Pax, the Canine Cupid

9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Elizabeth took in a breath and let it go slowly. Blowing the air past her pursed lips in a determined way, she attempted to release some of her fear and anger at what had occurred before she spoke. It helped that she was nestled so comfortably into Mr. Darcy’s side. He smelled of fall air and some spice that she could not identify. His presence both soothed her and inspired something within her that she could not yet identify. She would have to analyze it later, though. Mr. Wickham had to be dealt with first.

Taking another calming breath, Elizabeth said, “Mr. Wickham was not happy with the fact that I was not taken in by his lies.”

“Lies! Darcy, you have to believe me. I did nothing but greet Miss Elizabeth before her dog jumped me. She is only trying to protect her dog from being seen as the dangerous menace that he is.”

All eyes looked at Pax. He was at the moment sitting in the lane between Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham, looking as if he did not have a care in the world. Tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, he seemed to be smiling and looking back at Elizabeth with adoration, his tail wagging. When Mr. Wickham screeched, “He is a monster that needs to be put down!” Pax faced him and gave a warning bark. Mr. Wickham’s yelp had Elizabeth almost wanting to laugh, but she only shook her head at him instead.

Mr. Darcy tighten his hold about Elizabeth before saying, “I would sooner believe the dog Wickham. I know your predilections well. The state of Miss Elizabeth alone condemns you. The fact that her dog saw the need to restrain you until help arrived tells me just how badly you acted this time.”

Mr. Wickham had not tried to get up off the ground and had instead been clutching his wounded wrist to his chest. “Restrain! He savaged my wrist and shoulder.”

This time, Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke up. “Wickham, if that dog had wanted you dead, you would be. Now on your feet. I think it is time you finally faced the piper.”

Fitzwilliam gripped him by his good shoulder and pulled him to his feet. “I tell you, I did nothing.”

“Then why is Miss Elizabeth favoring her right arm?” Mr. Darcy’s voice was hard. Its edge seemed to be designed to cut like a knife. As she listened to him speak, Elizabeth could hear the tension in his voice and feel the rigidness in his posture. Was all of this emotion on her behalf? How had she ever thought him cold and unfeeling? Then he said, “I can see that her sleeve is torn. Just how angry did you get, Wickham?”

Elizabeth wondered if his tendency to suppress his emotions stemmed from feeling things too deeply. Did he conceal his emotions to shield his tender heart? A tiny flash of emotion seemed to respond to his defense of her. With each breath she took, the flame within her grew stronger. There was a connection between her and Mr. Darcy that she was eager to fuel. She was not sure yet what it would lead to, but she wanted to find out.

Before she could think better of it, she volunteered the information he was looking for by saying, “He was not at all happy when I told him what I thought of him and his obvious lies. He grabbed me by the arm and jerked me around a bit before Pax returned and took umbrage with his assault.” Elizabeth was quick to note the way his hand flexed on her back as she spoke of Mr. Wickham’s assault.

With a seemingly cheerful tone that betrayed a sinister undertone, the colonel remarked, “I suppose we can't just let you bleed out.” Glaring at Mr. Wickham, the colonel looked over his wounds and, after a moment, reached out and tore a strip of fabric from Mr. Wickham’s shirt and began wrapping his wrist. When it looked as if Mr. Wickham was going to complain, a hard glare from the colonel silenced him. Then Colonel Fitzwilliam was dragging the now silent Mr. Wickham over to his horse. Looking over his shoulder, he said, “I know Wickham to be a coward at heart. Pax must not have been with you when he approached.”

“You are right. I had been playing fetch with Pax and he was out of sight chasing a stick when Mr. Wickham came upon me.” Elizabeth replied, feeling slightly stupid to have allowed herself to be taken unawares without Pax at her side.

Taking out a length of rope from his saddlebags, the colonel tied one end of the rope around Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth began to wonder just what Mr. Wickham’s fate would be. It seemed that Mr. Wickham was just as curious, if not more so because he said, “What are you doing? Nothing that transpired here can be foisted on my shoulders. If you try to say anything about it, I will tell everyone that I met Miss Elizabeth for a tryst in the woods and afterwards she became upset and set her dog on me when I would not promise to marry her. Besides, you know you can do nothing to me. I hold Georgianna’s reputation in my hands.”

