Chapter 24
With a sigh of relief, Darcy seated himself in his carriage. In an hour or less, he would be engaged to the woman who fascinated him beyond all others. As it lurched into motion, he settled more comfortably with his gaze fixed on the passing surroundings. If there was anything of interest to be seen, it quite escaped notice, for his thoughts were much more agreeable engaged. He had had barely enough time when he returned from meeting his solicitor to change his clothes and refresh himself. If only his own wishes needed to be consulted, he would have paid his addresses to Elizabeth as early this morning as propriety would have allowed but it was an unfortunate reality that his business interests had a claim on his attention. His solicitor, Mr. Tolson, had been importuning him for more than a week to meet regarding matters of pressing urgency. Two days ago Darcy finally agreed and had chosen today to do so. If it were not for the fear that a cancellation would have caused Tolson to have an apoplectic attack, he would have readily postponed it for another day. However, it was done; they met and, aware that his client's focus had drifted frequently during their meeting, Tolson was ruthless in pushing matters through to their resolution. Unable to resist, Darcy left the man speechless with his departing words, "Your next task, Mr. Tolson, is of the greatest urgency. Kindly begin preparing settlement papers to be finalized within the next several days. I will provide the particulars by letter tomorrow."
As he rode to keep his appointment with Elizabeth, Darcy was still chuckling at the look on his solicitor's face. Darcy put Mr. Tolson and his concerns out of his thoughts. He had spent much of the night and early morning preparing himself for his next and most important endeavour. He had proposed twice in his life and the lessons learned from his disastrous first proposal had been applied when making his second offer. If he felt nervous, it was from anticipation. His own wishes had not been in doubt for some time now. His re-acquaintance with Elizabeth had woken those feelings which had lain dormant for years. He had only truly loved one woman in his life and, by their second meeting, that love was as strong, if not stronger, than ever. The Elizabeth he had known in Hertfordshire and Kent was then but a young woman with wit and intelligence far from developed. The Elizabeth he had recently met was a woman in the fullest sense of the word, possessed of the same wit and intelligence but moderated by experience and wisdom. He was not unsure of her affections; whether she loved him as much as he did her, he could not know for certain. The indications of her regard were clear and he was now convinced that she awaited his assurances with as much anticipation as he did himself. Laying her hand in his the past evening had been the deliberate act of a wife – as clear a signal of her wishes as could be vouchsafed.
It had been no small relief to find that his eldest daughter, Ann-Marie, had become most comfortable in Elizabeth's company and he had seen much in the conversations between them to believe that, in the future, they would be as close as any mother and daughter. That had been his only concern and he was now sure that both his daughters would welcome Elizabeth as his wife and as a mother. Ann-Marie was already modelling some of her behaviour on Elizabeth's and had, on more than one instance, quoted to him something she had said. Ann-Marie had wished to come with him today and had been greatly disappointed at his refusal but placated by his promise that she might be able to join them the next day.
He glanced at his watch and noted the street on which they travelled. If no obstructions were encountered, he might actually arrive in a quarter hour and be a few minutes early. If he could further speed his carriage, he would do so. The thought forced a reluctant laugh from him. Tis a good thing that Richard cannot see me now. I can almost hear him teasing me – he would have his amusement of me for years.
When he arrived at the Gardiner's house, he was surprised to see another carriage stationed in front and he could only hope that any callers would not impede his plans to speak with Elizabeth in private.
As he alighted from his carriage, he took note of the other. He could discern no crest and a careful scrutiny determined that the carriage was not remarkable for any particular superiority in quality or comfort and the horses did not appear to be of noticeable constitution or appearance. It was of a type commonly used by gentlemen of comfortable means.
He was greeted at the door by an anxious butler and quickly directed to where Elizabeth was to be found. Alarmed by the presence of a worried-looking footman who stood outside the open door and loud voices emanating from the room, Darcy paused for a few seconds to try and understand what was taking place.
He recognized Elizabeth's voice immediately. He had not heard her speak so since Hunsford. The coldness of her anger could, even now, disconcert him. What he heard next was even more disconcerting.
"I suggest that you reconsider my son's offer of marriage, Mrs. Waring."
"I think not! You have said quite enough, Mr. Stokes. I must ask you to leave immediately." She said.
He did not recognize the voice of the man who was speaking but the bluster and threat was clear. "You will regret this if I do so! I assure you of that."
