Blackmailing Lizzy Read online

  Blackmailing Lizzy

  A Sensual Pride & Prejudice Variation

  Abbey North

  Contents

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Blurb

  The road to perdition is paved with good intentions…and unwarranted assumptions.

  Two years after his failed attempt to propose, Darcy finds himself attending the same house party as Lizzy. At first, he tries to resist the inclination to care for her again, but when he believes she is making poor choices, including privately meeting a scandalous new gentleman of their acquaintance and stealing from their host, he has to intercede. He feels compelled to save Lizzy from ruining herself, but somehow, she thinks he is blackmailing her instead. When she comes to him, prepared to give him what she thinks he wants, will he have the fortitude to clarify his intentions, or will he succumb to temptation?

  This is a Fitzwilliam-centric tale, told entirely from his point-of-view. He makes some assumptions, as does Lizzy, that leave them both possibly compromised and finally forced to confront their feelings.

  While Abbey sometimes write sweet JAFF, this story is strictly SENSUAL, with minor scenes of a mature nature.

  1

  Fitzwilliam considered he might have the most cursed luck to discover the misfortune of attending the Hennesseys’ house party on the same weekend as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her sister Kitty, his dear friend Bingley, and his wife Jane. He was accustomed to spending much time with Bingley and Jane, though there had been a breach between himself and Bingley for a time two years ago, when he tried to persuade his friend to leave his rental at Netherfield and walk away from the affection he felt for Miss Jane Bennet.

  When Bingley had refused, they hadn’t spoken for months, not until they happened to both be visiting the same haberdashery in London, Darcy for repair to a top hat, while Bingley was there to secure a hat to match the outfit for his wedding. He’d announced his plans to marry Jane with more than a hint of defiance, but Fitzwilliam had already lost the stomach for trying to prevent the match. He’d assumed it was a mistake Bingley would have to make for himself and would come to regret.

  Fortunately, Fitzwilliam now believed he’d been wrong. Jane was a sweet and humble wife, and she’d done nothing but enhance Bingley’s happiness. She was kindness itself to Darcy as well, despite knowing how he’d protested the match and tried to encourage Bingley to end it. If only her sister, Elizabeth Bennet, were as good-natured, perhaps he wouldn’t be cursing his luck to be trapped with her at the same estate for three days.

  She appeared as outwardly elegant as ever, and her manners were flawless, though he thought perhaps she laughed a little too loudly at the comments Mr. Dixon was directing her way over tea. It was unseemly, and it might encourage Mr. Dixon to think she was interested in more than she was. He was unable to explain how he’d reach that conclusion. Perhaps it was in her body language. She showed a reasonable amount of enthusiasm for engaging with Mr. Dixon, but it was no more excessive than displayed to other members of the party when she interacted with them.

  Except for him. She’d been coolness itself when they had been forced to exchange greetings earlier in the day, and now, she seemed to be making a pointed effort not to engage with him. That suited Fitzwilliam just fine. He’d gone nearly two years without seeing her, fortunately being able to schedule the time he spent at Spencer Park, Bingley and Jane’s residence, around when Lizzy might be visiting.

  It had started as a way to avoid humiliation, and now, it had become a habit. He didn’t think Bingley had picked up on his desire to avoid sharing space with Lizzy, but he was certain his friend’s perceptive wife had. Jane was always careful to mention if Lizzy was going to be in attendance during the weekend, allowing Darcy the freedom to avoid her.

  His eyes widened as he looked at her, their gazes locking for a moment before she quickly looked away. It suddenly occurred to him that perhaps Jane wasn’t extending the courtesy for his benefit, but for Miss Elizabeth’s instead. Could it be that Lizzy was determined to avoid him? But what reason she had to do that?

  His dismal visit to the Hunsford rectory suddenly returned to him, and he shifted in his seat. What a fool he had been that day. He’d gone there with the intention of proposing to Miss Bennet, having become enamored with her during his time at Netherfield and then later at Rosings park when their visits overlapped.

