by APRIL FLOYD
Mr. Darcy nodded. “She wanted to come riding too but Mrs. Greaves had cleared her orders through me first. The poor girl is nearly mad to leave Darcy House.”
They walked along in silence for a time and Elizabeth spotted a bench off the path but still in view of the lake. Thomas followed them at a respectable distance.
They sat and Mr. Darcy took her hand. He blurted out his thoughts surprising Elizabeth. “Have you thought of marrying again? You are certainly young enough still to want such a thing.”
Elizabeth did not know how to answer. She was shocked at his boldness. Was he asking because he wished to be the man she might marry one day? Or did he think she might have become enamored with another gentleman? Her sisters hoped to find suitors, but when Elizabeth pondered such a thing her mind often went to Mr. Darcy.
Unwilling to admit such a thing to the man beside her, she looked out across the lake. “I had not thought of it to be honest, at least not in any serious manner. I would love for Richard to have a father before he is too much older.”
A flame of hope ignited in Mr. Darcy’s heart. “When you do consider it in a serious manner, I ask that you come to me. I would not ask for your hand now, for I know you would only refuse me. But you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire you Elizabeth, and young Richard. I could be a wonderful father to him for I love him as my own. Surely you have seen it?”
Her idea of walking in Hyde Park had not included such a serious meeting with Mr. Darcy. He was not proposing to her but asking to be considered above any other gentleman she might meet when her heart and mind were in agreement. It was a fair and honorable request. He did love her son, she knew that in her heart, but could his admiration for her grow into a feeling more akin to love?
It was her turn to speak plainly and surprise Mr. Darcy. “You do not ask of me more than I had thought to offer. I have seen the bond between you and Richard and I cherish it. Sometimes I think the colonel led us to you, for your protection and guidance has been a great blessing.”
Mr. Darcy was speechless for a time and they sat in comfortable silence watching birds flitting across the lake.
Finally, he spoke. “I am no longer surprised Richard captured your heart. It pains me greatly that I left Hertfordshire when I did. That party at Lucas Lodge, you recall? I longed to know you better, but left thinking I ought to forget you. Our connections were so different. My pride got the better of me and I have been jealous of my cousin and sick with grief over his passing. I am happy you came to London and happy to know a piece of Richard lives on in his son.”
Elizabeth squeezed his hand and looked up to the clouds. She whispered the words that would give Mr. Darcy hope for their future. “Loving by halves is not my nature, William. If I take another husband, it will be because I love him more than life itself for I have never settled for less.”
The pair lingered for but another half hour by the lake speaking of things besides love and when Elizabeth stood after he rose, Mr. Darcy offered his arm. “I would see you safely home for there is a boy I wish to see before the day is done.”
Elizabeth patted his arm as she laid her hand upon it. “You may stay for dinner if you wish. I expect my sisters will be full of gossip about Lady Matlock.”
Mr. Darcy grimaced. “I did not think she would come. One night last week over dinner, she and my uncle argued over Richard. Aunt Margaret asked Uncle Reginald to take him from you, but he refused. They fought bitterly until I simply quit the dining room and returned home. Uncle Reginald was quite angry. I had never seen him like that. He told her that she had ruined her relationship with her sons and he would not stand by and watch her do such with young Richard.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I believe she does wish to take my son but I will never allow it. She seems to care for him, but I will never trust her.”
Mr. Darcy was sorry he had relayed the news to her but he felt she should know. “I find no fault in that sentiment, Elizabeth. At least she came and attempted to help your sisters. I am pleased for that.”
Elizabeth raised one eyebrow. “My mother was not very pleased. Mr. Harley and I risked our lives to settle a spat between them. Come to think of it, he only guarded the ballroom door.”
“Wise man, that Harley,” Mr. Darcy said and led the woman he truly loved back toward Rotten Row along the banks of The Serpentine.
Chapter 6
Miss Darcy entered the ballroom of Fitzwilliam House very much improved in health. Her blue silk gown made her eyes sparkle and Elizabeth made a fuss over her when she approached with her brother.
