To Love Mr Darcy Read online

  Gingerly, she walked the few steps to her dresser and poured herself a glass of diluted small beer. After a few small sips, she put her glass down and then donned her robe and slippers.

  Elizabeth opened her bedroom door and was met by Jane, who had also been disturbed by the noise from below.

  Together, they crept along the hallway until they were in a position to see what all the fuss was about. Huddled together in the shadows, they observed the outburst from Louisa Hurst and her sister Caroline.

  “I know he is here; I know he returned to Netherfield. He was stupid enough to tell the stable boy where he was going,” Louisa said shrilly. “Do not deny it, sir. I demand that you bring him to me at once.”

  “Calm yourself, sister. Mr Darcy will see things right. Is that not so, Mr Darcy?” said Caroline Bingley.

  Jane and Elizabeth exchanged knowing glances. Apparently, Louisa Hurst had come in search of her wayward husband, and for moral support, she had brought her sister Caroline.

  “Their coachman must be a skilled driver indeed to navigate the icy roads all the way from London,” Elizabeth whispered to Jane without averting her gaze from those gathering below.

  “You are correct in your assumption, madam; your husband has indeed returned to Netherfield. However, it was not unexpected. Charles invited Hurst to join us for a day’s shooting. Your brother intends to donate several braces of pheasants to the local orphanage, and as you are aware, Miss Bingley, Mr Hurst is an excellent shot. With Hurst’s help, we could make short work of it. Is that not so, Charles?” Darcy said.

  Telling a falsehood went against everything Darcy believed in and stood for, but he felt this was a unique situation. Hopefully, the truth could be revealed at a less fraught time.

  “Quite so, Louisa. Hurst will shoot double the amount of either Darcy of me,” Charles replied nervously.

  Darcy raised a single eyebrow at Charles’ statement but chose not to correct him on this occasion.

  “The hour was late when your husband arrived, Mrs Hurst, and has yet to rise. However, you and your sister must have had an arduous journey, what with the recent snowfall. May I suggest that both you and Miss Bingley use the green bedchamber to refresh yourselves, and maybe rest a while? Perhaps then we can all meet for refreshments in an hour?” Darcy said kindly.

  With only a sniff in acknowledgement of his offer, Louisa, followed closely by Caroline, swept up the stairs.

  As they approached the top step, Jane and Elizabeth realised they had left it too late to hide and would momentarily be discovered by the Bingley sisters. With no choice but to reveal themselves, Elizabeth took Janes hand and stepped out from the shadows. They offered the Bingley sisters a modest curtsy but said nothing.

  Louisa and Caroline stopped abruptly, startled to find two of their acquaintances in the hallway, in what appeared to be their night clothes.

  Caroline ignored their salute while Louisa managed to acknowledge their presence with only the slightest inclination of her head.

  Jane and Elizabeth watched as the sisters swept past them and on to the green room. When they heard the door close, Elizabeth clamped her hand over her mouth, as she attempted to stifle her amusement.

  Jane smiled at Elizabeth, then pulled her back into the bedroom. They were both amazed at what they had just witnessed.

  Jane spoke first, saying,

  “It was generous of Mr Darcy to conceal the real purpose of Mr Hurst’s visit; do you not think Lizzy?

  “Indeed, it was kind of him to spare Louisa’s feelings. But being deceived by one's husband is the worst kind of betrayal in my eyes,” Elizabeth replied.

  “I understand Mr Hurst had been drinking before he arrived yesterday. Charles said it is not uncommon for him to drink to excess.”

  “So, I gather. Mr Hurst was certainly more than just merry when he arrived here last night. And I understand he continued to drink for the rest of the evening.”

  “How do you know that, Lizzy?”

  It was at this point Elizabeth decided to reveal what had happened to her in the library.

  As she had concluded her narration, Jane could not hide her shock.

  “Oh, Lizzy, how awful. Thank goodness Mr Darcy was there to restrain him. Are you sure you are well?” she asked with concern.

  “It was an unpleasant experience to be sure, but in one respect, it did bring Mr Darcy and me closer together.” Elizabeth smiled knowingly.

