Chapter 19
Darcy handed his hat and gloves to the Gardiners’ manservant. “I came as quickly as I could,” he said to Mr. Gardiner. “What is the matter? Has Mr. Bennet taken a turn for the worse?”
“No, nothing of the sort. I sent for you because he asked to speak to you as soon as possible.”
Darcy stared at Mr. Gardiner. “Mr. Bennet wants to see me?”
“So he says. Alone, and without Lizzy’s knowledge. I was reluctant to agree to that part, but I did not wish to agitate him, so I sent Lizzy out shopping with my wife. I trust you will do everything within your power to avoid distressing him.”
Since Mr. Bennet as a rule seemed distressed by his very existence, Darcy thought himself singularly unqualified to avoid agitating him, but he would try. God knew how often he had tried already! “Of course. But would he not be calmer if you spoke to me on his behalf?”
“He insists on private conversation with you, and he called me an old fussbudget. I am not happy about it either, but I do not see how you can refuse.”
“As long as he does not ask me to give up Elizabeth, I will do my utmost to agree to whatever he wishes.” Unfortunately, that was probably precisely what Mr. Bennet wanted of him.
Mr. Gardiner clapped him on the arm. “Good lad. Go on up to him – the second door on the left.”
Mr. Bennet looked better than Darcy had expected. He was sitting propped up by pillows in bed with a tray of tea by his side. “Ah, Mr. Darcy. Do sit down.”
Darcy seated himself gingerly. He had never heard Mr. Bennet speak to him in so genial a manner, and it raised his suspicions even further. “I understand you wished to see me, sir.”
“Yes, there is something I wish to ask you, but first, I hope you will tell me what in God’s name is happening with Lydia and Wickham, since everyone here seems to believe they can fob me off with platitudes.”
Darcy hesitated, aware that the Gardiners would prefer to keep the information from Mr. Bennet to prevent distressing him, but he could not justify a refusal to answer a direct question. “Wickham and I came to an agreement two days ago. In the end, he was more reasonable than I expected, no doubt due to the influence of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s tendency to fondle the handle of his saber as we talked. My solicitor is drawing up the papers. The settlement includes a commission in the regulars. Wickham will be stationed in Newcastle, at the suggestion of my cousin, who is acquainted with the commander of the garrison there.”
“When are they to marry?”
“Next week. Wickham has obtained a license.”
“Is Lydia still with him?”
Darcy did not expect Mr. Bennet to like his answer, but avoiding the question would likely upset him even more. “No. That was part of the agreement. Initially I planned to bring Miss Lydia here, but since Mrs. Gardiner already has her hands full, I arranged for her to stay at a respectable boarding house with a hired companion who reports to me.”
“I think you mean to say that the Gardiners felt that I would not stay obediently calm with Lydia under this roof.”
Darcy gave a slight smile. “Something along those lines, sir.”
“Ah, well. They’re probably right. My daughters are a silly lot, though you picked the best of them.” Mr. Bennet had a glint in his eyes that Darcy recognized.
He decided to take a risk. Raising one eyebrow he said, “Now I am worried. That sounded suspiciously like a compliment.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, a laugh which turned into a cough before it subsided. “Don’t let it go to your head.” He mopped his brow with a handkerchief, looking tired.
“You mentioned there was something you wished to speak to me about.”
“Yes.” Mr. Bennet closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the pillow. He was silent long enough that Darcy began to worry for his well-being, but then he sat upright again, his gaze alert. “I want you to marry Lizzy at your earliest convenience.”
Darcy was certain he must have missed something. “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, your face is a study! You heard me perfectly well. So, what is your answer?”
It had to be a trap. “May I inquire as to the reason for your sudden change of heart on the subject?”
Mr. Bennet coughed again, a little longer this time. “Wickham.”
“Because I arranged for their marriage?”
The older man waved a hand at him dismissively. “No, not that. I need you to keep him in check. That fool of a doctor says another one of these heart seizures could finish me, and then Wickham would weasel Mrs. Bennet out of every penny in her settlement if there was no one to stop him. Can’t have that.”
“I am relieved,” Darcy said dryly. “For a moment there I thought you might have actually come to approve of me, but if it is only that you now think better of me than of Wickham, I can rest easy.”
“Don’t make me laugh. It rattles my lungs. Will you do it?”
“Of course. I will arrange to have the banns called on Sunday.”
“Your earliest convenience, Mr. Darcy.” Mr. Bennet spoke sharply.
“Ah.” Darcy could not recall the last time that he had felt speechless. He gathered his scattered thoughts. “Very well. Does Elizabeth know that this is your wish?”
“No. You tell her. Now let me rest.” He sounded peevish.
“Of course.” Darcy’s hand was on the doorknob before he realized the reason for Mr. Bennet’s sudden change of mood in the last minutes. He could not possibly be looking forward to losing his favorite daughter while he was in such straits. He turned back to face his future father. “I will ask Mr. Bingley for the use of Netherfield. Elizabeth will not want to be far from you right now.”
