Deception

  Deception by Ola Wegner

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Epilogue

  Chapter One

  Mr. John Brooke stepped outside the moderately sized country manor and turned his head upward to look at the façade of the building one more time. Overall, the house was well preserved, only in places giving the impression of squalor and neglect. Admittedly, it needed repairs and refreshing, but it was nothing that a couple thousand pounds could not easily aid. He turned in the direction of the gardens and park. They would need some attention as well, for not having been tended to for so long, they had gone wild. Who once could have thought that he, of all people, would become an estate owner one day? He shrugged his arms inadvertently, tapping his elegant top hat against his leg. Twenty years ago, he was almost starving on the streets of London.

  His eyes swept over his newly acquired possessions, and strange indescribable sensation gripped his chest when he spotted the figure of a young woman walking briskly across the front lawn. Soon, her walk changed into a light run till she reached the large tree with low branches at the edge of the park. Judging by her attire, he realized she had to be a gentlewoman. However, if that was the case, if she was the daughter, sister or wife of one of his new neighbours, what she was doing here, alone and unescorted? Brooke’s eyebrows shot upright on seeing that the lady in question started to disrobe herself. Without much thought, he moved forward to have a better view. She stood with her back to him, so he could see only that she was petite and had dark hair elegantly pinned at the top of her head. Having unbuttoned her spencer, she placed it carefully on the grass together with her bonnet, in which she had tucked her gloves.

  Brooke stopped at a distance from her so as not to be noticed. He eyed her belongings resting on the ground, and her simple, but fashionably made dress. She had to be a gentleman’s daughter for sure or, perhaps a relative of a well-to-do tradesman. On the other hand, as far as he was informed of the ways of the world, it was not a common thing for a well bred young lady to behave in such an unusual manner.

  His eyes widened briefly when she supported her back comfortably against the tree trunk, her legs slightly apart, and began removing her shoes. Instinctively, he moved behind a nearby tree and peeked at her, his eyes involuntarily glued to her slim, smooth legs as she was sliding the gauzy stockings off them. She put her shoes and stockings neatly beside to the rest of her things. Next she straightened herself, took hold of one the lower branches, placing one dainty foot on it, and began to quite swiftly climb up the tree.

  Only when her light green dress disappeared completely between the branches did Brooke move from his spot. He walked slowly to the tree, being very careful not to make a sound by stepping on a twig. Once under the tree, and after a few moments of inspecting her abandoned belongings, he cleared his throat soundly.

  A soft gasp came from the crown of the tree and the branches moved.

  “May I ask what are you doing in my tree, madam?”

  There was a moment of silence before a strong, pleasant feminine voice was heard. “Your tree? This estate is uninhabited.”

  Brooke looked up, trying to catch sight of the lady. “Not any more, madam. I purchased it only last week. Do you want to view the deed of ownership for proof?”

  “No, sir, it is not necessary for me to see your documents of ownership. Pray forgive me, sir. It was not my intention to trespass on your estate, sir, since I understood the manor and park have been uninhabited until now. I would never dare to enter the grounds knowing I am not welcome.”

  “I have not said you are not welcome. But pray, it is a bit unconventional to speak to your feet dangling from the branch,” he spoke amusedly, viewing with appreciation the delicate pink soles of her small feet hanging from one of the lower branches on which she had temporarily seated herself. “I will turn around so you may preserve your modesty while descending the tree and replacing your shoes.”

  He turned, positioning his back to the tree and soon heard the leaves rustling and then a sound thud on the ground as she jumped down. A few more moments passed when she spoke.

  “You may turn around, sir.”

  Brooke did as he was told, and his eyes rested on her. She was simply charming, young too. She could not be more than twenty years old. She might not have been considered classically beautiful, but surely she was very pretty.

