Jack Caldwell - Pemberley Ranch

“Then let our grandchildren argue about it! Bennet, will you not accept my help?”

Bennet tried to stare Darcy down but soon capitulated. “I’ve no choice, have I? Where do I sign?” In a moment, the two men affixed their signatures. Darcy folded the paper and put it in the inside pocket of his vest.

“Excellent,” he said. “Now we must plan our next step.”

Bennet sat back. “Yes, Darcy, you said that Whitehead and his men would be heading here. With all due respect and gratitude for your help, I don’t think that piece of paper is going to stop them.”

Darcy grinned. “First, as we are now partners, I insist you call me Will.” He extended his hand, which Bennet readily took.

“Very well, Will,” Bennet chuckled. “So, what the hell do we do now?”

“I think you must agree that the women should leave here as soon as possible. I offer Pemberley as sanctuary.” Bennet nodded. “The next matter to resolve is you. What are your plans?” Darcy looked hard at him. “Do you mean to defend your home against Whitehead and his men? Do you mean to fight?”

Bennet looked at his desk. “This farm is all I have. No one is going to take it from me.”

“Father!” Beth cried.

Darcy was grim. “You know what they’ll do when they get here, don’t you? They’ll try to burn you out, whether you’re here or not, just for spite.”

“Are you advising me to run?” Bennet cried angrily.

“No. I’m just trying to gauge your level of determination. Whitehead and his men have been running wild for far too long. It’s time they received justice. My men and I intend to administer that justice directly upon their arrival at your place.”

Bennet cocked an eyebrow. “Ambush?”

“Do you object?”

Bennet grinned. “No, in fact, I admire your way of thinking. I believe I would dearly like to help you give a warm welcome to my former business advisor and defiler of young girls!”

Beth realized their intentions and cried out, “Stop it, both of you! This is not a game. You’re talking about life and death. Why not have Sheriff Lucas arrest them?”

“Beth,” her father said, “these are desperate men with no love for the law. They would just as soon shoot the sheriff down as not. No,” he turned to Darcy, “Will here has the right of it. This is war, and there is no law in war. Do you have enough men?”

“I’ve a wagon coming from Pemberley for the women,” he answered, “carrying more men and ammunition. They’ll be here before long.”

“On the way—now?” Bennet observed with amusement. “Sent for before you got here?” At Darcy’s nod, he laughed. “Very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

“I placed my faith in your sensibleness,” Darcy said dryly, which earned another laugh from Bennet.

“I’d best go talk to Mrs. Bennet and prepare for their departure,” he said as he rose from his desk chair. “Make yourself at home, Will. Beth, as you’re dressed, please see to his men’s comfort.” With that, he left the room.

Darcy and Beth eyed each other, both afraid to speak what was in their hearts.

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the couple. For his part, Darcy was desperately trying to think of something else to talk about besides his all-encompassing feelings when Beth spoke.

“Will, I want to thank you so much for what you’ve done and have pledged to do for my family. We don’t deserve your goodness, I most especially.” Will made to interrupt, but Beth would have none of it. “It’s true! You’re risking your life for us, and after all the hateful, unjust things I said to you last July—”

This time, Darcy did cut her off. “You’ve nothing to apologize for! I’m sorry for your brother, and I can see how that could make you feel bitter. But, let’s be honest—I did nothing to improve your opinion of me in our earliest days. All you could rely on was Whitehead’s lies.” He looked away. “My… proposal to you was beyond insulting, and your reproofs… well, how can I deny the truths you threw in my face?”

“Will,” she cried, “I didn’t know what I was saying!”

Darcy went on, disregarding her words. “I hid at Pemberley and wished the world to hell. I turned my back on all the people of the town when they needed me the most. My father must have been spinning in his grave. All that has happened is my fault.”

“Will, stop it! You didn’t do any of this! Denny and Whitehead did!”

“I could’ve stopped it.”

Without conscious thought, she moved to him and took his hands, looking at them intently. “You’re stopping him now. Father’s right—this is a war. Don’t let my cruel words torture you. I spoke to you in ignorance and prejudice.” She lifted her face and in a determined voice, continued. “But now my eyes are open and I see you as the best man I’ve ever known. You saved my sister and you’ve pledged to protect my family. I can never repay you for your courage and generosity. I’m proud to call you my friend!” She so wanted to say more, but couldn’t.