“Drafty old place, Netherfield. Never liked it myself.” Despite the complaint, Mr. Bennet no longer sounded annoyed, just tired.
“I promise to keep Elizabeth safe from the drafts.” His words felt somehow weighted with significance.
“See that you do.” Mr. Bennet’s voice was so soft that Darcy barely heard it.
Darcy found his way down to the parlor without even noticing his surroundings, his mind whirling. He must write to his solicitor immediately and direct him to prepare the settlement. A clergyman. He needed a clergyman, and a license as well, but it was already afternoon, so Doctors Common would be closed for the day. Tomorrow morning, then. He should send for Jane Bennet – Elizabeth would want her to be present – and likely for Charlotte Collins as well, as long as she could come without her pest of a husband. They could both travel to London and back in a day, or they could stay at Darcy House. He would have to tell Richard, and that would have to be in person. Richard most likely would not want to attend under the circumstances, but he would never forgive Darcy if he was not informed about it. And he had to tell Elizabeth… Good God, what if Elizabeth refused to accept an immediate wedding? Mr. Bennet would blame him.
Mr. Gardiner had clearly been pacing the floor as he waited. “What happened?” he asked, then caught a glimpse of Darcy’s face. “Good Lord, what did he say to you? Sit down and have some madeira. You look white as can be.”
Darcy shook his head absently. “I am perfectly well, though in need of a pen and paper.”
“Come into my study, then.” Mr. Gardiner held his tongue until Darcy was settled at his desk, his pen scratching on paper in a firm, neat hand. “Did he forbid you to marry Lizzy?”
Darcy did not look up. “No, now he wants me to marry her.”
“Does he indeed? That is excellent news. Lizzy will be very pleased.”
Darcy’s fingers froze, the pen leaving a blot of ink. “Will she?”
“Of course she will! What sort of foolish question is that?”
“He wants us to marry as soon as we can.” He dipped the pen back in the inkwell, then resumed writing. “He does not even wish for the banns to be called.”
“Does he now? That is a change indeed! He must be more worried for his health than he has been admitting.”
&nb
sp; The pen quivered. Realizing that his hand was trembling, Darcy set the pen back in the inkwell and eyed it distrustfully.
Mr. Gardiner laughed in sudden comprehension. “Darcy, you are the last man in the world I would have expected to develop wedding nerves. Here, have some of that madiera. It will calm you.”
“There is so much I must do first,” Darcy said distractedly. “And I must ask Elizabeth if she is willing. Do you think she will be distressed by this rush into marriage?”
“Of course not, lad.” Mr. Gardiner’s chuckle was followed by the sound of the front door closing. “And if I am not mistaken, that will be my wife and Lizzy now. Shall I send her in to you?”
“Yes, please.” Darcy made another attempt at writing, focusing his attention on his penmanship with great deliberation.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth slipped in and closed the door, her presence brightening the room and providing a soothing balm for his agitation. He wondered distractedly if he would always feel this mixture of relief and burning desire whenever he saw her, or whether it would be different after they were married. But no matter - as long as she was with him, all would be well.
“I do not know why,” she proclaimed with a laugh, “but my uncle tells me that I should waste no time in consenting to whatever you wish.” She kissed his cheek lightly, then his mouth, the caress of her soft lips lighting a smoldering fire in him, and he did not hesitate to return the gesture with interest, catching the back of her head with his hand. “He seemed very amused.”
“He told you to consent to whatever I wished?” Darcy said in disbelief. The first image that came into his mind had nothing at all to do with her father’s plans, and everything to do with making good use of the settee in the corner.
“That is what he said.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled up at him. “So what is it that you wish?”
When she looked at him with that teasing light, there was only one response Darcy could make. He drew her soft form into his arms, reveling in the sensation of her breasts pressed against his chest, and kissed her with all the passionate need he had been repressing since their interlude at Pemberley. Since she had arrived in London, he had only been able to kiss her that one time, and he had been aching for her touch.
“Oh, my,” said Elizabeth breathlessly, her lips so near his that he could feel her warm breath tickling his cheek. “I do not think that was what my uncle had in mind.”
“He did say you should consent to whatever I wished, did he not?” His hands still locked behind her waist, he stole a quick kiss for the sheer joy of being allowed to do so.
To his delight, she responded by deepening the kiss, one hand tangling in his hair, the other clutching his cravat. For a few minutes that was all that existed – her mouth for his exploration, her body pressed against his, his hands roaming the delicious curves of her back, and the only thing on his wayward mind was the overwhelming desire to make her his. But reason nagged at the back of his head, reminding him that this was neither the time nor the place, and he reluctantly lifted his lips from hers.
The only thing more delightful than Elizabeth’s arch smile was when she wore it while her eyes were dark with desire for him. “So, what am I supposed to be consenting to?” she asked.