"I may well do, sir, but I would regret to an even greater degree being attached to a man like your son or forced to associate with one such as yourself." Elizabeth made no effort to disguise the contempt she felt for the gentleman she faced, "Evil surrounds us and sometimes the best one can do is to accept the lesser of the evils available. You and your family disgust me and I will not allow my children to be associated with those who portray such a lack of honour or principle. You. Will. Leave. Now. Sir."
The gentleman's voice rose as he responded to her insult, "You dare, madam! You ….."
Darcy could hesitate no longer; a glance at the footman was sufficient for the man to follow his lead and he pushed open the door and took several steps into the room. Immediately seeing a gentleman of some fifty years or more facing Elizabeth and another sitting close by, he raised his voice to override the gentleman's protests.
"That will do, sir!"
It was clear that the room's occupants had been too much involved in their argument to have noted his arrival. Everyone was startled and Darcy could now see that the second gentleman, who appeared some ten years his junior, had jumped to his feet at the interruption.
The look of relief that washed over Elizabeth's countenance spurred him on.
"Mrs. Waring has demanded you leave. I suggest you do so immediately. No, sir. Say nothing more! Leave or I will have you forcibly removed!"
He was not sorry that his physical presence was such as to intimidate the two men. The footman at his shoulder, who was himself of noble dimensions, made moot any question of their disputing his command.
To say that the two men scurried from the room might be overstating the case but neither saw fit to contest the directive and they hugged the wall furthest from Darcy and the footman as they left. It was a departure as expeditious as possible for two men wishing to be anywhere else. The Gardiner footman followed them out, leaving the room's door open behind him.
As Matthew passed through the door, the housekeeper, drawn by the disturbance, entered and relieved Elizabeth of the care of the maid who, to Darcy's eyes, appeared on the verge of hysterics. In a matter of seconds, maid and housekeeper also departed, closing the door behind them, although Darcy was barely sensible as to their movements. His attention was on Elizabeth. He had hardly taken a step towards her when she moved into his embrace and rested her face against his chest. He could feel her shaking with rage.
"That brute! What an arrogant, despicable man – such a want of character – such viciousness - and his worthless foolish son! I have never, in all my existence, wished to strike another being as much as I wished to do so just now. Oh, why are women not afforded such satisfaction?"
Darcy's arms tightened protectively around Elizabeth and he lightly stroked her back.
"Madam, I am quite surprised at your reaction to this encounter. It has ever been my understanding that your courage rises with every attempt to intimidate you.''
Elizabeth huffed and batted him on the chest. "Vile man! Must you remember every foolish comment I have ever made?"
"Am I now to understand that you spoke to mislead me? That you were professing opinions which in fact are not your own?"
"It is cruel of you to sport with me at this moment, sir. I give you fair warning, you are provoking me to retaliate."
"I am not afraid of you, Elizabeth."
"I believe you should be, William. I believe I am in your debt for even more retribution."
Her actions belied her words as she once more buried her face in his chest. His arms tightened around. He kissed the top of her head as he pondered on the scene he had interrupted.
If he was to understand what had been said – and really he could not doubt his ears - Darcy realized that Elizabeth had received - and spurned - an offer of marriage.
"So, am I to understand that you have finally received a proposal worse than mine?"
He had meant his words to be taken lightly, to tease her out of her ill-humour. Her reaction quite took him by surprise for she attempted to step back from him, an endeavour prevented by his enfolding arms.
"You are so infuriating…." Then she reached up, pulled his head down and kissed him. Soundly.
Darcy was stunned. He had dreamed of kissing Elizabeth more times than he cared to admit, but this kiss was nothing like what he imagined. This was no maidenly kiss. No. This was the kind of kiss men fought over. He broke away, murmuring, "Elizabeth. You undo me." Her hands, which had snaked behind his head, would not release him and drew his lips back to hers. She would not allow any separation. He was lost! Gone was all conscious thought as his kiss urgently met hers.
His hands which had encircled her seemed, through no conscious design of his, to have come to grasp her head between them. His lips left hers and began a journey across her face that visited her eyes, her ears and her neck before reclaiming her mouth again.
It was the feel of her body against his that finally forced him back to awareness, for Elizabeth had pressed herself so closely to him that she could not but be aware of his desire. She moaned softly as her hips moved slowly against him. It was all he could do to stop himself from lowering her to the sofa and making love to her then and there. Somehow he forced his lips from hers. Gasping for control, he leaned his forehead against hers and calmed himself by listening to the sound of her ragged breathing. He struggled for words to express how he felt but they did not want to be found, for Elizabeth had once more moved closer and silenced him with her kiss.
