Page 13 of Leave Her Wild
“When I return to London, I will ask around to learn if someone is seeking an estate for a younger son. Is it only for let or could someone purchase it outright?” he asked.
“To the best of my knowledge it is either, but, if you like, we might ask Mr. Morris, who is the agent for the property, after church services tomorrow,” Elizabeth said with a smile. She looked down at her boots. “I should enter through the kitchen. Mrs. Bennet’s nerves could not tolerate my tracking in mud, especially with you and Mr. Darcy in the house.”
“You were magnificent in assisting Mr. Lawson in fencing up his hog,” the colonel said with a matching smile.
Elizabeth blushed in remembrance of her skidding in the hog’s leavings, but she had maintained her balance. “I shall see you later, sir. Thank you kindly. You were the most able of escorts.”
He held up his hand to forestall her leaving. “Pardon if I seem too forward, but I have noticed how you avoid Mr. Darcy, and you do not seem to wish for the match between my cousin and your sister. Is there something I should know regarding your dislike?”
Elizabeth did not wish for the colonel to carry tales to his cousin. “I am simply concerned with how quickly the match came about. No affection could have been established in such a short courtship. Moreover, your cousin is more worldly thanJane. I would not wish him to treat her poorly if she did not live up to his standards.”
“Surely you realize many society marriages occur in such a manner,” he argued.
“I do, but I had wished more for Jane. For each of my sisters,” she admitted.
No more could be said for Mr. Darcy exited the house to greet his cousin’s return. “Did you find Miss Elizabeth’s explanations of benefit?” Mr. Darcy asked his cousin.
“The lady and her father’s tenants made me believe I might know success as an estate landholder,” the colonel admitted.
“Then the lady has executed a miracle, for your family has had no such influence on you,” the gentleman declared.
“If you would pardon me, Mr. Darcy. Colonel. I should make my way to the kitchen. To the colonel she said, “Thank you for joining me today. Your company presented Mr. Bennet’s cottagers a sense of true pride. Very few have the opportunity to speak to a member of the aristocracy.”
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“You seem quite taken with the woman,” Darcy said as he watched the gentle sway of Miss Elizabeth’s hips. He scowled when he realized he had not taken a similar notice of Miss Bennet’s backside.
“Miss Elizabeth is attractive and quite intelligent, and, from what I learned today, well-respected by her father’s tenants and neighbors, as well as the local vendors. A man could do worse in his choice of wives.”
“Her portion is not enough to sustain you,” Darcy warned.
“You will argue with me otherwise, but a woman has value beyond her dowry. I learned more of the land today than I have in the last five years at either father’s hands or yours. What the lady knows of farming and cattle is great, but what she knowsof people is her most valuable trait. By God, if she were a man, Arthur Wellesley would have competition as the King’s favorite. If she demanded it, men of all sorts would follow her into Hell.” His cousin looked at him slyly. “I can honestly say, even after less than a day’s acquaintance, I know more of Miss Elizabeth’s nature than you do of Miss Bennet’s.” His cousin bowed. “Pardon me, but I have several letters to write for the general. I will see you later.”
With his cousin’s exit, Darcy walked in the direction of a little copse, holding a beautiful, though somewhat scattered, arrangement of flowers. He had never seen anything like it, but he found the area visually pleasing, nevertheless.
His session with Mr. Bennet had been eye opening. Darcy had assuredly not realized the paltry state of Miss Bennet’s dowry, but what could he do now? All of London likely recognized that he meant to marry the woman. “You have given your word,” he told himself as he sat heavily on a nearby bench. “It is not as if you require the lady’s dowry to sustain Pemberley,” he reasoned. “You simply require a wife who can produce an heir to save the estate from being broken apart. Miss Bennet is amiable. She will do her duty, and you must do yours.”
So saying, he decided to rehearse what he would say to his betrothed, viewing the scene in his head. “I will pledge my dedication and present her the ring that once belonged to my mother. Afterwards, I must make arrangements to bring Miss Bennet and Georgiana together, and we must set a date for the wedding—an early one—so I might have time to bring the lady to child.”
His decision made, Darcy stood to reenter the house. He stopped the housekeeper to ask, “Might you know where I could find Miss Bennet?”
“The small sitting room, sir, near the back entrance.”
Darcy nodded his gratitude and made his way along the hall to the room. The door was open, and so he stopped to observe his future wife. She was perfection in appearance, the way she held herself was absolutely majestic, though the gown she wore and the room in which she sat had both seen considerable wear.
With new determination, he entered and crossed to sit beside her on the settee. “I was hoping to find you alone,” he said as he reached for her hand. She had yet to look up at him, and her constant meekness was beginning to wear on his nerves. Was she frightened of him?
She permitted him to clasp her hand within his; yet, she still studied it.
“Perhaps this is what you require on your hand so you have something to admire.” He fished the ring from where he had tucked it in his watch pocket. “This was my mother’s.” He caught her hand again and slid the ring onto her finger. It sparkled as the sunlight danced across it.
She stared at her hand. No words of gratitude. No throwing her arms about his neck and telling him how wonderful she felt at this moment. No show of emotion, whatsoever. Just silence, except for their breathing.
She finally found her voice. “It is lovely, sir. I am honored to wear your mother’s ring.” She finally looked up to him, and he leaned in to seal their bargain with a kiss. Unfortunately, instead of lacing her arms about his neck, she shuddered, and not in a “good” manner.
Darcy sat back and frowned. Though he wished to pretend another emotion, it was not possible.
“I . . . I apologize, sir. I was . . . was not expecting . . .”
