugged the younger woman tightly, saying, "Oh Georgie! It's so good to see you home! Did you enjoy your visit?"
Nodding, she smiled and replied, "Oh, it was wonderful. I can't say that Aunt Catherine is my favorite aunt, but I enjoyed the time I got to spend with Anne." Looking around, she found her brother effectively trapped in the clutches of Caroline Bingley's attentions. Smiling, she turned back to Jane and asked, "Would you all please consider coming to our home for lunch? I would love to have the time to talk about what all happened while I was gone."
A shadow fell over Jane's face, and she glanced up at William with an almost imperceptible sigh. Smiling slightly, she smiled and replied, "Let me ask Charles, and if he agrees, we'll be glad to go."
And about an hour later, the Bingleys found themselves arriving at the Darcy spread, with Caroline Bingley chatting excitedly about how nice it was of Georgiana to invite them for lunch. When they all climbed down out of the carriage, Caroline straightened her dress and smiled as Georgiana came down the steps to greet them. Walking forward pretentiously, she immediately swept Georgiana into a formal embrace.
"It was so good of you to invite us to your home, dear Georgie," she said with a satisfied grin on her face.
Pulling back and wrinkling her nose at the strange smell of perfume that emanated from the woman, Georgiana replied, "I'm glad you could make it, Miss Bingley."
Scowling at the formal use of her name, she replied haughtily, "Please call me Caroline, Georgie."
Trying to hide her smile, Georgiana replied sweetly, "I was always taught to speak respectfully to my elders, Miss Bingley." With that, she left a sputtering Caroline staring after her as she went to greet Jane and Charles. Taking Jane's arm, Georgiana led her up the walkway towards the house as Charles took his sister's arm and led her up the steps behind them.
"Please, Jane, tell me of what I have missed," she began quickly, smiling up at her favorite friend.
Chuckling softly, Jane looked at Georgiana suspiciously and asked, "Why is it that I think there's something specific you're looking for?"
Shrugging with an impish smile on her face, she replied, "No, Jane, dear, I'm simply wondering what I've been missing."
Laughing softly, she replied, "Georgie, I've known you long enough now to realize when you're up to something and when you're not."
Grinning, she drew out the word, "Weeeell, I may be looking for a bit of information." Looking to where her brother and Mr. and Miss Bingley were now talking, she asked, "Can we head into the kitchen? I need to make sure that Mrs. Reynolds doesn't need our help as she finishes lunch."
Nodding, the two women moved into the kitchen and sat down at the large table where Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, was preparing their lunch. Looking up at Mrs. Reynolds, Georgiana gave her a sweet smile and asked, "Mrs. Reynolds, do you need any help in here?"
Laughing, the older woman with graying hair patted Georgiana's hair lightly and replied, "No, Georgie, you go on with your visitin'. I've got everything under control in here."
"Good," Georgiana replied with a smile. Her face suddenly grew serious and she asked, "Jane, ever since I've returned, William has been a bear to be around. He goes stomping around the house, hardly speaking a word to anyone. What happened while I was gone to put him in such a mood."
Jane's eyes widened and she glanced to the doorway and she asked softly, "He has? Has he not said anything as to why?"
Shaking her head, she replied, "No, that's why I was hoping you could enlighten me. He hasn't been this agitated since that dreadful woman was found with Mr. Wickham."
Flinching slightly, Jane murmured venomously, "I hope the man stays in jail until he dies!"
Georgiana's eyes widened in shock and she gasped, "Jane! I've never heard you speak of anyone in such a manner."
Closing her eyes and shaking her head she murmured, "I'm sorry, Georgie, but the man is hideous and I can't imagine him being allowed to roam free anywhere on earth."
"What happened?" Georgie asked softly, reaching out to cover Jane's hand with her own.
Sighing, Jane looked to Mrs. Reynolds and replied softly, "My sister, Elizabeth, came to visit this summer while you were gone. Before she left for home, Mr. Wickham tried to force himself upon her." Glancing to the doorway, she replied, "If it weren't for your brother, he would have succeeded, but he rescued her just in time."
"Your sister? I never knew that she was even coming, Jane! Was she alright?" she asked softly, her inquiry to her brother's distraught behavior momentarily forgotten.
Shrugging slightly, she murmured softly, "She recovered fully from the shock of the attack from Mr. Wickham." Here she paused for a moment before adding, "But I'm afraid she left with a much worse ailment than the insipid intentions of that awful man."
Glancing at Mrs. Reynolds who now turned to join the conversation, she replied quietly, "I thought that was what was going on."
Georgie looked between the two women in confusion and asked, "Wait, what did I miss?"
But before she could get anything more from the women, William, Charles, and Caroline found there way into the kitchen. William gave a pointed look at Georgiana and asked, "Georgie, why on earth have you monopolized Mrs. Bingley to yourself in here?"
Feeling a flush steal up her cheeks, Georgie looked away from his pointed gaze and replied, "I was catching up on things I had missed here while I was gone."
