Something to think of, p.8
Something to Think Of, page 8
“Heaven forbid that we part company this morning before either of us is thoroughly satiated.”
Walking along with the companion of his nightly fantasies, Darcy gave Elizabeth a sidelong glance. His gaze took in every detail of her handsome face, from her delicate, arching brows to her bewitching eyes brightened by the exertion of coming to him, to her enticing, slightly parted lips, to the pleasing tint of her cheeks gained from the cool morning air. He breathed in her scent, a sweet mixture of lavender and chamomile. All these observations were blissfully pleasing to him. He simply could not wait until he succeeded in capturing all that was yet unclaimed of her heart that he might one day make her his wife.
After that morning’s ride, Darcy and Elizabeth sat beside each other on a makeshift bench, partaking in the morning’s meal. Ever curious, Elizabeth broached a long-delayed topic that weighed heavily on her mind. “You never speak of the Hemmingsworths, Mr. Darcy. Why is that, if I may ask?”
Mr. Darcy shrugged. “Should I speak of them?”
“Surely you must have something to say about them. It is not as though the two are strangers to you.”
“I think I know all I wish to know about them.”
“Knowing you as I suspect I do, you no doubt had them investigated,” Elizabeth said, half-teasingly.
Darcy said nothing, which was encouragement as well as provocation enough for Elizabeth to continue.
“Tell me that you did not have the Hemmingsworths investigated!”
“Miss Elizabeth, why must this come as a surprise?” he asked. “You know I am in love with you. Do you think for one instant that I would allow you to spend company with someone who might cause you any harm?”
“Allow me, Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth exclaimed with energy. “How dare you?” She stood and prepared to take her leave.
Mr. Darcy seized her hand in his, and despite her silent protest, he refused to let go. “You are an intelligent woman, Miss Elizabeth, and as you said, you know me.
“With that having been said, you are also a curious creature, are you not? Do you not want to know what I uncovered about the Hemmingsworths?”
“Not particularly,” she said, wrenching her hand free.
“I will tell you all the same, for what I learned is what you no doubt already know.”
He had Elizabeth’s attention, as evidenced when she turned to face him.
“I discovered they are decent, upright men. No one who knows them can have any cause to complain, I am sure.”
“Spoken without a hint of jealousy on your part,” Elizabeth said.
“Should I be jealous, Miss Elizabeth?”
“That is for you to say, sir, not me.”
“I have given you my heart—I would be a fool not to trust you with it.”
“You—you trust me, Mr. Darcy?”
That Elizabeth would even broach such a question gave him pause. “Can there be any doubt?” he asked. “Did I not confide my family’s greatest secret to you?”
No longer content to suppress his desire for her, Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, raised it to his lips, and imparted a lingering kiss. Would that he could kiss her lips instead—that and more. Heaven knows how much he longed for her—he ached for her.
At length, he uttered, “I trust you with all my heart.”
Chapter 13
A Respectable Profession
“I must marry a woman with her own fortune.”
Hearing this, Elizabeth nearly stumbled. She could not help but wonder what it was about second sons that compelled them to inform her of their need to marry a woman with her own fortune. First, there was Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s cousin and the second son of the Earl of Matlock. Now it was Mr. Mitchell Hemmingsworth’s turn.
Am I wearing a ‘young lady in want of a husband’ sign on my back?
In that same playful manner in which she had replied to the colonel all those weeks ago in Kent, Elizabeth asked, “Pray, what is the usual price of a younger son? Surely you would not ask above fifty thousand pounds—which I believe to be the asking price of the second son of an earl, but I do not doubt you are just as worthy.”
“I know you well enough to suspect a fair amount of teasing in your sentiment, Miss Elizabeth. That said, I shall not take umbrage as my immediate future precludes me from any such prospect.”
“Are you saying you are not presently in want of a wife?”