  Her eyes were the first thing he noticed, large and dark, with long thick eyelashes, almost too big on her thin face. They were the finest eyes, reflecting intelligence and kindness. They were almost black, but not quite, with a touch of violet that sparkled. He could not decide on their true colour in this light. She was perhaps a bit too slight for his taste, her figure reminding him more of a little boy than a grown woman. Even though her breasts were rather small, they were pert and perky, placed high on her chest.

  “Welcome to my estate, madam.” He bowed deeply. “Let me introduce myself. I am John Brooke. I presently live in London. However, I have decided to buy an estate in the country, but still near town.”

  The girl dropped a perfect, well-practiced curtsy, which only assured him she was a gentlewoman. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn.” She looked straight into his eyes.

  He bowed his head again. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Longbourn, is it not an estate just four miles from Purvis Lodge?”

  “Yes, indeed, sir. It belongs to my father,” she answered evenly.

  He felt her bright eyes upon him, assessing him as well. “I see. And pray, if I may ask, what is so unusual in this tree that you decided to climb it?”

  The lady cocked her dark, finely drawn brow. “Perhaps you have not noticed it yet, sir, but Purvis Lodge is placed on a slight rise of the ground. There is a breathtaking view over the whole countryside from the top of the trees in your park, and this one in particular is very comfortable and safe to climb. You should try one day, sir.” She smiled impishly, her eyes sparkling. “It is worth the effort of climbing, I assure you.”

  Brooke smiled back at her. She did not seem intimidated by the whole, rather awkward situation. “I trust your word, madam, on this. Even though I have not climbed trees for well over twenty years now, I believe, so I cannot be sure if I would manage such a feat again.”

  Her smile grew bigger, and her eyebrows raised as if in a challenge. “I think that climbing trees is one of those accomplishments which, when once learned, cannot be forgotten.”

  Brooke chuckled. He didn’t remember ever having this kind of conversation with a woman. She was simply adorable. “I believe you are quite right, madam.”

  Slowly, her smile vanished, and a more serious expression dawned on her face. “I am afraid that it is high time for me to return home, sir. I apologize once again for my unannounced visit.”

  “Tis been a pleasure.” He bowed again. “You are invited to climb any of the trees here which you find convenient, whenever you wish.” He did his best to give his voice the air of seriousness.

  “Thank you, sir. That is most kind of you.” she replied in the same tone, but with her eyes smiling at him, before she curtseyed again.

  He stood for a long time on his spot, observing her as she was walking away from him.

  ***

  M
r. Thomas Bennet was having a peaceful time in the shelter of his library. A book in one hand, a glass of red wine in the other, this was surely, in his estimation, the best possible way to spend the early afternoon. His sanctuary was placed in the corner of the house; one of the floor length windows showed the front of the house, while the other prospect overlooked the gardens.

  He glanced out to see his two elder daughters, Jane and Elizabeth, walking gracefully, arm in arm between the rose bushes, picking blooms and laying them in their baskets. Mr. Bennet smiled indulgently as pride swelled in his chest. He could not be more proud of his two eldest. Elizabeth was so intelligent and witty. He had never met any other woman who could compare with such a brilliant mind. As for Jane, she was not only beautiful and serene, truly resembling an angel with her blonde hair and the bluest of eyes, but, as well, sensible, perfectly well mannered and the kindest soul.

  Mr. Bennet turned his eyes to the other window and his heart quailed nervously. His wife and two youngest daughters, Kitty and Lydia, were moving at great speed in the direction of the front entrance. His wife looked seriously agitated with something she must have heard in Meryton at her sister, Mrs. Phillips'. She had been deprived of the latest news for the past several days, as heavy rains had kept her home.

  Very soon, there was a clamour coming from the foyer, harshly breaking the previous peace.

  “Mr. Bennet!” The door to the library was flung wide open with a loud bang, and his breathless wife stood in the doorway, together with Lydia and Kitty. “Such news!”

  Mr. Bennet involuntary cringed, dipping more firmly into his armchair, raising the newspaper protectively in front of himself.

