Two Gentlemen of Honor Read online

  Two Gentlemen of Honor

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  Clara Willoughby

  Contents

  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 1

  The candlelight at the assembly that evening flickered off the dancers in the middle of the hall, lending the event a romantic effect that quieted a bit of the anger that burnt deep in Elizabeth Bennet’s chest. That detestable Mr. Darcy had declared her, “not handsome enough to tempt” him, and while she told the story with great spirit to her friends so as not to allow him to pleasure of wounding her, the wound remained just the same. Elizabeth considered asking her family to return to Longbourn to spare her any further shame, but before she could do so, she once again heard the same kind of regard that welcomed Mr. Darcy echo across the room. This time, however, the noise was so severe, one could hardly hear themselves think.

  Elizabeth looked through the crowd for any sight of her sister, Jane, and at last saw her across the dance floor. She was standing with Charlotte Lucas and they both appeared as if they had seen a spirit.

  “Charlotte, Jane,” Elizabeth said as she approached the ladies, “did something transpire in my absence?”

  Charlotte waved her handkerchief in the direction of the door, past the disagreeable gentleman from earlier, and toward another gentleman who had been surrounded by guests in the entrance.

  “Could it be?” she asked Jane. “Surely it is not!”

  Jane stood up on her toes in hopes of getting a closer look at the man. When she lowered back down, her face reflected her disappointment at how little she saw.

  “I think it is, indeed, him. But I cannot be sure. His appearance is much changed since he left Westerhall,” Jane said. Now Elizabeth knew of whom they spoke.

  “It most certainly is not Adrian Spencer. Is it, Jane?” Elizabeth asked, unsure of the answer to her own question. Lord Adrian Spencer, Baron of Westerhall, had disappeared from Hertfordshire following the death of his father, Duke Felton Spencer. The Duke was a hard, cruel man and Elizabeth heard her mother passing along the rumor that the death of the old man came as a relief to the household. But mere days after Duke Spencer’s death, as soon as his sister Rebecca returned to her boarding school in Reading, Adrian Spencer was gone. Elizabeth could not be sure, but she believed that the whole sordid affair transpired a year prior or perhaps more.

  Charlotte was the first to answer, as Jane continued her attempt to see Lord Spencer through the crowd.

  “It most certainly is, Lizzy. Though he appears as if he has been somewhere much more pleasant for his time away. He looks quite healthy, does he not?”

  Elizabeth could not help but notice the pink of his cheeks and the sparkle in his pale blue eyes. He was tall with handsome, yet delicate features and before long, the gentleman drew every female eye away from the haughty Mr. Darcy. While she could appreciate that Lord Spencer was of a most appealing sort, she did not wish to clash with the other ladies for a scrap of attention. Such behavior did not appeal to Elizabeth in the least. Instead, she found her mother sitting with the other elder ladies and joined them instead.

  “Elizabeth! I was only just speaking of you. I told them that you were talking to Mr. Darcy, were you not? Did he ask you to dance?”

  Elizabeth was forced to maintain a smile, though she was feeling anything but happy.

  “He did not, mama. Nor shall I ever accept such an offer from the man. He is a rude, coarse...”

  Mrs. Bennet gestured at Elizabeth to quiet herself, as she had at last caught a glimpse of Lord Adrian Spencer.

  “The prodigal son returns! If the rumors are true, India appears to have suited him quite nicely. Did you happen to hear what took him to India so soon after the untimely death of his father?”

  Elizabeth’s attention returned to her mother at the mention of India. She had yet to meet anyone who travelled anywhere quite so far away, though her father often talked of the country from his reading.

  “Did he really? Are you sure he was India, mama?” Elizabeth asked with excitement. Mrs. Lucas nodded, though she kept her voice low, as if someone were listening to their conversation, something Elizabeth believed to be highly unlikely.

  “I cannot say with any certainty that this is the truth, but I was told by another that Duke Spencer was involved in some villainous dealings there. After his death, his poor son was made to go to India and save their estate from financial ruin. Can you imagine?”

  Elizabeth could not imagine and was quite sure that whatever the ladies heard was false. Yet, if she said such a thing, her mother would be aghast and Elizabeth would never hear the end of it.

  “If you would excuse me,” she said with as much of a playful disposition as she could summon, then departed for a quiet corner of the room. While she derived much joy from seeing her sisters have fun, especially Jane who danced twice with the distinguished Mr. Bingley, she preferred the peace that she derived from listening to the music and drinking a glass of negus.

  After much searching, Elizabeth at last discovered a room where she might be alone and made quick work of setting a spot for herself in a chair by the fire. She became so lost in the dance of the fire and her own thoughts over that Mr. Darcy’s unpleasant behavior that she never heard the sound of footsteps approaching slowly behind her.

  “I hope I am not disturbing you, Miss Bennet, but I saw you creep away and was immediately envious of the quiet you found. Would you be offended if I joined you?”

  Elizabeth felt compelled to stand up at the sight of Lord Adrian Spencer though she could not have said why.

  “Of course,” she said as she gestured to a chair next to her. “I would be most honored, Lord Spencer.”

