by Leenie Brown
Elizabeth smoothed her skirt over her legs. She was not sure where to begin to explain that night. “The ball was lovely, Aunt. The decorations were magnificent and the food delicious. The music was good and, of course, it was well attended. The officers were there, which made my youngest sisters deliriously giddy.”
“And our mother,” muttered Mary.
“Shush,” said Mrs. Gardiner giving Mary’s leg a tap.
“It is true,” said Elizabeth before continuing. “I danced the first two sets with Mr. Collins, and before my toes had time to recover, I was obliged to dance another with a very agreeable officer before having a moment to find Charlotte. While I was speaking with Charlotte, the strangest thing happened.” Elizabeth paused, remembering the moment Mr. Darcy had approached her. She had been shocked that he had sought her out, but there had also been a most concerning moment of pleasure. She had brushed it away quickly, for she was determined not to like him, even if she did find conversation with him to be satisfying.
“It did?” asked Mrs. Gardiner bringing Elizabeth’s focus back to the conversation at hand. “And what was it?”
“Mr. Darcy asked me to dance, and I accepted.”
“And this was a strange thing?” Mrs. Gardiner looked at Elizabeth in confusion. “Is it not common practice for a gentleman to ask a lady for a dance?”
“Not when it is Mr. Darcy,” said Mary.
“Shush.” Mrs. Gardiner tapped Mary’s leg again.
“It is true,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy never danced with anyone outside of his own party at the assembly.”
“But he did ask Lizzy to dance at Sir William’s party,” added Mary.
“So this was the second time Mr. Darcy had asked our Lizzy to dance,” said Mrs. Gardiner with no small amount of interest.
“But only the first time she accepted,” said Mary.
“I see,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Why did you accept him this time and not the last?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I was surprised by the application, I suppose.”
“Does he dance well?” asked her aunt.
“Oh, very well. I have not had a more accomplished partner; though, he is a very quiet partner unless prompted to speak.”
Mary covered her mouth, so she would not giggle.
Elizabeth shot her a look of displeasure. “I suppose, it was not prompting so much as provoking.” She grimaced slightly at the soft clucking sound her aunt made. “And, I suppose, you could say we argued.” She sighed. “I think I injured him with my words at the end.” Even now she felt the sting of his cold reply and the hurt that it had transferred to her. Not a hurt for herself but for him. It had startled her to feel anything but dislike for the gentleman. It was that moment more than even his asking her to dance that has started the world to spinning.
“And then?” prompted her aunt.
“And then I sought a place to think and went to the library.” She sighed again. “He was there, reading a book. I should have left and found another place, but I did not.”
Her aunt nodded slowly and patted Mary’s leg, a signal to remain quiet. “And why did you not leave?”
“I do not know.” Elizabeth rested her head against the bed frame.
“You know,” said her aunt softly. “You stayed because…”
Elizabeth closed her eyes. “I stayed because he was there,” she said softly, “but I do not know why.”
“Because your heart cared that you had injured him, and because you do not dislike him.”
Elizabeth nodded. She could not refute her aunt’s words, but it had been more than that. She had felt an unusual peace just sitting there with him. “Then my aunt came to the door just as Mr. Darcy opened it. I was putting on my slippers and smoothing my skirts from having been sitting comfortably.”
“And she assumed that more than reading had taken place?”
“She immediately went in search of my father. I would have gone after her, but Mr. Darcy stopped me. He told me the damage to my reputation would be far greater if I were to chase after her. So, I remained in the library until my father came.”
“And Mr. Darcy, what did he do?”
“He paced the room and inquired after my health several times. Then, when my father came, he offered to marry me.”
“And how has he treated you since that time?”
