by Sophia King
While Elizabeth was more and more astonished at the intimacy of the questions he put to her, she could not pretend to be offended by them. The whole of Meryton had been astonished when Miss Lucas and Mr Collins had announced their engagement after his rejection by Miss Bennet. Mr Darcy would not have been human if he was not curious as to how such an event had come about, especially as his last experience with both had been Mr Collins quite clearly staking his claim for her hand.
“I believe they are very well suited to one another,” said Elizabeth delicately. “I received a letter from her just today, and she sounds very happy and content. She has requested I come stay with her. Kent is not too far from London. I may visit her for a few weeks.”
Darcy smiled. While he had been in no doubt Elizabeth would reject such a fool as Mr Collins, he had still feared an acceptance. Marrying him would have saved her family, so it was not outside the bounds of possibility that she would have felt she had no choice but to accept him. His relief had been enormous when he received his aunt’s letter, and until that moment, he had not realised how concerned he had been.
He also suspected that it was for that reason Elizabeth was in London. He was sure her mother, who was a determined husband-hunter, had banished her daughter from the family home as a punishment for rejecting a man who would have saved them all. Darcy had always been a pragmatic man, and if he had heard the situation about any other lady, he would have thought her a simpleton for turning down a match that would have ensured her security forever. Especially a lady who had little hope of another offer coming her way.
But with Elizabeth, it was different. He could not help but admire the strength of character that made her stay true to her own heart. He thought it showed a nature that desired real love over security. In the status-obsessed circles he moved in, such integrity and authenticity was refreshing indeed.
“If you go into Kent, I am sure my aunt will receive you,” he said.
Elizabeth smiled across the table at him. Once again, he was struck by how beautiful she looked, the soft candlelight picking up the golden tints in her hair, her dark eyes shining with life. “I have heard so much about your aunt, I feel as if I know her already,” she admitted. “I wonder if the reality will match up with the image I have in my mind?”
Darcy looked across at her and their eyes locked. “I hope if it does not, you will be honest enough to accept the truth of the person you see,” he said softly. “You are too good and honest to allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice.”
Elizabeth could scarcely breath. She covered her embarrassment with a laugh and tore her gaze from his. Right then, she wished Lydia was present. Her jokes and nonsense would have prevented the evening from taking such an intimate turn.
“I am afraid you are too kind, Mr Darcy,” she said. “It is Jane who is the one who is the good Bennet sister.”
Something uncomfortable gnawed in Darcy’s chest. While he believed he had done the right thing in separating Bingley from Miss Bennet, he could not help but feel uneasy. He had been sure Miss Bennet did not care for his friend, but he worried that maybe he saw what he wished to see. After all, he himself was aloof and distant with the woman he was attracted to. Who could say that Miss Bennet was not similar?
“I hope Miss Bennet is well?” he asked. “I am surprised she did not come with you to London.”
Elizabeth wondered if Darcy knew what had made Bingley leave Meryton so quickly. Had his sisters confided in him?
“She is well,” she said. “She wishes to be at home right now. My other sister is here with me.”
Darcy looked alarmed. The two eldest Miss Bennets were the only ones he could tolerate. The three youngest were some of the silliest, most irritating ladies he had ever encountered.
“Which sister is that?” he asked.
“My youngest. Lydia.”
If Darcy had been alone, he would have groaned aloud. Lydia was the very worst of the bunch. He was surprised he had not heard her arrival in Cheapside from the other side of London.
“She did not wish to accompany you here tonight?”
“No. We have had many outings, and she expressed a desire to stay home. I believe London society is having a positive effect on her. She has been calmer and quieter since being here.” Elizabeth flashed him a smile. “Perhaps she is learning that she is not as important as she tends to believe she is.”
Darcy could believe that. London society could have the affect of either catching a young lady up in its toils and ruining her, or it could inspire her to go in the opposite direction and learn some humility. He was glad to hear Lydia Bennet seemed to take the more worthy route. Perhaps he had misjudged her after all.