Dropping a firm hand on her shoulder, he replied, "Why don't we catch up with everyone, so that we won't be retelling the tales several times?"
"Lunch is ready, William," came Mrs. Reynolds voice from behind him.
Smiling to his housekeeper that had been more like a mother to him these past few years, he squeezed her shoulder and replied, "Thank you Mrs. Reynolds. We'll be eating in the dining room."
The group settled around the large table with Caroline making her claim to the right of William. Georgiana sat on his left and insisted that Jane sit next to her. Charles sat beside of his sister and gave his wife a playful wink from across the table. Jane blushed furiously and looked away, causing William's heart to twist in his chest. Elizabeth's cheeks often flushed in that same manner.
The woman in front of him looked very little like his Elizabeth, but the similarities in behavior were amazing. Although Elizabeth was much more spirited, they still had common traits that were enough to bring his mind crashing back to the woman he could not get out of his head. His Elizabeth. When had he begun to think of her as his? He knew better than anyone that she more than likely belonged to someone else now, and yet he still thought of her as his.
"...think so William?" a voice seemed to interrupt into his thoughts. Realizing that he'd been intently staring at Jane, William shook his head and flushed slightly.
"I'm sorry, what?" he replied, shaking his head and turning to his sister who had been the one to address him.
"I was simply asking you if you thought Jane looked lovely in her new outfit," Georgie repeated, wondering why he had been staring at her in such a bold manner.
Charles chuckled and replied, "I believe his mind was somewhere else, Georgie."
Nodding as she entered the room, Mrs. Reynolds added, "His mind has been somewhere else for several weeks now."
Glancing sharply at Mrs. Reynolds, William scowled and replied, "I don't know what you guys are talking about."
"Mr. Darcy, you always seem agreeable to me," Caroline answered in a sugary sweet voice, placing her hand on his arm.
Flashing a look of annoyance in her direction, he withdrew his arm from hers to reach for a napkin, and tried unsuccessfully to change the subject. "I'm excited about the opportunity to hear Georgie sing again at the fall festival."
Nodding, Jane sent a meaningful look to Georgiana and replied, "I know my sister would have dearly loved to have been here for that. Everyone does such a wonderful job putting the festival together!"
William nearly choked at the sound of Elizabeth's name, and he quickly reached for his water glass. That was all Georgiana needed to finally fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced towards Jane and then she asked innocently, "Could we not convince her to return if only for the festival?"
The conversation focusing on Elizabeth was his undoing. He had hoped to never hear her name again, yet he desperately longed to ask Jane if she'd heard from her, or if she'd arrived home okay. Was she engaged to be married now? Was she happy? Letting out a sigh, he put his napkin down and listened to the conversation flowing around him in helpless sorrow.
"I'm afraid not," Jane replied, glancing at the pained expression on William's face. "She has been too busy preparing our mother to move to New England to care for our sick aunt."
"And what of Eliza - er, your sister?" William suddenly asked, his cheeks flushing as he realized he'd almost used her Christian name.
Georgiana's eyes widened at his mistake and she tried to hide her smile behind her water glass. Jane's eyes glanced to Charles and she replied, "Elizabeth refused every suitor her mother brought along, so she's forcing her to become a mail ordered bride."
William dropped his fork, startling everyone as it clamored to the plate. He then stammered, "Surely you jest."
Shaking her head, Jane replied, "No, Mr. Darcy, I do not. If you remember, that's how I ended up with my wonderful husband, whom with I am now very much in love." Reaching across the table, she squeezed his hand and added, "I couldn't be happier with the arrangement."
Closing his eyes, William's mind raced at the possibilities. She could end up in an abusive home, with a man who didn't know enough about a woman to keep her safe. Someone who would only be looking for someone to fill his house with babies. Feeling anger rise up in his chest, he reached for his water and nearly drained the rest of the glass in one gulp.
Glancing at Jane, Georgiana smiled as if catching on and replied, "Yes, William, it's about time you settled down and got married, too. I won't be around forever, you know. I fully intend to marry and have my own family, and very soon."
"Georgiana, you're only seventeen!" he nearly shouted, his eyes wide with shock.
Giggling at his reaction, she shook her head and replied, "My dear brother, you know as well as I that I am of marriageable age now, and if Mr. Benson continues his attentions like he did at church, I may be more than happy to marry him next summer."
"B-but, y-you," William tried to stammer, totally flustered with the turn in conversation.
"And I think ordering a bride would be perfect for you," Georgiana continued, reaching out to squeeze his hand affectionately with hers."
"Oh goodness sakes, no!" Caroline objected hotly. "Mr. Darcy has only to look in his own backyard to find a wife, Georgiana." Turning to look at William meaningfully, she added, "There's someone here who would make the perfect wife for such a man in his station."
"No, Caroline, all I see are gold digging women, wanting to marry him for what he has instead of who he is," Georgie shot back, her meaning hidden by a calculating smile.
