Love In The Afternoon Read online

  Love in the Afternoon

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  by

  Kate Speck

  “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back. Those who wish to sing always find a song. At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet.”

  - Plato

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40 (Epilogue)

  Prologue

  “Are you faring better, Richard?” Fitzwilliam Darcy asked his cousin. “It has been five months since your return from the continent and you are walking quite well now, although the surgeon suspected your injury to be more severe, and I am relieved that you are so improved.” He eyed the officer, who walked in the room with a cane in his hand with a limp.

  Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam smiled at the stoic man who was two years his junior and nodded, “I am improving daily, Darcy. My neck and back are always aching but I am happy to be alive. When I was shot in the back, there was concern that I might lose function of my legs but I was most fortunate that the bullet missed the spine, even if pain is now my constant friend. But it is infinitely preferable to walk with a cane to help me balance than to be in bed on laudanum, I say. Hate the taste of that stuff and the effects even more.” He tapped his walking stick on the ground. “I should not need this in a week or two and am grateful that I made it alive. I can only pray for the war to be over soon.”

  Darcy nodded, “I am pleased to see you up and about, Richard. We were all extremely worried for your life. Are you still resolute about continuing your service to King and Country? I would think you would like to retire and marry a girl and have some little ones running around instead and I am more than willing to sell my estate near Pemberley to you. Father had left you more than enough for you to live comfortably.”

  “Not yet, Darcy. Perhaps when I find someone who steals my heart, I will give up the army life.” The colonel answered. He looked at his companion carefully, “And you... have you discovered any traces of... her?”

  Darcy sat up from his chair to walk to the fireplace to poke at the burning logs and sighed, “No. It is as if she is a sprite to haunt me for the rest of my life. I should have never... I have such regrets and I know I had to leave, but I never thought I would not be able to find her and left abruptly without... I wish...” He took a deep breath. “I made a grave error then, but I will not give up searching for her. I only wish I knew more about her.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam lifted an eyebrow, “It has been three years, Darcy, and you have yet to find her. You have changed so much after that trip and although I am glad that you have become an outstanding gentleman, I worry for you. With Georgiana’s near elopement two months ago, you have become more withdrawn than before and you seem... unhappy.”

  “My sister is recovering and George Wickham is rotting in debtor’s prison for deceiving a fifteen-year-old.” Darcy gruffly responded. “Georgiana is happier with your parents and I will join her and your family at Matlock for Christmas, but I wish to stay in London as much as possible in case I hear from my investigator. He is still tracking her down and I do not wish to be too far.”

  “You have refused Bingley’s invitation, then?” His cousin asked. “You said he is leasing a place in Hertfordshire and will reside there after Michaelmas?”

  Darcy shook his head, “I declined to join him next month. He will take residence in a fortnight and travelled there twice for the final arrangements, and he reported to me that he met someone on his last trip and is in courtship already. Is that not ridiculous? He says he is in love but you know how often he falls in and out of love. He has yet to obtain a formal approval from her father but met her mother and sisters and they sound awful, Richard, with four sisters only and no brothers. If he actually marries this lady, he will be burdened with her entire family should the father passes in the near future without any of the daughters married off. Bingley sounds serious enough and it seems that the desperate woman chased after him to London and is residing here for the courtship, likely trying to entrap him as quickly as possible into marriage. He will bring her here to introduce her to me,” he looked at the mantle clock, “in the next few minutes, I believe, and he wishes for my blessing but she is staying with her relatives in Cheapside.” Darcy rolled his eyes. “How am I to give my blessing to such a connection? Charles Bingley, son of a tradesman attempting to make his way in the haute monde, marrying some rustic daughter of a poor landowner with relatives in trade... It is an awful decision if he is sincere in connecting with such a low family.”

  Richard chuckled, “How pompous you are, Darcy! Did you not say you would marry this woman of yours even if she were a servant? I thought money fixed everything.”

  Darcy cracked a small smile with his cousin’s chastisement, “Money does make nearly everything better but there has to be love, a deep affection first, and you know how Bingley is. He has been in and out of love more often than the number of suits he owns, Richard, and you know he is a dandy! Yes, I would marry my lady even if she were a penniless governess or a natural-child of a tradesman.” He looked at the fire again and sighed, “I still love her, Richard, and I have never loved anything before. You know how I was previously; before I met her and then banished to experience the best two weeks of my life. But I will concede that if Bingley does truly love his lady, I will support him and with my approval, he just might survive the gossips. Her family might be barely tolerable but perhaps she is worthy enough to tempt me to give my blessing.” He smiled broader as the colonel laughed.

  There was a knock on the door and both men stood upright for the visitors. The butler announced, “Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet,” and promptly departed.

  Charles Bingley, a younger man of two and twenty, entered with a large grin, while a demure lady, who was hidden from view, followed behind.

