Duels of Every Sort Read online

  Elizabeth and I soon lagged behind the other three, so that we might have a moment to ourselves. When we were safely out of earshot, Elizabeth quietly asked, “Are you quite well, Will?”

  I removed my hat and ran my hand through my hair before replacing it. “Yes, Elizabeth. I’m better now anyway for your company.” I offered her a weak smile.

  “Are you sure? Will not you tell me what happened? When you saw Mr. Wickham, for a moment, I thought you might strike him dead him with your gaze alone.” She sounded bewildered and concerned, and I felt myself slowly calming in her soothing presence.

  “How do you know Wickham?” I asked.

  “I don’t know him,” she answered. “We had just met him a few minutes before you and Mr. Bingley arrived. He seemed amiable enough. I don’t want to pry into anything you do not wish to tell me, Will, but I would never have imagined you capable of such a reaction as I have just witnessed. Will you please tell me what stands between you and Mr. Wickham?”

  I was growing angry again just thinking about it. I knew I was too upset to speak of it now, but I did want to warn Elizabeth away from him. “Suffice it to say that I have cause enough to wish never to see the wastrel again. He and I grew up together but have gone our separate ways. He is not a man to be trusted. Please promise me you will be careful around him, Elizabeth. I will promise you in return that I will tell you the full story at a time when I am more in control of my anger.”

  “You have my word that I will be vigilant,” Elizabeth nodded, her concern for me evident in her expressive eyes.

  I did not want to distress her any further. Taking a deep breath, I made an effort to reign in my emotions and focus on the fact that I was once again with Elizabeth and that we were, for all intents and purposes, alone. The others had far outstripped our pace. I released my breath and gave her a genuine smile, taking her hand and bringing it to my lips. “Please forgive me, Elizabeth, for not greeting you properly. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you again.”

  A bright smile now lit her face, and she placed her hand on the arm I offered to her. “You are forgiven, Will. I am very happy to see you as well. The past three days of rain have been dreadful. I very much dislike being confined indoors.”

  We began to converse about our mutual love of nature. Elizabeth told me of the long walks she enjoyed through the countryside. I told her about exploring the grounds of Pemberley as a boy and riding over the hills and peaks in the district. We were having a very pleasant chat, and my anger had melted away to be replaced by the contentment I was coming to associate with Elizabeth’s presence, when Strider, my horse, startled at some noise in the woods off the path and began to prance. Elizabeth immediately removed her hand from my arm and jumped away, eyeing him with dismay.

  I calmed Strider then turned to Elizabeth in concern. “Are you well?”

  She nodded, her eyes not leaving the horse. “I-I’m fine. I am not quite comfortable near horses.”

  I stared at her, perplexed. She was usually so brave, so fearless. She was never afraid to speak her mind and exuded utter confidence. She had even let me give her a fencing lesson. Yet, horses bothered her. “You are afraid of my horse?”

  Her eyes flashed at me. “I did not say I was afraid. I said I was not quite comfortable.”

  I struggled to keep my countenance and conceal the grin that threatened. Brave, indeed—and stubborn. “It’s all right, Elizabeth. Many people are…averse to horses. Strider is very well trained, however. He will not hurt you.” Strider snorted again, and Elizabeth flinched slightly but began walking. This time she kept several feet between where she walked and where I led Strider down the lane.

  After a few minutes, I could not help teasing her. “Will not you take my arm again?”

  She threw a sharp glance at me and then let her gaze roam over Strider. I struggled to school my features when she looked back to me and merely raised an eyebrow at her. I knew she couldn’t resist my challenge. She rolled her eyes and cautiously took my arm again. I pulled her closer, and she glared at me. But when Strider did not make any more sudden moves, Elizabeth relaxed. We continued on our way and resumed our discussion.

  When we drew near Longbourn, I asked, “Is your father at home, today? May I speak with him?”

  A shy smile played on her lips. “Yes, he is probably in the library. Jane told me that Mr. Bingley is going to ask his permission to court her too. I am very happy for her. She and Mr. Bingley are very well suited.”

