Love Calls Again Page 21

  He would think of his divorce tomorrow. Yes. After all, tomorrow was another day.

  Seventeen

  —

  The Second Proposal

  Early in the morning, after Elizabeth had quitted her room to check on the sleeping form of her sister, she left the house for a walk in the empty streets of London.

  It was then that disaster struck.

  Hannah had been recently hired by Mrs Barnes in preparation for the expected increment of visitors that the night of the young mistress's coming out entailed (Georgiana was referred to like so by both the London and Pemberley staff, for it was her and not Anne who spent winter in the house). The inexperienced young maid, the moment Elizabeth abandoned the premises of the chamber, set herself to clean the room and lay the bed. What her surprise must have been, when she found the unmistakable manly item of clothing between the sheets of the maiden's bed.

  What should she do with it? Evidently, a cravat did not belong to the young lady. Should she merely fold it and place it on the chiffonier? Should she hand it over to a manservant to establish the provenance of the abandoned tie? Would the young lady claim it later?

  Hannah decided that she should inform the finding to a superior, a wise decision had the item been found in the library. However, not a very sensible one since said item was screaming to have witnessed carnal intercourse. A servant less innocent of sensual pleasures would have hidden the item and kept absolute silence.

  So, Hannah rushed downstairs brandishing the indiscreet cloth and told an older maid about the disconcerting experience.

  "D'ye think Aye should tell Mrs Barnes?"

  "Aye think nay."

  "What must Aye do?

  Another maid stopped to listen to them and she was soon updated with the discovery.

  "Aye know this. This is one of the Master's cravats," declared she.

  "The Master's? Nay! Can't be Mr Darcy. Aye never seen the man but proper. Never even a wrinkle on his shirt. Not in all my days here."

  "D'you think e' would be wearing his shirt abed with a lady? Aye do the laundry. Aye swear this is the Master's."

  "Should Aye take it to the Master's bedchamber?" asked Hannah innocently.

  "Aye'll do it!" said the senior maid. "Aye'm in charge 'f the laundry."

  ~•~

  Merry was the morning in which Fitzwilliam Darcy awoke with the glorious feeling that something distinctly good had happened in his life. Much to his distress, he had not been awake a few minutes when the feeling was replaced by the sad recollection of loss washing his mind. Yet the memory of Elizabeth was of a sweet surrender, her eyes, half closed as he had kissed her breasts. Elizabeth, blissfully moaning under his weight, arching her back for more. Such a recollection decidedly determined that happiness would be uppermost in his day. Had he been more courageous, less idealistic perchance, he would have made her compleatly his.

  But his sexual felicity was not the only thing that counted. Miss Bennet's position had to be very carefully weighed, since her happiness was the source of his. Unsure of what the rest of the day would bring, Darcy rang for his manservant and jumped out of bed.

  "Good morning, sir."

  "Good Morning."

  "I beg your pardon, Master. Lady Catherine wishes to speak to you about a rather urgent matter. Would you like me to prepare your bath yet?"

  Darcy released a heavy sigh. How he had not anticipated it! None of his days were to be cheerful after the one in which he had taken Anne as his wife. Convinced this day would not end so auspiciously as it had begun, he resolved to repose and take a bath before facing his fate. "Yes, do. I shall attend her later."

  "Very well, Master."

  After his hot bath and morning shave, Darcy got dressed and hurried downstairs. It was too early in the morning to face Lady Catherine with one of her whimsicalities. Still, it could not be helped. He assumed a serene posture and endeavoured to remain as calm as possible.

  To his delight, he found the breakfast table empty. Perchance he had been misinformed. Sitting placidly, he breakfasted with uncommon hunger, and finally made his way towards the library. There was no one there, either.