It is hard to say how long this second embrace might have lasted for their restraint left them immediately and they took such liberties with their hands as lovers allow. It was only the sound of distant voices in the hallway outside their room, that made them fully aware of their surroundings.
Elizabeth leaned back against his arms which once more encircled her and with the most serious of miens addressed him.
"It will not do, William. I have compromised you most thoroughly. Your reputation is quite ruined, I assure you, and there is but one remedy. I must be allowed to make amends. It appears I will be forced to marry you, sir!" She suddenly grinned at him, "Fortunately, it shall not be an onerous burden for I do most ardently admire and love you."
"Forced, madam? Forced?"
"It is the recommended solution in such cases, is it not?"
Darcy smiled wickedly, "Well, if I have been compromised, then there can be no objections if I do this." And he kissed her once more. "Or this!" and his hand moved up to cup her breast and tease the hardened nipple. "Or this!" and his hand moved down to stroke her bottom.
She moved closer, tightened their embrace and said, "Nor should you mind if I do such." Her hands grabbed him by his backside and she pressed herself hard against him.
"Mercy, madam! Mercy!"
And they both began to laugh.
"You can have no idea, Elizabeth, how long and how desperately I have waited for this day."
"Elizabeth's eyebrows rose. "Am I not to have a reply to my offer, William?" She wiggled her hips slightly, "Or has my wanton behaviour quite….disconcerted you?"
"I am…disconcerted, my love, as well as disturbed, disarmed and…"
"You do not give the appearance of one who is disarmed, Mr. Darcy."
"Ah….Well...Perhaps that was not the best choice of words."
"No more procrastinating, Mr. Darcy. I would have your answer, sir!"
Darcy smiled at the reversal of roles that had somehow taken place. If Elizabeth had meant to spare him the task of making a second offer to a woman who had rejected him once before, it was kindly meant but completely unnecessary. Nonetheless, as she had asked, he must answer.
"Madam…Elizabeth…it is with the greatest of pleasure that I accept your offer of marriage."
Elizabeth looked up at him. She dearly wanted to kiss him again but the sounds in the hallway caused her to hesitate.
"When you gaze at me so, Elizabeth, I wish to kiss you most diligently."
"I would by no means wish to suspend any pleasure of yours, William."
The kiss had but begun when a rap on the door caused them to jump apart and then laugh at their behaviour. Elizabeth called for the interloper – who proved to be Mrs. Gardiner - to enter. She looked at their flushed faces and swollen lips knowingly. And, if she chose to inspect Darcy's appearance a little more thoroughly than her niece's, she made no mention of her findings.
"I thought" said she, "that I had allowed sufficient time for a private interview. Mrs. Temple has informed me that you had other callers, Elizabeth, whilst I was out." Mrs. Gardiner directed an inquiring gaze at Elizabeth. "They were, according to Matthew, most…ungentlemanly. Mr. Stokes, he said?"
"Yes." Elizabeth replied.
Before she could speak further, Darcy interjected, "I would also very much like to learn what transpired before my arrival. I heard only enough to cause no small amount of concern." He looked at Elizabeth expectantly.
She grimaced and nodded, "There is much that I must reveal." She looked at her aunt. "Perhaps some tea and biscuits. It has been…" she glanced at Darcy with a warm smile, "a day I shall not soon forget."
Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed, "You are engaged!"
"Indeed we are, madam." Responded Darcy, "Elizabeth has made me the happiest of men. She made me an offer of marriage and I accepted before she could reclaim her wits."
"Elizabeth offered?" Mrs. Gardiner chuckled,..."such a happy conclusion. I am very pleased for you both. I think you will do very well together." She waved them to the sofa saying that she would arrange for refreshments and bustled out of the room taking obvious care to ensure that the door was fully open.
Darcy smiled at Mrs. Gardiner's congratulations, but it was an absent-minded one as his thoughts had already returned to the matter of Elizabeth's recent visitors.
"Who were they, Elizabeth and why were they threatening you for it is clear to me that such was their intent?"
Elizabeth sighed. She had known that an explanation would be required eventually but the assurances from her solicitor had led her to believe that it was not a matter of pressing concern and that explanations need not intrude on the happiness of her courtship.
"The elder gentleman, Mr. Stokes, is my brother by marriage…he is married to Anthony's older sister. As unbelievable as it is, I had never met him until he barged his way in this afternoon." She suddenly giggled, "I never thought about it, but it seems the younger gentleman, his son, is my nephew. I have met my … nephew twice before – but I am getting ahead of myself."