  There was a great deal to find undesirable about her, but it was all related to her family and not the woman herself. He’d been prepared to overlook all of that, but when he’d arrived, Elizabeth had been in fine spirits. She hadn’t even seemed all that surprised to see him, and he’d wondered what she was thinking as he sat down for tea he didn’t want.

  He suspected she hadn’t wanted to offer it either, but politeness dictated she do so. When he’d found himself inexplicably unable to utter the proposal that had been on his tongue, he found himself asking instead, “What has you in such a fine mood, Miss Bennet?”

  She’d waved around a letter, something distinctly feminine with its light pink color and floral scent. “I have just had the most wonderful news from Longbourn, Mr. Darcy.” Her eyes had gleamed, and he’d thought she was perhaps enjoying herself too much. He’d confirmed that when she said a moment later, “I doubt you will be pleased, but Mr. Bingley has offered for my sister Jane’s hand. They have set the wedding for March.”

  He had scowled, hastily sipping the too-hot tea and burning his tongue in the process. That should have helped to not say anything, but it had done nothing to blunt his irritation. “I see your sister’s machinations have been successful. Perhaps you shall be equally lucky and trap a besotted fool with a grand income each year.” He’d sounded bitter, referring to himself, though he had also been irritated with Charles’s lack of foresight and ability to detect Jane held him in no special regard.

  Predictably, Lizzy’s eyes had widened, her cheeks had flushed, and her anger was visible when she stood up, looming over him with her hands on her hips. “I do hate to be an ungracious host, but it should hardly surprise you to find I am lacking in manners, just as my family. I must ask you to go now, Mr. Darcy, before you taint this happy moment with your mere presence. I fear any further utterances from you shall be more than I can bear.”

  He’d slammed down the teacup, uncaring at the moment if he chipped the Collinses’ set, and leapt to his feet. “That suits me fine, Miss Bennet.” He’d abandoned his reason for being there. In his anger, and the heat of the moment, nothing had seemed more important than escaping the confines of the Collinses’ sitting room.

  That had been the last occasion upon which they had exchanged more than a couple of words. Due to Bingley’s graciousness and Darcy’s willingness to overlook what he’d considered his friend’s naivete at that moment, he had attended the wedding, but he and Miss Bennet had only exchanged the briefest of greetings, and she had been busy when he left early, seeing her only fleetingly for the wedding brunch.

  He eyed her now, comparing her to the Lizzy he remembered from two years ago. She was essentially the same, and his heart ached with the knowledge. For a moment, he wondered what might have happened if he hadn’t so thoroughly expressed his disapproval of Jane and Bingley’s match. If he had known how successful it would be, he would’ve kept those comments to himself. Perhaps even now, Lizzy would’ve been his wife.

  The outcome was for the best, he was certain. He had thought himself over this strange infatuation for the eminently unsuitable Bennet daughter, but just being this close to her, though across the room, was enough to make his heart thum
p faster than it had for a long time. It simply wouldn’t do to develop a renewed affection for her, so he would be sure to keep his distance.

  His eyes narrowed as Mr. Dixon moved what he considered far too close to Lizzy while he made a production of reaching for sugar on the tray to add to his tea. It was the third such breach, and Darcy wondered that the man hadn’t started to sweat sugar by this point. It was clearly a clumsy attempt to have an excuse to press much too closely to Lizzy, but she had not yet withdrawn or moved to a different seat, indicating she had no objection. He found it distasteful and decidedly lacking in breeding on both their parts.

  “Lizzy, you must come immediately.” Those words came from Kitty Bennet, who burst into the salon with clear enthusiasm and an appalling lack of decorum. That should hardly surprise him, and it did not.

  Lizzy shushed her sister as she set aside her teacup and stood up. Whatever Kitty wanted to tell her was clearly exciting, and she moved toward her sister, navigating the younger woman out of the room as they spoke. Darcy thought he heard something about horses, and he was disconcerted to realize he was listening more closely than he should.

