Mr. Darcy's Assembly: A Bennet by Any Other Name

By Violet King

Raised a boy, "Mr. Elias Bennet" risked her secret by kissing Mr. Darcy in London. And when Mr. Darcy comes to Netherfield, jealousy, intrigue, and hidden enemies threaten to end it all.

 

After their kiss, Mr. Elias Bennet expects never again to meet Mr. Darcy. But when Darcy and Bingley come to Netherfield Hall, jealousy, intrigue, and disaster follow. How can Elias ignore her feelings when Mr. Bingley and Jane are falling in love?

 

And when Bingley's enemy puts Jane in mortal danger, will either budding romance survive?

 

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy wishes he was the sort to kiss and forget, but how can he when the object of his desire is so near and so impossible?

 

A friendly boxing match rekindles passion, and jealousy blazes as Darcy discovers Mr. Bennet and Miss Charlotte Lucas are uncommonly close. Worse, Bingley is falling for Jane. Darcy knows he needs to end this courtship before things get out of hand.

 

But before Darcy can persuade his friend, the Meryton assembly, and its aftermath, set fire to all their plans.

 

Mr. Darcy's Assembly is Part 2 of A Bennet by Any Other Name, an adventurous, sweet and spicy Pride and Prejudice serial of 30,500 words where gender lines blur as passions rise.

 

Warning: This is a serial. Each part ends on a cliffhanger. I will collect the parts into one volume whenever the serial is finished, so if you'd rather wait, I understand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Grafx Press
• Release date: Nov 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393746485

Book preview

Chapter 1

A re you sure it is the same Mr. Bingley?

How many Mr. Bingleys, do you suppose, will rent an estate in Hertfordshire this autumn? Elias pressed her face into her pillow and whimpered. Despite her father’s protestations, he would make an introduction to Mr. Bingley to allow his other daughters a chance at his 5,000 a year.

Is Mr. Bingley the one you kissed?

No, it was Mr. Darcy. Memories of that kiss sent shivers through Elias. Maybe he will not come. Darcy had not said he would join the Bingleys and the Hursts at their autumn residence.

It was a small hope. And yet, while the danger of meeting Mr. Darcy again was clear in Elias’s mind, her heart yearned to see him.

Not her heart, but the part of the body that governed infatuation. Her womanhood, as was whispered in polite society when brought up at all. Elias knew the impolite words for it, which she repeated in her mind hoping to quash this unwanted and dangerous desire.

Oh Eli, Jane patted Elias’s shoulder. You should not suffer so.

None of us would have to suffer so if not for the entailment and the odious Mr. Collins. Elias had not met the man, but the inflated diction of his correspondence was evidence enough of his odiousness.

Only Elias’s fragile ruse kept her and her sisters from being beholden to him. The thought churned Elias’s guts.

Better Darcy stayed in London.

Considering Bingley: his features, amiable demeanor, and incisive yet gentle sense of humor, Elias rather hoped some mutual approbation might blossom between him and Jane.

Except if that happened, Elias could not avoid Darcy. The two men considered themselves brothers.

Jane said, Even if Mr. Darcy joins his friend at Netherfield, it should not be too difficult to avoid them both. We can but hope the two gentlemen do not find themselves for a third time in need of rescue.

Elias could not help but laugh. I expect Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley should have little trouble avoiding dockside toughs, thieves, and runaway carriages here in Meryton.

Exactly, Jane said, squeezing Elias’ shoulder. Have you told Papa about your prior acquaintanceship with Mr. Bingley?

Elias sighed. I suppose I must. I would not have Papa make a jest of himself by introducing himself as a stranger to a gentleman who considers Papa’s oldest son family.

At least Mama would be pleased.

Jane, in a mirror of Elias’ thoughts, added, It will give Mama the advantage on Lady Lucas. That should settle her nerves for a day or so.

And if Elias’s connections led to the marriage of one of her sisters, Mama might dare to look Elias in the eye.

Mr. Bennet sat behind his desk, hands steepled beneath his chin. Your mother will be pleased.

I did not know they intended to lease Netherfield.

I should think not! But I do not see why you are presenting this with such a glum demeanor? You said this Mr. Bingley is a gentleman of honor.

Elias said, It is not Mr. Bingley who troubles me. He has a friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

What did the devil do?

No! Mr. Darcy is a good man. Lovely! Elias’s cheeks heated.

Mr. Bennet paled. Oh. Another deep, long inhale. I trust nothing... unfortunate was revealed.

Elias shook her head. Nothing. More due to luck and cognac blinding the gentleman’s senses than Elias’s good judgment.

Good. I trust you understand the precariousness of our position.

Elias nodded. That was the problem. She could never forget the precariousness of her position.

I suppose we could send you back to your uncle’s?

