Mr. Darcy's Promise (3 page)

“Well, I hope the old Mr. Darcy was not too hard on you. Knowing you, your impertinence only made him curious about you. After all, not all women speak to gentlemen the way you do, my dear, and I am guessing Mr. Darcy appreciates your opinions as opposed to silly conversations about dresses and bonnets. Do not worry; Mr. Darcy is sure to be an intelligent man who likes intelligent conversation. And I have no doubt you gave him that!” 

Elizabeth looked up at her father. Was he teasing her about Mr. Darcy? Sudden memories engulfed her of the warmth of his hands as they danced and that warm welcome she witnessed with his sister, and that smile . . . the smile that changed his features into something quite handsome. She had been shocked with her father teasing her, but more shocked that she was examining his handsome smile in her mind. Where were these foreign feelings coming from? She colored slightly and became further embarrassed when she saw the grin on her father’s face.
It will not do to have two parents scheming to be matchmakers
!
“Perhaps I best be off on my walk, Papa,” she said abruptly while she curtsied and hurriedly exited the room. But she had not exited soon enough to avoid hearing her father chuckle and mumble something about his dear Lizzy’s heart.

It was this departing experience that sent her mind into turmoil. What did it matter that Mr. Darcy had a side of him that can be charming and pleasant? She certainly did not care! She rehearsed in her mind all the looks of disdain and haughty pride that she was more used to seeing and that provided much-needed comfort. She thought about everything he had said and done that was proof that he only looked down on her. It felt less foreign to think of Mr. Darcy as he had always been, and not someone she could admire. She tried to convince herself of this thought but it only frustrated her. Why would she blush when her father asked about him? By the time she returned from her walk she had worked herself up into quite
a frenzy and was not looking forward to Georgiana’s visit, let alone Caroline Bingley’s!

Lydia came down the stairs at that time and grabbed Elizabeth by the shoulders, “Lizzy! You should not have gone out walking! Kitty and I are going to walk to Meryton to see all the officers that are sure to be in town! Oh, please come! Those red coats make any man so handsome!”

“I am sorry Lydia, but I am expecting guests this morning.” She shrugged her shoulders free and went to get a scone for breakfast. She could tolerate her younger sisters most days with good spirit and affection, but not in the mood she was currently experiencing. She heard her youngest sisters shout their goodbyes as they left for Meryton.
For a moment,
Elizabeth thought,
the silence of any Darcy is preferable to the silliness of my sisters.

*****

“Miss Darcy and Miss Bingley,” Mrs. Hill announced. Elizabeth and Jane stood and welcomed their guests into the sitting room.

Jane coughed delicately into her handkerchief. “Welcome Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley.” Jane said.

Georgiana took her seat, “Please call me Georgiana, after spending three days with the two of you I feel like we are almost sisters! I would not know though, as I have no sisters, only one brother.” Georgiana was nervous and knew she was not being the most refined guest. She was perhaps even being a little awkward.

Elizabeth smiled at her, “Well Georgiana, then you shall call me Elizabeth. And although having sisters can be wonderful, quarrels over whose bonnet looks best on whom can get tiring and I cannot always recommend it!”

Georgiana felt herself relax and laughed. “Someday I hope to have a sister, and until then I shall tell you every day how lucky you are to have them. I imagine sisters are closer than friends.”

Tea was brought in and they all discussed the weather and Elizabeth asked Georgiana if she had mastered the section she had been struggling with on the concerto she was practicing. Miss Bingley commented with faux concern on how Jane’s cough had not improved. It was during this lull in conversation that giggles and laughter could be heard from the front door.

“I am sorry, that will be my two youngest sisters. They walked to Meryton this morning.” Elizabeth knew this would be the first of many apologies she would make to Georgiana regarding her family; she seemed to be doing that a great deal with the Darcys of late. They all turned their heads as the door opened. Lydia came walking in holding tightly to the arm of a tall, lean, and handsome officer while Kitty did the same with a shorter but still-handsome officer. Giggles and squeals of laughter echoed throughout the house. Georgiana, most peculiarly, started making a ridiculous amount of noise with her tea cup.

