Pride and Presumption

Lelia M. Silver

 

Chapter 1

Pemberley Creek, Montana 1889

Lizzie Bennet smoothed her hand down the front of her shirtwaist, as much to stifle the butterflies in her stomach as to smooth any wrinkles that might have appeared in the scant amount of time it had taken her to walk the few blocks with her family to the annual autumn town dance.

Her youngest sisters, Kitty and Lydia, made a beeline for the young cowboys hovering near the punch bowl, giggling and tittering behind their hands as they approached.

A squeal of excitement warned her a moment before Mama squeezed Lizzie’s face between her hands. “Oh Lizzie! The hopes I have for my girls tonight! Be a dear and keep your opinions to yourself for one night. This is my chance to get a courting man for one of you girls and I don’t want you ruining Jane’s chances. Lord knows your father’s practice isn’t enough to support the lot of you forever.” She cast a fond glance at her eldest daughter, who had been immediately swept into the dancing by one of the ranch hands in town for the night. “I know she cannot be so beautiful for nothing.”

Lizzie gently disengaged her mother’s fingers from her face. “I will do what I can, Mama.” Catching sight of her next youngest sister from the corner of her eye, she said, “Oh dear, I do believe Mary is slipping away to corner the parson again. Perhaps…”

She got no further before her mother spun on her heels. “Oh no she doesn’t! No daughter of mine will elude the dance floor tonight!” The freight train that was Mrs. Bennet took off after her wayward daughter, scattering dancers in her wake and leaving Lizzie to breathe a sigh of relief. Her father caught her eye across the crowded dance hall and dropped her a wink, bringing an answering grin to her lips.

“Lizzie!”

Lizzie spun with a squeal to embrace her good friend Charlotte. “Charlotte! How capital to see you in town!”

“Did you hear the news? Papa insisted we come to town to meet the new rancher. His land adjoins ours. Rumor has it he is from back east and he’s brought a rich friend, to boot!”

Lizzie laughed. “Now you sound like Mama, Charlotte, making up stories about rich and handsome men for us all to wed.”

Charlotte giggled. “I never said he was handsome, only that he was rich. Wouldn’t it be a boon if he was both though?” She sighed. “It is too bad Jane is so beautiful, for I will never have a chance to snag a husband until she is spoken for.”

Lizzie squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “You are beautiful, Charlotte, and one day some young man is going to take notice of it and sweep you off your feet, mark my words.”

Her friend dipped her head and shrugged, her ready smile taking only a moment more to reappear. “I would rather be swept off my feet onto the dance floor right now. Come on! Let’s dance.” She grabbed Lizzie’s hand and pulled her in the direction of the cowboys lining the walls, where they would be sure to find a partner.

*****

Fitzwilliam Darcy did not dance. If it had not been for the light in his good friend Charles’ eyes at the invitation, he would still be happily ensconced with a good book in his study at the ranch house. He ran a finger under the collar that felt a little too tight as he reined in the pair of bays pulling his buggy outside the town hall.

Caroline Bingley smirked at him as he jumped down to tie up the horses. “How provincial. I never thought to see the day when you would handle your own team, Darcy.”

Darcy ignored her, fiddling with the horses’ blankets while Charles helped his sister down. He found that Caroline rarely needed any response to her running commentary and biting remarks. Anything he might say would only encourage her.

Around them, the locals streamed in to the warm glow of the dance hall, the nip in the air hurrying their steps. The town was abuzz with excitement. His foreman had informed him it was a much anticipated annual occurrence, and if he wanted to maintain his current staff he had better ensure they had the night off. Darcy had obliged. He knew the value of good morale, especially when he could already feel winter closing in on them in the biting wind that had chased them all the way from the ranch.

The horses were settled. Caroline and Charles waited impatiently on the boardwalk for him to finish. He could delay no longer. He tugged on his collar one more time, taking care to step on to the boardwalk beside Charles so Caroline could not latch on to his arm like she was wont to do. For all her disparaging comments about life in Montana compared to back east, she seemed determined to convince him she fit into the role of a rancher’s wife. He was equally as determined to see her sent back home.

A man needed to prove his own worth and success to himself before he could even think of taking a wife.

