The melancholy strains of Ignaz Pleyel’s sonata in F Major flowed from Caroline’s fingertips onto the pianoforte keyboard. She let the music take her away to a world of beauty and peace. At times like this, she forgot about her frustration of gaining not one toe hold in the impenetrable wall of society. She forgot the heartache threatening to consume her very being. She forgot who she was. A woman who’s wealth came from not from titled lands and nobility, but from trade. The very type of people she besmirched every chance she had. People like her grandmamma, whose work roughened fingers wiped more than one tear away from her cheeks as she grew up.
The music came to an abrupt halt and Caroline hung her head in shame. If grandmamma were alive and knew what she’d become, how she behaved...it didn’t bear thinking about. Needless to say, her grandmother’s heart would be broken. Cora Bingley raised her family to be proud of their heritage. Nothing wrong ever came from hard work, was a phrase oft repeated in the Bingley household.
With limited choices in the running, Louisa settled on Mr. Hurst whose family had a reasonable estate in Warwickshire, albeit smaller than what the Bennets laid claim to at Longbourn. Not that they’d ever reveal that anyone. Louisa achieved the status of a gentleman’s wife in her marriage and her children would be accepted in places Caroline could only dream of.
That was when she became determined to attain a higher standing than a gentleman who brought in less than two thousand pounds per annum. She’d make a marriage worthy of her dowry and with that goal in mind, set her cap at Mr. Darcy, who never regarded her in the same light no matter how hard she tried. She’d seen his interest in Miss Eliza Bennet at Netherfield when she arrived to nurse her sister back to health and no matter how hard she attempted to throw the country miss into an unfavorable light; he’d turned all incidents into praise worthy events. She should have known his heart was engaged right then. How arrogant she’d been, assuming he would return to London and once out of Miss Bennet’s illuminous sphere be drawn to her.
She stood and walked to the diamond paned window, and stared out over the beautiful grounds without really seeing anything. Her life was adrift and last night, after she’d excused herself to go to bed, Louisa visited. Her pride, pricked over a perceived slight from the Duke, motivated her to harangue Caroline about her selfish behavior. She then advised she was with child and Caroline would have to find lodgings elsewhere as her suite would be turned into a nursery.
The clock chimed the eleventh hour and she decided to go for a walk. Rambling about the grand house held no allure and for once, even her music couldn’t soothe her restlessness. She had Lucy bring down a cashmere shawl for her shoulders. It was such a pleasant day there was no requirement for anything heavier.
“Do you wish me to accompany you, Miss?”
“No, Lucy. I’ll stay close to the house. I only want some fresh air before dinner.”
“Yes, Miss.” Lucy curtsied and Caroline exited the great house via the morning room which opened to a wide expanse of manicured garden, the roof of the stable visible over a small berm just to the west.
The quiet nicker of horses drew her toward the stables and she entered the spacious building, anxious to see the horse Darcy spoke of the other night. He’d purchased a lovely mare for Miss Elizabeth as a wedding present and she was curious as to what type of mount he’d chosen. Would she be a gentle creature, or something with more spirit? With some knowledge of Miss Bennet’s character, she leaned toward Darcy choosing a more spirited animal.
There were at least twenty stalls and she checked the first two, finding them empty. About to exit the second stall, she heard Lord Nathan’s deep voice. Botheration. She didn’t want to face him so soon after last night’s dinner party. He was cheeky enough to misconstrue her intent and declare she followed him. She slipped back into the stall and listened to their muffled voices.
When all she heard was the gentle rhythm of horses in their stalls, she advanced and peeked down the main corridor of the stable. Her shoulder relaxed and she took a deep cleansing breath.
He hadn’t seen her. Thank goodness.
~~~ooo0ooo~~~
Nathan entered the Pemberley stables, amazed at how spacious and airy the building was. Each stall had an arched entrance with a small portico before you entered the area where the horses were housed. Inside each portico, various brushes and farrier instruments hung in perfect order. Saddles and tack were suspended on strong hooks across the other side of the entranceway. He knew Max, after seeing the layout of the stable, would authorize changes at Adborough Hall. Of that he had no doubt.
