Darcy's Temptation (54 page)

Shamefaced, Darcy made a trip to the Gardiner home in Cheapside. Surprisingly, they greeted him with all civilities. While there, he spoke to Elizabeth's aunt and uncle about his undying love for their niece. He tried to explain to them his confusion after his return from Hull, and they related his transformation to the one he took before. Darcy assured them he
would return to Elizabeth and Pemberley soon.The Gardiners knew him to be a man of his word and realized how much it cost such a proud man to confess his weaknesses. He left them with an invitation to Pemberley before Elizabeth's lying in.

During the week, both he and Georgiana received letters from Elizabeth. They were simple, loaded with news of the estate. He hoped for words of affection from her, but Elizabeth offered very little in her correspondence. Darcy did not blame her; he treated her badly. He offered his wife moments of tenderness, and then he turned on her and boldly judged his Elizabeth by standards he no longer considered important. If he could earn her forgiveness, Darcy would cherish her forever.

 

Colonel Fitzwilliam came to Kensington Place, hoping to spend the night before traveling on to Bath. “Darcy, it is good to see you,” Edward laughed lightly upon seeing Darcy's drawn expression.

“You are to Bath?” Darcy asked as he poured his cousin a drink.

“Anne awaits my arrival; then we will return to Rosings.” Edward gladly took the drink. “You seem less than pleased to be here, Darcy,” Edward noted out loud.

“My return to Pemberley cannot come soon enough.” Darcy held the glass to his lips but did not drink.

Edward knew Darcy's nature better than anyone. “Has not your time been well spent?”

“This was a foolish consideration; Georgiana fared well, but she still prefers the attentions of Mr. Harrison to all others.” Darcy's countenance softened when he spoke of his sister. “And I am of the belief she should experience love; I will not force my sister into an arranged marriage.”

Edward asked,“Is Mr. Harrison not a legitimate suitor?”

“Mr. Harrison's value increases each time I take his worth. I am not ready to part with Georgiana, but I can accept it when she makes her choice.” Darcy seemed more at ease with his recipience.

“And what of your wife?” Edward cautiously approached the subject.

“Elizabeth's regard may be lost forever. I was quite foolish; in my rush to create a world of opportunities for my sister, I neglected my wife.”

Edward took note of his cousin's self-censure. “Then the rumors my parents share are true?”

Darcy's head snapped up in shock.“What rumors, pray tell!”

“My father writes you replaced Mrs. Darcy with Miss McFarland.” Edward leaned forward in his seat as if sharing a secret.

Darcy moaned and buried his face in his hands.“What have I done to my wife? I tried to replace my feelings for Elizabeth with the approval of fine society. Miss McFarland assumed I would return her regard, but I cannot get the image of Mrs. Darcy out of my mind. She is perfect for Pemberley.”

“Elizabeth is perfect for you,” Edward added quickly.

Darcy laughed lightly.“So, I am finding out.”

“Then what will you do, Cousin?” Edward seemed serious.

“I plan to stay in London for at least a fortnight. I must check the spread of rumors, which might hurt Mrs. Darcy. If I leave now, busy tongues could destroy Elizabeth's reputation. She does not deserve such censure.” Darcy laid out his plan.

“It is appropriate to protect your wife, Fitz,” Edward added quickly. “Have you considered letting Mrs. Darcy know you plan to return home to her?”

Darcy's remorse returned.“I know not what to say to her.”

“Tell her of your regard—tell her of your dreams for the two of you. Let Mrs. Darcy know the pledge of your love. I fear, Fitz, if my parents heard the rumors so has Elizabeth.”

“How do I tell her of my chagrin?”

“Speak from your heart; Elizabeth will believe you.”

Darcy nodded, accepting his cousin's advice.“Will you take a letter to Pemberley for me before you go to Bath?”

“It would be my pleasure, Fitz,” Edward added with a sigh of relief.

 

Late in the evening, Darcy sat at the desk in his sitting room. Several wadded papers lay on the floor, not having made it into the lips of the flame of the fireplace. Darcy knew not what to say to his wife.

Darcy sealed the letter, hoping it would change the course of his relationship with Elizabeth. His cousin's words echoed in his head as he crawled into bed and welcomed dreams of Elizabeth to his sleep. “Do not let your past dictate who you are. Instead, let it be the foundation, cousin, of whom you will become. Be Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam rode his mount into the carriageway at Pemberley. He half expected either Elizabeth or Kitty to greet him, but other than Darcy's servants, no one appeared. He supposed the ladies to be making tenant visits or to be in Lambton. Upon entering the house, the colonel found only Mrs. Reynolds in attendance.

