The Darcy Marriage Series Read online

  “It appears, Lizzy, that I was right and you were wrong; Mr. Darcy does like you, very much!”

  “Yes, well, make note of it, for it does not happen often!” Everyone but Elizabeth laughed. She only rolled her eyes and smirked.

  “Oh, I shall, believe me, and I will remind you of it frequently. Truly, Lizzy, I am delighted for you.”

  “Thank you, but he is only calling. He may find, after he knows me better, that he detests me and flees as quickly as his horse will carry him.”

  Mr. Gardiner chimed in, “Oh, I do not see that happening, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy is an honorable gentleman. He has a sterling reputation among his peers. If he is interested in you, and it appears that he is, he will behave appropriately at all times, including in the event that he develops a sudden dislike for you.”

  “And how could he possibly do that, in any case?” Mrs. Gardiner added her two pence. “Lizzy is one of the most interesting ladies I know, and I am confident you agree, Edward.” Turning to her niece, she continued, “You are accomplished and intelligent. Your mother has taught you how to run a household and your father to run an estate. You would make an excellent mistress, of Pemberley or any other one. If Mr. Darcy does not offer for you, and we have at present no reason to think he will not, then some other fine gentleman will. Your uncle and I have connections that make even the Prince Regent envious, and I am not boasting by saying so. We will find both of you excellent husbands, mark my words.”

  Smiling at their aunt, the girls could think of nothing else to say and so turned the conversation to other topics for the remainder of the ride.

  Chapter 4

  Darcy’s first visit came the very next day. Elizabeth, her sister, and her aunt were waiting in the drawing room. They had seen his carriage pull up and were standing in wait when the footman announced him.

  “Mr. Darcy, it is so good to see you again.” Mrs. Gardiner, consummate hostess that she was, was eager to put him at his ease.

  “Thank you, madam. I hope the new day finds everyone well?”

  “Indeed it does! Please, do be seated. I have called for tea, and it should be here soon.”

  Darcy had seen, as he rose from his bow, that Elizabeth was seated on a settee, with Miss Bennet in a chair to her right. Happy that there was space next to the object of his affection, Darcy made his way to her, bowing again before he sat down.

  “Are you recovered from our late night, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth’s brow twitched up, a move that matched the one her lips made. Darcy sensed she was teasing him, and though he was still unused to being made sport of, he set aside his initial impulse to be affronted and answered her with what he hoped was good humor in his voice.

  “I am. I confess that I am not one to sleep very long at the best of times, though. I blame the amount of time I spend in Derbyshire for that.”

  Elizabeth tilted her head. “How much time do you spend there?”

  “At least six months out of every twelve. Pemberley is a large estate, and there is much to be managed. Many of my friends and neighbors delegate their responsibilities to their stewards, but I do not. Nor did my father; he taught me that a diligent and responsible landowner was intimately acquainted with every aspect of their estate.”

  “He sounds like a wise man.”

  “He was. He taught me well, and I am grateful for the training.”

  Elizabeth smiled. She liked the way he thought. He is nothing like Papa. Elizabeth loved her father, but was not blind to his faults. He spent far too much time in his book-room, reading, and far too little time with his family or out on the estate. “I am glad he was able to do that for you.” Changing the subject, Elizabeth asked about his friend. “Mr. Bingley seemed very gentlemanly. He was ever so amiable, and made an excellent impression upon my sister.”

  “Yes,” Darcy replied, smiling at the memory of his gregarious friend. “He is very nice. Bingley has yet to meet someone he does not like. He is eternally optimistic.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “He is very much like Jane, then, for she always looks for the good in people and never sees the bad.”

  “That is Bingley, exactly! I am impressed with him lately, though. In the past, he has always given in to his sisters’ demands. He is modest and relies far too heavily on the advice of others, a fact that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst both take full advantage of. It is good that he has demanded Miss Bingley take responsibility for her actions.”

  “She desired you, it seems?”

