Mr. Darcy's Bite (7 page)

Darcy took a deep breath and launched into his proposal. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, despite your inferior connections and the criticisms that will ensue once our betrothal is announced, I love you, and I wish…” Lizzy started to laugh and fell into his arms.

When she finally stopped laughing, she asked him to be serious. “This is a serious business,” she said, chiding him.

“I shall begin again,” he said, and then his tone softened. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, from the moment I saw you, I have loved you. That may sound impossible, but I can assure you that during the assembly at Meryton, I felt an aching in every part of my being, and I knew that the only cure for my pain was to be with you—forever. There is so much to admire about you, and I am not just speaking of your physical beauty, which is considerable. More important to me is your kindness and spirit and willingness to forgive a man with so many faults. I am not the most romantic of men, and I cannot express what I feel as well as some. But no one loves more than I do, and if you could see inside of me, you would find a heart that beats only for you.

“But before you answer this most important of questions, I want you to acknowledge that you fully understand that there will be trials in our marriage unlike any other, and that you will not be able to discuss them with your family. I require your total commitment and loyalty. More than most wives, you will become bound to me because of what I am. Can you do this?”

“Yes, I can,” she answered without a moment's hesitation, “and I agree to all and everything because of ‘who' you are not ‘what' you are. I cannot imagine my life without you.”

Darcy then got down on his knee and said the words Lizzy had been waiting to hear ever since her first visit to Pemberley. “Elizabeth, I love you and ask that you consent to be my wife.”

Lizzy placed her hands on both sides of his face and kissed him. “I would be honored, and I will do everything that is required to protect you from harm.”

David and Goliath, who had never seen their master kiss, inched forward and kept watch, and they had to do so for quite a while.

Darcy made a mental note that when Elizabeth and he were married David and Goliath would not be allowed in their bedchamber. It was obvious that the dogs were wary of Elizabeth, and while he had been kissing her, they had inched closer and closer to the point where they were now at his heels. It was damned annoying, and he would have to speak to them about it. However, Lizzy was grateful for the distraction because she was quite overwhelmed by Mr. Darcy's ardor, and his annoyance at his pooches presented her with an opportunity to wiggle free of his embrace.

“William, why do we not find Anne and Georgiana and share our good news with them?”

Knowing that Darcy could sense even the most subtle changes in her, Lizzy did not want to give him the impression that liberties could be taken, that is, until they were married. After they were wed, well… and she gave him a quick glance to see if he had noticed the glint in her eye. He had.

“There is only one thing that would please me more than sharing our joy with my sister and cousin,” Darcy told her, “and that is for you to agree to travel with me to Gretna Green so that we might marry immediately. The Castletons have an estate in nearby Carlisle, and we could stay at their manor house. I know that the family is in London, so we would have the place all to ourselves.”

“Gretna Green? My understanding is that the wedding ceremony is performed by a blacksmith, which is why they are called ‘anvil marriages.' Please tell me you are not serious.”

“No, I would never ask you to do such a thing. We shall grab a parson from Carlisle and take him with us.”

As far as she was concerned, going to Gretna Green was no different from the Welsh custom of jumping over a broom. They might as well go in search of a broom and save themselves an arduous journey to the Scottish border.

“My family would be very upset if they were not present when we exchanged vows,” she said with great emphasis.

“Please forgive me. I am not explaining myself very well. What I meant to say is that we shall marry in Gretna Green and remarry in the village church in Meryton in view of all our friends and family.”

“My love, you have not thought this through,” Lizzy said, shaking her head. She knew why he was in such a hurry. While he had been kissing her, she had felt the reason for his haste pressed against her leg, but she would never consent to such an ill-advised and, to her mind, immoral plan. “Please understand that such a scheme was used by Wickham to convince Lydia to leave Brighton with him. The idea is repugnant to me.”

“Of course, you are right. I was not thinking about that at all.” In fact, he had done very little thinking since he had carried her to the sofa and had felt her move beneath him. It had lasted but a moment, but, oh, what a moment! But, then again, he did not want to frighten her either. “There is another solution. I shall send word to my solicitor to take all necessary steps to procure a special license as quickly as possible.”

“Special licenses are very expensive.”

“I have a few pounds in the bank, Elizabeth. You need not concern yourself about such matters.”

“My preference would be to have our banns announced for three weeks as Charles and Jane did, and I might add, as almost everyone else does, and to have our wedding breakfast at Longbourn.”