After their greeting, Miss Darcy was immediately surrounded by Elizabeth’s sisters and Mr. Darcy watched them go in a blur of bright silks. He took a place beside Elizabeth to help her welcome her guests.
“Did you invite the whole of London?” He whispered as carriage after carriage came and went.
Elizabeth took a breath as the last of her guests passed them and crowded into the ballroom. “I believe your sister may have sent extra invitations from her sick bed.”
Mr. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm. “It would not surprise me if she did. Would you honor me with the first dance?”
Elizabeth took his arm gratefully and Mr. Darcy led her into the ballroom. Servants were opening the balcony doors to allow air into the room as the evening was unusually warm.
Elizabeth paused as she crossed the threshold. It seemed the crowd of London’s finest turned at once to watch her enter with Mr. Darcy.
The Matlocks had come and Mrs. Bennet hovered around the earl who very much liked to speak with her, much to Elizabeth’s eternal surprise.
Lady Matlock had come to Fitzwilliam House faithfully every day for the fortnight before the ball and taught the younger Bennet sisters how to behave themselves before the Ton.
Elizabeth noticed that she now kept her head turned in the direction of her niece and the Bennet sisters. Eligible young men surrounded the foursome, eager to claim the first dance.
Miss Darcy chose her beau, the young viscount from the Matlock Ball, as her brother had known she would. Elizabeth thought they made a fine match.
Kitty and Lydia were much more restrained in their enthusiasm for a dance and Elizabeth was most surprised by the change in them. The shouting and crying that had rang from this same ballroom for two weeks had left her in doubt, but tonight her sisters did Lady Matlock proud.
The music began and by the delighted gasps of the crowd, Elizabeth knew she had chosen well in having a waltz to open the ball.
Surprise registered on Mr. Darcy’s face for a brief moment and then he swept Elizabeth into the swirling crowd of dancers. Mr. Darcy held her close. His breath against her ear excited Elizabeth and she breathed deeply as they moved across the floor.
“I am relieved to have claimed the first dance in time. I would not wish to fight a man at your first ball in Fitzwilliam House.”
Elizabeth laughed at him, her cheeks filling with color. “William, to hear such threats of violence thrills me, but I do not think you would resort to such measures over a dance with me.”
She promptly bit her tongue and ducked her head as his eyes grew darker. “I am quite fond of you, Elizabeth, and so I do not make the threat lightly. I have found what I had lost at Fitzwilliam House; peace and hope for the future. It is because of you and young Richard.”
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and continued to guide Elizabeth around the room. Candles flickered from the cool air of the balcony and the movement of the dancers.
Elizabeth had never known such a romantic setting. Mr. Darcy’s arms were firm as he held her and she closed her eyes, finding pleasure in the moment.
Too soon, the music ended and the earl appeared to seek the next dance. Mr. Darcy bowed and cautioned his uncle. “Do not become comfortable, sir. I shall be waiting to have another dance with the lady.”
The earl chuckled and Mrs. Bennet pouted, her eyes trained on Mr. Darcy. He took pity on the woman to gain favor with her daughte
r. Elizabeth rewarded him with a giggle when they danced near to one another.
The earl chose Mrs. Bennet next and Elizabeth wished to watch her guests for the third dance. Mr. Darcy was eager to follow in her example for he did not wish to leave her side. “I abhor dancing and only am persuaded for your enjoyment.”
Elizabeth patted his arm in commiseration. “I am most grateful for your kind consideration, William. Mother shall speak of your gallantry for days, you know.”
Mr. Darcy gave a wry smile. “It would likely be the first good words she might have for my character.”
“‘Tis true she has often thought you unkind. But you cannot blame her. You did interfere with Charles and Jane.” Elizabeth immediately regretted the reminder of his past missteps.
“I have apologized to the Bingleys. I see no reason to revisit the matter now that all has come right. Have you forgiven me?”