This warranted a swift retribution from the colonel and Mr. Wickham found himself on his knees gasping for air. Elizabeth felt that she should have been shocked by such violence, but found she did not mind seeing Mr. Wickham harmed. He had just threatened herself and apparently another girl’s reputation. A man who would sink so low did not deserve her concern.

She did, however, lean into Mr. Darcy, grateful for his strength at that moment. Observing his face, she couldn’t miss the fierce glare that etched his features. But as if sensing her gaze, he looked down at her and a gentle expression replaced the intensity. Offering a gentle smile, he said, “Do not worry, Miss Elizabeth. My cousin and I will not allow the snake to besmirch you or my sister. He has proved himself untrustworthy one-too-many times, and he has no hope of escaping consequence ever again.”

“Hear that, Wickham? Darcy is allowing me to do as I wish.” Fitzwilliam finished tying one end of the rope around Wickham’s waist before tying the other end to his saddle. With a shrug, he added, “Well, not quite as I wish, or else you would be dying slowly for the heartbreak you put Georgianna through. Instead, I get to take you to your commanding officer with the proof that you are a cheat and a scoundrel. I have proof of the debts you have left behind that Darcy has covered. It is more than enough to get you a place in any debtors’ prison I choose. Unless you would rather go to a penal colony.” Mounting his horse, Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled at Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. It seemed to Elizabeth that he was rather happy to dispense with Wickham. Though he would, wouldn’t he, if he had harmed Mr. Darcy’s sister?

Elizabeth watched Colonel Fitzwilliam tow Mr. Wickham off towards Meryton. It was an odd sight to behold. Walking behind a horse towed by a rope, shirt torn and bloody, Mr. Wickham was thoroughly bedraggled. Elizabeth could only imagine what the reaction in town would be. The last she heard of the pair before they turned the bend on the way to town was Colonel Fitzwilliam saying, “If you do not like the idea of rotting away at Marshalsea, I could be persuaded to send you to a penal colony. Have you ever heard of an animal called a kangaroo?”

As he watched his cousin leave with the man who had harmed so many people in his life that he loved, Darcy felt a certain sense of satisfaction. Wickham had fooled his father, broke his sister’s heart and attacked Miss Elizabeth. It stunned Darcy to realize that somehow Miss Elizabeth had worked her way on to the list of people he loved. It was not a very long list, but it felt so much larger with her on it.

He did not know how in a few short weeks she had become so important to him. She just had, and he would not overlook the significance of that. Darcy knew he would have to find a way to win her heart in return. He was cognizant of the fact he was not necessarily good with words or people, but he would have to find a way.

Not two seconds after he had decided to win Miss Elizabeth’s heart, he realized what an utter fool he was. Here he was waxing lyrically in his mind about the woman he loved while she was injured and in need of rest and recuperation. Rolling his eyes at his preoccupation, he looked down at her slightly dazed expression and said, “I think it is time to get you home, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Yes, I suppose that is a good idea.” She responded. Taking a step back from him, she looked up into his eyes for a moment before saying, “I want to thank you for appearing out of nowhere and coming to my aid. I was quite overwhelmed by everything when you arrived.”

It was nice to be thanked for his actions, but Darcy found he wished for so much more than gratitude from Miss Elizabeth. Regardless, he found himself saying, “If it is within my power, I will always come to your aid, Miss Elizabeth. I find that there is nothing I would not do for you.”

Watching the expression that flit across Miss Elizabeth’s face gave Darcy hope that his new quest was not an imposable one. With a subtle widening of her eyes and a small “o” forming on her lips, she showed her surprise at his statement. The initial surprise on her face swiftly gave way to a wide, joyful smile that illuminated her entire countenance. Even her eyes regained their usual sparkle that she had seemed to be absent since Wickham’s violent outburst.

Tilting her head, Miss Elizabeth bit her lip before saying, “Well, if that is the case, Mr. Darcy, would you mind escorting me home?”

“I believe you would have a problem on your hands if you had wanted me to let you walk home by yourself.” Offering his arm for her to take, Darcy was happy to note that she did not hesitate at all to take his arm.

