By Consequence of Marriage (A Pride & Prejudice Novel) Page 5

  "And if I hold no face cards? Then what must I do, a Herculean labor?"

  "Nay, nothing so onerous. You simply draw a card until you can play. First one to lose her cards wins." Miss Elizabeth finished.

  "Or he." Mr. Darcy added.

  Elizabeth smiled, cheered to see the bit of competition in him. "Agreed, or he that loses his cards first."

  The game began and the first few rounds saw all of them making matches as it appeared that Jane had not shuffled the deck from the last game. Elizabeth was the first to play a face card and giggled as she had the best lie. "On nights with a full moon, I love best to borrow father's breeches and go running through the fields astride the largest stallion in our barn!"

  Jane made a face at Elizabeth, but it was Mr. Darcy who cleared his throat. "Pardon me, but I believe we are supposed to tell a lie when we play a knave."

  Elizabeth's jaw dropped that Mr. Darcy would impugn her integrity to tell such a tale, and Jane covered her mouth to stifle her mirth. "It most certainly is a lie, Mr. Darcy. I hate horses, and prefer walking to riding no matter the distance."

  Darcy nodded, and played a card as Miss Bennet had begun a new round with a six and he had one. Elizabeth, still smarting from his jest at her expense, played a seven and it was Jane who had to play a face card. Her face immediately turned red, as she knew Lizzie would not let her get off with nothing less than a most embarrassing truth. Settling her shoulders back, she decided to be as honest as she cared to be, in hopes to avoid her younger sister's ribbing.

  "I find Mr. Bingley in possession of the most pleasant manners I've ever met in a dance partner." Quickly, Jane turned her eyes back to her cards. Mr. Darcy said nothing and played a nine, hoping Elizabeth did not hold any, but he was to be disappointed when she produced one. Jane played a ten and caught Mr. Darcy wanting.

  With a deep breath, Mr. Darcy viewed his face cards and nothing but women smiled up from his hand. Taking out the Queen of Hearts, he played her on the pile and wondered why he had agreed to such a ridiculous game. How was he to compliment one of these women without showing a preference? It was very serious behavior for a man to compliment an unmarried woman, and with his own situation in such disarray, a courtship and marriage was the furthest thing from his mind. Thoughts of Georgiana pained his heart, but provided the necessary inspiration.

  "I find I have never witnessed such a powerful bond of sisterly affection as I discern between you, Miss Bennet, and you, Miss Elizabeth." Both women smiled at this sincere compliment.

  The game continued until both Darcy and Elizabeth were down to one card each. Poor Jane had the unfortunate business of multiple draws, so she sat with five cards in her hand. She played a seven, hoping once more to catch Mr. Darcy off his game. Instead, the man stood up from his chair and triumphantly played his last face card, one he held from the start. This accomplished, he fulfilled his final requirement.

  "Ladies, I can honestly say this has been the most engaging and pleasant card game I have ever played. Thank you for teaching me."

  Realizing how late the hour was, the group gave their goodbyes and both Jane and Mr. Darcy left to dress for dinner. Elizabeth sighed as they left her to rest. She carefully picked up the cards into a proper deck. As the bottom card was the Queen of Hearts, she wondered at Mr. Darcy's truth that he was only in Hertfordshire until he heard from his cousin. Whatever it was, as she yawned and realized the afternoon had indeed taxed her strength, she hoped that Mr. Darcy's cousin would misaddress the letter.

  Chapter Twelve

  Fatigue added weight to Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam's athletic frame as he dragged through his final steps of the day. Spending part of every day and night wandering the streets of London, by the docks, by the brothels, by the warehouses for weeks straight, a deep and dark truth began to grip his heart. He would never find her.

  Falling into the chair behind Darcy's desk in his study, the emotion was too much for the war-ravaged man. He choked up recalling the childish teases his young cousin would play on each of his visits. He could almost hear her small voice echoing around him, "Come Richard, listen to my newest song that Brother bought for me."

  The study door opened and Darcy's butler carried in a silver tray with Colonel Fitzwilliam's nightly repast. Looking at the wooden desk covered in notes and mail, the colonel hastily collected a pile of letters so that the tray might be placed before him, but his tired hands knocked a few missives to the floor. The butler bent to retrieve them.