  Darcy paced the breakfast room while he waited for Bingley to join him. He had spent a good part of the night deciding whether to take Charles into his confidence about the incident involving Hurst and Elizabeth, or not. He had concluded that as the host, and Hurst’s brother-in-law, he must be told.

  Predictably, Charles was outraged.

  “He must leave at once. I will no longer receive him, and Louisa must be a widow in all but name. Miss Elizabeth must think us contemptible. We have thought and acted superciliously from the moment we arrived in Meryton. Why, Miss Elizabeth has behaved with more dignity and decorum than all of us. I do not include you in this Darcy. You are, of course, above reproach.”

  Darcy inclined his head in acknowledgement of Bingley’s compliment.

  “Thank you, Charles. However, I cannot agree with you on Hurst. Last night, I would have run him through with my sword if it had been on hand, but I have since had time to reflect on the situation. I believe Mrs Hurst is capable of becoming a companionable woman, once removed from her sister’s influence. With the correct inducement, I believe Hurst could also be made to toe the line.”

  Charles looked confused.

  “How, Darcy?”

  “If I were in your shoes, Charles, I would first remove Hurst’s line of credit. This would render him almost penniless, thus making him entirely dependent upon your charity. In effect, he will have no way of paying for his vices. For a man of his standing, it would be an untenable situation. Do you not agree?”

  “I do, wholeheartedly, Darcy. But how is such a thing to be accomplished? We all know Hurst to be an unpleasant kind of man, but Louisa loves him.” Charles replied.

  “Exactly so, without his wife at his side, he has nothing. Come let me tell you what I think.” Darcy put a hand on Charles’ shoulder and explained his idea.

  When Edward Hurst finally entered the breakfast room, he was met by a united and unmovable front.

  “Hurst, I need to speak to you,” Charles said in a severe tone, “I have been made aware of your deplorable conduct last evening regarding your vicious and unwelcomed attack on Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Therefore, I have decided that I am no longer willing to shield you from the consequences of your own actions. I have summoned the magistrate.”

  Edward Hurst blanched when he heard this news, and with good reason.

  A new law passed in 1803 meant the punishment for assault was severe. In truth, he could barely remember his transgression, or indeed, who had been the recipient of his unwelcome attention. Only his black eye and bruised face were a testament to the severity of his behaviour. Sadly, it was all a hazy alcohol-fuelled blur, but he knew that was no excuse.

  “There is no need for that, Charles. I have learnt my lesson. I am mortified to have caused Miss Elizabeth...?” he questioned before continuing, “distress of any kind, and am willing to make full restitution for her suffering. Come, man, name your price,” he almost begged.

  These last words infuriated Charles.

  “Name my price?” Bingley shouted. “Name my price, you say. It would be me who was paying the price you fool, not you. Your pockets are all but empty, as well you know.” Taking a step closer, Charles continued, “Do you know your wife arrived here this morning baying for your blood?”

  Hurst shook his head, but his expression conveyed his fear of Louisa being told of his actions.

  Pausing, Charles looked towards Darcy, hoping he would now take over, as he was uncomfortable with confrontation of any sort. However, the barely visible shake of Darcy’s head conveyed to C
harles that he alone must continue.

  Charles pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and in a severe tone, said,

  “If I cancel the magistrate, and I am not saying I will, but if I do, you have got to agree to my terms.”

  Hurst nodded his head, willing to agree to anything, only to instantly regretted it as a wave of nausea hit him.

  “Very well. First, you will retire from polite society until you can prove you can stay sober. To facilitate this, you will take up residence in Ramsgate. Mr Darcy has kindly offered you the use of his property there. My sister did not marry a drunken sot, but that is what you have become, Hurst, and it will not do.” Charles said, mimicking Darcy. “Secondly, you will quit all your other vices. No more gaming, or whoring, or any of the other unsavoury pastimes you indulge in at present. You have become a laughing stock of the Ton, and by association, that taints me, my sisters and even Darcy, which is insupportable. Finally, if you fail to reform, or lapse back into your contemptible ways, I will report this incident to the magistrate. Do you understand? Do you agree?” Charles asked curtly.

