Chance Encounters Page 3

  “Good morning Mr. Darcy, welcome to our home, I hope that the day finds you well?” Mrs. Gardiner thought it was best that she begin the conversation, since the young man looked so nervous, he might just run back out the door as much as sit down.

  Darcy put to use his years of good breeding, and performed the perfect bow, remembered to breathe, and responded, “Good morning Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet. Indeed, I am quite well, and most pleased to be spending the day in your company.”

  “It is we who are honoured by your visit, sir. I must say that I have been quite looking forward to it.” Elizabeth gave him an impish grin that filled him with delight. “You see, my aunt and I were talking about your estate’s location in Derbyshire, and thought that you might be familiar with the Lake District, since it is not too far from my aunt’s former home in Lambton.” Elizabeth had taken note during their first conversation how Darcy had relaxed when the topic of Derbyshire had been raised, and she was trying to get him to that level of ease at the beginning of his visit.

  He gave Elizabeth a small smile, “Yes I am familiar with that area, having visited many times over the years. Is there any place in particular that raises your interest?”

  Elizabeth continued her smile, “My aunt and uncle have been kind enough to invite me to accompany them this summer when they tour the area. We will, I believe, be passing through Lambton to visit her old friends. I was wondering if there are any sights that should not be missed along the way.”

  “In all honesty, Miss Bennet, I may be the worst person to ask. I think all of the North Country to be breathtaking and am quite biased in my opinions. If you enjoy viewing large estates, there are several to take in, and if you prefer scenic vistas, there are simply too many to name.”

  “So Mr. Darcy, you are forcing me to visit book shops to look for my guides to the area?” She accused him.

  Laughing, Mrs. Gardiner turned to Darcy, “Oh please, Mr. Darcy, give her some advice, if Lizzy is forced to visit bookshops, I am quite sure that I will never see her again during her visit. Once she enters, it takes a great deal of persuasion to entice her back out again!”

  “Short of threats, you mean.” Elizabeth said with satisfaction. Her laughing eyes met Darcy’s delighted ones.

  “So you are a great reader, Miss Bennet?”

  “Indeed, I am very fond of books. My father gave me free access to his library, and I have been allowed to read anything and everything, from literature to poetry to histories, and of course the current news. I am also known to read agricultural reports to tell my father of the latest advances in farm management. Not that he implements them though,” she added ruefully.

  Impressed, and adding this information to the catalogue of Elizabeth that he was keeping, he asked, “And who are your favourite authors?”

  “I enjoy Shakespeare, of course, his plays and sonnets, and Blake and Donne, for poetry. I also occasionally indulge myself in a novel by Mrs. Radcliffe when I am feeling particularly melancholy.”

  They all laughed at that. “Well Miss Bennet, I wholeheartedly support your father’s desire to further your reading skills. I encourage my sister in the endeavour, and she is quite well-read for being so young. We often choose a book and debate it together. As she grows older, her arguments are improving.”

  “I do something similar with my father, Mr. Darcy, and I can say that I take great enjoyment in besting him more and more often!”

  “Perhaps we will have to have a debate some time, Miss Bennet. I think that my library will provide a wealth of subjects for us to attempt.” Darcy was becoming more fascinated with Elizabeth at every moment, and she was thrilled to see a man who was not intimidated by an educated woman. They were beginning to learn about each other.

  “Mr. Darcy, perhaps we could continue our discussion on our walk. My aunt has said that she must stay inside with the children, and has been kind enough to let us go on our own.”

  Turning to Mrs. Gardiner, Darcy nodded to her, “Thank you for your generosity Mrs. Gardiner, I assure you, your niece will be quite safe with me.”

  She smiled, “Of that I have no doubt, sir, and I know that Lizzy can take care of herself.”

  Elizabeth and Darcy stepped outside of the house and with a glance up at his face; she smiled and led the way across the street to the park. Darcy felt that it was too soon to offer her his arm, but that did not stop him from wishing that he could.

