An Inconvenient Courtship (Regency Romance) Read online

  “Please don’t be troubled, brother,” Georgiana said in her soft voice. “When Richard told me your friend was injured, I wanted to come. I knew you would expect it of me. I could hardly imagine Miss Bingley putting herself out to act as a nurse. Oh!” Her gloved hand flew to her mouth as she remembered Mr. Bingley standing by. “Forgive me, Mr. Bingley. I should not have said such an uncharitable thing.”

  Bingley grinned, completely unoffended. “Even if you had not said it, Miss Darcy, I am sure that most of us still would have thought it.”

  Darcy nodded. “I am glad to have you here, dearest.” He moved his attention to Jane. “Miss Bennet, my sister has always taken the time to visit the sick and needy on our estate in Derbyshire. She has quite a talent for soothing those who are ill.”

  Jane stepped forward, drawing Miss Darcy’s attention to herself. Her beautiful face was kind, and her manners pleasing. “On my sister’s behalf, I thank you, Miss Darcy, for your kindness. I would be happy to have your assistance, for my sister will need much care.”

  Chapter Six

  Elizabeth groaned. She tried to open her eyes, but stabbing pain shooting through her skull forced her to squeeze her lids closed. She whimpered. Even the automatic reflex of turning away from the morning sunlight streaming through the window pulsed excruciating agony through her.

  The pain lessened as the glare decreased. The curtains had been drawn. A cool damp cloth was laid across her forehead. She sighed.

  “Jane.”

  “Shh, Miss Elizabeth. Your sister has gone to eat her breakfast. She will return shortly.” The unfamiliar voice was light, almost shy, and very young.

  “I’m sorry,” Elizabeth murmured. “I don’t recognize your voice.”

  “I just arrived last night. I am Georgiana Darcy.”

  “Miss Darcy!” Elizabeth spoke louder than she had intended to in her astonishment. She regretted it as her head throbbed. Modulating her voice to a softer volume, she continued. “How is it you came to be here? Mr. Darcy said you were staying in London with relatives.”

  “I was.” There was a smile in her voice. “My brother wrote for my cousin to come with the surgeon from his regiment to attend you. It seems the doctor here was determined to bleed you, but neither my brother nor your father were prepared to allow that.”

  “This surgeon, did he insist on bleeding me?” Elizabeth couldn’t quite keep the fear from her voice.

  “Rest easy, Miss Elizabeth. No one bled you. Dr. Taylor said that would only weaken you.” The soft voice was pleasant and had a calming effect. “He used cold compresses to bring down the swelling, and recommended rest, and that you be kept out of the direct light as much as possible. Also, you are to eat to build your strength and drink fluids so as not to become dehydrated.”

  Elizabeth thought of their old, crotchety doctor and chuckled. She was so weary, it sounded more like a sigh. “I have trouble imagining Dr. White agreeing to go with another doctor’s advice.”

  Miss Darcy giggled. “He did not. He stormed about, promising a dire tragedy if the young upstart, I think he said, was allowed to have his way. Your father would not be swayed. No one, he said, would bleed his daughter while there was another option.”

  Elizabeth was amazed. “I can hardly credit it. My father is not the type to stand against authority. He usually disappears into his library when situations become too intense.”

  “He was as fierce in protecting you tonight as any daughter could hope of her father.”

  Elizabeth caught the edge of sorrow that had entered Miss Darcy’s voice and felt chagrined as she recalled that Georgiana had lost both of her parents at a very young age. Opening her eyes as much as her pain would allow, she tried to see the young woman sitting near her bed. While her vision was hazy, she could make out a girl of around sixteen with attractive features and dark hair. Although she was sitting, Elizabeth was sure Miss Darcy was tall and slim. Elizabeth reached out to her and took her hand.

  “Forgive me, Miss Darcy. It was not my intention to be inconsiderate of your feelings.”

  Miss Darcy raised her dark eyebrows at this. “Please call me Georgiana.”

  “As you wish. And you must call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy.”

  “Very well. Elizabeth, you are the one who is injured. I am supposed to be keeping you quiet, a task at which I am failing miserably.” They smiled at each other, sensing kindred spirits.