  Darcy blushed, feeling awkward. “Yes, it seems so. I told Bingley repeatedly that I was uninterested in her.” He shook his head. “To engage in a physical altercation with another lady, over a gentleman who specifically and energetically stated he would never marry you is…well, it is not the mark of a rational person.”

  “Indeed, it is not.” Elizabeth’s lips twitched at the hint of frustration in his voice, but having realized that Darcy was unused to being teased, she refrained from smiling. At that moment, Mrs. Gardiner asked Darcy a question, and the next few minutes were taken up with their conversation.

  Almost before they knew it, the visit was over, and Darcy was donning his hat, coat, and gloves. He did not leave, however, without requesting and receiving permission to call the next day.

  For the next fortnight, Darcy was received at the Gardiner home almost every day. As he was leaving at the end of that time, he suggested another trip to the theater. He, Elizabeth, and her sister and aunt had been discussing a new play that had opened up a few days before. The reviews in the newspaper were full of praise, and the ladies had declared a desire to see it. After a consultation with Mr. Gardiner, who was home that day, plans were confirmed for them to go as before, in a group in Darcy’s carriage, on this coming Friday.

  ~~~***~~~

  Friday evening, Darcy’s valet, Mr. Smith, bit back an exclamation of irritation with his master. Never, in all the years in the gentleman’s employ, had Smith seen such pernickety behavior from the normally stoic Mr. Darcy. His coat was not good enough, did he not have another? His cravat was crooked. His hair was too wild. On and on the complaints went. Smith was amused, at first. In general, his employer, though fastidious about his appearance, kept his opinions to himself as long as the valet was meticulous in his work. The only thing Smith could think of that would cause such a change was a woman. It did not take long, however, for Darcy’s choosiness to become annoying. Finally, after what felt to the servant like forever, the master was happy with his appearance. Smith had never been so pleased to see the back of someone in his entire life.

  Darcy was unaware of the difference in his behavior. He knew himself to be looking forward to the evening, more than he had looked forward to an evening out in a long time. It was not until he and his carriage were nearly to Gracechurch Street that Darcy realized that his excitement was manifesting itself physically. He had removed his gloves upon entering the vehicle and had proceeded to twist them into an almost unrecognizable mess. Calm yourself, man. It is just an evening out with friends. Nothing to become overwrought about.

  When the equipage finally stopped, and the groom opened the door, Darcy stepped out and stood staring at the door to the house. Suddenly and unaccountably apprehensive, he began to wonder if he should turn around and re-board the carriage when a servant opened the home’s door. Swallowing his sudden nerves, Darcy climbed the steps and entered the building.

  Seeing Gardiner’s smiling face greeting him in the drawing room went a long way toward relieving Darcy’s emotions. He returned the man’s smile with one of his own as they exchanged salutations. Bowing to Mrs. Gardiner and taking a seat while he waited for the young ladies, Darcy began to relax.

  It was only a few brief minutes before the door to the sitting room opened, and Miss Bennet glided into the room. Everyone stood, Darcy included. He thought the lady was stunningly beautiful, though he realized that his opinion of her was dispassionate. He held no feeling for her, despite her grace and fine looks. He no more than completed this
thought than her sister entered the room.

  Miss Elizabeth took his breath away. She was stunning in an emerald green gown that enhanced the color of her eyes. When she smiled at him, his heart stopped beating for just a moment. As if from far away, he heard her relatives greeting her, but did not comprehend the words. He reached out to take the hand she extended, bowing over it as she curtseyed. “Miss Elizabeth,” he rasped, mouth dry and throat suddenly thick. He stared into her eyes when he was abruptly brought back to reality by the sound of laughter. He tore his eyes from hers as he let go of her hand.

  “Well,” Mr. Gardiner rubbed his hands together, his eagerness for the evening’s entertainment plain for all to see. “Shall we go, then?”

  Darcy cleared his throat before speaking. “Yes, let us do that.” He turned to Elizabeth, offering her his arm.