  “I must say, Miss Bennet, I am a little surprised that your aunt has not insisted on accompanying us.”

  Elizabeth eyed him, “Are you disappointed, sir? Do you prefer her company to mine, or do you simply prefer to be surrounded by ladies as you walk?”

  Darcy’s eyes grew wide with surprise, “Neither of those answers is correct, I am quite satisfied with your sole company, and was happy with the kindness of your aunt to allow it.”

  “Yes, my aunt is very kind.”

  “I see that what I heard of you from your uncle has proven to be true.”

  Elizabeth looked at him warily, “I am almost afraid to ask, but being of a curious nature, I cannot let well enough alone. Please enlighten me of my uncle’s words, since I am sure it will not be a good reflection of my character.”

  “Do you doubt your uncle’s ability to praise you?”

  “No, I doubt his ability to colour the truth. Now, what did he say?” She looked at him with a smile, but he could see the trace of anxiety in her eyes and teased her.

  “He merely said that you had a sharp wit, and have been known to scare men away with it.”

  “Do you feel frightened, Mr. Darcy?”

  “I am not afraid of you, Miss Bennet.” He smiled down into her sparkling eyes, and saw the relief within.

  “Well I am pleased to hear that you do not frighten easily, Mr. Darcy. I do not either, in fact I have a reputation for being able to care for myself with unworthy young men who try to press their unwanted attentions upon me. Perhaps that was why my aunt was so easily persuaded to allow us to walk alone today.”

  “Did you do the persuading, Miss Bennet?”

  She tilted her head and raising a brow, grinned, “I did!”

  Darcy gave her a brilliant smile and laughed, once again flooring her with how handsome he could be. “I am duly impressed with your powers of persuasion. Now, since your reputation in self-defence has not as yet reached me, could you share your story, even if it will only help me to learn how to avoid your wrath?”

  “Somehow Mr. Darcy, you do not strike me as a rake, but if you would like to be entertained, I will oblige.” Darcy noticed that she was staring off into the distance, and that the mirth had left her face. She was lost in the memory.

  Wickham entered Longbourn with a hungry look in his eye. He had been laying the foundation of his seduction for weeks, slowly ingratiating himself with the Bennet ladies. He had centred his attention on two of them. Lydia was exactly what he usually looked for, young, stupid, easily flattered, and buxom. She would be an easy mark, and he knew that he could compromise her at the time of his choosing. But Wickham, although a rake of the highest order, was not unintelligent. After all, he had benefited by the education paid for by George Darcy, and he loved the challenge presented by Elizabeth Bennet.

  “Miss Elizabeth, might I tempt you to join me in a turn about the garden?”

  “Certainly, Mr. Wickham, I am happy to take advantage of this lovely weather while it lasts.”

  Elizabeth found Wickham’s company pleasant. He was certainly handsome, and his manners were everything that was charming, but something about him just did not strike her as true.

  “Have you ever been to Derbyshire, Miss Elizabeth?”

  “No, I have not, although I know people who have been there, and I understand that it is very beautiful area, why do you ask?”

  “Oh, well that is where I am from. I grew up on the estate of Pemberley, owned by the Darcy family.”

  “I have never heard of either the estate or the family, were your fa
mily tenants?” Elizabeth was curious, Wickham had all the manners of a gentleman, and seemed to have been educated well, but how is this possible if he were a tenant’s son on a great estate?

  “My late father was steward for the late Mr. Darcy. He had a son and heir, but he did not have any affection for him, and looked at me as his own. He gave me the same education as his son, and provided for me in his will.”

  “You are most fortunate; however, I wonder why if you were so cared for, how do you find yourself in the militia?”

  “Ah, well, it is a sad tale, and I should not want to burden you with it.” Wickham glanced over at her thinking that his story was working, and that by playing on the lady’s kind heart, he was slowly reeling her in. He had no doubt that she would soon be offering to comfort him.