  “Darcy! Colonel! It is good to see you again. Please allow me to introduce Miss Bennet.” Bingley greeted his friends. He turned his body so they could see her face. “These are my good friends, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.” He cheerfully declared.

  Darcy gasped as soon as his sights landed on the lady. “Liz!”

  Elizabeth Bennet lifted her eyes when she walked in and had seen Colonel Fitzwilliam in his red officer’s coat by the couch first and then she saw Mr. Darcy by the fireplace. As soon as she met his eyes, she breathed out, “Liam...” and her world disappeared, as everything faded to black.

  Chapter 1

  Three years earlier in Bath, Somerset

  “Is this seat taken?” Darcy asked the young lady who was sitting in front of her blank canvas in the large room. “Your painting will be quite awful, I will not lie, but I am also a terrible artist so I wish to sit next to someone who will make my art appear better.” He winked as he flirted with her.

  Elizabeth Bennet giggled as she covered her mouth, “But I have not begun yet, sir! How do you know my painting will be awful? You may sit there, as I have now been challenged and my courage rises. I shall show you that I am an excellent painter and will exceed your expectations. I defy you to best me in my new-learned skills, sir!”

  Darcy chuckled, “I accept your challenge.” He took his seat next to her. “I saw you yesterday, I must confess, and your painting appeared... acceptable. I thought this class would be quite dull but I have been attempting to improve my skills, and apparently it is led by a good instructor and in high demand. Yesterday’s lesson was sufficient, as far as I can tell.”

  Elizabeth nodded, “It is rare for a class to have both male and female students like this one, but it is a popular course with a good number of gentlemen wishing to improve themselves and I have been enjoying it very much. There are many enjoyments in Bath and these lessons are an excellent diversion when one is not attending the theatre or card parties, although I have been wishing to attend a few musicales, but my poor aunt has been ill and my uncle has been looking after her. They like to take the waters twice daily and I have been keeping myself entertained with lessons and walks along the river.”

  “Do you reside in Bath?” Darcy asked. “I have been here over a month and I would think I would have noticed you if I had seen you around.”

  Elizabeth quirked her eyebrow, “I am only visiting and will be here two more weeks, sir. Perhaps I am a lowly maid who cannot attend luxurious outings like a rich gentleman might do and that is why you had not seen me before. Until yesterday, that is.”

  Darcy laughed, “With these smoc
ks covering our clothes, you could be a barmaid for all I know but you do speak very genteel.” He inspected her from head to toe. “Smooth hair, clean teeth, sparkling eyes, very pretty lips... My dear lady, I would venture a guess that you are a gentlewoman, but I will not probe further since we have not been formally introduced. I am a gentleman, after all, or am I?” He smirked. “Perhaps I am a barkeep and this is my hobby. If you are a barmaid, you can come and work for me. I will ensure the customers keep their hands off of you.”

  “As far as I can see, your shoes appear very expensive and you carry yourself as if you own at least two horses.” Elizabeth teased. “If I am ever in need of employment, I will keep your offer in mind. Now be quiet. We are beginning and my painting will be better than yours!”

  Darcy leaned closer and whispered, “You are positively charming and I wish to know you better. What name can I call you? Can I call on you? You are very witty and I enjoy speaking with you.”

  Elizabeth blushed as she whispered in return, “Shhh! Tell me your name first! It is unladylike to introduce myself!”

  “Liam. You can call me Liam.” Darcy moved his stool to sit nearer to her. He was close enough to rub his arm against hers.

  Elizabeth elbowed him gently, “Too close! You are an incorrigible flirt, sir! I believe you are a rake and I should not be speaking with you.”

  Darcy spoke into her ear while the professor was teaching a class of forty people in the large hall, “I will never harm you, my dear lady. Please, tell me your name.”

  “Liz.” Elizabeth softly replied, “No full name, no surname, I wish to know nothing more about you and I will not tell you anything else about myself. You shall only know me as ‘Liz’.”

  Darcy covertly reached for her hand and lifted up to kiss it. “Liz...” He sat up straight and began to paint. “A beautiful name for a beautiful lady. I like it, Liz. You, me, just a man and a woman. I shall enjoy getting to know you without rank or fortune or family name to get in the way and you and I will be just a man and a woman this afternoon. I like it, Liz. I prefer it and wish I could be introduced to everyone like this.”

  Elizabeth smiled as she also began to paint. They listened to the instructions and copied the landscape painting that the instructor displayed to the class on a platform, and discussed the colour options and stroke techniques. They playfully conversed with each other with their newfound friendship and discovered more about their likes and dislikes without revealing any personal information for the next two hours.

  “May I walk you to your next destination, Liz?” Darcy asked as soon as the lesson was finished. “I will fully acknowledge that your painting was superior and I must offer you a prize of your choice.”

  “But I am off to the milliners for some errands and then I am expected to return to my relatives, sir.” Elizabeth replied. “You cannot pretend you would wish to go on such a chore with an unknown lady.”