Charles choked a laugh back as Caroline sputtered indignantly, her cheeks flaming red. To try and break the tension, he looked at his wife with a smile and commented, "Mrs. Reynolds has done a wonderful job with this roast, don't you think Jane?"
Turning laughing eyes to her husband, Jane replied, "Yes, dear, it's wonderful."
William had sat silently, staring ahead of him as if in a daze the whole time. His mind had gone over every possibility of harm Elizabeth could encounter at such a fate.
Glancing at William and the winking slightly at Georgiana, Jane added, "I must say, I remember being perfectly terrified at the prospect until I began corresponding with Charles. There was no way to tell what kind of situation I would be going to. The Lord blessed me with such a good man, that I consider myself so fortunate to have been guided in this direction." Clearing her throat, she added softly, "I'm afraid Elizabeth may not be as fortunate.
This caused William to close his eyes and hang his head, his hands clenching into fists at the table. His breathing became heavier and he seemed to be fighting an inward battle.
Biting her lip and glancing at her brother in concern, Georgiana glanced once again to Jane and gave a slight shake of her head. "William, my dear brother, I forgot to tell you that Aunt Catherine had requested when she would be able to visit. She wishes to come sometime in the fall before the snow settles in."
Unable to concentrate fully on what his sister was saying, he replied, "I'll make sure to write her this week."
Nodding, Georgiana artfully turned the conversation to a safer topic, giving her brother the chance to recompose himself. What she didn't realize was that he would stay in that state of agitation for a lot longer than she could ever anticipate.
That evening, Georgiana stood talking to Jane quietly as the prepared to leave for the ride back to their ranch.
"So it's your sister that has him so keyed up," Georgiana asked softly, keeping her voice low so her brother wouldn't hear.
Shrugging, Jane replied just as quietly, "I had no clue that he felt so strongly about her. I can promise you that Elizabeth left broken hearted over him. She grew to love him dearly during her stay here, and it had nothing to do with his money. Elizabeth is not that shallow. She wished only to marry for love."
"Oh my dolt of a brother!" Georgiana hissed, shaking her head. "He's so intent on keeping his promise to keep me safe from getting hurt! He's trying so hard to keep another woman like that hussy he was engaged to away from us, that he's going to throw away his chance at true happiness!"
"Elizabeth didn't say much about it before she left," Jane replied quietly. "I just know that her tears were for more than simply leaving me again."
Nodding, Georgiana smiled softly and replied, "I would have loved to meet your sister. If my brother has fallen this much in love with her, I know she must have been special. He hasn't allowed a woman near his heart for years since that disaster with Mr. Wickham."
"Do you think we can convince him to write for her hand? It may not be too late," Jane asked excitedly.
Shrugging, Georgie glanced back to her brother and replied, "I don't know, Jane, but I can promise you I'm going to do my best."
Chapter 10
Posted on Friday, 16 July 2004
Another week passed before Georgiana fully addressed the subject of Elizabeth with her brother. He had continued his restless stomping around the ranch, causing all of his hands grief as well as she and Mrs. Reynolds. Each time she had dropped a hint about her wanting to get married and how he would be left all alone, his agitation only seemed to grow.
Finally on night, she knew she couldn’t loose any more time. She didn’t want Elizabeth to take anyone else’s offer but her own brother’s.
Setting a cup of tea next to him in the living room one night, she sat down near him on the couch and planned her gentle inquiry. “William, will you tell me more about Jane’s sister? She sounds like a wonderful young woman,” Georgiana asked innocently.
Sighing and putting down the book he was reading, he removed his reading glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose as if to ward off a headache. “Georgie, this isn’t the best time,” he answered softly, his voice reflecting pain.
Reaching out to touch her brother’s arm, she replied softly, “William, if you care this much about her, why did you let her go?”
His breath caught in his chest and she could almost see the tears gathering behind his closed eyes. He replied in a tortured voice, “Georgie, I love Elizabeth so much more than I ever loved Alison. She has won my heart in a way that no one has ever. My heart would never survive a betrayal from her. I would rather die alone than know the pain of her choosing someone else over me.”
Sighing in frustration, Georgie shook her head and replied, “William, you are impossible! Jane insists that Elizabeth loved you just as much. Look at Jane! Has she wronged Charles in anyway? Do you think she ever could?” Seeing William furrow his brows in thought, Georgiana continued, “William, you know as well as I that Jane is nothing like Alison. I can only assume that her sister would not be as well, but you know in your heart what type of woman she is, or you would not have given up your heart to her in such a short time.”
Opening his eyes and looking at his sister thoughtfully, he took her hand in his and asked, “So you wish for me to marry?”
A smile crossed her features and she replied emphatically, “More than anything in the world, Will, I want to see you happy.” Squeezing his hand in her own, she asked, “Would marrying Elizabeth make you happy?”
Swallowing the lump of emotion in his throat, he replied hoarsely, “More than anything in this world.”
“Then you must write to her immediately and request her to marry you,” she told him decisively.
