Darcy's Ultimatum

by Jennifer Joy

  Couples were entering the room and the band was getting ready to play another set. The dancing was about to begin. Darcy glanced behind him again to see if he could catch a glimpse of Miss Elizabeth. He was curious if anyone had asked her to dance.

  Behind where they had been standing, Darcy saw Miss Charlotte scanning the room. Her sight landed on him and, with a smile and a wave, she directed herself toward him. Her mother followed, no doubt to make sure she secured a dance. Darcy cursed himself for his curiosity.

  His shoulders bunched up to his ears, as her whiny voice reached him. He was trapped.

  Deciding that it would be easier to limit conversation if he initiated it, he asked, “How are you enjoying your ball, Miss Charlotte?”

  “It is quite the crush. My ball shall be declared the biggest of the season,” Miss Charlotte said with a smug look on her face.

  “It is an accomplishment,” said Darcy, trying to think of something nice to say.

  Looking very pleased with herself, Miss Charlotte looked at Darcy suggestively as couples filed out to the dance floor.

  Holding his arm out in defeat, he asked her for a dance. How different her hand felt on his arm than it had with Miss Elizabeth.

  Miss Charlotte looked like the cat that swallowed the canary with her head held high, looking down her nose at all the young ladies. She sashayed onto the ballroom floor. Darcy could not help seeing a similarity between her and Miss Bingley.

  “I am so honored you asked me to dance, Mr. Darcy,” she said, pronouncing his name loudly for the benefit of anybody within yelling distance.

  While Miss Charlotte was basking in her glory, Darcy stole a look down the neat row of dancers. He did not see Miss Elizabeth.

  It would be harder to find a good wife than he had anticipated. Miss Elizabeth was looking better by the minute and Darcy was beginning to think he could overlook the connection in trade and lack of social graces on the part of her family. The question that remained: Was she worth it? Darcy was inclined to think that she was.

  Miss Elizabeth was different. She had polite manners. She also had challenged him in conversation in a way the other young ladies had not done. Darcy liked a challenge. She was intelligent. He could imagine the conversations they would have around the fireplace in the library. She was handsome. The memory of her figure clearly outlined in her drenched dress flashed before his eyes and he found himself smiling stupidly. Pull it together, Darcy. For the sake of all that is decent, think like the gentleman you are!

  When he looked at his dance partner and saw her continuing to gloat, he checked his smile and tried to think of more grave issues. The tax on tea. The extravagances of the Prince Regent, who would have felt right at home at Miss Charlotte’s coming out ball.

  Miss Charlotte seemed content to carry on a conversation by herself, which suited Darcy just fine. The dance ended and Darcy had gone through the motions gracefully. Or, at least he had not stepped on anyone.

  Darcy’s mind was in such a tumult, he thanked Miss Charlotte before escaping to the safety of a balcony.

  Dare she hope? Elizabeth stepped into the mass of people and turned to watch Mr. Darcy’s back as he walked away.

  She had not expected him to ask her for a dance. It was well-known that Darcy preferred not to dance. Mr. Darcy did not come across as the type of man who would ask anything lightly, even something as innocent as a dance.

  She took off her gloves and rubbed her fingers together, trying to get rid of the tingling sensation left from his touch. Her cheeks felt hot. Suddenly, the crowd of people she had enjoyed a few moments ago were crushing in on her, watching her. To her right, Miss Bingley was talking to Miss Vermeer, her hand concealing her mouth as the two ladies looked her way and giggled. Elizabeth needed to get outside.

  She looked around and found some doors opening to stairs that must lead to a garden. That would do. Walking around a garden would be just the thing.

  Elizabeth felt the cool night breeze against her skin. She breathed the air in deeply. Even the stench of summer London was a reprieve from the heavily perfumed ballroom.

  She looked around at the garden. There were lanterns set up throughout the space to illuminate the path. It was a small garden, but the night air and open space were inviting. Elizabeth walked between the various rose bushes and flowers until she came upon a small pond. It had fish in it and Elizabeth sat on the edge of the pond and watched them swim. She skimmed her fingers over the water’s surface and watched them flurry. She wondered if Pemberley had a fish pond. According to Aunt Gardiner, very few estates in all of England could claim its level of grandeur.