Chapter 19
When the dinner was finished, the party retired to the drawing room. A grand pianoforte took pride of place near the window, softly lit by candlelight. It was already open, suggesting Miss Darcy had been playing before the guests arrived. Elizabeth saw Miss Darcy whispering to her brother, before she approached her.
“Miss Bennet,” she said with a bashful smile. “My brother greatly praised your playing when he returned from Meryton, and I have always longed to hear you. Will you play for us?”
Elizabeth looked across the room to where Darcy stood, engaged in quiet conversation with her aunt and uncle. She looked so quizzical that he excused himself and came towards them.
“I hope everything is alright?”
“I am afraid not, Mr Darcy,” said Elizabeth with mock gravity. “It seems you have been caught in a most grievous lie.”
Darcy looked alarmed. “I have?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Your sister tells me you have praised my playing of the pianoforte. I do not recall every hearing praise from you when I played.”
“You said you’d rarely heard anything which gave you more pleasure, Fitzwilliam,” said Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth gasped. “Worse and worse. Your brother has perjured himself, Miss Darcy. I am sorry you should discover his dishonesty. I am not a great player, and I cannot imagine my playing superior enough to give anyone pleasure.”
“You are severe on yourself,” said Darcy, smiling. “Did I not often request your performance at Netherfield?”
Elizabeth considered. It was true. He had often sought her out, and asked her to indulge them with music.
“That is true,” she agreed. “I had not considered that. The only time you requested another’s performance was on the last evening. You asked Miss Bingley to play, and you asked me to…” Too late, Elizabeth realised what she was saying. She broke off with a self-conscious grin.
“I asked you to dance,” Darcy finished softly. His eyes held hers. Miss Darcy clapped her hands together.
“You have performed miracles, Miss Bennet,” she said. “My brother hates to dance.”
“That is not true,” said Darcy. “I have often danced with you, have I not?”
“When you are performing your brotherly duty,” said Miss Darcy. “When I am obliged to practice the steps I learned from my master. But in a ball, Mr Bingley has told me you rarely dance.”
“He is most severe on me,” said Darcy. “I have often danced at balls. Miss Bennet here can vouch for me. I danced with her at the ball at Netherfield.”
“Yes, you did,” agreed Elizabeth. “And I was excessively shocked. Especially considering when I first met you, you refused to dance even though gentlemen were scarce and more than one lady was in want of a partner.”
Darcy looked embarrassed. “I had not the pleasure of being acquainted with anyone beyond my own party that evening,” he said.
Elizabeth nodded. “And of course it is impossible to be introduced at a ball,” she said. “That is not at all their intended purpose.” She remembered that night, and a mischievous spirit moved her to add, “But of course, one is less open to being to introduced to ladies if they are not handsome enough to tempt one.”
Miss Darcy laughed. “I am sure my brother would not see it that way,”
she said. “Come, Miss Bennet. I will turn the pages for you.”
The two young ladies crossed the room arm in arm and sat beside one another at the pianoforte.
Darcy stared after them in horror. She had heard his remarks to Bingley. His cruel, petty remarks when he had been tired and irritated that Bingley insisted he attend a social gathering after a long day of consoling Georgiana before he was obliged to leave her in London. His sister had been recovering slowly from her first heartbreak, and it had been difficult to leave her, even if it was to help a friend. He had said it to force Bingley to let him be and stop pushing him to dance. But he never imagined she would hear it.
He wished he could bury his face in his hands. He was more drawn to this woman than he cared to admit and while he still maintained she was an entirely unsuitable partner for him, he could not seem to refrain from making a mess of things. He even flattered himself that if he ever did decide to make her an offer, she would be overcome with gratitude at how fine a match it was for her. But instead, he insulted her at every turn. Even worse, she heard him insult her when he thought she would not hear.