  "Leave them, man, get some rest. I may be a bumbling oaf, but I'm one that cleans up after himself." The Colonel attempted a wan smile.

  "As you wish, sir." The butler bowed and exited the room.

  Sighing, the Colonel poured himself a glass of brandy and sipped the golden liquid for rejuvenation. The effects were quick, and the burn down his throat was a tickle as he often imbibed. With a heavy sigh, he leaned forward in the chair to retrieve the letters when his hand paused in midair. The lettering on the missive was familiar, and once he thought of it, he snatched the letter and ripped it open.

  He read the words with his eyes racing back and forth. That scoundrel Wickham was demanding a meeting! Quickly, the Colonel flipped the letter over and searched the date. Why, it was three weeks ago! Frantic, Richard began tossing the letters around looking for more. The raucous search brought the butler back, but upon gazing into the room the man decided not to disturb the Master's cousin.

  Triumphantly clutching five letters, Richard hurried over to the table with the map of London still displayed. He ripped open each letter and looked at the direction, carefully plotting the inns on the map. They all came from the same area, the place by the docks that he had first recommended to Darcy all those weeks ago and had skipped in his searching. With a smug smile on his face, Richard tossed the letters onto the table and walked with a distinct swagger back to the desk. He remained standing erect as he downed the rest of the brandy and then pulled his sagging breeches up over his small paunch. With a loud belch, he opted to retire for a good night's sleep. In the morning, he had prey to pursue!

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jane Bennet entered Longbourn to the usual yells and taunts of her younger sisters fighting over some frippery. She had managed to remove her gloves before her mother spied her, coming from the kitchens with a jar of preserves in her hand.

  "Ooooh, Jane dear, whatever are you doing here? Has he done it? Has Mr. Bingley proposed? Oh he must have, he must have, you are so very beautiful. Mr. Bennet!"

  "No, Mama, I am here to pack more long sleeve dresses for Lizzie and me. And Lizzie asked for a book from her room."

  Mrs. Bennet sniffed, just as her husband deigned to open his study door. "Is Lizzie home, so soon? Impossible."

  "No, Mr. Bennet, your precious Lizzie is not home. I say, my poor nerves cannot abide this endless coming and going. Well, be off with you, Jane dear, fetch the items you require. And do make sure you thank poor Mr. Bingley for his hospitality, the man must be having fits with that girl's headstrong ways." Mrs. Bennet frowned at her eldest daughter and Mr. Bennet before taking her leave. Jane bowed her head and began to take the stairs.

  "Before you leave Jane, I would like an audience." Mr. Bennet called, causing Jane to turn and nod at her father.

  Amid the loud voices of Kitty and Lydia, Jane tried to walk past without being noticed, but failed when the floorboard at the top of the stairs made it's customary groan.

  "Jane! Jane! Tell Lydia it's my turn to borrow your bonnet. She won't give it to me." Kitty stumbled out of the bedroom she shared with her youngest sister, waves of her curly brown hair falling all around her face.

  "La! I borrowed it first and I plan to wear it this afternoon as I am escorted by Lieutenant Denny. He said the cornflower trim was perfect for accentuating my blue eyes." Lydia held the bonnet to her chest and sighed with a far off stare.

  "Does Mama know you are being escorted by officers?" Jane inquired.

  Lydia made a sour face at onc
e. "Mind your beaus, and I'll mind mine. Why are you here? I thought you and Lizzie were staying at Netherfield."

  An irksome tiredness settled on Jane's shoulders as she felt the weeks of staying in a stranger's home and caring for her injured sister which the rest of her family felt quite comfortable forsaking. A white-hot anger seared through Jane's mind as she zeroed in on Lydia's mocking face. Quite a surprise to the girls, Jane's temper snapped and she marched forward to reclaim her bonnet and push Lydia back on the bed. "You spoiled, spoiled children! To carry on up here over belongings that are neither yours, nor yours!" Jane glared at both Lydia and Kitty in turn. "You ought to be ashamed of yourselves and at least act concerned regarding our sister who sits miserable with a broken ankle and head wound. But no, you're traipsing about with officers! Well, I will not abide such wanton behavior!" Jane sniffed and seemed to regain her senses. Her mouth opened in shock and she covered it as Kitty and Lydia began to cry in unison at their oldest sister's cross words.