When Elizabeth looked towards her, she was surprised to see Georgiana pale as a ghost; the tea cup rattling against the saucer in her shaking hands. Georgiana placed the distracting tea cup down and Elizabeth turned her attention back to her sisters and the officers, but she continued to wonder whatever could be the matter with Georgiana.

Lydia saw that they were not alone and put her hand up to her mouth to stifle the latest giggle. “Oh! These must be the callers you were going to have this morning! This fine officer is Mr. Wickham, and Kitty there is on the arm of Mr. Denny. Are they not so handsome in their red coats? They offered to walk us home!”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said, still concerned about Georgiana, “Allow me to introduce you to Miss Darcy of Pemberley, and Miss Bingley of Netherfield Park—”

With a bow and a tip of the hat Wickham interrupted, smiling, “I believe I am quite acquainted with Miss Darcy. We are long family friends, are we not? And how are you, Miss Georgiana? You look mighty fine this morning!”

Georgiana stood and said, “Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, it was a pleasure to see you both again. It appears that it is now time to take our leave. Good day, Mr. Wickham.” Georgiana could not move quickly enough out the door but she made it before her tears came. She didn’t even realize she left her gloves and pelisse at the door. All she cared about was getting away from Wickham. Why was he here in Meryton? And how could he speak to her as if nothing had happened between them? All her memories of his charm and deceit flooded over her and she broke down in sobs. She climbed into the carriage and hoped that Miss Bingley would soon follow.

An astonished Miss Bingley collected their things and entered the carriage. Although glad to be gone so quickly, she soon came across a tearful and sobbing Georgiana who became quite inconsolable on the way back to Netherfield. By the time of their arrival, Georgiana was in near hysterics. Miss Bingley had no idea what to make of her behavior and so decided to get Mr. Darcy. She exited the carriage alone.

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were just dismounting their horses when they noticed Miss Bingley step out of the carriage. They were back so soon?
Odd
,
Darcy thought,
where was Georgiana?
Then Mr. Darcy heard the sobs.
Georgiana!
He ran all the way to the carriage and climbed in with one fluid movement. Her face was wet and pink, her eyes swollen and red. “Whatever is the matter, Georgie? Did something happen at the Bennet’s?” He knew he should not have let her go; those Bennets were insufferable! Well, his mind amended, all but the two eldest daughters.

The thought was stricken by his next realization. He had only seen her like this one other time— Ramsgate! “Please tell me, dear Georgie; it pains me to see you like this again.” Suddenly she was in worse hysterics and mumbling something incoherently. She stumbled out of the carriage in such a hurry that her pelisse caught on the handle and was pulled from her shoulders. She stripped her arms free of the confining garment and ran inside blindly.

Mr. Darcy exited the carriage and turned infuriated, to Miss Bingley. “What happened?” His voice was low and full of suppressed fury. “I have not seen her like this since . . . well, for several months. And that . . .” pointing after Georgiana, “is not how she left here this morning!”

Feeling the full baritone wrath of Mr. Darcy upon her, Miss Bingley was quick to come to her own defense. “Mr. Darcy, I can have no idea. We were having tea when the younger Bennets came in with some officers who had escorted them home. No sooner had Georgiana been introduced that she exited the room! I confess she was very nearly rude! I am sure I do not know what to think!”

“Do you mean to tell me that she is like that because of Miss Bennet’s sisters? How dare they! Bring me back my horse! I will get to the bottom of this.”

Mr. Bingley had never seen his friend quite so irate. He reached for Darcy’s arm and tried to calm him. He reminded Darcy that Georgiana needed him now and it was not right to head to
Longbourn so angry. “You do not even know what happened. You could say things that could leave lasting damage . . .”

Mr. Darcy looked angrily at Bingley and said, “I do not care about you and Miss Bennet right now, Bingley. Can you not see their family is beneath you? Look what they have done to Georgiana in the space of half an hour!” Bingley continued to calm him and remind him of the necessity of caring for Georgiana. Slowly, ever so slowly, Darcy conceded. He then ran the few steps into the house to check on Georgiana.