“I have yet to discuss this with my family, so I must beg for your discretion. You see, Miss Elizabeth, I am seriously considering joining the military. My mother and brother have longed wished for me to study the law, and perhaps I will, just not now.”
“I suppose being in the military is a respectable profession, albeit a dangerous one.”
“Which is all the more reason for me not to tell my mother, or even my brother, for that matter. Remember, this is our secret.”
“How do you know I can be trusted with such a secret, sir? As wholly unconnected to each other as we are, what if my loyalties lie elsewhere?”
“And here I was relying on this undeniable bond between the two of us. Who might possibly tempt you to forsake my unwavering trust in you?”
“Let me see,” Elizabeth began, “there is my dearest sister, Jane, for one. And let us not forget—”
He held up his hand in jest. “Pray, say no more, my dearest. I fear my bruised ego cannot endure it.”
“Those are interesting words, to say the least, for a man who moments ago all but affirmed his lack of intentions.”
“Oh, but must my limitations as a second son preclude a lasting connection between us?”
Elizabeth nearly lost her step. Noticing this, Hemmingsworth reached his hand out to steady her.
Hurrying to restore her balance as well as her equanimity, Elizabeth said, “Pray, be serious, sir.”
“I am very serious, Miss Elizabeth. The lasting connection I am referring to involves an alliance between my brother and your sister.”
Elizabeth exhaled.
“I suspect you might wish for an alliance between your sister and Bingley. Again, do not mistake me, Miss Elizabeth. I am sure Charles Bingley is a fine man. I have no doubt he can take excellent care of your sister. After all, happiness in marriage is a matter of chance, but there is no reason to suspect she will not be just as happy, if not more so, with a man like my brother. Of course, I should not boast of my own kin, but I would say he is one of the best men I know: upright, constant, devoted, unflappable, driven, and steadfast. And did I mention exceedingly handsome?” Here he smiled that wonderfully charming smile of his. He shrugged. “Not that I am one to judge another man’s good looks.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
“Because of your history with the gentleman at Netherfield, you may not be an ally in my brother’s quest to win your sister’s heart. I cannot fault you for that. I only ask that you not be a foe.”
“I only want what is best for my sister. So if your brother is her choice, of course I shall embrace their union wholeheartedly. As for your being my sister’s brother-in-law, as a result, I shall be delighted beyond measure. And should you enlist in the military as you plan, I cannot vouch for your safety from my younger sisters. For once you don your military regalia you will be in grave danger of both Kitty and Lydia.”
Further ahead in the lane, Stanford Hemmingsworth took Jane’s hand in his. The two had just exhausted the subject of Jane’s past with Bingley and the likely reason for his return to his country home.
He raised her gloved hand to his lips and imparted a sweet kiss.
“There is little wonder you may be confused. I am well aware you were suffering a broken heart when we met. If you need time to consider where your heart lies, you must take all the time you need. I can imagine nothing worse than living one’s life with regrets. I certainly would never wish you to suffer such a fate.
“As for me, I have never been so much in love with anyone as I am with you.”
“You have known love, sir?” Jane asked, her angelic eyes imploring.
“I thought so—no doubt a youthful folly. Knowing true love has made such a difference in my life. Until you are certain of your love for me, I remain your faithful servant. I am here—I am waiting for you. I shall respect whatever decision you make.”
Jane was in every way perfect for him. She was indeed the epitome of beauty and kindness. If she could not return his love, Hemmingsworth did not know what he would do. He could not imagine living his life without her.
Jane’s blonde hair was as dazzling as the morning sun, her wide, round eyes the color of the sky. Her skin was delicate, fresh, and sweet, like a perfect rose, and her lips, he surely imagined, tasted as delightful as honey. In her, Stanford Hemmingsworth had found the embodiment of his entire life’s hopes and dreams.
I shall persist, and one day she may very well be mine.
Hours after Mr. Hemmingsworth’s amorous declaration and his tender touch, the remembrance lingered still in Jane’s mind. Oh, to but know a man who professed his heart’s most ardent desire with no guarantee of mutual regard on the lady’s part.