Elizabeth thought on his question for she had not expected it tonight of all nights. She would not lie to him again even if it wounded his pride to know the truth.
“I have, I think, but I shall never forget. I think that must be why Richard never wrote to you of our courtship and marriage. He knew you had lost your friendship with Bingley over my sister. He chose Georgie as his confidant because she had not met my family and would hold no prejudice against me.”
Mr. Darcy’s lips formed a thin line and he stood speechless for some time. Elizabeth thought perhaps her honesty would have been better received had they not been at a ball.
“I may have the tendency toward caution where it is not warranted but would you not warn a friend if you believed their happiness was at stake?”
Elizabeth sighed. “I would seek to know more of the person they were attracted to, William. A judgement made too soon is as bad as one made too late.”
Mr. Darcy shook his head. “Your sister did not behave as women of her age and station often did with Bingley. I did not believe she held any interest in him and was merely polite.”
“Jane is a shy person. As close as we are, there are times I cannot tell her mind.”
Mr. Darcy held up a hand in pleading. “Must we have this discussion now? I am not the man I was then.”
Elizabeth turned and accepted a cup of punch from the footman tending the table. She offered it to Mr. Darcy. “I agree you seem more engaging and kind but there are traces of that prejudice still lurking. I shall be happy to remind you whenever it appears.”
She smiled at him as he sipped punch and furrowed his brow. Lady Matlock appeared behind his right shoulder and Elizabeth moved to stand beside her.
“My sisters have benefitted greatly from your assistance. I wanted to thank you for the kindness you have shown them. I fear mother and father would never have bothered.”
Offering the olive branch to her mother in law was not difficult but Elizabeth braced herself for a stinging reply.
“The night has only begun, there is time for punch and the allure of handsome young men to undo my careful tutelage.”
The lady did not disappoint. Elizabeth covered her irritation with a tight smile. “Perhaps you might remind them to maintain their composure?”
Lady Matlock waved a hand to dismiss Elizabeth and pressed closer to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth took that moment to escape and find her sisters herself. It would be wise to remind them of the promise she made before the ball.
If they managed the evening without a bit of embarrassment, she would take them shopping for an entire day in Mayfair. Any bonnet or bauble within her means could be had for the asking. Mary had only wished to visit the bookseller Mr. Darcy frequented, but Lydia and Kitty had sat down straight away to plot their day in the shopping district.
As Elizabeth made her way around the ballroom, she was greeted by many faces made familiar by her presence at Lady Matlock’s events and the many introductions when out with Miss Darcy. They seemed pleasant and interested in knowing her better, Major Wickham among them. Elizabeth took the hand he offered and moved away from the dance floor.
Chapter 7
“Why have you not come to see me before the ball, Major?” Elizabeth asked as he led her to a corner away from the crowd.
“I hoped I would never have to say but Mr. Darcy made it clear I was to stay far from Fitzwilliam House.”
Elizabeth raised a brow at this bit of information. “But you came to see me without a thought for his warning after the Matlock ball.”
Major Wickham sighed. “He gave a stronger warning more recently. I did not wish to make a scene for your sake.”
Elizabeth looked to the dancers as the music stopped again. “Come, my friend. Let us dance. Mr. Darcy shall have to see that I alone will decide who is welcome at my home.”
Major Wickham offered his arm, eager to ingratiate himself with his hostess. The buttons on his red coat twinkled in the candlelight and Elizabeth smiled to be near him again. They were a striking couple as they joined the next set, the center of attention.
Miss Darcy saw the dark haired man in his red coat with Elizabeth and pulled on her brother’s arm. She tried to whisper her agitation but no words would escape her lips. Mr. Darcy gave orders to her young man to take her downstairs and see that she was returned to Darcy House.
Mr. Darcy pushed his way through the crowd and parted the dancers. He placed a hand on Wickham’s shoulder and the man whirled away from him placing Elizabeth between them.
Elizabeth heard the whispers swelling in the room as the musicians faltered. “William, let us go to the library and settle this matter please.”