A shadow crossed his face and he murmured, “I’m not sure she’ll have me, now, Georgie. I made it clear that it would never work between us.”
“Believe me, William, if she truly loves you, nothing will keep her from coming back,” she replied with resolve. She wasn’t sure why she was putting so much faith in this woman she had never met, but she offered a silent prayer that the trust wasn’t misguided.
Nodding, William stood from his seat with a new determination. After weeks of tortured thoughts and heavy burdens, the sweet feeling of relief poured through him. He needed to write a letter.
Elizabeth watched her mother’s things being boarded onto the train and shook her head slightly. “Mother, why do you insist on taking so many things with you?” Elizabeth asked in agitation.
“I can not live without my reminders of your father. It’s the only thing that gives me pleasure,” she replied, her voice ringing with self-pity.
Sighing and rolling her eyes, she replied, “Well, I’m sure that Auntie will not appreciate all of the extra luggage.”
“Nonsense, silly girl, she won’t mind a bit,” she replied, lifting her head a notch. “You get back and write that acceptance letter like I said, Elizabeth. I’ll be back to the house as soon as I see these things off well.”
Sighing, Elizabeth made her way back to their modest home. Had it really been two months since she’s returned from visiting her sister? It seemed so long ago, yet just like yesterday. The pain of losing the one she loved never seemed to diminish, yet it felt like it had aged her many years.
But there was nothing to be done about it now. Winter would set in soon, and her sisters had already accepted offers from several gentlemen in town. She was the last to be married, and her mother was insisting that she choose today or she would choose for her. She had put off the decision as long as she could, in hopes that Mr. Darcy might try to renew his acquaintance with her. But it had been for nothing, and the time to decide had come.
Stepping into the house, she picked up the stack of letters that had come since her advertisement had been placed and made her way to the writing table. Sitting down forlornly, she began to move to the unopened letters.
Opening up the first, she began to read:
My Dearest Miss Bennett, your advertisement has touched my heart and I would be honored to bestow the grandeur of my home and my life to you. I have long coveted your attentions, and would be…
Elizabeth stopped and looked at the bottom of the letter before groaning in frustration and throwing the letter away. “Not Mr. Collins again!” she huffed in frustration. Shaking her head, she moved on to the next:
”…I have a desire for many children to share my land with, and hope that you would be agreeable to such an arrangement. My late wife could not…”
Shaking her head, she moved on to the next and the next, frustrated to not find one letter speaking of romance in any form. Sighing, she asked herself, “What do I expect? How can you speak of romance without knowing someone first?”
Finding another letter, she turned to open it, wondering why she was bothering. It would be just effective to put them all in a hat and pick one. Standing to her feet, she replied, “That’s what I’ll do. I want to end this charade now and get it over with.” Shoving all of the letters into her father’s Stetson that she held on to after his death, she mixed them up and silently prayed, “Please Lord, put my hand on the one you would have me marry. I pray for happiness that Jane knows, please.”
Reaching her hand in, she closed her eyes and felt her hand close upon an envelope. Sighing, she took it and felt her heartbeat quicken. This was who she’d marry, regardless. Ripping open the unopened letter, she sat down to read the piece of paper that was contained within.
“My Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth:I send this letter, not really sure if you’ve accepted an offer yet or if I’m too late, and I pray it’s not the latter. Although some would tell you I have everything in the world to offer you, I find that the only thing I want to offer is my battered heart. I’ve been betrayed, I’ve been lonely, and I’ve forced myself into a lonely existence. That is until I met you.
Gasping, Elizabeth’s eyes widened and tears began to fill them as she felt her hands begin to tremble. Biting her lip, she read on.
I can’t tell you how miserable I’ve been since you left, I can only explain that no one here wants to have anything to do with me until I’ve secured your hand in marriage. Elizabeth, I don’t want to live if I can’t secure your hand. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me for my stupidity and accept my offer of marriage. There’s not much left of my heart to give, but I promise you have all of it for eternity. Please consider me as you make your choice.Yours Forever,
Fitzwilliam Darcy, III”
“I can’t believe!” she gasped, the letter dropping to the ground. “I can’t believe it!” she shouted this time, standing to her feet and waving her hands as if they were on fire. “He sent for me! He actually sent for me!” Laughing as she began to move around the room, she frantically began, “I’ve got to pack. I’ve got to prepare. I’ve got to…” her voice faded as a small smile spread across her lips and tears of joy flowed over her cheeks. “Oh thank you Dear Lord, I’m going to my very own home!”
William had paced the house like a madman for the past month, waiting to receive a letter, hear a word, anything that would put his worried mind to rest. Had she received the letter? Had he been too late? When would he hear of anything?
Shaking his head, he buried his face in his hands and muttered, “This will not do. This will not do at all.” He could travel to where she was and take her away before she could marry. Stalking into the hallway, he grabbed for his hat and shouted, “Georgie! I’m going to town!”
“Thank goodness,” Georgie muttered, tired of her brother’s moody explosions. “May he find the letter he is waiting for!”
