Falling for Elizabeth Bennet Read online

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Can I help you find something?”

  Darcy replies, “Yes. I am looking for a gift for a young lady, but I want something different.”

  The jeweler replies, “I will be right back—I just received a new shipment, and I may have what you are looking for.”

  The jeweler returns and lays out three trays containing rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. They look over the trays, and right away, Darcy finds what he is looking for. Darcy looks at the jeweler and says, “I will take the heart-shaped locket with the rose on top. Would it be possible to have something engraved on the back?”

  The jeweler replies, “Yes, I can have something engraved on the back, but it will take a few days.”

  Darcy gives the jeweler the inscription. Darcy turns to Bingley and asks, “Have you found anything for your lady?”

  Bingley replies, “Yes. I am going to get the sapphire bracelet. I believe I will give it to my lady on our wedding night.”

  With their business done, they return to Darcy House.

  The next day, Darcy receives an express from his lodge in Scotland. His steward advises that there are some puppies that might suit Darcy’s purposes. Darcy sends an express back advising that he and a guest will be there within three days. Darcy pens a note to Richard, letting him know of the change in their travel plans. Darcy asks Richard to take Georgiana to Hertfordshire as planned, and Darcy will meet him at Netherfield Park. Bingley has made arrangements for them. Darcy finds Bingley and advises him of their new plans. Darcy warns Bingley that he plans to travel through the night—he wants to get back to Elizabeth in time for the assembly. Bingley laughs at Darcy being excited by a dance.

  A very tired Darcy and Bingley arrive at Darcy Lodge two days later. They have a quick meal, and Darcy asks his steward, Mackenzie, to make arrangements in the morning to see about the puppies. With that done, Darcy and Bingley retire for the evening. Darcy wakes a little later than normal and heads downstairs for breakfast. Bingley is coming out of his room as Darcy approaches the stairs. They quickly break their fast and meet Mackenzie in the foyer. Darcy greets Mackenzie and says, “Good morning, Mackenzie. Our apologies for the delay. I believe we were a little more tired than I thought.”

  Mackenzie bows. “Good morning, sir. Everything is in order. There are two tenants that currently have litters of puppies—one Border Collies and the other Newfoundland. The men are ready to meet with you at your leisure. Mr. Connell is the closest tenant, and he has the litter of Newfoundland puppies. Shall we ride over and see them?”

  Darcy nods, and the men head out to the stable, mount up, and ride over to the Connell residence. When they arrive, Mackenzie introduces Darcy and Bingley to Connell, who is happy to show his new litter of Newfoundland puppies. Darcy looks at Connell. “They are beautiful puppies, but they are just a little too big for what I have in mind.”

  Bingley cuts in, “Excuse me, Mr. Connell, when will the puppies be weaned? I would like to purchase one for my home.”

  Bingley picks out a little boy. Connell puts a ribbon around his neck, and Bingley pays Connell for the puppy. Bingley turns to Mackenzie and asks, “Mackenzie, will you be able to arrange for my puppy to be delivered when he is old enough? If not, please send word to me at Netherfield Park, and I will have someone collect him.”

  Mackenzie replies, “Mr. Bingley, when I receive word that your puppy is ready, I will be happy to have someone deliver him to you.”

  The men thank Connell for his time and bid him farewell.

  Mackenzie explains that the next tenant, Campbell, is about a ten-minute ride from Connell’s residence. When they arrive, Mackenzie once again introduces Darcy and Bingley to Campbell. Darcy looks at Campbell. “Thank you for taking the time to meet me. Campbell, I am looking for a puppy as a gift for a young lady who likes to take long walks.”

  Campbell replies, “Border Collies require a lot of exercise, and one would be a good companion for someone who likes to take walks, but this is not a fashionable breed and not a good choice for a lady.”

  Darcy asks to see the puppies. Campbell shows the men the puppies that are playing and frolicking around. Darcy notices a smaller puppy that is off to one side, watching the others play, and it reminds him of Elizabeth. He picks up the puppy, and it starts to lick his face and cuddles into his arms. Darcy turns to Campbell. “Campbell, I will take this little one.”

  To Darcy’s surprise, Campbell replies, “Mr. Darcy, you do not want that puppy. She was the runt of the litter, and it is most likely going to die due to its smaller size.”