Elizabeth sighed. “He has been very solicitous. He has allowed me to ask him questions, and he has answered readily.” She smiled slightly as she remembered his look of patient agitation at her copious questioning. She knew that he had tired of speaking of himself well before she had finished questioning, but he had continued to answer, for he had promised her he would. Today, Mr. Darcy had willingly shared stories of his family while travelling. He had even laughed along with her and Mary when he related how, on the advice of his cousin, Richard, he had come to be standing waist deep in a cold stream making fish noises in an attempt to catch the largest fish. He was not the man she had thought him to be.
“I agree with Mary and your father,” said Mrs. Gardiner, climbing out of the bed. “He cares for you.” She bent and kissed Elizabeth’s forehead. “It will be a good match. I believe that confused look on your face and that fluttering of your heart…” She smiled at the surprise on Elizabeth’s face. “I felt it myself many years ago,” she explained. “It is the beginnings of love. Be brave, my dear Lizzy. Do not let those feelings frighten you, for they can lead to a very happy life for you as they have for me.” She stood and straightened her skirts. “I shall bring Mrs. Havelston’s book for you to look at while you rest before dinner. We can decide which design will work best with which material after you have chosen the pattern. There are four pieces of cloth, so you must choose four dresses tonight. Then, tomorrow, before we go to tour Darcy House, we can visit Mrs. Havelston so she can begin the work on your clothes.” She gave Elizabeth a look that brooked no objections to her plan before she hurried out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darcy placed his hat and gloves on the table near the door before shrugging out of his coat. “I will see both you and Mrs. Vernon in my study in a quarter hour,” he said to his butler. “We will be receiving very particular guests tomorrow. It is of the utmost importance that all is in order to receive them.”
Mr. Daniels brows rose a nearly imperceivable amount, but Darcy noticed it. “I know it is an unusual request, and I do not doubt your ability to be ready for any and all visitors, but this situation does require explanation.”
“Very good, sir.”
Darcy turned to go to his study.
“Sir,” said Daniels, causing Darcy to stop and turn back. “Colonel Fitzwilliam is in residence, sir.”
“Hiding from his father?” queried Darcy with an amused smile. His cousin often took up residence at Darcy House when he and his father were in a dispute.
“It is not for me to say, sir,” replied Daniels with a slight nod of his head.
“I am sure he will tell me about it,” said Darcy.
“I am sure he shall, sir.” A slight smile and a twinkle in the elderly man’s eye told Darcy that Richard had already spoken his fill to the butler.
Darcy shook his head. His cousin was not the proper son of an earl. He viewed class lines as a thing of the past and continually spoke of how the aristocracy and landowners would soon be of less significance than a skilled and shrewd tradesman. “Have him join us.”
“Very good, sir.” Daniels bowed slightly and went to do as requested.
Darcy entered his study and shuffled through the correspondence that lay on his desk. It was business that needed his attention, but it would have to wait. Elizabeth’s visit and her acceptance in his family were far more urgent. He placed the letters he held back in the fine wooden box on the corner of his desk and took out supplies to write a note. He was just preparing to write his missive when the door to his office opened.
“Did Bingley tire of your company?” asked Richard as he took a seat before h
is cousin’s desk. “Or did you tire of his sister?”
Darcy rolled his eyes at his cousin. “Neither. I have business that needs my attention.”
“Business that requires particular visitors?”
“Yes.” Darcy dipped his pen in the ink. “Now if you will pardon me for a moment, I have an urgent message to write.”
“Urgent?” Richard stood and looked over the desk to where Darcy was writing. “Aunt Sophia?”
Darcy sighed. “I need her to be here tomorrow.” He looked up from his writing. “You will understand after I have spoken to you, but this must be written first.”
“Very well,” said Richard taking a seat. “Particular guests and Aunt Sophia.” He drummed his fingers on the arm of the chair.
“I will explain in a moment,” growled Darcy glaring at Richard’s fingers, which ceased their tapping.
“Must be distressing business for you to have lost what little patience you possess,” commented Richard.
Darcy signed his name to the note and returned his pen to the holder. “I am getting married.”