  Mr. Darcy was a puzzle. There were moments when he seemed to enjoy her company, even seeking her out. Then there were moments when he acted above her with his surly silence. Elizabeth scoffed at pride. Pride prevented her father from doing any trade with Uncle Gardiner and improving their circumstances. Elizabeth’s father was a gentleman through and through, but should not a gentleman’s primary concern be the care of his family? Convention be hanged, she thought rebelliously. She could only wonder how firmly Mr. Darcy held to society’s expectations of himself as a gentleman. Elizabeth had to admit to herself that she would much prefer to marry a man like him, even with his air of superiority, than an oaf like Mr. Collins. She shivered at the thought of the ever-perspiring clergyman.

  The effect Mr. Darcy had on her was much different. He had invaded her dreams and she had been pleased to see him at the ball. He was taller than most of the men there and he radiated confidence, yet he had told her that meeting new people was difficult for him. Just when she thought she understood his character, he would baffle her.

  The accusations of Mr. Wickham against the Darcys reared its ugly head. Just when a silver lining surrounded Mr. Darcy’s character, it darkened again. If what Mr. Wickham said was true, then Mr. Darcy was anything but a gentleman. However, Elizabeth found it difficult to put much store in Mr. Wickham. He was charming and a fun companion, but she recognized in him the characteristics of a dreamer dissatisfied with his station in life.

  A loud laugh rippled through the night. It sounded like her uncle. She looked in the direction the laugh had come from. It had sounded fairly near, but Elizabeth did not see anyone else in her part of the garden. Looking up, she saw her uncle on a balcony. Of course. Elizabeth was curious to know who he was talking with to cause so much mirth.

  Cutting across the lawn unseen, she walked closer and saw that her uncle Gardiner was conversing with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Aunt Gardiner was there too. Perplexed, Elizabeth stood beneath the balcony and tried to listen, curiosity overcoming her poor manners by eavesdropping. But the sounds of music, dancing feet, hundreds of people talking, and the clinking of champagne glasses prevented her from hearing more than a word or two. Unsuccessful at her failed attempt at spying, Elizabeth returned to the garden, feeling like a silly goose. She would ask Aunt Gardiner about their conversation when they got home. Or, better yet, she could ask her during the course of the evening.

  The plan of action gave her purpose and she walked back into the ballroom to seek out an opportunity to speak with her aunt. That is, after ensuring Mr. Darcy’s departure. The last thing Elizabeth wanted was to make herself appear too eager with the gentleman.

  She saw that Jane and Mr. Bingley were dancing together again. He had already danced with her earlier. Elizabeth smiled for her sister. Mr. Bingley was very pleasant and so similar to Jane in his kindness that they would surely make a good match. He also had a tidy fortune and could afford to marry for love. There was nothing complicated about him. He liked Jane; therefore he danced with her as often as was allowed and talked with her freely and openly. They knew more about Mr. Bingley after one evening in his company than she could learn about Mr. Darcy in weeks or even a lifetime.

  She joined them when the dance concluded.

  “Lizzy, where have you been? You have been missing all the merriment,” chided Jane.

  �
�I fear I was overwhelmed by the perfume of the flowers and needed a brief respite in the garden.” She pinched her nose and giggled at the giant flower arrangement centered on the punch table they were walking toward.

  “What a jolly idea. Let us get some punch and go out to the garden, if you will show us the way, Miss Elizabeth,” suggested Mr. Bingley, his eyes not once leaving Jane.

  Jane smiled shyly and walked toward the doors leading to the garden. Mr. Bingley gawked at her with his mouth open, then raced to catch up with her.

  “Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth called out after him, “will you take these with you?” Elizabeth handed him two glasses filled with red punch.

  “Thank you. I had quite forgotten,” he said with a blush.

  Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had only pleasant things to say about Mr. Bingley as a businessman. Of course, her aunt also had pleasant things to say about the Darcy family. However, Elizabeth knew from her own experience in her family that you could not judge one family member based on the others. Both she and Jane were different from their parents and sisters, but she was aware people judged them.