  He asked one of the servants of his family's whereabouts. He was informed that Lady Catherine had rung for a tray to be served in her bedchamber, and had postponed her departure for Kent. Mrs Darcy was in her bedchamber, still asleep (rather odd that Mr Darcy had not been aware of that). Miss Georgiana and Miss Catherine were locked in Miss Georgiana's bedchamber, where both girls had spent the night, and Mr and Mrs Bingley and Miss Bennet had not been heard from yet, although she knew Miss Bennet had left very early without breakfast for a walk, or so she was told by Mr Partenson, who had seen her betake herself to the park. The servant wanted to know if he wished her to carry a message to Mrs Darcy; he said no-thank-you-very-much and left for his club. He very much needed some fencing.

  At the fencing club his cheerfulness was evident to all, even to himself. It was amazing the extent of Elizabeth's influence over him. The mere touch of her had the power to make of him the happiest of men, and her absence the gloomiest. A troubling thought assaulted him, though. What to do now? How would he face life now that he had almost had her? How would he manage to go on living without her? He knew he could not keep her as a mistress. No. No, that should be compleatly discarded. Keeping her as such would mean that their children would be bastards. No, that was unthinkable. He would divorce Anne. It would be scandalous, to be sure, but it could not be helped. After all, she had refused him his marital rights and was making his life impossible to bear. Yes, that was it. He would speak to his attorney directly.

  When Lady Catherine De Bourgh asked for her nephew, she was shocked to learn that he had already left, leaving no notice of his destination. On an impulse, she exited her room and headed towards the west wing and to Elizabeth Bennet's bedchamber, to find it empty. Therefore, she exhorted the servants to notify her as soon Miss Bennet stepped into the house again, and to inform the young lady that she should join her in the library directly.

  Hence, a very much puzzled Miss Bennet was intercepted upon her entrance in the house, and readily ushered to the library, where her ladyship awaited her.

  "You can be at no loss to understand the reason for this interview, Miss Bennet."

  "You are mistaken, ma'am. I'm quite unable to account for the honour of talking to you."

  "Miss Bennet, you ought to know I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you choose to be, you shall not find me so. A report of an alarming nature reached me this morning. I was told that my son-in-law, Mr Darcy, has spent the night in your bedchamber. Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood, I instantly resolved on talking to you to make my sentiments known to you."

  "If you believed it to be impossible, I wonder what your ladyship would propose by asking me?

  "This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied! Has my nephew spent the night with you in your bedchamber or not?"

  "If he had, I should be the last to confess it."

  "Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has, and I am entitled to know all his nearest concerns."

  "But not to know mine, nor will such behaviour as this induce me to be explicit."

  "Let me be rightly understood. This relation, to which you have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. Mr Darcy is married to my daughter. He finds satisfaction in her bed, and in no other. Now what do you have to say?"

  "Only this: That if he does so, you can have no reason to suppose he will be in my bedchamber."

  "Meddlesome girl! The relation between them is still too fragile to endure an affair. Your arts and allurements may make him forget what he owes to himself and the family. You have drawn him in! An heir must be produced with no more determents. And now this is to be endangered by the upstart pretensions of a shameless young woman? Is this to be endured? It shall not be! You know per
fectly well your alliance to him would be a disgrace for you and your family! Your name would never even be mentioned by any decent person!"

  Elizabeth's fury had reached unbelievable proportions. She was in no state to ponder the truth in the lady's words. Therefore she answered thus, "These would be heavy misfortunes, indeed."

  "Obstinate, headstrong girl! I am ashamed of you. I have not been in the habit of brooking disappointment!"

  "That will make your ladyship's situation at present more pitiable, but it will have no effect on me."

  "I will not be interrupted! If you were sensible, you would not wish to ruin your reputation as well as his! Tell me once and for all, are you his mistress?"

  Elizabeth hesitated for a moment. Was she?

  "I am not," she said decidedly.

  "And will you promise me never to enter into such relationship?"

  "Lady Catherine, I have heard enough. Whether I choose to enter into a shameful relationship with any gentleman or marry the son of an Earl is none of your business. I will make no promise of any kind to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me. I am only resolved to act in a manner which will constitute my own happiness. I beg you not to importune me any further on the subject."