Being wooed by two gentlemen—both of them handsome and amiable—was beyond Jane’s wildest dreams. She told her sister Elizabeth as much that night before retiring to bed.
“I can think of no one more deserving than you, dearest Jane.”
“But my indecisiveness robs me of my equanimity.”
“I suppose you will have to decide between the two of your beaus at some point. However, if you were to ask for my opinion, I would say you already made your decision.”
“Pray what is your opinion, dearest Lizzy?”
“I dare not say—far be it from me to put my finger on Cupid’s scale.”
It was just as well that Elizabeth kept her opinion to herself. Jane had not been entirely forthcoming with her sister. Indeed, Mr. Bingley had given her the strongest hints of wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. It was all she could do to prevent him from saying the words out loud. Whether Jane was not sure she wished to spend the rest of her life with him or whether she was sure she did not want to be parted from Mr. Hemmingsworth, she could not say.
While the thought of spending her life with Charles Bingley did not offend her, the idea of being parted from Stanford Hemmingsworth was too much for her to bear.
Chapter 14
Cause for Concern
Colonel Forster’s young bride and Lydia Bennet became fast friends when the militia he headed was encamped outside of Meryton. Weeks had passed since the militia had gone to Brighton. Mrs. Forster, energized by the idea of Lydia’s coming to stay with her, put forth the invitation.
Despite Kitty’s protests about not being included in the invitation and Elizabeth’s protests against the recklessness of such an invitation to a young girl of Lydia’s wild animal spirits, Lydia’s protests won the day.
Mr. Bennet’s abhorrence of anything that might disturb his tranquility compelled him to agree, citing that Longbourn would have no peace unless Lydia had her way.
Elizabeth was so upset over her youngest sister’s impending trip to Brighton that she spoke of her distress with Mr. Darcy when they finished their early morning ride and sat beside each other on a blanket in a grassy field.
Some mention of her primary cause for concern was inevitable—the dangers of her sister being in Mr. Wickham’s proximity. Owing to the letter Mr. Darcy wrote to her laying bare Mr. Wickham’s loathsome character, Elizabeth really feared for her sister’s safety, what with Lydia’s penchant for gentlemen in red coats in general and her fondness for the lieutenant in particular.
In further speaking of the letter, Elizabeth said, “It has been a while since I read it, having committed every word to heart. I can assure you I am not proud of how I comported myself toward you before knowing the full story of Mr. Wickham’s treachery; would that I could make amends for my condemnation of your character.”
“Knowing that my sister’s secret is safe from disclosure is the only thing I ask.”
“I assure you, Mr. Darcy, your sister’s secret is safe with me.”
“Might I ask what became of the letter? Considering the spirit in which I wrote it, I can well imagine you balling it into your fists and tossing it into the fire upon your return to the parsonage house that day.”
“On the contrary, sir.”
Darcy’s look spoke to his concern.
“Oh, you need not worry about its safekeeping, for I tucked it among my many letters from Jane. No one could possibly be concerned about the frequent correspondence between two sisters, I am sure.”
“Although I would rather you had destroyed the letter, I am relieved to hear you exercised prudence where its safekeeping is concerned—more so because of my sister than myself for having breached etiquette in such a fashion by writing to you at all.
“That said, if you now feel that conveying some semblance of its contents is a way to persuade your father against allowing your sister to travel to Brighton, where she too might fall prey to the likes of George Wickham, I shall provide my own verbal testimony to him should you need me to do so.”
“Sir, as much as I appreciate your willingness to intervene on my behalf, I fear such a sacrifice might be in vain. My father as much as laughed at me when I tried to persuade him against allowing Lydia to visit Brighton.”
Elizabeth shuddered a little in recollection of her father’s sardonic retort. He had gone so far as to tease of Lydia’s having frightened away one of her sisters’ beaus and further said, “At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life.”
