The Ashes of Longbourn (2 page)

“He claims to be poor now because he is, though not at my doing.  It is due to his gambling and drinking, the debts of honor, most of which have never been repaid.  He has ruined many young ladies over the years, and, swindled many a merchant of their goods.”  Darcy stopped for a moment as he evaluated the young lady beside him.  “Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, I should not speak so boldly of such subjects.  If you prefer me to refrain telling you the rest, I will do so.”

“No, Sir, I believe that I
need to know the rest of the story.  I am just overwhelmed at the moment.  If you would give me a moment to gather my wits about me, I will be able to hear the rest.”

Darcy nodded.  “Take as much time as you need, Miss Elizabeth.” 

Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.  Darcy sat still, praying that she would allow him to finish what he had to tell her.  After a few moments, Elizabeth nodded her head as she spoke.  “I am ready for the rest of the tale.”

Darcy turned away from Elizabeth as he took to his feet and began to pace in front of her.  “Every once in a while, Wickham would show up
on my door step and ask for more money.  I knew that he was not studying at the university, and I knew whatever I gave him would be wasted on gambling and debauchery.  I refused him several times.  The last time, he swore that he would exact his revenge upon me for not coming to his aid.  That was nearly six months ago.  Just three months ago, he attempted to strike at me in the most painful of manners.  My sister, Georgiana, is twelve years my junior.  She is quite innocent and somewhat sheltered, though she learned a very hard lesson.  Wickham found her as she was spending a holiday at Ramsgate.  He pursued my sister, with the help of his friend, Georgiana’s companion.  Between them, they convinced Georgiana that she was in love with Wickham and he begged her to elope with him.  Fortunately, I arrived ahead of schedule and was able to thwart their plans.  Wickham announced, in front of my devastated sister, that he had only wished to have my sister’s thirty thousand pound dowry.”

When he looked at Elizabeth, he could see tears welling up in her eyes.
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, it is not the sort of subject that one speaks of with a gentlewoman.  The reason I spoke of the matter is out of concern for you and your family.  I do not wish to see you or your sisters become victims of the man.”

“There is no need for forgiveness, Mr Darcy.  You are correct in your thinking that my sisters and I needed to be protected from Mr Wickham.  I m
ust also admit that I noticed Mr Wickham was not all that he stated.  I could tell that he was too willing to give information against you to people he had just barely met.  I am ashamed at how easily I believed his words.”

“It is easier to believe the words of someone who behaves with sweet manners than it is to believe someone who is reserved and cannot speak to strangers with comfort.”

“I realize that I have disliked you since the night we met.  After hearing your words that I was not handsome enough to tempt you to dance with me, my pride was wounded.  I held that against you and believed words from another against you.  I must beg your forgiveness for my judging you so harshly.”

Darcy turned his head and walked a few steps away from where Elizabeth sat.  “Those words will haunt me to the day I die.” He said in a strangled whisper.  Looking back at her, he continued.  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I did not even look to see
to whom Bingley was referring to.  I was disturbed by his sister’s behavior and wished to be away from her.  This put me into a foul mood.  Had I known then that you had heard me, I would have asked your forgiveness immediately.”

“This is too difficult for me to understand.  Everything I believed from meeting you is now wrong.  How could someone like you be attracted to me?  I am nothing, a country gentleman’s daughter of no consequence, no dowry or connections to speak of.”

“Miss Elizabeth, I have no need of a large dowry to consider when seeking a wife.  I have no need of titles.  Darcy is an old and well regarded name.  I despise society functions as most are filled with women wishing to become my wife or men wishing to befriend me for financial gain.  I desire a country life to town, being out on the land is far grander to me.  I imagine you feel the same.  The city does not afford one the opportunities to enjoy nature.”

Elizabeth smiled.  “Whenever I am in London visiting my aunt and uncle, I long for the park around my home.  The view from Oakham Mount is far more appealing.  I do enjoy the theater and concerts in Town.”

“As do I, Miss Elizabeth.  My sister and I have a box at the theater.  When next we are in Town, perhaps you will accept my invitation to join us.”

Blushing crimson, Elizabeth simply nodded.  Darcy had another issue he wished to discuss.  “I wonder if you will allow me to speak on another matter, one I consider to be important.”

“Of course, Mr Darcy, as I do not fear any subject you might wish to speak of.”

“When my friend, Mr Bingley, left Netherfield last year, I did not see much regard from your sister toward him.   Now that I realize how wrong I have been on other subjects, I ask you to tell me whether your sister was being polite or did she have tender feelings for him?”

“Jane is quite shy as you are, as she does not speak of her feelings to others.  I know her well, as she is my closest friend
, as well as a cherished sister.  As to her feelings towards Mr Bingley, yes, Jane was very much in love with your friend and she was devastated when he left and Miss Bingley sent the letter to her.”

Darcy knew nothing of a letter from Miss Bingley to Miss Bennet.  “What did Miss Bingley write in the letter?”

“She stated that her brother could not wait to return to Town as he was looking forward to spending time with your sister, whom Miss Bingley hoped to welcome as a sister one day soon.”             

Fury began to rise.  “My sister is not even out and I know that Bingley looks upon her as if she were a younger sister to him.
  That hag has always wished for an attachment to me and my wealth.” 

“I am certain that Mr Bingley has no notion of the letter or that Jane has been in London since Christmas.  Miss Bingley knows of both, as Jane paid a visit
to Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.”

Darcy paced at a
brisk pace.  “Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth. I believe I have done your sister an injustice. Miss Bingley asked me if I witnessed any particular attachment on your sister’s side for my friend.  I said I could not see any.  What a fool I am to have thought her question innocent.”  He stopped pacing for a moment and turned to Elizabeth.  “You have my word, Miss Elizabeth, that I will send a letter express to Bingley this very day to inform him of his sister’s betrayal and that your sister is in London.  Where is she staying in Town?”