Darcy’s eyes watered and his thumbs caressed the back of Beth’s hands. “Friend, Beth? Yeah, I’m glad to be your friend. But…” He looked away, his thoughts in turmoil. He drew a deep breath and blurted out, “You’re not one to lead a man on. If you’ve changed your mind about me since the summer, tell me straight up. My wishes haven’t changed; my love’s been as constant as the North Star. I’d be honored if you would even think about accepting me.” He flinched at the amazed look on her face. “Beth, I’m sorry to be putting you in this situation—it’s only been a few months since July—but I’ve just got to know! I’m keeping my word to your father about helping out, whatever you say. Just… just tell me true. If you can’t…” He gulped. “If you can’t, I’ll understand. I’ll be content being friends, and I’ll never bother you again for as long as I live.”

The anguish on his face loosened her tongue. “Oh, Will! I… I… my feelings!” She paused to gather her disconnected thoughts. “I’m heartily ashamed of my words at the Burroughses’, and I want to take back every cruel thing I’ve ever said! As for my feelings, they’re about as opposite from what they were as they can be!” To punctuate her declaration, she gripped William’s hands firmly.

Will stared at their intertwined hands and then searched her face. “Beth Bennet, I want things to be clear between us. I love you.”

“And I love you, Will Darcy.”

Beth was almost ashamed of how Darcy’s face lit up in incandescent happiness, knowing how she had hurt him months before. Another moment and her painful recollections vanished, for she was swept up in Darcy’s strong arms. She buried her face in his vest as he kissed the top of her head, murmuring sweet nothings.

But just as swiftly as it had begun, the joyful interlude ended. Darcy took her gently by the shoulders and held her at arm’s length. Beth was confused at the anguished expression marring Darcy’s masculine beauty. He looked deeply into her eyes, his mouth in a hard line.

Darcy’s voice trembled. “This is not out of gratitude for what I did for Lily, is it?”

Beth blinked. “What do you mean? Of course, I’m grateful for what you did! Why are you unhappy?” To her astonishment, William’s face nearly crumbled.

“Oh, Beth, if you’re accepting me out of gratitude, well… well, I just couldn’t stand it!”

Beth was incredulous at William’s stubborn inability to grasp what was so clear. Couldn’t the fool see that she loved him body and soul? Only one way to clarify things came to mind. With a look of determination, she reached up and lightly kissed him on the cheek. As she drew back slightly, she said to his amazed face, “That’s for Lily!” and in a softer tone, she added, “And this is for me.” This time her lips firmly met his with a scalding kiss.

Beth was starting to become concerned over William’s lack of response, but then she felt his strong hands on her shoulders gently pull her closer as he deepened their kiss. Beth was relieved and thrilled, and it was pleasant to learn that Will’s lips felt very soft against her mouth. Her arms moved by their own volition to twine around his neck as her body arched against his. They seemed to become one. Her moans of delight were a counterpoint to his. An intoxicating dizziness overtook her senses. She felt she could remain thus occupied for the rest of her days.

“What the devil is this!?”

The two were startled by Mr. Bennet’s cry and jumped apart as if the other were on fire. Beth could feel the heat of mortification replace the warmth of desire on her face. Mr. Bennet glowered from the doorway of the study, his mouth working soundlessly in his righteous anger. Darcy was the first to break out of his shocked stupor and begin a rambling apology. This seemed to accomplish nothing but to unlock Bennet’s tongue.

“Keep your mealymouthed assurances to yourself. I’ve no time for your perfidy,” he growled in a low tone, his desire not to alert the entire household evident. “You return my youngest from that bastard Whitehead, I turn my back on you, and you reward me by treating her elder sister in exactly the same manner!”

“No, Father, please. Don’t blame Will. This is my fault,” Beth claimed.

“Your fault!” Bennet laughed incredulously. “I suppose you threw yourself at him!”

Before Beth could assure her father that that was exactly what she had done, Darcy cut in. “Mr. Bennet, sir, this is my fault. I pledge to you that my intentions are honorable. I respect you and Miss Beth, but… I’m ashamed to give you reason to doubt me. I beg to explain myself.”

Bennet thought it over for a moment. “Beth, leave us.”

Beth looked between her father and her lover and clenched her teeth. She would not let these two men—whom she loved most in the world—decide her fate without her attendance. Instead of obeying her dismissal, she defiantly moved closer to Will and took one of his hands in both of hers. “No, Father, as this concerns me, I’ll remain.”