  Darcy reassures Campbell and says, “I understand the puppy’s chances, Campbell. The puppy is a gift for a lady I hope to make my wife, and the puppy reminds me of her in many ways. Would it be possible to take the puppy now?”

  Campbell hesitantly replies, “Yes, sir. The puppies have already been weaned.”

  Darcy hands Campbell a small purse of coins and thanks him for his help. Darcy and Bingley mount up to return to Darcy Lodge. Once on his horse, Darcy is careful to shift the puppy inside his coat to keep it warm.

  When they arrive back at Darcy Lodge, Bingley makes arrangements with Mackenzie to collect his puppy when it is weaned and leaves his direction and extra money as a thank you. While Bingley is talking to Mackenzie, Darcy tracks down Mrs. Mackenzie, his housekeeper, in the kitchen.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Mackenzie. I was wondering if you could help me. I will be travelling back to London as soon as I have everything in, order and I need some help.”

  Darcy pulls his coat aside and shows Mrs. Mackenzie the sleeping puppy. “Mrs. Mackenzie, I need a basket and anything you can think of that I might need to travel with a small puppy. The puppy is a gift to a young lady who I hope to make my wife.”

  Mrs. Mackenzie offers him a motherly smile and says, “Mr. Darcy, if you will give me the puppy, I will get a basket and anything I can think of that you might need. And, sir, if I may, I wish you luck winning your lady.”

  Darcy grins and carefully hands the puppy over to his housekeeper. Darcy hears Mrs. Mackenzie order the maids to pack his and Bingley’s belongings so that they can start their trip south. Darcy encounters Mackenzie and asks, “Mackenzie, is there any pressing matters that I need to address while I am here?”

  Mackenzie replies, “No, sir. With it being almost winter, everything is already taken care of. If any problems arise, I will send word to Darcy House or Pemberley.”

  Darcy nods, thanks Mackenzie, and says, “I thank you for your help. I hope to visit you some time next year with my new wife.”

  Darcy joins Bingley in the foyer, and Mrs. Mackenzie brings Darcy a basket with the puppy sleeping inside and a hamper of food for both the men and the puppy.

  Darcy and Bingley are exhausted when they arrive in London a day and half later. Both are anxious to return to Hertfordshire. Given the lateness of their arrival, they decide to have dinner and turn in early so that they can conclude their business early the next morning. After breaking their fast the next morning, Darcy and Bingley head to the solicitor’s office for the draft settlements, the jeweler’s, and the Archbishop’s to collect Darcy’s special license. Once they have concluded their business, Darcy and Bingley return to Darcy House, where Darcy sends an express to Mr. Bennet advising him that he and Bingley will be arriving later that evening and hope to see them the next morning.

  Darcy and Bingley depart Darcy House for Netherfield Park. They pass the trip in reflection with Darcy holding the puppy that is sleeping on his shoulder. When Darcy and Bingley arrive at Netherfield Park, they are greeted by Richard and Georgiana, who arrived earlier in the day. Everyone retires early for the evening as they are weary from travel.

  Chapter 6

  Darcy and Bingley head over to Longbourn early the next morning to visit the Misses Bennets and Mr. Bennet. As soon as they are shown in, Darcy knows that something is wrong. Darcy notices that the ladies have very solemn faces, and some even have
silent tears running down their faces. Darcy turns to look at Mr. Bennet, who has a grim face.

  Darcy asks, “Mr. Bennet, what has happened? What can I do to relieve your pain?”

  Mr. Bennet replies, “Mr. Darcy, my apologies, we are a solemn group this morning. We had a problem yesterday.”

  At Mr. Bennet’s words, Darcy looks around and notices that Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet are missing from the room. Mr. Bennet turns to Bingley. “Mr. Bingley, please sit with Jane. I believe she is happy to see you despite the tears. I need to speak with Mr. Darcy in my library, but Jane can fill you in on our recent events.” Turning to Darcy, Mr. Bennet says, “Mr. Darcy, please come with me to the library. We need to talk.”

  Darcy follows Mr. Bennet to the library, where Mr. Bennet closes the door. Darcy looks at Mr. Bennet and asks, “Mr. Bennet, what has happened to Elizabeth? I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mr. Bennet sighs. “Mr. Darcy, yesterday I was out checking on a tenant. While I was away, it seems that Mrs. Bennet found out that Mr. Bingley had gone to London and, for some reason, blamed Lizzy for making Mr. Bingley leave Jane.”

