Page 47 of Cousin Elizabeth
Beth pulled Richard’s jacket more tightly around her and stood very straight. “I will not. I have no feelings for you, Mr. Bingley, as anything but my cousin’s friend. I have no need to marry at all, and you are the last man on earth I would attach myself to.”
Bingley saw red at the insult. He spent a great deal of time learning pugilism and fencing at Cambridge and continued the sports sincethen. Being wiry and fast, he surprised even Richard as he lunged forward and grabbed Beth by the upper arm and dragged her towards him. It was obvious his intention was to kiss her in front of all and sundry.
A dark-haired young man in travel clothing had entered the ballroom as everyone was crowding around something happening in the middle of the dancefloor. He was not expected but had been allowed to enter once he explained who he was. He heard a man’s voice say, “Miss Darcy.” And then a woman’s voice say, “You are the last man on earth I would attach myself to.” He lunged forward and grabbed the man as he gripped the woman and threw him to the floor.
“Don’t touch my sister you rogue!”
“Ethan!” Beth rushed forwards and hugged her brother with all her might. “What are you doing here? I am so happy to see you! What timing you have!”
William Darcy finally shook himself out of his shock and grabbed Bingley as he tried to stand. Richard grabbed his other side, and they both dragged him out of the room.
“Where are they taking him? He deserves a beating. Who was that man, Beth? Why are all you people standing around and allowingmy sister to be accosted?!” The glare Ethan gave had people stepping back, except Mr. Bennet.
“You must be my nephew. You look so much like your father. I am Thomas Bennet. Let us retreat to the library for some conversation, while these good people go into supper.”
Caroline stepped forward and began directing everyone to the supper room. She was quite shaken by her brother’s behavior but not surprised. She now had damage control to do.
In the library
“Would you gents turn around please. I need to try and fix my appearance a bit.” Beth was dismayed to see how far the rip in her dress went, just now realizing her entire breast must have been exposed. She tried tucking here and there but finally gave up and just slipped Richard’s jacket back on and buttoned it up.
While Ethan and Uncle Thomas had their backs turned, Bennet was trying to calm his nephew and make a jest out of the situation. “We knew Bingley was going to try compromising your sister. Your cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy has been friends with him for years, and we decided he would not believe anything but the proof of his own eyes. It was your sister’s idea.”
Ethan said blandly, “Of course it was. That man still needs a good beating though.”
“Agreed, but he will receive something he feels is worse. Expulsion from the ton. He is a social climber and a fortune hunter of the first order. Bingley will no longer be able to show his face in good society.”
“I’m still going to punch him in the nose.”
Beth turned and hugged her brother again. “I am so happy you are here! Why are you here? You told me not to sail in winter.”
“It is not winter yet, sister. I could not stand the thought of Christmas without you. The estate is doing well. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have things well in hand. I figured you’d be in trouble by now without me, so here I am.”
Beth punched him in the shoulder. “In trouble?! Since when am I ever trouble?”
Ethan simply gave her a sardonic look.
“Well, it was in service to family. You’ll like Will. He’s so much like you! Or you are like him. He’s a year older. You’ll like our cousins in law too, and all our Bennet cousins. They’re all so different! And then there’s Gigi, Will’s little sister. Our uncle ismarrying Mamie! Did he tell you? And John is marrying a local girl and will bring her back to Virginia with us!”
“Wait. What?”
Just then they heard yelling coming from the study across the hall. “Darcy, you know she must marry me! I ripped her dress and she was hanging out for everyone to see. Her cousins will be ruined with her, and you won’t want the Bennet girl. Theo won’t be able to marry the blond chit.” There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh and a loud “Ooofff.”
Bingley was laying on the floor trying to catch his breath when Ethan, Beth, and Mr. Bennet barged in.
“My sister will never marry a social climbing money grubber like you!” Ethan lunged for him, but Richard held him back.
Fitzwilliam Darcy could not have looked more serious and upset. “You must be my other cousin. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy. I am sorry we had to meet this way.”
“Will, I’m sorry you had to meet Ethan this way too. Mr. Bingley was heard planning this very scenario. We gave him the benefit of the doubt that he would not do so, but as you have seen…”
“So, he planned to compromise you? Who heard him planning this?”
“John. Bingley didn’t realize he was in the room. Caroline also warned us he was planning something, but she wasn’t sure what. She was afraid it would involve Gigi.”
William’s face turned so red it was almost purple. He breathed a few times to get some semblance of control. “Lock him in his room. We will deal with him in the morning. I am afraid what I would do to him before I get control of myself.”
‘I think I’m going to like this cousin.’ Ethan thought to himself. He grabbed Bingley by the collar and dragged him to his feet. “Lead the way.” Richard opened a servant’s door and led them through a dim corridor. Bingley was locked up tight for the night, and the twins were called to stand guard.