  I smiled down at her. “Indeed. Charles was practically giddy when he told me of his plans.”

  “I should warn you that my father might be difficult to convince.”

  I looked at her in concern. “I had been under the impression that he liked me. He would not withhold his consent, would he?”

  “Oh, no!” she cried. “No, that is not what I meant. He does like you and will consent—if he does not he will never hear the end of it from me. I only meant that, well, he might be difficult. Especially since he will have you and Mr. Bingley applying for consent to court two of his daughters in one day. He is not likely to give Mr. Bingley too much trouble, but he already enjoys arguing with and teasing you. He’ll probably make it a bit harder for you. He won’t be able to resist.” She was watching her feet, looking abashed.

  “Elizabeth, please do not worry. I can handle your father. In fact, I quite like him. But even if I did not like him, no amount of teasing or arguing could keep me from my purpose today.” She looked up, and we held each other’s eyes. I could see her affection and admiration for me. I hoped it would soon deepen into the same sure love I felt for her.

  --- --- ---

  By the time we reached Longbourn and I had turned Strider over to a stable boy, Bingley had already seen Mr. Bennet and gained his permission. It seemed Elizabeth was correct. Mr. Bennet did not give him any trouble.

  Miss Bennet was beaming, and I acknowledged that she was, in fact, attracted to Bingley, though her feelings were usually little displayed. Elizabeth and I offered the two our congratulations, before I excused myself for my own interview. I wondered, briefly, as I paused outside the library door, if John had warned his father that I would be coming or if he thought it would be more amusing to let him remain unaware. Either way, this promised to be interesting at best and utterly mortifying at worst. I was not accustomed to having to ask for something I wanted.

  As I raised my hand to knock on the door, my heart rate increased. I was more nervous than I liked. I imagined how I might react should a man approach me about Georgiana, and only succeeded in making myself more nervous still. I did not think I would make it a pleasant experience for the gentleman.

  At my knock, Mr. Bennet called out to me to enter. He looked up in surprise as I closed the door behind me. He removed his spectacles and laid aside his book, saying, “Mr. Darcy! This is an unexpected pleasure. I thought you might be Bingley come back to change his mind regarding Jane.” He indicated a seat across from his at his desk, and I took it.

  “That is highly unlikely, sir,” I replied. “He and Miss Bennet are positively beaming.”

  Mr. Bennet smirked. “If you think they are joyous, just wait until Mrs. Bennet finds out. You shall probably be able to hear her from Netherfield, which is precisely why Mr. Bingley agreed to allow Jane to tell her once he has gone.”

  I smiled back. “Yes, Mrs. Bennet seems to be very…boisterous with regard to her daughters’ happiness.”

  “To put it politely,” Mr. Bennet returned, his smirk widening in to a smile. “But, what can I do for you, Mr. Darcy? If you are looking for John, I am afraid he has gone to visit a tenant this morning.”

  “No, sir, I am not here to see John. I actually came to speak with you.” I tried my best to conceal my unease, but my stomach twisted into a knot. I swallowed nervously. I was fairly certain that he would agree, Elizabeth had said as much, but, after all, Elizabeth was his acknowledged favorite. Had I made a good enough impression on him? Would he think me s
uitable for her? Would he be willing to part with her for someone who lived two days travel from Longbourn?

  “Really? And what interest can an old man such as myself hold for you?” Mr. Bennet arched an eyebrow in that same manner that both John and Elizabeth did.

  He was intrigued, I could tell, and amused at my apparent discomfort. I decided to come straight to the point. Just get it over with. “Well, you see, sir. That is—I should like—”

  Very well, coming straight to the point was harder than I had anticipated. In a desperate rush, I continued, “I ask your permission to court your daughter, Miss Elizabeth, for the purpose of marriage.” I took a deep breath and refrained from rolling my eyes at myself. What was I, a fifteen-year-old schoolboy? That was not exactly how I had meant to ask him, but the request was made. I had but to await his response.