“Married?”
“Yes, married.” Darcy stood and motioned for his housekeeper and butler to enter and take a chair. “She is coming for a tour of the house tomorrow. That is why I needed to speak to you.” He folded his note and sealed it. “This must be delivered as soon as can be today.” He lay the missive on the desk in front of Mr. Daniels. “I would like for Lady Sophia to be the first of my relatives, other than Richard, whom Miss Elizabeth meets.” He glanced at his cousin. “The others can be less welcoming.”
Richard laughed lightly. “So she is not someone of whom my traditional father will approve?”
Darcy grimaced. “I fear she is not. Her name is Elizabeth Bennet. She is the daughter of a landed gentleman, but he is of little standing and his wife is the daughter of a tradesman. She is currently staying with her relations in Gracechurch Street.”
“Near Cheapside?” Richard’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
Darcy turned to his servants. “She will be accompanied tomorrow by her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, and her sister, Miss Mary. They will need to be shown the entire house. She is uneasy about the responsibilities she will be taking on as Mrs. Darcy.” He could not keep the smile from his face as he said the name. “We will be remaining in town for her to become familiar with the running of Darcy House before we return to Pemberley in the spring.”
Mrs. Vernon nodded. “She has some training?”
“She does. Her skills are only slightly lacking, but she is quick and intelligent. I am confident she will do well.”
“And she is fearful of the position?”
He nodded. “The betrothal has come as a surprise to us both.”
Richard leaned forward in his seat. “Were you finally trapped?”
“In a matter of speaking, yes, but she was as trapped as I, and she is not yet completely reconciled to the idea.” He sighed and looked at the puzzled faces before him. “Bingley had a ball. I had escaped to the library, and while I was there, she also came in to find quiet. We read for a while, and then I decided to leave. Another aunt, who is as loud and lacking in tact as Lady Catherine, was coming in search of Miss Elizabeth as I was leaving. She happened to see Miss Elizabeth putting on her slippers and straightening her skirts after sitting for an extended period of time.”
“So you were trapped by her relations?” asked Richard. “And she is not pleased to be marrying you?”
“That would appear to be the case.”
“She seriously does not wish to be Mrs. Darcy?” Richard could not contain his surprise.
Darcy swallowed. “She does not. In fact, she has suggested other options, none of which are feasible.” He returned his attention to his housekeeper and butler. He would explain more to Richard later, but for now, only the basics needed to be shared so that the house and staff could be prepared. “I wished for you to know the complete story in case there is talk.”
“She will be our mistress, and we shall treat her as such, Mr. Darcy,” assured Daniels. “And her relations shall also be received with the greatest of respect, no matter their station.”
“Thank you. I expected no less, but the circumstances are of a delicate nature.”
“Indeed, Mr. Darcy,” said Mrs. Vernon. “Is there a particular favourite we might provide in the tea service?”
“She has a fondness for almond cakes,” said Darcy, “and Mrs. Gerard’s cakes are delightful.”
“They are,” agreed Richard.
“Will she be making changes to rooms?” asked Mrs. Vernon.
“If she would like. You may make mention of it in particular in regards to her suite.”
“When do we expect you to take up residence, sir?” asked Daniels.
“The evening of the sixteenth of December, ” replied Darcy.
“I will speak to Mrs. Gerard about a special meal to welcome our new mistress. Perhaps you could find out a few more of her preferences?”
Darcy smiled. “I can.”
“Will there be anything else, sir?” Mr. Daniels took the note from the desk.
“No, that will be all.”
Richard waited until the door closed behind Mr. Daniels. “You are not displeased with this arrangement?”
“I wish she were more comfortable with the idea, but no, I am not displeased. She is just what I need in a wife and what Georgie needs in a sister. And I need both you and Aunt Sophia to support me in this should your father be difficult.”
“So that is why you have sent for her.” Richard steepled his fingers in front of him as his elbows rested on the arms of the chair.