  He took his seat and Elizabeth did the same, as if she were in the company of the King. The gentleman laughed with an air of gentility that she found to be quite comforting, as if he were an old friend.

  “Please, Miss Bennet, you must refer to me as Adrian. I have yet to acquaint myself once again with the niceties of English society and prefer to be less formal when at all possible.”

  Elizabeth was quite surprised at his request but found it charming all the same.

  “Only if you call me Elizabeth,” she responded, unable to hide the blush that was creeping up her neck and toward her cheeks. “Are you hiding from the rest of the assembly for the quiet or simply for the company? I would be hard pressed to believe that latter.”

  “The company would be reason enough. Yet, I did have a reason for seeking you out. I heard from your sister, Jane, I believe, that you are quite the fan of literature? I have few friends who share my own ardent appetite for reading, thus I thought that perhaps I might come by Longbourn tomorrow to discuss your favorite novels. Would that be possible?”

  At first, Elizabeth was quite unsure of how to answer. Was it possible that Adrian Spencer, a baron of one of the most exquisite estates in all of England, was actually interested in speaking to her about literature? What could it mean? She had no idea how long she had been sitting there silent when Adrian leaned forward as he waited for an answer.

  “Elizabeth? If it would be a burden to you, of course I would…”

  She did not allow him to finish his sentence, for fear he might change his mind.

  “It would be no burden at all! We would
be happy to have you, of course. If you come to Longbourn in the afternoon, we can visit the library and then I am sure my mother would be pleased if you would stay for tea.”

  Lord Spencer stood from his chair with a wide smile and once again, Elizabeth followed him to his feet like a loyal subject of his kingdom.

  “I look forward to it with great pleasure! Now, if you will excuse me, Elizabeth, I must return to the assembly so I might bid a good night to my school friends. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”

  Adrian and Elizabeth walked back to the assembly where all at once, every eye was upon them. When the gentleman took her hand and gave it a quick kiss, she was quite sure she heard the whole of the room as it engaged in a common gasp. Elizabeth thought she might even have seen Mr. Darcy’s eyes widen in jealous surprise. The last thing she saw before Darcy, Bingley, and Lord Spencer left the assembly room was Mr. Darcy as he turned around and watched her, up until the absolute last moment he was able.

  Elizabeth did not understand what Darcy’s actions meant, but for the moment, she was content to let her mind center on Lord Adrian Spencer, and what his visit meant. Could such a proper gentleman truly be interested in a girl such as her?

  Chapter 2

  “Mr. Bennet! Mrs. Hill! Where has everyone gone? Elizabeth! It is your doing that Lord Adrian Spencer is coming to our home but you have yet to lift a finger to assist me making this house look proper. We have never had a gentleman as elegant and proper as he at Longbourn, yet I cannot find a single daughter willing to help. It is as if the lot of you went to town and left me to welcome Lord Spencer alone,” Mrs. Bennet yelled at such a volume, Elizabeth thought that they must be able to hear her all the way at Netherfield. Since the moment the evening before when Elizabeth told her mother that Lord Spencer would be visiting her the next day, Mrs. Bennet had run throughout Longbourn like a fox only a tail away from a hound.

  Elizabeth watched in silence for as long as she was able before, to her sisters’ great delight, at last she stood in her mother’s path to prevent her further movement.

  “Mama, please. While I know that you wish for Adrian,” Elizabeth covered her mouth and feigned a cough to hide her informal use of the gentleman’s name, “Lord Spencer to find Longbourn agreeable, there is nothing more you can do. You worked Mrs. Hill to fatigue. Kitty and Lydia have taken to their room until the gentleman arrives. I do believe the time has come for you to rest your feet in the sitting room with papa and allow me to complete the final touches. Will you?”

  Mrs. Bennet surveyed her daughter with suspicion, yet Elizabeth could see that the weariness of her mother’s bones was far greater than her cross disposition. With a resigned breath of air, Mrs. Bennet took her place across from her husband and before a moment had passed, she struggled to remain awake. Elizabeth was about to fetch a cup of tea for her mother when Jane gestured for her sister to join her with haste in the kitchen. She had hardly set foot in the room when Jane pulled her nearer the fire so no one would hear them speak.

  “Lizzy, do you believe that Lord Spencer is coming to Longbourn because he wishes to court you?” Jane asked, her cheeks red from nervousness.

  Elizabeth could scarcely hide her shock, though it would be a lie to say she had not considered the possibility more than once. Still, she knew that it was far more important for Jane to marry first and, in spite of her mother’s excitement, Elizabeth did not want to draw attention from her dearest sister. Even if she felt a bit of excitement at the prospect of a man of Adrian’s consequence expressing interest in her, Elizabeth intended at least to center her mother’s matrimonial anxiety on Mr. Bingley.

  She was only just about to find her mother and explain all of this to her when the sound of hooves out front announced Lord Spencer’s arrival. All at once, the entire household came to attention. Even Mrs. Hill woke from her slumber and hurried to the door as if she had been in the front room the whole time. When the door opened, it was as if every female eye at Longbourn became clouded over with affection for the handsome gentleman. Elizabeth only realized that they had all been staring when her father stepped forward to welcome Adrian.