  Mr. Dixon departed soon after, followed by a few other guests who decided to play a round of croquet on the lawn. Darcy had no interest in that, but he could go for a walk across Hennesseys’ sprawling park. He and Bertram had attended Oxford together, along with that scoundrel George Wickham, and they remained good friends to this day.

  His wife, Meredith, was the paragon of a cultured woman of her station, and if it wouldn’t risk causing offense, he would suggest to Elizabeth and Kitty Bennet that perhaps Kitty, in particular, could benefit from spending more time with a role model like that.

  He could well imagine how that advice might be taken, and he immediately rejected the idea of offering it. Even if he were to give Miss Bennet lifesaving advice, she was likely to refuse to follow it simply because she was stubborn and disliked him.

  He started walking, at first enjoying the sunlight and the breeze with no destination in mind. It just so happened that he found himself heading in the direction of the stables, entirely by coincidence.

  Perhaps he would look in on his horse and check out the others. Meredith’s horses were usually fine indeed. Perhaps he would consider buying one for Georgiana. It was a random walk, but it might as well yield a useful purpose. Otherwise, he had no reason for heading this way. No reason at all.

  He entered the stables a moment later, smelling the familiar odors of hay, mild manure that was inevitable even in a well-kept stable like this, and horse flesh. He walked down the stalls, pausing to check on Goliath. His black stallion was as robust as ever, and he seemed to be weathering his stay at the Hennesseys’ estate just fine. There was a pretty white filly beside him, and perhaps she kept Goliath entertained.

  He moved on, having no true purpose in mind for his visit and refusing to think about the possibility Lizzy might be in here. He thought he heard voices, but he couldn’t decipher in what context, or who was speaking. Besides, he was above following her to find her alone or with Miss Kitty.

  When he rounded the corner, finding the next section of stalls, he jerked to a halt at the sight before him. He scowled to see Mr. Dixon holding Lizzy in his arms, his mouth pressed to hers. When he cleared his throat, she jumped away, heat scalding her cheeks. She sent him a look that was difficult to read before looking once more at Mr. Dixon.

  Lizzy spun on her foot and rushed away, and as she ran by him, he was certain he saw guilt in her eyes. That must be it, for though she was ill-bred, she was not so uncouth as to know how improper it was to meet a single man in the stables for an assignation.

  A horrible thought occurred to him, and he wondered if Lizzy was betrothed to the man. He knew little of Mr. Dixon, who’d arrived from Leeds months before, expanding his family’s factory business to bring an outlet to London. He was in trade, but he seemed to have exemplary manners—and full coffers—and that had likely bought him a little leeway with some of the finer families in London.

  Mr. Dixon strolled toward him, looking unconcerned. “I do apologize for our indiscretion, old chap.”

  “It is Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Reluctantly, he took the hand of the man standing in front of him when Dixon extended it.

  “Frederick Dixon at your service, Mr. Darcy.” He touched his hat in a respectable fashion. “How are you enjoying Bertram and Meredith’s hospitality?”

  If he knew the couple well enough to be calling them by their first names, it indicated he’d ingratiated himself well with them. He nodded his head absently. “It is fine, as always.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “You seem to be enjoying your time. Is Miss Bennet your fiancée?” He was proud by how unaffected he sounded at the idea.

  Mr. Dixon laughed, and there was an entirely unwholesome note to the sound. “I do not believe I should wish to marry her, since her dowry is far too small, but getting a taste of Miss Bennet… That would be quite something, would it not?”

  Darcy shoulders stiffened, and he glared at the man. “Miss Bennet is a fine young lady from a fine family.” He almost choked as he said the words, since they didn’t exactly roll off his tongue, and they were akin to a falsehood, but he couldn’t let that deter him from defending her honor. “If you have no intention of serious commitment, you should not encourage her to meet you alone. You could ruin her, and then you would be forced to marry.”