A fiddle hummed a lively tune as they stepped through the doors, the bow flying faster than the eye could see. The jaunty tune was almost enough to bring a smile to his lips until the fiddler put down his bow, dancers halted mid-step, and every person in the room turned to stare.

Darcy took a step back, casting about for any spot that might provide a bit of camouflage from the throngs. If Charles had not been smiling beside him, he would have turned and made a beeline for his buggy. He hated to be the center of attention. Caroline on the other hand, preened under the scrutiny, lifting a hand to pat her upswept hair and casting a superior smirk on those gathered around her.

Mr. William Lucas, Darcy’s nearest neighbor, hurried forward. “Mr. Darcy! I am so glad you were able to make it to our little gathering. Do allow me to introduce you around.” He jerked his head at the fellow with the fiddle and the music started up again, the attendees slowly moving back into their places in the dance and resuming their conversations.

Darcy nodded sharply, still feeling the curious eyes upon him and aware of his name being whispered behind open fans. “Mr. Lucas, how good to see you. Please allow me to introduce my friend Charles Bingley and his sister Caroline. I believe I informed you of their imminent arrival earlier this week.”

The older man bobbed his head up and down and put his hand out eagerly. “Sure, sure. I am so glad your travels led you here safely.”

Charles shook the offered hand just as eagerly. “As am I. I am quite enamored with the beautiful countryside and your quaint town. I have never seen anything quite like it.”

Caroline sniffed. “Quaint is the correct word for it.”

Thankfully the appearance of a young lady at Mr. Lucas’ elbow prevented any of them from having to come up with an appropriate response. He acknowledged her with a fond smile. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. and Miss Bingley, this is one of my daughters, Maria Lucas.” He gestured toward the dancers. “My eldest, Charlotte, is dancing just there.”

Darcy caught a glimpse of dark hair and dimples before the dance moved on and the couple was lost to his sight.

He glanced back at his neighbor and found Maria Lucas staring at him unabashedly. To his horror, she fluttered her lashes at him. “Mrs. Bennet says that every single young man in possession of his fortune must be in want of a wife. Did you come here to find a wife, Mr. Darcy?”

At that moment, several things happened simultaneously. Caroline turned red and looked on the brink of a fit of apoplexy. William Lucas gave an embarrassed laugh and shushed his daughter, shooting Darcy an apologetic look. Charles chuckled good-naturedly, while Darcy felt all the color drain from his face. Someone bumped into him from behind, knocking him off balance. He stumbled and then caught the young lady who had run into him by the elbow, barely managing to keep them both on their feet.

She blushed hotly, pulling away from his grasp before he had time to process the surge of electricity that darted through his fingers at their touch. “I do beg your pardon, sir. My mother was not watching where she was going.”

The glare she sent to the matron peering innocently at him over her shoulder was enough to convince him she was serious. She started to move away, but her mother held her in place with a firm hand on her shoulder. “Lizzie, don’t be rude. We must introduce ourselves. My dear Mr. Lucas, will you do the honors?”

William Lucas cleared his throat. “Certainly Mrs. Bennet. Darcy, may I present Mrs. Bennet and her daughter, Elizabeth Bennet? Mr. Bennet is our town physician. Lizzie is known to assist him if you ever have need of his services.”

Mrs. Bennet? The same Mrs. Bennet that Maria Lucas had just quoted? Darcy nearly groaned aloud. What had he gotten himself into? Somehow, Darcy managed to respond civilly, lapsing into silence when Charles, in his typically charming way, began plying the women with questions about the local area.

Darcy found his gaze wandering back to the young lady who had run into him. Lizzie Bennet. Russet curls teased her cheeks and the nape of her neck. Lively brown eyes were currently flashing fire at her mother. Whatever her mother’s plans, the young lady had no designs upon his person. Darcy wondered at the disappointment that tempered his relief. Why would he be disappointed that the young lady in question had no interest in marrying him?

She was uncommonly beautiful, in a very common way. Her gaze was a little too direct, the curve of her cheek a little too round to designate her a great beauty among society as he knew it. Yet, there was something in the width of her smile and the sparkle in her eyes that made it nearly impossible for him to look away.

“Darcy?”

Darcy snapped back to attention, noticing for the first time the quizzical look Charles had aimed his way. He cleared his throat. “As you were saying, Charles?”

