A Happy Accident Page 5

  “I wonder what happened to him? Your letters were full of hopes for a proposal and then he leaves just after the ball where he spent all night by her side. I know young men can be fickle but that seems most irregular.”

  Elizabeth glanced towards the door. For a moment, a surge of the old resentment rushed through her but she pulled away from it. No, even though Darcy was wrong to assume Jane did not love Bingley and to separate his friend from her, Elizabeth could not fault him from trying to protect his friend from what he believed would be a loveless marriage. Elizabeth had to admit she would have done the same if she believed a man did not love Jane and only sought her hand for material gain. In that, he had been a good friend.

  But he should not have assumed he knew Jane’s heart. And yet although it was clear to her that Jane was in love with Bingley, why should that follow that Darcy would realise it when he was so much less acquainted with her than she was? How was he to know Jane’s true feelings? Even Charlotte Lucas had pointed out that Jane would do better to show more affection for Bingley if she was to encourage him to propose to her. Elizabeth recognised Jane’s shy, reserved nature for what it was but Darcy could not know it. And Bingley was always so dependent on his friend’s judgment and so naturally modest himself. Of course he would believe Darcy if he told him Jane did not care for him. He did not have Darcy’s arrogance in assuming that any woman he wanted would be honoured to accept his hand in marriage…

  Elizabeth drew her mind from those unwelcome thoughts at once. Though she might tease Darcy, she did not feel any comfort about staying under his roof. And in the mistress’s suites, no less. It was as well her aunt and uncle did not seem to notice it yet.

  She realised her aunt was staring at her. She smiled.

  “I am sorry, Aunt. I was miles away. Yes, I agree it was a very sudden change of heart. But perhaps he did not know Jane loved him. Bingley was a modest man. He would not push himself forward without encouragement. I cannot be too hard on him.”

  Mrs Gardiner laughed. “Well then you have changed your tune, my dear, because your letters after the event were filled with censure for Mr Bingley. You thought him weak and inconstant for leaving so suddenly. And then for him not to come to her in London when he must surely have known she was there. Your understanding does you credit, but I cannot agree with you. I think Jane has had a fortunate escape though she may not realise it yet. Why, for all we know, by next year she might be happily married to a wonderful man who adores her and deserves her. She will not even remember Bingley except to shudder and think what she might have lost if he had proposed to her.”

  Elizabeth smiled though it was difficult. No, Mr Bingley did not know Jane was in London the previous winter. She had gone there to stay with the Gardiner’s in the hope that it might lead to her crossing paths with Bingley. But though she had called on Bingley’s sisters, they had not returned the visit and Darcy’s letter informed her that he had also known of Jane’s presence in London but had concealed it from Bingley. It was the one matter he admitted he could not dwell on with satisfaction.

  “Perhaps you are right, Aunt. We never know who might come to our doors at any moment.”

  “Maybe when we return home, you and Jane might come and stay with us in London for a while. You will meet more people and will have a far more comfortable search for a husband without your Mama becoming too involved. Would you like that?”

  When Elizabeth smiled, she added cryptically, “Unless, of course, one or more of you finds you have no more need to search for a husband by then.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “What do you mean, Aunt? It would take a miracle for one of us to suddenly meet our true love in a matter of weeks.”

  Aunt Gardiner did not respond. She picked up the needlework she had brought to Elizabeth’s bed and asked her opinion on a pattern for a flower she was stitching.

  “I am terribly inadequate at sewing,” she said. “Little Maggie puts me to shame with her blooms and landscapes.”

  “Maggie is a genius,” Elizabeth agreed. Her little cousin had a natural flair for embroidery and would stitch stunning designs into any material left close to her. The Gardiner’s home in London was a riot of colour as a result.