Looking around, he spotted Agilis and whistled. It was a trick Fitzwilliam had taught his horse that had proven quite beneficial. In no time at all, his horse left the patch he was munching on and came up to him, allowing Darcy to grasp the reigns, in his free hand. They began walking together in the direction of Longbourn, the two of them followed by his horse Agilis and Pax, her horse sized dog.

For a time, no conversation was necessary. They walked in companionable silence. Eventually though Darcy noticed that Miss Elizabeth had her right arm pressed firmly to her side, and she was not moving it much at all. The reminder that she was injured brought a fire to his chest that he was not used to experiencing. Darcy was not a man who normally dealt with righteous indignation that often, but he felt it when he saw her pain.

Compelled to speak, Darcy said, “Just how much is your arm paining you, Miss Bennet?”

She looked up at him, a slight blush staining her cheeks, and quickly looking away she said, “It does not feel well at all, but I have suffered through worse in my ramblings. I will admit that I may have to have Mr. Jones the apothecary look at it, as Mr. Wickham wrenched my arm quite well. Though that was partially because Pax tackled him to the ground when he went to hit me.”

The image that she conveyed with her words had Darcy’s heart stuttering in his chest. The mere thought of Miss Elizabeth experiencing such violence at the hands of his childhood friend made him ache. He had to clear his throat before he could speak around the lump that had taken up residence there. Eventually, he said, “You will never know how much I wish I had arrived soon enough to prevent his actions.”

Tossing her head in denial, Miss Elizabeth said, “You are not responsible for his actions, Mr. Darcy. From what I understand of your relationship, I am sure you have counseled him in the past about his behavior and he did not listen.”

He could not help but say, “But-” only to be cut off by Miss Elizabeth speaking over him.

“No.” Giving his arm a squeeze, Miss Elizabeth said, “Think no more of it, Mr. Darcy. It is in the past and Mr. Wickham will soon no longer be a problem the people of England shall have to deal with. Especially if what we heard of the colonel’s comments holds true.”

Darcy sighed. He supposed it was true, but he knew that he would not find it easy to let go of the knowledge that Wickham had hurt her. Deciding that it was best to concentrate on her and not his anger, he said, “After I accompany you to Longbourn, I will go into town and ask Mr. Jones to see to you.”

“Oh, I am sure my arm is not as bad as that. If I am careful, I am sure I will recover soon enough.” Darcy could see the way that Miss Elizabeth’s nose scrunched as she spoke. It struck Darcy that many of the people he knew that acted as caregivers to others, himself included, disliked being cared for themselves. It was interesting to know that she fell into that category.

Darcy stopped and looked Miss Elizabeth in the eyes and said, “Let me.” After a moment searching her gaze, he whispered, “Please, if I may not be angry on your behalf, at least let me see to your care.” Standing so close, he couldn't help but notice her eyes dilating as he spoke, as if his words had a physical effect on her. Perchance it would not be as hard to win her heart as he had thought at first.

Darcy swallowed convulsively as he watched her lick her lips and say, “I suppose you can summon Mr. Jones to Longbourn, but I cannot promise to be the best of patients.”

Forcing himself to face the path before him, Darcy kept his gaze on Longbourn in the distance. As they walked in silence, Darcy couldn't help but notice how their movements seemed perfectly synchronized, as if they were connected by an invisible thread.

Soon enough they found themselves at Longbourn’s gates and Miss Elizabeth turned to face him. “As much I know it would be rude to turn you away here, if my mother sees you escort me home in this condition, she will cause us both any number of problems.”

“I will bow to your superior wisdom of your mother. How will you explain your condition?”

Waving him off, Miss Elizabeth said, “My mother is quick to think I am clumsy. I will let her believe I fell.”

As Miss Elizabeth spoke about her mother, Darcy couldn't help but notice the slight pursing of her lips, indicating something pained her. Although he desired greater insight, he recognized that delving into the complexities of her relationship with her mother was not suitable for the present circumstances. So instead he said, “Well then, I will go now and ask Mr. Jones to come to see to your shoulder. Tomorrow, when Bingley visits your sister, I might have to accompany him, just to ensure your recovery.”

Nodding, Miss Elizabeth blushed. “Then I will expect you. After all, I would not want you to worry.”

Darcy couldn't help but be drawn in as he watched her standing at the gate, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, her eyes gleaming with a sparkle that defied the morning's challenges. She captivated him with her very presence, yet Darcy knew that it was time to leave.