“I was just telling Mrs. Bennet how delighted we would be to accept her dinner invitation soon.”

Darcy swallowed hard. He really should have been paying better attention. Now he was roped into a dinner invitation he would never have accepted on his own. Charles was too nice to come up with a plausible excuse, but Darcy would be sure something came up before the appointed day. “That is a very generous offer, Mrs. Bennet. I would hate to impose on your family.”

Mrs. Bennet beamed at him. “It’s no imposition. None at all! Indeed, it is our pleasure! With five daughters at home, what are a few more around the dinner table?”

Darcy nearly choked. Five daughters! What had Charles gotten them into? He knew a matchmaking mama when he saw one and Mrs. Bennet was most definitely on the prowl. With five daughters to marry off, what mother would not be? He hurriedly put space between him and the lovely Lizzie Bennet. The arch look she shot him told him she knew exactly what he was doing, but when she did not move to close the gap, he could almost believe he had found an unlikely ally.

Mrs. Bennet did not appear to notice. She was pointing out another of her daughters to Charles. “There is my Jane. She is the most beautiful girl in the room, is she not? There is not a young lady in Montana who can rival her. Mr. Bennet and I have high hopes for her.” She winked, actually winked, at Charles. Darcy could have sworn his collar was a noose tightening around his neck. He tugged at the fabric, wishing he was anywhere but there at the moment.

Charles just smiled. “I hope I will have the honor of partnering your Jane in a dance this evening. I do so enjoy a good dance. Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of joining me now?”

Lizzie graced Charles with a smile that stole Darcy’s breath. The fire in her eyes turned to joy. Dimples bracketed her mouth as she accepted the hand he offered her. “I would love to.”

Darcy could feel Mrs. Bennet’s eyes settling on him. He had no desire to be the focus of her attention. He hurried to speak before she could. “Mr. Lucas, can I impose on you to introduce me to some of the other landowners in the area?”

Mr. Lucas looked almost as relieved as he. “Absolutely.” Darcy excused himself from the ladies, refusing to feel guilty for leaving Caroline Bingley to Mrs. Bennet, despite the glare she shot him when he turned to follow Mr. Lucas. An essential part of becoming a part of the community was getting to know the neighbors. That was even more important out here in Montana, where your neighbors might be the only help available for miles or even hours.

Away from the ladies, time passed quickly. Darcy enjoyed talking of cattle and horses, crops, hay, and the weather with the other ranchers. Among these men he did not have to worry about the social niceties or whether there were any designs upon his person. They were all equals, struggling to cull a living from the land, some more successfully than others.

Charles caught him at the refreshment table as he was picking up a glass of lemonade. “I say, old chap, this has been the most delightful evening. I have been dancing with the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance.”

Darcy glanced at him from the corner of his eye as he picked up a glass. There was no point in encouraging him. Charles was only visiting at this point, although he had expressed an interest in purchasing his own property nearby. He moved off to the side, putting his back to the dancers so he wouldn’t have to see the angry glares the mamas were sending his way. “You don’t say.”

Charles nodded vigorously, ignoring the refreshments to take up a spot next to him along the wall. “I never met the like of Jane Bennet in all the parlors and ballrooms I was welcomed in back east. She is not just beautiful, either. She’s kind and sweet and…and I am so glad we accepted that invitation to dinner this week! I am quite convinced that I could be content to settle in this little piece of paradise.” He clapped Darcy on the back, nearly spilling his lemonade.

Darcy grinned wryly. “You have hardly been here long enough to determine whether you could be content here. One winter storm might change your mind.”

Charles grinned. “With that face across the table from me, I think a winter storm might be a nice diversion.” He sobered. “But what about you? I have not seen you out on the dance floor once. Is there no young lady who has caught your eye? Jane’s sister, Lizzie is quite pretty as well, second only to her sister. Perhaps you might ask her to dance?”

Darcy stiffened, his fingers clenching around his glass. Charles knew he didn’t dance. He had been there the fateful day that decision had been made. It was surely a sign of his infatuation with the lovely Miss Bennet that he even brought up the topic now.

“She is not pretty enough to tempt me,” he said coldly.

A gasp behind him whipped his head around. There, with a glare to rival his own, stood Lizzie Bennet. And she had obviously heard every word he said.