Darcy didn’t linger to see the smile on Miss Bingley’s face or hear her say, “Thank goodness we will never have to call on them again!”

Mr. Bingley shot a quick look at his sister. “Caroline!” he said sharply, who returned his gaze with a puzzled look.

She had never seen her brother look so stern, and certainly not with the flash of anger that she now saw. Was his attachment to Miss Bennet more than she had realized? “What? What did I say?”

*****

Mr. Wickham bowed over Elizabeth’s hand but his eyes never left hers. “It is a pleasure, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth could feel his gaze burrow deep into her and suddenly she felt embarrassed and flattered at the same time. She peered into his gorgeous blue eyes until Jane’s cough reminded her to look elsewhere. Fresh tea was ordered and the guests were seated. Lydia was all giggles and laughter, but Wickham seemed to handle the attentions well. Elizabeth caught him looking at her numerous times with the most charming smile, his eyes bright and cheerful. Much different from when Mr. Darcy regarded her with disdain! 

“Mr. Wickham, how long will the militia be in Meryton?” Jane asked.

“I am not certain, madam. We came just a few weeks ago and we usually stay encamped in one area for three to four months. Or so I am told. I have just joined myself.”

“And how to do you find the people and town?” Elizabeth asked.

“I find the town grand, but not so grand that one would miss the beauties it holds,” he said, looking directly at Elizabeth.

Lydia took his arm then and giggled, “Oh Mr. Wickham, you are too charming! Lizzy, did you know Mr. Denny is a favorite with Colonel Forster?”

Elizabeth turned her attention to the other officer, “Is that so, Mr. Denny?”

Mr. Wickham spoke up and said, “Yes, his charms have even affected Forster’s wife! I for one, see no need to flirt with married ladies when there are so many pleasant unmarried ladies to be acquainted with.” He gave Elizabeth a dazzling smile.

Elizabeth blushed to find herself under his piercing gaze, again feeling oddly flattered. How could she find a man she barely knew to be so devilishly handsome and charming? He continued to humor and stare with admiration at Elizabeth, all the while with his hands on Lydia’s arm which was still neatly tucked into his. Could Wickham find her attractive?

The officers took their leave and bowed again over the hands of the ladies. Wickham again kept his eyes on Elizabeth as he bowed over her hand and whispered, “Miss Elizabeth, I look forward to seeing you soon. The time apart is sure to be pleasurable only to the extent that now I have memories of you to keep me from being lonely.”

Trying to find her voice again she said, “Thank you, but I advise you hurry back to camp, Mr. Wickham. You seem to be in danger of needing to be warned that the weather looks like rain.” Weather was always a safe topic and wit was a far easier defense than any other. She had learned a few things from her father.

“Why, I think you are right, Miss Elizabeth. Perhaps we shall meet again on a clearer day.” He and Denny turned and left, leaving Elizabeth with a pounding heart and a very strange look coming from Jane.

She did not need Jane’s interrogation on the charming Wickham, for she did not know what to think of it herself! “Not now,” she mouthed to Jane.

*****

Darcy knocked again at Georgiana’s door for the third time. She was calmer, he could tell, but still sniffling. “Please do not turn me away again, Georgie, I want to know what happened to make you so distraught!” He calmed his voice and took the deep timbre out once again and spoke as calmly as possible. “Was it something Miss Elizabeth said or did?” He dearly hoped not, but he knew the spirited nature of Elizabeth and feared for his timid sister. He leaned against the door and wondered if it was right in introducing Georgiana and Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth was so full of life and vigor it could almost be considered contagious! But was she too much for his shy sister? He had felt her influence in his own heart. He hadn’t had this much joy in his heart for years. Not since his mother’s passing, in fact. But he also had never known this much confusion, torn between what his heart wanted and what he knew of duty! He was contemplating Elizabeth and the joy she brought into his heart every time she smiled, or laughed, or gave him one of her impertinent looks, when the door flung open and he found himself confronted with a red-faced Georgiana.