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Chapter 36B ~ A Shocking Revelation
July 2, 1813
Redmond Hill
It had proved to be a good deal more difficult to get her mother out of the house than Cathy had originally thought it would be. She had at first tried to convince her mother of the many benefits that the air might have on her health, that the sight and smells of the roses might lift her spirits, but it was all to no avail. Mrs. Benson firmly stood her ground and refused to step a foot out of doors until Cathy finally resorted to adding a smattering of truth to her arguments.
Miss Benson informed her mother that she had come across Lord Allington that morning and somehow mentioned how saddened her mother was not to have met him. He had suggested that he might be riding by the estate at some point in the afternoon and might take the liberty to call and make the acquaintance of Mrs. Benson. Upon hearing this Mrs. Benson was running all over trying to make herself presentable for the honourable guest who was coming just to meet her, and all because of her daughter. She was beginning to feel remarkably triumphant, for this surely hinted that he had an interest in her Cathy.
So it was that after much agitation the Benson family could be found sitting comfortably in the shade on the terrace that overlooked one of the beautiful rose gardens on the Redmond estate. Mrs. Benson fussed over some needlework and found that it was impossible to get it quite to her liking given the state of excitement she was in and Cathy's older sister was deeply engaged in a book. Cathy, on the other hand, stood with an air of complete patience and relaxation at the edge of the terrace looking towards the road that Lord Allington, Tom, would ride.
The patience of Cathy's watch was rewarded only a few minutes after the clock in the parlour was heard chiming two. She saw in the distance the handsome figure in a blue coat riding along the road and turning into the driveway, where she soon lost sight of him. However, Cathy at least had the reassurance that he had arrived safely so she moved to take a seat by her mother and calmly await Tom's entrance.
The ladies on the terrace were first alerted the presence of another person by the sound of heavy and assured footsteps on the stone path behind a tall hedge that was off to one side of the terrace. Lord Allington appeared, looking particularly handsome with his hat tucked under his arm and his riding crop held in that hand. He bowed and they curtsied to him as he acknowledged the ladies that he knew, Cathy and her older sister.
"Good afternoon, Miss Benson. Miss Cathy." Cathy's sister set aside her book with disappointment; she knew she would now have to be sociable. However, Cathy smiled warmly up at Tom, reassuring him that her feelings were unchanged and as strong as they had been that morning.
"Good afternoon, Lord Allington. May I be allowed to present you to my mother, Mrs. Benson." Cathy indicated the woman at her side.
"A pleasure, ma'am," said he and bowed respectfully to her.
"Oh!" Mrs. Benson twittered. "How charming of you, my lord! Please, take a seat."
"Thank you. How are the Redmonds? I had expected to see them here."
"Oh, they are well. Mr. Redmond had some business somewhere or other and my dear friend, Mrs. Redmond, has only just left for the village with her two eldest daughters and my youngest girl," Mrs. Benson explained, smiling widely at their guest and noticing the quick glances he was directing toward her daughter. "I understand that you are presently making some improvements to Allington Park - a remarkably pretty estate, I hear from all accounts. How is your progress?"
"It is going rather well. Some of the work is taking longer than I had at first supposed, yet it should be completed in due course."
"Do you plan to stay on in the neighborhood once the work is complete?"
"I had thought that I would return to the family home in Derbyshire or my townhouse but I am now seriously considering settling there." Lord Allington thought the vein of this conversation provided the best opportunity to introduce his real reason for coming so he quickly went on to say, "Actually, ma'am there is a matter that I would very much like to discuss with you - privately."
"Oh! Oh yes, of course!" Mrs. Benson's eyes gleamed eagerly. Could it be that he was going to make an offer for her Cathy? "Cathy, dear, go chat with your sister whilst I speak with our guest here."
"Yes, Mama." Cathy obediently quit her place at her mother's side to join her sister on the other side of the terrace. From there she continued to watch the exchange between her mother and Tom.
"Mrs. Benson," Allington began at once. "I know that you have not been out in company of late, owing to the death of your husband, so it has perhaps escaped your knowledge that I am quite interested in Miss Cathy. I am afraid that I have already applied to her, asking her opinion on the matter..." Mrs. Benson took a surreptitious sniff of her smelling salts while Allington cleared his throat. "Would you consent to my marrying your daughter?"
"Oh, Lord Allington, I do most heartily consent to the match!" Mrs. Benson gushed and madly waved Cathy over to them. "My Cathy is a fine girl, well, as I am sure you already know. I hope your own parents will approve of my girl!"
"I am sure they shall. They are already aware of my feelings and have given their consent."
"Ahh, that is good news! Cathy will make a fine Viscountess Allington, my lord! Oh, and what a comfort to have my dearest girl close at hand."
Lord Allington stood up and took Cathy's hand in his, pausing to place a quick kiss on it. "I thank you, Mrs. Benson, and I agree that Cathy will make a fine Viscountess Allington and, eventually, just as fine a Countess of Matlock."
Cathy laughed delightedly under Tom's attentions and was at first unaware of the sudden change that swept over her mother. She did finally notice that Mrs. Benson had gone absolutely silent and all the colour had drained from her face.
"Mama! Are you ill? Where are you smelling salts?" Cathy quickly located the much needed salts and waved them under her mother's nose but even that did not seem to break the shocked trance over her mother. "Mary... Something is wrong with, Mama. Get a servant, quickly."
Mary saw that for once her mother's ailments were not for dramatic affect and hurriedly set off into the house, only to stop short as Mrs. Benson regained her voice.
"Stay were you are, Mary." Mrs. Benson breathed in the scent of the smelling salts. Mary now joined her sister in trying to nurse her mother while the poor Viscount looked on at a loss as to what he could do.
"Do you want me to fetch something for you, Mama?" Cathy asked with great concern.
"No." The older woman took one more steadying sniff at the salts and raised her eyes to the face of the young man before her. "Lord Allington... Your parents are the Earl and Countess of Matlock?"
"Yes."
"I see... Oh, do not fuss so Cathy, I am well!" Mrs. Benson slapped her daughter's hand away from her and once more turned her attention to Lord Allington. "I think I had best tell you, my lord, that our last name is not Benson. It is Bennet."
Chapter 36C ~ A Resolve to Be Made
"Bennet?" Lord Allington whispered, taking a step back from the women in front of him. "Bennet of Longbourn?"
"Yes. I know you will want to break your engagement to Cathy but try to bear in mind that she had nothing to do with it," Mrs. Bennet answered sadly, but her eyes conveyed to him that she was really only consumed with fear. Her daughters were obviously confused by this exchange but that mattered little to him.
"I see," Allington said tightly, squaring his shoulders and picking up his hat and riding crop. Seeing how Mrs. Bennet flinched when he looked at her, he said coldly. "You have nothing to fear from me, Mrs. Bennet. But, know this... You are the one person on this earth whom I truly dislike." Lord Allington spun on his heel and stalked from the terrace, his mind and feelings reeling from the shock they had just been delivered.
Allington did not get very far along the pathway before he found a small bench and sank down onto it in relief. Behind the hedge he heard Mrs. Bennet ordering Cathy to stay were she was and not follow him. He was relieved that it seemed she had not listened to her mother. In spite of what he now knew, he still loved Cathy and he still wanted to marry her, but the whole situation had just become incredibly complex.
"Tom, whatever is the matter?" Cathy gasped as she came upon him sitting on the bench where he was cradling his head in his hands.
"It is a very long story, Cathy... Bennet. Oh good Lord! How that complicates things!" He stood and began pacing before grabbing her hand and quickly leading her a long way through the gardens, across the drive and onto the lawn in front of the house. Once Allington was satisfied with the distance they were from the house, in particular the terrace, he turned to her. "Do you know any of reasons for you changing your name after your father's death?"
"No, not at all. Mama said she did not want to be asked and given her nerves we thought it best to abide by her wishes. I asked if I might be called 'Cathy'; my family was in the habit of calling me 'Kitty' but I always detested that name... Tom, I don't see what this has to do with anything..." She tried to fight against it, yet Cathy was unable to prevent her tears from falling. "Are you going to end our engagement, Tom? Like Mama said you would?"
"Oh, no!" Tom quickly pulled her close to him, letting her cry a little longer until she quieted herself and he led her to another bench under a huge tree. "Listen to me... I have every intention of marrying you, my love, but your mother's revelation creates so many problems." He produced his handkerchief and carefully wiped away her tears.
"Explain to me why the fact that our name is really 'Bennet' is such a horrible thing?"
Lord Allington took a deep breath. "As you already know, I have two sisters by the names of Janet and Elisabeth, but what I have previously left untold is that they have only recently been reunited with my family. Twenty years ago they were kidnapped and nothing was ever heard of them until a couple of months ago when my parents received a letter from a gentleman who, with his wife, had taken them... Cathy... I really don't know how to soften the blow, but... The couple I am speaking of were none other than your own father and mother. The young ladies you knew as Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, your sisters, are in fact Lady Janet and Lady Elisabeth - my sisters..."
Cathy gulped perceptively while trying to assimilate all that her fiancé had told her. The fact that her own parents were this bad was rather difficult to fully grasp.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bennet took my sisters while on a journey through Derbyshire on their way back to Hertfordshire from Ireland. In Ireland they had recently suffered the loss of their two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, and in their madness they took my sisters in place of their lost children. You see, this is the reason for my great shock at your real last name but in spite of all this, Cathy, I do still want to marry you. However, you do understand that it is not so simple as we once thought?"
"Oh yes," Catherine Bennet whispered, refusing to meet Tom's stare. "I am very sorry for what my parents did to your family. It is so inexcusable... I... I can scarcely believe it of them!" She sighed and finally meeting his gaze, said, "You really do hate my mother, don't you?"
"No, what I said back on the terrace was said in anger and surprise. I don't really hate her but I can never like or forgive her after all she has inflicted upon my family, especially the pain my parents went through at the time of Janet and Elisabeth's disappearance. Cathy... How did your mother explain them not accompanying you here to Redmond Hall?"
"Mama said that Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had agreed to take them in and help to find them suitable husbands. She told Mary and Lydia and myself that we were not to write to them. I thought it odd at the time but did not question it... Now I see why she ordered us to do so... and why she changed our names. Mama must have feared discovery above all else," Cathy said sadly. "How are... are Janet and Elisabeth, Tom? I know, now, that they are not my actual sisters but I do still love them as if they were."