*****

How dare he!

Lizzie narrowed her eyes at him and then whirled to stalk away. As if she would have danced with him if he had asked her! Of all the pompous, arrogant-

“Miss Bennet!”

She ignored his call. Let him make a fool of himself in front of the whole town. She had no intention of acknowledging him. His friend Charles Bingley might be a dear man who had spent the entire evening dancing with her favorite sister and making her blush, but Mr. Darcy had just sealed her dislike of him.

Lizzie strode directly for the door. Her temper was too hot to answer her mother’s questions, too hot to respond to Jane’s gentle admonition or even Charlotte’s commiseration. She had barely gotten far enough outside to feel the cool breeze on her overheated cheeks before a hand on her elbow swung her around.

“Unhand me!” She twisted out of Darcy’s grasp.

He rocked back on his heels, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I beg your pardon.”

She glared at him. “For what? Manhandling me just now or hurling insults at me a moment ago?”

He drew himself up straight, frown returning. “I am not accustomed to apologizing.”

She snorted, folding her arms over her chest. “That much is obvious. I am sure you find it beneath you.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. It seemed his temper, although well hidden, was rising to match her own. “I was raised to offer an apology when it is deserved. I just rarely deem it deserved.”

“Your pride does you no favors with me.”

“Perhaps you could accept an apology with goodwill if you had not already become prejudiced against me.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And just whose fault would that be?”

Her words brought a begrudging smile to Darcy’s face. “Touché, madam.”

Lizzie dropped her arms, his reaction taking the wind from her sails. Why did that smile make her feel like the earth beneath her feet was suddenly unstable? “Excuse me?”

“You are right. I deserved that set down. I am sorry. I did not mean to malign your charms. I should have reminded Charles that I do not dance instead of bringing you into the discussion. My only defense is that it has been a most trying night and I am not at my best. I don’t like crowds.”

Lizzie almost did not know how to respond. She floundered for words for a few moments before she cocked her head and eyed him with interest. “You don’t dance? Why in the world not?”

Darcy suppressed his groan. Of everything he had said, why had she focused in on that statement? “It is a long story and not one I particularly care to share, especially with a new acquaintance.”

She grinned and Darcy had to shake himself free from the magnetism of her smile. The flash of those dimples made it hard to look away.

“That’s a very pretty way of telling me to mind my own business.”

He just raised an eyebrow in response. She sighed. “Very well. You can keep your secrets for now. But be forewarned. I have four sisters. I am an expert at foraging out secrets.”

“I am more concerned with the matter at hand. I offered you an apology. Are you going to accept it?”

She studied him silently, an inscrutable look on her face. Then she stepped forward and touched him lightly on the arm. “Apology accepted. In the future, you might choose to think before you speak. Not all in this town will be as forgiving as I am.”

He nodded, accepting her warning, and she slipped past him to rejoin the crowd inside. He did not immediately follow her. Elizabeth Bennet was a most intriguing woman. He did not quite know what to make of their conversation. Rarely did anyone speak to him so freely or dare to challenge him. Even Charles, who he considered his best friend, preferred to avoid conflict with him. Yet, he found he rather enjoyed going toe to toe with Elizabeth. His sister, Georgiana, would have said he’d met his match. He rather thought it more likely he had finally found his equal.

The chill in the air started to seep through his jacket. He turned to go back inside. He glanced around as he entered, but no one seemed to notice his reappearance. Hopefully, that meant he had done a good enough job discouraging interest in him as he had made his rounds among the menfolk. Charles had gone back to dancing with Lizzie’s older sister. Darcy shook his head as he leaned against the wall and crossed one foot over the the other. Charles could make friends wherever he went. His easy going personality and charming grin made him easy to approach and well liked. Darcy wasn’t jealous, at least not most of the time.

Tonight, he envied Charles his ease with people. Darcy did not enjoy always being on the outside looking in at gatherings like this, but he didn’t know how to change it. It did not look like Charles would be ready to leave any time soon, so that meant he was stuck.

Across the room, trapped in conversation with Mrs. Bennet, Caroline glared at him. He wasn’t sure if that was because she had seen him follow Lizzie Bennet outside or because he hadn’t come over to rescue her from her companions. He pretended not to see, turning his attention to the dessert table instead. At least there was always good food at these types of these events. Having spent the last few weeks attempting to cook his own meals while he interviewed for a new housekeeper, it was a perk he was prepared to enjoy.