His face burned as he remembered the other things he had said about her.
“Did the famed beauty of Miss Eliza Bennet not move you, Mr Darcy?” Miss Bingley had laughed that first evening after the assembly.
“I should as soon call her mother a wit,” he’d replied, sending the two women into peals of laughter, and earning himself a sharp reprimand from Mr Bingley.
He was a cad. He was not worthy of the name of gentleman. He had insulted her relatives at Netherfield in part to deflect Miss Bingley from her constant teasing, and in part to convince himself of how unsuited Miss Bennet was for him. But how could he explain it to her?
He looked across at the piano. The two ladies played side by side. Georgiana laughed openly at something Miss Bennet said. He had rarely seen his sister so relaxed in anyone’s company apart from himself and their cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. He had a sudden image of Elizabeth and Georgiana playing the piano together every night at Pemberley. Elizabeth would always be there, installed as his wife. How happy and contend they should all be.
What was he doing? Was he seriously considering marrying this woman? He looked across at her relatives. The same ones he had looked down on when he first heard of their existence. They were sensible, good-humoured people and very affectionately attached to one another. Darcy watched as they smiled at one another, and Mr Gardiner discreetly raised his wife’s hands to his lips for a kiss. Darcy’s heart ached. It was what he wanted more than anything. And he could only think of one lady he would wish to have it with. He looked again at Elizabeth. He had made an appallingly bad first impression. Did he have a chance to change Elizabeth’s image of him? How could he prove to her that he was a man worthy of her?
He could bear it no longer. He rose and approached the piano. “Miss Bennet,” he said. She glanced up at him, her face flushed with laughter. She continued playing, although with her attention distracted, she missed a few notes.
“What is it, Mr Darcy?” she asked with a pert smile. “Do you mean to distract me from my playing so you can criticise my performance? I fear you have succeeded in that end, but you have not managed to intimidate me.”
His heart sank. Did she really think so lowly of him? Perhaps she imagined he would go back to Miss Bingley and make sport of her performance? And she would not be unjust in thinking so. He had already proved himself capable of that.
“I would never criticise your performance,” he said. “It is one of my greatest pleasures, even though you accused me of lying when I complimented you on it. I have a simple request to make.”
Elizabeth glanced apologetically at Georgiana and the girls ceased their playing. Elizabeth looked up at him, her eyebrows raised and a challenging smile on her lips.
“You have my attention,” she said.
Darcy cleared his throat. His cravat suddenly felt too tight. For the first time in his life, he had to attempt to court a young lady. A lady he had already humiliated several times. He had not chosen an easy path to love.
“Miss Bennet, I wonder if you would be so good as to - that is, if you are not otherwise engaged - “ He hated how nervous he sounded. Elizabeth’s eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “My sister and I are attending the carnival at Ranelagh Gardens tomorrow,” he said finally. “And we would be delighted if you would join us. Would we not, Georgie?”
“Oh yes,” cried Georgiana with far more animation than Darcy had ever seen coming from her. “Do say yes, Miss Bennet. I have so looked forward to seeing it, and it will be even better if you are with us.”
Elizabeth was astonished at the invitation. She could only suppose it was because Darcy had seen how friendly her and Miss Darcy had been, and wished to promote their friendship. That would be no hardship. She liked Miss Darcy very much, and would not be sorry to get to know her better.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” she said sincerely. “I would be delighted. That is, if my aunt and uncle can spare me?” She glanced behind her at Mrs and Mr Gardiner. They had watched the exchange approvingly.
“Of course you may go, Lizzy,” said Mr Gardiner. “You will love the displays at Ranelagh.”
Elizabeth turned to Mr Darcy and gave him such a broad smile that his heart leaped painfully. She was so beautiful.
“I am delighted to accept,” she said. “And thank you for asking. It is very thoughtful of you.”