“That is not possible,” he said in a tone of voice that showed he was becoming annoyed. Why wasn't she as eager to marry as he was? “That will take us right up to the full moon. As my wife, you must adapt to living by the lunar calendar.”

“Which I shall do when I am your wife and have had time to learn everything that is necessary to adapt to our situation,” she said in a tone matching his own. “However, marrying a week or two after the full moon will take us only to mid-December. That is not so far in the future, especially when you consider that you called on me for six months without my having any idea as to whether you would ever propose. I have waited for you; now you must wait for me.”

“Do I have a choice?”

Lizzy kissed him and whispered, “Not really.”

***

Anne and Georgiana had no doubt of the outcome of Darcy's proposal and were expecting a jubilant suitor to join them in the study, but when Darcy entered the room, he was wearing a frown because he had not prevailed in his wish to marry as soon as possible. Nevertheless, as soon as he saw Georgiana's smile, he could not hold back his own, and when she ran to her brother, he picked her up and spun her around.

“You see, I was right,” Georgiana said, addressing Lizzy. “I told Will months ago that you would marry him no matter what, but he kept hemming and hawing, traveling back and forth between London and Longbourn or Pemberley and Longbourn.”

“But that is now behind us,” Anne quickly interjected. “Are we free to share your good news with others?”

“Not yet,” Lizzy answered. “I would like for William to speak with my father before any announcement is made. He will gladly give his consent, and it is merely a courtesy on William's part, but I would appreciate it if we observed this particular formality.”

“Of course,” Anne said. “But that does not mean that we cannot have our own celebration. I anticipated your happy news and have asked Mr. Jackson to bring us the best wine from Pemberley's cellar so that we may wish you joy. Am I correct in assuming that you will marry in six weeks after the full moon and the banns have been announced?”

Darcy made a face and looked at Anne and then back at Lizzy. “I see evidence of collusion here.”

“No, you do not, sir, and I hope you are not this suspicious when we are married,” Lizzy said. “Anne and I have discussed nothing about a wedding. Her statement is based on how one would proceed—logically.”

“Oh, never mind. I shall not allow anything to dampen my spirits. This is the best day of my life.” After taking Lizzy's hands in his, he added, “Up to this point.”

When the manor house of the Earl of Granyard came into view, Elizabeth could hardly believe it. Granyard Hall was actually larger than Pemberley. For the most part, the architecture was Jacobean with some later additions that, to her mind, gave the house a busy, cluttered look. She much preferred the symmetry of a Georgian manor house, and from the look on her face, Darcy correctly interpreted that her preference was for Pemberley over this rambling abode.

Elizabeth had been nervous about going to a reception for the daughter of a member of the aristocracy, but once she had been accoutered from head to toe by Georgiana and Anne, she felt more at ease. With so many prominent guests in attendance, she anticipated that once she went through the receiving line, no one would pay any attention to her.

The earl was married to his third wife and had children from each of his marriages, and it seemed as if all eight were present. His Lordship was flanked by his eldest daughter, Lady Helen, and the young lady who would shortly be coming out into society, Lady Elaine. She and Georgiana were great friends, and Georgiana had delayed her own debut so that they might be presented to the queen at the same time.

As pretty as Elaine was, it was her older sister who was garnering the lion's share of the attention. She was the most beautiful woman Lizzy had ever seen. Dressed in an exquisite mauve silk gown and weighed down with jewels, she had all the men gawking at her, that is, every man except Mr. Darcy. Lizzy found this to be most curious. Not looking at the beautiful Lady Helen was like trying to ignore the existence of the sun.

After making her way through introductions of all the siblings, Lady Elaine, and His Lordship, Lizzy was greeted by
la belle femme
, and she wondered if another Helen, Helen of Troy, whose face had launched a thousand ships, was as beautiful as she was. And although she knew that they had never met, there was something vaguely familiar about Lady Helen. Lizzy was trying to think where she might have seen her—in a portrait gallery perhaps—when the lady took her by both hands and walked with her to a nearby alcove. Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy for guidance, but he had stayed behind so that he might converse with His Lordship.

“Oh, Elizabeth, how good it is to see you again.”

“Again, Lady Helen? Forgive me, but I cannot recall our being introduced.”

“Oh, we were never formally introduced. The situation was not conducive to such an exchange,” she said, giggling. “However, we have been in each other's company, but from a distance. You know me as Nell.”