*****

Charlotte handed Lizzie a glass of lemonade as they watched Darcy rejoin the gathering. “So what do you make of our Mr. Darcy?”

Lizzie sipped the lemonade. “He is hardly our Mr. Darcy. In truth, I’m not sure what to make of him. He is nothing like I expected. One moment his arrogance and pride infuriates me and then the next he’s ingratiating himself back into my good graces.”

“He’s earned some of that arrogance and pride. Papa said he’s done very well for himself, both back east and on his ranch out here.”

“Making something of himself does not excuse his poor behavior. Just because he is wealthy doesn’t mean he can’t be kind and gracious. Just look at Mr. Bingley.” She gestured at Charles, who had his head bent close to Jane’s as they talked. She sighed. “Now that is a relationship I can get behind.”

“They do make a beautiful couple,” Charlotte agreed. “I only hope she acts quickly to scoop him up before his sister can interfere and drag him back home.”

Lizzie grinned. “I think his sister has her eyes set on sticking around.” She nodded toward Darcy who had realized that Caroline had managed to extricate herself from her conversation with Mrs. Bennet and was headed his way. He glanced around as if seeking a means of escape. She took perverse pleasure in watching him sweat.

Charlotte laughed. “I think you might be right. Should we rescue him?”

Lizzie drained her lemonade and set her glass back on the table. “Not this time. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy needs a little taste of his own medicine. I’m going to go check on Kitty and Lydia and make sure they haven’t gotten into trouble. I haven’t seen them in awhile and that’s not normally a good sign.”

She took a last look at Darcy. Caroline had him cornered. Lizzie ignored the twinge of guilt that speared through her. Darcy had earned her forgiveness earlier but he still had a lot to learn before he earned her respect.

*****

Lizzie hung her dress on its peg in the room she shared with Jane and slipped her nightgown over her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dance so much.”

She turned in time to see her sister smile as she slid into the bed. Jane drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed an evening more. Oh, Lizzie! Do you think he really liked me?”

“How can you even ask? He spent the entire evening at your side!” Lizze plopped down on the bed at Jane’s feet.

“That’s not entirely true,” Jane protested with a giggle. “He danced one dance with Charlotte and one with his sister.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “Only because he was trying to be polite. He never took his eyes off you the entire time you were apart.”

Jane’s smile faded. “If only he wasn’t returning to New York so soon. He will forget me soon enough once he is back among debutantes and high society. I can’t compete with those women.”

Lizzie leaned forward to hug her. “You don’t need to. If he can’t see the treasure right in front of him, he doesn’t deserve you, Jane.” She sat back and smiled. “Let’s just hope Mother doesn’t drive him away before he gets to know you.”

Jane giggled. “I can’t wait until they come to dinner. Oh, but I forgot!” She stopped short, covering her mouth with her hands. “Mr. Darcy will be coming with them. I still can’t believe what he said about you! That was not the action of a gentleman.”

“No it was not.” Lizzie scooted over on the bed to slide under the covers next to Jane. “Still, I think I would have found it easier to forgive his pride if he hadn’t wounded mine.”

She grinned as Jane giggled.

“I will give him the chance to redeem himself this at dinner. It will be most interesting to see how he handles himself with Mother and all the girls. I don’t think he even had the chance to meet Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.”

“That will be a true test of the man,” Jane agreed with a sigh. “I hope Mama doesn’t embarrass us too much.”

“I think that is her aim in life,” Lizzie said with a wry twist of her lips. She snuggled down into the bed, feeling the weight of sleep tugging on her eyelids. “I don’t know how she expects us to find husbands when she seems determined to run off every decent man we come into contact with.”

Jane yawned and turned on to her side, pulling the covers over her shoulder. “Perhaps Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy will be braver than we give them credit for.”

Lizzie let her eyes slide closed as Jane’s breathing evened out.

She didn’t doubt the men’s courage. It took a daring man to brave the Montana range. If they could survive a dinner with her family, it was their sanity she would doubt.

 

© 2020 All Rights Reserved Lelia M. Silver