Lord Allington smiled. He would have liked to say they would soon be her sisters again but he did not want to tempt fate. The truth of the matter still had to be communicated to Lord and Lady Matlock and it was certain that the truth would not be well received. "Janet and Beth are fine, Cathy. It has not been easy for any of us, especially them, to become the family we should have been." Tom smiled again as he thought of his sisters. "Janet is recently engaged..."
"Oh!" Cathy exclaimed in surprised delight. "To whom?"
"I believe the gentleman is known to you. She is engaged to Charles Bingley."
"Mr. Bingley! I am so glad for Jane... Janet. I know how much she felt for him when he quit Netherfield last year... How wonderful that they have been able to overcome that separation."
"Indeed," he answered absentmindedly. "Cathy, I think it best that I travel into Derbyshire to acquaint my parents with this new development - I will leave almost immediately. I do not like leaving you here but there is nothing else to be done. If, during my absence, your mother gets the idea into her head to leave Redmond, do what you can to stay here but if that fails make sure to leave a letter with my steward at Allington Park... I shall tell him to expect something of that nature."
"I shall do that, Tom, if the need arises. How long do you expect to be in Derbyshire?"
"I dare not guess, Cathy. As you can imagine, I shall have much to explain to my parents and I can no longer be assured of their consent to our marriage - much of my time, I should think, will be spent in trying to bring them around to the idea."
"Yes, they will hardly be willing to accept a Bennet into their family, but I shall pray that all turns out well."
"Do that... My parents are rational creatures but it is certain that this news will not be received in the best light." Tom stood up and pulled Cathy to her feet. "I shall return for you, Cathy. Nothing is going to keep me from marrying you." He quickly placed a kiss on both of her hands, turned around and raced across the lawn to the stables where his horse was awaiting him.
Cathy watched Tom ride off the property at a great speed. She stood still on the very same spot for many minutes after she caught her last glimpse of him through the trees.
"Kitty... Cathy," Mary spoke from behind her sister, startling her. "What was all that about? Mama is practically inconsolable. She talks of leaving Redmond Hall immediately."
"Oh, Mary," Cathy cried, turning around to face her sister. "I have so much to tell you and none of it is good, I fear. I warn you that after I am finished talking you will never see our parents in the same light."
Chapter 37 ~ An Early Morning Ride
July 2, 1813,
Matlock House, Derbyshire
The days following the arrival of Lord Hamerton had gone by without anything of great import happening; the established routines continued in the same manner as they had always done. However, it was now not uncommon for Lord Hamerton to appear at the estate during the course of the day. He very soon wore out his welcome by managing to find himself in the company of Lady Elisabeth each time he called and as soon as he was in her company he set about flirting with her. Lord Hamerton was always twice as annoying if her Cousin Darcy happened to be in the same room; he made a point of showing that gentleman with how much Lady Elisabeth let him get away.
The second of July dawned much like any other day at the Matlock estate, the sun lazily climbing higher in the sky and the occupants of the great house climbing just as slowly from their beds and making their way down to breakfast. As one might expect, there were exceptions to this rule, in the form of people who had been awake since the sky began to change from black to grey in preparation for the dawn. Darcy and Lady Elisabeth had come across one another in the stables and, upon realising their similar plans of how to occupy their time until breakfast, they took a ride together across the vast estate.
As they raced across the peaks there was little time for conversation, although that did in no way diminish the enjoyment they found to be held in the company of the other. In silent agreement, the two reached one of the highest hills on the estate and reined in their horses to watch the sunrise.
Lady Elisabeth took the opportunity to observe the man beside her and look upon him with eyes that now saw the true person underneath the proud exterior. She noticed with a small smile that he had neglected to bring a hat with him. Darcy's hair was now ruffled and tangled, not at all in the usually carefully combed style - Elisabeth had to admit she liked this more rugged look. It became him well. Whether or not he was aware of her gaze, she was unsure. His eyes seemed fixed on the far horizon where the sun would soon make an appearance.
"I would have adored you, cousin." Elisabeth realised with a sudden feeling of panic that she had spoken her silly musings out loud.
"Would have adored me?" said Darcy in apparent confusion. His unflinching gaze now turned onto her, making her blush hotly at her impulsive exclamation.
"From the time I was ten to eighteen... In my mind I would have turned you into my knight in shining armour; my ideal. Every other man I ever met after that would have been compared to you and found to be lacking in some detail." Elisabeth laughed nervously and looked out at the horizon rather than look at her cousin any longer. "Of course, that is only if I had been raised with my real family and not taken at such a young age. And surely my idolization of yourself would only have lasted as long as I failed to realise that you were not a god but an ordinary mortal like myself and you, too, had your faults."
Darcy was silent for a few moments after Elisabeth finished speaking, understandably affected by her words. Certainly, if she would have been so "in love" with him as a girl, her feelings might have carried over into adulthood and actually have become more than an infatuation.
"So, you mean to tell me that for six years I would have had a devoted slave in you, Elisabeth?"
"Yes. I think I would have worshipped the ground you walked upon and done anything you bid me to. I think you fail to realise what a romantic figure you look and how perfectly you would fit into a young girl's dreams."
Darcy shook his head at this. "Elisabeth, the position of devoted slave to me would not have been so desirable as a young girl would think. I'd have transformed into a truly vain young gentleman and at such an age you can rest assured that numerous silly, and likely cruel, games would be devised with the purpose of you proving your love, all the while giving me an indecent amount of enjoyment at the humiliation you would suffer in my hands."
"I don't doubt it, but I would have confessed to my diary that in spite of your very great deficiencies I loved you still and would merely bide my time until you realised what a true gem you had in me." Lady Elisabeth determinedly shrugged off her present embarrassment and went on speaking teasingly. "For years I would have been nothing to you but a bothersome young cousin but at eighteen, when I had my coming out, you would see what a ravishing beauty I was and instantly regret your horrid actions to me over the years. I dare say that I, now realising how the tables had turned and how I now had power over you, would have made your life a misery by pretending that I didn't care three straws for you. And that, my dear cousin, is just as it should have been, especially if you really were so mean to me in my younger years."
Darcy met the eyes, sparking with mischief, that belonged to his cousin and grinned at her. Rolling his eyes slightly at Lady Elisabeth's teasing, he joined in her quiet laughter before reminding her they had come to see the sunrise and in their merriment had almost missed it.
The cousins then fell silent for some moments as they watched the beams of light slowly spread across the grasses below their hill, making the dew glitter. It was a most perfect, even romantic setting, but Darcy did not give into his urge of applying once more for her hand in marriage, he was not yet in possession of enough assurance of her feelings.
"I often if that would have been a common occurrence," began Darcy, once he and Lady Elisabeth were slowly making their way back down the hill.
"What... the sunrise?" teased Elisabeth.
Darcy raised a sardonic eyebrow in her direction. "No, Lady Elisabeth Fitzwilliam, not the sunrise itself, but you and I witnessing it from atop that hill. Had you and Janet never been taken and if we had grown up together... Yes, with me treating you abominably as we grew older, we have already agreed on that point... I wonder if we would have been in the habit of taking these early morning rides."
"I think we would, cousin - our families would have teased us about our preference and my girlish fantasies would only have increased as all our female relatives would take your preference for my company as a sign that we were meant for one another and they would have set about planning the wedding." Lady Elisabeth suddenly expelled a great breath as she blushed crimson. "I cannot believe I have been rattling on like this... Cousin or not, it is highly improper of me to speak to you so and on such a subject. I must beg you to put it down to the fact that the early morning air quite deprives me of my senses."
"As you wish, Elisabeth, though it did not concern me. I confess that I find the frankness of your speech, fully understood to be in good fun, is quite refreshing."
"Pray, don't give me leave to continue!" Lady Elisabeth laughed at herself. "There is no telling where such freedom may allow my thoughts and conversation to wander."
Darcy had to forcefully restrain himself from saying something grievously improper at that moment. It would not do to suggest they find out, he told himself firmly. It would most certainly not do. "Well, then," he finally managed to get out, "perhaps it would be best if we enjoyed a small race back to the stables. Even your tongue should find it difficult to get into trouble doing that..." A devious grin was cast over his shoulder as he spurred his horse ahead of hers and Darcy was rewarded with an utterly murderous look from his cousin. The words, 'Fitzwilliam Darcy... You are most certainly no gentleman!' followed him as Lady Elisabeth made an effort to catch him up.
The sound of feet marching determinedly on the gravel path behind him first alerted Darcy to the fast approaching presence of Lady Elisabeth. He had quite mercilessly won the race he had suggested and was already out of the stable by the time she caught him up. "Cousin, I am awaiting an apology," Elisabeth informed Darcy with a mischievous smile as she skidded to a stop in front of him, successfully preventing him continuing on into the house.
"Really?" exclaimed Darcy, stepping around his cousin and attempting to distance himself from her. He grinned upon hearing an exasperated sigh come from Elisabeth as he continued on and she once more stepped in front of him. Darcy glanced at the horse whip Lady Elisabeth was now menacingly pointing at him. "What are you going to do, my lady? Beat an apology out of me?"
Lady Elisabeth ill-concealed the smirk on her face as she lowered the whip, saying, "Tempting though it may be... No."
"I'm very glad to hear it." Darcy bowed to her and again continued towards the house.
"Not so hasty, sir! I am still waiting for an apology."
Lady Elisabeth rushed after Darcy and pulled him around to face her. Darcy looked at her appraisingly before speaking. "You know, at that moment you had just the sort of sound and look of our dear Aunt Catherine..."
"Do not insult me, Mr. Darcy." Elisabeth drew herself up to her full height and regarded him through narrowed eyes. "Now, beg for my forgiveness."
Releasing an extremely exaggerated sigh, Darcy clasped her hand to his heart and moaned. "A thousand apologies for my disgraceful behaviour, Madam..." Darcy let go of her hand, asking in a normal voice. "Now may I be on my way to my breakfast?" He did not wait for a reply and turned from her to proceed to the house
"Excuse me," Lady Elisabeth called after him with great contempt. "Did I give you leave to go eat? Cousin Darcy, you fail to even perceive the reason for the necessity of your apologies."
"Indeed, but I saw no need to enquire... I was certain you would tell me." Darcy once more found Lady Elisabeth pointing a whip at him with a threatening gleam in her eyes.
"Now you have two things for which to apologise ... I assure you that such cruel treatment of myself is not to be tolerated."
"Can we not delay this delightful exchange until after we have eaten?" suggested Darcy, pestering Elisabeth further.
"Not so much as a crumb shall you get until I am satisfied that you are truly sorry."
"Well, tell me for what I am to apologise and let us be done with it and go eat!"