When William arrived in town, he headed straight to the train station to find the first available ticket West. Maybe he’d even take Georgiana with him. Stepping up onto the platform, he went to the window just as a train was pulling in. When it came to a stop, he was finally able to ask, “I need to get two tickets for the East.”
“Hold on a minute, Mr. Darcy, I need to help these folks off this train,” the ticket master replied, moving away from his post at the window.
Growling in frustration, he turned to watch the man exit towards the train. His eyes fell on the passengers exiting the train, and he had to do a double take. Could it be? No, he’d been dreaming of her too long and was simply hallucinating. Reaching up to clear his eyes, he watched with his mouth hanging open as the beautiful woman turned to meet his eyes.
“William!” she shouted excitedly, her face breaking into a bright smile.
His legs started moving on their own volition. Before he knew it, he had broken into a run and pushed through the crowd on the platform, wrapping her tightly into his embrace and swinging her around in exultation.
“Please tell me I’m not dreaming,” he gasped, burying his face in her dark curls as he clutched her body tightly against his own.
Shaking her head and laughing as tears streamed down her face, she gasped, “No, it’s not a dream. I’m here.”
Laughing, he pulled back, his own eyes suspiciously wet. Staring down into her beautiful eyes, he tried to ask, “How-when?”
Reaching up to cup his cheeks in her hands, she told him, “The minute I received your letter, I packed and came. I didn’t want to waste any more time.”
“But I thought for sure you had already married and I was too late,” he replied, reaching up to cradle her face in his own large hands. Letting his eyes drift to her lips as he ran his thumb over their fullness, he whispered, “Please tell me you’re here to marry me.”
Nodding and kissing his thumb, she beamed up at him and replied, “As soon as you wish.”
Letting out a whoop of joy, he looked down at her with a grin and told her, “Now, let’s get married now.”
Laughing, she replied, “But William, I’ve not even seen my sister yet!”
“I don’t care. You’ll have the rest of your life to see your sister. Let’s marry now,” he tried, his voice laced with excitement.
Shaking her head, she replied, “But I haven’t had the chance to take out my dress and let the wrinkles fall out of it!”
“You look beautiful the way you are, Elizabeth.” Pausing for a breath, he let his eyes devour her face like a starving man. “Oh Elizabeth, I thought I’d lost you forever,” he breathed, his chest heaving from the emotion.
Shaking her head, she whispered, “I may have married another, but you would always have my love, William. Always.”
Swallowing the emotion threatening to strangle him, he pressed his lips against hers, unable to restrain himself any longer. Tasting the sweet flavor of her lips, he sighed and felt as if his heart had finally come home.
“Lizzy!” Jane squealed in delighted surprise. She broke into a run as William helped Elizabeth down from the surrey, his smile as bright as Elizabeth’s. Jane immediately enveloped her in a hug and gasped, “What are you doing here?”
Grinning, she looked back at William who gave her a beaming smile then back at Jane. “I answered a letter for a mail ordered bride,” she told her softly, her eyes glinting with tears once again.
Jane’s eyes widened to those of an owl and she looked back and forth between the two standing in front of her. “You’re – you’re here for good?” she stammered, hope building in her chest.
William then stepped up and slipped his arm around her waist with a huge grin on his face. “We’re going to be married on Sunday after the church service. It was the soonest time Pastor Gordon could perform the ceremony,” he explained, looking down into his fiancé’s shining face.
“Oh Lizzy!” Jane squealed again, leaning forward to hug and kiss her sister on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you!”
“What’s all the commotion?” came a voice from the porch.
Turning to wave Charles to them, Jane called, “Hurry, Charles, Lizzy is back! And she’s here to marry William!”
“What?” screeched another voice from inside the house. Caroline suddenly clamored out onto the porch, her face holding disbelief at the scene before her. “You must be kidding,” she demanded, shock bringing her to a halt on the front steps of the house.
“Congratulations, old man!” Charles shouted jubilantly, clapping William on the back.
Looking to Jane, Elizabeth asked, “We were hoping that I could stay here again until the ceremony. Assuming of course that you would help me finish preparing my dress.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I’d be more than happy to!” Turning to look at Charles, Jane asked, “It’s no problem is it, Honey?”
Shaking his head and reaching out to hug Elizabeth, he replied, “No, never.”
Turning to smile at William, Elizabeth replied, “I can hardly wait.”
Grinning, William replied, “I’ll take your things to my house except for the one trunk you’ve requested. There’s no sense in having to move your things twice.” Not able to remove his eyes from her face, he murmured, “I can’t believe you’re really here.”
“Come you two, let’s not stand around out here all day. Let’s go inside and get something to eat and you can explain how all this came about,” Charles insisted, pushing the two toward the house.
Laughing, they followed hand in hand.
Chapter 11
That evening, William relaxed in the back porch swing beside of Elizabeth, his arm resting possessively around her shoulders in the fading sunlight. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, content to finally be with him.
