Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (24 page)

Crewe bowed to Richard. “The curate of St.
James’s Church here in Folkestone will be available tomorrow morning at half
ten.” 

But the silence from behind him was a
reminder this was one decision he could not make himself. Elizabeth’s
expression was serene. That was likely a danger sign; he had seen her with many
expressions, none of which could be described as serene.

His palms damp, Darcy slid his chair
closer to Elizabeth. He reached under the table to cover her hand with his own.
“What is your opinion? Crewe has some good points, but this is
your
wedding
and it must be as
you
wish it to be. You have every right to be married
in Longbourn church with your family around you. If you are dissatisfied in any
way with these suggestions, pray tell me so at once, and I will put an end to
them.”

Her lips twitched. “Even though you would
much prefer to marry right away, with or without your valet’s carefully
marshaled arguments?”

If only he could kiss that arch look away!
“I would be hard put to deny a desire to make you mine as soon as possible, but
my desire to make you happy is even greater than that.”

“How lucky that you should have such a
reasonable answer to give, and that I should be so reasonable as to admit it!”

Triumph surged within him. “Does that mean
you agree?”

“There is one slight problem. I am not yet
of age, so I would still need my father’s permission.”

Devil take it! If he had to ride to
Longbourn and back, he would also need to announce the engagement…in three
months’ time. He spoke with great care. “If you did marry without his
permission, would he be likely to attempt to have the marriage annulled, even
after we have lived together as man and wife?”

A delightful flush rose in her cheeks.
“No, I suppose not. That would be too much trouble, and he prefers the easiest
path.”

“I did call on him and told him of my
intention to marry you, and while he did not give his permission, he also did
not forbid it. I could argue that is the same as tacit permission. But more
importantly, would it disturb you to marry without his formal consent? I would
not wish to make you unhappy.”

Her lips tightened. “My father, by
withholding my letter to you and failing to tell you my whereabouts, was
responsible for the most miserable time of my life. No doubt he meant well in
his own way, but I would not allow his outright disapproval to stop me, so I
will certainly not feel the lack of his formal consent.”

At least he was not alone in his anger at
Mr. Bennet’s interference! “So…”

She hesitated. “Is  Crewe correct
that an engagement announcement during the mourning period could be harmful to
your sister’s prospects?”

“He is correct, but it is not a serious
issue. She is still the granddaughter of an earl with a large dowry. It would
discourage only the highest sticklers that her brother has no sense of
decorum.”

Elizabeth laughed. “No sense of decorum
indeed!”

He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I
certainly had none when we were in the cove.”

Color rose in her cheeks. “Perhaps, then,
since your sense of decorum is so little to be trusted, we had best follow
Crewe’s plan. You did tell me once he was always right.”

“And sometimes it is very annoying. Not
this time, though.”

Richard coughed loudly. “Well, Darcy?”

Electing to ignore him, Darcy said to
Crewe, “I hope you brought me apparel suitable for a wedding.”

“Naturally, sir. And for Miss Darcy as
well.”

Georgiana said, “But you said I was to
bring my best clothes in case Darcy planned to introduce me to someone!”

Crewe inclined his head. “I find it is
always best to be prepared.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I see Charlotte and I
will be the only ones ill-prepared!”

Richard muttered, “Not if I know Crewe.”

“I took the liberty of obtaining Mrs.
Collins’ best dress from the parsonage and certain items from Lady Anne’s
wardrobe which seemed likely to suit Miss Bennet. Naturally, I brought the
Darcy sapphires from London.”

“Naturally,” Darcy said under his breath,
then added more loudly, “Crewe, is there anything else I planned which I may
have forgotten? I would hate to embarrass myself by being unaware of any
particulars.”

Crewe counted on his fingers. “License,
church, curate, family, suitable apparel, jewelry; no, I believe you have taken
care of everything, sir.”

Richard said, “How remarkably poor your
memory is these days, Darcy! Crewe, how did you manage to obtain a special
license in Darcy’s name?”

Crewe for once seemed at a loss and looked
to Darcy.

Darcy cleared his throat. “Crewe was no
doubt well aware I already had a special license in my desk drawer. I had
obtained it prior to visiting Elizabeth’s father, thinking he would wish a
speedy wedding.”