Darcy exited one of the stalls near the middle and upon seeing him, approached with a firm stride.
“Kerr. Glad you could meet me here. I’m a bit busy and this was the only time I could spare.” He reached into his waistcoat and pulled out an envelope. “I was hoping you could incorporate these words into the marriage ceremony. It is meant to be a surprise for Elizabeth.”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.” Nathan took the envelope and tucked it into his own pocket.
“Would you like to see my wedding gift for Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy’s voice was full of happiness and had a lightness Nathan never noticed before. He admired Miss Bennet for bringing out the softer side of Darcy and knew that their marriage would be one full of love and encouragement.
He nodded his head in agreement and followed Darcy back into the stall he’d exited a few moments ago.
“She’s a beauty, Mr. Darcy.” Nathan ran his hands over the mare’s shoulder and back.
“I’ve told you before, please call me Darcy. I know I’m your patron, but we’ve known each other for years.”
“Very well, but allow me to show you proper respect when others are around.”
“We’ll see, Kerr. I’m not that much of a stickler for protocol with those I trust.”
Surprise had Nathan pause for a moment. To be told by a man, who’d reputation of being distant and proud was legendary, that he trusted him filled him with a sense of gratitude and friendship. The mare nickered and nudged his pocket for the apple she scented.
“May I?” he queried and after a quick nod from Darcy placed the apple on his palm. Within seconds the crisp fruit disappeared and she nudged his pocket for more. “Sorry, Athena. Next time I visit.”
Both men turned to exit the stall.
“Do you think Elizabeth will like my wedding gift?”
“It depends. Does Miss Bennet ride?”
“She assured me she rides, but she’s very fond of walking. In order to see all the estate, a horse makes more sense.”
“I agree. Even a most ardent walker couldn’t cover all the area in less than a month.”
“I’ve—” Darcy stopped when the head groomsman approached. “Yes, Dobson?”
Sorry, Mr. Darcy, sir. There’s been a spot of trouble with the new mare you bought for Miss Georgiana. She’s sounding a bit wheezy.”
“Go ahead, Darcy. I can see myself out,” Nathan stated.
“Very well, thank you, Kerr.”
Darcy and Dobson turned and made haste toward the other end of the stable. A short huffing sound had him stop and peer inside the next stall. Inside stood a large stallion, his coat gleamed ebony black and his eyes had a proud look about them.
“You’re a handsome fellow,” he whispered softly, not wanting to startle the magnificent creature. The horse bobbed his head, as if in agreement. “I would bet, given your proud look, that you belong to Mr. Darcy.”
He admired the horse for a few minutes and then turned to leave. As he exited the stall, he stopped cold at the sight of Miss Caroline Bingley, her back to him, peering around the corner of a vacant stall. An imp of mischief prompted him to keep his presence secret until he was almost upon her.
“May I help you, Miss Bingley?”
She whirled in shock, lost her balance and promptly fell onto the straw covered floor. The sound of ripping cloth rent the air, followed by her cry of surprise. As she struggled to pull herself into an upright position, he noticed a portion of her skirt hung by a nail on the beam she’d been standing beside.
Nathan rushed to give her aid, which she allowed and then swatted his hand aside as soon as she stood steady on her feet. She didn’t even try to meet his curious gaze and began to inspect the damage to her dress, brushing off pieces of straw and dirt.
“It’s a little late to clean up, don’t you think?”
She raised her gaze to his and he was astonished at the amount of anger they revealed. Not one bit of remorse for whatever she’d been caught at.
“I have no idea what you are going on about. Fine gentleman you are. Sneaking up and scaring me to death and then not even apologize.”
“First, I wasn’t ‘sneaking’, I entered through a wide open door,” he replied in a lazy tone and propped his shoulder against the stall’s frame. “If anyone was ‘sneaking’, it was you, peeking around the corner, spying on Mr. Darcy”
He hated to admit it, but it looked as though the various reports he’d heard were true. Miss Bingley could very well be attempting to compromise Darcy a few days before the wedding. Disappointment flooded his soul. He’d held a very real interest in her and now doubted her character. Not for the first time he was glad he’d learned to hide his true feelings while in the army. Skills further honed under the sharp eye of those in Society.