Unable to resist, he left a soft kiss on her forehead, then rested his own head against hers. They sat in comfortable silence until Elizabeth finally asked, “What made you change your mind?”
“You mean, besides the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about you? I was going mad in my own home. Everything I seemed to do or say brought my mind back to you,” he told her with a laugh. “Things that had no remote connection to you would draw my thoughts in your direction.”
Lifting her head to smile into his eyes she asked, “But you are a stubborn man, Mr. Darcy. Certainly that alone wasn’t what prompted you to write me.”
Grinning, he tapped her nose lightly and replied, “No, as much as I hate to admit it, it was not what pushed me to action. It was my own dear sister, Georgiana, who helped me see the light.”
Gasping, she sat up straighter, causing his arm to fall off of her shoulders. Smiling at him in delight she asked, “So she’s back from your Aunt’s, then?”
Nodding, he replied, “Yes, she’s back. And she was the one who defended you to me, making me see what a stupid mistake I made in allowing you to leave.”
Looking at him in confusion, she replied, “But I’ve not even met her! Why would she do such a thing?”
Shrugging, he settled back on the opposite end of the swing so he could watch her better and replied with a grin, “If I remember correctly, she argued that anyone that could win my heart in such a manner must be worthy of my affection. She insisted that there was no way my heart could make that mistake and then pointed to your sister as an example.” Sighing softly and moving to run the back of his hand down the soft skin of her cheek, he murmured, “But I must admit, the one argument that seemed to do the most damage was the knowledge that Jane had divulged about your advertisement as a mail ordered bride. That you would be mailed off to someone without even knowing them, into possible danger, scared the life out of me. I couldn’t bare to think that you would be in any kind of danger.” Stopping to drop a soft kiss on her lips, he whispered, “I couldn’t bare the thought of you belonging to anyone else.”
Watching him with eyes full of wonder, she whispered, “Remind me to thank your sister for her glowing recommendation.”
Chuckling, he replied, “You’ll meet her tomorrow, I’m sure. There’s much to be done to prepare for the wedding feast afterwards, and I know she and Mrs. Reynolds will want your guidance.”
“Mrs. Reynolds?” she asked softly in confusion.
Grinning, he nodded and explained, “She’s the head housekeeper.”
“Head housekeeper?” Elizabeth echoed, her eyes widening in confusion.
Nodding, he murmured, “Head housekeeper.”
Watching as he stood to his feet in front of her, she looked up at him and asked hesitantly, “Just how many housekeepers do you have, William?”
Shrugging, he replied, “Aaaah, two or three. One for Georgie and then two to keep up the grounds besides Mrs. Reynolds.”
“William, how big is your house?” she asked, suddenly alarmed at the news.
Reaching out and taking her hands into his, he pulled her up from the swing and slipped his arms around her waist, gathering her to him comfortably. “Pretty big,” he answered vaguely, grinning down into her suddenly concerned face.
“William…” she called, looking up at him uncertainly. “Just how rich are you?”
Chuckling, he dropped a kiss on her nose and replied, “Let’s just put it this way. You’ll never be in want of anything ever again.”
Gasping, Elizabeth murmured, “William!”
Pressing another kiss against her temple and holding her close, he told her softly, “Anything you want, Elizabeth, it’s yours. All you have to do is tell me and I’ll give it. Any demand, any request, anything I have, Love, it's yours.”
She slowly drew back enough to smile up into his face. “My Love, the only thing I will ever want from you is your heart, no matter how battered you may think it.” Standing on tiptoe to kiss him softly on the lips, she told him, “As long as you give me that, I’ll be fine.”
His eyes suspiciously misted over, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down in an attempt to control his emotion. “Elizabeth,” he whispered on a gush of pent up air, then quickly pressed his lips against hers in a firm but loving kiss, staking his claim to her. He’d never let her get away again.
The next few days passed by in a flurry of activity, everyone excited about the upcoming wedding. Caroline, of course, was livid, as well as many of the single fortune hunters in the town, but the rest of the community welcomed Elizabeth with open arms.
The first few times into town on William’s arm proved to be interesting. The women would smile sweetly at William, lightly patting him on the arm or blushing at the appropriate moment, but would always turn a cold shoulder to Elizabeth after a condescending once-over.
William had accompanied her to the Mercantile once, excusing himself to get the necessary supplies for something he was working on at the house. Elizabeth had begun wandering through the store on her own, fingering various gadgets.
“She’s only marrying him for his money,” one woman hissed, loud enough for Elizabeth to hear. “Besides, I hear he’s disagreeable enough to give a bear a run for his money.”
A few moments later, William had looked up in surprise and found Elizabeth barreling down on the woman, fire flashing in her eyes, and mouth lashing out in anger, listing off all of his wonderful qualities. He had slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her away before she could strike the now frightened woman. Just as he was pulling her away, she had snapped out a parting shot, “Maybe if you’d bother to have gotten to know him better instead of lusting after his money, you’d see what a truly great many you let get away!”