  Gardiner and his wife, who had witnessed their friend’s dumbstruck awe at the sight of their niece, shared a wink and a smile. Mrs. Gardiner tucked her hand under her husband’s elbow as he held the other out to Jane. They followed Darcy and Elizabeth out into the entry hall to gather their wraps, and then out of doors and into the carriage.

  Conversation was lively on the way to the theater, with much speculation being bandied about in regards to the play they were to see. Darcy had recovered his wits and was able to participate with more ease than he usually had in company.

  Eventually, after waiting in a long line of carriages to reach the entrance of the theater, the equipage stopped, and a groom opened the door. Darcy climbed out first, followed by Gardiner, who handed out his wife and eldest niece before moving away with a lady on each arm. Quickly stepping up to the carriage, Darcy extended his hand inside, feeling his heart race as Elizabeth took it and he assisted her down. Tucking her hand under his elbow, he turned them toward the theater door, but paused. He had not noticed the size of the crowd before, and immediately upon realizing it, he tensed. His face formed his usual stoic mask.

  Elizabeth instantly recognized her companion’s changed demeanor as similar to his look the day she met him. Recalling what he had said about being uncomfortable in crowds, she set out to relax him. “If I did not have proof that you do, in fact, like me, I should be very much afraid that you invited myself and my family here out of a sense of obligation, Mr. Darcy.”

  Startled, Darcy looked down at the lady on his arm. So surprised was he at her words that his visage lost all sternness and his astonishment was clear in his eyes. “Indeed not, Miss Elizabeth! I am sorry to have led you to believe such a thing.”

  With an impish smile, Elizabeth allowed that he was forgiven. “You became far too stiff. I much prefer the relaxed and charming gentleman I have come to know you to be.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “You are not alone, sir, not anymore. Only if you wish to be.”

  A slow smile spread over Darcy’s face at her words. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I will keep that in mind.”

  Once Bingley had joined them, the group made their way to their box. The remainder of the evening passed quickly for the entire party. Darcy was once again impressed with the manner in which both Bennet ladies managed the stares and impertinent questions of the other attendees. Always they were polite, but both had the ability to deflect unwanted attention, Miss Bennet by merely redirecting the conversation and Miss Elizabeth with an arch comment that often insulted without seeming to do so.

  Bingley, as he had the first time, remained at Miss Bennet’s side. Darcy took advantage of Elizabeth’s presence to ask about it.

  “Oh, yes, he has called on Jane three times now. I think he likes her, very much. When he visited yesterday, he told us that he is leasing an estate in Hertfordshire that is very near to Longbourn.”

  “He mentioned it to me, as well.” Darcy tilted his head, looking thoughtful as he took in her features. “Shall I be welcomed, if I join him?”

  “You know you will, sir.” Elizabeth smiled softly. She had come to greatly enjoy spending time with this gentleman. She knew her heart, though she did not know his. She had hopes; what she did not know was if they would be fulfilled.

  Darcy’s heart soared with her words. They had been acquainted for two months now, and he had been calling on her for almost half that time. He knew his heart; now he had hope that, should he ask for her hand, it would be accepted. “Might I call on you in the morning, Miss Elizabeth? I should like a private audience with you.”

  Elizabeth’s smile broke over her face like a ray of sunshine. “You may.”

  Both turned back to the play, and wore happy smiles for the rest of the evening.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, as soon as it was acceptable, Darcy knocked on the door of the Gardiners’ residence. He was shown into the parlor and asked to wait, as the family was not yet down. Though it was only a few minutes, five at the most, Darcy’s nervousness made it feel like an hour. He stood at the window, staring out into the street, while he mentally rehearsed both his request to speak to Miss Elizabeth privately, and his proposal. He fidgeted with his hands, alternately clasping them behind his back and bringing them around front to twist his signet ring. Without realizing it, he shifted back and forth on his feet, moving his weight from one foot to the other. So engrossed in his thoughts was he, that Darcy did not hear Mr. Gardiner enter the room until that gentleman welcomed him.

  “Good morning, Darcy! So good to see you again so soon! Please, do be seated.”