“You, sir, are no gentleman!” She shook out her skirts one final time and began walking toward the entrance that led back to the main house.
“And you,” he said, “are no lady.” He ignored her indignant gasp and pushed off the doorframe. In two quick strides he’d outpaced her and blocked her exit. “What were you doing here?”
She attempted to side step him, but he only placed his larger body solidly in front of her path. Frustrated, she stood still, anger rolling off her in waves.
“I heard Darcy purchased a new horse and desired to see the beast for myself,” she stated and finally raised her eyes to meet his. Her clear gaze gave him pause. If she were lying, then this air of innocence was a trait she’d mastered well.
“ I have it on good authority that Mr. Darcy bought the horse as a wedding gift for Miss Bennet and wished no one to see it until after the ceremony,” he said, quietly emphasizing the word ‘Mr.’ “And that doesn’t explain why you were hiding in a vacant stall.”
“I was not hiding!”
Nathan took a step toward her, placed a finger under her chin and forced her to raise her gaze to his. Two flags of red emblazoned her cheeks.
“You and I both know that is an outright lie. You will not attempt to trap Mr. Darcy into a situation where he must break his engagement to Miss Bennet and be forced to marry you.”
“Unhand me, sir.” She glared at him, her chin remaining at a haughty angle.
He ignored her request and became swept up with a ridiculous desire to fan the flames. God help him, he wanted to ruffle her feathers.
“If you are looking for a husband, you are going about it the wrong way.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A wary look crossed her face when he framed her face with both of his hands. “What...what are you doing?”
He was inexplicably drawn to the shape of her lips and wanted to lose himself in their silken texture. He wanted her attention to be solely on him, not Fitzwilliam Darcy. Slow and deliberate, never removing his gaze from hers, he leaned in. Her eyelashes fluttered down and the heat of their breath mixed.
The fact they were in the stables of his benefactor never once crossed his mind. Not until the whinny of a nearby horse pierced the haze of desire that shrouded his reasoning. Caroline must have heard it too because her eyes flew open and she stepped back, breaking the spell that had almost ended in a kiss.
What had he been thinking? If they’d been caught, not only would it ruin her reputation, but he could just as easily lose his position as Darcy’s vicar.
“Forgive me. I don’t know what came over me.” But he did. The Rake, the seducer of women, the man he used to be had reared his ugly head and it shook him to the core. “I will escort you back to the house where you may repair the damage before dinner.”
“I am perfectly able to find my own way, Lord Nathan.” Any softness he’d detected earlier disappeared behind a façade of politeness and he did not blame her one bit. He’d treated her worse than a libertine.
“I’m well aware you can find your own way but we wouldn’t want you to lose your footing again. Who knows what might happen then.”
He knew he’d poked the bear and was glad his sainted Mother couldn’t see him now. What was it about this young woman that brought out the worst in him? Ever since he’d given his heart to the Lord, he’d never once thought of kissing anyone, not even Miss Tottingham. He’d been quite content to wait until they were married to become more intimate. He cast his mind back to their brief courtship and couldn’t recall if he’d even kissed her hand.
There was something about Miss Bingley that made him want to ruffle her feathers. To find out if he shattered her composure as easily as she did his.
“Oh, you insufferable...” Caroline began to stalk off, muttering under her breath.
“I’m sorry, Miss Bingley. Did you say something?” He grinned as he watched her storm toward the main house. When she whirled to face him, skirts flaring about her delicate ankles, he clamped his mouth tight so she wouldn’t catch him laughing. Her feathers were more than ruffled now.
“I stated you were an insufferable oaf, amongst other things.” She stomped her foot. “How you vex me. And to think I waited three days for you to call—”
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open as she realized what she’d admitted. Without another word, she picked up her skirts and turned to run. Her admission stunned him, at the same time a thrill coursed through his veins. She’d waited for him to call. However, he couldn’t let her leave in such a state. At best, his behavior had been uncouth, at worst, ungentlemanlike. He had to make amends, and quickly.
“Miss Bingley,” he called out to her fleeing figure. Dash it all, she covered a lot of ground with those long legs. With three long strides he reached her side and stopped her flight. “Please, let me apologize.”