He had been eternally grateful for her defense, but it left him in laughter the way she had readily jumped to do so. He had never thought her more beautiful or been more in love with her than in that moment, with her eyes flashing widely and her hands on her hips, as if she were facing the world.
When Elizabeth first saw his home, she thought she may faint from the enormity of what she was gaining in the marriage. She had reassured him that she could care less about his money, and he had warned her still the same. When she was finally able to see everything, she stammered, “I-I’m not sure I can handle this.”
Chuckling, he had dropped a kiss on her cheek and replied, “You’ll do fine, Love. You’ll do fine.”
When he finally introduced her to his sister, it was as if they had been old friends. Georgiana immediately loved Elizabeth, as she knew she would, and they got along marvelously, warming William’s heart more than Elizabeth could ever understand.
One night as they had prepared for the banquet, William simply stood in the doorway, watching his intended and his baby sister interact. When it was time to return Elizabeth to the Bingleys, he had suddenly taken her in his arms and kissed her senseless. When she had asked what she’d done to deserve it, he had shrugged and given her one of his cute dimpled grins. “Because I love you,” he had answered, helping her up into the surrey.
And so the days finally lead to the night before the wedding, and William once again stood with her under the branches of a large maple tree in the Bingleys’ front yard. Pulling her into his embrace, he smiled down at her and murmured, “Tonight will be the last night I’ll ever have to say goodbye to you.”
Beaming up at him, she whispered teasingly, “Really, Sir? What makes you think I will not up and run away from you for your constant teasing?”
Grinning at her, he murmured in an assured voice, “I may have been afraid of you before, Elizabeth, but I’ve seen the evidence with my own eyes. You’ll never leave me.”
Lifting her eyebrows with a laugh, she asked, “Oh really? What makes you say that?”
Leaning down to drop a kiss beneath her ear and causing her to shiver in his embrace, he murmured against her soft skin, “Because, you’re so in love with me, you can’t see straight.”
“William!” she laughed, slapping him lightly on his firm chest.
Letting the grin remain in place, he lowered his voice intimately and murmured, “I see the way you look at me, Miss Bennett. Be it when I’m teasing you senseless or making you intolerably angry. I feel it in the way you touch me, the way you kiss me.” He pressed a finger against her soft lips as she tried to kiss him and continued teasingly, “And I see it in the way you get that jealous gleam in your eye whenever the single women with dollar signs in their eyes get near me. You fiercely protect me against those who dare to speak a bad word about me. You put Caroline and any other woman in her place when they attempt to pull me away with their feminine wiles.” Sobering suddenly and staring intently into her eyes, he murmured, “No other woman has ever bothered to get to know me in the way that you have and to look beyond the amount I’m worth. To love me and to care for me despite my moods, despite my stubbornness, and despite my own objections.” Running his lips across the soft skin of her forehead, he whispered, “And I know because I would not feel so complete with you if you weren’t truly my better half.”
Feeling the tears streaming down her cheeks, he lifted her face with his gentle hands, meeting her happy gaze as he brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “You’ve caught me,” she said on a half laugh, half sob. “To leave you would be like ripping my own heart from my body. I can assure you that you will never live a day without me.”
Dropping a soft kiss on her lips, he murmured, “Perfect.” Sighing and nestling her head against his shoulder with his large hand, he caressed the curls falling from her upswept hair and whispered, “Only one more night, Love.”
“Only one more night,” she repeated softly, linking her fingers behind his back in a close hug.
“Hey, break it up, you two! You’re not married yet,” came Charles intruding voice from the porch.
Jumping apart guiltily, they both began to laugh as Charles began laughing heartily from the porch. Jane joined him and called, “Don’t mind my husband, he’s worse than women when it comes to butting his nose in where it shouldn’t be.”
Grinning and taking Elizabeth’s hands into his own, he told her, “We’re going to have a big day tomorrow, Elizabeth. I better get going. It will be at least a half-hour’s ride back to the house.”
Nodding, she reached up to press a soft kiss against his cheek and she murmured, “Please be careful.”
Smiling, he winked at her and replied, “Oh, I’ll be fine. You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
Laughing softy, they began to walk apart, their fingers touching until they could no longer touch. Giving him a small wave, she watched in wonder as he easily hoisted himself up on his horse and began to back away. “Goodnight you guys. I’ll see you in the morning,” he called, a silly grin on his face.
“Goodnight,” they all chorused, watching until he disappeared into the night.
Sighing, Elizabeth leaned against the porch railing and smiled to herself. She heard Charles disappear into the house, and Jane joined her at the railing. “Are you happy, Lizzy?”
Smiling and looking at her sister, she replied, “You wouldn’t believe how happy I am!”
Nodding, Jane smiled and murmured, “I understand the feeling. But don’t forget, the honeymoon will end.”
Laughing, Elizabeth replied, “Come now, Jane, you know as well as I do that I’ve seen the worst sides of Mr. Darcy more so than any other female in this area.”