  Anxiously Darcy asks, “Mr. Bennet, what happened to Miss Elizabeth?”

  Mr. Bennet, seeing the apprehensive look on the younger man’s face, informs him, “Mrs. Bennet was caught beating Elizabeth with a switch. Lizzy will be fine, but I have decided that I need to decide Lizzy’s future. If something were to happen to me, I shudder to think what will happen to my Lizzy.”

  Darcy sighs and asks, “Is Miss Elizabeth well? Mr. Bennet, what has been done to Mrs. Bennet?”

  Mr. Bennet shakes his head and says, “I had my wife’s tea drugged to keep her calm, and I have had her locked in her room until about an hour ago. Mrs. Bennet was with our housekeeper, Mrs. Hill, but has probably joined the party in the drawing room as Bingley is a favorite of hers.”

  Darcy stands and says, “Mr. Bennet, please, I need to see Miss Elizabeth after I pay my respect to her sisters.”

  Mr. Bennet nods, and they return to the others. As they rejoin the others, Darcy hears Mrs. Bennet exclaiming over Bingley’s return to see Jane. Mrs. Bennet sees Darcy and tries to seat him between Miss Mary and Miss Lydia. Darcy draws himself up to his full height and assumes his Master of Pemberley persona. Everyone is surprised at the change in Darcy, except Bingley, who is trying to hide a smile, as he has never shown the Bennets this side of his personality.

  Darcy coldly looks at Mrs. Bennet. “Mrs. Bennet, I am here to see Miss Elizabeth and only Miss Elizabeth. You have five lovely daughters, but no offense, ladies, it is Miss Elizabeth that catches my eye. Mrs. Bennet, I have just been informed of what happened yesterday, and I would be seriously displeased if anything further were to happen to Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mrs. Bennet haughtily replies, “Mr. Darcy, Lizzy is my daughter. I can treat her anyway I like. There is nothing you can do to stop me.”

  Darcy replies, “Yes, there is. I can remove Miss Elizabeth from your home, and you would not be welcome at any place where Miss Elizabeth was.”

  Mrs. Bennet sniffs. “Take her and turn her into a maid or something. She is not good for anything else.”

  Darcy turns to Mr. Bennet. “Please, I need to see Miss Elizabeth before I say or do something I will regret.”

  Mr. Bennet agrees and says, “Follow me.”

  When Darcy enters Elizabeth’s room, she is lying on her stomach with her head turned away from him. From where he is standing, Darcy can see the thin stripe marks that have bled onto the back of her dress. Darcy crosses the room so that Elizabeth can see him when she opens her eyes. Darcy can see tearstains on her face, and Darcy’s heart breaks at the sight. Mr. Bennet watches from the hallway to give Darcy privacy and protect them. Mr. Bennet watches as Darcy gently stokes Elizabeth’s face, wiping tears from her face with his handkerchief. After a few minutes of Darcy quietly speaking to a sleeping Elizabeth, she finally opens her eyes to see Darcy gazing at her. He is happy to see Elizabeth open her eyes and watches the beautiful smile that crosses her face, and it quickly changes to a grimace of pain when she tries to move. Darcy gently touches her face.

  “Miss Elizabeth, do not move. Stay still. How are you feeling, Miss Elizabeth? I am so sorry you were hurt. This is my fault.”

  Elizabeth replies, “Mr. Darcy, you are not to blame for this. My mother was just looking for an excuse. Please do not blame yourself. My back is not that bad. The cuts are starting to heal, and they pull a little bit when I move.”

  Darcy asks, “Miss Elizabeth, if your father allows it and you are feeling up to it, would you or do I ask too much to introduce you to my sister, Georgiana, and my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam?”

  Elizabeth smiles. “Mr. Darcy, if my father allows it, I would be honored to meet your family.”

  Darcy leans forward and gently kisses her hair and says, “Rest, Miss Elizabeth. I will see you later. I am going to visit with your father.”

  Darcy follows Mr. Bennet back to his library and goes to the window and looks out without seeing anything. After about a minute, Darcy pulls himself together and turns to Mr. Bennet and says, “Mr. Bennet, please forgive me. I know that I broke propriety. I was troubled by what I saw. I did not mean to be rude. I was taken aback by what was done to Miss Elizabeth. I know that I wrote you of what the physician said, but I wanted to see if you had any questions regarding the physician’s suggestions for Miss Elizabeth.”