  Mr. Bennet’s eyes flashed. I could not quite make out if it was shock, incredulousness, amusement, or all three. Apparently John had not informed him of my impending visit. He covered it quickly, however, and leveled an impenetrable gaze at me. “Would you, Mr. Darcy? And why should I allow you to court my favorite daughter?”

  I breathed again. At least he had not outright refused. I made a distinct effort to calm down and collect myself. Really, I was the Master of Pemberley, guardian of my sister, and well respected member of the highest society. Surely I could gain the approval of the father of the woman I loved. I decided a frontal approach would be best and returned his gaze. “Quite simply, I love her,” I told him. “However, I am conscious that she does not yet return my feelings and that she deserves a proper courtship.”

  “Mr. Darcy, I must tell you that I am somewhat surprised. I had noted that you seemed to be impressed by Lizzy, but I was not aware that it extended any further. You do realize that she has no dowry and that the connections of my family are not of the first circles.”

  “Yes, sir. I am sorry I have taken you somewhat unawares, but allow me to explain. I have admired Eliz—“ Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow at me and I quickly corrected, “Miss Elizabeth from the moment I met her, but I was not always prepared to pursue it further than polite admiration. Until I had decided, I attempted to maintain a proper distance from her. However, I have come to the conclusion that I will only be happy if Miss Elizabeth will agree to be my wife.” I paused a moment. I could not make out what Mr. Bennet was thinking. John and Bingley may tease me about the Darcy Mask of Inscrutability, but Mr. Bennet had a well practiced mask of his own. If this was how I appeared to others, I could well understand their being disconcerted. He simply waited for me to continue.

  “As to fortune or connections, sir, I have more than enough for the two of us and would be glad to provide you with documentation. And, I will not allow any of my acquaintance to reproach Miss Elizabeth for any perceived lack of status. You are a gentlemen sir, which makes your daughter my equal. Indeed, she is far superior in intelligence, charm, and wit to any other lady of gentle birth in my acquaintance. Besides, I have come to love her so that all other considerations seem absurd.”

  Mr. Bennet nodded in agreement to my statement regarding Elizabeth’s intelligence. I thought I saw something nearing respect in his eyes but could not be sure. Silence stretched for an uncomfortable moment and I suppressed the urge to squirm in my chair. At last, Mr. Bennet’s countenance seemed to shift slightly, and his gaze became shrewd. “I must tell you that I still find this rather precipitate, Mr. Darcy.”

  I frowned. “Might I inquire as to why? Forgive me, sir, but you did not seem to find Charles’ request so shocking.”

  “Bingley’s admiration for Jane has been quite on display for nearly six weeks now. I had been expecting an address from that quarter. Your…undying devotion to Lizzy seems to have sprung up only since her stay at Netherfield with you. Might I inquire as to whether anything occurred in that place of which I should be aware?”

  I fought a silent struggle between anger at what Mr. Bennet implied, consciousness that not all my interactions with Elizabeth were exactly proper, and embarrassment that I would repeat any of those actions at a moments notice without regard to propriety. I could not lie to him. Disguise of every sort is abhorrent to me, and honor required that I be completely forthcoming with him. I recomposed myself and said, “I will not tell you that nothing occurred during Miss Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield. However, I will tell you that I have not compromised her honor and that anything that did occur has remained entirely between the two of us. And may I also say that I have long admired Miss Elizabeth and desired to court her. I have not approached you before now because I had not come to a firm decision on the matter.”

  Mr. Bennet’s eyes narrowed again. “And just what did occur at Netherfield?”

  I took a breath. My next words were unlikely to be appreciated. “On the morning of Miss Bennet’s and Miss Elizabeth’s departure, Miss Elizabeth came across me as I was practicing fencing. I had heard John offer her a lesson before, which she declined. For a reason known only to my tongue, I offered the same and she accepted.” I noticed a definite flash of amusement in Mr. Bennet’s eyes, but he quickly schooled his features. What was about it fencing and Elizabeth that caused her family to be so amused? I continued, “By the end of the lesson, I had decided on a firm course of action. I asked Miss Elizabeth if she would allow me to court her. She agreed, and we sealed the bargain with a kiss. That evening she returned to Longbourn.”

