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  Darcy’s Secret Marriage

  By Zoe Burton

  Darcy’s Secret Marriage

  Zoe Burton

  Published by Zoe Burton

  © 2019 Zoe Burton

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission from its publisher and author.

  Early drafts of this story were written and posted on fan fiction forums in April 2019.

  Acknowledgements

  First, I thank Jesus Christ, my Savior and Guide, without whom this story would not have been told. Thank you for growing me in You. I love you!

  Additional thanks go to my betas, Heleen, Christa, and Kristie. Thank you for your hard work and encouragement.

  A huge thank you goes to my friends Leenie and Rose, who always have my back.

  Finally, this book was written for my patrons at Patreon. Angela, Barbara, Cheryl, Christa, Debbie, Doris, Gail, Joan, Kimberley, Leenie, Lisa, Marsha, Peggy, and Rose, your support awes and humbles me. Thank you!
  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Before you go …

  About the Author

  Connect With Zoe Burton

  More by Zoe Burton

  Prologue

  June 26, 1810

  I cannot fathom it, but Elizabeth Bennet is here, in Scotland, and staying with a local couple on their estate just a few miles away. What is alarming is that my son knows and is all but courting her. He is sly and will not speak about it to me, but I hear from the neighbors things he will not say.

  I must get rid of her! I do not have the connections here that I do in Derbyshire and London, but surely someone can be found to undertake this task. It will have to be completed by the hand of another. My previous methods were effective, but the recipients were all members of my own household. The Bennet chit is not here at Glenmoor.

  No matter how difficult I find the task, this girl will cease to be a distraction to my son. He will marry where I wish him to. I always win.

  Chapter 1

  Early summer, 1806

  Twenty-year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy raced his stallion, Apollo, across the fields of Pemberley. Though he was exhilarated by the rush of wind and feel of the horse’s movement underneath his seat, his heart pounded in anticipation; he was on his way to meet his love, his Elizabeth. They had taken to walking together every morning, sometimes with his sister or cousins, sometimes with her eldest sister, and sometimes alone. He cherished this time with her and knew she felt the same.

  A few minutes later, he slowed the animal down to a canter. He was approaching the turnoff to Lambton, and Apollo needed to cool down a bit, anyway. Looking around, Darcy searched for Elizabeth. He slowed the horse down further, to a trot and then a walk, his eyes darting to and fro. Just as a crease began to form between his brows, he saw her, alone, wandering up the road toward him, stopping now and then to sniff a flower or observe a bee. Pulling his steed to a stop a few feet away from her, Darcy dismounted and waited for her to approach, his gaze wandering over her form, from the chestnut curls peeping out from under her bonnet to her black half-boots, dusty from the mile-long walk from her aunt’s house.

  Miss Elizabeth Bennet was visiting Mrs. Penelope Hayes at a neighboring estate, Rocky Hills, and had been in residence for the last six weeks. Darcy had been instantly smitten with the always-smiling, witty young lady of six and ten. That she returned his feelings delighted him, and the two had, over the course of time, fallen deeply in love.

  The Darcys were close neighbours with the Hayes family, their estates bordering each other, and were frequently in company together. As a result, Darcy and Elizabeth had spent much time together. They had discovered many similarities between them, and not a few differences. They had even clashed a few times, much to the dismay of their companions. Though he had known Elizabeth but a few weeks, Darcy knew he would propose.

  There was only one problem: his mother. Though his father, Mr. George Darcy, was delighted with Elizabeth, Lady Anne Darcy was not so pleased. She wanted Darcy to marry her niece and namesake, Anne De Bourgh, but her husband had refused to allow her to arrange that marriage. Lady Anne was angry about his decision. She decided that, if her son were not permitted to marry his cousin, then he would marry a girl with a title and a huge fortune. Elizabeth Bennet had neither. The couple fought over it many times that summer, with Lady Anne demanding that her son be sent away. Eventually, Mr. Darcy reluctantly gave in, arranging not only a tour of the kingdom for Fitzwilliam, but also a stay beforehand in London with a friend of the family. Darcy and Elizabeth were suddenly torn apart, with no knowledge of where the other was.

  Scotland, four years later

  Fitzwilliam Darcy had arrived at his family’s Scottish estate, called Glenmoor, a week ago and had promptly received an invitation to a ball from his gregarious neighbor, Mr. Brodie, to be held at that gentleman’s estate, Bonnyvale. Darcy did not enjoy balls, but he knew what was expected of him, and so agreed to attend.

  Standing off to the side and away from the dancers, Darcy observed his fellow attendees. His host approached, and Darcy turned his attention to the red-haired gentleman.

  “Mr. Darcy, so good of you to come! I was sorry to hear about your father; he was a good man.”

  “Thank you, sir. It was a shock, but we are managing.” Darcy felt his heart squeeze in pain. He missed his father terribly.

  “How long has it been now?” Brodie lifted his glass of punch to take a sip.

  “Three years. I was halfway through my tour when it happened. By the time a letter reached me and I made it home, the funeral was over. My mother was devastated.”