“She is staying at my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s home.  It is on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside.” Elizabeth felt a sense of thrill travel
through her. 
Could it be possible that Jane could be reunited with Mr Bingley?  Could Mr Darcy truly make it possible?

Taking hold of Elizabeth’s hand, Darcy placed a kiss on the back of it.  “I will see that Bingley knows this information.  Perhaps it is not too late to bring them back together.”

The touch of his lips on her skin sent shivers down her spine; such an intimate sensation that coursed through her, as she had never experienced before.

“Miss Elizabeth, might I be bold in asking your permission to court you?”
             

Still feeling lightheaded from the kiss on her hand, it took her several moments before she realized what he had said. 
“You must think of how society would look upon such a choice on your part.  I would not wish you or your family any harm.”

“I do not care what anyone else thinks of my choice.   I care deeply for you, dare I say that I find myself in love with you.  You are the one woman who can make me complete.  Please, Elizabeth, allow me to court you properly.”

“I believe that I would like very much to get to know you better, Mr Darcy.  You are not the man I have thought you to be.  After knowing that Mr Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam both find you to be such a devoted friend that they both respect and trust you, my opinion is indeed changing for the better.”

Darcy sat down beside her and took her hand in his.  “So you accept my courtship?”

“Yes, Mr Darcy, I accept your courtship.  We will need to keep the news private, until you have a chance to meet with my father.”

“You have made me very happy, Elizabeth.” Darcy said as his lips sent shivers of delight coursing through her as he kissed her hand again.

Chapter 2

Darcy was attempting to determine his schedule for the following fortnight.  He had to return to Pemberley to speak with his steward and oversee the spring planting.  They were preparing a new planting technique or he would have left it to his steward.  How he wished he did not have to be away from Elizabeth for even a day, and the thought of a fortnight at the very least was overwhelming him.

The first thing he needed to do was to send a letter to Bingley.  He would send it express to Bingley at his house in Town.  He would also inform the express rider to ensure that it was delivered to Bingley’s hands and no one else’s.

Darcy had been planning to speak with his solicitor in Town after he was finished at Pemberley, as he was purchasing some new property.  Unknown to anyone else, Darcy had purchased a small estate in Hertfordshire, so that he would be close to Elizabeth.  He had planned to court her even before learning she was staying at the parsonage.  Now Darcy had something else for the solicitor to take care of for him.

One of the most difficult issues he would face is not being able to contact Elizabeth.  He would not be able to go to Longbourn for nearly three weeks after he left Rosings, and it would be improper for him to write to her.  Darcy also knew that Bingley would be a poor correspondent if he were to return to Netherfield to attempt to court Miss Bennet.  Charles Bingley seldom wrote letters, and, when he did, they were difficult to read.  It was surprising to Darcy as to how Bingley had made it through the university with his poor penmanship.

Taking a small package from the drawer of his nightstand, Darcy smiled as he fingered the wrapping.  He had purchased this gift with Elizabeth in mind, though at that time he had no way of knowing if he would ever see her again.  For some reason, he did not understand, he had the gift with him wherever he went.  Now he knew why; fate had made it possible for him to meet Elizabeth again.

Darcy also needed to write a letter to Georgiana.  She was in Scotland with their father’s sister and her family.  Their Aunt Rebecca’s daughter was to have a baby in a month and Georgiana wished to join Rebecca Winthrop in visiting her daughter. 
He imagined the look on Georgiana’s face when she learned of his courting Elizabeth.  He had told her about Elizabeth and told her how dearly he loved Elizabeth.  The long winter had been difficult for him to bear without seeing the woman who held his heart.

Pulling out several sheets of parchment, Darcy prepared his pen.

Bingley,

I have some news that might be of importance to you.  I am at Rosings Park on my annual visit and, to my surprise; Miss Elizabeth Bennet is visiting the parsonage at Hunsford.  You may remember that Mr Collins, my aunt’s clergyman, is Miss Elizabeth’s cousin.  He married Charlotte Lucas just after the holidays and as the new Mrs Collins and Miss Elizabeth have been the best of friends, Miss Elizabeth ca
me to visit her friend.

The news that I have for you is that Miss Elizabeth and I spoke of her sister, Miss Jane Bennet.  I was not aware that your sister wrote a letter to Miss Bennet shortly after our leaving Netherfield for Town last year.  According to Miss Elizabeth, who has read the letter, Miss Bingley wrote that you were looking forward to seeing my sister again and that it
was hoped that you would one day marry Georgiana.  I had no notion of your wishing to marry my sister, and even if you did, Georgiana is far too young to think of marriage at this time.

Another bit
of news that I was surprised to hear was that Miss Bennet has been staying at her uncle’s home in Town since the holidays.  She even paid a call on your sister and was treated quite poorly.

In speaking with Miss Elizabeth, it is clear that her sister is truly very fond of you and still is quite melancholy.  It is my opinion that if you are still fond of Miss Bennet, you should
avoid listening to your sister and make your way to Gracechurch Street in Cheapside. Her uncle’s name is Gardiner.

I wish you good luck in your quest. 

Darcy

He then began writing to his sister.

My dear little sister,

             
I have the very best news.  I believe in my last letter I told you of my surprise to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet visiting her friend at the Hunsford parsonage. We have had several chats in the last few days. Today, I asked her to allow me to court her, and she has agreed.  Dear Georgiana, I cannot express the joy this news has brought me.  To think just a month ago I thought that I would never see her again, and now, now I will have the pleasure of courting her.  I pray that one day she will accept my hand in marriage.