  Straightening her attire that had come quite askew from her tirade, Jane resumed her mission towards the room she shared with Elizabeth. Just as she reached the door, she paused to note her sisters now recovered from their false cries. Narrowing her eyes, Jane felt her temper begin to rise in her chest once more, but this time she was better equipped. Her demeanor as calm as ever, Jane parted with the sweetest threat. "Touch our belongings again and I shall cut your hair as you sleep."

  With a smile, Jane opened the door to her room, happy of the peace and quiet now reigning in her home. She made short work of her errand since Hill was now present to help pack the additional trunk. The two women shared a look of solidarity as the family's head servant appreciated the set down of the two youngest Bennet sisters. With the arguing, Jane forgot the book Elizabeth requested so she grabbed all three that sat upon her sister's bedside table.

  Her stomach rumbling, Jane did not wish to tarry longer than necessary and considered ignoring her father's request. After all, he didn't mean to make such an effort, but Jane's conscience scolded her for her negative opinions. Hill disappeared to the kitchen to quietly pack her a basket for the journey to Netherfield and with reluctance Jane entered her father's study.

  "Jane, thank you for coming. Please, sit down. Tell me about Lizzie."

  Jane frowned for half a moment, but was quick to restore her countenance. Her parents had their favorites, never to be denied, but still the rejection stung each time they displayed their preference to the ill-favored daughter. "She is in better spirits, Papa. Mr. Darcy often visits to play cards or read to her and I think it cheers her a great deal."

  It was Mr. Bennet's turn to frown, only he did not change his expression. "The man who nearly killed her visits you say? Well, what cheek for him to do so! I ought to have thrashed his hide!"

  "No, Papa, he is indeed sorrowful, and . . ."

  "Yes? Is there more to this accident I should know about?"

  Jane shrugged her shoulders and squirmed in her chair. Her father gazed at her with a fierceness that she had not experienced since she was much younger and trying to cover some of Lizzie's grand adventures that resulted in a secret mending of her gowns. Jane broke his gaze and stared at her hands in her lap.

  "Jane, I believe there is something you wish to tell me. I see two paths before us. We can sit here for a few moments until I coax it out of you, or you can tell me what it is and we both can move on with the day with greater rapidity. The choice is yours dear." Mr. Bennet sat back in his chair, the twinkle restored to his old blue eyes and a small, smug smile playing on his lips.

  At the most inopportune moment, her stomach growled and Jane took a deep breath. Lizzie would likely confess all to their father in time she supposed, what harm would there be in telling him what she knew?

  "Lizzie was walking in the midst of the road because she was quite angry. She had set her intentions to John Lucas at the assembly, because she wishes to remain in Hertfordshire when she marries. He rode here that day to inform her she was not good enough for his family's aspirations." Jane felt quite out of breath and swelled at once with remorse. Once it all came out, there was no denying that she had betrayed her sister's confidences.

  "Not good enough!" Mr. Bennet stood up in anger, causing Jane to shrink back. He raised his hands to motion for her to calm, also in effort to apologize for his outburst. He walked over to his window and saw the young lad just hired by Mr. Flemming, the steward, as he coaxed their oldest nag back into the barn. "This is my fault."

  Jane's head whipped around to stare at the back of her father's form. "I am sorry, sir, but I am confused. Lizzie took half of the blame for the accident on her own, and I think between her and Mr. Darcy, the blame is satisfied."

  Mr. Bennet turned and shook his head. "Sweet Jane," he smiled. "Lizzie is relentless in her loyalty to you, you know. It would appear that you reciprocate her feelings." He shook his head again and slowly trudged back towards his chair. Mr. Bennet picked up his book and found his place again, but before he began to read, he beheld Jane. "Oh, bother, she will tell you now I am certain. Two weeks before that blasted assembly, Lizzie saw me stumble out in the fields. It was a trifling matter I am assured by Mr. Jones, but he told me to expect those episodes to increase as I age. But for heaven's sake, do not tell your mother or we will see no peace in this house." After such a confession, Mr. Bennet acted as if he had just told Jane he had stubbed his big toe and he waved her off.