"Mr. Stokes is a barrister in Manchester and a younger son of Lord _; according to Anthony, the Stokes family believes it is a noble line, and their arrogance is unmatched, something quite evident in Mr. Stokes." She paused and stroked Darcy's hand. "I may have accused you once of being a prideful man but you were nothing to him. Needless to say, Mr. Stokes was most seriously displeased about Anthony's plans to marry me, and he visited Oaksley shortly before our wedding to make his views known. He assured Anthony that marrying me would be a degradation, not only to him, but to Mr. Stokes and his entire illustrious line, and he demanded that Anthony end our engagement. Anthony was not amused and he cut ties with his sister and her husband."
Mrs. Gardiner had returned while they were conversing, and silently, so as to not interrupt her niece, dispensed tea and biscuits and then settled back to listen to Elizabeth's explanation.
"Although Anthony was unmoved by his brother's demands, he knew Mr. Stokes could be a formidable foe given his social and professional connections and he was concerned about leaving me unprotected should he die unexpectedly and he took precautions in my settlement agreement and in his will to prevent his brother from taking control of Oaksley and becoming guardian to my children if we were so blessed."
Darcy nodded, signifying his agreement with Waring's efforts to protect Elizabeth.
"The first time I met my nephew was when he accompanied his mother to Anthony's funeral. I do not think we spoke more than a few words to each other during that visit. He insisted on attending the reading of Anthony's will, which I permitted even though he had no right to do so because he was not a beneficiary. He was clearly displeased by the disposition of my husband's property, but he said nothing at the time. One year later, immediately after my mourning period had ended, he again came to Oaksley uninvited. On that occasion, he made me an offer of marriage. I am certain you can imagine the words he used to explain what a privilege it would be for me to be the new Mrs. Stokes. To his utter amazement, I refused him."
It was all Darcy could do to keep his voice calm, he cleared his throat and with a smile inquired, "The younger man, I assume, is the one who proposed?"
"Yes!" laughed Elizabeth. "It was a proposal to rival that of Mr. Collins. Foolish and distasteful in all its particulars."
"Shortly after that, I received a letter from his father." Elizabeth went to the desk, pulled a letter from the drawer and gave it to Darcy to read. Darcy clenched his fists as he read it and could barely contain himself by the time he finished.
"Did you respond to this drivel?"
Elizabeth explained her solicitor's advice and actions.
"My solicitor wrote Mr. Stokes some months ago advising him that we would be delighted to meet him in court as his claims are groundless and his suit, frivolous. I had not thought to hear anything more from him."
"And yet they called on you today." Darcy said. "The younger man, I assume, is the one who proposed?"
"Yes!" laughed Elizabeth. "It was a proposal to rival that of Mr. Collins. Foolish and distasteful in all its particulars."
"What was their purpose? What was the nature of the threat? For clearly a threat of some sort was made," demanded Darcy. His tone was harsh and the two women could not mistake his increasing anger as he listened to Elizabeth's story.
Mrs. Gardiner looked alarmed and Elizabeth hastened to reassure him. "They have not threatened violence, William. At least not to my person! My reputation however, they deign to leave in tatters."
"How so? How is that possible?"
"Lydia!"
"Lydia?" said Mrs. Gardiner and Darcy in unison.
"But she has been gone these past eight years!" Exclaimed Mrs. Gardiner.
Darcy waited patiently.
"They plan" said Elizabeth, "to exhume her scandal. To make known to all of our acquaintances, here in London and in Wiltshire, my sister's ruin."
"Surely, after such a passage of time, no one would care." Darcy replied slowly, his mind active with the possibilities.
His countenance was so grave that Elizabeth began to worry. While a scandal long dead might not be of concern to him, would he be equally sanguine should it have new life breathed into it? She was about to inquire as to his thoughts when he turned to address Mrs. Gardiner.
"Your husband's business, would such….gossip harm it?"
Mrs. Gardiner shook her, "I cannot say. I would think that a few of his customers might be bothered enough to withdraw their business. My husband would be better able to answer to that, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy nodded, "I expect that Mr. Simmons' opinion must be similarly canvassed." He turned back to Elizabeth.
"I have no doubt but that your reputation can withstand the gossip in Wiltshire, Elizabeth. If the warmth displayed by the Fairlys is any indication, you are held in no little regard. And…" he smiled, "quite deservedly so."
"But I would not have your reputation tarnished, William."