"Firstly, you insulted me by hinting that my speaking got me into a great deal of trouble. Secondly, you have just very recently labelled me pushy and over-bearing by saying that you were sure I would tell you... tell you..."
"What I was to be sorry for? Indeed, you are pushy and over-bearing for it would seem you are doing just that, my dear cousin," said he, smiling insolently at her.
Turning from her, Darcy fled with great speed, regardless of proper decorum, from his cousin and after a moment's shock Elisabeth quickly raced after him. She had only just rounded the corner of the house when she ran into him, almost knocking him headlong into the flowerbeds at their side and her backwards onto the graveled driveway.
"What kind of simpleton takes corners at that speed?" Darcy good-naturedly demanded of her once he had firmly set his feet back on the ground, restraining the urge to laugh at the look of surprise that registered in her eyes when he called her a 'simpleton'.
"And I might ask what kind of a simpleton stands just out of sight around a corner?" Elisabeth scornfully raised an eyebrow at him.
The couple stood glowering at one another, valiantly resisting the urge to give in and enjoy a hearty laugh. Although laughter soon followed, it was not emitted from either of their lips and they turned to observe Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Edith laughing at them. It was obvious that they had been on one of their early morning walks that had become habit for them to take with one another in full view of the house to dispense with the need of a chaperon.
"What on earth is going on? You two look as if you are prepared to come to blows," Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, swallowing the last of his laughter.
"It is all an act, Fitzwilliam!" Darcy was quick to reassure his cousin, not shifting his gaze from Elisabeth's.
"An act? I think you are quite mistaken, Cousin Darcy." Lady Elisabeth lightly smacked his arm with her whip to emphasize her point.
"Fitzwilliam!" Darcy bellowed, grabbing the whip from Elisabeth's hand and stepping past her to join the other two. "Your sister is terrorizing me!"
"I am most certainly not... It is incomprehensible that you should be afraid of sweet, innocent, little ol' me, cousin!" Lady Elisabeth frowned as laughter that followed this comment came from the three before her.
Darcy quickly recovered himself, saying, "Indeed, you have never directed your wrath upon yourself. I assure you, Cousin Elisabeth, that you are a force to be reckoned with."
"If I were not resolved to take that as a compliment I would have no alternative but to demand that my brother challenge you to a duel," Lady Elisabeth uttered disdainfully, linking arms with Lady Edith who joined in with Elisabeth's feigned contempt towards the gentleman, although her giggling somewhat spoiled the affect.
"Oh, and dear sir... Remember what my wrath is like in the future before you take it upon yourself to insult me." Tossing her head arrogantly, Lady Elisabeth, followed by a highly amused Lady Edith, majestically swept up the stairs of the house, disappearing behind the doors that were opened and closed by the footman.
"Seriously, Darcy... What was all that about?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked with great amusement.
Darcy shrugged. "I wish I knew, Fitzwilliam. I wish I knew. All I can suggest is that your sister has gone positively raving mad!"
"Oh dear, this is quite shocking." The gentlemen promptly dissolved into laughter and stumbled up the stairs of the house to their awaiting breakfasts.
Chapter 38 ~ Quiet Reflection
Following breakfast Elisabeth quickly sought out her friend. She found Lady Edith wandering aimlessly through the conservatory wearing a dreamy expression that was reminiscent of how Lady Janet looked whenever she thought about Mr. Bingley.
"I hope my cousin and I did not interrupt you and Richard this morning with our silliness," said Elisabeth, unintentionally startling Edith out of her reflections.
Lady Edith blushed and looked down at one of the flowers before her. "No, you did not interrupt anything. Your brother and I were on our way into the house when you and Mr. Darcy came upon us."
Lady Elisabeth sat down on one of the chairs that was located in the conservatory, looking knowingly at Edith's blushing countenance. "It will be much easier for all concerned if you just tell me, Edie..."
"I need not tell you a thing, Lizzy!" Edith laughed and recovered her composure as she joined her friend on the bench. "You have already guessed what news of importance I have to communicate but, to assure you of its truth and convince myself that it is really happening, I shall tell you. Richard made me an offer of marriage this morning and I have accepted. I might even challenge Janet's claim of being the happiest woman on earth. I love your brother so much and I can scarce believe my luck that he loves me in return." Lady Edith finished relaying her news with a large smile of pure happiness.
"Oh Edie, I knew that you and Richard were in love... I was just wondering when he would get around to finally asking you, though." Elisabeth quickly embraced her friend. "And I am heartily sorry for ever doubting Lady Bramley's intelligence. She knew very well what she was doing when she sent her daughter here."
"Indeed, but do not give my Mama such praise. We shall never hear the end of it!" Edith laughed. "Richard is at this moment talking to his father. If Lord Matlock gives his consent then Richard is going to travel to London first thing tomorrow and seek my father's consent. Papa is certain to allow the match. On his return, Richard is going to take a look at an estate he has received word about, in Cheshire... It is nothing grand but Richard is assured that it can be turned into a very profitable and comfortable place. However, this is to remain a secret until everything is made certain so breathe not a word to anyone."
"Oh, of course. Rely on my secrecy."
"You have told her then, Edith?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked as he appeared in the conservatory, smiling broadly. It was certain that his interview with his father had been satisfactory.
"Indeed. I fear that I was left with little choice on the matter, Richard. You saw how she was abusing poor Mr. Darcy this morning... I have concluded, it's quite unsafe to be alone with her."
Lady Elisabeth laughed good-naturedly as she went to hug her brother. "I trust congratulations are in order, Richard? Papa has consented?"
"Indeed, he has," he said, looking past Elisabeth to smile lovingly at Edith.
Lady Elisabeth, seeing that she was now in the way, wished them the very best and once again assured them of her secrecy before disappearing into the house. Inexplicably she craved solitude, thus she found herself avoiding all the rooms that members of her family occupied. She spent a short time in the library selecting a book that she hoped would entertain her and then hid herself away in her chamber for the remainder of the morning, which passed by without incident.
Elisabeth chose to remain in the quiet afforded by her bedchamber when luncheon was served, asking her maid to bring her up a small tray and make excuses to her family, claiming a headache was the cause of her disinclination to join them. She said a short nap following her meal would soon set her to rights and Lady Elisabeth was glad to note that she was not disturbed.
After Anna came to remove her tray Elisabeth moved to the balcony off of her chamber and curled up on the lounge chair, staring across the estate. She probably spent a good hour merely absorbing the sounds around her; the wind rustling through the leaves in the trees and all the many birds singing.
At first Lady Elisabeth thought it impossible to account for the feeling of depression that had come over her after talking with Richard and Edith. The reason for her pensive mood soon struck her when she observed a figure she recognized as Darcy's walking through the trees in the distance. He appeared to be as deep in thought as she and therefore remained entirely unaware of her watching him with a longing in her eyes that he would never have dreamed possible.
It occurred to her then that her melancholy was due to the fact that her friend and each one of her siblings; Janet, Richard, and very likely Tom - little did she know of the turmoil unravelling at that very moment in Kent - had all found happiness with those they loved. Seeing Darcy off in the distance made her realise how much she wished he would renew his addresses to her; it was not that she wanted to be on an equal footing with her brothers, sister, and friend but she deeply envied their happiness and wanted to experience that security of being loved, herself.
The sight of Darcy and the realisation of the cause for her recent sadness spurred Lady Elisabeth out of her glum mood and off of the lounge with the sudden resolve to follow her Cousin Darcy and further the closeness they were beginning to feel with each other. Elisabeth stood twisting and turning in front of the mirror, inspecting her elegant morning dress of a light cream colour and the stylish arrangement of her hair. She finally pulled a face of dissatisfaction at her reflection; she did not like her appearance at all.
Chapter 39 ~ A Brief Interlude
Lady Elisabeth, now entirely pleased with her looks, emerged from her room some ten minutes later in a white muslin dress, simply cut with few trimmings. The necklace that Darcy had given her was the only ornament she wore. The effect of the dress and the necklace on Elisabeth was just what she had hoped. She looked most elegant and pretty in the ensemble without being excessively made up. She had also quickly restyled her hair so many small ringlets could escape around her face and down the back of her neck.
Casting a wary glance around her, Lady Elisabeth quickly left the house via the back stairs as she did not want to draw the attention of her family if she used the main staircase, and once outside she guiltily slipped across the lawn into the protection of the trees. Following her cousin without his knowledge or anyone else's was an exhilarating adventure. Elisabeth paused at this point, uncertain which way Darcy had gone and beginning to fear that he might have returned to the house while she was dressing.
Lady Elisabeth banished these thoughts from her mind, instead focusing on pleasanter things, like her cousin. As she continued wandering through the trees following a faintly worn path, she was struck with the humor of her present situation. She was acting much like she had been telling her Cousin Darcy she would have when she was a young girl and madly in love with him. Only now, Elisabeth told herself, she may not be a little girl, but she was madly in love with him.
The trees were thinning out, Elisabeth noticed, and upon looking up she could see the sparkle of water ahead of her. She had never realised that a lake was in this part of the property and she made note to remember its existence in future. If her cousin was no where in sight she was going to work her way back to the house to discover him but the lake looked a very lovely place to pass a few moments.
Lady Elisabeth peeked out from behind the concealing thicket, her eyes opened wide in shock when she noticed Darcy's hat, jacket, waistcoat, cravat and boots in a pile beside a large rock. Darcy, however, remained out of sight as she walked fully into the open. She quickly looked around the lake and was relieved to see her cousin standing by the water's edge.
"Cousin Darcy... What are you doing here?" Lady Elisabeth unthinkingly called to him as her eyes adjusted from the shade of the trees to the bright afternoon sun shining down on them.
Darcy, clearly startled at her presence, turned around to face her. It was as if he had summoned her to come to him; he had allowed himself to think of nothing but her the last half hour. "Cousin Elisabeth... I..." He got no further as a combination of embarrassment at his present situation and her beauty rendered him incapable of speech.
It was at this point that Elisabeth finally registered the state of Darcy's clothes; he was absolutely soaking. Sadly for Lady Elisabeth's composure which was already rattled by his piercing gaze that was taking in her attire, she then noticed how the wet shirt clung to his muscled chest and was also made rather transparent on the patches of skin that it touched. Lady Elisabeth unsuccessfully tried to conquer the extremely unladylike appreciation for all that she saw.
"Oh..." she stuttered, looking away from him.
"I... I... I think I should drown myself," Darcy finished pathetically as the humour present in the situation dawned on him and he shifted nervously in his wet clothing.
"Nothing so drastic, cousin. I think I should be on my way, though..." Elisabeth's eyes were drawn once more to the wet shirt. She again blushed a deep crimson when he caught her glance.