  Darcy, who had spun around at the sound of his host’s voice, bowed and returned his greeting. Wiping his sweaty hands on his breeches, he sat on the sofa. “You are well, I hope? And the ladies? They did not suffer for the late night?”

  “Not at all, right as rain the four of us! Had a devilishly good time. I heard the girls discussing it as they readied for bed.”

  “Yes,” Darcy smiled, “it was very well done.”

  Gardiner grinned at him. “I suspect, however, that it was not only the performance that you enjoyed so much?” He laughed at Darcy’s blush. “Lizzy warned me that you planned to visit this morning. While you will need to apply to her father for permission, I want you to know that you have my blessing, and my wife’s. Elizabeth could not have found a more suitable match in all of England.”

  “Thank you, sir. I will cherish her.” Darcy’s attention was drawn, before he even finished speaking, to the ladies of the house entering the room. He quickly stood, and Gardiner along with him, and bowed, greeting each by name. His attention, however, was focussed on Elizabeth. Her blush was as becoming on her as the beautifully designed yellow morning gown.

  “Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” she archly offered. “I am happy to see that you keep your appointments.” The smile and raised brow that accompanied her compliment made his heart skip a beat.

  “I always endeavor to do so, Miss Elizabeth,” he responded with a smile. “I can see that I will have good reason to do so in the future, if the morning goes as I wish it to.”

  Elizabeth laughed. She greatly enjoyed teasing this man, and was happy that he was relaxed enough in the company of her and her family to tease her in return. Her heart began to pound when Darcy asked Uncle Gardiner for a private audience with her. As her family swiftly left the room, Elizabeth sat on the settee. Darcy joined her there, again running his hands over his breeches in a nervous gesture that seemed out of character for the usually confident gentleman, but quite understandable in his current situation.

  Taking a deep breath, Darcy turned toward Elizabeth. He opened his mouth to speak, but his mind went blank, the prepared speech fading into the recesses of his mind. For a second, he panicked, but then reached for her hand.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” he began, “As you have heard me say, I have been searching for a lady to take to wife. For two long years, I have attended balls and dinners and card parties. I have danced with probably one hundred ladies and spoken to even more. I was losing hope of ever finding someone who exemplified my ideal partner. Then, one day, you came along.” Darcy pau
sed, gathering his thoughts again. This was too important to botch. “You are intelligent, beautiful, and kind. You have become a bright light in my lonely life. I know, from watching you and discussing a wide variety of things with you, that you and I are well-matched in the areas that matter. You would, I believe, make an excellent mistress of my homes.” He paused again, this time, sliding off the seat and on to one knee. “I have fallen in love with you, Miss Elizabeth, and I have reason to believe that you like me, as well. I ask you to make me the happiest of men; will you marry me?”

  Elizabeth had listened carefully to Darcy’s speech. Though she was inclined to accept him, she knew that he could be somewhat arrogant, and she would know by his proposal how he truly felt about her. At the end, when he knelt in front of her, she knew without the shadow of a doubt that he did love her, and would be tender with her. Her response to his query was swift. “Thank you for the honor of your proposal; I gratefully accept. I love you.”

  A look of pure joy spread over Darcy’s face, to match the one on Elizabeth’s. “Thank you, my love.” Rising to his feet, he pulled her up with him and into his embrace. The comfort of feeling his arms around her and her body pressed tightly to his enveloped them both, and they sighed. After a moment, he pulled back, tipping her chin up. “Elizabeth,” he whispered, elated that he was now allowed to use her name without the honorific. Dipping his head, he softly kissed her.

  The door opened, forcing them to part, except for their hands. Darcy refused to give them up just yet.

  “Well, niece, what have we here?” Gardiner teased.

  Darcy was the one to give him the news. “She accepted me.”

  “Excellent news! Congratulations, both of you!” Gardiner shook Darcy’s hand as his wife and Jane rushed to embrace Elizabeth. There were tears of joy and much laughter and teasing for several minutes as they celebrated. Soon, though, the bell rang for breakfast, and Gardiner invited Darcy to stay and eat with them.