  Mr. Bennet replies, “Mr. Darcy, your letters were crammed full of information. I believe my only questions would be what suggestions do we try for Lizzy?”

  Darcy replies, “Mr. Bennet, as you are aware I travelled to Scotland—I have a property there. One of the physician’s suggestions was for Miss Elizabeth to have a puppy for a companion, so Bingley and I travelled there to collect a puppy for Miss Elizabeth. It is my fault that your daughter was injured. If I had not asked Bingley to help me, none of this would have happened.”

  Mr. Bennet raises a brow, much like Elizabeth, and shakes his head. “Mr. Darcy, I believe I heard Lizzy just tell you that none of this was your fault and that Mrs. Bennet was just looking for an excuse.”

  Darcy sighs. “Mr. Bennet, I am sorry to say this, and please do not think badly of me for saying this, but I am worried about Miss Elizabeth staying here. Would you be willing to allow Miss Elizabeth to be moved to Netherfield Park and have Miss Bennet care for her there? My sister, Georgiana, and her companion, Mrs. Annesley, are there and can act as chaperones once Miss Elizabeth is well enough to be moved.”

  Mr. Bennet nods. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I agree that my Lizzy is no longer safe here. When she is well, we will have her moved.”

  Darcy looks to Mr. Bennet and asks, “Mr. Bennet, would you be willing to test one of the physician’s theories? Mr. Miles had suggested moving to a country estate far from the stress of family. Would you be willing to allow Miss Elizabeth to visit Pemberley, my estate in Derbyshire? Miss Elizabeth mentioned an aunt who is from a town not five miles from my home. I understand the aunt has small children and that her husband may not be able to stay long, but the family is more than welcome to stay at Pemberley. My home is big, and there is plenty of room for everyone.”

  Mr. Bennet looks closely at Darcy and asks, “Mr. Darcy, before I discuss this any further, what are your intentions toward my daughter? You seemed to have concerned yourself a lot for someone who is not even related to you.”

  Darcy answers by withdrawing the settlement paperwork and special license from his coat pocket and hand them to Mr. Bennet. “Mr. Bennet, I love your daughter, and I would do anything to make her happy. I have a puppy for her which I know I cannot give her but I am hoping you will allow to come from my sister, Georgiana, to test another of the physician’s theories.”

  Mr. Bennet hands the documents back to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, you have my blessing to move my Lizzy as soon as she is well. I will write Lizzy’s aunt and uncle to see if they can arrange a trip to Pemberley. There are one or two changes
to be made to the settlement paperwork, and you have been very generous to my Lizzy. If you can get Lizzy to accept an offer of marriage, you have my blessing.”

  Darcy replies, “Mr. Bennet, it might be best that Miss Elizabeth marry me at Pemberley—if she accepts me.”

  Mr. Bennet sighs in disappointment, and sorrow crosses his face. “I agree, Mr. Darcy. The last thing you and my daughter need is Mrs. Bennet trying to plan your wedding. I do wish that I could see my Lizzy marry, but it might be best if she did marry at your home.”

  Darcy walks over to Mr. Bennet and says, “Mr. Bennet, you and your daughters are welcome to visit whenever you like. It is just Mrs. Bennet that would not be welcome. I know that Miss Elizabeth would not want to lose her family. Mr. Bennet, I have a final request. May I bring my sister and cousin to meet Miss Elizabeth?”

  Mr. Bennet sighs and replies, “Yes, Mr. Darcy. Please bring your family by. However, they will need to visit everyone else first before meeting Lizzy.”

  Darcy replies, “Yes, sir, I understand. I am sure that Bingley will be joining me when I return with my family. Thank you for allowing this.”

  Darcy and Mr. Bennet rejoin Bingley and the rest of the Bennets in the drawing room. Darcy and Bingley stay a few more minutes and then make their farewells.

  Darcy and Bingley ride back to Netherfield Park mostly in silence. As they approach, Darcy turns to Bingley. “Bingley, I have invited Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to Netherfield Park so that Miss Elizabeth can recover. I am sure that Miss Bennet has told you what has happened.” When Bingley nods, Darcy says, “I am going to have a quick conversation with Richard and Georgiana. We have been invited back, and I thought that you might like to join the party.” Darcy gives Bingley a small smile and says, “I will meet you a little later then. Thank you for your assistance, Bingley. I really appreciate you letting me remove Miss Elizabeth from Mrs. Bennet’s presence.”