Grinning and nodding, Jane replied, “That you have, Lizzy, that you have.” Pausing slightly, she added, “But you’ve always been so independent, Lizzy.”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth told her, “Yes, Jane, but you also know me to take my place when it’s needed. William knows I have not promised him an easy life. I will give him my opinions when necessary.” Patting Jane’s shoulder, she assured her, “Don’t worry, Jane, I’m well aware of all this.”
“Okay, Lizzy. Let’s get to bed, little sister. You’ve got a long day ahead of you tomorrow,” she teased her. “And I guarantee you won’t be getting much sleep.”
Giggling, the two linked arms and went upstairs.
The couple joined together the next day after the morning ceremony and approached the minister, with the community staying to watch the blessed event. When William saw Elizabeth approaching in her dress, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. He had never seen something so beautiful in his life. They reverently spoke their vows, promising to love, honor, and obey the other, till death. When they finally slipped rings upon the fingers, the minister announced the kiss.
Lifting her veil and smiling down at her, William met her eyes with a broad grin, and then quickly swept her into his arms. Pressing his lips against hers, he gave the crowd something to cheer about and then pulled back, winking down at her flushed face with a laugh.
The minister announced them, and they gripped hands, making their way back down the isle. Everyone made their way back to the Darcy home, celebrating well into the night. When everyone finally left and the couple found themselves alone in his master bedroom, William smiled as she appeared in her dressing gown. Swallowing at the beautiful sight she made with her long silky locks flowing freely down her shoulders, he whispered, “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than you.”
Blushing, she dropped her eyes from his intense gaze and replied, “Thank you.”
Smiling softly, he took her hand in his and pulled her towards the bed. Settling down and pulling her with him, he whispered, “Welcome home, Mrs. Darcy,” and shut off the lights.
Epilogue
“Don’t even think about it,” Elizabeth called firmly to William’s retreating back. He paused and stopped, keeping his back to his wife as his shoulders dropped in aggravation. “Get back in here, immediately,” she demanded, crossing her arms across her chest.
Sighing and rubbing his eyes with his hands, he shook his head and turned back towards her, trying to hide the grin he knew would set her off again. Stepping up onto the porch, he replied, “Where is it?”
“In the laundry room,” she snapped, waddling her way in the kitchen door behind him. He made his way directly to the room and glanced around, trying to find the culprit that had gotten his wife into a tizzy. There, in the corner, was a cat curled up around a mouse she had caught in the barn and was now feeding on its remains. Chuckling to himself, he shooed the cat outside, glancing at his wife with a grin.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she snapped again, moving into the kitchen.
Chuckling, he walked into the kitchen behind her and slipped his arms around her swollen belly, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “Sweetheart, why don’t you lay down and get off your feet today?”
Feeling tears spring to her eyes, Elizabeth murmured, “I’m not being finicky.”
“Aw, Honey,” he murmured, chuckling softly. “I know you’re not. You’re just emotional right now. Now, why don’t you go and lay down for a while. Mrs. Reynolds will take care of the house, and Elaine is watching the children.”
Sniffling loudly, she crossed her arms over his and murmured softly, “I’m sorry for yelling this morning.”
Nuzzling her neck, he murmured, “Sweetheart, I’ve lived through three pregnancies with you so far, and I expect to live through many more. Do you think one argument over an errant cat is going to ruffle my feathers?”
Turning in his arms, she tried to slip her arms around his neck, but couldn’t quite reach him with her protruding belly. Grinning, he bent down so that she could reach him and pressed a kiss against her lips. “You’re so adorable when you’re like this,” he commented, dropping a kiss upon her nose in that familiar loving gesture.
“Well, I don’t feel adorable,” she murmured sullenly.
Grinning, he pushed her towards the stairs and told her, “You will after a nap. You work yourself too hard.”
Standing on the second step, she murmured, “Will you be back early this evening?”
Grinning, he reached up and brushed his thumb gently over her cheek. “If you want me to,” he replied with a soft smile.
Nodding, she gave him a watery smile and murmured, “Please.”
Chuckling again, he watched her make her way up the steps, then made his way outside to finish up his chores.
The couple lived happily ever after, eventually bringing a total of 13 children into the world, one dying from a fever they couldn’t stop and two more at birth. They weathered the joys and sorrows of life together, learning that love is truly an action, and not necessarily always a feeling – but always knowing that they loved the other more than they could ever express.
They lived to see many grandchildren born into the world, and to see their family legacy grow to such proportions, that they eventually left the operation to their children so they could travel the countryside together. They lived the remainder of their lives reliving the love they had discovered in their youth. Elizabeth died in her sleep at the age of 82, and William followed a few months later after settling their estate.
He had always said that he would not leave the world without her, and that he'd not stay for long once she was gone. So, he announced that he was ready to be at home with his wife, and went to bed without her for the last time. We can only assume they are together now, holding hands in rocking chairs on a porch somewhere in heaven – the way they finished every night here on earth. We’ll just have to wait till we get there to see!
The End