  Elizabeth, however, was nobody’s fool, and she was not about to take the word of a man whose acquaintance she had barely made. Mr. Wickham’s story may have a grain of truth to it, but she was feeling an uncomfortable sensation that this man was attempting to play on her sympathies for nefarious reasons. She decided to let him continue to weave his tale and draw her conclusions from there.

  “Well, Mr. Wickham, I appreciate your care for me, but perhaps we should talk of more pleasant matters.”

  Feeling that he was losing ground, Wickham quickly responded, “Oh no, I think that it would be a great help to me to speak of it, sometimes sharing a memory with a good friend relieves the pain. I have come to regard you as a particularly close friend, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Have you, Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth thought; “Now I KNOW that he should not be trusted.” She spoke. “I am gratified that you think that well of me, please continue.”

  “Miss Bennet?” Elizabeth startled and was met with the concerned expression of her companion. “Are you well? You seemed to have left me for a moment.”

  “Forgive me Mr. Darcy, I was lost in an unpleasant memory and I suddenly realized that it has a connection to you.”

  “To me?” Darcy frowned. “Now I am the one with the curiosity that must be satisfied. Please tell me how anything that has to do with me could have ever touched you?”

  “Do you know a man named George Wickham, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth was stunned by what she saw. All manner of emotions played across his face. Anger, disgust, and mostly a deep look of anguish were displayed. Disregarding propriety, Darcy took Elizabeth’s gloved hands in his.

  Searching her face he whispered, “Did he hurt you?” The care for her well-being in Darcy’s face filled her with a feeling of comfort and safety that she had never experienced before. His deep brown eyes, so full of concern and fear were boring into her, pleading with her to tell him what had happened. It was overwhelming.

  Darcy was trying his best to maintain his composure. Wickham! Always Wickham! Will I never be rid of this man, and why must he always find the people that I care about? If he hurt Elizabeth . . . It took every bit of strength he had not to pull her into his embrace at that moment, she looked so vulnerable, and he wanted to protect her.

  Finally gathering herself together, she gave his hands a squeeze, and with a very soft voice reassured him. “No, Mr. Darcy, I was not hurt. I managed to get away in time.”

  “Thank God.” The anguish was still in his eyes. “George Wickham has taken advantage of my family for years, and continues to torment us. He attempted to elope with a very close, very young relation of mine to gain control of her fortune, and she has not yet recovered from the experience even though it has been nearly eight months. Every day I am faced with the results of his behaviour when I look into her expressionless eyes. The girl that I was charged to protect has had to bear the burden of my mistakes.” He stared down at their joined hands.

  Now Elizabeth knew the reasons for Darcy’s sadness at the concert, and she had no doubt that the girl who he referred to was, in fact, his own sister. Elizabeth, without regard for anything other than his comfort, reached up and gently caressed his face, drawing him back to her. He did not shrink away or even look surprised. The gesture was done in kindness, and shared understanding, and seemed perfectly natural between them.

  He took her hand and gently kissed it. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. Perhaps we could sit down; it seems we have things to discuss.” He led Elizabeth over to a bench, bathed in the warming rays of the sun.

  Elizabeth told him of Wickham’s appearance in Meryton and joining the militia regiment that was quartered there for the winter. She told him of his charming manners, and his interest in her family, and how he seemed to pay particular attention to her. She then told him of his tale of preference by old Mr. Darcy, and his subsequent degradation by Darcy.

  She noted his look of disgust, and he murmured, “So he is still spinning that story.”

  She then told him that she had felt something was not quite right with the tale, and had an uncomfortable feeling that he was trying far too hard to get her in his good graces. She said that it was nothing easily definable, almost an instinctual response that he should not be trusted.

  “And then,” she continued, “he walked out with me one day in the garden, leading me away from my sisters and other visiting officers to a secluded area. He was quite firm in his grasp of my arm, and since I did not think that he would do anything too daring with all those people about, I did not feel afraid. He must have thought that I was putty in his hands, and,” here she paused; her voice broke, and she looked off into the distance.