  “My dear, dear Mr. Bennet!” his wife exclaimed again, dropping onto the nearby chair. “You simply cannot imagine what I have heard from Mrs. Phillips!” Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands together, the dreamy expression in her eyes. “Such a fine opportunity for our girls! Such happiness for our whole family!”

  Abruptly, she stood up from her place, snapped the newspaper from his hands and threw it onto the floor. “Netherfield had been let at last by a young wealthy unmarried gentleman from the north of the country. His name is Bingley and,”

  “He has at least five thousand pounds a year!” Lydia interrupted her mother, standing at her father’s other side.

  “But that is not all,” Mrs. Bennet announced all thrilled. “Another gentleman, a very rich one too, a childless widower, hear me well, Mr. Bennet, a childless widower from London, bought Purvis Lodge!”

  She started pacing in front of her husband. “Such an opportunity for our girls, is it not?”

  Mr. Bennet shrugged. “Why should it concern them?”

  “Oh, Mr. Bennet! How could you tease me so! You know very well what I mean! They should marry at least one of our girls!”

  “Both of them should marry one of our daughters?” Mr. Bennet asked dryly.

  Mrs. Bennet rolled her eyes exasperatedly. “Of course not! But one of them simply must marry Jane. And perhaps we could succeed in marrying Lizzy as well, on condition that she restrains herself from showing off how smart she is and how many books she has read.”

  “What about us, Mama?” Kitty rushed to her from her place.

  “Yes, what about us?” Lydia supported her immediately. “We may be the youngest, but it is so unfair that Lizzy should be married before us just because she is the second eldest. The older gentleman can go to Jane, as he is almost as old as Papa, but the younger one, Mr. Bingley, should marry one of us.”

  “Yes, why should he not marry one of us?” Kitty cried, emboldened by her sister’s earlier speech.

  Mrs. Bennet patted Lydia’s cheek affectionately and squeezed Kitty’s hand. “Do not worry yourself, my dears. You are so very young, and you have still time; but you are perfectly right about Jane. I think that the gentleman who bought Purvis Lodge, Mr. Brooke, that is his name, should go to Jane. He is slightly older, six and thirty, I was told, but so very rich.” She leaned into her husband confidentially, her eyes going round, and mouthed slowly, lingering on each syllable. “He is worth at least fifteen thousand pounds a year,” she giggled excitedly, rolling her eyes and sighing wistfully. “Fifteen thousand pounds! Mrs. Leighton's son-in-law is nothing to him.” She pursed her lips with contempt.

  Mr. Bennet stared at his wife, a panic stricken expression on his face. He was simply terrified. Nothing in the world would stop her now from accosting their new neighbours. Perhaps he should consider closeting himself at home for the next months?

  “What is more, I was ensured by my sister, Mrs. Phillips, that he is childless,” Mrs. Bennet continued with energy. “Just think, Mr. Bennet, a childless, rich, mature man. He must be in need of an heir to pass on his vast fortune. And why else would he choose to move to the country? To look for a healthy country wife to bear him strong sons, of course.”

  “I do not like to hear of my girls being considered as breeding livestock,” Mr. Bennet remarked, taking his newspaper back from the floor and carefully straightening it.

  However, his wife seemed to entirely ignore his last words. “You must visit both of them, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Brooke. They will all attend the Meryton Assembly next week. There we will introduce them to our girls.”

  Mr. Bennet focused his attention on his newspaper, carefully avoiding looking at his wife. “I have no intention to call on either of them.”

  Three quarters of an hour later, after going through a hysteric feat of great volume and rare intensity by his wife, Mr. Bennet was mounting his stallion, dressed in his best Sunday church clothes. With quiet resignation and passive acceptance, he directed himself to Netherfield first.

  ***

  That evening, the two eldest Bennet sisters were cuddled together on the bed in Jane’s bedroom. As it was their nightly custom since they had been little girls, they shared their thoughts, observations, sometimes secrets and discussed the events of the day.