  “It is impossible to keep Lizzy still when she does not wish to be so,” Jane said from the door. The two women in the room turned to see her silhouetted in the opening. Beyond her they could see Mr. Bennet waiting to see for himself that his favorite daughter was well.

  Georgiana stood to take her leave. A tug on her hand halted her.

  “Georgiana, would you come back later?” Elizabeth asked her. “I have enjoyed your company and would like to get better acquainted.”

  A happy smile graced the younger girl’s lips. “Nothing would please me more, Elizabeth. If you would excuse me now, I will let you visit with your family.”

  Mr. Bennet stood aside to let her exit, then entered the room and sat in the chair she had vacated. Jane settled herself on the edge of the bed. For a few minutes there was silence as they both examined Elizabeth for signs of improvement. Elizabeth endured their stares as long as she could, then she sighed impatiently.

  “Will you please stop staring at me,” she blurted. “I have hit my head, but I will be well. I promise you. I just need to rest for a few days.”

  Satisfied, Mr. Bennet sat back and adopted a more relaxed air. “Indeed, daughter. Were you so bored you needed to create drama? You have set two households completely on their ear with your little mishap.”

  Elizabeth snorted. “I hardly think this sort of attention would have ever been something I would have deliberately sought. Honestly, Papa, I cannot even think how this ridiculous situation came to be. One minute I was stepping into the carriage, the next I was lying on the ground. Mama would have swooned if she had seen such an unladylike display.”

  Her father chuckled, as expected, but Jane’s normally gentle face took on a hard expression Elizabeth had never seen before.

  “I know how this happened,” she bit out. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet blinked at her harsh tone. “Miss Bingley slapped one of the horses with her parasol, causing the beast to startle. She could have killed you. I do not know how I shall ever be able to forgive her for her cruel actions.”

  Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, then shut it. What could she say? She had known that Miss Bingley had resented her presence, but to cause her harm? No, she could not believe that, even of Miss Bingley.

  “Jane, dearest. I hate to see you bitter. I will not hold this mishap against Miss Bingley. Her actions were rash, but I am sure she is even now regretting them.”

  “You would have us show charity to her then, Lizzy? Even though she could have cost you your life?” Mr. Bennet whispered. Elizabeth sensed his emotion was too deep to manage more.

  “I would, Papa,” she entreated. “Please, you must take comfort in the fact that I will be well. Before you know it, I shall be in company again, and I can once again bother her with my impertinent ways.”

  As she had hoped, her pert response drew a laugh from them. Jane kissed her cheek wordlessly, and Mr. Bennet grasped her hand.

  A movement near the door caught her attention. Her eyes widened as she noticed Mr. Darcy pausing to glance in at her on his way past. Their eyes met, and she felt a spark shiver up her spine. In his deep blue eyes, she beheld none of the distance she normally saw. In its place was relief, and a tenderness which shocked her to the core. She remembered hearing his emotional voice calling her name as she lay on the ground. She had thought she had imagined it. Now she was almost sure she had not. But what could it mean?

  Before she knew it, Mr. Darcy had continued on his way. She returned her attention to her father and Jane, noting in surprise neither of them had seen Mr. Darcy. They were unaware of the e
ntire exchange. She, on the other hand, felt the course of her life had been altered.

  Chapter Seven

  Elizabeth waited in the library for Miss Bingley. On Dr. Taylor’s orders, she had stayed in bed for three days, but then her stubborn nature had reasserted itself. She begged, pleaded, and finally outright informed the doctor she intended to eat breakfast at a real table. If she did not get out of her room for even an hour, she had assured him, she would be ready for Bedlam. Languishing for days was just not something her temperament could handle.

  Dr. Taylor had listened to her impassioned arguments, amusement lurking in his eyes, before instructing her she could spend the morning downstairs, provided she avoided bright sunlight and promised to return when her head began to ache, which, he guaranteed, it would.