  Darcy gently reached for her hand and wrapped it around his arm. “Oh, but I am willing and certainly able, Liz. Please, call me Liam. At least we might appear as if we are a married couple in front of these other students. No one knows us here and we can start a speculation that we are but an old, married couple spending our time together to educate ourselves and become more accomplished. I wish to stay with you longer.”

  “Liam,” Elizabeth lowered her eyes, “I should not... My aunt is not here to chaperon me and... I...”

  “Pretend to be my wife, Liz,” Darcy pleaded. “This is the most fun I have had in ages. We will maintain our façade and no one will recognise us in this part of Bath. We will keep far from Queen Square and from those arrogant folks who never leave that area for fear of diseases on this side of town. Let us have our enjoyments and I will purchase yards and yards of ribbons for you.”

  Elizabeth tapped his arm with her free hand. “You should not throw your money away to please a woman, Liam! I am not mercenary and I do not expect you to pay for anything. I only need a pair of gloves, as I have lost mine once again.”

  Darcy grinned, “Let us go now. I can afford to buy you a pair of gloves.”

  They began to walk outside when Darcy turned to face her, “Shall I hire a hackney?” He pointed to a building located a block from the art hall as they began to walk towards it, “I am staying in that boarding house over there. I have never stayed in this part of Bath before but I like it. There is a lively tavern nearby, the art gallery is here, a music hall is located down that street over there, and the cemetery is only a short walk. I have a great view of it from my rooms.”

  Elizabeth giggled, “I am not familiar with this area, Liam, but it seems very pleasant. My destination is near Bath Abbey, and I do believe it will be too far to walk from here.”

  Suddenly, there was a trickle of raindrops that began to fall, which within seconds, became a downpour, as the sky opened up as if buckets of water dropped.

  Elizabeth squealed in surprise and Darcy ran with her towards his boarding house building and stood at the open door. Neither had an umbrella to protect themselves and they stayed at the doorway for a short while until Elizabeth began to shiver.

  “Good lord, you are soaking wet, Liz.” Darcy commented, as he took off his coat to wrap it around her. “The rain does not appear to be slowing. Can I...” He looked around and saw no one about. “Only to warm you up, Liz, I would like to invite you to my rooms,” he quickly added, “only until the rain lightens and you are sufficiently dry.” He coloured, “I do not mean to be...”

  Elizabeth’s mouth dropped agape for a second and she looked down in embarrassment, only to notice that her light-coloured dress was nearly sheer with the dampness and the only thing keeping her appearance decent was her friend’s coat. “I... I think I must accept your invitation, Liam. I am not presentable and although it is against everything I have been taught, I am very cold and my dress will need to dry.”

  Darcy averted his eyes from looking at her form and walked her to his rooms. He immediately worked on the fireplace to increase the heat and gave her a towel to dry her hair before excusing himself to change out of his wet clothes.

  Elizabeth sighed and let down her soggy hair in front of the fire and wondered how she could dry her dress without taking off Darcy’s coat. She attempted to use the towel to absorb the excess water but she was getting more damp in her undergarments.

  Darcy cleared his throat to alert her of his return after changing out his clothes in the dressing room. “Liz, I have brought a gown and robe if you would like to change while your dress dries.” He coloured in embarrassment. “This is most unusual, I promise you, and not something that I have ever done before.”

  “I do not know if you are telling me the truth or if this could be your plan to seduce me to your rooms, Liam,” Elizabeth merrily laughed, “but I have no choice at this point and I prefer to be dry and comfortable than wet and chance becoming ill.” She reached for the clothes and rushed into the dressing room to change. She soon returned wearing Darcy’s nightgown and robe and began to hang her dress near the fireplace to dry them out.

  Darcy’s eyes broadened and he could not cease his stares. He had seen scores of beautiful ladies at ballrooms and the finest courtesans at the most expensive bordellos, but this lovely young woman with her long, damp hair falling onto her back while wearing his clothes was the most tempting sight he could have ever imagined.

  “How old are you, Liz?” He finally breathed out.

  “I thought we were not going to tell each other private details about ourselves, Liam.” Elizabeth challenged with a smirk.

  Darcy smiled, “Just a few, please. I am five and twenty. You are beautiful, Liz.”

  Elizabeth blushed as she sat down gingerly on the couch next to him, “I am seventeen, Liam. I do not know what it is about you that makes me defy all formalities. I still think you are a rake.”

  Darcy wrapped his arms around her and embraced her as he sat closer. “Perhaps I am, Liz, but I have never been so drawn to anyone before meeting you. I have had plenty of attentions from women before but none had ever inspired me as much as you. Man and woman. We are simply a man and a woman right now and it is the most natural thing in all of the world.” He leaned down and spoke before gently meeting her lips with his. “I think I love you.”