No! The protest came quicker and with more vehemence than Elias expected. She swallowed. It would be an insult to flee. Besides, I think Mr. Bingley and Jane would suit. Should we not give Jane every opportunity? It was an unsubtle manipulation for all its truth. Mr. Bennet could deny his eldest daughter nothing, not that Jane would ask directly for herself. And we do not know Mr. Darcy accompanied Mr. Bingley to Netherfield in any case. Sending me back to town might put me more quickly back in his path.

A fair point, Mr. Bennet said. I suppose we will learn soon enough, when we call.

Of course, Darcy was there. His gaze was flat like the coins of the dead when he nodded to Elias.

Bingley, in contrast, was all warmth. He grinned widely, crossing the three steps between them to take Elias’s hand with a firm grip. I had hoped, when I had heard of local Bennets, that you and they were one and the same, but the days of silence made me doubt. What in my sister’s description of our leased estate disclosed we were visiting your home village? He laughed. A fine jest.

Darcy flinched. The expression was fleeting and subtle, but Elias’s chest clenched. It was no jest. Merely good, terrible and frightening, fortune.

Mr. Bennet said, Elias has spoken highly of you both. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Acquaintance, hardly! Bingley said. As I told your son, you are family to me. Right Darcy?

Before Darcy could respond, the door to the study opened, and Miss Bingley strode inside. Charles— Her eyes widened as her gaze swept over the group and then she smiled. Mr. Bennet!

Mr. Bennet and Elias both bowed.

A footman, three steps behind and a bit breathless said, Miss Bingley, your brother has company.

Oh, Mr. Bennet and I are acquainted from town. Charles, why did you not tell me the Bennets were calling?

Bennet is not an uncommon name, Caroline, Bingley said, his voice tight.

Mr. Bennet. Her gaze fell on Elias’s father. I am addressing Mr. Bennet the younger, though it is a delight to lay eyes on the father of such a remarkable gentleman. Did your son tell you he saved my life? Threw himself in harm’s way to push me out of the path of a carriage. I would certainly have been trampled.

As she spoke, she walked to Elias. Her eyes were wide and her lower lip trembled as she spoke. I must apologize for... She pressed her lips together and her cheeks pinked. ...after. I had been so frightened, you must understand.

Absolutely, Elias assured her. Let us not speak of it again. Ever.

Oh, your son is such a gentleman, Mr. Bennet, Miss Bingley declared.

Mr. Bennet put a hand on Elias’s shoulder. I am very proud, he said.

Something tightened in Elias’s chest again. Her father was not free with praise, especially not to his only ‘son.’ Elias suspected her ruse reminded her father of what he would never have. Sometimes she wondered if he would be happier with five daughters instead of four and a false son, no matter how Elias allowed for their family’s future security.

Or perhaps Mr. Bennet felt the wrong babe had died.

Whatever the cause, Elias held these scraps of praise close in her heart.

Mr. Bennet, Miss Bingley said, her gaze locking with Elias’s. You must join us for dinner! Miss Bingley said. Come, Charles, we must have the Bennets call. You have four sisters, is that right, Mr. Bennet?

I do. Elias’s stomach sank. Of course, she would have to accept. She could not deny her sisters an introduction to Mr. Bingley. If she tried, her mother would never allow her a moment’s peace.

Then it is the least we can do. Shall we dine tomorrow evening?

I... Elias could not refuse, and yet, so soon? And with Darcy so cold?

Memories of heat, a kiss, and cognac made Elias’s cheeks flame. Better cold than hot.

It is rather short notice, Bingley cut in. And what with the assembly on Thursday? Perhaps after?

Elias managed a nod as her father said, "Certainly. My daughters and wife look forward to making your acquaintance, Mr. Bingley. A pause. Mr. Darcy."

Miss Bingley giggled, flicking a fan from somewhere on her person over her lips and chin. Mr. Bennet, do tell me you will attend Thursday’s assembly.

Elias had been looking forward to it. She enjoyed dancing, and as a man, she never lacked for partners. As long as she was circumspect and only danced with a lady once per evening, nothing came of it except good fun. Elias made a point of choosing the shyer girls and taking them to the floor so none had to suffer the entire evening a wallflower. It was the least Elias could do for her sex.

I will, Elias said.

Then I shall look forward to it. Miss Bingley swept her fan in a vague gesture towards her brother and Mr. Darcy. We all shall.

We should not impose upon your further, Elias said, suddenly desperate to leave. She wished she could find some way to distract Miss Bingley’s attention. She and Mr. Darcy were well suited: both fashionable, wealthy, and traveling in the same circles. Perhaps Elias could match-make.

The thought of Darcy taking Miss Bingley into his arms, their bodies pressed together, lips and tongues meeting in the heat of that embrace made Elias’s stomach churn.

But Darcy would have to marry. A lady. A true lady, not a woman caught between who neither possessed the endowments nor accomplishments of one