  "Not so hasty, if you please! I have another objection…"

  "You can have nothing further to say. You have insulted me by every possible method. I shall retire now".

  "You have no regard then, for the honour and credit of my nephew? Unfeeling, selfish girl. You refuse to oblige me? You refuse the claims of duty, honour, gratitude? You are determined to ruin him, and make him the contempt of the world."

  "I have nothing further to say. Good day, madam."

  "And this is your final resolve? Very well. I shall know how to act! I am most seriously displeased."

  When Elizabeth stormed out of the library, Lady Catherine's yelling could still be heard from the corridor. Elizabeth rushed upstairs and locked herself in her bedchamber. She was doomed. Surely, Mr Darcy had been seen exiting her bedchamber in the middle of the night by some servant, who had passed the gossip around, and now she had been compromised by a married man. That was definitely a step toward Lydia's dissolute behaviour. She wondered if her sister Jane had heard anything yet.

  Little did Darcy know when he arrived back from his fencing club more than two hours later that he was to face a similar encounter with Lady Catherine. Only this time, Lady Catherine's accusations did not find an ear in Mr Darcy. He rejected her immediately and ordered her carriage to be readied for her and his wife to return to Kent instantly. To her threats to discharge him from his sister's guardianship, he merely shrugged and admonished her to do as her conscience dictated. Mr Darcy knew perfectly well that Lady Catherine would never dare make her suspicions public or act against him. More than Elizabeth's honour was at stake. The Fitzwilliam name, Darcy's name, even the De Bourghs would be seriously damaged should Lady Catherine talk. She knew better than that. With an authoritative voice he rarely bestowed on anyone other than servants, Mr Darcy bid her ladyship to her bedchamber and warned her to remain there until her carriage was ready.

  Soon he would be rid of them for ever.

  Not until he had put his family in their carriage and seen to their safe departure, did Mr Darcy return to his bedchamber. Before that, he had gone upstairs to the west wing and asked the maid in charge of attending Miss Bennet if she could apprise the lady that he wished to see her downstairs in his study. To his chagrin, he was informed that Miss Bennet had quit her room in the house but an hour ago. Her trunk and belongings were to be sent to Cheapside as soon as possible.

  "She left?"

  The poor girl could barely nod in affirmation.

  "Why did anyone not tell me? Am I not to know who comes and goes from my own house?"

  "Master, Mr Bingley. It was he who made the arrangements. But miss did leave a note. Aye gave it to Barnes, sir."

  Darcy stalked into his study in frantic search for the note. He found not a note, but a letter addressed to him. The handwriting he did not recognise; however he had good reasons to surmise the author to be Miss Bennet as informed by the maid.

  He sank into his armchair behind his desk and after inhaling deeply, trying to regain composure, he proceeded to break the seal with trembling hands.

  It was from Miss Bennet.

  Mr Darcy,

  In writing this letter I understand I am taking a liberty for which you will have to excuse me; but I know that it will be necessary for you to know the reasons for my sudden departure from your home. I am much concerned to find there were a great many things in my behaviour last night that do not meet my own approbation; and though I am quite at loss to discover the root of such forward and shameful behaviour on my part, I entreat your understanding of what I can assure you to have been quite unintentional. What I am to expect, Mr Darcy, by your behaviour last night? I was prepared to meet you with the heart break which our separation naturally produced, but this, sir! I have passed a wretched night in endeavouring to excuse a conduct which can scarcely be called less than insulting, only to rise and be confronted with the most preposterous notion by your own mother-in-law, who did not hesitate to insult me in the most offensive manner. I am repulsed, sir! My esteem for you is very sincere, my affections undeniable. I believe, before your intrusion upon my bedchamber, I had vowed to avoid your presence as much as our social commitments would make feasible. I see now that I had endeavoured the unattainable. I must conclude my letter with a final request. Do not, by any circumstance, get close to me again. I expressly forbid you to come into my presence and expect that you will quit it the moment you perceive me among a party. I shall endeavour to do the same.