Darcy started to laugh at the predicament into which they had both fallen. He should have known that it was unwise to risk a swim and his cousin discovering him in such a state was proof of the mistake he had made. He sat down on the rock, leaning one arm on his leg and cradling his head with that hand. Still, he laughed at the situation they were in and it was a small relief to see Elisabeth was laughing with him although she seemed incapable of looking at him. Darcy failed to notice that she suddenly stopped laughing and looked back through the trees, her eyebrows rising in alarm.
"Cousin..." she hissed, but he was still chortling at the picture in his mind of how he must have looked and how he must still look. He was suddenly aware of a hand being clapped over his mouth and his eyes met Elisabeth's. "Someone is coming! What do we do?"
"Who is it?" Darcy began grabbing his clothes from the ground as Elisabeth peeked around the bush.
"No... Oh no... It is Lord Hamerton." Lady Elisabeth exclaimed in shock. She stared around the lake's edge before saying hurriedly, "Go that way, cousin!" She pushed him in the direction of a clump of trees with a large amount of undergrowth that would conceal him from Hamerton.
Darcy started to race in that direction only to hear Elisabeth call after him in a whisper, "Cousin... Your boot!" She held up the object he had left behind so he could see it as he frantically signaled her to throw it to him. Elisabeth restrained the urge to laugh as she threw the boot after her cousin, turned around to arrange herself on the rock in an semblance of tranquility and heard a muffled thud, followed by Darcy's mild exclamation of pain.
Lady Elisabeth had only time enough to sit on the rock and pretend to be staring reflectively into the lake when the crack of twigs alerted her to Lord Hamerton's arrival. She looked up, feigning surprise. She prayed that Lord Hamerton had not heard the frantic rustling of her cousin as he settled himself behind the trees.
"Why, Lord Hamerton! I thought no one knew of my secret hideaway. How did you find me here?" asked Elisabeth, smiling up at Hamerton. In her relief at Darcy being safely hidden from Lord Hamerton, Lady Elisabeth quite forgot the usual cool civility she used when addressing this particular person. Her now cheerful and welcoming tone, quite unbeknownst to her, encouraged him. Secondly, the effect of the dress that she had intended for Darcy was not lost on Hamerton, either.
"One of the gardeners saw you head this way, Lady Elisabeth. It would appear that your servants are not unaware of the cause of my attraction to Matlock House."
Elisabeth could feel the animosity radiating from the bush a few feet from them. Shifting uneasily, she informed Lord Hamerton, "I came here to enjoy the quiet and solitude the place affords." Lady Elisabeth hoped he would take the hint that his presence was unsought.
"Indeed, it is a very secluded and peaceful place. I admire your taste, Lady Elisabeth. A perfect place for quiet reflection, as I understand all you young ladies appreciate, for it allows you to dream of the gentleman that you love and the future you shall have together."
Lady Elisabeth stared in amazement as a snort emanated from the bush. She was made rather resentful towards that certain 'bush' since she had to pretend it was her, given the look on Hamerton's face confirmed he had heard the curious noise. "Pray, who would that young man be, my lord?"
As soon as the words were out of her mouth Lady Elisabeth regretted them for Hamerton immediately took a step closer with what looked like the intention to share the rock with her. The only way two people could sit on this rock would be for them to be in very close proximity to one another. Elisabeth had a rather nasty vision of Lord Hamerton trying to embrace her, as she was certain he would do if he had the chance, in the presence of Darcy. The images running through her mind, fed by a sudden burst of imagination, were not encouraging. She had to stop this now.
Lady Elisabeth quickly leapt up, saying, "Would you care to return to the house for some refreshment, my lord?" Elisabeth was already walking back through the trees, leaving Hamerton no choice but to follow.
Darcy remained behind for some minutes, seething as he thought of the conversation he had overheard and closely watching Hamerton and Elisabeth walk back through the trees before he left the safety of the trees to follow at a safe distance. He paused just inside the trees and watched the two of them cross the lawn. Hamerton offered his arm to Elisabeth and Darcy was extremely tempted by the thought he entertained of killing his rival when she accepted. As they disappeared into the house Darcy ran across the lawn and into it as well, using the same back entrance that Elisabeth had.
Chapter 40 ~ Never a Moment's Peace
As Darcy crept up the stairs, sending watchful looks in front and behind him. He could not drive thoughts of Elisabeth and Hamerton out of his head. It was apparent that Hamerton was seriously interested in Lady Elisabeth. Such a conclusion was impossible to miss when in the same room with them. Hamerton was constantly at her side talking with her and if he could not be near her it was certain that his eyes were trained upon Lady Elisabeth's every action.
It was safe to assume that Hamerton did not always think honourably of Elisabeth and he very likely found her high rank something of an inconvenience to his true inclinations. If she had been the daughter of a country parson, unwise in the ways of the world, she might have been a particularly easy subject to seduce. Lord Hamerton could have taken all he wanted from her with relative ease and with little fear of having to marry her afterwards if he was careful.
Furthermore, it worried Darcy to observe that it was a very real possibility that Hamerton did love Elisabeth. He of all people knew how easy it was to fall in love with her. The fact that Hamerton was a known libertine did not remove his capability of truly loving Lady Elisabeth. Darcy could have easily borne these musings, he even could have watched the compliments that Lord Hamerton lavished upon his cousin with equanimity, if he had the luxury of being certain that her feelings towards that gentleman were not of a loving nature.
Elisabeth was everything that a proper lady of the aristocracy should be, especially in her dealings with gentleman. She was not flirtatious, but in doing so she never made her feelings visible, always reserving the right amount of civility in her address to those with whom she was not very personally acquainted - Darcy saw how her manner became more open with slight allowances in behaviour with gentlemen she knew better; Bingley and himself, for example.
In a state of confusion, Darcy sighed and continued up the stairs. He had lost count of the number of times he had been tempted of late to propose a second time but each time his uncertainty of Lady Elisabeth's feelings held him back. Assuredly, she was more at ease with him than she had ever been and he dared to say that Elisabeth enjoyed being in his company but that did not mean love. Instead, Lady Elisabeth might have developed a sisterly affection towards him that would never grow into anything more. He did not want to spoil that by proposing again.
Lady Elisabeth, having endured the undue flattery from Hamerton from the lake to the hallway of Matlock House, was relieved to hear his words take on a less boisterous tone in the presence of the servants. Sadly, his words only became more intimate in doing so, thus she quickly sought out one of the footman, inquiring as to the whereabouts of Lord Hamerton's sister.
The footman said that Lady Edith and Lady Janet were in the drawing room and Elisabeth quickly directed Hamerton to wait with their sisters while she changed out of her walking gown.
"My dear," Hamerton grinned at the start she gave at this term of endearment, "you are not telling me that you are going to deprive me of the infinite pleasure of seeing you in such a becoming gown?"
"I fear that is precisely what I am saying, Lord Hamerton," answered Lady Elisabeth tightly.
"I wish you would you would call me Phillip. None of this 'Lord Hamerton'. It is so very formal and dull." He took hold of her hands and smiled into her eyes, causing Lady Elisabeth to blush deeply at his forward behaviour, although she ought to have been used to it by this time.
Lady Elisabeth coolly removed her hands from his grasp. Although she greatly disliked to admit it, Hamerton was highly amusing and it was utterly impossible to keep the teasing tone from her voice as she said, "I like formality and dullness. I think there is a delightful amount of safety in formality and dullness, Lord Hamerton. Do excuse me." Lady Elisabeth turned towards the stairs, silently berating herself for allowing him to get the better of her composure.
Hamerton quickly looked around and, ascertaining that they were quite alone, he caught Elisabeth about the waist and drew her close to him. The unruly curls she had allowed to escape tickled his face as he whispered into her ear, "Every young lady would have gentlemen believe they like formality and dullness; it makes them appear the modest and innocent creatures they have been taught to be." Although his voice was teasing and good-humoured, his words were spoken with such conviction on his part that somewhat frightened Elisabeth.
Lady Elisabeth squirmed against such imprisonment but Hamerton only tightened his hold on her, pulling her into the darker recesses of the hallway and away from the more likely occupied rooms. "I am well aware that you 'proper' young ladies would behave just as wickedly as young men if society allowed you. No matter what you say to me, my dear, I am convinced you cannot like formality and dullness as much as you profess you do."
Elisabeth was made so irate by Hamerton's treatment and words that she was rendered quite incapable of speech. She instead turned her attention to breaking free from him, which was easily done as he had considerably loosened his grasp on her. Wordlessly she left him and walked, with as much dignity as she could muster, back to the stairs.
"Lady Elisabeth," he said, taking hold of her hand over the banister and smiling genuinely at her as she tried to pass him. "I have told you before that I assume your silences to mean you agree with me..."
"Lord Hamerton," Elisabeth muttered angrily. "As you see... I am no longer silent." Wrenching her hand free she rushed up the stairs before he could further detain her.
Elisabeth's colour was still heightened from rage and embarrassment when she stormed into her bedchamber, pulling angrily at the pins in her hair. She stopped short, her hand suspended in mid-air, when her eyes fell upon Darcy standing in the middle of her room. His clothes were still attractively damp and his boots were now squishing from all the water that had drained into them.
At any other time the situation might have been amusing but after her latest encounter with Lord Hamerton, the fact that her cousin was standing in a state of scandalous undress in her bedchamber did not amuse. It horrified. Her dismay increased when she considered the possibility that if anyone had seen her with Hamerton her reputation would already have a few holes in it but if they saw her now, it would be completely unraveled.
"What are you doing in here?" Elisabeth exclaimed, feeling utterly defenseless.
"I heard someone coming down the corridor!" grumbled Darcy sheepishly.
Lady Elisabeth's forbearance was near doom when she realised there might be some truth in the scandalous words spoken by Lord Hamerton. She was shocked by the feeling of great disappointment when Darcy crossed his arms over his chest, taking a defensive stance, and effectively removing the best part of the wet shirt from her view.
"That was me, you half-wit!" Elisabeth said rudely as she came out of her trance. Cracking open the door, she peered down the hallway.
"I couldn't risk being discovered in this state!" Darcy muttered. "Again." He attempted to justify his actions as he shrugged on his coat hoping to appear slightly more presentable; the effect failed.
"Oh! That is all very well and good but neither can we risk you being discovered in that state in my... my bedchamber. Get out!" She opened the door wide and pushed him forcefully out, banging it shut behind him.
The door now safely shut and her room cleared of anymore surprises, Lady Elisabeth collapsed onto her bed, letting out a great sigh; she was too confused and disconcerted by recent events to do anything else.