Darcy smiled. He saw Georgiana give Elizabeth’s arm an excited little squeeze. If he did succeed and make Elizabeth an offer, he would not need to work hard to win Georgiana’s approval. He was fairly certain she was already sold on the idea of having Miss Bennet for a sister.
“I am glad you can join us,” he said. “We will collect you from Gracechurch Street at five o’clock.”
“You will come to Gracechurch Street?” Elizabeth’s eyebrows raised and she gave him a sardonic smile. Darcy could have cursed himself for his earlier snobbery.
“Yes, I will,” he said with a new firmness. He fixed Elizabeth with a steady look. He thought he saw her take a sharp inhale of breath, as if she was as moved as he was. But it might have been his own wishful thinking at work. “It will be my honour,” he added.
Elizabeth continued to gaze at him. She turned back to the piano. As the girls began playing again, he caught her words, said so softly, he could have missed them.
“Then you must have greatly changed.”
Chapter 20
Lydia came into the parlour and collapsed with laughter when she saw Elizabeth standing before the mirror, tying her bonnet under her chin.
“I could not believe it when my aunt told me you were to take an outing with Mr Darcy,” she exclaimed. “What has come over you, Lizzy? Are you determined to have him for a husband?” She threw herself into a chair. “I could not blame you. He is a dreadful bore, but he is handsome, and has an income of a million pounds a year.”
“Ten thousand,” said Elizabeth shortly. “Awake at last, are you? I thought you intended to sleep the day away?”
She saw Lydia watch her from the reflection of the mirror. She rose from the chair and came towards her. Wrapping her arms around her, she lay her head on her shoulder.
“Do not be cross with me, Lizzy. I was only teasing.”
Elizabeth’s irritation melted away. Her sister had a way of doing that. Just when she wanted to throttle her, she could then turn about and do something so sweet and affectionate that it was impossible to stay angry.
“I am not cross,” she said. “But I do not wish you to speak in such a way. Mr Darcy is haughty enough without him suspecting I am persuing him for a husband.”
Lydia raised her head to see her sister’s face. Elizabeth’s cheeks were faintly pink.
“Then why are you spending the evening with him?” she said. “I know it is not for the pleasure of his company. You have made your feelin
gs about that all too clear.”
Elizabeth laughed and gently pushed Lydia away so she could find her coat. “It is not for his company,” she said. “I find his sister a very charming young lady. I enjoyed her company last night. She is so very shy that I should like to be of service to her in some way. Perhaps draw her out of her shell.” She sighed as she pulled her coat on. “And that also means spending time with Mr Darcy.”
She thought she saw a flash of feeling in Lydia’s eyes. “It is nice of you to spend time with her,” she said. “And that you wish to be her friend.”
Elizabeth looked at Lydia closely. While the sisters had always been fond of one another, they had never been close. It was a rare occasion that they might seek one another out. She could not imagine that Lydia might be jealous of Elizabeth spending the evening with another young girl of her age.
“If you would like, we can visit the tea room tomorrow?” she offered. “Perhaps in the morning?”
“Not in the morning,” said Lydia. “Maybe in the afternoon.”
“Far be it for me to interrupt your beauty sleep,” said Elizabeth with a laugh. She returned to the mirror and tucked her curls under the bonnet. They had an irritating habit of escaping, giving her a constantly dishevelled look. “We shall go in the afternoon. It shall be my treat.”
“It shall have to be.” Lydia’s grin was broad. “I mean to keep all my money for ribbons. I shall be relying on you heavily, Lizzy. Perhaps I shall help you marry Mr Darcy after all. Then you can support me to live a life of luxury. A townhouse in London would be just the thing. I am sure you could think of a way to convince him.”
“Lydia!” said Elizabeth, spinning around to face her sister. “What have I just told you about joking about me marrying Mr Darcy…”
But her sister had already fled from the room. Elizabeth could hear her laughter ringing out as she pounded back up the stairs to prepare for her own evening of doing who knew what.