  Mrs Gardiner returned to her needlework. “I must say, I am surprised to find Mr Darcy to be a far different man than the one you led us to believe he would be,” she said in a light voice. “I received so many letters from you speaking of his arrogance and selfishness and pride. Yet I see nothing of that in him. He is a little reserved, perhaps, but that is not a flaw and a lively wife might help him be less so. There is something a little stately in him to be sure, but it is confined to his manner and not unbecoming. I wonder we have such divergent opinions of him. That is not usually the case when we discuss other people.” She broke a thread with her scissors as Elizabeth cast about for a response.

  “Perhaps he has changed then,” she said. “Because I did not lie in my letters. He really was proud and arrogant. You recall I told you how he refused to dance with me because I was not handsome enough.”

  Mrs Gardiner shook her head. “I cannot defend him there. That was unspeakably rude. But he has been all ease and friendliness with us.”

  “I suspect it might be because I am hurt and he saved me,” said Elizabeth. “I think even the coldest man on earth would find it difficult to be completely aloof under such circumstances. I am sure he is not entirely without feeling.”

  “That is a new idea because you did not allow him to have any feelings at all,” said Mrs Gardiner. She smiled. “I think you are right. Though he is proud as you say, he had a chance to rescue a young lady from danger and is now in a position to care for her and her family. I think there are few young man who could resist the romance of such a situation.”

  “Aunt!”

  “I mean romantic in the daydreaming sense, my dear. Nothing more than that. But you gave him a chance to be a hero. I am sure he likes the feeling. His rescue of you will be the talk of London once it gets out.”

  Elizabeth groaned. “I would rather drink all of Mrs Reynolds’s potion than be the subject of such gossip.”

  “I am sure Mr Darcy would as well.” Mrs Gardiner’s smile faded. “I suppose I cannot lay my judgment of him aside to quickly I suppose. No matter how friendly he is right now, he is still the man who cheated Mr Wickham. No man who denies another his inheritance out of nothing more than meanness can be good, I think.” She sighed. “It is a shame I recollected it. I was beginning to like him.”

  Elizabeth swallowed uncomfortably and avoided her aunt’s eye. It was unjust that Darcy still carried the stain of the lies Wickham told of him. But what could she do? She could not tell the truth about what had really happened between Wickham and Darcy without casting a shadow over Miss Darcy’s reputation. Darcy had given her no leave to share the news with anyone else. The fact that he had trusted her enough to share it with hers something Elizabeth could not help be flattered by. Her only hope was that Wickham would eventually do something that would expose him and then Darcy’s name would be cleared.

  “Still,” added her aunt cheerfully. “He did save my favourite niece so I cannot fail to like him in some small measure, I suppose. It would be churlish of me to despise the man who saved your life and then was gracious enough to invite us to stay in his home.”

  Elizabeth laughed and shifted so the pillows behind her settled more comfortably.

  “I would not allow Lydia to hear you refer to me as your favourite niece. I do not imagine she would take it well.”

  “I do not think I have hid my preference. How is Lydia? You did not have time to tell me if you have heard any news of her since you have been here?”

  “I have not heard from any of them. But I do not expect to receive a letter from Lydia at all. You know how she is.” Elizabeth’s face sobered. “I wish she had not gone to Brighton.”

  “Yes, it is not somewhere I am happy to think of her being. Too many wild temptations for a girl who s
till cannot be trusted to behave properly. Still, at least Wickham is there. He is a good, charming man. I am sure he will see Lydia comes to no harm.”

  Elizabeth blanched at that. Her wild younger sister unsupervised in Brighton with a man who had a history of seducing young women and tempting them to elope with him? She did not like to think of it.

  12

  Mrs Gardiner called out when a brief knock came on the door. Mr Gardiner put his head in.

  “How are you, my dear?” he asked.

  “Perfectly well, Uncle. Will you not come in?”

  Uncle Gardiner entered the room, followed very closely by Mr Darcy. Elizabeth gaped at him.

  “Oh,” was all she said. She did not expect him to spend quite so much time with her. Surely this situation was as awkward and uncomfortable for him as it was for her? She would have thought he would make as many excuses as possible to avoid her, perhaps even leave Pemberley altogether with some weak excuse about needing to see to business elsewhere. She felt a slight fluttering in her stomach to think that he might have sought out her presence because he still cared for her.

