Pride and Proposals

“I have never heard you express a desire to visit America,” Richard observed. Darcy merely shrugged. “What about Georgiana? Will she be safe in such a savage country?”

“It is not darkest Africa.” Darcy grinned. “I am fairly certain they have cooked food and draperies and banks – among other trappings of civilization.” Richard merely folded his arms over his chest. “I will write to you. Mail is regular—every two weeks or so depending on the winds. If any tricky estate issues arise, I am happy to advise you by letter.”

Richard snorted. “Hang the estate!” He stood and looked Darcy directly in the eye. Did he suspect Darcy was hiding something? God willing, he would never guess what.

Richard finally shook his head and walked restlessly to the window. “I-I will miss you, William.” Darcy was touched. He knew that removing himself from England—and temptation—was the best course, but he would miss his cousin’s company.

“I will miss you as well.” Darcy crossed the room to rest his hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “But we will return before you have had a chance to notice we are gone.”

Chapter 5

“I cannot believe it has been nearly a year!” Georgiana exclaimed.

“It did pass quickly,” Darcy agreed. They had viewed many corners of the new country of America and met many interesting people. They had not intended to remain so long, but the promise of some new wonder or intriguing place would always entice them. And in truth, both Darcy and Georgiana had reasons to delay their return to England.

In fact, if Darcy had not been concerned about growing tensions between England and America over naval issues, they might have remained longer. But if the two countries went to war, crossing the Atlantic would be fraught with danger.

It had been almost a year since Darcy had stood on the deck of a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. Now he crossed in the other direction, pleased that a thin, gray band of English coastline was within sight. Darcy experienced an unexpected swell of emotion. Despite the attendant anxiety, he was very happy to be home.

Georgiana stood beside him, one hand on her bonnet lest it blow away. Darcy had dispensed with his hat altogether while up on deck. Darcy glanced down at her. “Well, dear heart, are you happy to be back?”

“Oh, yes!” she breathed. “I shall miss all the friends we made during our travels—and I do hope Uncle Clive comes for a visit—but America is not home. I cannot wait to see Pemberley again!”

Darcy smiled indulgently. “I missed Pemberley as well.” Traveling had been beneficial for Georgiana. Away from the pressures and snares of the ton, she had blossomed as a mature young woman and grown in confidence.

“But mostly, I cannot wait to see everyone! Mrs. Reynolds and Cook and Mary at Darcy House. And Gwendolyn and Cecily.” During their travels, Georgiana had maintained correspondences with many school friends. “And even Uncle and Aunt Fitzwilliam. But especially Elizabeth and Richard!”

America had been a refuge for Darcy. It was a relief to know he would not encounter Elizabeth at a dinner party or a stroll in Hyde Park. The entire continent had been blessedly free of Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth was not equally absent from Darcy’s dreams—waking and sleeping. Everywhere there were little reminders. He would see a dress that reminded him of one she wore, discover a book they had discussed, or hear a piece of music she had played. Such incidents would often provoke black moods, which he endeavored to conceal from Georgiana.

These occurrences had decreased in frequency, however, and Darcy hoped that seeing her married to his cousin would allow him to banish this obsession forever.

If not … no, it did not bear thinking on. Friendship with Elizabeth and Richard was important to Georgiana—and to Darcy himself. The thought of permanent exile was insupportable. Darcy would simply have to further hone his thespian abilities.

“Oh, may we visit them first?” Georgiana asked. “I wish to see Elizabeth’s wedding dress, and she has a duet to learn with me.”

Darcy hugged his sister close to his side. “They should be in town, unless they are still on their wedding trip.”

Letters to Darcy and Georgiana had described how Richard and Elizabeth had delayed the wedding because of the scandal surrounding Lydia’s marriage. Then came the news that Lydia was with child and too ill to travel for the wedding. Softhearted Elizabeth had agreed to delay the event until Lydia was well enough to travel. Tragically, Lydia had delivered a stillborn child too early and then had followed him into death.

The entire Bennet family thus entered into a period of mourning, during which it was unthinkable to conduct a wedding ceremony. Just as the mourning period was drawing to a close, Mr. Bennet had fallen ill, and Elizabeth had been needed at Longbourn to help care for him.

In a letter to Darcy, Richard had joked that the entire Bennet family seemed to conspire to prevent their marriage. The last letter from his cousin had been four weeks ago—just before Darcy and Georgiana had departed for a two-week tour of New England prior to boarding a ship in Boston. Richard had written the letter two days before the wedding date, so by now the couple would have been wed several weeks.

Selfishly, Darcy was relieved to be spared attendance at the wedding ceremony. Although Georgiana would have loved to witness the event, Darcy could not imagine calmly sitting in a pew while his heart shattered.

“William! I see church spires!” Georgiana exclaimed joyfully. “We are so close. Will we see Richard and Elizabeth first? I have missed them so!”

More than a year of practice helped Darcy conceal the anxiety flooding his body. “Naturally, dear one. I can deny you nothing.” He even produced a smile for his sister.

***

As they walked down the street, drawing ever closer to Fitzwilliam’s townhouse, Darcy breathed deeply, attempting to quiet the agitation in his chest. This visit reminded him uncomfortably of the awful betrothal dinner. Desperately, he prayed that time apart and the sight of Elizabeth as a married woman would break her hold on him.

As they drew closer to the house, Darcy espied a dark figure on the porch, closing the door and walking slowly down the steps to the sidewalk.

Forgetting herself, Georgiana rushed the remaining distance, calling, “Elizabeth!”