On hearing Elizabeth’s recitation Darcy could not but wonder what manner of man would speak so callously about the possibility of ruination for one or more of his daughters.
He took Elizabeth’s hand in his and squeezed it gently. “Let us pray then that Colonel Forster is indeed a responsible man—one who will not allow your sister to meet with any harm.”
In silence, he resolved to do even better. He was not a man without means, and when it came to protecting those he loved, there was nothing he would not do. He loved Elizabeth more than he loved anyone.
Twin brothers Stanford and Mitchell Hemmingsworth had just finished horse racing across the vast meadows of Grandover Park. They now sat across from each other in the study, enjoying their drinks. After Stanford teased Mitchell over the latter’s loss, a lengthy discussion ensued concerning the Bennet sisters, Jane and Elizabeth—specifically their respective intentions toward the young ladies.
“I like Miss Bennet. Indeed, I love her. I knew it from the first moment I laid eyes on her. I fully intend to make her my wife. However, we are not speaking of my feelings for Miss Bennet. We are speaking of your feelings for Miss Elizabeth.”
Mitchell swirled his beverage in its glass. “As a second son, does it matter how I feel? We both know I need to marry a woman with her own fortune. There is also Miss Elizabeth’s situation to be considered.”
Stanford arched his brow. “Her situation?”
“I believe her heart belongs to another.”
“To whom?”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy,” said Mitchell, his tone hinting at his feelings on the matter.
Thinking back, Stanford had to admit he had detected symptoms of affection between Darcy and Elizabeth. But, similar to his view on Bingley’s apparent affection for Jane, he did not give Darcy’s feelings a great deal of thought. He rather supposed a gentleman as fastidious as Fitzwilliam Darcy—one who boasted of noble lineage—would never entertain any serious intentions for anyone beneath him in consequence. “If that is indeed the case, why has he not offered for her?”
Mitchell shrugged. “Who says he has not?”
“Supposing he has, why has she not accepted?”
He shook his head. “I would rather not speculate.”
“Whatever is the case, if you like her, why not pursue her? As the wife of Mitchell Hemmingsworth, surely she would have no cause to repine.”
“I only want the best for her,” said Mitchell. “As for a possible connection between us, I shall content myself with being her dearest sister’s brother.”
Mrs. Hemmingsworth walked into the room in time to hear Mitchell’s speech. “What are the two of you discussing? Are you contemplating making Miss Bennet an offer of marriage, Stanford?”
An elegant-looking woman, Mrs. Hemmingsworth was as true the protective matriarch as anyone, having raised two sons on her own after their father passed away when they were but twelve years old.
Stanford knew full well his mother’s fondness for Jane and Elizabeth did not extend to the Bennets of Longbourn as a whole. However, this was not entirely without good reason. Soon after her arrival, Mrs. Hemmingsworth and her sons were invited to Lucas Lodge. Many of the Lucases’ acquaintances were present, including the Bennets.
Mrs. Bennet made no secret of her annoyance with her friend Lady Lucas for being the first to receive Mrs. Hemmingsworth. Why, everyone who knew anything knew Mr. Stanford Hemmingsworth was the rightful property of Jane. But alas, more than a few people bore witness to Mrs. Bennet’s testimony, including Mrs. Hemmingsworth.
The latter had never been one to suffer fools, nor did she favor such indecorous behavior as that exhibited by the younger Bennet daughters or the cool indifference of the father. All the Bennet family’s suite of deficiencies had been on full display that evening. Mrs. Hemmingsworth was appalled.
Stanford nodded. “Pray that does not meet with your disapproval.”
“If she is your choice, Son, far be it from me to stand in your way.”
“She is my choice, Mother. Should Miss Bennet accept my proposal, I believe it is incumbent upon you to accept her family as well, for we will all be connected.”
“I said I would not oppose your marrying the young lady. What more would you have me do?”