“I will never accept your apologies, sir.” She kept her face averted and refused to look at him.
“I had no right to tease you the way I did.” He dropped his hand from her arm, relieved she didn’t move away. From that small concession he took hope she would listen to his belated counsel. “When I saw you hiding in the stable, I worried you were plotting a course of action which would result in dire consequences. I have no wish to see you ruin your life.”
“How would I be ruining my life? We’ve spoken but a few times. You know nothing about me.”
“Miss Bingley, it has come to my attention you have long held aspirations of an offer from Mr. Darcy, and made attempts to compromise him” – she sputtered out a vehement ‘I did not!’ – “Regardless, it is the general consensus amongst those who know you well. I regret being the one to speak with you in this manner, but I will not let you ruin Darcy’s happiness.”
“I did nothing to ruin Darcy’s happiness.”
“Only because I came across you first.” His patience was wearing thin.
“I told you I was not doing anything wrong.”
“Sneaking about the stable like a horse thief? Do not take me for a fool, Miss Bingley. I have reason to believe you were attempting to compromise Mr. Darcy.”
It astounded him that she continued to pursue Darcy even when his wedding was but a few days off. Her determination was somewhat admirable, if not misguided.
“No. That was not my intent. I know he will never offer for me.” She stared off across the meadow beside the stable. “All this started out as a nice walk in the garden. I heard the horses and remembered he’d purchased a mare for Miss Eliza.”
He believed her when she confessed she knew Darcy would never offer for her, but would someone who’d pursued a gentleman for so long, who had the patience to wait for what he reasoned had been years, give up so easily? Many a wedding had been cancelled because the bride or groom had been compromised, or eloped with someone else.
Her family and friends were caught up in all the festivities leading up to the wedding, and Darcy could be lured into a compromising position quite easily as he had numerous guests attending and wouldn’t be on his guard for a flank attack. He decided Miss Bingley needed close attention.
In silence they walked up the cobblestone path toward the house. When they reached the front garden, Nathan asked, “Miss Bingley, have you ever looked at Mr. Darcy as a man?”
“What kind of question is that?”
For a brief moment her footsteps stalled and then she hurried her pace.
“Forgive me if I have given offense. What I mean is... did you view him as a means for a comfortable life, given his vast estate and fortune, or did you ever view him as a man, with wants, fears and desires?”
“What a preposterous notion. Of course I thought of him as a man—”
“Very well then, what’s his favorite color?”
“Favorite color?” She blustered and once again attempted to move away. “How would I know that? If we had married, which you have assured me was my plan, we would have come to know each other’s likes and dislikes after the wedding.”
“That’s interesting. Miss Bennet has asked for dove grey to be part of the wedding decorations as that is Mr. Darcy’s favorite color.”
“Oh.”
“What is his favorite dish?”
Caroline whirled around and stomped toward the house. Nathan kept pace, waiting for an answer. As they reached the front entrance he placed a firm hand on her elbow and stopped her from entering the house. Anger blazed from her startling green eyes, her full lips pursed into a thin line.
“His favorite dish,” he pressed. “Come now, Miss Bingley. You’ve known him for several years. Surely you must know by now what foods he likes or dislikes.”
“I don’t know and I don’t care!” She pulled her arm from his grasp and stormed past Grieves, who’d silently opened the door. “I only wanted to look at the horse.” He watched as she ascended the grand staircase, a flurry of torn silk and agitation.
“Good afternoon, Grieves.”
The butler gave him a slight bob of the head, his eyes betraying a minutia of merriment.
“Mr. Darcy is down at the stables. Shall I send a footman to inform him you are here, Lord Nathan?”
“No thank you, I’ve already been. Can you ask Mrs. Reynolds to have Miss Bingley’s maid attend her? She was exceedingly upset when she fell and tore her dress. And, can you give this list to Miss Darcy. She wanted to know which tenants were in need this month, there’s a copy for Mr. Darcy as well.”
“Yes, sir. I shall attend to that at once.”
He gave the butler a polite nod and turned to leave. Caroline may have been returned to safety, but his heart was in great danger of being ensnared by the spoiled red haired beauty, and that wouldn’t do. Wouldn’t do at all.