  “Lord Spencer, welcome to Longbourn. We are most honored to have you in our home. Would you like some tea? Perhaps a few of Mrs. Hill’s famous biscuits?”

  Adrian looked in Elizabeth’s direction and she nodded that he did, indeed, want the biscuits. They were delicious and even better than her cakes, which were themselves adored. Once Mrs. Hill disappeared into the kitchen to prepare a tray, Elizabeth led Lord Spencer into the library where they could escape the curious eyes of her sisters and mother. It was with great disappointment that she was forced to follow the rules of decorum and leave the library doors open so that her father could chaperone her time with Adrian. Perhaps after this first visit, Mr. Bennet might allow her to ask Jane to be her chaperone instead.

  Elizabeth and Adrian took their seats by the fire, where Lord Spencer reached into his riding bag and handed her a beautiful new book. She did not know the author but the first line of the poem alone drew her interest as soon as she read it:

  “Harp of the North! that mouldering long hast hung

  On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan's spring

  And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung,

  Till envious ivy did around thee cling,

  Muffling with verdant ringlet every string…”*

  She paused at the end of the reading and looked back to Lord Spencer in awe.

  “This is beautiful. Is it the book you are reading presently?” she asked, turning the book over in her hands to feel the newness of it beneath her fingers. Adrian smiled with a bit of mischief and shook his head.

  “I finished it some time ago. I thought you might appreciate it. The alternative being it remains in the dusty library shelves in Westerhall, appreciated by no one. Will you accept it as a gift?”

  Elizabeth felt her heart swell at even the thought of hiding away in her room with this lovely new book and reading it over and over again. For a moment, she forgot Lord Spencer was even in the room. Then, she heard him clear his throat as he leaned in her direction.

  “I will take your silence as an answer in the affirmative?”

  “Yes! Oh, I am sorry. Yes, thank you, Adrian. It is a lovely gift. I will treasure it. Was it a gift given to you as well?”

  He shook his head as he reached for a cup of tea that was delivered by Mrs. Hill only a moment before.

  “It was not. I got it when I was attending Cambridge. It has been one of my favorites since it was first released. I collected many books during my time there, enough to fill our library twice over, I am afraid.”

  Elizabeth tried her utmost not to laugh but she did so in spite of her efforts.

  “That sounds like quite a lovely problem to have. And did you…” she paused before she continued, for fear her next question might frighten him away. But she knew she must ask it. “Did you go to India as part of your education?”

  For only the briefest moment, Adrian’s face showed an expression of the slightest panic, but it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.

  “India, I fear, is a story for another time, my dear Miss Bennet. I wish I could stay on to discuss this further, but I must depart for Westerhall to attend to some business there. May I have your permission to write you?”

  Elizabeth was surprised at the suddenness of his departure, but it was as if even the mention of India were enough to startle him away, like he was a frightened hare in the meadow. She followed the gentleman to the front door and joined her family to bid him adieu, though she remained surprised that he left them so soon after arriving. She was only just about to ask Jane to join her in the privacy of their room when Jane approached her first.

  “Lizzy, might you join me upstairs for a moment?” Jane asked. Their mother let out a sharp, dissatisfied breath of air.

  “It seems everyone is quite the rush today. I wish I had gone into town to shop for fabric instead of expending
so much energy making the house suitable for a lord!”

  As they rushed up to their room, Elizabeth saw the look of annoyance on Mrs. Hill’s face at her mother’s absence of appreciation and she knew she would have to speak to her mother about it before dinner. When Jane shut the door behind them, Elizabeth intended to bring up her strange conversation with Lord Spencer in due course but Jane was in no mood to wait.

  “Lizzy! You must tell me at once! What did he say to you? What did you say to him?”

  The rush of questions caused Elizabeth to laugh in spite of herself.

  “Dear, Jane! I can not recall you ever having been quite so anxious to hear of a simple conversation before.”

  Jane sat by the window and raised her hands in a gesture of desperation.

  “Surely, there must be some story to tell. He left so soon after arriving! Lord Spencer appeared to be a touch uneasy when ran out the door. Did he say something that gave you a clue as to his strange demeanor?”

  Elizabeth sat on her bed and shook her head at her sister in fatigue. She had no idea how she might end this conversation, but as she had no answer to any of her sister’s questions, there was little she could do to further it either.

  “He said nothing, Jane! I asked him about his time in India, he gave no answer, and then he said he must go.”

  Jane’s eyes grew wide at the mention of India.

  “That must have been it! What might he have done in India that could be so terrible to upset him so? Whatever it is, we must not speak of it. So many in Meryton wish to spread rumors about him and he seems to be too good a man to allow that to happen. Do you not agree?”

  Elizabeth, of course, agreed, but her confirmation of her sister’s proposition was not enough to cease the conversation. Jane continued on, though Elizabeth heard little that she said. Instead, she tried to imagine all of the business that Adrian could conduct in India. Was it possible for any of those businesses to cause him disquiet? Most significantly, what did India mean to him now that he had returned to Meryton…