Major Wickham smiled wickedly behind Elizabeth and took up her plea. “Indeed, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, we would not wish to have a scene at such a grand gathering.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes went to slits and he ground out a challenge for the major. “Elizabeth has no need to leave her guests. You and I can settle our differences outside.”
Elizabeth glared at Mr. Darcy, her anger rising. “Perhaps you should leave, William. You may certainly see Major Wickham elsewhere.”
She turned to Wickham and motioned for the musicians to begin. Mr. Darcy stood amid the dancers, his temper rising until he could bear it no more. He waited for the major to cross back to the space beside him and grabbed the man.
In a moment, the two were locked in place. Major Wickham would not go without a fight. Mr. Harley appeared with three footmen and set upon Darcy and Wickham, forming a mass of struggling arms, legs, and fists.
The music ceased and Elizabeth shouted for the men to stop. Not a one heeded her words but Mr. Harley broke loose from the chaos and managed to get his footmen under control.
Quickly, they forced Mr. Darcy and the major from the ballroom. Lady Matlock and Mrs. Bennet began an attempt to settle the guests as Elizabeth and the earl went after Mr. Harley and the scuffling men.
Elizabeth glared at Mr. Darcy as her butler stood between him and Major Wickham. “I expected better from you, William. How could you behave so terribly on a night such as this?”
Mr. Darcy had no explanation for her other than to repeat his warnings about the man he wished to force away from Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam House. “He will bring ruin to this family. I have warned you again and again and yet you refuse to listen. Why do you doubt me, Elizabeth? Have I not proved myself where you and young Richard are concerned?”
“If there is doubt between us, it is not on my part. You simply cannot allow your friends nor family to hold a different opinion from your own. You lost the friendship and confidence of two of the best men of my acquaintance because of this flaw in your character. Trust me, William. I am not a child nor a dullard.” Elizabeth hated speaking to him so before the servants and Major Wickham.
Mr. Darcy looked about the hallway as though seeing it for the first time. Elizabeth’s words had taken the fight from the man. “If you find you have been mistaken, I will not hesitate to remove him from London. I pray he is unable to hurt you the way he has hurt others who are dear to me. Georgie will no lon
ger be allowed to darken the door of Fitzwilliam House.”
Before Elizabeth might object, Mr. Darcy turned on his heel and left.
Lady Matlock stood with her husband, the earl, in Elizabeth’s parlor long after the ball had ended. “Why is Darcy adamant about Major Wickham being driven from Fitzwilliam House and why will you not listen to his counsel?”
The earl sat beside the fireplace and watched the dying embers. “Margaret, have you not learned yet that our daughter will not be intimidated?”
Mrs. Bennet agreed with the earl. “‘Tis true. Lizzy has ever been obstinate and headstrong. But Major Wickham is a decent man, or he was whilst in Hertfordshire. He called on Lizzy and spent many evenings playing cards at my sister’s home in Meryton. Mr. Darcy is merely interfering in the affairs of my daughter. It is his way.”
Lady Matlock ignored them both. “If Wickham has wronged Darcy in the past, perhaps you might take heed. I would not like to see my grandson influenced by lesser men.”
Elizabeth did not like the woman’s inference. “My son is safe and secure at Fitzwilliam House. Major Wickham is only a friend to my family and I am certain he will not have very much time for socializing. I would like to go to my bed now.”
She stood and called for Mr. Harley. Lady Matlock and the earl quit the parlor and Elizabeth gave a great sigh of relief. Mrs. Bennet began to declare upon the evening but Elizabeth shook her head to silence the woman. “Come Mother, there is plenty of time on the morrow to gossip.”
Elizabeth linked arms with her mother and walked with her to her room. How she wished she might only consider the evening as a chance to gossip.
Elizabeth’s heart twisted as she left her mother and hurried to her own room. She did care very much for Mr. Darcy, as did Richard. But he must not be allowed to interfere in her life as he had with Charles and Jane. Unless she saw some reason not to trust Major Wickham, she could not banish him from her life.