  Jane stood stiff and firm, barely remembering to nod adieu as she accepted the basket Hill covertly placed in her hands the moment she left the study. "The carriage awaits."

  Jane nodded and walked out of her family's home so stunned that she left her gloves on the table in the entryway. As the carriage lurched forward and Mrs. Hill waved her off, Jane realized she was no longer hungry.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The evening proved to be a momentous occasion as Elizabeth's afternoon interview with Mr. Jones granted her permission to take her meal and entertainment downstairs, provided she was carried and did not bear weight on the affected limb. Radiating with glee, Elizabeth asked Jane to attend her in appearing especially elegant. In her gaiety, she was heedless of her older sister's guilt ridden face.

  A knock on the door startled them and a very gallant Mr. Darcy, their afternoon partner in crime most days, bowed with a smile.

  "Miss Bennet, I heard the good news and am come to offer my services to your charge."

  Jane smiled as the manners of Mr. Darcy had increased her estimation of the man, and she pleasantly nodded. As Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth sitting on the bench in front of the looking glass, she turned so that he might spy the most pleasing dark curl resting against the nape of her neck. His breath caught as he came closer and Elizabeth turned a most violent shade of red, but surreptitiously watched his handsome form in the mirror's reflection.

  "Miss Elizabeth," he greeted, with another bow. She gazed up at him and smiled her approval as she extended her arms to ease his task. He lifted her gently, mindful to keep his arm beneath her knees and endure his wandering thoughts. She giggled as he gallantly gave a rapid twirl to face the open door.

  "Forgive me, I am reminded of my sister and the few times I've carried her across water or mud." His deep baritone was cause for Lizzie's breath to catch. She felt the vibrations in her own chest and blushed prettily.

  "You are forgiven, Mr. Darcy. If you would be so kind to pause a moment. Jane? My slippers?"

  Elizabeth's sister quickly produced the slippers and scurried around to place them upon Lizzie's feet. Jane Bennet's efficiency gave Darcy only the briefest glance of his charge's stockinged feet causing him to inhale sharply. Such an intake caused Elizabeth to search his face, raising a quizzical brow. The moment was disturbed however by the sudden appearance of Mr. Bingley in the doorway.

  "Confound it, Darcy, must you always usurp me in attending our guests? I have just fetched a footman, but it would appear arrangements have been made." Mr. Bingley's
voice rose in treble as he marveled at the marked preference his friend would give to Miss Elizabeth. Again, Elizabeth's cheeks began to burn and she struggled to speak but Darcy interrupted, answering his friend's query.

  "It is only fitting, Charles, that I bear the burden of my foolhardy actions that injured our dear friend. Carrying Miss Elizabeth is a penance, nothing more." The droll voice Darcy used to parry matchmaking Mamas and their ilk returned and Elizabeth became indignant. Crossing her arms, she suddenly became heavier in his arms, vexed that it was too late to demand a footman attend her without causing an even larger scene.

  "Mr. Bingley, shall we start our journey? I know my sister is most eager to escape this room for the first time in a spell."

  "Certainly, certainly!" Mr. Bingley brightened and offered his arm to Jane. Inhaling the familiar scent of Jane's rose water, all thoughts of Mr. Darcy and his troubles escaped Bingley's attention until they reached the bottom of the stairs and his sister Caroline, standing outside the dining room white as a sheet.

  The two couples refrained from conversation as they passed their hostess to find the dining room perfectly set for a most elegant dinner. Charles Bingley smiled as he led Jane to her seat on his right, so occupied with her beauty in the dim candlelight that Darcy had to clear his throat and call out to attract his attention.

  "Oh, how deuced of me." Bingley apologized and pulled out the chair for Miss Elizabeth so that Mr. Darcy could place her gently in her seat. Although his arms tingled from the extended exercise, Darcy could not help the slight pressure as he lowered her. He assumed it was imperceptible as Elizabeth began talking with Jane and altogether ignored him. With no further service required, he left her next to Jane, on the opposite side of the table.