“Colonel, Sir,” she fussed about, hurrying servants to their stations,“Mr. Darcy and Miss Georgiana are still in London.”

The colonel handed her his coat and hat. “I am aware of that, Mrs. Reynolds. I stayed at Kensington Place on my way here.” Looking around casually, he asked, “Where are Mrs. Darcy and Miss Bennet?”

He headed toward the drawing room, expecting someone there to receive him. Mrs. Reynolds's words stopped his progress.“Neither Mrs. Darcy nor Miss Bennet are at Pemberley, Sir.”

The colonel turned quickly, unsure he heard her correctly. “What do you mean
neither
is here?”

Mrs. Reynolds fidgeted with her apron, smoothing it down. “Mrs. Bennet reportedly took ill; Miss Bennet was called home nearly a fortnight ago. A week later, Mrs. Darcy followed her sister.”

“Mrs. Darcy has been gone for over a week, and no one cared to inform Mr. Darcy?” His voice was incredulous.

“Mrs. Darcy posted a letter to Master Fitzwilliam the day she left. I assumed she informed him of her whereabouts.” Mrs. Reynolds was uncomfortable; her suspicions seemed more accurate than before. “Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she stammered, “there is something else not quite right.”

“Tell me now, Mrs. Reynolds,” the colonel urged.

The housekeeper lowered her voice and stepped in closer to maintain secrecy.“The day before Mrs. Darcy sent her sister
to Longbourn, she locked the master's study and gave orders no one should enter the room until Master Fitzwilliam returned home. Mrs. Darcy loved to sit in the master's chair when he was away at Hull and even when he was in London, and then suddenly Mrs. Darcy refused to go into the room or let anyone else enter. Something is not right, Colonel.”

“I agree, Mrs. Reynolds; get me the key immediately,” he demanded.

The housekeeper dropped him a quick curtsy and disappeared. The colonel let out an expletive as he paced the hallway. When Mrs. Reynolds returned with the room key, he entered the study, closing the door behind him, not allowing anyone else access. It took him only seconds to find the incriminating letter; Elizabeth left it lying open on Darcy's desk. Edward read it and cursed again.
Why would Miss McFarland send such a letter? Even if it were true, the note was an act of impropriety, one a lady of the
ton
would not write. Poor Elizabeth! She must be devastated.
The letter obviously had the reaction Miss McFarland wanted. Edward knew he had to contact his cousin; Darcy must go to Longbourn.The colonel was smart enough to make sure he had all the details before he contacted Darcy. First, he checked the house; Elizabeth left much of the things she accumulated since marrying Darcy. From what Edward could tell, she took nothing with her, which had not once belonged to her.Then he rode into Lambton to speak to Mr. Ashford. The man would know where Miss Bennet could be found.

 

“Miss Bennet has not written for several days,” Mr. Ashford confided. “She arrived at Longbourn in a timely manner; they were awaiting Mrs. Darcy's arrival at Mr. Bingley's estate.”

“If Mrs. Bennet is ill, why would Mrs. Darcy travel to Netherfield?” Edward questioned.

Mr. Ashford looked away uncomfortably. “You must know by now, Colonel, Mrs. Darcy left for personal reasons. She sent
Miss Bennet away because Mr. Darcy would not approve of her being here.” Ashford cleared his throat before going on. “I drafted a letter to Mr. Darcy requesting a release from my living. I love Miss Bennet, and I
will not
abandon her.”The last words were the closest thing the clergyman could offer in the form of a condemnation for his benefactor.

“Do not do anything hastily, Mr. Ashford; perhaps a solution is still at hand,” the colonel cautioned.“I must contact Mr. Darcy.”

 

Edward returned to the house. He drafted a letter to Darcy, enclosing the damaging letter from Miss McFarland, before sending one of the Pemberley staff riding for London. He sent another letter to Anne in Bath, telling her his arrival would be delayed for a few days. He offered her no explanation except Darcy needed him at Pemberley.

When his man delivered the letter from his cousin, Darcy's heart sank, knowing something must be amiss. He rushed to his study; with trembling hands, he broke the seal.

Darcy nearly ripped apart the other page. A curse escaped his lips as he read the letter Miss McFarland sent to Pemberley.“She knew I was not there,” he said to himself.“Poor Elizabeth! How will I make her forgive me?” He rushed from the room, handing Georgiana the letters as he passed her in the hall. Darcy ordered his carriage and sent Henry scrambling to pack his bags.Within the hour, he was on the road to Hertfordshire.