  No, that could not be possible. No man could still hold a woman dear who rejected him as brutally as Elizabeth did. And especially not one as proud as Mr Darcy. Still, she could not help feeling a brief rush of pleasure at the thought that he might.

  “I hope I am not intruding?” he asked.

  “Not at all,” said Elizabeth in a faint voice.

  Darcy hovered near the end of the bed. The Gardiner’s had taken the closest chairs to their niece. Darcy looked as though he were not sure where he had a right to be.

  “Will you not sit down, sir?” Elizabeth asked. She gestured to a chair near the foot of the bed.

  “Yes… yes.” Darcy looked vague as he took the chair.

  “It is most good of you to have us, sir,” said Mr Gardiner again. “Especially in light of your already having guests. It will not be an easy time for you. You will feel as though you do not have your home to yourself.”

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy as Darcy waved away Mr Gardiner’s concerns.

  “They are well known to me so it is not a chore to have them. For the most part,” he added. He looked at Elizabeth. His eyes were so dark and penetrating that she was suddenly aware that she was in night clothes and her hair was loose. She flushed slightly. “Mr Bingley is looking forward to seeing you again, Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth had to fight the urge to share a glance with her aunt.

  “Mr Bingley must be surprised. When he left last winter and decided to remain in London, I am sure he had no idea we would meet again.”

  Darcy cleared his throat. “No, I suppose not. But I have written to him of your accident and presence here and he responded at once. He is most concerned for you. I assured him but I think he will not be satisfied you are in no danger until he sees you for himself.” Darcy’s smile was quick.

  “It will be interesting to see his sisters again,” said Elizabeth with a small smile. “I am sure they will be the most astonished creatures in the world when they know I am here. Particularly Miss Bingley. I think she will be all astonishment.”

  “I am sure she will.” Darcy paused. He fidgeted with the cuff of his sleeve then met Elizabeth’s eyes again. “There is another among the party who more particularly wishes to be acquainted with you. Will you allow me — or do I ask too much — to introduce my sister to your acquaintance while you stay here?”

  Elizabeth considered making a joking response that as long as she was staying under the same roof as Miss Bingley, she was unlikely to avoid meeting her. But Darcy’s eyes were so warm and earnest that she found she could nor tease him. She smiled, conscious of the honour he did her by wanting her to know his beloved sister.

  “Yes, I would be delighted.”

  Darcy’s face relaxed into a smile.

  “Good. Good. Well. Can I get you anything? Some books, perhaps? Some tea? More medicine?”

  “If I drink another drop of that, I shall see to it that you consume twice as much,” said Elizabeth pertly. It was a relief to return to less treacherous topics. Though whether or not Mrs Reynolds’ tonic could be referred to as less treacherous, Elizabeth was not certain. “No, I am quite content for now. I would enjoy company more than anything. Although if you could bring me something to read this evening, I would be much obliged. I like to read before I fall asleep. I do not know if I could sleep without it.”

  Darcy’s face softened. An odd look came into his eyes. “My mother was just the same,” he said. “My father kept a little bookcase for her so she might always have her favourite selection close to hand.”

  “Your father sounds like an excellent man, sir. I hope you will do the same when you have a wife,” said Aunt Gardiner.

  Darcy and Elizabeth suddenly found various points in the room most engrossing.

  “I will bring you a selection of books now,” said Darcy as he rose hurriedly from the chair. “So you will have plenty of time to select others if they do not please you.”

  “Yes. Yes, thank you,” said Elizabeth in a higher voice than she normally used.

  The door closed behind him.

  “He is a peculiar man,” said Mr Gardiner. “Oh, I do not mean it as an insult, Madeline. I just mean I cannot figure him it. Lizzy tells us he is proud yet he has been nothing but friendly. He gave me free use of his study and offered me the use of any of his paper even though I told him I had brought my own. He inquired whether I liked fishing and offered to take me to his trout stream tomorrow. It has been a long time since I had a chance to indulge myself in fishing so I gladly accepted. But then just as he seems at ease, he suddenly becomes awkward and behaves as though he cannot get away fast enough. As he did just now,” he added, waving his hand towards the door. “I wonder what overcomes him in such moments.”