“It is. Aunt Sophia will love her.” He knew it to be true, for he and his aunt rarely disagreed on anything. So, if he loved her, and he did, his aunt would also love her. Darcy could tell by the broad smile on Richard’s face that he was not unaware of this fact either. “Wickham has joined the militia. He is in Meryton.” The smile faded from his cousin’s face. “He befriended Miss Elizabeth.”
“And you will marry someone who is friends with Wickham?” A deep scowl had replaced his former grin.
“She knows of Wickham’s treachery. I told her of it.”
“Of Georgie?”
“She will be part of our family and sister to Georgiana; she had to be told. Besides, she had believed his stories about my ill treatment of him.” He could see her sitting on that stile, tears staining her face, and his heart ached to have been the cause, however necessary, of them. “She was shocked and understandably disturbed by the information.”
Richard nodded. “If you trust her, then I must too. You do not often err in choosing whom you trust.”
“Thank you,” said Darcy, standing and walking to the window. “I only hope Miss Elizabeth comes to that same conclusion soon.”
“She does not trust you?” Richard saw Darcy’s shoulders slump slightly.
“I did not make the best of first impressions, but we have had some good discussions. I believe she is changing her opinion of me.” He sighed. “I pray she is,” he added softly. He had always considered being in a loveless marriage to be the worst fate, but now, he knew that a marriage of unequal affections would be far worse.
“You realize my mother and father will insist on meeting her as soon as they know.”
Darcy turned and leaned against the frame of the window. “I am aware of that.” He groaned. “I forgot to inform Mrs.Vernon that I will be hosting a dinner for your parents and Miss Elizabeth’s relations. ” He smirked at Richard. “I prefer to be in the position to throw people from my house rather than being removed myself. Now, tell me why you are here.”
“My father has been in discussions again with Lord Beacham. I feared a trap, so I am here. And he will still not hear of selling my commission and refuses me entrance to the workshop. Your staff is much more obliging in that regard.”
“You still wish to retire and craft furniture?” His cousin had always loved to make thing
s with his hands, but his father would hear of no other occupation save the army. His sons, he said, would serve their king as he had. “How much longer before you have completed the required term?”
“A year.”
“So I can expect you to be hiding out in my workshop for the next year?”
“Quite possibly, unless some miracle of grace occurs, and my father becomes less rigid.” Both laughed at the idea. Lord Matlock was known for his firm and unalterable stance. No opponent had ever shifted him from his position.
“You are welcome to stay as long as you need, of course,” said Darcy, moving towards the door. “Now, while I search for Mrs. Vernon to tell her of the dinner party that needs to be planned, you can tell me how Georgie gets on with her new companion.”
Chapter 4
Lady Sophia tapped her toe as she waited in the sitting room with Georgiana at Darcy House. “He should expect me to be early. I always am.” She straightened her sleeve. “I am curious to meet the lady who has finally captured your brother.”
“Captured would be the proper word for it,” said Richard entering the room and giving first his aunt a kiss and then Georgiana. “I did not realize you were coming today, Georgiana.”
Georgiana pursed her lips and looked at her aunt. “I was not supposed to come.”
“An omission made in error, I am sure.”
Georgiana looked at her aunt doubtfully. “My brother does not make errors of omission. He is the most fastidious correspondent.”
“Ah, well, your brother does not get married every day, either.” She smiled and raised her brows, which combined with the twinkle in her eye, made her look very impertinent. “He will see his error as soon as I have explained it to him.” She patted Georgiana’s hand reassuringly before turning to Richard. “Now, tell me why captured is the proper word.”
“It seems – ” began Richard.
“That I am the topic of gossip within my own home,” finished Darcy as he entered the room and gave Richard a stern look. “Georgiana! It is a surprise to see you.” He placed a kiss on his sister’s cheek while giving a questioning look to his aunt.