Darcy reached over and took both of Elizabeth's hands in his own, stroking the backs with his thumbs. "My reputation will not suffer, I can assure you. In fact, I am convinced that our marriage will enhance it greatly."
Elizabeth thought that if he meant to calm her by stroking the backs of her hands, he was singularly unsuccessful in his effort. It was all she could do to not draw closer to him but, as her aunt would hardly accommodate her by quitting the room, she had to content herself by smiling warmly at him.
"Why then were you so grave, William. You gave all the appearance of someone greatly worried."
"That was my pensive look, Elizabeth. My worried look is, I am told, quite different."
"I trust that is so, else I will never be able to tell them apart." She shook his hands, "And on what then were your pensive thoughts engaged?"
Darcy looked at Mrs. Gardiner for a moment or two before replying, "You know, do you not, that my uncle is the Earl of _?" She nodded.
"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "I had quite forgot! He will be sorely displeased at his family being aligned with ours."
Darcy could hear the sudden dismay in her voice and spoke quickly to address it. "He will not be pleased….if he hears of it with no forewarning. But I am sure that once he meets you and hears the particulars of the situation, he will be most willing to assist in dampening any such talk." He looked at Elizabeth and spoke with such determination that she could not doubt his sincerity. "I will not give you up, Elizabeth. My uncle will be made aware of my intentions. He knows me too well to question my resolve. He will support me - us - even if only to maintain family solidarity. We shall marry and ….." He smiled. "I have just had the most happy thought. This situation - our problem - will be rendered trivial by our marriage, and the sooner we marry, the less we need be concerned by such gossip." He now laughed, "Mr. Stokes will find himself quite at a loss."
Mrs. Gardiner suddenly chortled, "Society will be too much titillated by the marriage of Mr. Darcy to have much interest in a small scandal that is some eight years old." She snorted, "It is not as if Lydia is the first young woman to plague her family so."
"Nonetheless," asserted Darcy, "I shall speak with Mr. Stokes and his son but first we must consult with your uncle and Mr. Simmons and I must inform my uncle of our engagement."
Grillons Hotel, London
The two men entered their suite with faces as much angered and displeased as when they had entered their carriage to return to the hotel. As it was a rented carriage, they could not be assured of privacy and were perforce only able to talk of inconsequential matters while they travelled. Since neither gentleman was in the mood for such conversation, the ride back to the hotel was uncommonly quiet. When they finally reached their suite, their constraints were released. Nelson Stokes slammed the door shut and turned to his father.
"Who the hell was that man?"
Sebastian Stokes did not respond. His ire had transformed into a peevish displeasure.
At his father's silence, Nelson Stokes regained some of his composure before continuing.
"I noticed the crest on his coach – it appeared to be a stylized D. Were you not able to discover the man's identity when you questioned the coachman?"
Stokes shook his head. "He was tight lipped and refused to share any information, but from the quality of his uniform, his master is a man of some consequence."
"Why would such a man visit a house in that neighborhood? What business could he possibly have there? For a certainty, he was not unexpected." Nelson Stokes was pensive as he continued, "She obviously knew him – the expression on her face revealed as much."
His father grunted, "I had not noticed. Are you certain of this?"
He nodded his assent and sauntered over to the table bearing the drinks. "Port?" he inquired of his father and, upon receiving his assent, filled a wineglass for each of them and carried one to his father. His motions were mechanical as his mind was paying scant attention to his activities.
"What miserable timing! You had almost persuaded her to accept my suit when this gentleman walks in and orders us out."
His father looked at him incredulously, "You believe she was ready to accept you? Is that what you think?" He shook his head. "You are an idiot."
Ignoring the insult, Nelson Stokes continued, "I do not like it. It was none of his business, he had no right to intervene. We would not have departed until you carried your point."
"Do not be ridiculous! She had already ordered us out. He but ensured we could not do otherwise but accept that order. That footman would have done the job should he have been forced to! He was less than civil in showing us out and I dare say he would have enjoyed ensuring our swift departure."
Stokes gulped down the rest of his drink. "Damn. She has more fortitude than I expected. I doubt any other woman would have withstood the threat of having her reputation ruined."
Both men were silent, busy contemplating what had just occurred.
"Well," his father grunted, "there is nothing to it. As it does not appear that she will marry you willingly, then she must be prepared to marry you unwillingly. And you must do what is required to make that happen."
Apprised of his father's thoughts, Nelson Stokes could only agree and much of the evening was subsequently spent in devising their next actions.