  If Dixon was concerned by his warning, he didn’t show it. “I am far too clever to allow myself to be put in that position. Miss Elizabeth is quite enjoyable, but if I were going to be forced to marry either sister, I would certainly pick Kitty. She is not as bright as her sister, but that makes her more malleable.”

  Fitzwilliam was aghast. “You are wooing both sisters?”

  Frederick patted him on the shoulder as he walked by, a move which had Darcy clamping his hands into fists to resist the urge to punch the other man for his impudence. “As I said, I am not in the market for marriage to either one of them, but I can see no fault with their beauty, and if they wish to act in an unbecoming manner, who am I to stop them?” With another dark chuckle, the rake left the stables.

  Darcy followed behind him, ensuring Dixon wasn’t doing his best to catch up with Elizabeth. He looked around, half-expecting her to be waiting for the man she’d met so improperly, but there was no sign of her.

  He breathed a sigh of relief at that as he returned to the house, further relieved to find several of the women in the music room a bit later, listening to Georgiana play the pianoforte. It was a soothing sound, and he decided it would please him to spend the rest of the afternoon near his sister. If she happened to be in the presence of Miss Bennet, so be it.

  2

  Unfortunately, Lizzy had disappeared shortly after his arrival, so he had been unaware of her whereabouts, and he hoped she had better sense than to meet with Mr. Dixon again. If he got the chance, he would do his best to warn her that she was playing with fire, and the man clearly had dishonorable intentions. He wasn’t sure she would believe him or even listen long enough to discard his words, but he felt honor bound to advise her.

  Many of the guests had gathered for tea that afternoon, once again assembling in the salon. He was relieved to see Elizabeth and Kitty there, and Mr. Dixon was not. He accepted a cup of tea from a circulating maid as Meredith said, “I feel ever so silly.”

  She was addressing her comments to Miss Bingley, but they piqued Fitzwilliam’s curiosity. “Why is that, Meredith?”

  “I was telling Miss Caroline I have done something quite silly. I misplaced a pearl necklace that Bertram bought me when we traveled to Spain for our honeymoon.”

  He frowned. “How unfortunate. Do you have an inkling of where you might have left it?”

  Meredith looked embarrassed, and she blushed in an attractive fashion. “I suspect I have simply lost it somewhere. I have never lost this particular necklace before, but the poor staff can tell you horror stories of me mounting se
arches of the grounds to find various items. I do seem to have the most fretful habit of losing things.”

  Before Darcy could answer, Kitty abruptly stood up, muttered an excuse, and rushed from the salon. He turned his attention back to Meredith. “I certainly hope it turns up quickly.”

  She waved a hand. “I am certain it will. Once the house party has dissipated, and the staff has cleaned up from that, I shall task them with searching as I have done, and my lady’s maid has assisted me this morning.” She seemed unconcerned and confident in its return, so Darcy changed the subject.

  “How did you meet Mr. Frederick Dixon?” He hoped he sounded merely curious.

  Meredith smiled. “He is a charming young man, is he not? One of the parts his company manufactures has something to do with what Bertram sells. I am afraid I cannot enlighten you any further than that, Fitzwilliam. You likely know more about it than I do.”

  Fitzwilliam shrugged, deciding probably not. He knew Bertram was in manufacturing and sold goods, but he didn’t know specifically what despite their years of long friendship. That Bertram was in trade was something he overlooked rather than wondered about. “I see. Is Mr. Dixon betrothed to anyone?”

  “Not that I am aware of, but are you considering trying to play matchmaker, Mr. Darcy?” Meredith teased him both by winking and by using his last name. “I did notice your sister seemed to find him quite charming when they were speaking earlier.”

  His shoulders stiffened at the information, but he managed to react in what he hoped was an appropriate manner. “I was simply curious. He seems to be quite charming with many ladies.” He shot a glance at Lizzy, who glared at him before setting aside her teacup.