  Hurst gulped; the conditions would be hard to comply with, but definitely preferable to having one’s neck stretched or deportation.

  “How long would it be for?” Hurst finally ventured to ask.

  “Until such times as you can prove you are again the man my sister married.”

  Hurst nodded his acceptance. Charles’s terms were harsh but deserved.

  “Very well, you will gather your wife and your belongings and leave for Ramsgate directly the ladies are abroad. In the meantime, you will stay in your rooms. I do not want Miss Bennet to have to look upon your face again. Darcy and I will extend your heartfelt apologies to her and her sister," Bingley concluded in a final and dismissive manner.

  Again, Hurst nodded, but before he returned to his rooms, he begged to be allowed to partake of some breakfast.

  Bingley, outraged by the man's audacity and eager to seek Darcy’s approval, told him he would have a tray sent to his room.

  Unbeknown to Charles, Darcy had already acted to stop such a scenario occurring, taking it upon himself to instruct the butler to serve Elizabeth and Jane breakfast in their rooms. He also did not want the ladies bumping into Edward Hurst.

  Once Hurst had gone, Darcy gave Bingley a reassuring nod. Having watched from the sidelines, determined not to interfere, Darcy mentally applauded his friend’s efforts. It was not worded quite as he would have put it, but it was a valiant attempt at being a strong and more independent man.

  Chapter Ten

  After Louisa had finished her breakfast, Charles asked her to come into the library that he might speak to her privately. He was not happy to see Caroline sweep in behind her.

  “I want to speak to Louisa, privately, if you don’t mind, Caroline.”

  “Oh, I do not mind, Charles, but I am sure Louisa will insist that I stay. Is that not so, sister?”

  Louisa, dominated by her younger sister since they were small children, meekly nodded in the affirmative.

  Frustrated by Caroline’s supercilious air, and bolstered by his confrontation with Edward Hurst, Charles took this opportunity to remind her of her situation.

  “With my engagement to Jane Bennet and Darcy due to wed Miss Elizabeth in a few weeks, I would think you would turn your mind to finding yourself a husband, Caroline. I do not intend for you to live with Jane and me, and Louisa will be busy elsewhere. Might I suggest you take this opportunity to ask yourself why you are still unwed?”

  Caroline, not one to usually be lost for words, stumbled over her reply.

  “I thought…that is, I assumed…Mr Darcy…”

  “Darcy is to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet. You must forget all hopes you had in that direction. If he were interested in you as a wife, he would have asked you before now. Now, I suggest while I talk to Louisa, you go and make yourself ready to return to the city. You may stay at my townhouse for now.”

  Outraged at being dismissed in such a fashion, Caroline lifted her chin and flounced out of the room.

  Charles, like Louisa, had always bowed down to the dominating personality of their youngest sister. It was only now, secure in the knowledge of Jane’s love and Darcy’s support, that he had found the strength and courage to stand his ground.

  Turning his attention to Louisa, in a gentle tone, Charles told her of her husband’s exile, and the reasons behind it. Lastly, in a more positive voice, he outlined the changes he hoped to see in Hurst.

  At first, Louisa shed a few tears, but she understood that sacrifices had to be made if she was to redeem the man she had married. She could not deny that she still loved Edward Hurst, but the size of her dowry had enabled him to partake in pleasures he had previously shunned. This could be a new beginning for them, and maybe, she could think of starting a family of her own.

  Louisa kissed Charles on the cheek, before returning to the green room to soothe Caroline’s ire.

  “I came to comfort you, sister,” Louisa said and offered Caroline, her hand.

  “Comfort me?” Caroline questioned. “I need no comfort. I am not beaten yet, Louisa,” she replied dismissively.

  Mrs Hurst recognised the determined tone in her sister’s voice and blanched. It boded ill when Caroline spoke so.

  “You have no alternative but to accept Mr Darcy’s engagement, Caroline,” Louisa said.

  “Do you think I am going to lose my chance to be mistress of Pemberley because of his infatuation with a nobody from the country? I have a plan that will rid me of that hoyden once and for all. And when I am through with her, Fitzwilliam Darcy will beg me to marry him,” she finished triumphantly.