Chapter 41
July 2, 1813
Matlock House, Derbyshire
It was some time before Lady Elisabeth felt her peace of mind restored to a level that would allow her to meet again with Lord Hamerton or Darcy. She walked at a sedate pace to the drawing room, her hand hovered over the door handle while she paused to take one or two steadying breaths.
Elisabeth struggled to maintain the studied air of indifference in light of the smile with which Lord Hamerton greeted her, but she was proud of her ability to keep a blush from rising. She settled herself next to Janet and gladly accepted tea from her sister. The silence was beginning to feel uncomfortable when Edith asked her brother if he had heard from their parents lately.
Lady Janet and Lady Elisabeth politely raised their heads to listen to his response. Elisabeth soon wished she had been blessed with incurably bad manners that would have allowed her to ignore the conversation.
"I had a letter from our mother yesterday. As is always the case, she was urging me to marry." Hamerton's eyes that did not even attempt to hide his interest, briefly looked into Elisabeth's before she turned her head from him. "Apart from that and a few other hints on the subject she said they were all in good health and that they had an enjoyable evening at Uncle's card party."
"I'm glad to hear it," said Edith, wishing she had never asked the question for she had seen how discomfited her friend was made by her brother's reply.
"What?" asked Hamerton, briefly winking at Lady Elisabeth as she was trying to transfer her gaze to the window and while Janet's and Edith's heads were turned away. He smiled at his sister as she looked back to him. "Glad that your poor brother is being forced to entertain thoughts of matrimony?"
Lady Elisabeth, unable stop herself speaking, broke in. "I have been led to think that matrimony is not always such a bad thing if one has the right disposition to share one's life with another person and make a few compromises along the way. In your case, I am inclined to believe that you would not be the one badly off. Rather, your wife, whoever the unfortunate creature is to be, is certainly the one who should be pitied."
Hamerton sighed, looking as if he were thoughtfully considering what she had just said, before strolling to the chair at her right. "It pains me to see that you are under such a grave misconception; the fortunate lady whom I marry shall not be pitied. She shall be envied."
Elisabeth edged ever so slightly away from him. "Indeed, my lord, I must have been misinformed as to your character. How would you propose to be such a wonderful husband?"
"Oh, what every gentleman does for the love of the woman dearest to his heart - give up gaming and all other pursuits that annoy one's wife." Lady Edith and Lady Janet were beginning to feel uneasy at the turn the conversation had taken but neither was certain how they might bring it round to the weather or the state of the roads.
"Every gentleman of that nature does that? If that be true, which I sincerely doubt, one would not hear tell of so many broken marriages. Each would be a success." Lady Elisabeth smiled sweetly but insincerely.
"Indeed, but perhaps it is the lady's fault, then?" Lord Hamerton retorted.
"My lord," Elisabeth said, a supercilious laugh breaking free. "I am sure that is not the case... For the type of gentleman you describe, for him to reform his ways for the love of this woman, she would have to be as close to perfect as humanly possible. It could not be her fault."
Lord Hamerton acknowledged her comment with a nod of his head. He stood and put his now empty tea cup on the tray. "I know when to admit defeat, Lady Elisabeth, but may I say that I have never before so enjoyed admitting to such a thing. It is time I was leaving." The three women rose and curtsied, each in her own way and to a varying degree pleased with his departure. He bowed and, wishing them a good-day, left the room content with his recent encounters with Lady Elisabeth.
"Oh Lizzy!" sighed Edith. "I know you do not wish to encourage my brother but you can surely see how much your talking to him actually does encourage his rotten behaviour."
"I know!" groaned Elisabeth, sitting back down on the settee. "Lord Hamerton just has such a way of making one want to correct him that it is impossible to hold one's tongue." She did not dare mention his earlier behaviour in the hallway.
Lady Elisabeth was wandering about the house an hour or so later. It all seemed to be very quiet. The Earl was touring the estate with his steward, Lady Matlock was discussing something with the housekeeper, Georgiana was practising a new piece of music and Elisabeth did not wish to disturb her. Bingley and Darcy were racing across the fields of the estate and Richard had just left for London, so Edith was quietly walking through the gardens thinking how her parents would greet her love.
The only person of whom Elisabeth did not know the whereabouts was her sister. She soon found Lady Janet when she entered the drawing room and found Janet engaged in writing a letter.
"Oh, Lizzy! I was wondering where you were. I was hoping we might go pick some flowers as soon as I am finished writing this?" Lady Janet said as soon as she saw her sister.
"I look forward to it. I suddenly realised that I'm quite bored and I don't know what to do to alleviate the problem." Lady Elisabeth wryly thought that after the 'excitements' she had been through earlier most other things were bound to seem monotonous. "To whom are you writing?"
"Aunt and ..." Janet cleared her throat, looking uneasy. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. I'm informing them of my engagement. Charles has finally allowed Papa to send the notice off to the papers and he wrote a letter to his sisters this morning, telling them." Lady Janet laughed at Elisabeth's expression. "Don't look like that, Lizzy! It is most unbecoming to your features. I know how you dislike Caroline and Mrs. Hurst but you are now warned that they may soon be with us."
"Can you not delay their arrival here until two days before your wedding?" questioned Lady Elisabeth, petulantly.
"Stop it, Lizzy!" exclaimed Janet, but her own amusement was plain. "It appears that Charles takes a very similar view to yourself! He says he fears they will take our engagement as an invitation to come here and he does not want that. Charles knows that you and Caroline don't get along and he really dislikes how she practically throws herself at Cousin Darcy. Lastly, he is always rather embarrassed by Mr. Hursts' fondness for drink."
"You are determined to make me feel quite guilty for my sentiments, I see. I must confess, though, I did not think the animosity between myself and Miss Bingley was so obvious."
Janet folded her paper, lining up all the edges precisely. "Oh, but it is obvious! How could those around you looking for cover hint at anything else?" She smiled teasingly at Elisabeth as she sealed the letter and was rewarded by her sister's laughter.
"If you are finished teasing me and concluded writing your letter may we go pick flowers now?" asked Lady Elisabeth, still laughing.
"Certainly!" said Janet.
The sisters left the room and headed for the gardens. Janet and Elisabeth had not been long in the gardens before they were joined by Lady Matlock and Georgiana. The four ladies spent the next short while picking flowers and chatting on many subjects but the calm was soon interrupted, especially for Elisabeth. Georgiana happened to look up in the direction of the driveway and asked,
"Who is that riding here?"
Lady Matlock, shading her eyes from the late afternoon sun, squinted in the direction her niece indicated. "I don't know, Georgie," she said at last.
"It is Lord Hamerton. Again," Elisabeth answered with a frown. She was not at all pleased that he was calling once more.
"Oh no!" sighed Lady Matlock, fiercely taking off her gardening gloves. "Lord Hamerton's arrival at this time means that we shall have to invite him to dine."
"Invite who to dine, Helen?" Lord Matlock asked as he stepped into the gardens followed by Darcy and Bingley. The three gentlemen had returned together and had undertaken the task of discovering the ladies' whereabouts.
"Lord Hamerton. He has just arrived here. Georgiana saw him riding up." The Countess spoke unhappily.
Chapter 42 ~ Tangled Web
Lady Elisabeth and Darcy had not seen each other since she had been shocked to discover him in her chambers and at the mention of Lord Hamerton their eyes met, remembering the incident at the lake. Elisabeth quickly looked away from him, feeling the blood rushing into her cheeks and wishing there was some way she could maintain a hold on her composure when in his presence. Darcy was similarly embarrassed and was grateful for the distraction offered by his sister as she showed him the bouquet she had arranged, asking his opinion on it.
The family soon returned to the house. Edith met up with Elisabeth while they were walking back. Elisabeth was glad to have the support of her friend at hand for she knew she might be tempted to have a fit of nerves when in the same room as Hamerton and Darcy.
Lord Hamerton was shown into the room just moments after they had settled themselves into it and, after bowing and wishing them a good afternoon, he said,
"I am very sorry to have disturbed you but I think that I may have left something here when I called earlier."
"Oh, what is it?" asked Lady Matlock, clinging to the hope that, if he found what he was looking for, Hamerton might go away.
"It was... uh..." Hamerton stepped towards the chair Elisabeth had chosen to occupy. "My pocket book... If you would forgive me, Lady Elisabeth?"
Elisabeth leapt from the chair like a startled deer when Lord Hamerton's hand touched her side as he reached into the depths of the chair and pulled out the aforementioned pocket book.
"I mean you no harm, my lady!" exclaimed he, his handsome grey eyes laughing at her. Elisabeth once more settled herself in the chair with as much dignity as she could muster and with great effort stopped herself saying what she knew she would regret.
"How fortunate that you left it here, young man! One does not care to think how irretrievable it would have been if you had lost it elsewhere," said Lord Matlock cheerfully in an attempt to make up for his wife's cold reception of this young man.
"Indeed, sir," agreed Lord Hamerton, making slow preparations to leave the room.
Lord Matlock gently nudged his wife and with a few quick inclinations towards Edith and Hamerton he reminded her that Lady Edith was likely going to become a member of the family and it would not do to offend her brother.
"Lord Hamerton, would you care to join us for dinner?" Lady Matlock asked as cordially as she could.
"Oh, you are very kind, Lady Matlock, but I am hardly appropriately dressed..." He demurred properly to the invitation.
"Well, in that case you had better not stay, Lord Hamerton..." Lady Elisabeth murmured, only Darcy and Hamerton hearing her.
"We are in the country, not Town..." Lady Matlock reminded him, but not at all willingly.
"True enough," Hamerton spoke, unabashedly directing a smile to Lady Elisabeth. "I think I shall accept your kind invitation. I fear that my cook is not as proficient with food as yours."
"Let us hope Mrs. Jones burns everything this night," Elisabeth grumbled bitterly and to no one in particular.
Lord Hamerton heard her and, while everyone else turned away from him to engage in the talk they had held off when he entered, he leaned a little closer to Elisabeth and whispered sarcastically, "Do try and conceal your pleasure. You shall quite reveal us." He left her to join his sister before she could think of a suitably squashing rejoinder and Hamerton remained talking to Edith until dinner was announced a few moments later.
The invitation of Lord Hamerton to dine with them had been so sudden that there was no time for Lady Matlock to establish the seating arrangements. She had thought when she ordered dinner that day that it would be a family affair and as such there was no call for such formality. The Countess greatly regretted that thought as soon as dinner commenced.