He could not bear to release her, so instead he drew her down until she sat on his lap, where he could hold her close enough that he could breathe in the warm scent of roses rising from her body. As long as he avoided looking down at her décolletage, he could brush his lips against the exposed skin of her neck. If he gave in to the temptation of looking down, he would lose any vestige of rational thought. He made a valiant attempt to force his mind away from Elizabeth’s tempting body. “Your father made a very surprising request of me today.”
“Oh, dear. That does not sound promising.”
“Actually, although it came as something of a shock, I would have to say his idea is a good one.” In fact, a quick marriage seemed an inspired idea at the moment. The very thought made his body throb with desire. Why did Doctors Common have to close so damned early anyway? “He wants us to marry as soon as possible.”
Elizabeth looked away. “I know you mean well, but this is not a matter I can joke about.”
“I am quite serious, my love, as was your father. It seems that he has accepted that I intend to marry you in any case, and given that he cannot prevent the match, he has decided it would serve his purposes best for it to take place now. He said it was because his declining health made him fear he would be unable to keep Wickham in line, but I think it is more that he realizes that, should anything happen to him, your mother and sisters would be unprotected. He wants us married so that I can protect your family should he be unable to do so.”
Elizabeth paled. “The doctor told us he would recover and be with us for many years. Why is my father so worried?”
He tightened his arms around her, wishing he could make this easier for her. “Whether there is something he knows that we do not, I cannot say, but he does seem to fear a relapse. Your uncle had told me that under no circumstances was I to say anything that would distress your father, so I did not inquire. He seemed happier after I had agreed to his request.”
“If it will relieve his anxiety, then of course we must do it,” she said with her old determination. “We can have the banns called on Sunday if he wishes.”
It was so close to what his own response had been that he almost laughed. With her in his arms and her consent obtained, he was happy to explain her father’s instructions in further detail.
***
“This is a surprise, Darcy,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Can’t remember the last time you were here. Is Wickham creating more problems?”
It was indeed a rare occurrence for Darcy to call at Colonel Fitzwilliam’s austere bachelor lodgings, but the mention of it made Darcy wonder for the first time how his cousin felt about that fact. “Not that I am aware of. There are some new developments on another front, though.” He briefly explained Mr. Bennet’s change of heart, watching his cousin’s face closely. “So, after all his opposition, now we are to be married in two days’ time.”
If Richard was troubled by the news, he showed no sign of it. “In two days? That is fast work.”
“He would have preferred it even sooner, but I requested the delay to have time to make everything ready – the settlement, preparing her rooms at Darcy House, and whatnot. I doubt we will be staying in London long, though, since Mr. Bennet should be able to travel soon, and we will accompany him home.”
“You will be staying at Longbourn? I wish you joy of it! It is a little too crowded for my taste.”
“Mine as well, believe me. Elizabeth and I will stay at Netherfield, the house Bingley has leased. Bingley himself plans to return there soon.” It would be like those days when Jane had lain ill at Netherfield, except this time he would not have to settle for a phantom Elizabeth in his bed.
Richard gave him a startled look. “I thought he planned to give up the place.”
Darcy shrugged. “He changed his mind, both about the house and about marrying Elizabeth’s sister.”
Richard turned his back on Darcy to fetch the decanter from the sideboard. By the time he had poured out a glass, his expression was neutral. “Some port? Not up to your usual standards, of course, but decent enough. So Bingley is engaged to Miss Bennet?”
“No, but I believe he plans to make her an offer. She knows nothing of it yet.”
Richard held up his glass. “To the lovely Miss Bennet, then.”
“She is my next order of business. Since the wedding will be held at Mr. Gardiner’s house so that Mr. Bennet can be in attendance, it will be quite small, but Elizabeth would very much like Jane to stand up with her. I offered to send a carriage to Longbourn for her.”
“Good of you, but if you feel up to trusting me with your curricle, I can save you the trouble. A drive out into the Hertfordshire countryside would be just the thing to escape from the heat of Londo
n.”
Darcy supposed this offer was Richard’s way of telling him he had come to terms with Elizabeth’s choice of husband. “I would not wish to put you to any trouble.”
“Since when is it trouble for me to take advantage of your fine horseflesh while enjoying the company of a beautiful woman?”
“In that case, I accept your offer. Naturally, you are welcome at the ceremony as well, but I will understand if you prefer not to attend.” Darcy avoided his cousin’s eyes.
“How very kind of you,” Richard drawled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Chapter 20
At first Jane had been nervous, perched on the narrow seat of the curricle. She had never ridden in such a stylish vehicle before, nor so far from the ground in an open carriage. But Colonel Fitzwilliam had noticed her discomfort and made a joke about how he felt tiny when he stood beside one of the fashionable high-perch phaetons, and shifted to make more room for her so that she did not have to sit at the edge of the seat. She noticed his skill at handling the team; she was not accustomed to seeing a driver so responsive to his horses.