  She was grateful her mother and younger sisters had not visited yet. Their loud voices and inappropriate comments would be sure to bring her headache rushing back. Their absence didn’t surprise her though. Her mother never visited the sick room if she could avoid it. Her younger sisters either. They would think it dull. Well, except for Mary. However, she was too shy to make her way to Netherfield Park alone.

  Her father had helped her move down the stairs to the breakfast room. She was touched to note the drapes had been partially closed to make it easier for her to sit through the meal. As she entered the room on her father’s arm, the gentlemen stood. Her gaze swept the room until it connected with Mr. Darcy’s. It had been three long days since their eyes had last met, and she had begun to fret the connection had been in her mind. As blue eyes met hazel, however, she felt that same spark leap between them. Unconsciously they both sighed, and she saw his shoulders lose a bit of tension. A clearing throat brought her back to her surroundings. A hot blush seared her cheeks as she realized the interaction had been noted with various degrees of amusement by all who sat around the table.

  Georgiana stared between her brother and Elizabeth in amazement, her mouth open. She had apparently been unaware of her brother’s interest in her new friend. If the sparkle in her eyes was any indication, the possibility of an attachment between Darcy and Elizabeth delighted her. The man standing next to Georgiana was a stranger to Elizabeth. He was somewhat shorter than Darcy, and his hair had a reddish brown cast. He was not as attractive as the Darcy siblings, but his jovial manner was very appealing. His military uniform made Elizabeth fairly certain that this was Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy quickly made the introduction, and Elizabeth automatically made to move into the customary curtsey.

  “Oh, Miss Elizabeth, please do not curtsey!” The colonel hastily stopped her. “I beg you not to strain yourself in any way. We are all friends here. Surely we can skip some of the normal social graces to accommodate your current situation.”

  A chorus of agreement was heard around the table. Elizabeth moved to the seat indicated by her father. To her great surprise, Mr. Darcy, and not her father or a servant, held her chair for her, making her uncomfortably aware of the attention of everyone in the room. When she was seated, she sent a shy smile towards the man standing at her side.

  “I thank you, Mr. Darcy.”

  He bowed slightly. “It is my pleasure, Miss Elizabeth.”

  It was not until she was settled in her seat that Elizabeth realized one place was vacant. Miss Bingley was absent. A sinking feeling in her stomach, she flicked a covert glance at the others sitting down for breakfast. None appeared concerned about Miss Bingley’s failure to arrive. Elizabeth realized they did not expect her to come down. But that was absurd. Had Miss Bingley remained upstairs the entire five days since her accident? She decided to find out once and for all.

  Turning to Mr. Bingley with her most pleasant smile, she inquired, “Is Miss Bingley not joining us today? I wished to assure her I have not suffered any lasting harm.”

  A startled, rather embarrassed silence descended upon the room. Mr. Bingley recovered his composure and sent a friendly, if somewhat strained, smile her way.

  “I am afraid my sister will not be in company today, Miss Elizabeth. I am thinking of sending her to visit our Aunt MacDonall in Scotland. Maybe the quiet atmosphere will improve her mood.”

  It was even worse than she had feared. Miss Bingley was being banished. While it was true there was little love lost between Elizabeth and Miss Bingley, and even though the proud woman’s careless actions had shocked her as much as anyone else, she now found her heart moved to pity for the woman. Therefore, she found herself in the unique position of being the one person arguing for clemency towards Miss Bingley. The irony did not escape her. Nor did she believe for a second that Miss Bingley would be similarly moved had their roles been reversed. Nonetheless, Elizabeth believed it was right to give the other woman a chance to redeem herself, and she had never shied away from doing what she believed was right.

  In her heart, she also wanted Mr. Bingley to forgive his sister for Jane’s sake. She knew her sister. She had never remained angry at another human being her entire life. Now that Elizabeth was recovering, her sister would eventually forgive Miss Bingley, although she would never trust her. She knew Jane was in love with Mr. Bingley. She also knew her sister’s heart would ache for the rift between the siblings. Elizabeth was determined to heal the rift, for Jane’s sake.