  “How is your mother? My wife and I have not seen her in years, but I remember that she was a beautiful and elegant woman.”

  “Thank you.” Darcy lifted his lips in a small smile. “She remains much as she has always been. She is over the worst of her grief, I believe.”

  “Good, good. I think to call ladies the weaker sex is a mistake. They are able to bear far more than we mere gentlemen can.” Brodie clapped Darcy on the shoulder. “You have turned into a fine man, Fitzwilliam Darcy. I look forward to getting to know you better during your stay.” He gestured toward the room with the hand holding his glass. “I must go and greet more guests. Get out there and dance, will you? You are too young to hide along the wall.” Laughing, Brodie shook Darcy’s hand and wandered away.

  Darcy looked down, shaking his head and grinning. Mr. Brodie had always been one to speak his mind. After taking another sip of punch, he looked around the crowded ballroom, examining every face. It was a habit he had gotten into four years ago, when he was unceremoniously ripped away from the love of his life and sent on his tour. At this point, he did it without thought. His attention was suddenly arrested by something on the far side of the ballroom.

  Could it be? Darcy was certain it was. Suddenly, the crowd parted and there, on the other side of the room was Elizabeth Bennet.

  ~~~***~~~

  Elizabeth stood beside h
er aunt, Maddie Gardiner, as she observed the dancers. Her party had been the last to arrive at the ball, and she had not yet been asked to dance.

  Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle were in Scotland on a leisure trip, though her uncle, Edward Gardiner, was using part of the trip for business purposes. They were guests of one of Gardiner’s investors, a Mr. Gerald Reid, and were staying at his estate nearby.

  Maddie shook her head as she saw Elizabeth rise up on her toes to examine the guests. “Do you still do that? Search crowds? It has been a long time.”

  Elizabeth dropped back to her heels, turning to face her aunt. “I do still look. And, yes, it has been a long time.” Elizabeth felt her face turn red and her body begin to burn. She opened her fan and waved it to cool herself off as her eyes began to search again.

  Maddie did not speak for a moment, a small crease forming between her brows as she examined her niece. Finally, she asked, “You have never told me for whom you are looking. Is it someone in particular?”

  Elizabeth sighed. She had not told her aunt of her lost love. Only her sister Jane really knew how she had felt that long ago summer when she had fallen madly in love. Though she trusted her aunt, the pain of her disappointment was still sharp after all this time. She moved her gaze from the dancers to meet Maddie’s.

  “Yes, there is a specific person for whom I search.” Elizabeth was hesitant to say more, for fear of being rude, but she needed her aunt to understand that she did not wish to speak of it, at least not here and now. Drawing a deep breath and letting it out in a soft sigh, she added, “I … cannot … at present tell you who it is.” Her lips quirked up in a flash of a smile. “Perhaps one day I will be able to speak of it to you.”

  Maddie examined Elizabeth once more, but said nothing beyond, “Very well.” She gave her niece a reassuring smile and then watched as Elizabeth’s eyes moved back toward the dance floor.

  Elizabeth was relieved that Maddie had left off so easily. She suspected that there would be more questions at a later date, but that would work in her favor, for it gave her time to compose her responses and her emotions.

  The end of the set of dances arrived, and the music stopped. As the crowd departed the dance floor in favor of refreshments and conversation, Elizabeth’s heart stopped as she recognized a gentleman on the other side of the room. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered. Her attention riveted to the man across the way, she froze, willing him to come near.

  Darcy knew the moment Elizabeth recognized him by the way her whole face lit up, a smile entirely covering its lower half. He began to move toward her, an answering grin spreading over his own mien. He skirted around a couple who stopped in front of him, impeding his progress, but paid them no mind. Finally, he was there, standing in front of her. He bowed.

  “Miss Bennet, how are you?” I have missed you, you are beautiful, I love you.

  Elizabeth blushed even as her smile grew. She curtseyed gracefully, saying, “I am well, Mr. Darcy. How are you?” Oh, how much more handsome you are! I did not know it was possible. I love you so!

  “I am well.” Darcy tried to assume the indifferent mask that was considered proper by high society, but he could not. Not after finding his Elizabeth after all this time. Hearing the musicians strike a chord, he asked for the next dance.

  “I have this set free; I would love to dance with you. Thank you.” Elizabeth tucked her hand under the elbow Darcy held out and felt again the shot of lightning straight to her heart that touching him had always inspired.

  Darcy forced his free hand to his side, clenching his fist. He wished more than anything at that moment to lay it over Elizabeth’s where it rested on his arm, and to entwine their fingers in the same manner their hearts had been so long ago and, he hoped, still were. Looking down at her, he recognized the same look she had worn the last time he saw her and knew he had reason to hope. If not for all these people staring at us, I would whisk her to the corner and talk to her. Find out if she does still love me.