Upon entering the room, slightly behind the others, Lord Hamerton quickly noted where everyone was sitting. He was more pleased than could surely be called proper to discover a vacant seat to the left of Lady Elisabeth. It was disheartening to see that Darcy was to her right but it was not altogether upsetting.
Hamerton promptly settled himself at her elbow, raising a challenging eyebrow at her. "It's me again, my lady!"
"So I observed." Lady Elisabeth took a healthy gulp from her wine glass.
"Evening, Darcy!" Hamerton said cheerfully and cringed in feigned dismay when all he earned was a displeased glower from that gentleman.
The first course of the meal passed without incident, each person spoke to those near them on common subjects. Lady Matlock observed the quiet competition for her daughter's attention between Lord Hamerton and Darcy and if she had not been so angered by Hamerton's attentions to Elisabeth she would have found the scene in front of her quite amusing. Darcy and Hamerton were standing guard over Elisabeth with such tenacious determination on each side that Elisabeth looked as if she would be quite smothered.
Unfortunately, there was one thing that had the potential of causing alarm during the meal and that was the two glasses of wine that Lady Elisabeth downed in quick succession. Elisabeth's peace of mind was greatly tried by having the two gentleman competing for her attention but by the second course and a third glass of wine she was beginning to feel somewhat more capable of dealing with the situation.
"Come now, don't keep Lady Elisabeth's attention to yourself, Darcy. Were you never taught to share as a child?" Lord Hamerton grinned at the angry pursing of lips from his rival. "Besides, poor Lady Elisabeth's lovely neck is quite wearing out from all this looking back and forth between us."
"It is hardly proper to mention parts of a lady's anatomy in her presence!" spat Darcy, pausing in eating his meal to angrily twist his signet ring.
"Quite right!" Hamerton agreed heartily. "It leaves so much more to talk over out of her hearing... Although, I did only mention her neck..."
Lady Elisabeth was suddenly overcome with a fit of coughing which drew the attention of the entire table. "Sorry," she squeaked, draining the third glass of wine to ease the irritation of her throat and composure.
"More wine, Lady Elisabeth?" asked Hamerton, smirking at Darcy over her head.
"Yes!" she exclaimed instantly, pushing her glass towards him.
The conclusion of the fourth course saw Elisabeth finding almost everything around her quite amusing. Hamerton was by now her favourite person in the whole world as he could be relied upon to top up her glass, while Darcy kept drawing the decanter away from her. Elisabeth pouted and glared at her cousin but to no avail he seemed intent on spoiling her fun.
"Can I have a little drop more, Hamerton?" Elisabeth slurred, forgetting to address him more formally.
"I don't think that is a good idea, Cousin," interposed Darcy anxiously.
"Don't be such an old man!" giggled Elisabeth, holding her glass in the direction of Lord Hamerton, who nearly dropped the decanter at her manner in addressing her detached cousin.
Elisabeth looked happily at the liquid in her glass as Darcy cast a look in the direction of his aunt. Lady Matlock had been watching the entire disaster but there was little she could do until it was time for the ladies to leave the room and she dared not address her daughter for fear of drawing everyone else's attention to her.
The conclusion of the last course finally came, much to the infinite relief of Lady Matlock and Darcy. The Countess gave the signal for the ladies to leave the room and stood up, preparing to lead the way and hoping Elisabeth would not embarrass herself further. It was not to be.
"Oh dear!" Elisabeth giggled, blushing rosily as she righted herself after nearly sitting in Hamerton's lap. "Do forgive me, Lord Hamerton!" Lady Elisabeth attempted to enunciate her words clearly as she stumbled her way around his chair where her mother quickly took hold of her.
"It is quite alright," whispered Hamerton. "Quite alright..." He smiled in response to the icy glare he earned Darcy.
The Countess managed to get Elisabeth out of the dining room without further mishap and into the drawing room where her daughter collapsed onto the settee, laughing quietly.
"Elisabeth Fitzwilliam!" Lady Matlock said sternly, taking a seat beside her. "You are... intoxicated."
"I am not, Mama." Elisabeth leaned against her mother and giggled confidentially. "I'm deee-runk!"
"It is the same thing!" Lady Matlock pulled her daughter to her feet, supporting her as Elisabeth continued to laugh. "Janet, dear, take your sister to her room. Immediately. Before the gentlemen join us."
"Oh, I am a bad girl!" Lady Elisabeth laughed delightedly at her own humour, as she wrapped an arm around her sister and stumbled after Janet towards the door.
Lady Edith quickly came to Janet's aid and the two of them escorted Elisabeth to her bedchamber with great difficulty as Elisabeth now found stair climbing to be one of the most entertaining things she had ever had the pleasure of doing. Janet and Edith also encountered trouble as far as getting Elisabeth into her nightgown. However, once she was in bed she giggled a few more times and was thankfully asleep by the time the two left her.
In the drawing room, Lady Matlock was grumbling to her niece as she paced around the room. "Georgiana, if it weren't so very wrong... I would thrash Lord Hamerton within an inch of his life, strangle him and throw him in the nearest river!"
"Was it his fault, aunt?" asked Georgiana, awed by her aunt's anger.
"Yes! He kept giving her more wine though your brother tried to stop him..." Lady Matlock stopped abruptly as the door opened. Lady Edith and Lady Janet returned. "How is she?"
"Asleep, Mama. I cannot see how she managed to get like that..." sighed Janet, taking a seat beside Georgiana.
"Oh I can," lamented Edith. "On behalf of my brother, Lady Matlock, I apologise for his scandalous behaviour. I wonder how he lives with himself."
"Edith, you should not have apologise for your brother!" Lady Matlock exclaimed, finally sitting down and trying to calm herself before the gentlemen joined them.
"That may be so, but I still do. I have known my brother to do some extremely ill-advised things, but I would never have imagined that - even of Phillip!"
Lady Matlock was unable to reply as the gentlemen entered the room. Darcy and Hamerton immediately noticed Lady Elisabeth's absence but it was Hamerton who questioned it, with a knowing smirk at Darcy.
"My daughter was not her best. She has retired for the night. I thank you for your great concern, Lord Hamerton." Lady Matlock said frigidly.
"Imagine that," muttered Darcy, levelling a murderous glare at the back of Lord Hamerton's head.
"Oh! I am most sorry to hear that. I hope she will be better in the morning," exclaimed Hamerton before saying quietly to Darcy, "She promised to go for a drive with me, did you not hear her say so?"
"Indeed, I did. However, plans are subject to change. My cousin might find that she is unable to accompany you," said Darcy, crushingly.
Hamerton said conspiratorially, "I'm certain I can contrive something to tempt her to come..." He turned from Darcy and quickly made his excuses to his hosts. Lord Hamerton then left the room without giving Darcy the chance to deliver one of his cold remarks.
Chapter 43 ~ It Was Shaping Up to be a Peaceful Day
"How are you feeling this morning, Elisabeth?" Lady Matlock asked, setting a tray on the table in her daughter's room around eleven the following morning. An answering groan from deep under the bedclothes confirmed her suspicions.
"Come now, Elisabeth! Get out of bed," said Lady Matlock sternly. She drew the bedclothes off her daughter, pulled Elisabeth into a sitting position, put extra pillows behind Elisabeth's back and dropped her as gently as she thought necessary against their softness. Another groan of pain forced itself out of Lady Elisabeth as she put her hands up to her aching head.
"Hmph," breathed Lady Matlock, turning to close the heavy curtains tighter against the morning sun. She then moved the tray to the beside table, her daughter flinching at the light from the one candle on it. "I want you to eat something..."
"Oh Mama... I can't even think of it." Elisabeth slid down her pillows and buried her face in the mattress.
"I don't expect you to be capable of thought. That is why I am deciding for you," the Countess muttered, pouring water into a glass.
The tone of her mother's voice at last fought its way through the fog surrounding her. "I'm very sorry, Mama. Please, don't yell at me..." Lady Elisabeth mumbled sorrowfully.
"I'm not yelling at you, child! I'm practically whispering... Oh," she sighed, "don't be too sorry. I am not excusing your behaviour last night but I can see it was not entirely your fault."
"What happened? I cannot even remember..."
"I trust you can deduce the fact that you were rather inebriated? Lord Hamerton kept refilling your wine glass but you foolishly kept draining it! I had to nearly drag you out of the dining room and, as soon as we were in the drawing room, I had Janet and Edith escort you here." Lady Matlock spoke as she pulled Elisabeth against the pillows once more and placed the glass of water in her daughter's hand. "Drink a little water and, if you can keep that down, have some of the plain toast I have brought you."
Elisabeth worked her way through the glass of water, taking tiny sips, while Lady Matlock opened the terrace doors to let in the fresh air and sorted out Elisabeth's garments for that day. Once she was finished, she set the dress on the end of the bed, asking, "Are you any better?"
"I think I am," answered Elisabeth carefully, still too ashamed to meet her mother's eye.
"Have some of this toast, then." Lady Matlock set the tray to Elisabeth's side and sat down on the bed as Elisabeth slowly nibbled at one piece. "Why did you let yourself get like that last night, dear?"
Swallowing a little of the toast, Elisabeth looked down as she mumbled her answer. "It is really no excuse, but I found it unnerving to be placed between Cousin Darcy and Lord Hamerton. I only really wanted to talk to my cousin but Lord Hamerton was so persistent... He kept interrupting my conversation with Cousin Darcy. I found the wine calmed my nerves and I didn't realise how much I was drinking..."
"Oh dear!" sighed Lady Matlock, patting Elisabeth's knee reassuringly. "I find it a great inconvenience that we really can't keep Hamerton away, because of Edith and what she will soon be to... never mind..."
"I know Richard has asked Edie to marry him. That is why he went to London yesterday... to ask her father's consent. Edie told me."
"I see... Well, let us say nothing more of last night - at present. I think the less time we spend dwelling on it, the better. We shall let a few years pass and you can rest assured that I shall tease you mercilessly..."
Elisabeth laughed but the action hurt so she quickly contained her mirth and asked, not a little fearfully, "Is Papa angry?"
"No. He and Bingley didn't notice your state last night. They were entirely wrapped up in a conversation about Bingley's plans for after the wedding. I made the excuse that you were feeling unwell and they do not suspect otherwise. Of course, everyone else knows the truth."
Elisabeth smiled in relief, but that look was quickly replaced by one of panic as a new and equally horrifying thought occurred to her. "What was my Cousin Darcy's reaction?"
"He was only concerned for you, dear. Darcy was only angry, really angry, with Lord Hamerton."
"Oh," said she quietly as she finished off the last of her toast.