  “Mr. Bingley, I wonder if you might be acting with undue haste. Surely, it is not necessary to take such drastic steps?” She held her breath as she waited for his reply, all the while conscious of the stir her words had caused among the others.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley finally responded, “I am afraid my sister has been wayward far too often of late. This is just the final straw. Her actions have filled me with sorrow. Surely you are aware they could have resulted in your death?”

  Elizabeth swallowed. Yes, she was conscious of that and very grateful to still be among the living. Jane, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Darcy all shuddered at Mr. Bingley’s frank words. Her father and Jane’s reaction she could well understand. They were the two people who loved her best in the whole world. But Mr. Darcy’s? She had not seen him for three days, not since their eyes had met as he stood outside her door. Prior to that moment, Mr. Darcy had always appeared to hold her in contempt. Could she have misunderstood the meaning of his intense stares? Now, seeing him shudder at the mention of her near demise, she was forced to reconsider what she had taken as fact.

  Right at the moment, however, she needed to focus on changing Mr. Bingley’s mind. For a man who was so carefree and compliant, he was proving to be remarkably stubborn.

  “Please, Mr. Bingley, I implore you. Give her a chance to redeem herself. Perhaps the seriousness of the current situation will have softened her temper.”

  “I agree, Mr. Bingley.” Elizabeth looked gratefully at her sister. Dear Jane, she could always count on her.

  “I don’t know.” Bingley wavered. “What say you, Darcy? Mr. Bennet?”

  Both men scowled. Obviously, charity was not on their minds.

  “Papa, please. I want to talk with her, give her a chance.” Elizabeth opened her hazel eyes wide, giving her father her most imploring look.

  Mr. Darcy choked, and covered his mouth with his napkin. She narrowed her gaze at him. Maybe she was wrong, but she was sure he was struggling not to smile at her attempt to charm her father. He looked back at her, a definite twinkle in his blue eyes. And it happened again. Elizabeth caught her breath as their eyes again connected. At that moment, she forgot they were not alone in the room. A blush crept up her cheeks. To her amazement, the tips of his ears grew red, as well.

  Mr. Bennet cleared his throat, bringing the two back to the present. Her face flushed deeper at being caught staring at Mr. Darcy, and in front of his sister and cousin, too. She flashed a worried glance at them. The colonel was smiling hugely, amused with the whole situation. As for Georgiana, her blue eyes had flown wide at the sight of her brother blushing as he stared at the young woman.

  Elizabeth was relieved when Mr. Bennet
finally turned his attention back to Bingley.

  “I am willing to give the girl another chance Mr. Bingley, if you can promise me you will be more forceful in maintaining order in your household. More than accepting her presence, however, I will not do. If I feel she is a danger to either of my daughters, ever, I expect you to handle the matter quickly and without hesitation. Or I will sever any and all connections between us.”

  The message was clear. There would be no courtship between Bingley and Jane if Miss Bingley were not kept under control. The slight paling in his cheeks gave proof that Mr. Bingley understood the threat.

  “I will concur, Bingley, but only because this is your house,” Darcy spoke quietly and with sincerity. “More than that, I cannot promise.”

  It was decided. Miss Bingley would be forgiven on the condition that she behaved herself. That is how Elizabeth came to be awaiting her in the library after breakfast. Mr. Bingley had gone to apprise his sister of the change of plans. He carried with him a note from Elizabeth, asking Miss Bingley to please join her in the library after she broke her fast.

  That was half an hour ago. Elizabeth was disheartened as she watched the time tick by. Miss Bingley’s message was clear. She would prefer exile than owning up to her errors. Elizabeth sighed and resigned herself to returning to her room. There was nothing more she could do. Before she could ring the bell to call for her father to assist her, a soft feminine step outside the library door alerted her to Miss Bingley’s presence. Taking a deep breath to calm her fluttering stomach, she turned her head and bade Miss Bingley to join her.

  Chapter Eight

  Miss Bingley approached the settee where Elizabeth was sitting and gingerly lowered herself upon the edge of an overstuffed chair. Her expression was as haughty and disdainful as ever, but Elizabeth saw a gleam of uncertainty in her eyes. Miss Bingley was doing her best to appear as though nothing were different than it had ever been.