  Darcy took hold of her hands again and gently squeezed. “Go on, please.”

  Still looking away from him, she spoke quickly, “He pushed me against a tree, and kissed me. He pushed his body against mine, and started rubbing his hands along me. He kept his mouth on mine so that I could not call out for help, and he was so big and strong that I could not push him away.” Her voice was a whisper, quavering, and tears ran down her face.

  Darcy could stand it no longer. He dropped her hands and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly to him. He whispered fiercely into her hair, “It is well, Elizabeth, it is over. I am here. I will let no harm come to you.”

  She looked up into his compassionate eyes. She felt so safe, like she had found her home in his embrace, and believed him. He watched her face, willing her to trust him, and saw the same dawning of homecoming in her eyes that he was feeling with her in his arms. She was the woman he had been waiting for. It took every ounce of restraint he possessed not to kiss her at that moment.

  They drew apart, but remained holding hands, now aware of the new unspoken understanding between them. Then Elizabeth looked down and up into Darcy’s face. She wore an expression of defiance and pride, and her entire body straightened.

  “I took care of him. I made sure that he would never do that again.”

  Fascinated by her change in attitude, Darcy asked, “What did you do?”

  Elizabeth broke into a gleeful, almost evil grin, “I forcefully took my knee to his most sensitive area!”

  Darcy looked at her in disbelief and awe, and dawning understanding. “Do you mean that you kneed him in his . . .” he glanced down at his lap, embarrassed.

  “Yes!” Elizabeth laughed in triumph. “He doubled over on the ground, clutching himself and groaning. I ran away as fast as I could and returned to the house. I saw him limping out from the garden about twenty minutes later. He could barely mount his horse! The other officers kept asking what had happened, and I heard him say that he had a bad leg cramp.”

  “Well, having experienced that particular painful condition, although it was from sitting on a fence railing and not at the hands of a lady, I know exactly what he was feeling, and a leg cramp would be pleasant in comparison.” Darcy was smiling so broadly at the downfall of his most bitter enemy that his cheeks hurt. “And how particularly humiliating to have such a blow be delivered by you! I am extraordinarily proud and envious of you, Miss Bennet!”

  “Thank you, sir. I am rather proud of myself! I did, of course tell my father what happened, a
nd he forbade my sisters from ever speaking to him again, although he did not tell them why. He also paid a call to the militia’s colonel, and told him privately of the incident. Mr. Wickham was transferred to another regiment within the week.”

  “Oh Miss Bennet, I cannot tell you how wonderful this story has made me feel. With your permission, may I tell it to my sister?”

  “Of course, Mr. Darcy, I am always happy to have my praises sung!” Elizabeth’s triumph calmed, and she asked, “Am I correct in concluding that your sister is the member of your family who Mr. Wickham tried to seduce?” Darcy quickly became sombre, and nodded his head. “She has not recovered after all of these months?”

  “No, she blames herself, and she has decided that she has disappointed me. I cannot seem to convince her otherwise, although, I do think that I made a small improvement in her yesterday morning.” He looked up at her shyly.

  Elizabeth gave him a smile, “What did you do?”

  “I told her that it is her own goodness and how she treats others that matters, and not her status or money or name. Her value is in herself. She is so worried that she has disappointed me and dishonoured our name. I admit that I was inspired by the unsolicited kindness of a young lady in a theatre, who tried very hard to lift the spirits of a very sad man.” He continued to look at her, but now with a small, hopeful smile on his face.

  “That young lady would be very happy to know that she was so able to help that man, and I imagine she would like to have the opportunity to do so again in the future.” Elizabeth gave him a reassuring smile, her eyes dancing, thrilled with how quickly he had come to regard her as someone special.

  “I can think of no greater reward than to spend time with that lady, and benefit from her attentions.” Darcy’s heart was thumping hard in his chest. He had never been so bold, had never had reason to speak to any woman like this before. This is happening so fast!