Mrs. Collins spoke up for the first time.
“I find myself remarkably hard of hearing tonight. It would be improper for me
to participate in plans which my husband might deem distasteful to her late
ladyship. Tomorrow will no doubt come as quite a surprise to me.”

Richard chuckled. “Had I only known Crewe
had matters so well in hand, Mrs. Collins, I could have left you out of my
little conspiracy, and your conscience would be quite clear.”

“Oh, no,” said Charlotte gravely. “I would
not have missed conspiring against Lizzy and Mr. Darcy for the world. In cases
such as these, a clear conscience is highly overrated.”

Under the table, Darcy took Elizabeth’s
hand and squeezed it.

***

After dinner, Darcy turned to his cousin
and said abruptly, “I have not been thinking.”

“To say the least!” Richard said.

“I am serious. Your father is absolutely
set on marrying me off to Anne. He is not going to be pleased with you for
interfering with his plans. There is little he can do to punish me, but you are
a different story.”

Richard’s smile faded a bit. “I have
considered that, but I am not going to hide my part in this, regardless of what
he might do. It will be an ugly scene, at the very least.”

To Darcy’s surprise, Mrs. Collins spoke
up. “What is the worst he can do to you?”

“Disown me,” Richard said, his face a
shade paler than it had been. “Cut off my funds. It would be difficult, but I
could survive on my army pay.”

Mrs. Collins leaned forward. “Did you not
tell me you could not leave the army because of your duty to your father? What
of that if he disowns you?”

A smile grew on Darcy’s face. What a
clever woman Mrs. Collins was! “If he disowns you, you can sell your commission
and live at Pemberley.”

Richard froze, his glass of port half way
to his mouth.

“Oh, yes, Richard!” said Georgiana. “That
would be perfect!”

He set down the port carefully as if
afraid the glass would break. “Do you…do you…I cannot accept your charity.”

“It is not charity. You would do it for me
– remember? Together, against all enemies?”

A bit of color returned to Richard’s
cheeks. “Together, against all odds. But perhaps you should consult your
almost-wife before you invite me to live at Pemberley.”

Darcy had not given that a thought. He
would need to learn about being a husband. Husband. He liked that word.
“Perhaps Elizabeth and I could discuss this privately.”

“I cannot see why we need to discuss it,”
said Elizabeth warmly. “I would be very happy to see you sell your commission,
Colonel.”

Richard’s shoulders lowered in relaxation.
“Then you would have to call me Richard.”

Elizabeth pursed her lips as if deep in
thought, then said archly, “A difficult challenge, but I believe it would be
within my capability.”

With a laugh, Richard raised his glass.
“To being disowned!”

“Hear, hear!” said Darcy.

Once they had all drunk a toast, Elizabeth
said, “It has been a long day, and I believe I will retire early.”

“An excellent plan,” said the colonel.
“One of you should be well rested, and Darcy never sleeps through the night.”

Darcy ignored him, instead gazing at
Elizabeth with a slight smile playing around his lips. “Warm or cold?” he asked
huskily.

Color rose in her cheeks, but she smiled.
“Warm. Definitely warm.”

Charlotte looked puzzled. “I am certain
they will have lit a fire in your room. Mine was quite well heated.”

“That is good news,” said Elizabeth
gravely. “I do so dislike being cold at night.”

What had she agreed to? Not knowing when,
or if, Darcy planned to appear, Elizabeth changed into her nightgown in record
time. As she was brushing her hair, a knock at the door made her jump. Her
pulses racing, she opened it.

Charlotte stepped inside. “I came to see
if your room truly was warm enough. I can ask for more coal if you wish, and
there is an extra blanket in the wardrobe should you require it.”

If she felt any more overheated than she
did at the moment, she might be in danger of going up in flames! Especially
given that Mr. Darcy might appear at any moment for an even more embarrassing
scene. “I thank you, Charlotte. As you can see the room is very comfortable. I
was just about to go to bed.” She hoped her friend would take the hint and depart.

“If you are certain the room is fine… I
know you need your sleep. And Lizzy – should you have any
questions
,
I would be happy to do my best to answer them. I know you were not expecting
this situation.” Charlotte’s cheeks had turned as red as Elizabeth’s felt.

