Page 100 of Compromise & Consequence
“Yes,” she whispered as he took her mouth once more with his.
***
In a move that surprised them all, the hired men attacked ‘Elizabeth’ the first morning. In relating the story to family, the next afternoon, Darcy kept the talk of violence to a minimum, but to his uncle, the earl, he repeated the full story.
At the first large grouping of shrubbery on the walking path, Jeb was grabbed from behind and a foul-smelling cloth was pressed against his nose and mouth. He instinctively held his breath and managed to wiggle so that his nose was no longer covered. He felt a bit woozy but managed to stay alert although he pretended to fall into a faint.
He was carted off to a large carriage. Only one of the hired men entered with him and soon they were careening down the road on their way to their hide-out. Darcy, Richard, and his men followed at a distance. Unbeknownst to them and the hired thugs, Jeb had several knives strapped to his inner thighs, and being a strong young lad – from working hard in the stables as well as being an avid hunter – he dispatched the thug in the carriage without the man making a sound.
Jeb then commandeered the man’s pistols, made sure they were ready for firing, and waited for the carriage to stop. Only once did he have a tremor of fear and that was when one of the men called out to make sure all was well within the carriage.
Jeb had lowered his voice and called back, “We’re good.” Hehad dared not say more in case they realized the voice was different. After riding for an hour, and having turned off the main road, they had come to what looked like an abandoned farm.
Darcy told his family that once he realized they were headed for this farm, the colonel had his men fan out and ordered them to approach from all sides, to ensure no one escaped. Then he, his cousin, and five soldiers followed the carriage, trying their best to stay out of sight. They had just crested a ridge where the road led down to the house proper when shots rang out and chaos erupted outside the carriage. Jeb had taken down two of the men, proving he was a very good shot, and, in the pandemonium, Richard’s men effectively subdued the remaining scum. These three ne’er do wells would not see dry land for many months following their impressment.
Both the earl and Darcy, so pleased with young Jeb, rewarded him with one hundred pounds. Elizabeth knew Jeb had a sweetheart in one of the maids at Lucas Lodge and had always wanted a farm of his own. She wished him well and told him she expected an invite to his wedding. He had blushed furiously at her gentle tease but promised he would not forget. He then shook William’s hand and thanked him most profusely for his generosity.
“Nonsense, Jeb. Without you, I may have lost my Elizabeth and she is more precious than rubies and all the things I may desire cannot compare to her.”
“Miss Lizzy… pardon… Mrs. Darcy’s respected by all who know her, sir. I couldna lived wif myself iffin I didna help.”
Both she and William stood on the steps of Darcy House and watched until the carriage taking Jeb to Longbourn turned the corner and disappeared. Finally, she could breathe easily and enjoy being Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Well, she could breathe easyonce her presentation was over, and she met the patronesses of Almack’s and gained their approval. Then… she huffed out a little happy sigh, in a little over three months, they were off to Pemberley!
Her attention was diverted when William turned her around and led her into the house, straight up the stairs into his bedchamber and she did not see the lower levels of the house for almost a week. Not that she was complaining. Not by a long shot.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Somewhere, somehow, Mrs. Darcy, we are related. The royal families of Europe are all interconnected. Please keep us advised of how your family grows. We will send an invitation for tea before you head back to Derbyshire for the summer.”
With a deep curtsy and a murmured, “Thank you, your Majesty,” Elizabeth slowly backed out of the room, mindful of the stares and murmurs from the surrounding courtiers. It was only when they had successfully entered the anteroom and she could walk in a normal fashion did Aunt Lucinda took hold of her hand and squeezed.
“Oh! you darling girl! Nothing can stop you from taking society by storm. The Queen’s approbation will be talked about for months!”
She looped her arm through Elizabeth’s and together they walked to the waiting carriage. Her aunt by marriage chattered gaily the whole way home, yet she processed none of the conversations. She had met the Queen. The Queen! She, Elizabeth Rose Isabella de Cortez Bennet Darcy met and spoke with Her Royal Highness, Queen Charlotte! Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought such a thing possible. She was glad she was seated in the carriage because she was sure her knees would give out and she’d tumble into a large pile of white silk, with hoops flinging her underskirts into the air.
She burst out laughing at the image.
“Elizabeth?” Lady Matlock asked, her voice curious.
“Forgive me, Aunt. I had visions of losing my balance and the image of these hoops flying into the air seemed ludicrously funny. I apologize for not attending fully to our conversation.”
“No forgiveness required, dear girl. You have had a harrowing few months and are allowed to vent a little excess energy.” Her lips quirked upward. “However, it would be funny if you were to fall. Those hoops are a menace to polite society. I am not sure why Queen Charlotte clings to such old-fashioned etiquette.”
“Mayhap, with all the rumors and innuendos surrounding her husband and son, this is one thing she can control.”
Lady Matlock assessed her with a new understanding. “At times, Elizabeth, I think you are older than your years. That very well could be true.”
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes and Elizabeth became lost in her thoughts.
“You look tired, my dear.”
“Between fittings and teas and balls, I feel like I have not had one spare minute to just breathe. I fear William has forgotten what I look like.”
“Of that, I highly doubt. You will be glad to know that after our dinner tonight, followed by your presentation ball and of course, tea with the Queen, you and William along with Georgiana are free to escape to Derbyshire.”
“I look forward to seeing William’s home. I have yet to meet anyone who does not like it.”
“As partial as I am to Wyndhaven Castle, there is something in the air around Pemberley. There is such peace about it. His mother, Lady Anne, swore she only married George Darcy so she could call Pemberley her home.”