"Well, you try and go back to sleep for a little while, my dear. I shall be back in half an hour to check on you and, if you feel like it, I'll help you dress and then you can retreat to the peace and quiet of the terrace off the music room. That side of the house will be completely in shade by then." Lady Matlock moved the tray from the bed, helped rearrange her daughter's pillows, and planted a small kiss on Elisabeth's head before she quit the room.
Lady Elisabeth went to sleep almost immediately and by the time her mother returned she was feeling a bit more like herself. Lady Matlock helped with the dress and fixed Elisabeth's hair, chatting quietly to her as she did so.
"Papa is ensconced in his study with our steward. Janet and Edith are sorting out some of the flowers we picked yesterday for drying. Bingley and your cousin Darcy have gone for a ride into the village - I think Bingley wished to pick up some trinket for Janet and wanted his friend's advice. Georgie is practising on the pianoforte and I've asked her to play something very quiet. As you can hear it on the terrace I thought that might soothe you."
Elisabeth was so touched by this last sentiment that she felt tears prick her eyes. It was such a novel experience, even these days after she had been with the Fitzwilliams for some time, to have such a caring mother. Attention to such details as the music would never have occurred to Mrs. Bennet, and Elisabeth saw how fortunate she was to have a family like the Fitzwilliams.
It was pleasing to discover how correct her mother had been. Elisabeth had spent the last hour in the garden listening to the gentle strains of music that reached her through the open windows of the music room. As the hour of luncheon came, Bingley and Darcy had yet to return and Lord Matlock requested he and his steward dine in the library, so the Countess, Janet, Edith and Georgiana dined with Elisabeth on the terrace. Once they finished, Lady Elisabeth kindly declined the offer of her mother to join her, Janet, Edith and Georgiana when they went to pay a call on the Mrs. Whitting - their parson's wife of six months. Instead, Elisabeth chose to remain in the quiet with a book and she was still a good deal embarrassed by her previous actions that she preferred the solitude.
Shortly after waving them off as they rode to see Mrs. Whitting, Elisabeth returned to the terrace and had just picked up her book again when her father appeared.
"I'm going to have to ride over to one of the tenant farms, my dear. Mr. Dougary is going to accompany me," Lord Matlock spoke, indicating the young steward behind him. Elisabeth smiled up at him.
"Very well, Papa," she said, setting aside her book.
"Would you mind entertaining Dougary while I organise a few things?"
"Certainly, Papa," Elisabeth agreed. Her father turned and quickly went into the house. "Would you care to take a seat, sir?"
"Thank you," said Mr. Dougary, sitting in the chair she indicated.
"How is Mrs. Dougary? Has little Anna recovered from her cold?"
"My wife is fine and our Anna is doing very well, thank you."
"I have been meaning to pay a call on Hannah but I did not wish to disturb her while Anna was sick." Elisabeth had developed quite a liking for Mrs. Dougary. There was something in her manner that reminded Elisabeth of her dear friend, Charlotte.
"Indeed, that is very good of you, my lady. Anna has been asking after you... you are a great favourite of hers."
"In that case, I can hardly delay a visit much longer, can I? I think I might call on Hannah tomorrow afternoon."
Mr. Dougary smiled and stood as he heard Lord Matlock returning. "I can assure you that both will look forward to it."
Elisabeth bid good-bye to her father and Mr. Dougary and once they were gone she revelled a while in the feeling of being alone, or as alone as one could be in a household full of servants. She returned to her book, but she soon lost interest in the scenery around her. Lady Elisabeth watching the small movements of the garden for some time before she dozed off, lulled by the sounds and the harmony around her.
Chapter 44 ~ Shocking Behavior
"I cannot quite decide... Angel or goddess? Perhaps, you are both, Sleeping Beauty," Elisabeth heard a voice whisper in her ear, still half in a dream world, she felt the curls about her face being brushed aside by gentle hands. "Does she need a kiss to awaken her?"
Lady Elisabeth's eyes shot open in the utmost amazement as she felt herself being kissed. Her arms were gently pinned against the side of the chair where she had fallen asleep, preventing her from struggling against this assault on her person.
"She awakes," breathed Lord Hamerton, drawing ever so slightly away from Elisabeth. "I was right; all she needed was a kiss from her true love - her prince, to wake her."
Elisabeth suddenly remembered the ridiculous fairytale she had told some time ago, fitting herself and Janet into the story. Lord Hamerton was most certainly not her choice of prince.
"Let me go!" cried Elisabeth, fighting against Lord Hamerton's hold on her arms. She was made very uncomfortable by the knowledge that she was really alone with this man in light of the liberties he had just taken.
"Of course," said Hamerton, as if there was nothing unusual about their situation that would warrant her angry demand - he released her and stepped back. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her hand raising to slap him but, before she could satisfy herself with that retaliation, Hamerton caught her wrists, pulling her tightly against himself and clasped her hands behind her back.
"How are you this morning, my Princess? I trust you are recovered enough from your fun of last evening to take a turn about the park with me?" asked he, staring into her eyes that were burning with hostility, which only served to make her all the more attractive to Lord Hamerton.
"I was doing splendidly until you came upon me, Sir. And though I may feel very healthy, I am in no mood to put myself so entirely under your power as to consent to go anywhere with you!" she snapped, desperately trying to work her hands free from Hamerton's strong grasp.
"Elisabeth, why do you struggle with me so? Can you not see that I would never intentionally harm you?" Lord Hamerton asked. The sincerity in his eyes and voice alarmed Elisabeth, for the last thing she wanted was for this man to feel anything for her. Yet his utterance seemed to indicate that he might just feel more for her than she had thought possible.
Elisabeth answered shakily, "I see nothing of the sort, my lord. If you would 'never intentionally harm me,' why do you insist on hurting my wrists!"
Hamerton's grip relaxed to a degree that eased the pain, but not enough to allow Elisabeth to escape. "I do that out of necessity, love... If I let you go, you might just scratch my eyes out - you are passionate enough to do that. Do not deny it."
"I do not want to deny it, for you have spoken truthfully on that point! And, if you refuse to release me, I shall scream and bring all the servants here!" Elisabeth said imperiously.
"Oh, don't go spoiling this so, by doing that. I shall release you when you promise that I will escape unscathed."
"You have my word, Lord Hamerton," said Elisabeth willingly and was glad to find herself promptly released from his grasp. "Thank you." Elisabeth hated having to thank him but thought that it had best be done should he think to take offense. She stepped past him to walk into the house. "Good day, my lord."
"Where are you going?" asked Hamerton, in a tone that puzzled Elisabeth. It was one of the few sentences she had ever heard him utter that did not have a double meaning and it left her uncertain as to how she should respond.
"I... I am leaving you to go into the house," she stuttered, unable to prevent herself from turning around on the steps to face him - wanting to see what he looked like when he spoke like that.
"Are you not going to come with me around the park? I believe you did say last night that you would..." Lord Hamerton quickly closed the gap between them but still stood at a respectable distance from her.
"I'd rather not, my lord," whispered Elisabeth, looking down, hating the feeling of guilt that crept into her heart at this refusal. It angered her how he could twist her emotions like that. She firmly told herself that he was not worth bothering about. Struggling for the words, she repeated with finality, "Good day, Lord Hamerton."
Lady Elisabeth felt all her anger rushing back to her when her hand was caught in his as she turned to go inside. She turned back to him, ready to censure him for restraining her in such an improper manner yet again. To her profound astonishment, the expression on his face remained the same and Elisabeth was at last able to assign it a name - it was gentle sincerity.
"Lady Elisabeth, can I beg to detain you for a few minutes more?" he asked quietly, indicating the chairs behind them.
"I suppose I can spare a little time," Elisabeth warily answered as she allowed him to lead her to one seat. Lord Hamerton took the seat opposite her and she noticed with some interest that he released her hand without being asked to do so. What an improvement that was. Lord Hamerton paused before he spoke. He appeared to be calming himself, which Elisabeth thought was a strange action for this person to take. "In the course of our acquaintance I am well aware that I have done nothing to recommend myself to you. I don't ask for, or expect, forgiveness for all that I have done to you, but I do ask that you hear my apology. To you, I am sure, no secret has been made of my distasteful habits - indeed, I have never taken pains to conceal them from anyone - and in view of those habits, I hope you can understand part of the reasons behind my horrible behaviour to you over this last week. Until just a few moments ago it escaped my notice how deserving you are of respect - respect that I have not given. My previous experience with women of all classes and in all situations has made me wary and I have allowed myself to be convinced that I only appreciate ladies for one thing... I know it is improper to discuss such a subject with you, but my apology cannot carry any weight without a full explanation..."
"Lord Hamerton, please, this really isn't necessary," began Lady Elisabeth, who found herself made uncomfortable by his speech. Hamerton's latest choice of subject matter brought a blush to her cheek but it was not merely that which discomfitted her. His words seemed to rob her of all her justifications for disliking him. The man before her was likable, he was not misbehaving; instead, he was being kind, sweet, and even repentant.
"Oh, but it is necessary, my lady. For the first time, and I have you to thank, I found a woman who was not silly or impressionable - I was shown a lady who was beautiful but also had intelligence and wit. I had been mistaken in thinking there was no woman in the world like that. However, I stupidly treated you like I treated every other lady I met, when instead I should have seen what a rare treasure you were and treated you with that aforementioned respect."
"Please," exclaimed Elisabeth, blushing again, "I do thank you for your compliments but you are quite embarrassing me. Do not feel that you have to go on and further explain yourself for I do now see something of the cause for your scandalous behaviour."
"Very well. I shall leave it at that, my lady. Let me escort you into the house, then?" asked he, standing before her and offering his arm.
Lady Elisabeth was continually surprised by this side of him. She tried to remain suspicious and alert but she was certain that he was not acting. Therefore, she accepted the offer of his arm with more trust and enjoyment than she would have ever thought imaginable. In silence they walked up the garden steps to the large glass doors off the drawing room. It was here that Hamerton halted and turned to face her, taking her hands in his.
"I warn you now that I intend to court you and properly, too. After all that I have done, I have to and want to prove myself worthy. Lady Elisabeth, I do not even try to hide the fact that I love you dearly and I do honestly wish to marry you... although I realise there is much I must repair before I can actually apply for your hand." Lord Hamerton ran a finger down her jaw as he spoke, rather forgetting his recent vows of good behaviour as he looking into Lady Elisabeth's bewitching eyes.