This would be a
very
bad moment for
Darcy to walk in! “Dearest Charlotte, you are the very best of friends! I
cannot think of any questions at the moment. As you know, my mother tended to
be more free with information than I often wished – but should any
questions arise, you will definitely hear from me.” Impulsively she leaned
forward and kissed Charlotte’s cheek. “After all, if you had not brought us
back together, I would not be marrying Mr. Darcy tomorrow!”

Charlotte’s lips twitched. “Why, just this
morning you were glaring daggers at me!”

“You deserved it – conspiring with
Colonel Fitzwilliam, indeed! And you claim not to be romantic!”

“
Someone
had to try to bring the
two of you to your senses. If this fortnight has been anything to judge by, your
marriage will never be dull.”

The memory of Darcy in his shirtsleeves
before a flickering fire warmed her. “No, it has not been dull. In fact, a
little less excitement might not be unwelcome,” she said ruefully.

“I am only sorry your visit with me will
be cut short! I am only teasing, of course. Sleep well, and I will see you in
the morning.”

“Goodnight, Charlotte.” With a sigh of
relief, Elizabeth shut the door behind Charlotte, then sagged back against it.
Thank heaven she had gone! She hoped Darcy would take care in making his way to
her, if in fact he did.

Perhaps it would be wiser to appear to the
world as if she were asleep. She snuffed the two candles, leaving the darkened
room lit only by the glow of the fire. After all, they had done well enough
during the blizzard without candles.

She sat on the bed, wrapping her arms
around her knees. She decided she would wait a little longer, and then go to
sleep if he did not come.

The door latch lifted and a tall, familiar
figure slipped inside. “Are you still awake?” he asked softly.

Elizabeth scrambled to her feet. “Yes. You
just missed Charlotte.”

He chuckled. “I know. I was starting down
the passageway when I saw her knock on your door. I had to pretend I was going
to Richard’s room.” He enveloped her in his arms.

How right it felt to be there! She rested
her head against his shoulder. “I am glad we will not need to worry about
secrecy in the future!”

“Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.” He
pressed his lips lightly on her forehead.

“I agree.” She tilted her head back,
thinking he would kiss her.

Instead, he stepped back and laid his
forefinger against her lips. “I came here tonight hoping to sleep in your arms
as I did at the cottage. After holding you on the beach, another night apart
seemed intolerable. But if I start kissing you, I fear I will not stop at
kisses. You tempt me more than you know.”

Did he mean it? “I will take your word for
it, but I will also be glad to sleep in
your
arms. How I missed that!”

His gaze grew more intense. “Did you?”

“Yes, I did.” Unable to resist the
opportunity to tease, she added, “You made a lovely, warm pillow.”

“A pillow, indeed. You were wearing more
than this in the cottage, though.”

She felt a tug on the belt of her dressing
gown and looked down to see his hands sliding inside it. The warm weight of
them on her hips through the fine linen of her nightgown sent shivers down her
spine.

“We both slept in our clothes there.
This
is a nightgown.”

“No,
that
is temptation incarnate!
I think you had best sleep in your dressing gown as well, or all my good
intentions may go for naught.” With seeming reluctance, he removed his hands,
pulled her robe together, and firmly tied the belt.

She crinkled her nose at him, unsure if
she were relieved or disappointed. Her body, tingling from head to foot, voted
on the side of disappointment. “Very well, if you insist. For tonight.”

He groaned. “Do not say such things!”

“My, what a lot of rules you have
tonight!”

“My, what an impertinent minx I have
tonight!” He threw back the counterpane and gestured to the bed.

She hesitated. It should not be so hard to
get into the bed. After all, she had lain with him on the pallet in the cabin,
but somehow this seemed much more intimate. Gathering her courage, she lay back
and held out her arms to him.

He slid in beside her, putting his arm
under her head. “That is better.”

She sighed with pleasure. “Much better.
But what if someone discovers us in the morning?”

“You need not worry. I always wake up
before dawn, and will be gone before even the servants are about their
business.”

If only he would kiss her, it would be
perfect! Snuggling close to him, she wondered how she could possibly fall
asleep with him pressed against her. “Mm.”

He kissed her forehead. “Sleep well, sweet
Lizzy.”