  “I think we would do better not to inquire, Uncle,” said Elizabeth quickly. “Perhaps he is one of those men one could study for a lifetime and still never make him out. He might have forgotten something in his haste to prepare the house for his guests tomorrow. We do not know.”

  Mr Gardiner scratched his chin. “Yes, maybe,” he said in a doubtful voice. “I only hope he does to behave so with me tomorrow. It would be most awkward if we were at the stream and he suddenly takes it in his head to run away again.”

  “I suspect he will not, my dear,” said Mrs Gardiner.

  13

  The following morning, a fierce argument broke out between Elizabeth and Darcy.

  “I am perfectly well,” she insisted.

  Darcy frowned and folded his arms as she leaned against the bedpost, almost oblivious to the way her nightgown was exposed.

  “You are not perfectly well. Need I remind you that you had a fall only two days ago. No one would recover from it that fast. Look at you. You can hardly stand.”

  “I assure you I can.”

  “Then release the bedpost.”

  Elizabeth hesitated for a moment then she raised her chin defiantly and let go of her support. She wobbled slightly but she regained her balance in a moment. She looked at Darcy triumphantly.

  “There. You see? I can manage perfectly well.”

  Darcy shook his head. “No. It is out of the question. Mason said you were not to move about much. I cannot allow it.”

  “Allow it?” Elizabeth’s face flushed indignantly.

  “A poor choice of words, perhaps,” he said hastily.

  “More than perhaps.”

  They glared at one another and Elizabeth suddenly recalled another time in another room where they had stood across from one another and spoke heated words. She flushed slightly and looked away.

  A similar thought appeared to have struck Darcy. He did not speak for a moment but when he did, it was in a gentler tone.

  “Forgive me. I can be overbearing when I am concerned for someone I… when I am concerned for a guest,” he added. He paused. “How about I help you to the parlour for a few ho
urs. It will be a change of scenery for you. But I insist you promise me that the moment you feel even the smallest discomfort you will tell me at once. Do you agree?”

  Elizabeth smiled. “I am sure I will feel some discomfort but it does not follow that it will be necessary for me to retire at once if I do.”

  “That depends on the discomfort, of course. But I would still like to know if you do not feel well so I might support you. I hope you will trust me to tell me.”

  Elizabeth lifted her face to look at him. Through the proud set of his head, she noticed something else; a flush of vulnerability. Darcy seemed to hold his breath as though he feared her response.

  “I trust you,” she said in a small voice.

  Something flickered in Darcy’s eyes. He cleared his throat and nodded.

  “Very well. I will send the maid to dress you,” he added, trying to avert his gaze from where her nightgown opened at the throat. Elizabeth gasped and covered herself, her face flaming. She nodded.

  “Thank you.”

  “I will wait outside so I might escort you to the parlour,” he added. Elizabeth was about to tell him that would not be necessary but she stopped herself. She could not deny she liked the idea of Darcy waiting for her and willing to care for her. There was something about it that gave her a warm flush of security. Perhaps this was what he would have been like as a husband. They might have been married now and perhaps expecting their first child. Would he have been as concerned and solicitous as this if she had been as ill as she recalled Mama being when she was expecting Mary, Kitty and Lydia? That was an intriguing thought…

  Elizabeth almost gasped audibly when she realised where her mind was taking her. Imagining herself as Mr Darcy’s wife and expecting his child! How could she? She was almost as bad as Miss Bingley.

  No, not quite that bad. Darcy had never considered marrying Miss Bingley, while for Elizabeth, the idea of their marriage had been a very real possibility if only she had given a different response. But that did not mean she should allow her mind to wander to such thoughts no matter how surprisingly pleasant they might be…