It was strange to her. Elisabeth did not doubt his love. There was too much truth in his expression to make her suspicious of his intent. She was not his latest conquest. He was not trying to get around the barriers she had raised against him by professing to have honourable intentions. Lord Hamerton did really wish to marry her and it was difficult to not feel flattered that he was prepared to change for her. At the same moment as these thoughts ran through her head, though, she did not reply to his words and did not break the spell she unknowingly cast over him.
So it was that Elisabeth found herself being kissed for the second time in the course of half an hour, only on this occasion there was true feeling in his kiss. It was the realisation of that genuine love that forced Elisabeth to face the reality of her situation. She did not love Lord Hamerton and never could. He had the right to know that her heart could not be his; it was already strongly owned by Darcy.
"Lord Hamerton..." Lady Elisabeth began as she drew away from him, but was not able to say anything further as powerful hands descended on to Lord Hamerton's shoulders.
Elisabeth watched in a stunned silence as Darcy swung Hamerton around, pushing him against the wall of the house with great force and anger, demanding in a low tone, "What is the meaning of imposing yourself upon my cousin in this disgusting manner?"
Hamerton pushed Darcy away from him and for a moment he was ready to engage in a fight if it came to that. The sound of Elisabeth's voice angrily telling Darcy how unnecessary his interference was stopped Lord Hamerton from going any further. He observed the look of pain that crossed Darcy's face and his suspicions on one score were confirmed, as if he had been in much doubt in the first place. Hamerton knew that Darcy loved Lady Elisabeth, dearly. It was plain to anyone with an interest who was capable of discerning the subtle changes in Darcy's manner and expression when Lady Elisabeth came near.
Out of habit, Hamerton was tempted to taunt his rival. The first instinct was to throw Darcy's feelings in his face, to make him see that nothing existed between him and Elisabeth. It is what he would have done in days gone by. He would have flexed his shoulders as he straightened the lace at his cuffs, not only looking prepared for a fight but actually being prepared for one.
It was not in him now. He had so much to prove in Elisabeth's eyes that the smallest slip would be detrimental, his kissing her might have already been a fatal move. Lady Elisabeth did not even begin to comprehend the depth of his feeling for her and he had to admit to the small fear that the love Darcy felt for Elisabeth was returned. For the first time in his love affairs, Lord Hamerton was not in control; his heart was in Lady Elisabeth's hands and it was entirely in her power to refuse him. He did not want to think of that possible defeat but it would not be silenced.
"Cousin, do not attempt to defend this man," Darcy said to Elisabeth, raising his hand as an indication for her to stop as he turned back to face the man of whom he never thought he would have cause to be jealous. "Get off of this property. Immediately. I can safely speak for my Uncle. Do not presume a welcome in this house after what I have just found you doing."
"My sister is still here, Darcy. You can't prevent my seeing Edith. Nor can you prevent my seeing your cousin. I see I shall not only have to prove myself to her, but to her family."
Darcy grabbed Lord Hamerton's arm roughly and pushed him toward the steps. "Do not make it necessary for me to have you removed from the property..."
"Indeed, I would not want to draw that kind of dirty speculation as to the reason for such an action from the servants." Hamerton jerked his arm out of Darcy's grasp. "However, you will not be rid of me just yet." He turned back to Lady Elisabeth and said with genuine remorse, "In view of what your cousin thankfully interrupted I think I might have undone all my good work. I'm sorry for that and for my ill-judged action, Lady Elisabeth. I am not going to forget myself again..."
"Old habits die hard, I think the saying goes... For this once I forgive you, Lord Hamerton. Goodbye," said Elisabeth kindly but feeling incredibly uneasy saying so in the presence of her cousin - the man she did love. It was wrong, she knew, to give Lord Hamerton such hope, but Elisabeth judged the consequences would be even worse if she were to tell Hamerton, in front of Darcy, that he would never have a chance of gaining her love.
Hamerton smiled at her in appreciation of her goodness and, bowing slightly, quit the terrace, leaving behind him a most uncomfortable silence between the cousins.
Chapter 45 ~ Prone to Misunderstanding
"May I speak with you, Cousin?" asked Darcy tightly as he turned angrily on his heel, stalking past Elisabeth into the drawing room.
Lady Elisabeth disliked his commanding tone but if she ever hoped for things to be resolved between them she knew it was best to follow and explain what he had seen. As she stepped into the drawing room, Elisabeth wondered how on earth she was actually going to explain the truth to him, especially when she saw the stern set of his shoulders as he stood at the window across from her looking, unseeing, through the glass.
Darcy was uncertain how to proceed once he had asked her to join him in the drawing room. It was tempting to ask why she had betrayed him, but as she had given no indication of feelings for him such a reaction would seem petty and arrogant. He was at a loss to describe the depth of his jealousy; to walk into the room and see Elisabeth and Hamerton locked in an embrace such as that was pure and utter torture. Darcy was able to tell himself that he knew he had his cousin's friendship but he admitted that he wanted so much more. He wanted to be the one who had kissed Elisabeth not ten minutes before.
At length he spoke, but even then he was still overcome with envy and unsure of what exactly he wanted to say to her. "Cousin Elisabeth, I am not expecting any confidences from you..."
"I have no confidences..." Elisabeth began to uneasily say to the still coldly turned back.
"Indeed, I think I am quite inclined to agree with you. Whatever you meant to keep secret is now known..." Darcy could not prevent the bitterness from creeping into his voice but he fought it down before speaking again. "Please hear me out. I do not begin to understand the entire state of affairs between you and Lord Hamerton but if you feel anything for him..." The words nearly choked him but he went on. "I think it my duty, as your cousin, to warn you of his character."
"Apparently you and everyone else are of the mind that I ought to be warned about him... Why, the man himself tells me what a danger he is!" Elisabeth tried to lighten the dark mood hanging over her cousin by laughing at this comment. It was quite the wrong action to take.
Darcy swallowed, trying to keep a tight rein on his anger, yet he knew he was fighting a losing battle there. He was so hurt by finding her in the arms of Lord Hamerton that he could not accurately direct his anger. He turned from the window and stormily walked towards her. "Do not attempt to make light of this in any way! After what I have just witnessed I find you to be dangerously at fault."
Lady Elisabeth had, until that point, been able to reason away his masterful manner but with his angry exclamation she found her own ire rising. "I ask you to remember that you are not my father. Do not dare to speak so to me, sir! In no way are you my guardian..."
"Oh, but to all appearances you need one! I come in here and find you in Lord Hamerton's arms. By the by, how is your head today? The spectacle you made of yourself last night at dinner - did you not see what he was doing when he kept refilling your glass? Honestly, I thought you had more sense than that!" said Darcy, turning away from her and leaning against the mantle piece.
"I learned a rather valuable lesson back in April; that it is best not to pass judgement on a person before all sides of the story are known..." Elisabeth hissed coldly.
"I am glad you introduce Hunsford into this for it saves me the trouble of reminding you about a certain Mr. Wickham and your ready defence of him! I have always thought better of you... To find you kissing a man such as Lord Hamerton came as a great shock but in retrospect I suppose I should not be surprised, given your willingness to be attracted to and trust men of a very bad nature!" Darcy spat through clenched teeth, now pacing in front of the fireplace.
"That is most unfair!" cried Elisabeth. "I have not thought well of Lord Hamerton for a long time, but he apologised to me for his behaviour to myself in the past, just this morning. His kissing me was a mistake, and one that I wish he had not made, but I truly think that he is not so bad as he seems. Lord Hamerton merely plays the part of a rake but he is a good sort of person underneath all that..."
"Really? Can I ask what your opinion is of a man who has two illegitimate children who live with their mother in a small cottage somewhere in the south of the country? What do you think of a man who has been the cause of many a servant girl's dismissal in shame?" thundered Darcy as he started pacing the room.
"My opinion of such a man is that he is an ill judge of what is right. He may even reform his ways and do the honourable thing for his children and their mother." She paused, seemingly considering his words had a different motive. "Are you suggesting that Lord Hamerton keeps such a situation?"
"Yes!" Darcy exclaimed, surprised that Elizabeth even had to ask. "It is my reason for warning you about him."
Elisabeth heard Darcy without the smallest display of emotion and not wanting to concede defeat, continued saying stiffly, "I thank you for your concern, Cousin, but I don't understand how you can take it upon yourself to dictate whom I see." In her anger Elisabeth did not want to admit that she did not wish to see Hamerton, as Darcy obviously assumed she did.
"All I am doing is trying to help you to realise his faults before it is too late for you to find happiness." Following her defence of Hamerton, Darcy was resolved that, even if she did not love him, he would at least attempt to make her see the truth about the man she did love.
"How many times must I tell you?" cried Elisabeth, frustrated. "I'm not at all blind to his faults! I can see them as clearly as anyone else. I know what a colourful past he has but I see that he is attempting to better himself..."
"I see no evidence of that!"
"Well, I did! I do not pretend to be ignorant of his faults. What do you think I am?"
"Frankly?" exclaimed Darcy.
"If you must tell me, then, yes!"
"A little fool!" Darcy said harshly. Turning towards her he continued. "I cannot believe that I thought you to be the most sensible lady of my acquaintance rather than a silly schoolgirl whose head is turned by a man who does not appreciate her. I would have credited you with more intelligence than to fall under his spell." Darcy regarded her for a moment before he turned away to hide his pain. Unfortunately, Elisabeth took that action to mean disgust.
She sighed, the anger draining out of her. "I don't know why you take it upon yourself to protect me. It is not as if I am anything to you," Elisabeth said softly, taking up a station in front of the window, leaning her head against the glass
"Nothing to me?" stammered Darcy. "For one thing, you are my cousin. Secondly, I happen to... Oh, what does it matter!" He strode across the room towards the door. "Marry Hamerton for all I care! I wish you every imaginable happiness in the world and that is all you will have as his wife - fantasy, for you will have no real happiness with him." Darcy slammed the door behind him and Elisabeth could hear the stomping of his feet as he retreated upstairs.
Lady Elisabeth was left to her gloomy thoughts in the oppressive quiet of the drawing room. She could not help thinking that if her cousin felt anything for her, even the smallest amount of love, he would have waited to hear what she had to say before lecturing her. He would not have jumped to such conclusions. "One might think he really wants to be free of me," Elisabeth whispered, fighting against tears that threatened to fall. Even though, she had to admit that loosing her own temper had not helped matters, she could have told him the truth rather than letting him go on believing she had feelings for Lord Hamerton.
She would have stayed, unmoving, in the room for some time had she not caught sight of the carriage returning the ladies from their call on Mrs. Whitting. Elisabeth could not face anyone after the day she had endured and quickly retreated to the safety of her bedchamber.