  “Oh, Lizzy, I still cannot think peacefully about what happened to you this morning.” Jane gave her younger sister a worried look.

  Elizabeth placed a calming hand on Jane’s arm. “Dearest, nothing of consequence has happened. I am safe and sound. Mr. Brooke behaved like a perfect gentleman.”

  “Lizzy, he is a stranger to us. We do not know him at all. We cannot be sure what to expect from him.” Jane spoke fretfully.

  “I cannot believe you are saying such a thing, Jane.” Elizabeth tilted her head to the side with a smile. “You always speak so well of everybody.”

  Jane’s smooth forehead creased. “Lizzy, be serious. We do not speak of a situation when you are introduced to an unknown gentleman at a ball, or at some tea party, in the presence of your family and acquaintances.” Jane looked seriously into her sister’s eyes. “You were all alone there with him, and something not only improper, but as well unwanted, might have happened. And what if he had turned out not to be a gentleman?”

  Elizabeth sighed guiltily and lowered her eyes to the lacy counterpane. “I did not think...”

  “Lizzy, I must agree with Mama on this.” Jane’s voice, though still kind, sounded now more strict and decided. “You should not walk alone so far away. Something may happen to you next time. Promise me, for my peace of mind, that you will be more cautious in the future.”

  “I promise,” Elizabeth murmured.

  “And Lizzy, there is another thing.” Jane raised herself higher on the pillows. “Your meeting with Mr. Brooke was most compromising; you must see this. He saw you climbing the tree and most surely removing your spencer, shoes and stockings before that. You know very well that no man should see you like this, except your husband perhaps one day. You are not ten years old anymore, sister. I know you never impose yourself on men, and always behave like a lady, but such escapades like happened this morning can easily put a blemish on your reputation. If this reaches any of our acquaintances, there will be scandal, Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth bit her lower lip apprehensively. “I do
not foresee any reason why Mr. Brooke should inform anyone else about this.”

  Jane looked thoughtfully at her sister. “If he is a gentleman, as you perceive him to be, and a discreet person, he will stay silent on the subject; but as we do not know him, we cannot be sure of this. Papa called on him today, but he was absent. Consequently we cannot fathom whether he would or would not mention anything to Papa about your meeting.”

  “Do you think he would?” Elizabeth asked worriedly.

  “I do not know, but we cannot exclude such a possibility,” Jane pointed out reasonably.

  Elizabeth sighed wearily. “Everything will resolve itself at the Meryton Assembly, I presume. Mama said that according to Aunt Phillips, Mr. Brooke will be attending it.”

  ***

  Elizabeth sat in front of her vanity, the maid she shared with her sisters putting the last touches on her coiffure, adding tiny yellow satin flowers into her chocolate curls. For the past few days, an unpleasant sensation of worry and guilt had made itself home somewhere deep in her chest. Especially today, before the evening of the assembly, she felt unusually unsure of herself and somehow fretful. Such sensations were not common for her, and she did not like to succumb to such feelings. She much preferred to be her own optimistic and feisty, decided self. Few people could hurt her, and even fewer people offered opinions she valued and took to heart, but her sister Jane was surely one of such people. If Jane thought her behaviour was reproachable, there was certainly much truth to it.

  She was quiet during the entire short drive to Meryton. Earlier that day, she even thought to excuse herself from attending this evening. However, eventually, she decided it to be pointless. Mr. Brooke was their close neighbour. It was unavoidable for her to meet him, if not in a matter of days, surely in the course of the next fortnight. From what she heard of him, he was a serious, mature man. Hopefully he had found her simply a silly country chit, not worth his attention. Consequently, he would not take the trouble to spread the story of their first meeting. When talking to him briefly by that unfortunate tree, she had noticed him to be intelligent and possess a sense of humour, which, she was convinced, allowed him to react rather leniently to her immature behaviour. He could very well have put her into the carriage and brought her to her father’s doorstep for trespassing on his grounds and climbing his trees uninvited.