Lizzy went wide-eyed. This was the she wolf that Mr. Darcy was running around with! The most beautiful woman in the world! And she looked over her shoulder hoping to catch his eye, but her betrothed was now talking to Viscount Wilston, the earl's heir.

“I am not surprised that Alpha did not tell you about me. He is very protective of members of his pack.” She looked at Mr. Darcy and let out a little sigh. “But even though he is very strict, we get along famously.” Although a lupine, she was practically purring.

“Yes, I know. I saw you running together in the glade.”

“Oh, were you there? I had not realized that you were up on the hill. Alpha was very rough that day, running at me from every direction, giving me a nip here and another there, and repeatedly jumping on top of me. He is always like that with me.”

“That is exactly how one would expect a brother to act,” Lizzy said, smiling, and then she thought of Mr. Darcy's portrayal of their relationship. According to dear Will, Nell had no interest in him whatsoever. What did he call her overtures? Harmless flirting? Merely getting in a little practice before she became betrothed to a peer in Devon. What nonsense! According to Nell, she had not realized that she was being watched by Lizzy from atop the hill. Well, that was interesting since Lizzy had not mentioned where she had been that day. There was absolutely no doubt that Nell had set her sights on Fitzwilliam Darcy, and she was letting Lizzy know it. This situation required some redirection, and Lizzy leaned forward and whispered, “I understand that you are shortly to become engaged.”

“Oh, no! Not shortly. If such a thing should come about, Lord Angelsey and I have agreed that a lengthy courtship is desirable. He is exactly my age and needs some maturing as he is most definitely not ready to take on the responsibilities of the leader of a pack. Lord Angelsey must be Alpha's equal. Otherwise, I would be marrying someone who is beneath me. Besides, men change their minds all of the time, don't they?”

“One would hope that men would be as constant in their affections as women.”

“Yes, one would hope. But in reality, it is not the case at all, and life is so unpredictable.”

A crowd that had been waiting for Lady Helen to return to the line was pressing in on them, and so Lizzy excused herself and went in search of “Alpha.”

***

Now that she had met Nell, Lizzy was sorry that she had suggested their engagement not be announced until Mr. Darcy could speak to her father. As a result, Nell did not know that they were to become engaged, and she was acting on the assumption that there was still time to capture Mr. Darcy's heart before he gave it to another. To highlight their differences, Nell had referred to William not as “Mr. Darcy” but as “Alpha,” making it clear that she was able to offer him something Lizzy could not: uninterrupted companionship and a complete understanding of his world.

Before arriving at Granyard Hall, Mr. Darcy had explained to Lizzy that because of Anne's health, he had asked his cousin for the first dance because it would be a minuet and, therefore, suitable for so frail a lady. Such an arrangement was perfectly understandable, but because Mr. Darcy was a Granyard family favorite, the second dance went to Lady Elaine and the third to another sister, which was also understandable. But then the amateur members of the Granyard family gave way to the professional. By careful maneuvering on her part, Nell had succeeded in getting Mr. Darcy to claim the fourth dance. Because of the number of couples, the dance would last nearly an hour, and custom dictated that those who danced the last set before supper would dine together. Darcy and Lizzy exchanged glances, and she gave him enough of a smile to let him know that she understood his dilemma.

With Darcy and Nell dining at the most lavishly adorned table and Georgiana talking happily with a handsome young man, Lizzy sought out Anne's company. She was in an anteroom, far removed from the cacophony created by a hundred voices all chattering at the same time. Anne did not like balls and would not have attended this gala but for one reason: Nell. Unlike her cousin, who was unaware of Lady Helen's plans for him, Anne was not equally deceived.

“I had hoped that Mr. Darcy, you, and I would take supper together,” Elizabeth said with a sigh, “but it seems that his presence is required by another.”

“I am sorry, Elizabeth. I am sure you are asking yourself, ‘Why did Anne not warn me?' But, honestly, it is a performance not to be missed.”

“I find it difficult to believe that Mr. Darcy does not know that the lady is actively pursuing him. She is the most outrageous flirt I have ever seen. She makes Caroline Bingley look like an amateur.”

“William and I have spoken about this subject on several occasions, but he insists that he only sees her as a member of his pack. And, yes, I do believe him. Two years ago, the family was very keen to have them become engaged, but William succeeded in convincing His Lordship that it would be like marrying someone whom he regarded as a sister, and he could not do it. When it was discovered that Lord Angelsey, whose estate is in Devon, was in a similar situation, that match was promoted.”