  Arriving at their places on the dance floor, Darcy left her on the ladies’ side and strode across the way to take his place among the gentlemen. He stared at her, willing his pounding heart to slow. Finally, the first movement of the dance began. As he stepped toward her and took her hands, he had to remind himself not to pull her close. As they stepped away from each other, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes for just a moment before opening them to see Elizabeth’s beautiful countenance once more.

  "Have you been to Bath?" Darcy touched her hand, this time lightly, as they met in the pattern, causing her to shiver at the welcome and familiar touch.

  "No, I never have," she replied with a smile.

  "I thought not," Darcy replied, adding just before they parted, "I did not see you there."

  Once again, the steps of the dance separated them, this time requiring that they move to other partners. When they came back together, Elizabeth had a question for Darcy.

  "Were you looking, sir?" she asked.

  "Always," he replied.

  Now the dance required them to partner with the couple on the other side. They skipped and hopped and moved in a circle, then back into their places.

  "As was I." She took his hand as they moved down the set. This was where her hand belonged—in his.

  Chapter 2

  When their set was over, Darcy led Elizabeth back toward the lady she had been standing with. He had discovered during their dance that the woman was Elizabeth’s aunt from London, and that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle were staying at a nearby estate.

  “Did you enjoy your dance, my dear?” Maddie looked between her niece and the handsome gentleman with whom she seemed to be acquainted.

  “I did, very much so.” Elizabeth’s smile was bright.

  “Miss Bennet, would you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend?”

  “Oh! Yes, I do not know why I did not before.” Elizabeth blushed, but remained composed. “Mr. Darcy, this is my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, of Gracechurch Street in London. Aunt, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”

  Darcy bowed. “I am pleased to meet you, madam.”

  Maddie curtseyed. “Likewise, sir. The two of you have met before, I think?”

  “We have,” Elizabeth replied.

  Maddie noted the glowing smiles on the faces of the two before her.

  “We met at Pemberley a few years ago.” Darcy could not take his eyes off Elizabeth.

  Maddie could see that both of them were enamoured of each other. She also observed that her niece had stopped searching the room the minute the gentleman had approached. “I see.” She paused, not certain what, if anything, she should say next.

  “May I get you a cup of punch?” Darcy asked Elizabeth, but remembered Maddie and included her. “You, as well, Mrs. Gardiner. I know that I am thirsty after such vigorous exercise and could use something to whet my throat.” When both the ladies indicated that yes, they would appreciate something to drink, Darcy turned toward the refreshments table after a lingering glance at Elizabeth.

  Maddie silently waited for her niece to look at her once the gentleman had walked off, silently chuckling at the besotted look on Elizabeth’s face. Finally, knowing she only had a few minutes to ask, she could wait no longer. “I see that you are not searching the room anymore, Elizabeth. I also see that you are staring after Mr. Darcy and he is darting looks at you. Do you have something to tell me?”

  Elizabeth sighed deeply. “Oh, Aunt. I suppose I do, but not here.” Reluctantly, she pulled her eyes away from Darcy. “Do you recall earlier, when you asked me if I was still examining the people at every ball and dinner I attend?”

  “I do.” Maddie’s full attention was on her niece.

  “I was searching for someone, and I have found him at long last.”

  Maddie’s brows rose almost to her hairline. “You were searching for Mr. Darcy?”

  “I was.”

  “However did you meet him? You travel in such different circles
.”

  “Do you remember when I and my sisters and parents went to visit Papa’s sister, my Aunt Hayes?”

  Now a crease appeared between Maddie’s lowered brows. “I do. That was several years ago.”

  “It was. My aunt and uncle live in Derbyshire. They are close neighbors to the Darcys. We were often in company together.” Elizabeth glanced around. Not wanting to be overheard giving details, she finished with a simple, “We became friends, Mr. Darcy and I. But then, he went on a tour and I went home, and we lost touch.”

  Maddie lifted her chin. “I see.” She noticed Darcy working his way in their direction, holding three cups of punch up over the heads of the other guests. “It is a good thing we came tonight then, is it not?” She smiled at Elizabeth, who grinned back.

  “Here we go,” Darcy lowered the cups and allowed each lady to take one. Lifting his own to his mouth, he observed, “It is quite a crush here tonight. Any hostess in London would be proud to have this many guests.”

  “It is a good thing you are so tall, Mr. Darcy.” There was a twinkle in Elizabeth’s eye as she flirted with him.

  “Indeed it is, Miss Bennet.” Seeing their host heading their way with another gentleman, Darcy asked Elizabeth for another set of dances. “Perhaps the supper set?”

  “You may certainly have those dances, sir. I will happily save them for you.”

  Mr. Brodie arrived just then. “It is good of you to come, Mrs. Gardiner,” he exclaimed. “I just saw your husband come out of the library; he should be arriving in the ballroom soon.”

  Maddie laughed. “Thank you, Mr. Brodie. Mr. Gardiner finds it difficult to leave off business, even for a night. I believe he told me he was speaking to an investor.”

  Brodie grinned in response. “I believe you are right.” Turning to Darcy, he teased, “I see that you took my advice and made yourself agreeable. You are a fine dancer. You should not hide that skill.”

  Darcy blushed and looked down, but a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Thank you, sir.” He looked up. “I found an exceptional partner.”