She opened one eye. “That is what you said
at the cottage. I have treasured that memory.”

“I have thought it every night since.”

Blanketed in his care and concern, she
fell under sleep’s spell.

***

A persistent knocking roused Darcy from a
most pleasurable dream of making love to Elizabeth in his bed at Pemberley. But
this was not that magnificent oak four-poster, just a narrow inn bed, with
sunlight pouring in the window and Elizabeth’s head pillowed on his shoulder.

“Elizabeth?” It was Georgiana’s voice.

And his sister was at the door.

What was wrong with him? He had not slept
this late since… since sleeping in Elizabeth’s arms at the cottage. What an
idiot he was! He shook Elizabeth’s shoulder. Scrambling out of bed with a
finger to his lips, his eyes darted around the room. There must be somewhere he
could hide. Devil take it, not enough space under the bed for him there!

“Elizabeth, are you awake?” That sounded
like Mrs. Collins.

Elizabeth hissed, “Behind the wardrobe!”
Then she added more loudly, “Yes, just a moment. I shall be right there.”

Darcy eyed the narrow space between the
wardrobe and the wall. Could he possibly fit there? If it were anyone but
Georgiana outside the door, he would simply brazen it out, but he could not do
so in front of his little sister. With the force of panic, he managed to
squeeze behind it.

Yes, it worked! At least as long as his
head was turned to the side and he took only shallow breaths. What a ridiculous
situation!

The latch clicked. “Good morning, ladies,”
said Elizabeth.

“I am so sorry to have woken you,” said
Georgiana, “but Mrs. Collins said we needed extra time to prepare you for the
wedding, since we may need to adjust Cousin Anne’s dress to fit you.”

He prayed Elizabeth would manage to chase
them away. He might strangle if he had to stay in the confined space much
longer!

Mrs. Collins came to his rescue. “Lizzy,
your room is very small. Perhaps it would be easier if we used Miss Darcy’s
room. There would be more space for all of us.”

“An excellent idea,” said Elizabeth. “Is
there anyone in the passageway, or can I go in my dressing gown?”

“The coast is clear,” said Mrs. Collins.

The sound of the latch falling into place
was one of the sweetest sounds Darcy had ever heard.

***

Elizabeth set a quick pace. The sooner
they reached Miss Darcy’s room, the better.

Charlotte caught her arm and whispered,
“You wicked girl, Lizzy!”

“I beg your pardon?”

Her friend waited until Miss Darcy was
opening her door to whisper, “Your wardrobe had
feet
.”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth had a
sinking feeling she already knew.

“Four wooden legs and two human feet!”
Charlotte was fighting not to laugh.

Elizabeth batted her lashes in mock
innocence. “What is the point of being compromised if I cannot enjoy it?”

Miss Darcy looked back at them with a
puzzled expression. “Is anything the matter? Did I do something I should not
have?”

Elizabeth quickly hid her smile. “Nothing
at all. Just giggling over the idea of being married so soon!”

***

When Darcy finally reached his room, he
found his clothes laid out perfectly on the bed. Crewe sat in a straight backed
wooden chair, his arms crossed over his chest.

“I was beginning to wonder if you planned
to stop by,” said Crewe pointedly.

Darcy scowled at him. “There is no need to
look at me like that. Nothing happened. I overslept; that is all.”

“You overslept.” There was a world of
disbelief in those two words.

“Yes, just as I did when I was stranded
with her before!”

“At least she is an excellent sleeping
potion, then.”

“For God’s sake, I will be married to her
in a few hours, and I do not need to justify myself to my valet!” Especially
after spending a quarter hour attempting to escape from that cursed wardrobe.
Who would have thought getting out would be so much more difficult than getting
in?

Crewe raised his eyebrows. “Of course you
need not justify yourself to me. But if you wish to be at the church promptly,
might I suggest, sir, that you wait to terminate my employment until after you
are dressed.”

“Do not be ridiculous.”

“How very fortunate I arranged for you to
marry her today. If you could not manage to wait one night, three months would
have been a true disaster.”

With his best Master of Pemberley glare,
Darcy said ungraciously, “And I thank you for it.”

Crewe almost smiled, then resumed his
usual unreadable expression as he assisted Darcy with his dressing gown.