  A sickening lump in her stomach settled as she wondered if Mr. Bingley, under the constant pressure of his uppity sister, would really propose to Jane knowing how her family’s sometimes crude manners could reflect on him. She knew enough about Mr. Darcy to know that he did not approve of their silly ways.

  Elizabeth inspected a nearby rosebush as Jane and Mr. Bingley sat on a bench. Looking around her, Elizabeth felt dismal and alone. It was time to seek out Aunt Gardiner.

  The music ended and several couples made their way to the garden. Mr. Bingley soon had a crowd of friends surrounding Jane and himself. Seeing this as an opportunity to excuse herself, Elizabeth stepped back inside the ballroom.

  With a forced smile, she walked in the direction of the balcony where she had seen her aunt and uncle. Maybe they would still be there.

  She brushed past the red velvet curtain and onto the balcony. Her face lengthened when she saw that Mr. Darcy had gone, but quickly checked herself because she had not intended to see him anyway. Shaking her head at her foolishness, she went to her aunt. Aunt Gardiner sat on a chair and rocked her head to the music of the orchestra, a glass half full of champagne in her hand.

  She gave Elizabeth a sly smile as she drew near. What could that mean?

  Chapter 14

  “This evening, we shall do something diverting as a family. I should like to sleep before dawn and I fear that our fatigue has caused us to neglect the children.” Uncle Gardiner made his announcement after their late breakfast following the Vermeer’s ball.

  “That is music to my ears, Edward. Nothing pleases me more than a night out with the family. Where shall we go?” asked Aunt Gardiner, clapping her hands together. Elizabeth could see the anticipation on everyone’s faces.

  She did not care where they went so long as it was not to another ball. After Mr. Darcy danced with her, several gentlemen had asked her to dance. It sickened Elizabeth to know the gentlemen only asked because she had been seen dancing with Mr. Darcy. They had snubbed her so easily before dancing with him.

  Voicing her opinion, Elizabeth said, “Please, Uncle, nothing that requires dancing. My toes could not bear it.” Unfortunately for her toes, not all of her dance partners were as graceful as Mr. Darcy had been. He was an elegant dancer.

  Elizabeth’s cousins looked at each other around the parlor, uncertain what to suggest.

  Jane stifled a yawn. “I too should like to sleep before dawn.”

  Looking at his four children, Uncle Gardiner asked, “This evening is for your enjoyment. Where would you like to go?”

  Emma now spoke without hesitation, as if she had anticipated the question for some time. “To the circus!”

  This was met with immediate approval. Elizabeth brightened at the mention of a circus. She had never been to one. Jane, she noticed, sat straighter in her chair as some of the sleep fell from her eyes.

  “It appears that we all think that a fine idea, Emma. We shall go to Astley’s Amphitheatre this very night,” said Uncle Gardiner in triumph.

  A knock sounded at the door. They had a caller.

  Elizabeth held her breath. They had not had many callers since it was found out that she and Jane had a minuscule dowry. Who could it be?

  The footman entered their parlor to announce a Mr. Charles Bingley and Miss Caroline Bingley.

  Elizabeth looked at Jane. She was blushing a pretty shade of pink even though this most certainly was not Mr. Bingley’s first call. Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand and when they looked to Aunt Gardiner, the three ladies shrieked in delight as they did every time he called.

  Elizabeth and Aunt Gardiner made sure Jane was presentable, smoothing hair and straightening ribbons. Then, the adults went into the drawing room while the children went upstairs to their schoolroom.

  Cordialities were exchanged. Jane sat on a settee with room enough beside her. Elizabeth watched Mr. Bingley to see if he would sit on the settee. Miss Bingley was too quick for her brother and plopped herself down next to Jane, leaving Mr. Bingley to find a chair opposite them.

  Elizabeth could feel Miss Bingley’s glare as Mr. Bingley spoke with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth, refusing to feel scrutinized in the home of her own family, met Miss Bingley’s stare. Miss Bingley glowered while Elizabeth feigned disinterest. Aunt Gardiner had told Elizabeth that Miss Bingley would have her nose out of joint because, while Mr. Darcy had asked Elizabeth for a dance, he had not asked Miss Bingley. That was an unexpected blow to the haughty lady, for she dearly wanted to be called Mrs. Darcy. Evidently, she had come to size up her competition. It took what felt like several minutes to Elizabeth before Miss Bingley looked away with a huff and picked at her skirts.