“They may promote it all they want, but she only has eyes for…”

They were interrupted by servants presenting trays full of hors d'oeuvres. Both accepted, but Lizzy did not touch hers. Watching Nell's intrigues had resulted in a loss of appetite. But a smile returned to Lizzy's face when Mr. Darcy, looking somewhat sheepish, came to talk to Anne and her.

“First, Miss Elizabeth, may I request the honor of the next two dances?” he asked, smiling broadly, guessing that he might be in trouble.

“Gladly, Mr. Darcy, that is, if you can fit me in.”

Darcy sat back in the chair and let out a sigh. “I am not happy with the way the evening is progressing, but the Granyard and Darcy families are so intertwined. We are related by marriage and are near neighbors here in Derbyshire as well as in London. His Lordship's first wife was a good friend of my mother's. We have always been close, etc., etc.”

“Some members of your two clans seem to be closer than others.”

“I know how it appears, but let me assure you there is nothing…”

“Mr. Darcy, excuse me for interrupting, but I can assure you that there
is
something, and that something needs to be addressed.”

And then the goddess herself put in an appearance, and before she returned to the ballroom, she had succeeded in securing the last dance with Mr. Darcy.

As Lizzy watched Nell return to the ballroom, she thought, “Tonight, you may have won the battle, but it is my intention to win the war.”

***

The Darcy party did not return to Pemberley until four o'clock in the morning, and after such a long night and so many dances, Lizzy longed for her bed. But the gentleman begged a word with her before she retired. She agreed, but declined his offer to go into the drawing room. If she sat down, she would not get up—she was that tired. Instead, she went to the wrought iron staircase and took two steps up. In that way, she could look into his beautiful green eyes.

“Are you angry with me?” he asked while running his fingers along her hand.

“No, I am not, but I am amazed that you are unaware that Lady Helen is determined to have you as her husband,” she answered, as she traced the outline of his chin.

“Well, after tonight, I have to admit that I can see that there is an interest there, but it does not matter. I love another,” he said, moving up one step.

“Will, she is the most beautiful woman I ever saw.”

“Do you think so?”

“Who do you know who is more beautiful than she, and do not say me?”

“I have seen portraits of Lady Hamilton, Lord Nelson's amour, painted by Romney. She is very pretty,” he replied, while putting his hands around Lizzy's waist. “I am partial to brunettes.”

“I too have seen a portrait of Lady Hamilton, but she cannot hold a candle to Nell.”

“Again let me say, it does not matter. I do not love her. Besides, she is boring.”

“What do you mean she is
boring
?” Lizzy asked, taking a step up and away from him.

Darcy let out a sigh. This was not the way he had envisioned the evening ending. Rather, he had pictured something more intimate involving the use of lips and hands.

“When we are in the woods together, there are only two topics of conversation with her: food and grooming. She eats every bit as much as I do, and I have twenty pounds on her. Allow me to give you an example of the enormity of her appetite. In the spring, four of us took down a deer. By the time we had finished, there was no meat left on the carcass and everyone was satisfied, except Nell. No sooner had we finished eating than she ran out and caught a rabbit, and when it comes to pheasant, she kills more than the best gun I have ever hosted at Pemberley.”

That statement made Lizzy wonder. If Nell gained weight while she was a she wolf would she keep the weight on once she had regained her human form? She might end up looking like Wolfie, the Darcy Newfoundland. One could hope.

“What do you mean by grooming?”

“Tonight, you may have gathered that Nell spends a lot of money on jewels and dresses and whatnots. She devotes a lot of time to her appearance. Well, in the wild, you tend to get dirty, have grass and twigs in your coat, etc., but she will not let anyone rest until all unwanted material is removed.”

“And how is it removed?”

“Thank goodness for Teddy Brotherton, as that chore usually falls to him, but since Teddy and Rupert are in Scotland, I have to do it. So I rake through her coat with my claws.”

“Hmmm.”

“I could do the same for you,” he said, stepping closer to her. “Would you like me to help you take your hair down?”

“You are very kind, sir, but I must refuse your generous offer. However, may I suggest that we journey to Longbourn as soon as possible so that you may ask my father for his consent to our marriage? After doing so, we will share our good news with all our friends and that would include the family of the Earl of Granyard.”

Darcy started to laugh. “That is fine with me. But, again, I must tell you that it does not matter what Nell wants. She cannot have me.”

Lizzy leaned into him, and after placing her cheek against his, she whispered in his ear, “No, she cannot have you.”