  EB

  He folded the letter and remained impassive for awhile, astonished and shocked at such unlover-like speech. This must have been Lady Catherine's doing. He had left Elizabeth in quite a different mood the night before. Her responsive demeanour had spoken volumes. Surely she could not be complaining of something she had consented to freely? Had she not kissed him? Had she not moaned and twisted beneath him in a clear demonstration of enjoyment? Why! She had almost consented to becoming his mistress! He would not believe she was now regretting what he would cherish so much. She had declared she loved him, had she not? Yet her penned words clearly conveyed the distinctive message: She did not want him to see her ever again.

  He had the awful feeling that this was a recurrent situation.

  Visibly pained, he closed his fist and smashed the letter. He felt the rage building up inside him. Lady Catherine could be thankful she had taken her leave more than an hour earlier, lest she have confronted Mr Darcy's fury.

  Incensed, he fed the fire with the letter, and stomped out of his study without a clear mind of what he should do.

  I must talk to her. I must explain.

  Without a moment to lose, he rang for his coat and hat, and prepared his carriage to go to Cheapside. In less than a few minutes he was at the Gardiners' door. The couple already knew him and would certainly welcome him.

  After the maid summoned him in, he was received by Mrs Madeleine Gardiner in the small, but cosy drawing room.

  "Mr Darcy! What a pleasure to see you, sir. May I inquire after my niece? I was planning to abuse your generous hospitality and call on her in the afternoon."

  "There is no abuse, Madam. You and your husband are always welcome in my home. I am afraid I was up and away from home too early this morning to be able to answer your question to your satisfaction. I believe Mrs Bingley was in good health when I saw her last. She merely needs some rest."

  "Then I shall call on her this afternoon, if that is agreeable."

  "I shall be honoured by your visit."

  "May I ring for some tea?"

  "No, I thank you."

  He was silent for a moment, not knowing how to ask for Miss Bennet. Then, he gathered force and spoke.

  "I have a rather urgent matter to discuss with Miss Bennet, Mrs Gard
iner. I will understand if you refuse to oblige me, but I must ask this favour of you. Would it be possible for me to have a word with her," and then he added, "privately?"

  "Privately, sir?"

  He merely nodded, looking at Madeleine straight in the eye.

  Mrs Gardiner looked at him doubtfully. She understood the impropriety of his request, yet Mr Darcy was an honourable man, who enjoyed the best reputation. She had not forgotten the role he had played in rescuing her niece Lydia from the worst destiny. Accordingly, she sighed in resignation and rose to her feet.

  "Well, then. I shall have a word with my niece. If she consents to see you, I could allow you a short moment to have a private conversation here."

  A few minutes later, Miss Bennet came into the drawing room. She looked grave and pale. He rose and signalled her to take a seat in front of him. She hesitated for a moment then allowed him to direct her to the love seat. Her aunt's curious eyes watched every movement from behind. Madeleine then said, "I shall be in the library."

  "Why did you leave in such haste?" he asked with worried eyes.

  "Your aunt. She found out."

  "I know. She also told me."

  "I am afraid there is nothing else we can do."

  "Elizabeth, you must listen to me. I have made up my mind. I shall divorce Anne, and marry you instead."

  "Marry me instead? Sir, are marriage vows to be taken so lightly? Can a wife be discarded in so easy a manner?"

  "What do you propose that we should do?"

  "Sir, I cannot propose anything. I believe you have received my letter. I have nothing further to say in this regard." She rose and walked a few steps. Then stopped and tilting her head looked away.

  "I cannot accept that. Not after last night."

  She turned to face him and in an exasperated voice answered him: "Nothing happened last night. I am not your lover, nor your mistress, and from now on, not even a friend."

  He rose to his feet and walked the short distance that separated her from him. "How can you speak so? How can you say nothing happened last night? Everything happened last night. I have never been this intimate with any other woman. I almost took you, for God's sake! Lord, I should have done it!" He raked his hair as he usually did when he was out of sorts. Then he stared at her, his demeanour grave and serious. "You are to be my wife. We must marry, Elizabeth."