  Louisa, unlike her sister, understood Mr Darcy’s desire to marry a girl like Elizabeth Bennet. She was everything Caroline was not.

  No longer happy to be Caroline’s puppet, Louisa tried to reason with her one last time.

  “But it is all decided, Caroline. Can we not find in our hearts to be happy for them?”

  Caroline rounded on her sister with a venom usually reserved for others,

  “Happy! for that …harlot? What about me? I have waited years for Darcy to notice me. And now you think I should meekly step aside and wish them joy! Are you insane? No, we must put an end to Darcy’s infatuation once and for all, and in a way that makes him never want to see her again,” Caroline hissed.

  Louisa’s fear of Caroline briefly resurfaced as she towered over her, but from somehow deep inside, she found the courage to say,

  “I will keep your secret, Caroline, but I will not help you. I no longer want to court Charles’s or Mr Darcy’s disapproval. Besides, Edward and I are going away to make a fresh start of things.”

  Caroline glared at her sister, her lips disappearing into a thin line of disgust. Then suddenly, with a wave of her hand, she turned her back on Louisa and dismissed her.

  Later that day, Jane and Elizabeth returned to Longbourn, accompanied by both Charles and Mr Darcy. On their arrival, Mrs Bennet rushed out of the parlour to greet them.

  “Oh, my dear Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, how grateful we are to you for keeping our dear girls safe last night. I trust they put you to no trouble?”

  “No trouble at all, Mrs Bennet. It was a pleasure to have their company,” Mr Bingley said as he smiled down at Jane.

  Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, who quickly raised her eyes and then lowered them again. He had taken her aside before leaving Netherfield and explained the steps they had taken with Mr Hurst. Thankfully, she not only approved but agreed there was no need to inform the magistrate. However, it was when he said he must also tell her father of the incident, that they disagreed. Only when Elizabeth pointed out that her father would feel honour bound to challenge Mr Hurst to a duel, did Darcy agreed not to inform him.

  Mr Bennet was not a young man; the likely outcome of a contest would not be in his favour, Darcy told himself. For this reason, and this reason alone, he had agreed to her request. It and nothing to do with the
way she looked at him as she beseeched him to remain silent.

  “Mr Darcy,” called Mrs Bennet, “do come and sit by me. I want to hear all about your evening. What food was served? Did you dance? Or perhaps Lizzy played the pianoforte for you?” Mrs Bennet asked in quick succession as she led them back into the parlour.

  Mr Bingley and Jane followed happily, as did Elizabeth, but Mr Darcy held back. The thought of answering a barrage of questions did not appeal to him.

  Mr Bennet, who had no intention of joining the group, stood in the library doorway, looking on. Only too well did he understand Darcy’s reluctance to follow the ladies. So, taking pity on him, Mr Bennet reached out and gently tapped him on the shoulder, silently beckoning his future son-in-law to follow him.

  Once they had entered Mr Bennet’s study, he quietly closed the door behind them before his wife could object.

  “So, lad, you have brought my Jane and Lizzy back home, and none the worse for their adventure,” Mr Bennet said jovially.

  Darcy gave a half-hearted laugh, unsure if it was an idle observation, or if Mr Bennet had somehow learnt of the previous evening's events.

  “Quite so, sir,” Darcy said before clearing his throat. “Mr Bennet, I have come to ask your permission to take Miss Elizabeth to town for a week…or maybe two.”

  Mr Bennet was in a good mood. The remaining girls, Mary, Kitty and Lydia had decided to ignore the snow and venture into Meryton for the first time in days. There was a quietness about the house that he had not experienced for some time. Only the occasional raised voice of Fanny Bennet broke the silence, and that he had learnt to ignore.

  Consequently, his reply was of a playful nature and not meant cruelly.

  “Well, make up your mind, man. Which is it to be, one week, two weeks or maybe only ten days? I only ask so that I might decrease the cook’s budget to save on Lizzy’s portion of the food,” he joked.

  Darcy studied Mr Bennet. He was unsure if he was annoyed with him in earnest, or if he was making sport of him. If it was the latter, it was something he was unaccustomed to.