  I waited, holding my breath, for his response. It was highly improper that I had kissed her, but it had seemed wholly natural at the time. “Sealed the bargain with a kiss, did you?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I thought you said you had not compromised her honor.” The light in his eyes changed to one I recognized, but could not place.

  “As I love her and intend to marry her, sir, I do not feel that I have compromised her with a kiss. And, as I stated, we were not observed so that matter could not be blown out of proportion to create a scandal.”

  His eyes continued to spark in that familiar way. “And you gave my proper young lady a fencing lesson?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And how did that turn out?” At last I recognized that light. It was the same light that appeared in Elizabeth’s eyes when she was amused. Mr. Bennet was teasing me!

  I relaxed, raised an eyebrow at him to let him know that I knew his game, and replied, “It went well. She has a natural ability, though she is a bit timid with a foil. I assume John has shown her a few things before.”

  Mr. Bennet appeared hard-pressed to contain his laughter at this. I assumed it was because he knew I had caught on that he was only teasing now. I was not sure what else about my statement was quite so amusing. “Timid, eh? Yes, well. So Lizzy accepted your offer?” I nodded. “Well, then, Mr. Darcy, you have my permission to court her. Of course, you will have to ask again when you decide it is time to marry her.”

  “Of course, sir. And thank you.” I shook the hand he offered and exchanged smiles with him. Elizabeth had been right. He had not made it easy for me. But, then, I would not have made it easy in his position either.

  “All right, now. Run along with you. I am sure you would rather spend time with my daughter than with me.” He waved me out of the room. As I closed the door, I heard him laugh aloud and repeat, “Timid?” I was too happy and in too much of a hurry to find Elizabeth to give it much thought.

  I did not have to look far, as it turned out. I found her pacing back and forth in front of the window at the hallway’s end, her arms wrapped around her middle. She did not notice me until I only a few paces away and called quietly, “Elizabeth.”

  She started and looked up at me, her eyes filled with apprehension. “Oh!, Will,” she cried. “How did it go? You were in there for so long. Much longer than Mr. Bingley. Was my father too terrible? Did he consent?”

  I could not keep from laughing at this barrage. “Lizzy, calm down. One thing at a time.” She relaxed a bit, dropping her arms to her side. “Now,
let us see. It went well. Yes, I was in there longer than Charles. No, your father was not too terrible—at least not any worse than I would have been had some man come to ask me about Georgiana. And, yes, he did consent to our courtship.” I gave her, I am certain, the largest and silliest grin I have ever allowed to cross my features.

  Elizabeth grinned, then laughed. “I’m sorry, Will. I just got so nervous when you were in there for so long. And I know my father can be a bit trying at times if one is not accustomed to him. Or, even if one is accustomed to him. I am sure that once you leave today I shall have my turn.”

  I nodded and raised my eyebrows at her. I was sure she would have her turn after what I had told him had occurred at Netherfield and how diverted he had been. I was not worried that she would be in any sort of trouble about it—he had not been angry with me—but she would be in for her share of teasing. “Oh, I am quite sure you will,” was all I said.

  “Will, Mr. Bingley has agreed, and I hope you will too, that we should wait to tell my mother until after you leave today. I would not subject you to her raptures. She has kept to her room this morning claiming a headache, but I am sure her recovery will be miraculous once she learns of your visit.”

  I refrained from rolling my eyes. I really did not approve of Mrs. Bennet, but she was to be my relation eventually. The Bennets seemed to deal with her with a patient sort of detached amusement. I resolved that I would adopt their method and be cheerful about it. “If you like, Elizabeth. Though as I said of your father, I can handle your mother. Not even her raptures can keep me from you.”

  Her eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed up at me. I reached toward her and wrapped one of her curls around my finger. “Shall we begin our official courtship with a kiss?” I whispered.

  She nodded and rose on her toes to reach me. Our lips met, gentle and tender and lingering. She tasted of happiness and sunshine. We were still engaged thus when a cough from behind me brought us back to the present. I released her, and we both turned guiltily to see Mr. Bennet standing there, his eyebrows raised in amused reproach.