He took a step backwards, trying to will himself to move away from her. Darcy knew what he wanted to say, but he knew it was a horrible idea. He took only a few steps before retracing his path back to her side, his face contorted in discomfort as he rubbed at it and let out an audible groan. Mumbling under his breath, he said, “This is such a bad idea,” his words barely audible. Then, taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders, and he declared, “Miss Bennet, I know this may be rather premature, but I find myself craving your smile more than my next breath. Is there any way I could ever hope you would allow me to court you?”

Her breath caught in Elizabeth’s throat. Had he just said what she thought he said? This had certainly been the morning to end all mornings. Her enjoyment of the crisp morning had first been interrupted by the callous disregard of her person by Mr. Wickham. Then she was rescued by her dog, Pax, only to have Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam to come upon her in the aftermath.

Now, Mr. Darcy, her contradictory Mr. Darcy, was asking for the chance to court her. The man was so contrary. First, he insults her, but then wins over her dog. He saw to her needs at Netherfield and let her see a different side of himself at the dinner at the Lucas home. He only had to go and ask to court her. A wealthy, handsome gentleman wanted to spend time in her company so much that so that he wanted to court her. Her, Elizabeth Bennet, the impertinent daughter, he wanted to court her.

Why did his words affect her so? Had she ever been affected by any words nearly as much? She did not think so. It seemed that Pax was unhappy with the length of time she was taking to process everything, and he nudged her forward, forcing her to catch herself on the gate.

Peering up at Mr. Darcy as he waited for a response, she could see just what his honesty was costing him. Despite his stillness, there was a palpable tension in the way he held himself. As if it was taking everything that he had to hold himself together in his suspense. When her gaze met his, Elizabeth was overwhelmed by the intensity of hope that radiated from his eyes, leaving her momentarily breathless.

“Mr. Darcy, you utterly confuse me. You call me tolerable one moment, then I find that my dog loves you. Once you shed your uneasy display around strangers, I learned just how much I enjoy conversing with you. Can you comprehend the immense pleasure I derived from pitting my intelligence against yours? You did not view me as an aberration, but rather an equal. And now you ask to court me?” Elizabeth stopped speaking, horrified to find that her face was wet with tears. Not only that, but Mr. Darcy looked panic-stricken. In an attempt to calm herself, Elizabeth placed her fingers on her quivering lips before finally finding the courage to speak. “There is more than hope, Mr. Darcy. The thought of being courted by you fills me with delight. How else can I ever hope to fully puzzle you out?”

Mr. Darcy’s eyes went from panicked to jubilant in less than a blink. Blessing her with one of his rare full smiles, he said, “I do not know, Miss Elizabeth. I already know it could take a lifetime before I learned all of your marvelous facets.”

“Well, we will start with a courtship. Our lifetimes will see to themselves soon enough.” Elizabeth bit her lip after she spoke. It was quite possible that she was falling in love with the best man she had ever met, even if they had not had the best start. She knew that reality and the worries of the day would crash back down on her soon enough. Her arm still ached, and she half wondered what would happen to Mr. Wickham and how it would affect the community when they discovered his inclinations, but her worries were for another time. For now, she would bask in the joy of the moment.

Heart in his throat, Darcy restrained his desire to grab Miss Elizabeth to his chest despite the gate between them. Feeling as if he had been gifted the most precious thing imaginable, he could not help but grin at the woman of his dreams. Eventually, he managed to find the means to say, “I will speak with your father when I come to check on your recovery.” It wasn't the most articulate response he could muster, but overwhelming happiness left him at a loss for words.

When Miss Elizabeth merely smiled and nodded, he felt relieved that she was not upset by his lack of poise. They stared at each other for a moment as neither of them wanted the moment to end, but soon enough Miss Elizabeth laughed, stopping their frozen behavior. Wrinkling her nose and smiling in a way that lit up her eyes, she took a step back from the gate and turned to go into her house through what appeared to be the door to the kitchen. She gave him one last look with her hand on the handle before smiling and slipping inside. Once she was out of sight, Darcy turned back to his horse and mounted. Taking the lane toward Meryton, he urged Agilis to a canter. He had an apothecary to find.