  “I am delighted you came by, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley. We were discussing our plans for the evening, as we have accepted no social invitations. Our well-being requires a change of pace. Instead, I am taking my family to Astley’s Amphitheatre,” said Mr. Gardiner, looking particularly at Mr. Bingley.

  “The children are in need of some entertainment and my nieces have never been to the show. Have you been?” asked Mrs. Gardiner.

  “What a delightful evening! The horse tricks were always my favorite bit. I cannot imagine growing into adulthood without seeing the circus. You simply must go!” Mr. Bingley rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is many years since I have been to Astley’s.”

  “Perhaps you should join us, Mr. Bingley. You and Miss Bingley would be most welcome in our party. The more, the merrier, I say,” said Mr. Gardiner, seeing his opportunity to advance his niece’s suit.

  Elizabeth felt like jumping up and hugging her uncle. The invitation was masterfully delivered. She gloated at Miss Bingley, who did not look pleased in the least.

  Miss Bingley humphed in her seat. “I am sure the children will love it. It is such a… juvenile pastime. Charles, you have already accepted Mrs. Whitehead’s invitation on our behalf and it would be boorish to cancel now.”

  At this, Mr. Bingley squirmed in his chair. “I am afraid, Caroline, that it escaped my mind to accept the invitation in time. I would not dare impose by arriving after Mrs. Whitehead had made all of her preparations.”

  Miss Bingley remained quiet, but Elizabeth imagined she saw smoke coming out of her ears.

  Mr. Bingley continued, all eyes on him. “I have been in an upset all morning to know what to do this evening. Now, I see that it is fortuitous we called here. Had we been otherwise engaged, we would not have been able to accompany our friends to the circus.” The last was said to Miss Bingley, who did not share in her brother’s excitement.

  “Then it is settled.” Uncle Gardiner clapped in decision and he made plans to meet the Bingleys at the Amphitheatre.

  “Charles, since we will be joining the Gardiners and the Misses Bennets for the evening, I think it wise to depart. We do not want to impose on their time.” Miss Bingley’s smile attempted to be sw
eet over her set jaw.

  “It is no imposition at all. In fact, you are welcome any time you wish to call,” replied Aunt Gardiner.

  Mr. Bingley looked pleased at the welcome, but before he could speak, Miss Bingley told him squarely, “I have more calls I should like to make before the social hour ends. Perhaps we could call at another time?” She rose from her seat, set to go, leaving her brother no option but to depart.

  When the door shut behind them, Elizabeth and Jane skipped over to their uncle and gave him hugs.

  “Well done, Uncle. Jane shall enjoy the circus all the more for having Mr. Bingley there.” Elizabeth beamed.

  “Did you see the look on his sister’s face when she realized her brother would accept our invitation?” asked Aunt Gardiner.

  “Sour grapes, my dear. Mr. Bingley is gentleman enough to make decisions on his own. If he allows himself to be manipulated by his conniving sister, then he does not deserve our Janey anyway,” said Uncle Gardiner.

  Not feeling as tired as she had earlier, Elizabeth said in high spirits, “I am certain that it was Mr. Bingley himself who decided to call this morning. If his intentions were uncertain, he would not act so. Especially against the will of Miss Bingley.”

  “I think Miss Bingley wanted to see who she was up against for Mr. Darcy’s attentions. I would not take her too lightly, my dear,” warned Mrs. Gardiner.

  “I do not consider myself that much of a threat. Mr. Darcy hardly spoke to me the entire time we danced.”

  Aunt Gardiner sighed at Elizabeth and shared a knowing look with Uncle Gardiner, who said, “Do not give yourself so little credit, Lizzy. I do believe you have that effect on some young men. Did you not tell us how easy he was to talk to when he walked you home from Hyde Park? I am not saying the man is madly in love. I only wish you would not so easily give up on him. He would make a fine husband.”